Oregon Family Magazine

Sports for Shy Kids Signs of Anxiety Picky or Problem Eater?

Spring Break & Summer Camp Guide Sports • Academics • Music • Outdoors & More!

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M

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STRONG

Solo Sports for Introverted Kids

24 YEARS

Distributed through Eugene, Springfield, Creswell, and Junction City elementary and middle schools, most area private schools, and over 300 commercial locations throughout Lane county.

PUBLISHER

march

6 Dad’s Eye View Wendy's French Test

18 EarthTalk Regenerative Agriculture

12 Calendar of Events

22 Distressing Anxiety Symptoms

15 Experience Lane County Skate Into Spring Break 16 Family Movie Time Early Man

24 Read & Play Celebrate Spring, Celebrate Earth 26 Pet Rescue Spotlight

Spring Break & Summer Camp Directory

Picky Eaters and Problem Feeders

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Pacific Parents Publishing EDITOR

Sandy Kauten CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kimberly Blaker Pilar Bradshaw, M.D., F.A.A.P. Rick Epstein Jennifer Galvin Bonnie L. Harris Andy Vobora GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT

Springer Design & Illustration ADVERTISING

Christi Kessler • 541.484.0434 christi@oregonfamily.com Sandy Kauten • 541.683.7452 sandy@oregonfamily.com OREGON FAMILY MAGAZINE

P.O. Box 21732 Eugene, OR 97402 541.683.7452 Email: info@oregonfamily.com Web: www.oregonfamily.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/OregonFamily

Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of this publication.

© 2018 Pacific Parents Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior expressed written permission from Pacific Parents Publishing.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

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A Dad’s Eye View

by Rick Epstein

Wendy’s Important French Test I am

in my favorite restaurant, Viva Mexico, sitting down to a farewell lunch for one of my staff, when my phone vibrates. It’s my 15-year-old daughter Wendy. The last time I’d seen her had been at 7 a.m. when she’d been too “sick” to get out of bed.

“Dad!” she says, “I need a ride to school. There’s a REALLY important French test at 12:45, and I have to be there.” My companions are eagerly studying their menus.

“Aren’t you ‘sick’?”

I ask Wendy.

“I’m better,” she says.

Maybe I should give up on lunch, although it promises to be delicious and enjoyable, and rush home, collect Wendy, and get her to school just in time for the big test. But my role at lunch goes a little beyond shoveling in the grub. I’m the boss, so my role is to steer the conversation away from how great it would be to work somewhere else.

On the other hand, what’s more important than my daughter’s education? However, this is really a case of her almost certainly pretending to be sick, and then making it MY problem. The “important” French test sounds a little fishy, too. This is the first time she’s ever used that particular adjective to describe anything academic.

Feeling my Father of the Year Award slipping away, I say, “Sorry, I’m in the middle of something and can’t get away. Besides, your French

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M

teacher wouldn’t punish a poor sick child. She’ll let you take the test another day.”

Wendy gives a little lion-roar of frustration, “Ahrrrrr!” then adds a slightly forced “I love you,” and hangs up.

She might not love me even that much if she could see what I get for lunch – a beef burrito the size of a fat Chihuahua, covered with cheese and garnished with chopped green onions. I hate to say it, but when it comes to eating Mexican food, I seem to have a natural ability, while Wendy is only comme çi comme ça at speaking French.

Besides, dining at Viva Mexico is my way of celebrating diversity. (Isn’t it inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to whip up something delectable”?)

But seriously, with all my kids — and especially with Wendy — I find myself wondering exactly what level of service I should render. Fabulous Mexican food aside, I want to be supportive enough to help my kids do what they want to do, but not so supportive I destroy their resourcefulness and initiative.

When I got home at 6 p.m., I found a note left by Wendy saying she’d walked to school. That’s a distance of six miles along country roads. I called her to see if she’d survived. “I’m fine,” she said. “Right now I’m at Brenna’s house.”

“Well,” I said, “You know the rule: If you’re too sick for school, you’re too sick to go visiting. I know that sounds kind of stupid, since you just showed that you’re healthy enough to walk six miles to school.”

“It was more like five miles; I took a short cut,” she said. “It was an adventure. I had to wade through a creek and plunge through sticker bushes. My jeans got caught on barb wire. Geese chased me and I ran across a field that had cows or maybe bulls in it. They stood and watched me. Good thing I wasn’t wearing red.

They seem to be OK with hot pink.”

Wendy had arrived at school 20 minutes before quitting time and told the attendance secretary she had overslept. “She sent me to eighth-period class.”

I said, “OK, I’m coming to pick you up.”

She later told me that she’d been driven out of the house by boredom, not by French.

I’ll admit to being scared about Wendy roaming the countryside risking harm from raging bulls or passing perverts, and it diminishes my control to have her realize that she can get somewhere on her own two feet. But I’m proud of Wendy and her adventure. Kids have too few of them nowadays.

Rick can be reached at rickepstein@yahoo.com.

WE’RE #1 BECAUSE THEY’RE #1

OREGON’S TOP RANKED CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. Kids deserve our best — every day. So Doernbecher brings together more children’s specialists than anywhere else in the region. That’s made us the only children’s hospital in Oregon to earn specialty rankings among the best in the country.

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

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Solo 8

M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M

Sports for Introverted Kids HERE’S WHERE THEIR ABILITIES SHINE THROUGH

by Kimberly Blaker

There’s no doubt, team sports offer an array of benefits to kids. Team

sports provide opportunities for kids to develop friendships, work as a team, problem solve, learn good sportsmanship, and much more.

But team sports aren’t for everyone. Many kids, particularly those who are introverted or shy, lack interest in or struggle with team sports. When kids aren’t into team sports, parents often get caught up in an endless battle – with their kids kicking and screaming all the way to every practice and game.

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T

he question is, should parents push unenthused kids into team sports if their kids are adamant they want no part of it? Encouraging kids to participate in some form of extracurricular activity is undoubtedly a good idea, for several reasons unrelated to the actual activity. Such activities can provide kids valuable learning opportunities while also keeping them fit. But if your child is introverted, social or group experiences can be particularly stressful and mentally exhausting.

So, what can you do to help your child get in some fitness and develop motor skills while s t i l l allowing your child to be true to himself or herself?

There are plenty of sports and physical activities to choose from that aren’t as mentally taxing, yet they provide kids plenty of benefits.

Solo Sports Martial arts. This sport is divided into the categories of wrestling, striking, grappling, and weaponry. Many disciplines use a combination of these categories, so it’s a good idea to look into several disciplines. Then let your child help decide which style to try.

Some of the most popular forms include judo, Tai-Chi, karate, kickboxing, wrestling, Taekwondo, Aikido, and Jiu-Jitsu. Through martial arts, in addition to learning selfdefense, kids learn self-discipline and finetune their motor skills.

Gymnastics. The most popular form of gymnastics is artistic, which includes floor exercise, balance beam, vault, uneven bars, still rings, and parallel bars. There’s also rhythmic, which combines dance and gymnastics moves to music. Aerobic gymnastics is yet another form. Gymnastics improves strength, flexibility, balance, and cognitive functioning, among other benefits.

