Send a child to school for free!

Time is running out! Only one week left to enter to win. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is need of preschool for their child.

The School of Enrichment is planning an expansion of programs and they believe that there is nothing more valuable than the gift of education for a child. That is why they are sponsoring an Educational Enrichment Giveaway. We are calling on True North readers and True North Facebook fans to help pick a family for the giveaway. The giveaway will include two days (4 hour days) per week for a nine month school year in their enrichment preschool program (a value of $2625). The winner of this giveaway must be between the ages of 2 ½ and 5 years old. Please write us a short essay nominating a family you think deserves to win (even if it is your own!). Tell us why you think their parenthood journey would be best chosen for this giveaway. There are no limits or financial requirements required.

Please send your nomination essay to info@truenorthparenting.com with "preschool scholorship" in the subject line.

We will take nominations through June 30th at 6pm.

Imagine Life Without Violence

This came across my desk this morning. In case you aren’t familiar with Saving Grace, they provide support and services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, date rape and stalking in our community. What they do for women and children in the most unimaginable situations is priceless. They need a little help with upgrading their shelter. Please consider donating if you have any of the items on their wish lists.


I will be touring the finished facility and can’t wait to see what our community puts together.


Sincerely,
Annette Benedetti
Editor in Chief
True North


Saving Grace, Free From Violence from Saving Grace on Vimeo.

One Week Design Challenge for the Saving Grace Shelter

Saving Grace is grateful to the High Desert Design Council for volunteering to help redesign the kitchen/great room space at Saving Grace, our local women's and children's shelter. The Council’s design challenge: Zero budget, One week time frame. The goal of the High Desert Design Council is to make this a happy, fun place for women and children. We are in need of help and donations in order to make this happen. Needed is help with painting, sewing, upholstery and cash donations. The design teams “wish list” includes a coffee table, side tables, floor and/or table lamps, area rug, paper lanterns, multi- cultural family artwork, a bulletin board and/or large frames. The all day work party is this coming Friday, June 25th starting at 9 am and if necessary will finish on Saturday. Please contact Janet Huerta, at janet@saving-grace.org or call (541) 382-9227 ext. 105 for more information.

Many thanks to the High Desert Design Council for this very generous gift.

Active Dads!

Celebrating Active Dads: A Father's Day Contest Reveals Local Heroes

This last April, we sent a call out to our Facebook and Twitter followers as well as our e-newsletter subscribers requesting nominations for our Active Dad contest. Central Oregon is renowned for its ease of access to a plethora of outdoor activities and healthy lifestyle opportunities, so in honor of Father's Day we decided to reward two dads for not only choosing an active healthy lifestyle but also for modeling this way of life for their children.


When we announced this contest we knew we would have a great response, and while it was hard to choose, two dads' stories stood out. Jim Domings won our first place package after his 13 year old son sent in a heartfelt and compelling e-mail about his father. His winnings included a private climbing lesson/session from First Ascent for him and his family along with a multitude of other goods including an Oakley Backpack from Skjersaa's; a bamboo shirt from Oregon Body and Bath; a 60 minute massage from Professional Massage Therapy; a brewing class from The Brew Shop; an evaluation and treatment from High Desert Chiropractic; a one-time rental from Mountain Valley Supply of Oregon; and gift certificates to Apsect, Jackson's Corner, Kebaba, Parrilla, Patagonia in Bend, and Fleet Feet Sports.

Erik Hammer, our second place winner, had three nominations from family and friends! His second place package included a Little Deschutes River float trip from Central Oregon River Adventures; an evaluation and treatment from High Desert Chiropractic; a 30 minute massage from Michelle Rear at Professional Massage Therapy; a Sector Hat from Aspect; Sanuk flip flops from Skjersaa's; and gift certificates from Jackson's Corner, Kebaba, Parrilla Grill, Patagonia in Bend, and Fleet Feet Sports.
These two dads are heroes to their family members as well as other children and parents alike. The following excerpts from their nomination letters explain why, and may even inspire some to become active parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents as well.

Meet the winners of the Active Dad Contest HERE.
 
And don't forget to give that special dad in your life extra love as we celebrate the  impact that father's have in all of our lives this month.

Where will you be?

Bazaar is tomorrow! Win BIG!


