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Red flags in speech development: when to worry

2011-08-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Stephanie Marz from Bend Speech Express shares an important article with the True North Readers.

by Robin Hansen

Urban legend claims speech delay is not serious. The legend also says,"boys talk later" and "most all" kids will "catch up" naturally. The fact is MOST kids don't just catch up naturally. Never let these urban legends stop you from seeking help. What if you allowed denial to keep your child from the gift of early intervention? What is it turned out to be nothing? What is the worst that can happen? You have a child that speaks well and you can stop speech therapy! There is no loser in seeking help early. Denial, and delay can lead to a tremendous amount of personal guilt as windows of opportunity may never be regained.

Many people still believe children who are speech delayed because of poor parenting skills. This is not the case, unless the parents has been very negligent or abusive. Thanks to the latest research as demonstrated in the documentary, , MRI's now show that at 6 months, they can predict which babies will have speech issues. If your baby shows any delays, do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician. Ask your pediatrician for a referral to a speech and language therapist or a developmental pediatrician for an evaluation as soon as possible. If you child is under age 3, you can call your local regional center for a free appointment to have them evaluate your baby. Regional centers will evaluate and offer intervention services at no cost. If your child is age 3 or over, call your local school district to ask for an evaluation. If the school district finds your pre-schooler eligible, they will offer speech therapy and possibly other services, if needed.

Keep in mind that the wait time for evaluations and eligibility process can take 2-4 months. A "wait and see" approach can waste valuableintervention time. The criteria for eligibility for children age 3 and up, may be far more stringent because they are covered by a different set of state standards than the 0-3 group does. One year of speech therapy at age 2 can negate the need for years of speech therapy at a later age.

If your child does have a speech delay, keep in mind that there is a very high possibility your child may be diagnosed with a learning/attention or reading disability later on. At age 5 or 6, ask the local school district for an educational evaluation to measure phonemic awareness, auditory and perceptual skills plus processing disorders. If there is an inability to acquire oral language naturally, it follows that aquiring written language acquisition will be difficult too.

Newborn to 3 months:

• Startles to loud sounds

• Quiets or smiles when spoken to

• Seems to recognize your voice

• Increases or decreases sucking behavior in response to sound

• Makes pleasure sounds (cooing)

• Cries differently for different needs

• Smiles when he sees you

Red flags: No sounds (cooing)/quiet baby; doesn’t react to you 4 to 6 months

4 to 6 months

• Moves eyes in direction of sound

• Responds to changes in your voice • Notices toys that make sounds

• Pays attention to music

• Babbling sounds (more speech-like); many different sounds including "p, b, m"

• Vocalizes excitement and displeasure

• Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with

Red flags: Quiet baby—no sounds; no eye contact with you; no attention to voice or music

7 months to 12 months

• Enjoys games and peek-a-boo

• Turns and looks in direction of sounds

• Listens when spoken to

• Recognizes words for common items like "cup", "shoe", "juice"

• Begins to respond to requests ("Come here," "Want more?") • Babbling has both long and short groups of sounds such as "tata upup bibibi"

• Uses speech or non-crying sounds to get and keep attention

• Imitates different speech sounds

• Has 1 or 2 words (bye bye, dada, mama) although they may not be clear

• Uses communicative gestures such as pointing and pulling

Red flags: Quiet baby—few vocalizations; no sound play or babbling, pointing or gesturing by 12 months; only vowels in vocalizations; does not respond to voice or sounds.

12 months to 15 months

• Maintains attention to pictures

• Understands simple directions especially with vocal or physical cues

• Uses one or more words with meaning

Red flags: No communicative gestures such as pointing or pulling; vocalizations with only vowels; no imitative skills; no response to parent’s vocalizations; no response to name.

15 months to 18 months

• Says more words each month; vocabulary of 5-20 words

• Vocabulary composed mainly of nouns

• Much jargon-like speech

•Able to follow simple commands without cues ("Get your bear.")

Red flags: No single words by 16 months; no imitative skills; limited consonants in speech; no response to directions with cues.

18-21 months

• Points to a few body parts when named

• Follows simple commands and understands simple questions ("Roll the ball," "Where’s your shoe?")

• Listens to simple stories, songs, and rhymes

• Points to pictures in a book when named

• Uses many different consonant sounds at beginning of words

• Expressive vocabulary of 25-50 words

Red flags: Limited variety of consonants; vowel distortions; few words, limited imitative skills.

21 months to 24 months

• Uses some 1-2 word questions ("What’s that?" "Daddy?" "Bye bye?")

• Puts 2 words together ("more cookie", "no juice", "Mommy book")

• Language explosion around 18-24 months; vocabulary of 150-300 words by 24 months

Red flags: Limited spoken vocabulary; limited variety of consonants; distortions of vowels or sounds; little response to name, directions, questions.

24 months to 36 months

• Understands differences in meanings of words (in/out, go/stop, up/down)

• Follows two requests ("Get the book and put it on the table")

• Has a word for almost everything

• Uses 2-3 words to talk about and ask for things

• Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time

• Often asks for or directs attention to objects by naming them

Red flags: No language explosion by 30 months; unintelligible speech; small vocabulary; no simple 2-word combinations by 27 months.

36 months

• Hears you when you call from another room

• Answers simple "who?," "what?," "where?," "why?" questions

• Talks about activities at school or friend’s home

• People outside family usually understand child’s speech

• Uses a lot of sentences that have 4 or more words

Red flags: Unintelligible speech; limited vocabulary; short utterances (only 1-2 words); limited consonants; little response to questions or directions.

Review of Red Flags for Developing Speech and Language:

• Little sound play or babbling as infant

• No babbling, pointing, or gesturing by 12 months

• No single words by 16 months

• No spontaneous 2 word phrases by 27 months

• Missed "language explosion" by 30 months

• Any regression in speech, language, or social skills at any age

• No eye contact or response to sounds

• No response to name by 15 months

• No response to directions or questions by 24 months

• Limited number of consonant sounds or vowel distortions by 24 months; low intelligibility for toddler (24-36 months)

• Poor verbal imitation skills by 12 months

• Small vocabulary for age; not much variety

Risk Factors:

• Family history of speech and language disorder

• Medical history of chronic otitis media with effusion

• Motor disorders/muscle weakness

• Limited or poor parental interactions

For more info: http://www.childrensmemorial.org/documents/SpeechLangDevellMilest.pdf

How Does Your Child Hear and Talk? American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, http://www.asha.org/ .

Agin, Marilyn C, M.D., " The Late Talker-When Silence Isn’t Golden", November 1, 2004, http://www.contemporypediatrics.com/ .

Language Development in Children, http://www.childdevelopmentinstitute.org/ .

Resources: Beyond Baby Talk, by Apel and Masterson, 2001.

NW Community Balloons Over Bend Children’s Festival benefiting Saving Grace

2011-07-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

For over 22 years Saving Grace has celebrated healthy families and healthy communities with our Saving Grace’s Children’s Festival. This year, Saving Grace has joined in partnership with Balloons Over Bend to create an exciting new family festival that will continue to benefit Saving Grace and our work throughout Central Oregon. Join us on Saturday July 23rd at Riverbend Park from 10am to 6pm.

This festival promotes a healthy, fun lifestyle for children. Nearly 40 different local organizations and businesses are hosting a variety of games and crafts for kids of all ages. Everything from face painting to science experiments with exploding balloons. There will also be a premier bounce house area and food and craft vendors. A variety of entertainers will take over the stage at Riverbend Park all day long.

This is a great way to enjoy a fun filled day as a family. The festival is free, but tickets must be purchased to participate in the booth activities and the bounce area. In addition to individual tickets, a family pack will be available. For every family pack purchased you will be entered into a children’s bike giveaway drawing.

The proceeds from the festival will go to help provide 100% free services to those in need of help within our community. Saving Grace provides a place free from fear in our emergency shelter, a 24-hour hotline, emergency transportation, safety planning, support groups, children's advocacy, community education and more.

For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering at the Children’s Festival please contact lauren@saving-grace.org. Saving Grace provides comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services and promotes the value of living life free from violence.

Annual Pet Parade a Holiday Favorite

2011-07-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this slideshow of some highlights from the annual Fourth of July Pet Parade. You can click on an image to see the entire gallery on staff photographer, Kimberly Teichrow's website!

Kokanee Cafe is open for lunch as of June 1!

2011-06-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Kokanee Café is a rustic restaurant nestled amongst the ponderosa pines in the enchanting forest surrounding the Metolius River. They have been serving fine Northwest Cuisine for over two decades, and now offer a full bar to compliment their menu and eclectic wine list.

Returning for his sixth year at the Kokanee Café, award-winning chef Roscoe Roberson has artfully created a menu that stays true to the Northwest Tradition of quality locally-grown and raised meats, fish and produce with a unique, artistic flair.

Whether you are celebrating one of life’s special occasions, or just looking for a spot to enjoy an exceptional meal while taking in the beauty of the Metolius River Basin, the Kokanee Café is the perfect spot!

Adventures in Parenting - on Vacation. By Kimberly Teichrow

2011-06-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you get lucky in Vegas. Sometimes, not so much. I suppose it’s all about the odds.

We have been vacationing in Vegas for 6 years now – and yes, we take the kids. Neither my husband nor myself gamble, but we all really enjoy the city. It’s typically our one true vacation, where we lounge by the pool, take in a few fun sights, and enjoy the wonderful food that Vegas has to offer. Most of our other vacations take a certain amount of energy and this one – well, we work really hard at relaxing.

Our boys look forward to Vegas every year – mostly for our traditions. We always get Gelato at the Venetian in honor of my husband’s and my trip to Europe before we had kids (although Max likes to claim he was there – at 9 whole weeks in my belly). We always visit Circus Circus and win way too many (but way much-loved) stuffed animals. We love buffets, and full days at the pool at our timeshare, M&M World, and one big show each year. I’m sure you can understand the draw, and how much the boys anticipate the trip.

Needless to say, my oldest son was completely distraught when, upon landing at McCarran Airport in Vegas, he proceeded to get completely sick in the men’s bathroom. I wish there was some way of tracking down the poor soul who had to clean it up. The rest of the evening was, and I’ve given him permission to say it without reservation since it truly was, hell. Poor kiddo – up all night. Clearly not food poisoning, I crossed my fingers that the bug would stop with him. He was a trooper and managed a dip in the pool the following evening, but we were down one day of relaxation and fun.

We rallied the troops once Max felt better and knocked off a few of our traditions, including a full day at the pool, and even a trip to the Hoover Dam, where once we were down in the “belly” of the Dam, the elevators malfunctioned and we “evacuated” out through areas where the public rarely visits. Which was, in a word, cool!

By Tuesday evening, we were feeling great and looking forward to the rest of the week when, alas, poor Dave was bug-struck. Poor hubby. Up all night. One more day out of commission. Dave was a trooper, though, and joined us for a bit at the pool the following day.

A day later, just when we were all ready to press forward and visit the much-anticipated (well, by the Mom-tographer at least) Valley of Fire State Park, followed by our big show, the Jabbowockeez the next day. I get bug-struck. Poor me. Up all night.

Really? Three of us? On our favorite (and not exactly cheap) vacation? I guess the odds were not in our favor this time.