Ice Skating. Speed skating is one form of ice skating your child can learn. But there’s also figure skating, which includes single skating, pair skating, ice dancing, and synchronized skating. This sport provides

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a cardiovascular workout while improving flexibility, balance, and endurance. It’s also a great way to develop leg muscles.

Skateboarding. This solo sport has numerous forms including, but not limited to slalom, freestyle, street, off-road, vert, and park. Skateboarding offers many benefits including overall fitness, endurance, precision, and as many a skateboarder will attest, increased pain tolerance.

Bicycling. This is an excellent form of exercise that improves strength, coordination, and flexibility. There are several forms of bicycling that might appeal to your child such as distance endurance cycling, mountain biking, and stunt riding.

Archery. Although archery might appear to be a passive sport, it offers several benefits including improving balance, coordination, upper body strength, and mental focus. Also, during competitions, archers get plenty of exercise as they often walk up to five miles.

Dance. Many people argue dance isn’t a sport. Nonetheless, it offers many of the same benefits as sports. Dancing builds self-confidence, provides exercise, and develops balance, stamina , and strength. Forms of dance include tap, ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, swing ,

Latin, contra, Irish step dance, and more.

Swimming and Diving. Either of these might appeal to your introverted child.

Swimming builds strength and endurance while improving cardiovascular fitness.

Diving improves agility, strengthens the upper body, particularly the arms, and improves mental focus.

Running. As straightforward as running may sound, there are several forms from which your child can choose. There’s adventure running, cross country, road, mountain, track and field, races, and marathon. Whatever the form, it’s an excellent cardiovascular workout.

It also builds endurance, releases stress, and is a powerful antidepressant.

Skiing. Downhill or cross-country skiing, as well as water skiing, improve endurance while strengthening the lower body and improving balance. The drawback is its feasibility depending on your proximity to snow and hills or water.

Climbing. If you have a tree climber on your hands, rock climbing might be the perfect sport. As dangerous as it may sound, according to a study that appeared in the Journal of Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, volume 19, #2, 2008, specific forms of climbing are less r isky then several other sports such as hiking, sledding, and snowboarding.

Climbing is an excellent cardiovascular workout, tones and strengthens muscles, and improves mental focus.

Golf. For those who walk the course and carry their bag, golf is an excellent form of exercise. It also reduces stress and stimulates the brain. Unlike most sports, it has low risk of injury offering parents peace of mind.

Inline skating. Although rollerblading first gained popularity with hockey, it’s been enjoyed equally as a leisure or solo sport.

Inline skating offers nearly as much cardio and muscle building benefits as running but without so much impact on the joints.

Kimberly Blaker is the author of the kid’s STEM book Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery? She also writes a blog, Modern FamilyStyle at modernfamilystyle.com

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SPRING & SUMMER CAMPS DIRECTORY

The Oregon Track Club monthly run/walk series is back!

Your Ticket to Summer Fun!

Call 541-683-7452 to Advertise

Join us on the second Thursday of the month for a 5K run or walk with a supportive community. All ages and abilities welcome.

Upcoming Events: March 8, April 12 and May 10 6:00 pm • Alton Baker Park $5 for non-OTC members FREE for members Register online: www.oregontrackclub.org

Enroll your teen in Driver Education this summer!

Did you know…?

Adding one more second between you and the car in front of you reduces the chance of an accident by 80%?

541-917-4849 O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

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Kids Adventure Club – Fishing Fun. Cascade Family Fly Fishers brings fun learning all about fishing! Learn how to cast and reel, tie flies and knots and make lures. Snacks and raffle prizes too! Eugene Cascades Coast Adventure Center, 10am-noon, Ph 541.484.5307, FREE!

march

Emerald Empire Reading Council’s Bear Faire! Springfield Library, 1pm-3pm, Ph 541.726.3766, FREE!

events

Story Times Springfield Public Library story times.

Preschool Story time (ages 3-6) Weds 10:00am.

Lap sit story time (ages 0-3) Weds 10am, Sensory Storytime (for kids with sensory integration issues or special needs) every other Thurs. Ph 541.726.3766 Barnes & Noble weekly story time.

Whimsical Weds 7:00pm. Toddler-Time, Weds 11:00am. Saturdays at 11:00am, Ph 541.687.035 Downtown Public Library story times.

Preschool Story time, Wed 10:15 and 11:00am.

Baby Story time (ages 0-1) Fridays @ 10:15 & 11:00am. Talkers Story time, Tues @ 10:15 & 11:00, Preschool Story time (ages 3-6), Weds @ 10:15 & 11:00. Walkers Storytime, Thurs 10:15 & 11:00am, for babies up on their feet. Pajama Story time every Tues of each month at 6:30pm. Features stories, rhymes, and songs for children 0-6.

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) Storytime, Mondays @ 4:00pm.

Ph 541.682.8316 Family Story Time (all ages).

Fridays at 10:15am @ Bethel Branch Library.

Ph 541.682.8316 Dog Tale Time. Kids have fun and build skills in short one-on-one sessions reading to trained dogs. Pre-register starting one week in advance.

Every Saturday through March, Downtown Library, 2-3:30pm, FREE!, Ph 541.682.8316

On-Going Events Saturday Kids Workshops at MECCA. From magnetic puzzles to robots to sock creatures.

No need to pre-reg. All materials are included.

Kids under 10 accompanied by an adult. Each week features a different creative reuse project. MECCA, 11am – 3pm, $3-5, Ph 541.302.1810 Public Skate @ The Ice Center. Call for skate times. Ph 541.682.3615 Dog Tale Time. Short one-on-one sessions reading to trained dogs. Dogs and handlers’ courtesy of PAAWS (Project Canine and Pet Partner teams). Through March. Ages 5-12, Downtown Library, 2-3:30pm, FREE! Ph 541.682.8316

and Andromeda. Phantom of the Universe, and a Pre-K double feature. Also, our Evening Laser Shows are back starting Dec 1! See website for times. Ph 541.682.7888

1 THURSDAY Little Family Yoga with Brynne Blevins.

Springfield Public Library, 10:30am, FREE! Ph 541.726.3766

2 FRIDAY Second Friday Art Walk. Starts at Springfield City Hall, 5:00pm, FREE! Lego Club. All bricks provided, including Dupelo. Springfield Public Library, 2-4pm, FREE! Ph 541-726-3766 Santana. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana and his band bring The Divination Tour to Matthew Knight Arena. 7:30pm, $66.50-86.50 Tots Discovery Day. Activities and interactive learning stations designed to create an experience that will ignite your child’s curiosity and interest in science. Casual, drop-in programs when our youngest visitors can enjoy Eugene Science Center activities “big-kid-free”. The Science Factory, 9am-12pm, $0-5, Ph 541.682.7888 First Friday Artwalk. The First Friday ArtWalk guided tour begins at 5:30pm at Vista Framing & Gallery, and more ending at 8:00pm. ArtWalk is from 5:30-8:00pm and always FREE! Ph 541.485.2278 First Friday at the Museum.

