Download - NW Kids Magazine - March 2012
nwkidsmagazine.com | march 2012
Camp resourCe guide | Cool Kids roomsan interview with emily winfield martin
family happy hours | the wonder of learning exhibit
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ON THE COVER, abOVEaNd kids’ ROOms pHOTOgRapHy:
photos courtesy of Emma Easley dardenfor RLp studios. RLp studios specializes in
translating the emotion and connection of life’s everyday moments into heirloom-quality art.™
Emma Easley darden is the co-principal ofRLp studios, which specializes in creating
modern portraiture that becomes heirloom-quality art. she contributes to NW kids magazine
as the staff photographer. you can find more work by RLp studios at rlportraits.com
Publisher / advertising Directormichelle [email protected]
Editorialbeth [email protected]
kelley [email protected]
account managerLaurel [email protected]
client Services coordinator / client ad Designkarel [email protected]
advertising Inquiries:503-282-2711, ext. [email protected]
DesignRobyn [email protected]
accounting & Business ServicesHeather [email protected]
Staff PhotographerEmma Easley [email protected]
connect With Us:• Phone:503.282.2711• email:[email protected]• Facebook:facebook.com/nwkids• Twitter:@nwkids
NW kids is published monthly by miche media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make
errors. please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.printed locally; please recycle.
contents
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8
16
profile
décor
goods
outing
craft
camps
INSIDE:
8 Flying High With a-Wol dance Collective
10 Resource guide: sports Camps
16 knickknacks and Turnipheads: an interview With Emily Winfield martin
20 a Room Of One’s (Or Two’s) Own
23 Found around Town: decor For kids’ Rooms
26 books: For young Creatives
24 it’s Happy Hour somewhere
32 The Wonder Of Learning: portland Children’s museum Exhibit Review
34 Wassily kandinsky inspired décor
nwkidsmagazine.com
Tips for parents: kids’ sports safety
portland Jewish academy’s 50th anniversary
profile: Local mobile maker Frazier & Wing
Theater Review: Northwest Children’s Theater presents busytown
Editor’s picks for spring break
Exploring Experiential Learning With pdXed school
Camp Quest: a Camp For kids With aspberger’s syndrome and High-Functioning autism
onlinethis month
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Long before we had families, we spent hours combing estate sales and thrift stores to score some of the goods that decorate our homes today. We’re particularly fond of vintage books, fabrics, dinnerware, clothing and furniture, and have been known
to drive long distances just to find something worthy of the trip. It’s not for everyone, the pursuit of one-of-a-kind or collectible goods in hopes of a much loved bargain, but when you find the now coveted item you didn’t know you needed, it’s all worth it. These days with kids in tow, we still stop at sales and go thrifting with them, just not nearly as often and never for as long as we used to.
In this issue we’re featuring some amazing kids rooms.
All three rooms are unique in their own way from buntings and beds to white washed walls, colorful art and plush play things found in local brick and mortars. These rooms and the families who created them are inspiring us to tackle our own kids’ spaces and get back to our love for design and thrifting. We’re also focusing on camps this month with special attention to sports camps in the Portland area. There are so many to choose from, we hope our resource guide will point you in the right direction. And be sure to check out the interview with local author and illustrator extraordinaire, Elizabeth Winfield Martin.
With Spring right around the corner, we’re slowly
coming out of hibernation mode and have been taking great pleasure in trying out the local, family happy hours that we’re featuring in the magazine this month. What’s not to like? Cheap eats, small plates for kiddos, cool atmospheres and a little bit of grown up time for day dreaming about your next decorating or treasure hunting adventure. Happy Hunting.