The boys took it all in relative stride – and while we did have to take it a bit slower than normal, we did manage to have a whole lot of fun. Maybe not as many gut-busting meals, but is that such a bad thing? We managed to cover a good portion of our traditions – we ARE hauling back to Bend a fresh crop of well-loved Circus-Circus stowaways. I did manage to get myself out of bed, slowly, and make it to the Jabbowockeez show at the Monte Carlo – which was, by the way, amazing.

I’m considering this vacation an offering to the Gods (we’re Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series fans) – and will hope that the next few years of vacations will be full of health & wellness!

I mean really, the odds are in our favor, right?

Kimberly Teichrow, staff photographer for True North Parenting, lives in Bend, Oregon with her family. They love to take adventures, and Kimberly loves to capture them through her lens. You can see more photos, and read more about their travel adventures at Wildfire - Kimberly's new travel & photo blog.

Peter & the Wolf Ballet at the Tower Theater Friday June 17th!

2011-06-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Characters from Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" will be represented by an orchestra instrument and danced by students from the Academie de Ballet Classique.

You will be delighted by this musical story by Sergei Prokofiev and adapted to dance. Each character is represented by an orchestra instrument and danced by Students of Valerie Holgers’ Academie de Ballet Classique. The dancers present the story of a young boy, his animal friends; Duck, Bird and Cat, a worried grandfather and a menacing wolf. Set in Russia, the story comes alive with dance and the rich musical composition of Sergei Prokofiev.

Tickets: Reserved Seating $11.50, Children 5 and under are FREE with a paid Adult, Day of Show $13.50

KITS FOR KIDS HOLDS PIZZA NIGHT FUNDRAISER FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN JUNE 21, 2011

2011-06-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Kits For Kids will hold a fundraiser June 21 5-8pm at Abby’s Pizza on NE 3rd St in Bend. Abby’s Pizza will donate 20% of the night’s proceeds to help purchase hygiene products for some-900 homeless children in the Bend LaPine, Sisters and Redmond school districts.

The Kits For Kids group annually sews bags, fills them with everyday hygiene items and donates them to the Family Access Network (F.A.N.) who distributes them through local schools.

For more information about needed supplies or how to help contact project chairwoman Helen Smith at 541 382-8502 or hsmith@bendcable.com

Sweet Peas & Cascade Couriers Make Cloth Diapers a No Brainer!

2011-06-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Weighing the options of disposable versus cloth diapers for your baby? Sweet Peas Diaper Service makes the decision simple: Clean cloth diapers dropped off at your door, dirty diapers picked up by the bicycling eco-warriors at Cascade Couriers. Done. Contact them today!

If you're not sure about the effect of disposable diapers on our planet, here's a little information via Wikipedia:

An average child will go through several thousand diapers in his/her life. Since disposable diapers are discarded after a single use, usage of disposable diapers increases the burden on landfill sites, and increased environmental awareness has led to a growth in campaigns for parents to use reusable alternatives such as cloth or hybrid diapers. An estimated 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used each year in the US, resulting in a possible 3.4 million tons of used diapers adding to landfills each year.

The environmental impact of cloth as compared to disposable diapers has been studied several times. In one cradle-to-grave study sponsored by the National Association of Diaper Services (NADS) and conducted by Carl Lehrburger and colleagues, results found that disposable diapers produce seven times more solid waste when discarded and three times more waste in the manufacturing process. In addition, effluents from the plastic, pulp, and paper industries are far more hazardous than those from the cotton-growing and -manufacturing processes. Single-use diapers consume less water than reusables laundered at home, but more than those sent to a commercial diaper service. Washing cloth diapers at home uses 50 to 70 gallons of water every three days, which is roughly equivalent to flushing the toilet 15 times a day, unless the user has a high-efficiency washing machine. An average diaper service puts its diapers through an average of 13 water changes, but uses less water and energy per diaper than one laundry load at home.

OREGON RUSH SOCCER CLUB ANNOUNCES NEW WPSL TEAM; PARTNERS WITH TRUSTED SPORTS FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE ACCESS FOR YOUTH TO GET & STAY IN THE GAME

2011-05-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Oregon Rush Soccer Club announced that it will be fielding a Women’s Premier League Soccer Team in 2011, and will feature the Trusted Sports Foundation as their official non-profit partner. The partnership will focus on motivating kids to thrive in life through sports participation. As part of a new fundraising initiative called “Kids In The Game,” these two organizations are working together to ensure youth from all walks of life have opportunities to engage in athletics.

As the newest member of the WPSL, Oregon Rush will be bringing together current and former Rush players, as well as ex-collegiate players who reside in Central Oregon. The team is for current high school, college and older women, and is part of the largest women’s soccer league in the United States. “We have an incredibly talented team, and a good mix of youthful enthusiasm and experienced players who play at a very high level,” stated Oregon Rush Head Coach and Executive Director John O’Sullivan. “We are thrilled to offer a top level experience for our current and former players, and a place for top collegiate players to spend their summers and play a very high level of soccer.”

Rush is also using their new women’s team to raise the visibility of sports as a critical positive developmental tool for the next generation of Americans. The team will be wearing the “Kids In The Game” logo on their jerseys to highlight their commitment to providing sports opportunities to all children regardless of experience, ability, and finances.

Ben Harper’s August Show to Benefit BendAid Art & Music Programs

2011-05-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

Monqui Presents and Les Schwab Amphitheater announce Ben Harper’s show (August 26, 2011) will donate $1.00 per ticket sold to BendAid’s dedicated music programs under the direction of Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools. Through the Ben Harper show and other events during the year, BendAid is establishing a sustainable program to assist significant programs such as Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools.

With school budgets experiencing major cuts recently, BendAid believes the local community needs to assist arts and cultural programs in the local community and schools.

Purchase your Ben Harper tickets today and support local K-12 music programs: http://ticketfly/benharperbend

LSA Schedule: http://www.bendconcerts.com/

Monqui NW events/info: http://www.monqui.com/
Education Foundation: www.bendlapineschoolsfoundation.org/
BendAid: http://www.bendaidmusic.com/ and info@bendaidmusic.com

Stand on Liquid's Demo Daze and Warehouse Open House event is today, May 24th!

2011-05-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

Stand on Liquid will have dozens of boards to demo at River Bend Park from 2pm- 5pm, including amazing brands such as Lakeshore Paddleboards, C4, Tahoe SUP, Riviera, Ron House, 404, Gerry Lopez, and Hovie.

If you are a new SUPer, don’t worry! Instruction and guidance will be provided by SOL staff and….wait for it……big wave surf legend Gerry Lopez!

Following the afternoon paddle session join them for music, brew and hot board deals in their new warehouse located at 1320 SE Reed Market Rd.

If you have trouble finding it, just listen for some music and follow your nose towards the BBQ. Gotta stand up to get down! See you there.

The Environmental Center brings Bag It! the movie to McMenamins

2011-05-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

One night only on May 25th

Senate Bill 536 is currently working its way through Salem. The bill prohibits the use of single use plastic bags at retail check outs in Oregon. Oregonians use an estimated 1.7 billion plastic checkout bags every year. Plastic pollution has become a critical problem in our oceans, accounting for as much as 90 percent of the estimated 100 million tons of toxic trash that spirals 500 miles off the Oregon Coast. The movie, Bag It! takes a look at our daily use and dependence on plastic. “It’s a timely film considering what is happening with Senate Bill 536 right now,” says Mike Riley, Executive Director of the Environmental Center. “Hopefully the film will give us all a better understanding of why moving away from plastic bags and plastic in general, is an important step in protecting human health and the health of our environment.”

The film will play at 6pm (doors open at 5:30pm). Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 each. COCC students with valid ID get in free thanks to the Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholars program at COCC. For more information visit the Environmental Center’s website at www.envirocenter.org.

More about the film:
Bag It follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he navigates our plastic world. Jeb is not a radical environmentalist, but an average American who decides to take a closer look at our cultural love affair with plastics. Jeb’s journey in this documentary film starts with simple questions: Are plastic bags really necessary? What are plastic bags made from? What happens to plastic bags after they are discarded? What he learns quickly grows far beyond plastic bags.

What he discovers is shocking. Learn more about the film at http://www.bagitmovie.com/.

About The Environmental Center:
The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. We translate sustainability into practical, local action to help create a healthy future for people and the planet.

Our programs incorporate education and advocacy to advance our vision of a sustainable Central Oregon. Find us on the web at www.envirocenter.org or at our public facility at 16 NW Kansas Avenue in downtown Bend, Oregon.

Shauna Quistorff
Director of Communication & Development
541-385-6908 x12

Awbrey Glen Golf Club Gears Up for Spring with Family-friendly Events

2011-05-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

As the days grow longer and milder weather approaches, moms across Central Oregon are once again on the lookout for fun, healthy family activities. One option to consider: Awbrey Glen Golf Club http://www.awbreyglen.com/. With monthly Kid'z Klub activities, a playground and events like the annual Junior Golf Camp, northwest Bend's private golf club makes it easy to enjoy time outdoors as a family.

Awbrey Glen Golf Club offers several different levels of family memberships. Many include full access to all Club amenities, including the restaurant, golf, swimming, fitness, family events, wine events, fly-fishing at the club's private lake, invitations to Club social activities, and much more.

Upcoming kid-friendly events include the Kid'z Fishing Derby on Sunday, June 12; a father-son/daughter golf tournament on Sunday, June 19; and the Club's Junior Golf Camp June 21-23.

"Parents might not immediately think of a golf club as a kid-friendly place, but here at Awbrey Glen Golf Club, we work hard to make the whole family feel welcome," stated Awbrey Glen Golf Club Membership Director Keith Kessaris. "Kids can have fun here. It allows families to stay active together in a way everyone can enjoy."

Awbrey Glen Golf Club is home to Central Oregon's only five-hole par three golf learning course. The award-winning club's lush18-hole championship golf course stretches out over 7,000 yards and challenges seasoned and novice golfers alike. On June 13-16, the Club will host the Pacific Northwest PGA 2011 Oregon Open. Learn more about Awbrey Glen Golf Club and view all the Club's scheduled events at http://www.awbreyglen.com/.

Contact:
Anne-Marie Daggett
the marketing dept.
541-330-6420
amg@marketingdept.net

Lahaina Galleries 35th Anniversary!

2011-05-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Meet ten world-class artists Sunday, June 26th, from 11am – 2pm

Lahaina Galleries is celebrating their 35th anniversary in Bend and you are invited! Ten artists from around the globe will be at the gallery showcasing new works that will range from paintings and etched metal to leather and rare carved gem sculptures.

Artists attending: Russian realist, Alexei Butirskiy, Chinese impressionist, Thomas Leung, German innovative etched-metal, Andreas Nottebohm, Taiwanese leather sculpture, Liu Miao Chan, California impressionist, James Scoppettone, Japanese master, Hisashi Otsuka, Northwestern colorist, Donna Young, Canadian National Geographic acclaimed gem sculptor, Lyle Sopel and the Italian master-realists, Alessio & Marcello Bugagiar.

Lahaina Galleries is located in the Old Mill District on the Deschutes River in Bend.

For more info visit http://www.lahainagalleries.com/, Lahaina Galleries on Facebook, or call: 541-388-4404

Major Stand Up Paddle Event to Take Place in Bend on Father’s Day Weekend

2011-05-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

The first annual Northwest Community Credit Union Bend Paddleboard Challenge will take place at Riverbend Park on Saturday, June 18. The Challenge will include three competitive events: a six-mile long course, a two-mile short course, and a judged “Expression Session.” Contestants and spectators will also have the opportunity to try out the latest gear from popular SUP manufacturers like KIALOA and Surftech.