You don't want to miss your chance to win over $5500 worth of prizes. Tickets for the drawing go on sale at 11am sharp for $1 and $3. All proceeds go to Saving Grace's Mary's House and the Family Access Network. Some of the winning packages include (Please note, most of these packages have actually grown and changed to include more than mentioned below.  Come tomorrow and find out what they are worth now):

The Downtown Rendezvous: featuring local MoWo art, a night at the 4Diamond Award Winning Oxford Hotel, A nanny to watch the babes over night provided by Shannies Nannies, gift certificate for the 10 Below restaurant, lunch at New York City Sub Shop, earrings from Sweet Brooke Designs! - Valued OVER $700

Momma's Break: One paddleboard or kayak Lesson from Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe, Organic Skin Care Basket by Angelina's, gift cert to Great Clips, One WEEK of Drinks from BLENDERZ - Valued OVER $300

The Daddy Day Drawing: A Foursome of Golf at Tetherow, One WEEK of Drinks from Blenderz, Pilot Butte Drive-In gift certificate and Shirt Valued OVER $600
The Mid-Town Mayhem: One Family Sitting with Tambi Lane Photography; gift certificates to A Taste of Thailand, Blenderz, Rockin' Dave's Bagels and Papa John's Pizza; a Oregon T-shirt from White Bat, Gift Certificate to Autry's Four Season Florist - Valued OVER $200


The Summer Soiree: clothes from BayBeeGee, Summer Tutu by BooKus of Tutus, "Pride Earrings" by A.W.A.R.E, Reusable All-purpose Tote by UpCycled by SaraBella, Oregon onesie by White Bat, a Monster Family by Monster Love Valued OVER $200
And Much Much More!!!


You also won't want to miss The Dunk a Dad Dunk Tank! That's right! we have the dads lined up and ready to hit the water to support our nonprofits!

And don't forget, we have over 30 local vendors for you to enjoy parusing PLUS Food, smoothies, wine, and beer!

The Details!

BAZAAR

DATE: June 12th, 2010

TIME: 11am-10pm

LOCATION: Nashelle Jewelry Showroom

61511 American Lane #5

Bend, Or.

FREE Music Line Up:

2:15PM-3:15PM: Jason Schweitzer

3:30PM-4:30PM: Tim Coffey

4:30-5PM: Gypsy Fire Belly Dancers

5PM-6:15PM The Sweet Harlots

6:45PM-8:45PM: Eric Tollefson & The World's Greatest Lovers

To find out more read this article!

This Weekend's Must Dos!

True North Proudly Sponsors:


Northwest Community Balloons Over Bend 2010

 

Bringing together businesses, tourists and families in a community celebration that has something for every generation and demographic to enjoy.

 

The Northwest Community Balloons Over Bend is back and promises to be over-the-top fun for parents and kids alike. As if the magic of seeing a rainbow of balloons fill the sky wasn't enough, this year's event will include one of the largest kids' entertainment areas of any festival in Bend. Imagine an enormous spread of bouncy houses, Go Karts, face painting, balloon art, and more! All this combined with live music, a beer garden, and a vast array of foods being served ensures a weekend full of fun for everyone.

 

Balloons Over Bend runs from Friday, June 4th through Sunday the 6th. Some of the highlights include a 6:30am balloon launch all three mornings from Les Schwab Amphitheatre, a street painting festival, a music and entertainment lineup to please all, and the unforgettable night glow.

 

The Street Painting Festival is one of only two street painting events in Oregon. Local artists use black asphalt as a canvas to create fantastic, colorful masterpieces that will transfix and amaze both the young and the old. The festival is a fundraising event to benefit art education programs in our community such as VanGo, Artists in Schools, and the Art Station.

 

And finally, one of the most spectacular events of the weekend is the night glow! At dusk, a beautiful array of balloons will be laid out in Riverbend Park and inflated in front of the crowd. The balloons light up the night sky and give viewers the opportunity to get close to or even hands on with this breathtaking event. Donations are suggested and benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Deschutes County.

 

For detailed information on Balloons Over Bend, visit www.balloonsoverbend.com.

Friday, June 4

6:00am-7:30am: Balloon Launch & Breakfast in Riverbend Park

6:30am Balloon Launch

 

Saturday, June 5

6:00am-7:30am: Balloon Launch & Breakfast in Riverbend Park

6:30am Balloon Launch

10:00am-8:00pm: Festival Open on the Banks of the Deschutes River, Old Mill District

 

Sunday, June 6

6:00am-7:30am: Balloon Launch & Breakfast in Riverbend Park

6:30am Balloon Launch

10:00am-6:00pm: Festival Open on the Banks of the Deschutes River, Old Mill District

 

 

Food Fight

Revolution Never Tasted So Good!