Investigate Oregon’s amazing fossils and ecosystems, and delve into its cultural history. FREE! Museum of Natural History, 11am-5pm, Ph 541.346.3024

3 SATURDAY Mount Pisgah Flies and Flowers Walk. Learn about the role of flies in the pollination of early wildflowers, identify spring wildflowers, and learn names and ecology of native flies. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center rain or shine. Mt Pisgah, 11am-1:00, $5, Ph 541.747.3817

“2PM Talks.” A docent-led talk every Tues thru Sun at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, included with price of admission.

Ph 541.346.3024 Eugene Science Center. Our ever-changing array of exhibits features something for everyone! Explore science topics including astronomy, mechanics, optics, water quality, and nanotechnology. Planetarium shows: Seasonal Stargazing. Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus

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Chromaticity

M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M / C A L E N D A R

Sunday, March 18th

4 SUNDAY Family Fun. Drop in for a new activity every week.

This week, Frogs facts, stories, and crafts led

by Beth Stein of Nearby Nature. Downtown Library, 2pm, FREE! Ph 541.682.8316 Eugene Race for a Cure. A 5K Fun Run and Walk! Celebrate survivors and forever fighters while raising significant funds for critical services in the fight against breast cancer. Valley River Center, 7:00am-11:30am, Ph 503.552.9160

6 TUESDAY Teens at 4:30. Teen ages 12+ Springfield Public Library, 4:30-5:30pm, FREE and open to the public! Ph 541.726.3766 Nearby Nature Spring New Volunteer Orientation. Want to help connect kids and nature nearby? Love spending time outdoors? Learn all about leading school nature walks and other NN volunteer opportunities. Tykeson Room at the Eugene Library, 6:30-8pm, FREE! Ph 541.687.9699

7 WEDNESDAY Ideas on Tap: The Science Behind the Brew. Learn the historical and technological context behind different styles of beer, delving into the chemistry and microbiology that give them their unique character. Marketplace@Sprout! 6-8pm, Ph 541.346.3024, FREE!

8 THURSDAY Lane County Home and Garden Show.

325 exhibits featuring experts, products and services for homes and yards. Lane Events Center, 5-9pm, Ph 541.484.9247, FREE!

9 FRIDAY Lane County Home and Garden Show.

See the 8th Gobsmacked! Mind-blowing beat boxing, breathtaking harmonies, and amazing arrangements. This all-singing, all-beat-boxing theatrical experience features three-time undefeated UK Beatbox Champion and current World Team Champion, BALL-ZEE, and an international cast of world-class vocalists.

Hult Center, 8pm-10pm, $23-39.75, Ph 541.682.5000 Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. presented by Upstart Crow Studios. The story of a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find love. Hult Center, 7pm, $20-28.50, Ph 541.682.5000

Carlos Santana Friday, March 2nd

Little Wonders: Stories and Activities for Pre-K. This month We Love Water! We’re diving into what makes water so special. Listen to stories, make watery art, and find out more about this very important ingredient in our lives.

Museum of Natural and Cultural History, ages 3-5, 10:30am – 11:30, $3-10, Ph 541.346.3024

11 SUNDAY

16 FRIDAY

Lane County Home and Garden Show.

10am-5pm, see the 8th

5th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival: Eugene Style. Features artists known in the Hawaiian slack key guitar genre. Hult Center, 7:30pm, $25-28, Ph 541.682.5000

10 SATURDAY

Family Fun. Drop in for a new activity every week. This week, storyteller Kelly Terwilliger performs tales celebrating “Storied Women.” Downtown Library, 2pm, FREE! Ph 541.682.8316

Lane County Home and Garden Show.

10am-8pm, see the 8th

The Little Mermaid Jr. presented by Upstart Crow Studios. 2pm, see the 9th

Nature’s Slimy Creatures Walk. Learn about the lives of slugs, snails, worms and more on this family-friendly walk and finish by creating some slime of your own to take home. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center rain or shine. Mt Pisgah, 10am-2:00pm, $5, Ph 541.747.3817

Dancing with the Stars LIVE! Light up the Night. Showcasing many of your favorite professional dancers performing ballroom and contemporary dances from ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars! Hult Center, 8pm, $39.50-68.50, Ph 541.682.5000

Slimy Creatures Walk Saturday, March 10th

All Things Green! Make and Take Craft. Drop into the children’s area and get creative with these very green arts and crafts. Spring is almost here! Springfield Library, 2-4pm, Ph 541.726.3766, FREE!

The Power of Veganism. Addresses the critical impacts that animal agriculture has upon the environment, our relationships to other living beings, and our health. Eugene Faith Center, 2pm, FREE!

Daffodil Drive and Festival. See the 17th

20 TUESDAY

17 SATURDAY

Teens at 4:30. Teen ages 12+ Springfield Public Library, 4:30-5:30pm, FREE and open to the public! Ph 541.726.3766

2018 Daffodil Drive and Festival. Vendors, music, daffodil sales, wagon rides and antique cars. This is the largest daffodil festival in the state! Long Tom Grange, Junction City, FREE!

Corridor School presents, 5 Golden Tickets.

Join us on the journey for the exclusive golden tickets, lessons of life and chocolate dreams! Hult Center, 7pm, $13, Ph 541.682.5000

Tim Allan. A rare evening of lively, outlandish, and sure to be outrageously funny standup comedy. Hult Center, 8pm-10pm, $42-112.25, Ph 541.682.5000

21 WEDNESDAY Corridor School presents, 5 Golden Tickets.

See the 20th

22 THURSDAY National Geographic Live: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous with Nizar Ibrahim.

Meet Spinosaurus, the largest predatory dinosaur yet discovered—larger than T. rex—and hear the incredible story of how this prehistoric giant was almost lost to science, before being brought back to light with the help of a remarkable young paleontologist. Hult Center, 7:30pm, $25-39.75, Ph 541.682.5000

The Little Mermaid Jr. presented by Upstart Crow Studios. 2pm and 7pm, see the 9th Emerald Valley Opry. Featuring: Kimberlee Shannon, country & contempory Christian.

Billy McCoy, country. McKenzie Express, old country/old rock and roll. Satori BoB, AltAmericana. Rick Miller Band, Country Western.

Powers Auditorium Willamette High School, doors open 5pm, concert 6:00-9:30pm, $3-$8/ under 7 free, Ph 541.688.0937

Chromaticity: Reflections Under Pressure, presented by Bounce Gymnastics and Circus Arts Center. Friends shattered by conflict strive for resolution in this exploration of color and emotion through aerial acrobatics. Hult Center, 4pm, $18-20.50, Ph 541.682.5000

13 TUESDAY Teens at 4:30. Teen ages 12+ Springfield Public Library, 4:30-5:30pm, FREE and open to the public! Ph 541.726.3766

15 THURSDAY Little Family Yoga with Brynne Blevins.

Springfield Public Library, 10:30am, FREE! Ph 541.726.3766

18 SUNDAY Family Fun. Kids and family: drop in for a new activity every week. This week, Thailand.

Learning about Thailand with Som-Oh Sripakdee of the UO International Cultural Service Program. Downtown Library, 2pm, FREE! Ph 541.682.8316

The Best of The Second City. Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy made famous by Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Keegan-Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, Alan Arkin and more. Hult Center, $33-37.50, Ph 541.682.5000

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EugeneCascadesCoast.org/Events/ Cascade Raptor Center guided program. Springfield Library, 5-7:30pm, Ph 541.726.2243, FREE!