The spectator-friendly course will run from Riverbend Park, just past Bill Healy Memorial Bridge, through the “Old Mill stretch” of the Deschutes River, and back (three times for the six-mile event and once for the two-mile event).

All proceeds of the 2011 Northwest Community Credit Union Bend Paddleboard Challenge will be divided equally between the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance (BPTA) and the Bend Recreation Foundation Scholarship Fund. “It’s very important to us to give back to our wonderful community,” says Lainey Booth, one of the organizers of the Challenge and co-owner of local SUP shop, Stand Up Paddle Bend. “We’re excited to raise awareness about the BPTA’s efforts to improve the Colorado Dam and build a whitewater park at Miller Landing. That project will have a terrific effect on Bend’s economy,” she says.

Because the 2011 Northwest Community Credit Union Bend Paddleboard Challenge will be one of the first races to count toward the World Paddle Association’s recently announced Pacific Northwest championship, many high-profile SUP athletes are expected to compete.

Matt Purvis, Marketing Vice President of title sponsor Northwest Community Credit Union, says it was a natural decision to support the Challenge. “We celebrate everything ‘northwest.’ The Northwest Community Credit Union Bend Paddleboard Challenge is the perfect place to meet our current and future members and support a great community event,” he says.

All contestants will be invited to attend a VIP pre-party, hosted by Northwest Community Credit Union, on Friday, June 17th.

Well-known Portland paddler, Karen Wrenn, who has finished impressively in SUP events all around the world and recently made history by becoming the first person to paddle consecutively between all eight Channel Islands, will be teaching a paddling clinic on Friday, June 17th so that athletes can learn new skills to utilize in the Challenge.

To register for the 2011 Northwest Community Credit Union Bend Paddleboard Challenge or for more information, readers can visit www.BendPaddleboardChallenge.com, email Info@BendPaddleboardChallenge.com, call 541.639.2655, or drop by Stand Up Paddle Bend or the Bend or Redmond branches of Northwest Community Credit Union.

The 2011 Northwest Community Credit Union Bend Paddleboard Challenge is proudly supported by Stand Up Paddle Magazine, Robberson Ford Lincoln Mercury Mazda, Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, Clear 101.7, KTVZ, Fox Central Oregon, and Stand Up Paddle Bend

Tumalo Creek will have over a hundred and fifty boats to demo the day after the Pole, Pedal, Paddle

2011-05-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

Did you miss Spring Paddlefest or are you still looking to find a boat that is just the right fit? On Sunday, May 22, 2011 Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe will host its annual Post-PPP Demo Day from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the lawn behind the shop. Tumalo Creek’s demo fleet will triple in size in order to provide for the huge demand during race day. Kayaking experts will be on hand to help answer questions, fit paddlers into boats, and offer advice.

This is a unique opportunity for new paddlers to try out a wide variety of boats. Advanced paddlers looking to upgrade will also benefit by gaining a hands-on knowledge of what is available before investing in a new boat.

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe has been proudly supporting the Pole, Pedal, Paddle with safety boaters for eleven years running.

For more information contact Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe at 541.317.9407 or 411@tumalocreek.com

Parents' Choice Silver Honors Award

2011-05-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Art Dawg Magazine (TN Editor's Pick- Aug. 2010 issue), on their Parents' Choice Silver Honor award!

ArtDawg magazine, an educational children’s art publication created by graphic designer Julie Hill, recently won a Parents’ Choice Silver Honors award for Spring 2011 Magazines. Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice is the nation's oldest nonprofit guide to quality children's media and toys. The Foundation’s purpose is to search out and recommend products that help kids grow – imaginatively, physically, morally and mentally—fairly priced products that are fun, safe and socially sound. Editor and publisher, Julie Hill, of Bend, Oregon, is deeply honored and grateful to win such an award. With over 30 years of art experience working as a graphic designer, owner of The Design Ranch, Inc., as well as a dedicated parent and volunteer art teacher, she aims to spread a cultural appreciation of visual art in all its forms, and with her magazine, hopes to reach out to children and encourage them to embrace their creative imagination through easy-to-understand instructions, hands-on projects, and educational articles about contemporary and classic artists.

“It’s all about inspiring kids to be creative. In these times of budget cuts in our schools, art education is becoming a more and more difficult line item to fund. ArtDawg provides an opportunity for kids to still receive art education through a subscription they receive at home, Parents, family or friends can choose to ‘give the gift of art education’ to a child. With so much time being spent in our schools 'teaching to the test', most teachers find it difficult to find the time to prepare lesson plans for art. ArtDawg magazine is a ready-made teaching tool for art in the elementary school classroom. I am seeing more and more subscriptions from teachers and I couldn’t be happier” Hill explains.

Now on its seventh issue, Artdawg is a steadily growing magazine with subscriptions on the rise. Recent issues have focused on such artists as Van Gogh, Thiebaud, C.M. Russell and John James Audubon, and teach kids about art through the ages, as well as encouraging them to try out their own art in the same style through how-to instructions to create fun and exciting projects. As a mother of three, Mrs. Hill knows just how important creativity and imagination are in raising a child, and shows that knowledge through her magazine’s colorful, fun-filled articles. “I also want kids to see that it is possible to grow up and be an artist, so, in each issue, I highlight an interesting and often surprising job in the world of visual art.” Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob Squarepants, Duff Goldman, owner of Charm City Cakes and the star of the Food Networks, “Ace of Cakes” have both been featured in the magazine. Readers have also been introduced to Mary GrandPre, the illustrator responsible for creating the art for all the Harry Potter Books.

Julie is a graduate of California’s prestigious Art Center College of Design, receiving her degree in Graphic Design. She has served as a volunteer art teacher at a number of different schools over the years, encouraging her students to explore and innovate in their artistic works. Artdawg allows her to continue teaching, albeit in a different manner, and allows her to facilitate a creative understanding between parents and their children. “Artdawg is an innovative visual arts publication for children ages 5-12 that is just beginning to spread its wings,” say the Parents’ Choice awards, “ Well-executed themes are bolstered by relevant activities and projects.”

For more information, visit www.artdawgkids.com or call Julie Hill at 541.318.5057

A Travel Series, By Kimberly Teichrow { part 5 }

2011-04-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to part 4 of my travel series on Disneyland – I’m hoping that by sharing our family’s experience, you’ll feel a bit less overwhelmed with planning your own family’s vacation – and be able to tailor to your own family’s personality. Check in often and follow our family’s experience, including a selection of our favorite photographs!

Planning Ahead: “Super Tip”

We are fortunate that friends of ours are quite the Disney connoisseurs – and gave us a money-saving, vacation enhancing Super Tip, which I’ll get to in a moment.

One aspect of the Disneyland experience, and by Disneyland, I mean the bigger Disneyland resort area – including California Adventure and Downtown Disney, is how many layers of experiences one can have. Layers upon layers. And, they can be tailored to your family’s personality.

Classic Disneyland - It's a Small World
If this is your first trip to Disneyland and it’s a short one, odds are your trip will be packed with hitting the classic highlights – such as riding Space Mountain, getting dizzy on the Teacups, or visiting the princesses. Given a bit more time you may find yourself exploring deeper, and checking out Tomorrowland’s House of the Future, or CA’s It’s Tough to be a Bug. From fulfilling to building traditions, it seems each family has its own agenda in terms of how they explore Disney.

Once you’ve had your fix of all of the Must-Do’s, its time to check out another layer of Disney: Hidden Mickeys! Disney Imagineers have built fun directly into the architecture and landscaping of the Disneyland Resort. You can check out the book: Hidden Mickeys Guide: A Field Guide to Disney’s Best Kept Secret by Steven Barrett as your guide! The classic Mickey shape has been sprinkled (with Pixie Dust, I’d imagine) throughout the parks, and it’s your job to find them! We hadn’t discovered this particular experience until our second Disney trip just this year. We brought the guide with us and spent the last 2 of our 6 days at the park finding hidden Mickeys at the areas we happened to be in. Once we got the hang of it, and knew (relatively) what we were looking for – it was pretty fun. Hidden Mickeys can be as little as a small classic Mickey head and ears shape on one of the many coats of armor decorating the waiting area the Matterhorn, to large wheels arranged in the classic head and 2-ear in the middle of the Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Can you see it?
I admit, they can be tough, and a guide book is a good way to go. What’s nice about this particular book, is there are several sections, based on how you want to discover the Hidden Mickeys… either with less direct clues, an area-by area scavenger hunt, or obvious, “look for this” clues that lead you directly to them. We haphazardly went through a bit of each section. On our drive home, we each found ourselves instinctively searching for more Hidden Mickeys – in fact, our youngest son found one while blowing our glass floats in Newport just last month (on one of the propane valves)!

Hunting for Hidden Mickeys is a fun experience you can have while at the parks themselves, and you get to take the memories of the hunt home with you. One layer of Disneyland that is both an experience and a souvenir are trading pins. Pins have always been at the Disney parks, but in 1999, as part of the Millennium Celebration, pin trading was introduced. It has certainly flourished and the number of pins available is impressive. You’ll notice while at the parks, that many of the cast members (employees) wear lanyards around their necks, or a square piece of material on their hip with several pins attached. If a cast member has a pin that you want, and you have a pin to give back to them… they are obligated to make the trade!
Showing off our pins, including Grandma's first 2 pins!
This brings me (finally) to my Super Tip! Our Disney-savvy friends instructed us to search on Ebay for “Disney trading pin lots” and purchase trading pins before our trip. While the pins at the parks range from $7-$20 (and more…) each, we managed to purchase a “lot” of 40 pins for only $39. Forty pins, you say? Yup! Each of our boys started out with 20 random pins from the Ebay purchase. You don’t need that many, of course… but I’d argue its more fun if you do. Just don't forget to make your purchase far enough in advance of your trip, that they arrive before you leave (obvious, I know... but I fell into that trap - and had them mailed to our hotel in Anaheim because I'd waited too long)!

We bought the boys each a lanyard at the parks, but you could certainly get one less expensively beforehand. There were a handful of pins the boys thought they wanted to keep, and it was their responsibility to keep track of their special pins, and pins they wanted to trade. I loved that the boys had their eyes out all of the time, looking for pins to trade, which opened up doors for them to make conversation with the cast members. The interactions were often humorous and cast members always very friendly and happy to make the transaction with them (I’m pleased to say there are no exceptions in our experience).

Each year we let the boys choose a very special pin to purchase for one of their souvenirs – something that they hadn’t traded for, and something that reminded them of our experience at Disneyland. I’ll admit that I’ve got the bug as well… the boys (my husband included), even bought me my own lanyard and a few pins to get the trading started.

It seems like as soon as you think you know it all about Disneyland, the Imagineers have left something behind to grab your attention yet again, and bring you back into the many, many layers of Disney.

Previous Article: Part 4

Planning Ahead: "Buying Tickets"

Up Next: Part 6 - Planning Ahead: “Techy Tips”

Kimberly Teichrow, staff photographer for True North Parenting, lives in Bend, Oregon with her family. They love to take adventures, and Kimberly loves to capture them through her lens.