— Kelley and Beth
editor’s CORNER
listingsA Mother’s Love .............................................3Acting for Kids ..............................................15Art Cubby .....................................................27A-WOL Dance ................................................9Barre3 .............................................................2Bennett Suzuki Violin .....................................7Big Lake Youth Camp ...................................13Building Blocks ELC ........................................9Camp Quest ..................................................25Catlin Gabel ..................................................19Cirque du Soleil ............................................33Clever Cycle ....................................................2Do Jump! ......................................................27Escuela Viva ..................................................19Farber Swim School .....................................17French American International School .......33French American International School - Camps ........................................................19Fun Party Co .................................................33German American School ............................27Girl Scouts ....................................................19Goodnight Room .........................................29i9 Sports .........................................................9Kids Backyard Store ......................................36Kids Community Learning Center ................25Larry Steele Basketball Camp ......................13Little Fruit Farm Montessori .........................29Meringue Boutique ......................................34MetroArts Kids Camp ...................................13Mittleman Jewish Community Center ........17My Kids to Your Kids.....................................29My Masterpiece Art Studio ..........................25N Clackamas Aquatic Park ...........................35Nit Nanny .....................................................29Northwest Childrens Theater .......................31Northwest Childrens Theater - Camps ........13NW School of Film .......................................15ORCAS ............................................................7Oregon Children’s Theatre ..............................9Oregon Episcopal School .............................15Oregon Hope Chinese School ........................7Park Family Denistry ....................................35Pass It On Sales ............................................35Pfeifer MusicWerks ......................................17Philip Foster Farm Pioneer Camps ...............17Play Boutique ...............................................15Playground Gym ..........................................25Portland Children’s Museum .........................7Portland Early Learning ...............................15Portland Jewish Academy ...........................29Portland Spirit ................................................3Portland Trampolines ...................................36Schoolita Alegria ..........................................17Sound Roots School of Music ......................27Spielwerk Toys ................................................3Superkids Resale ..........................................35Tears of Joy Theatre ......................................33Traditional Taekwon-do ...............................27World of Smiles ............................................29Zenger Farm .................................................17
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a-WOL dance Collective offers aerial dance camps that focus on skill building on various aerial apparatus. Campers ages four through teen explore creative floor movement and ac-robatics to enhance the skills being taught in the air. most camps are located at a-WOL’s port-land warehouse location and they offer a spe-cial week session taught in West Linn (at mary s. young park) on their art in the dark show site, where students get to hang from the trees in-stead of the rafters.
Jen Livengood, a-WOL’s artistic director says of the success of their camps, “past campers have shown great enthusiasm and follow-through in our camps. most of the kids that come to camp build skills so quickly and then want to continue with more classes after they finish camp.”
Campers can expect to build aerial skills and strength through their weeklong camp experi-ence. instructors will spend the day with a warm
up and time on the trapeze, hoop and fabric. Throughout the week they will work on a short presentation, which will be open to friends and family at the end of the camp. Each camp is themed, (superhero, jungle, circus, etc.), so campers can choose which suits them best.
Each camp session lasts one week, most of them half-day camps, but this year they will be adding a full-day option combining rock climb-ing and aerial dance. Camps begin mid July and registration opened in February.
Established in 2003, a-WOL was created as a “Collective.” The four co-founders’ intention was to form a group that could operate efficiently by using the different strengths and skills of all company members, both on and off stage and combine both dance and aerial movement. For more information on camps and classes visit awoldance.org.
