Portland Parents

Clever graphics and Portland Mercury’s blog won’t change your mind if you’re already set in your decision. But if you’re on the fence or if only one thing keeps you from deciding for Flouridation in the water (for me it was the topical versus ingestion issue), then this article might help you.

And if you’re already set, then check out the great graphics

The Sixth Annual Better Living Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show returns to the Portland Expo Center Friday March 22 throught Sunday March 24. It’s a free three-day festival designed to encourage people to become more sustainable consumers. High-performance, eco-friendly are the words of the day.

This show welcomes presenter Marianne Cusato. Her work forcuses on the needs of homeowners today by balancing affordability and durability with the desire to love where we live. Cusato is well known for her work on the “Katrina Cottages.”

Some more features include:

1. Radio Disney Team Green
2. NW Natural Blue Home
3. Wellness Pavilion
4. Vegan Village
5. Energy Trust Good Energy Pavilion

Again, it’s free to the public,it’s the Northwest’s largest sustainable lifestyle show, and it takes place Friday, March 22 from noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 24 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Portland Expo Center.

Official show sponsors include Energy Trust of Oregon, NW Natural, Portland General Electric, Schnitzer Steel, Oregon State University, The Portland Clinic and Natural Awakenings Magazine.

December 1 (tomorrow) is “take your child to the bookstore” day! It’s a good day to look for gift ideas that are alternatives to the traditionalxbox games, snuggies, and game boy games. And the St Johns Bookstore is giving out coupons!

Specifically, reading non-fiction rather than fiction in our elementaries.

Fiction-loving parents, it’s time to take a closer look at what your kid reads for school. This New York Times Opinion Piece by Sara Mosle reminds us that our schools are beginning to implement the Common Core State Standards. And one example is that by fourth grade, half of their reading time (in class) will come from historical texts, scientific tracts and other things like train schedules. And by the time the child is a senior in high school, a whopping seven tenths of the curriculum will be nonfiction! After you work in philosophy, studies in religious thought, and other important not-non-fiction (like that? I just coined it), the sliver of plays, poetry, and even fiction prose seems very small.

Maybe one problem is that a lot of people don’t enjoy reading non-fiction. I can’t imagine my third grade daughter picking up a copy of The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, but I do have this book on my iPad’s Kindle app and she might enjoy it: History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, Vol. I. To the Sources of the Missouri, Thence Across the Rocky Mountains and … Ocean. Performed During the Years 1804-5-6. I might have to get her started, but I know we could connect Lewis and Clark to the rivers near our house and the beaches just to the west. Cape Foulweather? You betcha!

However, that sliver of fantasy seems very small. Let’s work on keeping our kids at home reading some fiction too. Escapism, especially for teenagers, heals a multitude of ills.

Have plans to explore the wonder of ZooLights? Checkout the Second Tuesday (12-11), and take the 2 for 1 coupon from Fred Meyers- you get into the Zoo itself for 4 bucks a person, then 2 for 1 admissions to ZooLights. And take a coat

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