Volunteers Needed for Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Program

2011-04-26T16:29:00.000-07:00

As part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHfH) will begin building a home for Lorinda Harris and her two children on Saturday, May 7 from 8:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 2871 Spring Water Place in Bend. Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is looking for a crew of women volunteers to help build the home. Volunteers do not need construction experience and all of the tools will be provided by BAHfH. The Women Build will continue every Saturday until the completion of the home later this summer.

The Women Build program, underwritten by Lowe’s, brings women from all walks of life together to learn construction skills and then use those skills to be part of the solution to poverty housing. Bend Area Habitat for Humanity received two grants totaling $20,000 from Wells Fargo & Company and Lowe’s to build the house.

For more information please contact:
Robin Cooper

Community Outreach Manager
Bend Area Habitat for Humanity
1860 NE 4th St., Bend, OR. 97701
(541) 385-5387 ext. 229 office
(541) 508-8681 cell

2011 Salmon Run Set for Saturday, May 7

2011-04-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Now in its 22^nd year, the Salmon Run is one of Central Oregon’s longest standing and most anticipated 5K and 10K run or walk events. The event starts at 9am and ends around 12noon. Pre and post-race activities include warm-ups, food, vendor booths and an awards ceremony. A kids’ fun run makes the event something special for all ages. Salmon Run is also a great training run for the Pole Pedal Paddle, two weeks later, ass the course is very similar to the PPP course

Early registration is underway at www.envirocenter.org. Late registration begins April 23^rd, when prices will increase by $5.

A Travel Series, By Kimberly Teichrow { part 4 }

2011-04-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

Planning Ahead: “Buying Tickets”

First of all, you’ll want to think about how long you’ll be spending in Southern California, and how many days of your vacation you’ll want to spend in the parks itself.

There are several factors to consider, including time of year – which can have a big impact on the crowds at Disneyland. You can find attendance charts online, but generally when school is out, it is more crowded. Don’t be too afraid of the crowds, however. I’m not sure there is a company out there as prepared to handle crowds as is Disneyland, it is truly impressive. Granted you’ll need to have a good attitude and be prepared for lots of bodies around you, but it is certainly manageable.

We found a good deal on our park hopper tickets online, and through the Disney site. It seems that their special rates on their online purchases vary, so check back often to see current specials. Park hopper tickets allow the ticket holder to “hop” between Disneyland and California Adventure as many times as your feet can handle.

In 2010 we spent one day exploring San Diego, but otherwise spent a full 6 days at Disneyland & California Adventure. In 2011 we were on a tighter schedule – sandwiching our visit between two Saturday basketball games… and still bought the 6-day pass. We spent four full days at the park, and used the other two days on our arrival and departure days – as a great excuse to stretch our legs after and before a long ride in the car.

At the time we purchased our tickets, we discovered that the difference between the 4-day and 6-day park hopper pass was not very much, in fact $54 total for the entire family of four. For us, simply having the option to spend all 6 days at the park was a wonderful tool to help us take our time and not worry about pushing too hard to make sure we got the most out of our trip. Actually, it really helped us get more out of the trip, because, as I’ll elaborate later in the At the Park articles, having a good attitude went a long way to making a marathon at Disneyland a wonderful and magical adventure. So, head over to the Disney ticket site (or your favorite travel agent) and crunch the numbers… you may find that the option for additional days is worth the investment.

We found it convenient to buy our tickets online. There are lots of resources, but we went directly to the Disneyland website, and printed them out at home. Once at the park, you can go straight to the entrance of your preferred park, and they’ll exchange your printed ticket for the smaller “real” ticket that you keep for the duration of your visit.

You do NOT need to trade it in at a ticket sales kiosk, simply go straight to the gates - and get ready to have FUN!

Previous Article: Part 3

Planning Ahead: "What to wear (bear with me)"

Up Next: Part 5 - Planning Ahead: “Super Tip!”

Kimberly Teichrow, staff photographer for True North Parenting, lives in Bend, Oregon with her family. They love to take adventures, and Kimberly loves to capture them through her lens.

Week of the Young Child

2011-04-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

The Week of the Young Child, now in its 40th year, is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. The 2011 Week of the Young Child is April 10-16 and the theme is Early Years are Learning Years.

For a complete list of events visit http://www.deschutescountykids.com/.

Staying Sane?

2011-04-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

You have responsibilities at work, schedules to keep on track, relationships to maintain, children to parent, bills to pay, dogs to feed, rooms to clean, teeth to brush, air to breath!! AAHHH! Some days we feel it more than others. Maybe it's the weather, the moon, or the zodiac... whatever the case, the ebb and flow of life can raise us up or smack us down.

How do you do it? What stretches out the good times or pulls you through the crunch times? Do you run an extra mile? Schedule a massage? Maybe catch up with some friends, or hole up with a book? Revel in your children, or send them off to Grandma's!?

Is it enough to be heard, acknowledged, and understood? Share your secret for sanity, somebody could use it!

Earth Day Parade Workshops

2011-04-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

The Environmental Center is hosting mask making and drumming workshops in preparation for the upcoming Earth Day Parade on Saturday, April 23rd. Artist Debra Fisher will lead mask making workshops at The Environmental Center on April 6th and 20th from 2:00 – 5:00pm and on April 16th
from 12:00 – 4:00pm. There is a $5-$10 sliding scale fee for materials and instruction. People of all ages are invited to create their own personalized masks to wear with their costume at the Parade.

Drummer Brennan Morrow will lead two drumming workshops at The Environmental Center on April 8th and 18th from 5:00-8:00pm to fine tune this year’s parade beat. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate!

The 12th annual Earth Day Parade will once again kick off the Earth Day Fair with children and adults dressed in a costume of their favorite species or representation of the natural world. There are three parade rules: no written words, no motorized vehicles and no live pets.

The parade will be held in downtown Bend with staging at 10:30am on Louisiana Avenue next to McMenamins. The parade will begin at 11:00am, winding through downtown Bend and ending at the Earth Day Fair on Kansas Avenue in front of The Environmental Center in downtown Bend. This is a free event.

For more information call 385-6908 x 15 or visit www.envirocenter.org.

About The Environmental Center

The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life. We translate sustainability into practical action in order to create a healthy future for people and the planet.

Our programs incorporate education and advocacy to advance our vision of a sustainable Central Oregon. They include: zero waste of materials, energy and water; advocating for a regional public transit system; youth education; advocating for and supporting sustainability initiatives by local governments and businesses, and operating a community campus that demonstrates sustainability in action.

Find us on the web at www.envirocenter.org or at our public facility at 16 NW Kansas Avenue in downtown Bend, Oregon.

Week of the Young Child 2011

2011-04-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

Celebrating young children, their families, and those who care for and educate them

By Anna Higgins

In our budding anticipation of spring, we will unite as a community in celebration of our young children and families during the Week of the Young Child, April 10-16. This nationally recognized week invites families, organizations, and businesses to join together to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the importance of children’s early years. During the Week of the Young Child, Central Oregon families will be encouraged to play together and learn together because as we do these things, we grow together.

Thank you for joining the Deschutes County Children and Families Commission, Early Childhood Action Team in partnership with Central Oregon agencies, organizations, businesses and professionals in celebrating the 2011 Week of the Young Child. We hope you will take liberal part in the offerings of the week. Be sure to visit www.deschutescountykids.com for all the week’s happenings.

Photo by Kimberly Teichrow Photography

A Travel Series, By Kimberly Teichrow { part 3 }

2011-04-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to part 3 of my travel series on Disneyland – I’m hoping that by sharing our family’s experience, you’ll feel a bit less overwhelmed with planning your own family’s vacation – and be able to tailor to your own family’s personality. Check in often and follow our family’s experience, including a selection of our favorite photographs!

Planning Ahead: “What to wear (bear with me)”
Matchy matchy is not typically in my vocabulary. As a photographer, I tend to shy my clients away from uber-matching outfits. I feel the same way about my boys, and particularly when packing for our 2010 trip to Disneyland during the Spring Break season. Then I thought about it: Spring Break crowds. Swarms of people. Keeping tracking of my 2 boys. It would be so much easier to pick them out of a crowd if I could easily recall what they are wearing. I began to view the outfits as more of a security measure, than a fashion statement.

L-R: Red/Blue day, Brown Day and Solid Green/Blue with Subtle-Designs Day!
I don’t claim this idea as my own. Some families go whole-hog with the outfits, custom “Thompson Family Vacation 2010” shirts in a bright, sunshiny yellow, khaki shorts and tennis shoes – all 15 of them. This is certainly a fun and festive way to keep track of your troop, but not necessarily an extreme you need to go to, in order to keep your flock from getting lost in the crowds.

Camo-Day, versions 2010 and 2011!
Since both of our trips took place in March, the timing was such that local stores had spring t-shirts and shorts out, and on sale. One store in particular had a great deal on mix and match shirts, 2 for $10. We needed to stock up for summer anyhow, so I wasn’t too worried about picking out 3 sets of coordinating shirts for the boys. They already had matching shirts from other events (our Aikido dojo, and Seattle Mariner’s t-shirts), which gave us 5 days worth of fresh shirts – and the odds were in our favor that we could repeat an outfit at least twice. At least I was hoping the stains would be kept to a minimum. I wasn’t concerned with coordinating shorts – as that wasn’t typically something I’d look for the first-scan through a crowd. If you plan on adopting this idea, think about outfits that you'll be able to remember, and recognized at a glance.

I love the colors of this photo -
simple, and less cluttered than if they'd
been wearing busy shirts.

The happy accident that happened by coordinating the boys’ outfits, is that our family photos turned out even better than if they’d been wearing over-cluttered t-shirts with logos or cartoon characters.

Here are a few more ideas on crowd safety for your youngsters:
Business Card – I tucked a business card of mine in each of the boys’ pockets each day. I’d written out my husband’s name and cell number as well on the back, just in case my phone wasn’t working or got lost. We talked to the boys about what to do if they got lost, and made sure they knew where the business cards were.
Dog Tags – literally! I saw another great idea on our 2011 trip. One mother of two younger kids had her contact information engraved on little dog-tags, and had clipped them onto her children’s shoes. You can order these online, or find the kiosks at either a pet store, or even larger grocery stores.
Phone photo – Finally, each day once we were dressed for the day, I snapped a photo of each child with my phone. That way, in the event that one went missing, I had a current photo of what he looked like, as well as what he was wearing. You can certainly accomplish the same thing using a digital camera, or even having a Disney photographer take your picture at the beginning of the day and keeping the Photo Pass handy (more on the photo pass later!).

Thankfully, I didn’t have to use any of these precautions, but I felt better knowing our bases were covered.

Previous Article:

Part 2 – “Wings or Wheels – how to get there”

Up Next: Part 4 - Planning Ahead: “Buying Tickets”

Kimberly Teichrow, staff photographer for True North Parenting, lives in Bend, Oregon with her family. They love to take adventures, and Kimberly loves to capture them through her lens.

A Travel Series, By Kimberly Teichrow { part 2 }

2011-04-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to part 2 of my travel series on Disneyland – I’m hoping that by sharing our family’s experience, you’ll feel a bit less overwhelmed with planning your own family’s vacation – and be able to tailor to your own family’s personality. Check in often and follow our family’s experience, including a selection of our favorite photographs!

Planning Ahead: “Wings or Wheels – how to get there”

This question of whether to drive or fly can certainly be influenced by factors somewhat beyond our control… like a strict budget. If you are lucky enough to truly debate – here are a few thoughts on each option – weighted heavier on the driving aspect, as that was our choice.