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camps
Flying High With A-WOL Dance Collective
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camps
ACROBATICS & ARIAL:A-WOL: DAnce cOLLective
awoldance.org
DO Jump Summer cAmpdojump.org
BALLET:June tAyLOr’S SchOOL Of DAnce
junetaylorschoolofdance.com
OregOn BALLet SchOOLoregonballetschool.com
pOrtLAnD feStivAL BALLetportlandfestivalballet.org
BASEBALL:univerSity Of OregOn BASeBALL cAmp
oregonstatebaseballcamp.com
AcADemy BASeBALL Summer cAmpacademybaseball.net
BASKETBALL:Ac green BASketBALL cAmp
acgreen.com/camp
ADvAntAge BASketBALL cAmpSadvantagebasketball.com
chriS DuDLey fOunDAtiOn BASketBALL & SpOrtS cAmp fOr kiDS
With DiABeteSchrisdudley.org
DAn Dunn BASketBALL cAmpdandunnbasketball.net
hArLem gLOBetrOtterS cAmpharlemglobetrotters.com
LArry SteeLe BASketBALL cAmplarrysteelebasketball.com
rip city hOOpSripcityhoops.com
rOyAL BASketBALL AcADemy - eugeneroyalbasketballacademy.com
trAiL BLAzerS hOOpS cAmpSnba.com/blazers/makeitbetter/hoops_camp.html
BIKING:Bike firStbikefirstlttw.com
cOmmunity cycLing center Bike cAmpcommunitycyclingcenter.org
CHEERLEADING:gym-neStthegym-nest.com
StyLe ShOck cheer AnD DAncestyleshockcheeranddance.com
CLIMBING:the circuit BOuLDering gymthecircuitgym.com
pOrtLAnD rOck gymportlandrockgym.com
camps
resource guide:SpORTS CAMpS
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OregOn StAte extenSiOn Service 4-h cAmpSoregon.4h.oregonstate.edu
riverBurgh minAture hOrSe cAmprivenburghfarm.com/summercamp.htm
river rAnch equeStriAn DAy cAmpriverranchhorses.com
GOLF:gOLfApALOOzA JuniOr gOLf SerieScolwoodgolfclub.com/view.asp?id=193&page=8084
pumpkin riDge gOLf cLuBpumpkinridge.com
GYMASTICS/TUMBLING:chiLDren’S gymchildrensgym.com
the LittLe gymthelittlegym.com
gym-neStthegym-nest.com
kinetic gymnASticS center Summer cAmpSkineticgc.com
OregOn gymnASticS AcADemyogagym.org
rOSe city gymnASticSrosecitygym.com
the LittLe gymthelittlegym.com
the pLAygrOunD gymtheplaygroundgym.com
WeStSiDe DAnce & gymnASticS AcADemywestsideacademy.com
camps
DANCE & CREATIVE MOVEMENT:
BiLLingS DAnce centerbillingsdance.com
BODy vOx kiDS DAnce cAmpbodyvox.com
fOOtWOrk DAnce StuDiOfootworkdance.com
June tAyLOr’S SchOOL Of DAncejunetaylorschoolofdance.com
LAke OSWegO DAncedanceoregon.com
mOtiOn mAgicmotionmagic.net
nOrthWeSt cOnServAtOry Of DAncenorthwestconservatoryofdance.com
StyLe ShOck cheer AnD DAncestyleshockcheeranddance.com
WeStSiDe DAnce & gymnASticS AcADemy
westsideacademy.com
EQUESTRIAN:BeAt riDing
beatriding.org
grAnDvieW StABLeSgrandviewstables.com
LAke OSWegO huntlakeoswegohunt.com/lohra/equestrian_camp.
htm
Once upOn A hOrSeonceuponsahorse.com
OregOn 4 h centeroregon4hcenter.org
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ICE SKATING/HOCKEY:LLOyD center ice rink
lloydcenterice.com
WinterhAWkS SkAting centerwinterhawksskatingcenter.com
MARTIAL ARTS:Lee’S mArtiAL ArtS AcADemy
leesmartialartsacademy.com
pOekOeLAn kiDS Summer cAmpSonewithheart.com
tien tAe JitSu mArtiAL ArtStientaejitsu.com
trADitiOnAL tAekWOn-DOtaekwondo-pdx.com
tuLen centertulencenter.com
uS WuShuuswushu.com
SAILING:WiLLAmette SAiLing cLuB
willamettesailingclub.com
SOCCER:Bernie fAgAn SOccer
berniefagansoccer.com
cOncOrDiA SOccer cAmpgocugo.com
camps
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pOrtLAnD city uniteD SOccer cLuB Summer cAmpSpcusc.org/home
pOrtLAnD timBer SOccer cAmpportlandtimbers.com
SALmOn creek inDOOr SpOrtS ArenAscsoccerarena.com
SOccerpLexportlandsoccerplex.com
SKATEBOARD:ALL StAr ADventureSallstartrips.com/oregon-farmexp.html
SkAte pOrtLAnDportlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=50045
WinDeLL’S SkAteBOArD cAmpwindells.com
SKI & SNOWBOARD:high cAScADe SnOWBOArD cAmphighcascade.com
mt. hOOD SnOWBOArD cAmpmthood.com/snowboard_camps.htm
mt. hOOD Summer Ski cAmpSmthood.com
WinDeLL’S SnOWBOArD cAmpwindells.com
resource guide:SpORTS CAMpS
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TENNIS:LeOng tenniS cAmpS
eliteprotenniscoach.com
SWIMMING:chiLDren Of the SeA
childrenofthesea.com
fArBer SWim SchOOLfarberswimschool.com
nike SWim cAmp At LeWiS & cLArk cOLLege
ussportscamps.com/swim/nike
VARIETY:i9 SpOrtSi9sports.com
AnthOny neWmAn’S SpOrtS cAmpSanthonynewmancamps.com
BOyS AnD girLS cLuB cAmpSbgcportland.org
cAScADe AthLetic cLuBcascadeac.com
cLuB SpOrtclubsports.com
cOncOrDiA SpOrtS cAmpSgocugo.com
gym StArSgymstarkids.com
inDOOr gOALSindoorgoals.com
kiDS cLuB fun & fitneSSkidsclubfunandfitness.com
mJcc DAy cAmporegonjcc.org/daycamp
muLtnOmAh AthLetic cLuBthemac.org
OregOn DiSABiLity SpOrtSoregondisabilitysports.net
pOrtLAnD pArkS & recreAtiOnportlandonline.com/parks/
riverpLAce AthLetic cLuBoregonathleticclubs.com
SkyhAWkSskyhawks.com
the LittLe gymthelittlegym.com
the pLAygrOunD gymtheplaygroundgym.com
urBAn SpOrtS AcADemyurbansportsacademy.org
ymcA pOrtLAnDychildcare.org/summercamp.html
YOGA:Living WiSDOm SchOOL yOgA cAmpSlivingwisdomportland.org/yoga-camp.htm
the mOvement centermcyoga.com
resource guide:SpORTS CAMpS
camps
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profile
EP: What does home mean to you? What is your home like? What is your dream home like?