27 TUESDAY Teens at 4:30. Teen ages 12+ Springfield Public Library, 4:30-5:30pm, FREE and open to the public! Ph 541.726.3766 Dig This: Scavenger Hunt. Everyone who finishes will receive small reward and be entered into a drawing. We’ll be drawing names to win some of the items in the scavenger hunt! Younger children need the help of a grownup. Springfield Library, 4-6pm, Ph 541.726.3766, FREE!

28 WEDNESDAY

PHOTO: ERIN SACKETT

BRING Recycling Worm Program. BRING Recycling is bringing their worms to demonstrate composting and decomposition! (We hear you even get to pet the worms!) After the program, the library will provide some fun, worm-inspired arts and crafts. Springfield Library, 11am-noon, Ph 541.726.3766, FREE!

30 FRIDAY Preschool Art & Science Storytime. Designed for precocious preschoolers to teach about science and art in harmony. Preschoolers will conduct experiments, read, learn, create, and talk about the world around them. Ages 0-6,

! ! ! ! ! !! !

Springfield Library Meeting Room. 10:30-11:15am, FREE! Ph 541.726.3766

24 SATURDAY World Day of Puppetry. Puppet performances and participatory displays featuring hand puppets, marionettes, rod puppets, and ventriloquism. Amazon Community Ctr, 11am1pm, Ph 458.205.8570

25 SUNDAY Spring Break 2018: DIG IN! Focusing on events and learning in the fields of archaeology, paleontology, and geology. Check out the individual events all week for details on participation, events, and prizes. Springfield Library, ages 7-12, Ph 541.726.2243, FREE!

Family Fun. Kids and family: drop in for a new activity every week. This week, Games.

Play favorite and new board games with Chris Wuebbles. Downtown Library, 2pm, FREE! Ph 541.682.8316

26 MONDAY Move Like a Mammoth Family Event. Get in motion and discover how ancient animals ran, leaped, climbed, and ate their way through Oregon’s deep past. Explore fossils, bones and teeth then compare ancient animals to those living in Oregon today. Springfield Library, 2:30-3:30pm, Ph 541.346.3024, FREE! Can you Dig It? Design your own dinosaur. creating your very own prehistoric creature! We’ll supply the tools and references, you bring a helpful grownup and your imagination. A self-

Joshua Hirschstein, Director

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Worm Composting Wednesday, March 28th

since 1990.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M / C A L E N D A R

Engineer It! Ancient Technologies. Exploring Ancient Technologies and delve into Oregon’s history through a variety of hands-on engineering challenges. Springfield Library, 2:30pm-3:30pm, Ph 541.346.3024, FREE! A Chorus Line. Celebrates those dedicated singer/dancers who make up the ensemble of a Broadway musical. Hult Center, 8pm, $38-99.75, Ph 541.682.5000

31 SATURDAY MEGGA Hunt. Hunt for your share of more than 25,000 eggs and prizes! Participate in games and crafts, and ride on the Willamalane Train.

Dance, wiggle and shake to live entertainment.

Lively Park, 9:30am – 12:00pm, $6 adv/$8 door, Ph 541.736.4544 A Chorus Line. 20pm & 8pm, see the 30th

Experience L A N

E

C O U N T Y

SkAtE intointo SkAtE k a e r B SprinG Break G n i r p S

by Andy Vobora

A

s Spring Break approaches parents are likely thinking about options to keep the kids active, occupied, and happy.

When my kids were young, they loved to try new outdoor activities, which generally involved Dad being coerced into participating.

Needless to say, the kids had many good laughs at forlorn attempts to keep up on skates, skis, or skateboards. I give myself props for learning life-saving tricks; like gracefully using a grass strip or a nearby bush to break a fall or slow momentum!

If your skill level is a bit like mine, and you’d rather sit on the sideline and watch, don’t despair! We have some great Spring Break options to get everyone out for some fun with the kids; and perhaps you’ll even provide them a story or two to share when they get older!

Our region’s recent weather doesn’t conjure up visions of ice skating, but we are fortunate to have a great local resource to experience a variety of ice skating opportunities. The Rink Exchange (located at Lane Events Center) provides public ice skating sessions several days each week. Admission and skate rental is very reasonable, with discounts for kids under the age of 17. If going it on your own

isn’t your cup of tea, they also offer lessons provided by the Eugene Figure Skating Club.

“Learn to Skate” classes provide basic skills and are available to all ages. If by chance the kids try ice skating and think, “this is better than video games,” opportunities to pursue competitive skating or even ice hockey are also available.

Maybe the cool atmosphere of the ice arena is not appealing – in which case, another

option to consider the WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza. WJ Skatepark is a 23,000 square foot skatepark that has been designed for both beginners and experts. Built under the I-105 bridge, the park is open from 6 a.m. – 1 a.m. daily. Bring your own skates, inline skates or skateboard and give it try. The park is free, offers basketball and even horseshoe pits!

Opportunities to get the snowboards out may have passed, but sandboarding gives a similar thrill, and we are fortunate to have a number of coastal shops to help make experience something most people have never heard of. The world’s first sandboard park, Sand Master Park, is located in Florence.

You can rent a board and just go for it or get instruction from the pros. Sand Master Park offers fun, family activities, including free sand sculpting – what you and I call building sandcastles.

Go experience something new this spring break. The Eugene, Cascades & Coast region is full of authentic, accessible and nearby activities for your entire family. Our Adventure Specialists are available daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist you, so call 541.484.5307 or visit EugeneCascadesCoast. org for information.

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

15

Movie Time

by Bonnie L. Harris

Early Story of Soccer Stealing soccer equipment.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Rated: PG-13 Now in theatres

A

lthough I’ve admired Nick Park’s unparalleled claymation and have loved everything he’s created from Chicken Run to the Wallace & Gromit franchise, Park’s new feature Early Man was a letdown.

In place of Park’s usual quirky humor, there was only a series of goofy pratfalls and clichéd one-liners, but not a true laugh during the entire ninety minutes of the film. The most serious

flaw was the uninspired topic of soccer, which inf luenced every part of the story from the opening scene of prehistoric man kicking around a hot asteroid to the arrogant professionals in the climactic match. I understand the devotion to Manchester United, but the humorous parody neither stretched across the pond nor sustained the film.

But I did enjoy the earnest sweetness of Doug, our young

uncivilized hero, who wants to regain his home from a soccerworshipping bronze-age army.