Wings. The Pro’s & Con’s.

You’re there faster (nice!). You could have a flight delay or worse, cancellation (bummer!). If you are focusing your vacation simply at Disneyland the immediate area – you really won’t need a car. You may wind up spending more on food or snacks… as it is a bit more challenging to hit the market for sundries. If you do want to wander around Southern California – you’ll be renting a car.

Wheels. The Pro’s & Con’s – and a few Teichrow road trip tips.

First of all, let me share that our boys are currently 7 and 9 years old. We’re (way) out of diapers, and their attention span is longer than a single 30 minute TV show (we used to measure time by Dora’s – or the amount of time it took to watch one Dora the Exporer show). Having stated all of that, we’re not afraid of a 30-Dora Road Trip (each way)!

From Central Oregon, Anaheim is approximately a “30-Dora” or 15 hour road trip. We break it up into 2 days, as we’ve had to depart mid-day each of our 2 trips. We over-nighted in Redding one year, and Sacramento another – depending on when we were able to leave town. This year, we arrived in Anaheim from Sacramento around 4pm on a Sunday, and were able to spend about 6 hours at the park on our first day in town. Disneyland closed at midnight that day – and we welcomed the opportunity to walk around after two days in the car. Not to mention, the boys were obviously insanely excited to be there, and we didn’t have to delay the Disney-gratification long. Last bonus – We managed to see the fireworks show that night, the only evening it was available, as in the off season they only show it during the weekends.

Onboard entertainment: The boys really enjoy books on tape. In fact, one 8-hour road trip I took with them by myself up to Washington, they spent 7.5 hours of it listening to a Harry Potter book straight through. I was quite impressed, and found it hard to be too disappointed that I couldn’t listen to my photography podcasts! We’re currently into Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series – in fact both my husband and I enjoy them as well – and when the boys are not engaged in a movie or knee deep in another distraction, we listen to books as a family. When the boys are tired of listening to books, and ready for a change, they typically turn to movies. We try to bring a decent variety, so they don’t get bored of only one or two movies. Redbox has been great – as it is a very affordable and convenient way to treat the boys to a “new” movie while on the road.

Heading south - out of Central Oregon

Print a Map! While you certainly can track your progress on a hand GPS or fancy phone, it’s been fun for our kids to track our progress by simply crossing off towns on a map. Since they’ll be marking it up, I simply print a map from Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/), with our route highlighted. Depending on how it prints, I’ve added a few towns or landmarks if there is a particularly long stretch without anything interesting (like the stinky cow-smell near Harris Ranch!). I’ve also added the exit numbers – and the boys have to count down to the Anaheim exit. From Central Oregon, once you hit Interstate 5 at Weed, the exit signs all have the mile-post numbers on them. With mileage starting at the Mexican border, the numbers will start quite high, 747, and the exit for our hotel is 109. If you’re feeling ambitious and your kids are at the right level, you can turn it into a math game… How many miles from this exit until we arrive at our Disneyland exit?

The Mom-tographer's idea of fun and games.

More fun and games: Now, I’m not great at reading or writing in the car – so I shy away from games where I have to participate in that way… but here are a few ideas that most kids, in one way or another, can manage on their own:

Scavenger Hunt

You can come up with your own, or print off a road trip scavenger hunt from one of these sites:

Family Fun

Road Trip Planning

License Plate Game

A classic – you can print of a list of all 50 states, or a simple map, and mark them off as you find them, or find an app for your fancy phone. I list my favorite apps in an upcoming section, called Get Techy! Here are a couple of resources to print your own:

National Atlas (this is a great site for customizing maps to view/print):

More US Maps: http://www.united-states-map.com/

Enjoy the view. Central Oregon is beautiful – but I love the rolling hills of the I-5 corridor in California. I grew up in Stockton, and the scenery has a certain sense of nostalgia for me, particularly the stretch south of Stockton, through Kettleman City – as that was my childhood “over the river” to my grandparents in Santa Barbara. That same stretch is one of the most fertile valleys, and if you are lucky enough to travel in the spring – you’ll be treated to an explosion of tree blossoms!

Pack an ice chest & pantry box! We leave town with a good supply of drinks, minimizing sugar and caffeine – as a buzzed child contained in a car for 15 hours isn’t a pretty sight. But, we do push the fluids – as a dehydrated road-tripper can be prone to headaches and a generally “yucky” feeling. Personally, I’d rather make the pit stops for stretch and bathroom breaks, than try to “camel-up” and push the travel too hard. We still manage to make good time. In addition to the beverages, we pack at least one full deli-style picnic. This supply of “real” food gets us over the minor hunger bumps… and we manage one significant meal-break at a sit down restaurant for both the break from the road, as well as a full, mostly-balanced meal. This works great for our family, but of course, your family’s methods will vary, depending on the ages of your kids, as well as eating habits. Putting the “pantry” items in a clear plastic tote keeps any crushable snacks intact, and keeps them organized in one place.

Our Road-Trip-Ready Pantry-box contained:

Trader Joe’s Lite Kettle Corn

Turkey Jerky

Granola Bars

Chips

Licorice (a Teichrow road trip tradition)

Various wheat-free crackers (While I’m not allergic to gluten, I do avoid wheat if I want to feel good… )

Crystal Light packets

Hoagie roll buns

Paper towels, a small supply of additional Ziploc bags, a couple of plastic knives, a small cutting board and one sharp knife for cutting apples – all kept together in one large Ziploc bag.

Our Road-Trip Ice Chest contained:

100% Juice Capri’s Suns

Water bottles

Diet Pepsi’s (the driver’s caffeine fix)

Coconut water (my favorite – and so good for you!)

Deli Meat and Salami, Assorted sliced cheeses

Apples

Carrot sticks

Previous Article: Part 1 - Planning Ahead: "Where to Stay - location, location, location!"

Up Next: Part 3 - Planning Ahead: “What to wear (bear with me)”

Kimberly Teichrow, staff photographer for True North Parenting, lives in Bend, Oregon with her family. They love to take adventures, and Kimberly loves to capture them through her lens.

A Travel Series, By Kimberly Teichrow { part 1 }

2011-03-31T23:53:00.000-07:00

Fun with the family on Thunder Mountain Railroad! March, 2011

When researching our family’s Disneyland adventure last year, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of information online about how to plan our trip. I diligently made notes, bookmarked websites and tried in vain to procure a decent map of the parks in order to plan our attack. I managed to pick up a few trip-enhancing tips from my research – but in the end, the experience of having been through it was way more informative than simply reading about it. I’m hoping that by sharing our family’s experience, you’ll feel a bit less overwhelmed with planning your own family’s vacation – and be able to tailor to your own family’s personality.

We had so much fun in 2010 that we went again in 2011! When else are the kids going to have the Disney sparkle in their eyes – and want to hang out WITH mom and dad?

Check back to The Map over the next few weeks, and follow our family’s experience, including a selection of our favorite photographs! I'll cover lots of topics - all based on our family's experience.

Planning Ahead: “Where to Stay – location, location, location!”

Click on the graphic to view larger!

I had visited Disneyland several times growing up, but the general layout was still a bit fuzzy in my head – despite the satellite view maps I could view online. I wondered which option would be best, to splurge and stay at a Disney hotel (there are three, and I assumed close to the parks), stay at a “good neighbor” hotel (which are near the parks), or bargain hotel and use the Disney parking lots and trams or ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) to actually get to the parks.

I’ve made this graphic of the area around, and including Disneyland/California Adventure to give you a sense of how far you need to walk or drive or shuttle in order to get to the business of having fun in the parks. It is based off of a map, so it is generally to scale, and is intended to help give you a mental overview. What is important to understand is that in order to get into the parks, you have to get to the Plaza between Disneyland and California Adventure – indicated in white. There is an entrance from the Grand Californian as well, and can be taken into consideration if you are getting tickets for both parks.

The orange areas indicate two of the drop-off areas for the parking lot trams or transit buses. When it is busy – the crowds waiting for these shuttles can be significant.

Crossing Harbor Blvd. from our hotel.

For our family, I feel like there is a finite amount of energy we are capable of, before complete exhaustion or meltdowns (for both adults and kids!). When making our hotel decision, I decided that spending a portion of that energy on simply getting to the entrances or back again at the end of the day wasn’t worth the savings of bargain hotels. We chose the Park Vue Inn, indicated in a lovely teal on the map. You can see that in order to get to the park entrances, we walked just about as far as the folks riding the shuttles, and we didn’t have to wait for the shuttle to arrive, and wait for each stop in between the park and our stop. Also, taking a mid-day break wasn’t a huge ordeal as well – which saved us from having to pack around extra clothes for the evening. There are tons of hotels along Harbor Boulevard – a whole string of them… The Park Vue is one of the closest to the only crosswalk to get to the parks, and I have to say, that at the end of our day, I was thankful to not have to walk any farther than we did. As far as cost, I felt it was very competitive, and way less expensive than the Disney Resort Hotels. While staying on a Disney property would have been fun, there was plenty of entertainment at the parks, and our hotel room served as simply a bed, and a place to shower. Had we needed it, it would have also served as a pool-break during the mid-day crowds or heat.

Where ever you decide to stay on your Disney holiday – be familiar with how to get to and from the park, and gauge your activities accordingly. If it takes a longer time to get back to your bed, and the kids get overtired easily – it might be smart to call it a day sooner, rather than later! While our boys are troopers, we did run into a couple of evenings where my husband had to carry our 80 pound “baby” part of the way home, and we were quite thankful it wasn’t that far away.

Up Next: Planning Ahead: “Wings or Wheels – how to get there”

Kimberly Teichrow, staff photographer for True North Parenting, lives in Bend, Oregon with her family. They love to take adventures, and Kimberly loves to capture them through her lens.

Hypnosis Therapy for Kids

2011-03-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

From the office of Steven Davis CHT:

With my opinionated 11 year old, I've tried every kind of parenting style from permissive to consequences, all attempts to influence him externally, and mostly ended up with my being exasperated! I was looking for a way to have the change be motivated internally by him. When I started using hypnosis to help him see himself walking into class with his homework completed and feeling empowered, he embraced his homework. Or to see himself doing well in rock climbing, (even though he has low tone) it became more enjoyable for him. Or to allow himself to drop into sleep at night instead of having exaggerated worries when he is tired and needs sleep, it worked. Hypnosis is very effective with kids. They have active imaginations and easily join the process, which allows their unconscious minds to supply and implement solutions to their challenges. Fears, phobias, self esteem, learning challenges, and behavior challenges are all candidates for hypnosis.

Spring Break Special $20off kids hypnosis treatments

Thanks,

Steven Davis
www.kids-thriving.com

TRUE NORTH 900 Wall Ladies Night Special

2011-03-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

Ladies night at 900 Wall tonight! Give them the promo password - "Galactic" and receive your first ladies night drink for $1. This is a social network special shared via True North and fans...so share it too! Come join us for a drink then boogie down to Galactic!

SAVING GRACE TO HOLD VOLUNTEER TRAINING TO ASSIST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS

2011-03-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Saving Grace will hold its semi-annual volunteer training over the course of three weeks during the month of April starting Saturday, April 9th through Saturday, April 30th. The FREE 35-hour training, which will be held over a series of Tuesday and Thursday evenings and three Saturdays, will prepare volunteers to work directly with the individuals Saving Grace serves.