EWM: Home, in my heart, is mostly wher-ever the gentleman and creature I love lay their heads. However, since I am a pretty de-vout homebody, it is also important as a real, physical place. I live and work in the same little house, and in the little house, besides the usual rooms, is a studio stuffed with knickknacks, treasures, paints, and pencils. That’s where I spend most of my waking hours.
My dream home is perched where the forest meets the sea with a garden of pop-pies, foxgloves and roses blooming all around.
EP: Why are orphans such popular protago-nists in middle-grade fiction?
EWM: I think you’d probably get a dozen answers from
a dozen people, but my sense is this: because people want to reach into the story and take care of them. Beyond that, being orphaned im-mediately marks the character and makes them special. Already, something out of the ordinary has happened to them (albeit something aw-ful), and because something unusual (and aw-ful) has already happened to them, the ordinary script for the child’s life is tossed out the win-dow and these unconventional caretakers, un-expected friends, and strange adventures sud-
denly appear. They might as well have been dropped down the rabbit hole for all their new life resem-bles their old one.
EP: Can you tell us the story of the birth of the onionhead character? Can you still eat onions?
EWM: I have a good friend who re-ceived the curious nickname “Turnip-head” in elementary school. My sweet on-
Knickknacks and Turnipheads
a chat with Emily Winfield martin, portland crafter, illustrator, and author of The Black Apple’s Paper Doll Primer and Oddfellow’s Orphanage, a lovely new middle-reader about friendship and feeling at home with one’s strangeness.
an IntErvIEW WIth EmIly WInfIElD martInby ELizabETH pusaCk
continued on p. 18
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ion-headed boy probably grew from that, and was originally created as a protagonist for a dis-carded picture book idea. When I dreamed up Oddfellow’s Orphanage, I knew they would wel-come a sweet vegetable misfit like Ollie.
I do still eat onions. Never ones with a face, though.
EP: Can you tell us a bit about your writing process? Do you have any secret writing rituals?
EWM: I do a lot of planning and scheming in my mind before ever sitting down with a pen or a keyboard. I am very fixed on details and moments and small interactions, and I take these bits, the sights and feelings and then go about the business of arranging them into a story. I have no real rituals, although I do bribe myself with tea if I’m resistant to settling into any particular task, writing or otherwise.
EP: What is your favorite moment in children’s literature?
EWM: A dozen scenes from Lewis Car-oll’s Alice books come to mind, but strangely enough, with all the bizarre and wondrous
characters she meets, I think I love one in which she’s back home the most. I have a fond-ness for the “Which Dreamed It?” chapter at the end of Through The Looking Glass, in which Alice is talking to the black and white kittens and trying to muddle through the haze be-tween dreaming and awake. Maybe it’s because I love it when people have just woken up. Or maybe because I like scolding kittens.
EP: What advice do you have for young writers?
EWM: I know this is the advice everyone gives, but read! Read everything! Everything that catches your fancy, anyway. Literary books, silly books, memoirs, comics, anything interesting or transporting or astounding or hilarious or wonderful. You will find out what you might like to write, yourself. And the more you read, the more words you will know and the more ways you will learn to put those words together. Then write. Short bits, long bits. Take it seriously, especially if you’re aim-ing for long bits, like novels. That sort of thing requires a work ethic like few other pursuits in the world.