 

Food Fight a fantastic documentary about our food culture and food policy.

 

Where: it will be shown at Summit High School in Bend

 

When: Saturday, June 5th at 2pm and again at 6pm

 

Chris Taylor, director and producer will also be in Bend for a Q & A after each show.

 

This film is a must see! http://www.foodfightthedoc.com/

 

Tickets are $5. Purchase them at:

• Wild Birds Unlimited
• Camalli Books
• Artemisia Naturopath
• Cowgirl Cash,
• Snap Fitness (Brookswood & NWX)
• Sage Cafe, NWX,
• Whole Foods
• CHOW

Food Fight is a fundraiser for both Harvest of Hope and Smart Food Initiative.

Harvest of Hope is a Non-Profit organic farm in Tumalo, OR that donates its produce to the homeless and abused and neglected children in C.O.

 

Smart Food Initiative of Central Oregon is a group of parents and community members who strive to serve children nourishing foods and to model food choices that support their growing minds and bodies.

 

For a chance to win free tickets visit the True North Facebook Page

 

 

 

Go Bazaar

Imagine spending a sunny Saturday afternoon in late spring browsing through handmade goods and local wears from the likes of Maya Moon Designs, Monster Love, Takara, Perryfinalia, Stella & Dot, and Geek Chic Knits — while being entertained by stilt walkers, belly dancers, and local music. On June 12th, Bazaar will offer all of this and more.

Bazaar is a summer kickoff trunk show and benefit, presented by Nashelle Designs and True North Parenting, to be held at the Nashelle Boutique showrooms and parking lot. There will be over 40 booths and a copious amount of entertainment including four musical acts — Jason Schweitzer; Tim Coffey; Eric Tollefson and the World's Greatest Lovers; and the Sweet Harlots — plus the Gypsy Fire belly dancers and Spinzter stilt walkers to amaze both young and old. In addition, there will be food and drink vendors and activities for all ages including community art projects, a petting zoo, and henna tattoos. At the end of the day there will be a drawing for some amazing prizes including and overnight stay at The Oxford Hotel and a $50 certificate to 10 Below in Bend. Tickets for the drawing will be sold throughout the day and all proceeds from the sales will go to Saving Grace's Mary's Place and the Family Access Network (FAN).


Both Mary's Place and FAN offer services that support the most vulnerable members of our community, so take some time to visit their websites and find out more about the services they offer.

Mary's Place
http://www.saving-grace.org/

Mary's Place is a supervised visit and exchange center that opened its doors in 2006. It offers a safe visitation situation for women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, dating violence, and stalking. Mary's Place takes the risk out of the process and allows the supervised parent and child to interact in a closely monitored and positive atmosphere with highly skilled, professional staff who are aware of the obvious and subtle ways that safety can be compromised. A facilitator, aided by state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, is assigned to the parent during each visit or exchange. Mary's Place has developed comprehensive security procedures with assistance from law enforcement, the court, parole and probation offices, and the district attorney's office.

Facts about Mary's Place

-To date, more than 4,000 supervised visits have taken place for over 180 families throughout Oregon and Washington.

-Mary's Place relies primarily on federal funds through the Office of Violence Against Women under the Safe Haven Program.

-Mary's Place is the ONLY safe haven program in Oregon.

The Family Access Network
http://www.familyaccessnetwork.org/

FAN is a network of community partners who collaborate to ensure that all children in Deschutes County have access to basic-need services and attend school ready to learn. They provide Family Advocates in all Deschutes County Public Schools who link children and families to critical social supports with the goal of keeping children in school. Working through one dedicated advocate, a student or parent is referred for essential services including job opportunities, clothing, rent assistance, childcare support, health insurance, and heating assistance. Central to this approach is empowering families to take action to help themselves.

Facts about FAN

-FAN Advocates serve over 7,800 children and family members in our community every year.

-FAN currently has 21 FAN Advocates in 42 public schools and 2 early childhood sites.

-In 2008-2009 FAN linked 7860 children and families to food, clothing, shelter, health services and insurance, school supplies, heating assistance, and jobs.

Bazaar Information

What: A Trunk Show and Benefit for Mary's Place and the Family Access Network

When: June 12th from 11am-10pm

Music: Music and entertainment from 1pm-9pm

Drawing: Tickets for prizes on sale for $1-$3 a ticket. Winners announced at 9pm and on the Bazaar and True North Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information and to keep up to date with the event happenings, check out the Bazaar event page on Facebook HERE and RSVP to the event at the bottom of the page!