Knowing that the greedy Lord Nooth will send his family into the mines, Doug challenges the bronze soccer team to a winnertake-all match. He must then teach the game to his tribe of misfits with the help of Goona, a girl he meets in the bronze-age village. Goona also has a bronze axe to grind since only men are

FOR THE PARENTS Brave Act The 15:17 to Paris Warner Brothers Pictures, Rated: PG-13 Now in theatres

M

ore of a travelogue than a thriller, Clint Eastwood’s new feature, The 15:17 to Paris, reenacts the fateful journey of three American servicemen and their heroic disarming of a terrorist aboard a French train. Although it’s novel to cast the servicemen as themselves, Eastwood has proven again why professional actors deserve their salaries. Try as they might, the inexperienced actors are painfully aware that they’re performing their roles and the story

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suffers as a result. Narratively, with almost no build-up of dramatic tension, both the flashbacks to their childhood friendship and the European vacation that reunites the friends seems haphazard and unfocused. The actual scene of taking down the terrorist, whose motivation or affiliation we never understand, lasts only a few exciting minutes. The aftermath of the gunfire and the dramatic rescue takes even less time. That leaves a third act comprised of congratulations and admiration, which military personnel rightfully deserve, but not necessarily in a cinematic context. The film

allowed to play on the sacred pitch and time’s up for that center circle inequality. Doug and Goona turn cave men into soccer players, but during the decisive match, Lord Nooth takes over refereeing, which spells almost certain defeat. Doug must rely on the most unexpected player to win the game, which is a good lesson, but it doesn’t save the film. Very young viewers will likely enjoy the Saturday morning cartoon vibe of Early Man, but for those of us who expect more from Nick Park, we’ll just have to wait on the bench.

needed more than a touch of Hollywood to create a compelling story and to do justice to the bravery of Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, and Alek Skarlatos in those treacherous moments on the way to Paris.

The journey begins.

Picky Eater or Problem Feeder?

by Pilar Bradshaw, M.D., F.A.A.P. Eugene Pediatric Associates

I

t’s not unusual for kids to be selective about what they eat. A child’s behavior toward food often begins to change between 2-4 years old and may last for several years, but there is a difference between a picky eater and a problem feeder.

Picky eaters Does your preschooler object to the shape, color or texture of certain foods, or have they suddenly decided they no longer like a host of foods—even ones they loved yesterday?

Don’t be alarmed. Try these useful strategies: Never force your child to eat. If mealtimes become a time of conflict, anger and upset, your child’s pickiness will escalate and become prolonged.

Avoid bribing kids to take bites. Statements like, “If you eat your peas, you can have a cookie” will reinforce that peas are less desirable.

Place a teaspoon-sized serving of a food on your toddler’s plate repeatedly. Research

shows that repetition will increase the likelihood that your child will one day try that food. It may take 80-100 times before your child willingly tries it, but it will happen.

Refrain from playing “short-order chef.”

Instead of making one meal for your picky eater and a separate meal for everyone else, serve the same thing to everyone. If your child refuses all of it, serve the “back-up meal.” That meal should always be the same, be nutritious and easy to prepare, but NOT their favorite.

Eventually, they will become bored of the back-up meal and will be more likely to try the family meal.

Within a year or two of implementing these suggestions, most picky eaters improve and their food acceptance increases.

Problem feeders Sometimes a child’s aversion to food becomes more serious and a visit to a feeding specialist may be in the child’s best interest.

Concerning signs include: • Eating fewer than 10 foods, eliminating entire food groups or certain textures.

• Inability to tolerate a new food being on their plate or sitting at the dinner table with the family.

• Choking, swallowing or breathing problems occurring during meals.

• F e e d i n g c h a l l e n g e s a c c o m p a n y developmental problems, such as speech delay or sensory sensitivity.

• Signs of malnutrition or vitamin deficiency in your child.

If you are concerned that your child may be more than picky, talk with your pediatrician.

We can help parents identify whether a child is exerting typical behavior, or if there’s something more to address.

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

17

Earthtalk from the Editors of “E” the Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What is so-called Regenerative Agriculture and why are environmentalists so bullish on it?

— Jess Mancuso, Montgomery, PA

R

egenerative Agriculture (R A) describes farming and grazing practices that help reverse climate change by rebuilding the organic matter in soil and restoring degraded soil biodiversity.

“Specifically, Regenerative Agriculture is a holistic land management practice that leverages the power of

photosynthesis in plants to close the carbon cycle, and build soil health, crop resilience and nutrient density,” reports California State University’s Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (RAI). “Regenerative agriculture improves soil health, primarily through the practices that increase soil organic matter.

This not only aids in increasing

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) describes farming and grazing practices — such as the use of cover crops as pictured here — that help reverse climate change by rebuilding the organic matter in soil and restoring degraded soil biodiversity.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M

soil biota diversity and health, but increases biodiversity both above and below the soil surface, while increasing both water holding capacity and sequestering carbon at greater depths.” The net result is a drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the improvement of soil structure to reverse humancaused soil loss.

According to Terra Genesis International, which helps businesses integrate sustainable farming practices into their ever yday operations, key principles guiding the implementation of RA include: progressively improving whole agroecosystems (soil, water and biodiversity); creating contextspecific designs and making holistic decisions expressing the essence of each far m; ensuring and developing fair and reciprocal relationships among all stakeholders; and continually growing and evolving individuals, farms and communities to express their innate potential.

How these lofty goals are achieved also involves the implementation of many of the practices that are now commonplace in organic agriculture, including permaculture design (utilizing the patter ns and features observed in natural ecosystems), agroforestry (incorporating the cultivation and conservation of trees), keyline sub-soiling (to loosen compacted soils), no- or low-till farming (leaving it alone to do its thing), pasture cropping (growing annual crops in dormant perennial pastures), multi-species cover cropping and crop rotations (to introduce genetic diversity), the use of animal manure (to build up the resilience of the soil biota), encouragement of bees and

other beneficial insects (for fertilization), the use of organic soil amendments such as biochar or terra preta (to enhance yield while sequester ing carbon dioxide), ecological aquaculture (using water not land to grow food), perennial crops (they live on beyond one growing season) and silvopasture (integrating trees with forage and livestock production).

“Over the centuries, agriculture has caused the loss and degradation of fertile soil, leading to the downfall of civilizations worldwide,” points out John Roulac, founder and CEO of the organic superfoods brand, Nutiva, and an outspoken advocate for R A . “Modern industrial agriculture is doing it even faster.”

More and more farmers are starting to realize that their survival may well depend on whether they can pivot toward RA as the world warms.

“Regenerative agriculture is an approach to food and farming systems that works with nature’s rhythms and technolog y to feed our growing population, regenerate topsoil and enhance biodiversity now and long into the future,” concludes RAI, cautioning that it’s critical to change synthetic nutrient dependent monocultures, lowbiodiversity and soil degrading practices. Indeed, our ver y existence may depend on it.

CONTACTS: RAI, www.csuchico.edu/ sustainablefuture/aginitiative/; Terra Genesis International, www.terragenesis.com; Nutiva, www.nutiva.com.