EP: What is your favorite monster?EWM: If we’re speaking cryptozoologically
here, and I hope we are, aquatic monsters of all stripes are my favorites. But especially classic, Nessie-esque lake and sea monsters.
EP: Who are your heroes?EWM: My mother and father, Anna Karina, Siouxsie Sioux, “Little Edie” Beale, The Fleis-cher Brothers, Dan Clowes, William Faulkner, Virginia Woolf, Angela Carter, Richard Scarry, Arthur Rackham and about a hundred other luminaries.
EP: Thank you!
Elizabeth pusack is the events coordinator at alberta street children’s book store, green bean books. greenbeanbooks.com
continued from p. 16
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décor
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penny (3) and Loretta’s (2 months) room; a toddler room and nursery. mom is stylist and photographer, molly anderson, mollymatic.com. bed from seek the unique that she had powder painted teal, uniquestorepdx.com. bedspread fabric from bolt, boltfabricboutique.com. doll from Crafty Wonderland, craftywonderland.com. most of the decor is from molly’s collection and from her and her husband’s childhoods.
A Room Of One’s(Or Two’s) Own
Designing your kids’ rooms may or may not come naturally to you. But with a little inspiration and planning, you could create a room they will never want to leave. These rooms combine simplicity, organization, a few remnants from the past, treasures and art to do just that.
décor
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Franco (8) and Julian’s (5) room. mom is shelley Figuorolo of Figgy’s patterns, figgyspatterns.com. automoblox cars, kids at Heart, kidsathearttoys.com. Fabric design by mo bodell for Timeless Treasures. Fabrics and pillow patterns by shelley. bed, dresser and storage by ikEa, ikea.com.
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décor
Cecilia’s room (3). mom is mariah, stay at home mom to Cecilia and Lydia. Felt animals by urban Creatures, urbancreatures.etsy.com. Owl from Crafty Wonderland, craftywonderland.com. Frogs from spielwerk Toys, spielwerktoys.com. Quilt by mariah’s sister, who is president of the portland modern Quilters guild. Furniture is all from pottery barn Teen, pbteen.com.
photos courtesy of Emma Easley darden of RLp studios
1. Flor Modular Carpet Squares at surface, surface-home.com, $9/tile and up. •2. Big Play TablebyViaBoxes,viaboxes.com,$400-$600.•3. P’kolino Children’s Desk at grasshopper Toys, grasshopperstore.com , $70. •4. Bunting FlagbyPetiteMasononetsy.com,$30.•5. Customizable Oregon State Pillowbylove,californiaonetsy.com,$54.•6. Happy Mobile by Frazier & Wingatfrazierandwing.com,$68.•7. Amelia Catheart and the Flying Cats PrintbyYellowcakeCraftsonetsy.com,$12.•8. Bambino Toy Bags at bambinotoybags.com, $20 for 3. •9. Collector’s Shelves by pottery barn kids, potterybarnkids.com, $39 - $62. •10. Indian Summer Wallpaper by JuJuatjujupapers.com,$165.•11. Oeuf Classic Collection Toddler Bed at blackwagon.com, $620.
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goods
Found Around Town
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outing
hOpWOrkS Bike BArgreat food and beer with a play area donated by spielwerk Toys. Happy Hours: daily 3 pm-6 pm including patio seating.hopworksbikebar.com
LAureLWOODdarned awesome play area and the coveted Organic Free Range Red. Four locations, two at the airport. Happy Hours: daily 3 pm-6 pm. may vary at the airport.laurelwoodbrewpub.com
mAx’S fAnnO creek BreW puBCraft beer and pub grub for the whole family. Hoppy (correct) Hours: daily 3 pm-6 pm.maxsfannocreek.com
pAcific pie cOmpAnyindividual savory meat pies for all. Happy Hours: monday through Friday, 3 pm-6 pm. pie and a pint for $7.pacificpieco.com
rADiO rOOmLoud like our children with cheap eats and yummy drink specials. Happy Hours: daily 3 pm-6 pm.radioroompdx.com
the OLD mArket puB & BreWeryshuffleboard and yummy chili with great beer. Happy Hours: daily 2 pm-6 pm.drinkbeerhere.com
uchu SuShi & frieD chickenFor little sushi lovers! Happy Hours: monday-Wednesday all day and Tuesday through sunday 2 pm-6 pm.uchusushi.com
urBAn fArmermini mac and cheese, outdoor seating and more meat than you can shake a stick at.Happy Hours: daily 3 pm-6 pm.urbanfarmerrestaurant.com
yAkuzA JApAneSe puB| izAkAyAFun and delicious Japanese faire. Edamame and katzus, anyone? Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and sunday 5 pm-6 pm.yakuzalounge.com
happy hour with the kiddos? yep, it’s possible. We’re fortunate to live in the family friendliest, gastropubbiest—with a microbrewery on just about every corner—wine and artisanal spirit craftingest city in the northwest after all. and with new options opening all the time, we asked you, our readers and facebook friends where you go to have happy hour with the family. here are your suggestions.