After the training, volunteers will be able help with a variety of things including; answering hotline calls, assisting shelter residents, facilitate support groups, work with children, and assist at the courthouse.

The mission of Saving Grace is to provide comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services and promote the value of living life free from violence.

For more information or to register for this training, please call Sarah Jade at 541-504-2550 x2 or e-mail sarahjade@saving-grace.org

Head Start is now enrolling children for the 2011-2012 school year

2011-03-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

NeighborImpact’s Head Start Program is dedicated to helping ensure that children ages 3 and 4 from low-income families are ready for school. The Head Start Program is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year. Head Start builds success for children through child focused, family-centered services that enhance social competence, school readiness and overall health and well-being. Children are provided a free high quality preschool education which includes individualized curriculum, nutritious meals, health and developmental screenings, and transportation. Head Start Classes are available throughout Crook and Deschutes counties. Space is limited.

Cascades Academy of Central Oregon Presents: Race to Nowhere, March 14th at The Tower Theater

2011-03-09T11:26:00.000-08:00

Race to Nowhere examines the high-pressure culture that is prevalent in our schools and our children’s lives. The film features the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids.

Hundreds of theaters, schools, and organizations are hosting community screenings during a six month campaign to screen the film nationwide. The film raises important questions about the high stakes college admission process, stress related illness and depression, the current shift toward “teaching to the test,” and growing data showing that students today are increasingly disengaged from their learning and unprepared for college.

Pastini Pasta-thon for Summit High

2011-03-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

Need a good excuse to dine out? Join the Pastini Pasta-thon March 7th, 8th, and 9th to help raise money for the Summit High Grad Party!

Clean Energy Training Opportunity for Young Adults!

2011-03-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

The Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is partnering with Heart of Oregon Corps in a new program called Clean Energy Service Corps beginning April 1st for six months to train and educate eight local young adults between the ages of 18-24 years. The program will train members in clean energy practices allowing them an opportunity for employment in the clean energy industry. Interested young adults must apply for the program through Bend Area Habitat for Humanity or Heart of Oregon Corps between March 2 and March 15.

Contact:
Robin Cooper
Community Outreach Manager
Bend Area Habitat For Humanity
541.385.5387 x.229 office
541.508.8681 cell
mailto:rcooper@bendhabitat.org
www.bendhabitat.org www.heartoforegon.org

Katie Condit
Programs Assistant
Heart of Oregon Corps
541.633.7834 office
541.647.8476 cell
katie.condit@heartoforegon.org

Blue Ribbon Campaign Art Contest

2011-02-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

Calling all young artists!

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and to help launch the Blue Ribbon Campaign, KIDS Center is kicking off an exciting art contest! It's open for kids age 5-18, and the theme is 'What It Means To Be Safe.' All artwork or poetry must include a blue ribbon. Contest rules and entry forms are here:

Blue Ribbon Art Contest Guidelines

Up All Night, Up All Day. How Do You Cope When Your House is Hit With The Bug?

2011-02-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

It might start slowly with a fever and runny nose, or it might land like a tornado of vomit and diarrhea. However the crud, the bug, or the funk enters your house you can be sure that it will sweep through everyone, taking you all down like bowling pins.

So how do you get through it in your home? Is it a group effort with everyone huddled in one bed or couch with a favorite movie playing? A free for all with games, books, and any distraction available? Is there a default nurse without whom none would survive?

Let us know your sickness routine, your go to remedies, and your "it's allowed 'cause I'm sick!" creature comforts.

2011-02-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

Third Annual PUSH Auction Benefiting the Division Street Skatepark Project

Swimmers need water, skiers need snow, runners need a trail, and skaters need a skatepark. A covered park preferably, out of the way on an otherwise unused parcel. Maybe something that the City or Parks and Rec. wouldn't even need to worry about because the skaters themselves could design, build, and maintain the park.

Division Street Skatepark Project is forging ahead with just that concept in mind for a skatepark at the 97 overpass at Division Street in Bend.

You can join in the effort by attending the 3rd annual PUSH auction this Friday the 25th from 6 to 10pm at the old Boomtown Records (910 NW Harrimon). It's an all ages, family friendly event featuring free food and drinks, as well as some of the coolest looking boards on the planet to be auctioned off to benefit DSSP.

Early Registration for Bend Parks & Rec.

2011-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Bend Park & Recreation District is opening up summer registration for their recreation programs online on March 17th for district residents and April 1st for those who live outside the district. This is a big change. Normally, programs open in May. Now you’ll have an extra month to plan what your kids will be doing this summer! Go online and be green on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th. To register go to

https://register.bendparksandrec.org/

Family Resource Center's Parenting Classes

2011-02-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

Family Resource Center of Central Oregon is a non-profit organization that provides parenting education to local families. Parenting classes (starting this evening and again in the coming weeks) offer essential knowledge, skills, and insights to make life easier for even the most seasoned veterans.

Here are a few of the upcoming classes:

Make Parenting a Pleasure

Thursdays 6 - 8 p.m.
February 17 - April 28
Terrebonne Community School
1199 B St. Terrebonne
Cost $10 (includes book, dinner and childcare)
Scholarships Available
To register call Kim Bohme 541.923-4856
Join other parents of children ages birth to 8 and learn about nurturing and effective parenting strategies, positive approaches to discipline, managing family stress and childhood development stages. Brought to you by Family Resource Center of Central Oregon and Central Oregon Parenting Education Network (COPEN).

Make Parenting a Pleasure

Thursdays 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
February 24 - May 5
Bear Creek Elementary
51 SE 13th St. Bend
Cost: Free (light dinner and childcare provided)
To register call Family Resource Center at 541.389.5468 (space limited)
Join other parents of children ages birth to 8 and learn about nurturing and effective parenting strategies, positive approaches to discipline, managing family stress and childhood development stages. Brought to you by Family Resource Center of Central Oregon and Deschutes County Children & Families Commission.

Father to Father

Tuesdays 6 - 8 p.m.
March 1 - May 17
Family Resource Center
1130 NW Harriman St. Suite B, Bend
Cost $25 per person (light dinner and childcare provided)
Scholarships Available
To register call Family Resource Center at 541.389.5468 (space limited)
Join other dads with children ages birth to 8 to talk about ways to balance work and home, tools for positive discipline and strategies for dealing with stress and power struggles. Brought to you by Family Resource Center of Central Oregon and Central Oregon Parenting Education Network (COPEN).

The Happy Girl Half

2011-02-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

(From the KIDS Center newsletter)

Get on your running shoes! KIDS Center is the beneficiary for the Happy Girl Half on May 29th. Join us in beautiful Bend, Oregon for the inaugural HappyGirls Half Marathon & 5K run. And for the under 10 yr olds, there is the HappyGirls 1.5K run on May 28th, in which KIDS Center will received 100% of the proceeds from the entry fee.
The scenic route starting along the Deschutes River is perfect for beginners as well as seasoned runners. Terrain includes a mix of gentle trails, groomed paths and paved surfaces, the best of all worlds! Bring your daughters, sisters, aunts, mom or best friends and make it a fabulous holiday weekend in Bend. To find out more visit Happy Girls Run.

CYFC's Teen Aid Benefit Concert

2011-02-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

Teen Aid Benefit Concert Tonight! From 7- 10pm at the Old Stone Church, downtown Bend.

Five Pint Mary and Brent Alan will perform at this great event to benefit the Loft, an indispensable resource supporting and sheltering central Oregon's homeless youth.

Guests will also be treated to improv comedy by Triage, libations from 10 Barrel Brewery, and complementary edibles from Bleu Bite Catering.

Tickets available at the door or at Cascade Youth & Family Center- 19 SW Century Dr.

See you there!

Mid Oregon Credit Union Free Family Saturday February 26th

2011-02-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

The High Desert Museum will open its doors to the public for free, courtesy of Mid Oregon Credit Union, Saturday February 26th. This is a great opportunity to check out all of the wonderful exhibits and wildlife the museum has to offer. Make a day of it and plan to see the Bitterbrush Band play from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free shuttle van service is available courtesy of the Museum and Wanderlust Tours throughout Museum hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Free day is expected to draw about 4,000 visitors so take advantage of the complementary shuttles to avoid parking lot traffic snarls! For parking, go to Morning Star Christian School at 19741 Baker Road- just off Highway 97 at the Baker Road exit.

REI Toddler Event

2011-02-08T09:51:00.000-08:00

Join REI this Thursday the 10th at 10am for "Get Active Outdoors with Toddlers." This free class will feature tips and advise for making the most of your family adventures by preparing your kids with the proper clothing and gear. Comfortable kids are happy kids, and happy kids help the good times roll!

While parents are learning, REI will provide PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) activities for children who attend.

The class is free but space is limited, so sign up quick at: Get Active Outdoors Sign Up

Trouble with the family wagon?

2011-02-03T11:10:00.000-08:00

Got an unsettling rattle in your ride? Squeaks and squeals from under the hood? An unreliable car is no fun, especially with the little ones inside. If getting from point A to point B has taken on an element of mechanical suspense then we want to hear about it!

The fine folks at Tuner Automotive are here to answer your car care questions, to help you decide if that strange noise should warrant a trip to the shop or if it's just that pen you dropped in the dash back in the 90's. Post your questions here and let the discussions begin!

Check out their Facebook page here: Tuner Automotive

Tuner Automotive Services repairs and customizes VW, Subaru, BMW, Jeep, Chevrolet, Isuzu and Honda's with 14 years of experience under its belt. Owner/Operator Jason Lilly, and his son Evan, run a small uncomplicated facility with customer service clarity that will leave you feeling like your part of the family. Tuner Automotive is also working hard to make sure you keep your hard earned money in your pocket with some of the lowest hourly rates in town, a guarantee of zero parts markup, and vendor accounts with almost every parts house around.

Take 5 minutes to help your community

2010-11-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

This came across my desk this morning. Please help The Family Resource Center as they work hard to support our parenting community!

Attn: Parents and Caregivers! We need your input before December 1st! Tell us what’s missing and what’s working in our communities in terms of parenting resources and information. Please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/parentsurvey-frc

This survey is brought to you by Family Resource Center of Central Oregon in partnership with parenting & family advocacy organizations from throughout the region. For more information, contact Family Resource Center of Central Oregon at (541)389-5468 or visit frconline.org.

Words of Wisdom from Motherwise

2010-10-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

Motherwise Birth Center recently sent out a letter to their subscribers answering the many questions they receive about how pregnant women should deal with the flu season. And while these words of wisdom are intended for expecting mothers, we believe that everyone can benefit from following this sage advice. The below is taken directly from their e-mail:

We are including the recommendations for the Flu Vaccine and Immune Supporters.

CDC Recommendation

" Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as vaccine is available this fall. While flu is unpredictable, it’s likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses and regular seasonal viruses will cause illness in the U.S. this flu season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season."

If you are choosing to have the flu vaccine we recommend that you see your primary family doctor to review your history. Pregnant women should not get the nose spray and if you are allergic to egg's, it is not advised to get the vaccine. If you have chosen to not have the flu vaccine and as an extra percussion for everyone, here are some actions you can take.

FIRST DEFENSE FOR COLDS AND FLU

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When washing hands with soap and water:

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.

Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.

Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!

Rinse hands well under running water

Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet

Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

Apply product to the palm of one hand

Rub hands together

Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

When should you wash your hands?