EarthTalk® is a weekly syndicated column produced by Doug Moss and Roddy Scheer for the non-profit EarthTalk. To find out more, submit a question, or make a donation, visit us at EarthTalk.org.

OREGON FAMILY 2018 S PR ING BREA K & SUM M E R

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS | SCHOOL OF ARTS & COMMUNICATION

SAC Academy Extending the knowledge and resources of the School of Arts & Communication to our community.

Art classes, music lessons, music ensembles, summer camps and workshops

541. 737. 2623 liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/SACacademy

Spring Break Gymnastics Camps!

Camps begin in June Early Registration Discount Intro Classes also available, ages 2-11

P R E S E N T S

Summer Music Camp!

Fantastic Classes & Camps for All Ages!

541-343-4222 329 W. 3rd Ave. www.bouncegymnastics.com

CAMP DATES: March 26th - 30th & April 2nd

• Ages 5-11 • New Theme Every Day • No Experience Necessary to Join!

• Music Appreciation • Performance • Arts & Crafts • Walking Field Trips • New OBF Camp!

Space is Limited Register Today!

www.eugenepianoacademy.com

is proud to announce:

DUCKS TENNIS CAMPS Grades 1-12

YOGA CENTER

Camp 1: July 16-19 Camp 2: August 20-23 Musical Theater Summer Camp

July 9 - 19, 2018, Mon - Thurs, 12 - 4 pm For ages 8 - 14-year-olds To Register call (541) 683-4368

541-346-5389 jpiibor@uoregon.edu oregontenniscamps.com

MORE CAMPS ON THE

wildlightyogacenter.com

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O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

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SPARK ACADEMY

National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics

SUMMER DAY CAMPS

CAMPS! Full Day or Half-Day Drop-ins Welcome

Grades 4-8 | June & July

Coding and Computer Arts Minecraft®, Game Making, Digital Music, & more!

spark@lanecc.edu | lanecc.edu/sparkacademy | 541.463.6100

1205 Oak Patch Road • Eugene, Oregon • 541-344-2002 • www.naag-gymnastics.org

Camping

Climbing

Aquatics

Spiritual

Hiking

Sports

Equestrian

Games

Theater Arts

Field Trips

Food/Farming

Dance

Music

Arts & Crafts

Computers

Language Arts

CAMPS at a GLANCE

Math/Science

Camps fill up fast— Reserve your space today!

AGES

2018 CAMP DIRECTORY

LCC

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SPRING BREAK CAMPS Bounce Gymnastics

www.bouncegymnastics.com

541-343-4222

4-12

Camp Harlow

www.campharlow.com

541-683-5416

5-10

Eugene Timbers Futbol Club

www.eugenetimbers.org

541-343-5100

4-18

National Academy of Gymnastics

www.naag-gymnastics.org

541-344-2002

5-13

Oregon Tutor Spring Break Learning

www.oregontutor.com

541-733-1749

10-50

Whole Earth Nature School

www.wholeearthnatureschool.com

541-937-KIDS

3-17

Nearby Nature

www.nearbynature.org

541-687-9699

6-9

Eugene Science Center

eugenesciencecenter.org

541-682-7888

5 -12

ACE’s Pop’sical Summer Camp

http://www.actorscabaret.org

541-683-4368

8-14

Big Lake Youth Camp

www.biglake.org

503-850-3583

7-17

Eugene Piano Academy Music Camp

www.eugenepianoacademy.com

541-484-5397

5-12

Far Horizons Montessori Camp

www.farhorizonsmontessori.com

541-485-0521

3-7

Lane Community College Spark Academy

www.lanecc.edu/sparkacademy

541-463-6100

9-15

Midway Farms

midwayfarmsoregon.com

541-740-6141

5-12

Museum of Natural and Cultural History

natural-history.uoregon.edu

541-346-3024

7-11

Oregon Junior Tennis Camp

oregontenniscamps.com

541-654-2318

gr.1-12

Rose Children’s Theater

rosechildrenstheatre.org

458-215-0220

K-12

SAC Academy/Oregon State University

liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/sacacademy

541-737-2623

14/up

SGY/Wild Light Yoga Center

www.sweatyganeshyoga.com

541-349-9642

5-12

Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Camp

wvmusicalliance.org

541-426-3390

8-100

Whole Earth Nature School

wholeearthnatureschool.com

541-937-KIDS

3-17

Willamette University Pro Hoop Camp

willametteprohoopcamp.com

503-370-6132

7-17

Wordcrafters Creative Writing Camps

wordcraftersineugene.org

see website

11-18

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2018 CAMP DIRECTORY

Farm Experience Day Camp at Midway Farms!

DIG INTO SCIENCE! Museum Summer Camps n

n

n

Collect the Eggs!

Meet UO scientists Explore campus labs Discover your science skills

• Experience real life on a bio-diverse local family farm

Milk the Cow!

• Develop character and learn valuable life skills

Plus crafts, games, and more!

Harvest Crops!

Registration opens March 1 natural-history.uoregon.edu

• Education in a variety of sustainable farming techniques

Nearby Nature 541-740-6141 • daycamp@midwayfarmsoregon.com • midwayfarmsoregon.com/camp Discover � Learn � Grow

Explore the Arts Summer Camp

Summer theater camps for grades K-12

Nearby Nature

Far Horizons Montessori School • Ages 3 - 7

Children will spend the summer learning and creating as they explore different types of art. We will paint, sculpt, dance, cook and much more! Featuring special guest, park outings and some swim days.

rosechildrenstheatre.org

541-733-1749

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OregonTutor @comcast.net

Spring Learning Activities SAT/ACT Prep•Homework Support Math Assistance•Reading Support Writing Help•AP/IB Prep

OregonTutor.com

Register Soon! www.farhorizonsmontessori.com or call 541-485-0521

Discover � Learn � Grow

Outdoor Daycamps!

Play Nature Science Gardens Adventure

Ages 3-13  Scholarships!

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WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY PRO HOOP CAMP Boys & Girls ages 5-17 The Best Fundamental Camp in the Northwest willametteprohoopcamp.com

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

21

Distressing Anxiety Symptoms You Might Never Expect

by Kimberly Blaker

I

magine, out of the blue you feel your brain spin 180 degrees at lightning speed as if fueled by an electrical current. This bizarre feeling isn’t lightheadedness, dizziness, or anything you’ve ever experienced. You panic and wonder, ‘Am I going crazy?’ Or worse, ‘Am I going to die?’ You try to brush it off when suddenly, it happens again.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five Americans will experience an anxiety disorder in a given year. What’s more, there are over 100 possible symptoms, many of which you’d never expect to be caused by anxiety. For that reason, when they occur, they often exacerbate anxiety because of the worry the symptoms cause.

Unusual Symptoms Of Anxiety The following are some of the more bizarre symptoms of anxiety, though most are not uncommon. If you experience symptoms that persist, seek medical attention to rule out a medical cause since all the symptoms of anxiety can also be associated with various medical conditions.

Indigestion. Anxiety can cause temporary or even chronic indigestion. Burping, passing

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M

gas, diarrhea, and heartburn can all be symptoms of anxiety.