photo courtesy of Tim acock photography
It’s Happy Hour Somewhere
Yakuza
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books
my WOnDerfuL WOrLD Of fAShiOn by Nina Chakrabarti (pb $19.95)
With Vivien West-wood wedges to bedazzle, kimono-painting, and microcosmic nail art
activity prompts; this bulky book encour-ages budding sartorialists to explore both the silly and serious side of fashion. Part coloring book (Cleopatra’s headdress), part craft book (safety pin charm bracelet), I would have flipped for every page as a fashion fanati-cal kid. This book is bubbling with whimsy and the joys of wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve. The last page reads, “If it makes you feel good, wear it!” What a mantra.
D.i.y. kiDS by Ellen and Julia Lupton (pb $14.95)
Zines, Ex Libris, Ketchup Dolls, Frankenstein T-Shirts! This book puts the bits, bobbles, and scraps at the bottom of your junk drawer to use in a zillion weird and wily ways. Each project features sensible step-by-steps that you don’t have to be an engineer to understand. What I like very best about this book is that it shows REAL kid-made art, full of colorful imperfections and personality.
kiD mADe mODern by Todd Oldham (HC $22.99)
World class designer Todd Oldham turns his eagle art eye to kidlife as he coaches classy kids and parents on construct-
best Books For Young Creatives
REViEWs by ELizabETH pusaCk OF gREEN bEaN bOOks
ing fancy Luis Barragán inspired color forts, Annie Albers tin-foil ball bangles, and, of course, Alexander Calder mobiles. Includes an inquiry into the meaning of modern, color-mixing exercises and a meditation on inspiration. Kid Made Modern is one good looking craft book.
mAgic BOOkS AnD pAper tOySby Esther k. smith (pb $21.95)
What better for a book-lover than to build
her own books? Paper accordions, pocket movies, and pop-up fundamentals. This is a great primer on book structures. Emergent writers can pair their stories with Smith’s strange shifting shapes. Her simple sketched diagrams bring clarity to some complicated processes. My favorite project in this book is the thaumatrope, a spinning Victorian opti-cal illusion on a stick. Trick your eyes with an afterimage.
1600 NE alberta street503-954-2354greenbeanbookspdx.com
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Performances
MAR 1 - 3Bodyvox-2Check out an exciting blend of new, original works and signature bodyVox dances. $16-30, Thurs-Fri 7:30pm, sat 2pm & 7:30pm.bodyvox.com
MAR 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18Oregon children’s theatre – Locomotionbased on the award-winning book by Jacqueline Woodson, this production tells the story of a poetry-writing foster child and how he learns to write about his family. Recommended for ages 10 and up. $15-28, sat 2pm & 5pm, sun 2pm. octc.org
MAR 9friends of epeS (educación popular en Salud) – peter yarrow Benefit concertpeter, paul and mary’s peter yarrow and other artists perform a benefit concert in support of EpEs, an innovative grassroots health project celebrating 30 years of work in poor communities of Chile. For info and ticketing, call John anderson at 503-850-4655. $10-20, 7:30pm. augustana.org
MAR 10portland youth philharmonic – Winter concertit’s never too early to introduce kids to classical music – especially when played by other kids! $15-60, 7:30pm.portlandyouthphil.org
MAR 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 27 - 31northwest childrens theater – Busytown busytown is buzzing with activity. but what do people do all day? Take a tour of Huckle Cat’s lively neighborhood to see! Richard scarry’s intricate busytown books come to life in this special stage production. $18-22, 12pm & 3pm.nwcts.org
eVenTs In marcHTHURSDAYSA children’s place Bookstore – StorytimeEnjoy a story or two on a lovely Thursday morning in the beaumont neighborhood. Free! 10:30-11am. achildrensplacebookstore.com
FRIDAYSportland Spirit -“Spirit of magic” cruiseExperience Vaudeville style magic and comedy from portland’s own premier magicians along with a three course dinner and a beautiful cruise through downtown portland. Fun for the whole family! Fridays, 7-9:30pm. $75 per person.portlandspirit.com
SATURDAYSfamily happy (and music) hour at e.A.t.Join in for family friendly music and happy hour food and drink specials with some of portland’s finest kids acts! guests include: The alphabeticians, professor banjo, The snail people, mo phillips, mr. ben, and more! 4-6pm.eatarttheater.com
Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur.