Before preparing or eating food

After going to the bathroom

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom

Before and after tending to someone who is sick

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After handling an animal or animal waste

After handling garbage

Before and after treating a cut or wound

Holistic Immune Support

Vitamin D liquid drops – For further information, check out the Vitamin D Council’s website. RDA Vitamin D in pregnancy- 400 IU/day~ max 4000 IU/day

Vitamin A is also necessary for proper function of a wide variety of systems and anti-viral activity Zinc and selenium are specifically helpful. *RDA Vitamin A in pregnancy- 2700 IU/day~max 8000 IU/day.

Vitamin C is highly recommended. The best form is the packets of mineral ascorbates “Emergen-C”. An adult can take several per day. *If you are sick you can drink 3 Emergen-C packages /day.

Elderberry Zinc lozenges from NOW and Echinacea

Homeopathic, Oscillococcinum. It does sometimes work to minimize the severity of the flu. You can take a half-tube as a dose, and follow the directions regarding repetition.

Seek care form your MD or ND if you are experiencing flu like symptoms. You may be advised to increase your intake of Vitamins.

If a family member should come down with the flu the rest of the family could take it these as a preventive. And finally, if you think you might be coming down with the flu, it would be best to stay away from others to reduce the chance of exposure.

There are not always easy answers for many questions that come up in pregnancy and vaccines are one of them. We encourage all our families to seek out their own answers and to fully educate themselves. Here are some links you may enjoy reading.

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.drtenpenny.com/

http://www.who.int/

http://www.mindful-mama.com/blogs/thrive/archive/2009/10/01/doctor-s-orders-h1n1.aspx ( this is an article and on going conversation about flu vaccination)

http://www.mercola.com/
http://www.nvic.org/

Join the Great Pumpkin Hunt for a Great Cause!

2010-10-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

This press release came across my desk today and sounds like tons of fun for all and benefits a great cause. Mark your calendars!

The Trust for Public Land Holds “Great Pumpkin Hunt” Fundraiser

Funds go toward purchase of Miller’s Landing to create new community park

The Trust for Public Land will hold “The Great Pumpkin Hunt” on Saturday, October 23 from 10am to noon at Miller’s Landing (across the river from McKay Park off Riverside Drive in Bend). A five dollar suggested donation will help to raise funds for the purchase of Miller’s Landing for the creation of a new community park.

The family event will include pumpkin hunting, pumpkin decorating, raffle prizes and, of course, hot apple cider. Visitors will have an opportunity to learn more about the Miller’s Landing project, a 4.7 acre piece of riverfront property that the Land Trust is working to turn into a public park.

The planned project will provide public access to the river, preserve a piece of Bend's mill history and secure a critical link in the Deschutes River Trail system. The Trust for Public Land has until Dec 31 to raise the $1.8 million purchase price, and currently has a remaining balance of $400,000 to raise.

Sponsors for the October event include: Brooks Resources Corporation, the Old Mill District, REI and The Trust for Public Land.

About the Trust for Public Land

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. http://www.tpl.org/

CRAFTERS WANTED!!!

2010-07-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

This just came across my desk this morning. Thought some of you crafting mamas and papas might like to know.

CROOK COUNTY FAIR

AUGUST 4-7TH, 2010

The 2010 Crook County Fair is just around the corner! Scheduled for August 4th thru 7th, we are seeking crafters and artisans that make unique items to be sold to the general public. The fair is designed to represent the very best of Crook County and Central Oregon, so bring it on!

Limited space is available and $20.00 will get you a 10 x 10 booth for the entire length of the fair. For an application, or more information, contact the Crook County Fairgrounds at 541-447-6575.

Send a child to school for free!

2010-06-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-06-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

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!

Do You Know Jane Elizabeth Meissner?

2010-05-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

Jane Elizabeth Meissner

My Mom...Hmmm where to start? My Mom is Jane Elizabeth Meissner of the Central Oregon skiing Meissner's of course. If I were asked what is it that sticks out the most about my mom throughout my life it would be how kind and generous she has always been to everyone and how much she loves the outdoors. My Mom was born May 27th, 1951. She grew up spending the school year in Bend, Oregon and living and working the Summer's at Odell Lake. She was a downhill ski coach at Mount Bachelor during her teen years and was brought up to love and treasure the outdoors in every aspect of life. Once my Sister, Ariane and I were born, we were taught the same. From the time we were about 18 months old, she had us on cross country skis for the first time. It was always a joy for her to see us as kids enjoying the wonders of the Central Oregon outdoors as much as she has. When I was about seven, my Grandmother, Virginia Meissner died of Cancer. My Mom took over her classes at COCC as a skiing and hiking instructor and wilderness guide. She spent her days instructing others and sharing her love of the outdoors with everyone she came to cross paths with. Everyone that she taught always heard about what kind of flowers were along the trail during the hiking ventures, or what type of birds there were flying above on the snowy ski trails. If they walked away taking one new thing learned from the experience, she was happy. I remember going to the Swampy Lakes trail and mom pointing out the Junko's and saying "Hey girls look at this!" as she pulled out a piece of her peanut butter sandwich and held it out, the Junko would land on her finger and take the bread. She has always been so wonderful when it came to nature and kindness. She taught skiing and hiking in Central Oregon for over twenty years and always followed her passion no matter how little money it made.

No matter what my Mom has gone through, I can always remember her being strong. When her Mother died, when she and my Father were divorced and then again when her Father, Jack Meissner died she was strong and determined to make it through, a better, stronger person in the end. Not only has my Mom been strong during her own trials, but has been determined to be strong for us girls as well.

I have been in the Marine Corps for ten years now and cannot remember a single time when my Mom has not been there for me physically, emotionally, or otherwise. I've always had some digestive issues and every time I see her to this day she is bringing me digestive enzymes and gluten free food, things that will make me feel better and keep me healthy. There was never a time that I can remember that she has not tried to take care of me.

When the time came for me to have my own children, I birthed a son, Maddox on December 24th 2005. You'd better believe she was on the first plane out to take care of me and to see her new Grandson. And again when my Sister had her son, Dutch in March of 2009. She is a proud, caring, loving Grandmother to both boys and once again has them enjoying the outdoors and on skis already.

When it comes down to it she has always thought about everyone else but herself. She cares about everyone she comes across and wants to make sure that they enjoy everything that this earth has to provide. Once she retired from skiing and hiking, she started working cleaning jobs part time to make money and also so she could make her own schedule to still have time to go skiing and hiking at least once a week with her friends.

She spends most of her days wearing work clothes and cleaning gloves, not the most glamorous of jobs, but very deserving of respect.

I think my Mom, Jane Meissner deserves this makeover because she has always spent her hard earned money and precious time making sure that the people surrounding her were always having a good time, whether she was being paid for it, or not and no matter how old us girls get, she's still there for us, no matter what. I used to say to her, "Mom, your the best Mom in the world!" and with all that I've been through in my life and seen, she is still the kindest, most generous, loving Mom in the world!

Thank you,

Amber Viola Cross

Do you know Meghan Evans?

2010-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

May is a month that gives us all the opportunity to celebrate the amazing mothers in our lives. The True North Team ran a Momma Makeover contest for the April/May issue. We received so many touching entries with such inspirational stories that it was almost painful to only pick two winners. While we weren’t able to provide all of these amazing moms with a makeover, we would like to celebrate them and those who nominated them by sharing their stories throughout this month. We hope they will touch you the way they touched us, or at least remind you to give that special mom in your life just a little extra love each day.

Loving our children, for all of us, is the easy part. Meghan, aka mama, does not get special points for loving this incredible chunky-monkey of beautiful baby that has blessed our lives. The joy of that love is the fuel for this journey of parenthood.

The marvel of mommy-hood often exists in the mundane. Meghan keeping the fridge full while feeding dada and searching for different foods for Hope to try approvingly and disapprovingly (sometimes daily), cleaning a toy scattered home, feeding the pets, running errands, making those endless call backs, handling this repair and that service, these take so much of a mommy’s time. I can hear Meghan saying “please nap just a little longer so I can…vacuum, wash, clean the bath, etc”.

Toss on top of those chores a woman running her own design business, somehow kept afloat in a terrible economy, with phone calls, emails, and appointments timed around naps and one daddy-daughter day a week. A woman who, while pregnant, began a charity to help feed horses of families hit by the economy. That charity has now fed over a hundred horses through last winter and so far this winter.

There is no day care, nor nanny, nor cleaning service in Meghan’s world. Wonderful necessities those are for many people. And a wonderful gift that we have been able to have Hope with us these first fifteen months of her life. Now Meghan is handling all these challenges while carrying baby two. Nausea and tiredness included free of charge.

As the “dada”, I am endlessly impressed by what my wife can handle. I respect and admire her more than she probably knows. And, quite simply, I could not handle my life without the support and patience Meghan freely gives daily. She certainly earns my respect and admiration a hundred times over.

However, the love I feel, the joy that sends me soaring, comes in the person I see Hope becoming. She is such a happy baby, full of smiles and laughs, daily learning new things taught to her in a loving fun way. I come home from work and mommy says, “Hope, what does a duck say?” and yes the little quacks are too cute for words. “Hope, show daddy your nose…and your ears...and your feet”. “Hope, where is your kitty in the puzzle, where’s the cow, and the sheep?” Hope helps dress herself, holds a spoon (successfully reaching her mouth with food now and again), she knows many signs, and many activities. These are not boasts about an exceptional baby; I know babies are learning these things all the time. However, these things have to be taught, they take time and patience. For Hope to learn these in a happy fun way from a mom that handles all those other stresses of life, that to me is remarkable. So many moms are remarkable, Hope and I just happen to believe ours is the best!

Meet Agatha

2010-05-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

Check out Agatha! She is a special edition True North Monster from Monster Love. Find out who won this adorable monster by visiting the True North FB Page. Check out Monster Love on Face Book and find out more about these cool little creatures. If you haven't become a fan, click the Like button and be automatically entered to win drawings taking place the rest of this week.

Celebrating 1000 + Fans. Win With TN!

2010-05-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

Today True North is celebrating reaching over 1000 fans on Facebook! We will be sending out a big Thank You to all of our fans by giving away some cool TN Schwag (we love that word) over the next week by drawing names at random and announcing the winners on facebook and twitter.

Today’s giveaway will be the first ever True North Monster from Monster Love. These little creatures are super cute and everyone is talking about them. Find out more here.

Tomorrow’s giveaway is a chunky headband from White Bat. This is one of the True North’s Editor in Chief’s favorite items from White Bat. It will become one of yours too! Check out White Bat here.

Monday’s winner will get to order a basic boutique tutu up to 5 colors with no embellishments any size from newborn to 4T from BooKoos of TuTus. Check out Bookoos here.

There is still time to be entered to win. Just go to our facebook page and click the Like button. Suggest it to you friends so they have a chance to win too!

Thanks again everyone!

Do you know Bonnie Criswell?

2010-05-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

My mom is the most amazing woman I know. Over the years her strength has been what has kept me going. She has had many many hardships throughout her life and has continued to overcome and be stronger in the end. She has truly shown me what it takes to be a woman, mother, wife, daughter and friend. Some of the hardships are: her first husband was killed by a drunk driver when she was 8 months pregnant with my sister (and had my brother 3 years old at home too), her mother passed away from breast cancer when I was little, her second husband made some horrible choices and left her with 4 kids, 2 of whom were teenagers and 2 who were very close and in October of 2007 we lost my sister to brain cancer, who was only 34. Watching her over the years and her being strong when the world was falling down around us has instilled something very deep inside me. I know that no matter what is thrown my way, I do have the power and the choice to go on and see what tomorrow brings. Now as she is still mom but also gets to be Nana to my kids it's so fun to watch and see even now how each day she becomes more and more beautiful. She deserves more than I'll ever be able to give her.