Phantom ringing. Tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears, can be a sign of stress or anxiety and can be experienced in several ways. According to anxietycentre.com, you may hear buzzing, ringing, humming, whizzing, chirping, roaring, swooshing, or any number of other sounds.

Burning sensation. This unusual anxiety symptom can be felt on your skin, lips, tongue, and even in your eyes. It can feel like a sunburn despite no sunburn being present, a prickling sensation, or even shooting sparks.

Heart irregularities. Skipped heartbeats, palpitations, or a racing heart can all be symptoms of anxiety. What’s so troublesome is that it can be difficult to tell the difference between heart irregularities caused by anxiety versus a heart attack. When in doubt, seek medical treatment right away.

Physical numbness or tingling. These feelings can occur in your hands, feet, arms, legs, or face. It can also be felt as physical weakness.

Excessive yawning. During anxiety attacks, hyperventilation is a common response leading your body to feel it isn’t

getting enough oxygen. As a result, you might experience frequent yawning.

Phantom smell. Phantosmia, which is an olfactory hallucination, sometimes occurs with anxiety. It can cause you to smell something that isn’t there, or rather, a neutral smell becomes unpleasant.

Brain shivers or zaps. Most often, this bizarre sensation is caused by antidepressants or withdrawal from them. However, sometimes it’s associated with anxiety. Brain shivers can range from mild to severe and feel different from person-to-person, though they usually last only a brief time. Brain shivers or zaps, explains anxietycentre.com, can feel like an electrical jolt or a shaking, vibration, or tremor in the brain, Phantom vibrations. If you’ve ever felt your phone vibrate, only to discover it didn’t, it could be caused by attachment anxiety. This is a very real phenomenon, according to a study reported by University of Michigan in 2016.

Tremors. Numerous types of tremors can be caused by anxiety. In addition to shaking or trembling, other typical forms, according to calmclinic.com, include arm or leg spasms, cramping, or longer or slower shaking than usual.

Derealization. This is a feeling of not being in reality. Anxietybc.com says this can be experienced in several ways. You may feel disconnected from the world and people around you, sor t of like being in a dream state. Your perception of space, time, and the size of things may be distorted. Everything might feel foggy or fuzzy or that you’re very ill or going crazy.

Globus hystericus. With this anxiety symptom, it feels like a lump in your throat, or you might have difficulty swallowing. Some people also feel a tightness in their throat.

Eye problems.

Blurred vision, dilated pupils, watery eyes, and shapes that float in front of the eyes can all be a result of anxiety.

Skin rashes. Stress can cause hives, itching, and rashes. If you already have rosacea or psoriasis, it can be aggravated by anxiety and stress.

Shooting pains. These can be experienced in several areas of your body including your face, abdomen, arms, and chest during episodes of anxiety.

Freezing hands and feet. Stress and anxiety can decrease your circulation. As a result, your hands and feet may feel icy.

breathing out. While concentrating on slowly, steadily, and gently breathing out, allow the tension to flow out of your body and relaxation to flow in.

Mindfulness meditation is another useful technique for reducing anxiety according to a growing body of research. You can start by meditating for just a few minutes each day and gradually increase it to longer periods. For complete instructions, visit

https://www.mindful.org/mindfulnesshow-to-do-it/ Get some exercise. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy, hardcore workout. Even a 10-minute brisk walk can provide several hours of anxiety relief according to psychologists, says the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Finally, if your doctor has told you your symptoms are anxiety related, remind yourself of this when symptoms strike. Try not to worry about the symptoms, which only serves to exacerbate anxiety and cause the symptoms to persist.

Kimberly Blaker is a lifestyle and parenting freelance writer and blogger. You can visit her blog, The Young Gma’s Guide to Parenting, at www.theyounggma.com

While concentrating on slowly, steadily, and gently breathing out, allow the tension to flow out of your body and relaxation to flow in.

How To Alleviate Anxiety Depending on whether you have an actual anxiety disorder or the severity of the symptoms, an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication may be the solution. But there are other things you can do as well to reduce anxiety and alleviate symptoms.

During periods of high stress, get plenty of rest. This will help keep anxiety under control and result in fewer or less severe symptoms.

Also, practice slow breathing. Alice Boyes Ph.D. in her article, “Breathing Techniques for Anxiety,” says the key is to focus only on O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

23

Read & Play

by Jennifer Galvin

Celebrate spring, celebrate Earth!

It’s almost spring and with spring comes the beauty that is our earth. Green grass, flowers, trees, birds singing…. This spring, love the earth a little by taking care of it a little more. Each of us doing a little more recycling and reusing can help our earth stay green! Here are some fabulous spring books to help you celebrate spring and our earth!

READ… When Spring Comes Greenwillow Books, $7.99, ages babypreschool by Kevin Henkes

This board book is simply bursting with the sights and sounds of spring! Spring is hard to wait for, but when it comes it is worth it!

There are leaves, raindrops, flowers, birds, worms, and buzzing bees. Bright, bold illustrations and text that is just right for the board book set will have children wanting to read this one again and again!

A Hippy-Hoppy Toad Schwartz & Wade Books, $16.99, ages 4-8

by Peggy Archer & Anne Wilsdorf

A teeny-tiny toad is sitting on twig when it breaks and sets off a string of events that take him off on a wild ride. Where will he end up?

Find out in this spring adventure that is full of bright, colorful illustrations and rhyming, rhy thmic text.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M

I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness Abrams Books for Young Readers $14.95, ages 4-8 by Susan Verde

Colorful, luminous illustrations f low through this book about finding peace and mindfulness. With our every hurried world, we can get so caught up in the hurry that we cease to notice the here and now. Mindfulness can help us be present in the moment, focus, and appreciate the peace in ourselves so we can then spread peace to others. Includes an explanation on mindfulness at the end as well as basic instructions for finding peace and mindfulness.

Kate, Who Tamed the Wind Schwartz & Wade Books, $17.99, ages 4-8

by Liz Garton Scanlon

Kate lives at the bottom of the hill where the wind blows and blows. She notices that up at the top of the hill, the wind blows the

most where there are no trees. What can she do? She takes some trees up there and plants them. Years go by, the trees help the wind get less, and the top of the mountain becomes a calm place to live. Includes a note about the importance of trees and where to find out more information about trees at the end. A great tribute to trees!

The Digger and the Flower Balzer + Bray, $17.99, ages 4-8

by Joseph Kuefler

Digger, Crane, and Dozer work together building in the city every day—hoisting, pushing, and digging. One day, Digger discovers a flower in the rubble and takes care of it as the city grows up around it. Soon, there is no place left to dig except where the where the flower is. Will Digger be able to protect the flower? Find out in this beautiful spring story, full of hope and bright, colorful illustrations.