calendar
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portland Spirit – queen melissa tea cruiseEnjoy a traditional “High Tea” style cruise including dainty sweet and savory snacks, a book reading by Queen melissa, winged-fairy face painting, whimsical games, and a photo with the Queen herself. Costumes encouraged! $15-28, 12-2pm (boarding time 11:30am). portlandspirit.com
MAR 3OmSi - Brain fairThe largest brain Fair in the country returns to Omsi to celebrate the closing of bOdy WORLds & The brain. Free with museum admission ($9-12), 10am-5pm. omsi.edu
MAR 6kennedy School - mommy matineeall caregivers and their babies are welcome to enjoy the show! Check the website for the day’s movie. $3, 2:30-4:30pm. mcmenamins.com
MAR 7thinker toys – Sound roots School of musicNew, free in-store music day the first Wednesday of every month, featuring sing- and play-alongs, with instruments for the kids! Free, 10am. thinkertoysoregon.com
MAR 9east portland community center - $2 Swim nightgrab your suit and bring the whole family for an evening swim on the second Friday of the month. $2, 5:30-7pm family swim, 7-9pm open swim. portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 10city candidate forum for familiesgather ‘round to hear what future city leaders
think about the city policies that matter to portland families: paid family leave and sick time, affordable, well-located childcare, quality public schools, clean air, and more. Hosted at the Harriet Tubman school in N portland. Childcare provided, 3-5:30pm. familyforwardoregon.org
MAR 10penny’s puppet productions – Where is Lilly the catapilly?One spring day, Lilly the caterpillar was supposed to go to a tea party, but she doesn’t show up. Where could she be? Lake Oswego Library hosts this musical mystery. Free, 11am-12pm ci.oswego.or.us/library
MAR 10Oaks park – hoopla!Hoopla! is a costume party benefit for Hawthorne Family playschool. activities for kids, scrumptious food, beer and wine for sale, great deals on lots of local goods. Costumes encouraged! Featuring performances by do Jump, greasy kid stuff with belinda and Hova, school of Rock and storyteller Rick Huddle. Free, 4-7pm. hawthornefamilyplayschool.org
MAR 12Southwest community center – fireside StorytimeWinter’s not quite gone yet - cozy up next to the fireplace in the lobby for a story & craft! Free, 12:30-1pm. portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 13Oregon zoo - $4 Second tuesdayEnjoy all the wonders the zoo has to offer the second Tuesday of every month! kids 0-2 free as always. 9am-4pm. oregonzoo.org
MAR 15green Bean Books Bookmaking class - Books of three gifts
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suprise! Learn how to make a book that ends up with a pop-up present pile that you can decorate. best for kiddos ages 6 - 11. $10 per kid, $1 off the second. 3:30 - 4:30pm. greenbeanbookspdx.com
MAR 16mccoy park – Ladybug nature WalkTake a walk with your preschooler and experience nature with all senses! Rain or shine. $3, 10am. portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 17 - OPENINGOmSi - Art of the BrickFor a limited six-week run, Omsi’s newest exhibit features large-scale LEgO sculptures by well-known artist Nathan sawaya, as well as other local artists. Free with museum admission ($9-12), 9:30am-5:30pm. omsi.edu, brickartist.com
MAR 18rockwood Library – Sunday movie matineeTake in a family-friendly flick with your community. bring snacks and comfy blankets – space is limited so come early! Tickets available 30 min prior to showing. Free, 3-4:30pm. multcolib.org
MAR 24Sellwood community center – family fun nightCome out and play, craft, dance, play games! march’s theme is Leprechaun irish Night. $5 for a family of 4, $2/add’tl person. 6-8pm.portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 25mississippi Studios – gustafer yellowgoldgustafer is stopping in portland on a coast-to-coast national tour. Come enjoy an equal parts pop rock concert and display of hand drawn cartoon music videos. $8 in advance, $10 at the door, 2pm. mississippistudios.com
MAR 28in Other Words – heArt play groupa weekly play group in NE portland for your kiddos aged 2-5 – a place to paint, play, learn, be silly, and make friends. a chance for you to meet other neighborhood parents too! 10am-12pm. inotherwords.org
MAR 30 THRU APRIL 30Wooden Shoe tulip farm - 27th Annual tulip festRows and rows of beautiful tulips, rides and games for kids, delicious food! $5-20, every day from march 30 to april 30, 9am-6pm.woodenshoe.com
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There is an extraordinary exhibit at the Portland Children’s Museum this month. At first glance, it’s simply a series of panels showing photographs and text. There is a video projection of a day in an early childhood center. Start reading, looking, deeply listening, and you’ll discover what it really is, an exhibit honoring the vitally important work of young children and their connection to the wider world in beautiful clarity and simplicity.
