Category Archives: Advice

Do you huddle over the radio first thing in the morning to learn about your school closures? Did you know that PPS closed the west hills elementary schools today? (Skyline, Forest Park, E/W Sylvan)
Don’t forget, you can sign up for instant notifications with the Flash Alert system.

The Youth Pass program lets high schoolers use their student id as a bus pass. You may have heard that this program was to expire at the end of 2011. However, we’ve just learned some great news! Superintendent Carole Smith, Mayor Adams and TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane announced an agreement to keep the Youth [...]

When I started this site, I was unhappy with the amount of information I was able to find about things to do with my kids in our town. I’m still unhappy about it. A few times a month, someone will email me a question about opening up a forum – but I’m pretty reluctant to [...]

Toy Story 3, winner of Academy Awards® is coming to the ice in the Rose Garden at the end of October!
Inspired by the #1 animated movie of all time, Toy Story 3, and memorable moments from the other two films in the series, your favorite characters are skating their little hearts out in seven performances. [...]

Parents probably know what their kids are eating for breakfast and for dinner, but do they know what their children are getting for lunch each day? Typically, kids get about 30% to 50% of their calories while at school, and this year, there’s likely some big changes on the lunch line.
This year, not only are [...]

James Patterson wrote a solid column for CNN, giving some great ways to bring up your kid as a reader.
There are three main points he makes. First, the more kids read, the better readers they become. Second, everything counts- the almanac, stories about baseball, Holes, Harry Potter, even Twilight. And third, role models are the [...]

So, with the “new Kindles” – Amazon has brought the price point down to $79. Which is seductive. If you don’t want the advertising that it shows when not in use, then it’d be $109. Still an attractive spot.
What would it take to get these into our schools?
My elder daughter is reading a mass [...]

Do you have a kid interested in gymnastics? Check out these cool classes and performances—
Saturday September 17 is National Gymnastics Day. From 1 to 4 PM, at Rose City Rhythmic you can get classes, giveaways and see performances by Junior Olympians.
Rose City Rhythmic is inside the Portland Athletic Club at 5803 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.

Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow night (July 14, 2011)- Backspace is hosting the School of Rock All Stars Tour. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Tickets are $10, Show starts at 8, at Backspace, which is downtown right on the bus and one of the MAX lines (115 NW 5th Ave).
What’s [...]

I finally got my daughters signed up for Summer Camp this year. They’re going to a overnight camp-in-the-woods camp they go to every year. Are you making plans yet? Get your deposits in now; school is almost out for the summer. You think I’m kidding, don’t you?
Why not consider “YEA Camp?” Here’s some more words [...]