Frank Einstein and the Bio-action Gizmo Amulet Books, $13.99; ages 7-11 by Jon Scieszka

Just in time for spring and Earth Day coming up in April, Frank, Klink, and Klank take on global warming and saving the planet. The trees in their town are being cut down, things are being mined, and overall the earth is just being destroyed. Can they team up and figure out a way to stop the town and the planet from being destroyed? Find out in this funny and entertaining look at saving the planet— and learn some earth saving facts along the way! Great how this books sneaks in science facts in graphics along the way. Kids will love the story while learning the science.

Fun!

... and PLAY! Design some stained glass bubble wrap butterflies Materials: Bubble wrap packing material, permanent markers, string, and pipe cleaners.

Directions: Cut a piece of bubble wrap (I used the type with the larger bubbles, but you could use any size bubbles) approximately 5” X 8”.

Use permanent markers to color in the bubbles on the side that is not puffy. Your butterfly will start to have a bit of a “stained glass” look to it. You can create a pattern or just be random as you color in the circles. Pinch the bubble wrap together in the center lengthwise and wrap a pipe cleaner around the center and twist. This will create the butterfly’s antennas. Twist a curl into the top of each antenna. Tie a string to the top of the b utte r f l y ’s antenna and hang in the window. Or, use another pipe cleaner to attach your butterfly to a dowel rod and put it out in the garden. They will eventually fade, but will still be a great reuse project!

Serving preschool through grade 8 since 1980

Plant a milk and yogurt carton garden Materials: Empty gallon milk containers, empty yogurt containers, acrylic paint, sponges, a paper plate, and scissors.

Directions: Carefully cut the milk carton off underneath the handle.

I cut mine in a wavy line to create a pattern. Pour a couple of colors of acrylic paint out onto your paper plate. Use your sponge to sponge paint your milk containers and a couple of yogurt containers. I painted a milk carton, a 32 ounce yogurt container, as well as an eight ounce yogurt container. Put dirt in your new planters and plant fun spring plants in them!

Make a cool watering can Materials: A parmesan cheese container, a water bottle, a hot glue gun (adult use), acrylic paint, a paper plate, a sponge, and a pair of scissors.

Directions: Cut a strip of plastic about 6-7 inches long and one inch wide from a water bottle. Have an adult use a hot glue gun to glue it onto your parmesan cheese container in a handle shape across from the place where water will come out. Pour out a few different colors of acrylic paint onto your paper plate. Use your sponge to paint your watering can. Let dry.

Jennifer Galvin is never far from her children, a paintbrush, or a good book. You can find her on the web at www.jennifergalvin.com.

At our preschool and kindergarten, The Eugene Waldorf School offers children are so actively engaged they adon’t classical arts education evenliberal know they’re learning. to Come seethe how the imagination of nurture strengths, potential childhood forms a foundation for and uniqueness of each child. lifetime learning.

EugeneWaldorf.org • 541-683-6951 1350 McLean Blvd.

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

25

Rescue Spotlight

M

t’s almost Spring training and according to volunteers at Greenhill, we’ve got the “best ball player ever!

The Eugene Emeralds should draft him.” Gunnar is a young, energetic, German shorthaired pointer mix, just one year old and approximately 60 pounds. He can be a bit shy around new people and we’re looking for an experienced owner who is willing to be patient with him while he warms up to his new family. A nice big yard to run around in would be a wonderful bonus! Training to help Gunnar become a well-socialized family member will help you both bond, plus it’s fun! He’s up to date on all vaccinations and has been neutered and micro-chipped. He’s a “Hidden Gem” which means he’s not currently in the main adoption area – just ask an animal care staff member to visit with him when you come to Greenhill and they’ll be happy to introduce you!

ISS MURR is a beautiful and sleek young black female kitty about 2 years old. She is a loving and playful little girl who loves to jump and leap for toys, and to chase balls and toy mice around the room. She speaks with a quiet and delightful little “Murr” (hence her name) – and she has a great desire to please her people. She was rescued from an unhealthy hoarding situation, and may be a bit shy at first in a new environment. She is good with kids, but she is NOT good with other cats since she wants to be the center of attention. She is such a sweet kitty who will rub on your legs, curl up next to you, and loves to be petted anytime you are willing! Miss Murr has been tested for feline leukemia and FIV (she is negative), spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and dewormed, plus you get a free vet visit. Her adoption fee is $75, which allows us to continue to provide care and find loving homes for other abandoned and neglected cats in our Eugene/Springfield community.

Greenhill Humane Society is open for adoptions and visits Fri-Tues, 11am-6pm (closed Wed & Thurs) at 88530 Green Hill Road in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689-1503 or visit www.green-hill.org

Miss Murr is currently in foster care; for information on how to meet this kitty, please call 541-225-4955 option 1 or send an email to adoptinfo@CatRescues. org. ID#1709-C0420

I

Better Lawns & Gardens, Inc.

➤ Complete Lawn & Landscape Maintenance ➤ Lawn Restoration ➤ Leaf Pick Up

Little Wonders

STORIES AND ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS Second Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m.

Free admission for MNCH members 1680 E. 15th Avenue, Eugene 541-346-3024 natural-history.uoregon.edu

➤ Dethatching & Core Aeration ➤ One Time Projects ➤ Commercial and Residential

Programs to Fit Your Budget

541-915-1615 • Free Estimates w w w. b e t te r l aw n s a n d g a rd e n s . n e t

LEGALLYBlonde Cottage Theatre presents

The musical comedy of love, law, and everything pink

Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, Book by Heather Hach

April 6 –29

The Musical

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the MGM motion picture Directed by Madison Baker, Music Direction by Mark VanBeever, Choreography by Katey Kephart $25 Adult, $15 Youth (18 & under) 541-942-8001 • 700 Village Drive • Cottage Grove

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www.cottagetheatre.org

Enhancing Relationships Through Effective Therapy

SOUTH EUGENE & UO 30 W. 29th Ave (at Willamette)

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Oregon Family 1/6 page b&w Willamalane 541-461-7272 Order online January 2018at papajohns.com Open Lunch & Late Night NORTH EUGENE/FERRY ST BRIDGE 54 Division (just off River Rd)

Two Large 1-Topping Pizzas for only $7.77 each!

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Add Wings or Chicken Poppers to your order!

Not to be combined with other Coupons or Discounts. Delivery Fee extra. Expires 4/1/18.

Preschool

LEARNING POWER

Counseling and psych assessments for kids, couples and families.

250 S. 32nd St., Springfield willamalane.org 541-736-4544

Pantone 320U Blue

www.EugeneTherapy.com For Appointments Call or Text 541-868-2004

MARCH

Look after yourself. It is difficult to be a calm, relaxed parent if you are stressed, anxious, or depressed. Try to find time every week to let yourself unwind or do something that you enjoy.

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Parenting Education where you want it, when you want it! To learn more and to sign up visit lanekids.org/triplep.

O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M • M A R C H 2 0 1 8

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Keep your beat PeaceHealth doctors help care for your kid’s heart – with everything from diagnosis to condition management – so your family doesn’t miss a beat.

Pediatric Cardiology ■ Teen Heart Screenings ■ Adult Cardiology

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M A R C H 2 0 1 8 • O R E G O N F A M I L Y. C O M