The Reggio Emilia philosophy arose out of the devastation of post World War II Italy, where educator Loris Malaguzzi and a group of parents began a school which would promote the ideas of tolerance and respect, experiential learning, relationships, and a myriad ways to discover the world. It places a strong emphasis on materials and the classroom environment. Children are viewed as capable partners in their learning, and teachers and parents are asked to participate fully. This collaboration is at the heart of the philosophy, for it creates a culture of community and engagement. It lets children be full citizens and participants in their families, schools, and greater society.
The exhibit shows children doing simple things, discussing the day’s activities in a group, testing out various types of shoes to see what sounds they make, dancing with flowing tubes, using clay to create animals and buildings. As a teacher, I was struck by the beauty of the documentation. Photos,
drawings, words, video and actual pieces of children’s work have been carefully curated and assembled for accuracy and inspiration. I took notice of the length of time projects took and the many ways in which a subject was investigated. For example, children doing a movement study used several mediums over several months to build more knowledge, drawing, writing, sculpting, dancing, etc.
Yet, it is the implication of their endeavors that is most provocative to teachers and parents. How does it empower children when you trust them to plan their own day? What happens when you give children clay or wire and ask them to sculpt what they see, or feel? When you allow children to fully explore something and document it, how does it deepen their learning? Most importantly: what can children teach us, and how can we see their contributions to the world as not only beautiful but vital, something to be valued and protected?
I recommend The Wonder of Learning to all parents, teachers, policy makers, and anyone with an interest in seeing the impact of children’s learning on the world. For more information, visit portlandcm.org.
REViEW by saRa mCWiLLiams
the WOnDer Of LeArning:pORTLaNd CHiLdREN’s musEum EXHibiT
sara mcWilliams is a co-lead teacher at Trillium Charter school, and is honored to witness and collaborate with preschoolers every day. trilliumcharterschool.org/preschool
outing
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Wassily kandinsky was an abstract painter. He painted objects as patches of color instead of painting perfect details such as facial features or individual leaves on trees. kandinsky was trying to create the same effect on a viewer of his paintings as a beautiful piece of music has on a listener. Listen to music while painting and feel the music dance through the paint brush, just like kandinsky.
MATErIAlS
•KraftPaper
•Paint(Acrylicorliquid watercolor are best)
•PaintBrush
•InspiringMusic
DIrECTIONS
1To paint, choose 1 color family. For example: red, orange, yellow and pink, or purple, red, blue and white, or green,
yellow and blue. multiple values of these color families add more dimension to the final outcome.
2Turn on your favorite tunes and let your child paint away covering every spot of the kraft paper with the paint.
3move the brush to the music. start with the lightest color. Let your child paint blocks of color with some colors overlap-
ping to create new color values. Let paint dry.
4Turn artwork into home décor by professionally
framing the piece and hanging as a master-work, wrap painting around a pencil cup or lampshade or cut art into squares and collage onto a picture frame.
my masterpiece art studio is located at 7905 sW Cirrus drive, beaverton. They offer classes and camps to a range of ages and host special events like arty parties for kids and adults. mymasterpieceartstudio.com
craft
WASSIlY KANDINSKY INSPIrED
HOmE déCOR
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