Do you know Rebecca Singer?

2010-05-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Singer

My mom, Rebecca Singer, deserves to win the Momma Makeover contest because she is the ideal mother. Even as a teenager I still consider her my best friend, and I cant even begin to imagine life without her. She is the one I have always idolized and I aspire to be just like her when I grow up. She is caring, nice, funny, and an all over amazing person. She is a mother of 3 and with a 16, 14, and 5 year old on her hands she is ALWAYS on the go. She has gone through SOO much in the last year including Alopecia Universalis where she lost all her hair in one week, and skin cancer. I would never be able to stay as strong as she did through the whole process and couldn't imagine anyone handling it better.

I know that in any time of need she will always be there for me and my sisters, and supports us 100%. She can always make me feel better when I am down and does whatever it takes to make me laugh. I love everything about her and the way that even when a day is not so good, she looks at it on the positive side. My favorite thing to do with my mom is sit down after school and drink a cup of tea.

When I was little I used to beg her to come into school as my " show & tell" because she was my favorite thing, though of course I always had to end up bringing in a stuffed animal of some sort even though the two didn't even begin to compare. I have never been embarrassed to tell my mom anything because my sisters and I know that no matter what, she will not be the one to judge. Whenever I am sick, she stays by my side the whole time and does anything she can to make me better. I know that my mom is an amazing mom because not only is she loved by our family but also all of my friends. Infact sometimes I am not sure whether my friends come over to see me or my mom, and they quickly begin to call her there own mother!! I am proud to have the mother I do and wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. I would love my mom to win the Momma Makeover because I know it would make her happy and she deserves it entirely! :)

Nominated by Olivia Singer

Do You Know Julie Yarbrough

2010-05-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

Meet Julie Yarbrough

(submitted by Michael Yarbrough)

My wife Julie and I are parents of 4 year old triplets and I think she deserves your Mother's Day makeover. She was on bed rest her entire pregnancy. She was so sick the first five months that she could hardly get out of bed and then the next two months she remained on bed rest just to keep the babies from coming premature. She took 33 shots a week just to keep them alive. She went into the hospital at 27 weeks and then had the babies at 29 weeks and 2 days. Our babies were extremely ill. Two stayed in the hospital for two months and our other one stayed for three and one half months. She went to visit them every day. In that time she also had severe post-partum depression and also had a grand mal seizure. Her Mom died unexpectedly when the kids were 14 months old. She was so devastated but continued on because her kids needed her.

I myself have had chronic back problems and have had six back surgeries the latest just 10 days ago. I am not able to help her out a lot because of my chronic pain. She has faithfully taken care of me and the kids without complaining only saying that she is tired especially at the end of the day. She hardly does anything for herself but is always thinking and doing for others. Having triplets is extremely hard and exhausting everyday. It never gets easier it just presents new challenges on a daily basis. I think you should pick my wife as one of your Mother's Day makeover candidates. She deserves to be pampered, and she would be thrilled to receive such a wonderful gift. She truly deserves this. She never stops and always puts other people first especially Amanda, Brian and Lance the children she waited for for so long. Being a Mom had always been a dream of hers and now she enjoys it on a daily basis even when she wants to pull her hair out. Being called Mom puts a smile on her face and when the kids tell her they love her, it puts a smile in her heart. Her Mom would be so proud of her and so am I.

Do You Know Julie?

2010-05-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

Julie

(Nominated by Krista Lauinger)

The mom I am writing about today, is not my mom, nor a relative of mine in any way, but she more than qualifies to win your mom makeover contest! I first met her and her family when they rented the vacation rental home behind us for 7 months. Why 7 months you ask? Because her husband was about to be deployed and they moved here temporarily to be close to his parents while he is away.
Julie is a mom of 4 young children, ages 10 – ½ yrs old. She moved to a new town she knew nothing about and then became a single mom of 4 while her husband is deployed to Qatar. Since they came in the middle of the school year and will only be here a short time, they decided to home school. So she home schools her kids while being mom and dad to them. She does an AMAZING job fulfilling all the many roles she is required to do right now. She never complains and always has a smiling face and kind heart when one of the kids is having their own hard time missing daddy! They talk to him often on the phone and on Skype, but obviously that doesn’t replace the physical presence and embracing arms of dad and husband. Julie is a saint for all she does and with such a great attitude she joyfully takes on what most of us would consider an unbearable uphill battle for 7 (not so short) months!
The events and special days during the year that we all take for granted might be a little different if we had to celebrate them minus our spouse and our kids dad! But Julie celebrates despite and has a formidable spirit that is an encouragement to all she meets. Anytime I feel like complaining about the little things in life, laundry, dishes, diapers, kids complaining or long nights, all I have to do is remember Julie and be grateful that she (and her husband) is sacrificing so we may all enjoy our freedom in the USA one more day! I appreciate her and her family’s sacrifice to our country, more than I know how to adequately express.

As Julie embraces each and every day with a vigor that is contagious, she doesn’t have the time or energy to worry about herself and the little things that make us all feel so good. Julie is a gorgeous woman now and the extra time and special attention that your contest would gift her with, would only enhance all of who she is as well as encourage her in mind, body and spirit! Please seriously consider Julie for your mom makeover contest!

Summer Camp Adventures

2010-04-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Summer break is on the horizon and while your kids are thrilled, you might find yourself breaking into a cold sweat. How are you going to keep them entertained week after week? How will you keep break time fun, active, and hopefully a bit educational? Not to worry – Central Oregon's summer camp offerings are abundant! Find out more below.

A Child's Garden

This camp will take your children "Around the World in 64 Days." The curriculum is designed for ages 1 - 6 and children can be enrolled 2-5 days per week, full or part time. Celebrate each country through music, games, art, crafts, and baking. Call 541.617.0434 or visit http://www.achildsgardenbend.com/.

Art Station

Children will explore their creative side and discover the artist within. Summer art camps are available for preschool, elementary school age children, and teens. Summer art camps for elementary school age children are held throughout the entire summer, both in the morning and afternoon, and are focused around a theme. Call 541.617.1317 or visit http://www.artscentraloregon.org/.

Bend Parks & Recreation

Overnight outdoor camps; adventure camps (with rafting, rock-climbing and more); sports camps; art, music, and science camps! Operation Recreation and Clubhouse offer working parents affordable care for the summer with daily field trips that are fun for kids. http://www.bendparksandrec.org/.

Camp Fire USA

June Day Camp for Pre-K-7th grade teaches kids survival skills and fills their days with adventure. July Outdoor Adventure Camp for ages 12 and up includes whitewater rafting, canoeing, hiking, camping and more! And from June to August, Summerkids Enrichment Program for grades K-5 offers a thematic approach to fun. Call 541-382-4682 or visit http://www.campfireusaco.org/.
Camp Sunrise

A free grief camp for children ages 7-14 who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. At Camp Sunrise, trained staff listen to the feelings of grief and can help the healing begin. June 19-21. Call 541-548-7483 or visit www.redmondhospice.org/camps.htm.
COCC Youth Camps

COCC's Community Learning is offering great new youth camps this summer! Give your kids an enriching, educational, and FUN opportunity to get creative, explore an interest, develop new skills, and gain confidence. Call 541.383.7270 or visit noncredit.cocc.edu.
Blossoms Preschool and COGA

Offering preschool and cheer camps! Your children will enjoy learning and playing in a newly upgraded facility! These camps exercise both the mental and physical muscles and help little learners build new friendships and develop social skills. Call 541.385.1163 or visit www.cogymnastics.com.

Developmusic

Kindermusik summer camps provide a stimulating, playful environment where children thrive developmentally, musically, and creatively. Camps are designed with a variety of themes and experiences for ages birth to six. Call 541.389.6690, e-mail amy@developmusic.com, or visit http://www.developmusic.com/.

First Ascent Climbing Services

Offering customized family rock climbing adventures since 1994. A one of a kind climbing immersion for kids and teens exploring all aspects of rock climbing. Accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association. Call 541.318.7170 or visit http://www.goclimbing.com/.

Kiddoz

Offering flexible and affordable enrollment, this Summer's BIG IDEA is "The Elements." Your child will learn, explore, and discover all about the earth, wind, and water! Every experience will be led by your child's ideas and curiosity. Call 541.322.4073 or visit http://www.kiddozplaycenter.com/.
High Desert Museum

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an artist, archaeologist, naturalist, or animal keeper? Children ages 5-9 can find out at the High Desert Museum! Campers can choose from weekly themes such as "Fun with Archaeology" where they will uncover cool artifact replicas from a frontier town at an outdoor simulated dig pit. Call 541.382.4754 or visit http://www.highdesertmuseum.org/.
Morning Star Christian School

Unlock your child's imagination! Watch them invent, express, and explore the world in Camps for Kids: June — Inventor's Workshop, July — Little Shop Keepers in Asia, August — Little Artists in Europe. Call 541.382.5091 or visit http://www.mscsbend.org/.
School of Enrichment

A vast array of theme-based camps designed for kids ages 2 1/2-10, including: Green Kids, Acting Camp, Culinary Kids Camp, Spanish Camp, and much more! Your children will enjoy playing and learning. Call 541.771.1257 or visit schoolofenrichment.com.

Shining Light Christian Preschool

Affordable summer camps for your 3-5 year olds! Enjoy twelve different camps to choose from including Princess and Dinosaur camps. Also, offering a Kindergarten Prep class. Call 541-306-9484 or visit http://www.shininglightchristianpreschool.us/.

Some Day Farm

Enjoy riding lessons, crafts, games, and horse care at Some Day Farm Pony Camp. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting June 22nd through August. Call 541-848-8519 or visit http://www.somedayfarmllc.com/.

Sunriver Owners Association

Come join the Adventure in Sunriver, for the week or the day, it's up to you! Camps include either swim lessons or tennis lessons. Schedule and registration will be available online May 3rd at http://www.sunriverowners.org/. 541-593-2442.

Sassy Grassy!

2010-04-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Taking time to get crafty with your kids is important! Here is a great project that will get your kids in the mood for outside gardening too!

Sassy grassy - Watch Sassy as her hair GROWS! Then give her a trim. Kids love to use scissors to give Sassy a haircut.
• Plastic pot
• Potting Soil
• Tissue Paper
• Decoupage Glaze & Foam Brush
• Tacky Glue
• Collage Materials

Craft Instructions:

1. Use the foam brush to apply a layer of decoupage glaze on to the outside of the plastic pot

2. While the glaze is still wet wrap the pot with the tissue paper. You can tear the tissue paper into small pieces and apply or wrap one large piece and trim off excess paper.

3. Apply another layer of glaze on top of the tissue paper to seal it onto the plastic pot. Let dry completely.

4. Decorate your pot with the collage materials. Make a face with the wiggly eyes and felt shapes. Add feathers, stickers, and pipe cleaners.

5. Fill the pot with the soil, and pour seed directly on top of the soil. Water, and set in a window. Allow 2 to 3 days before seed spouts. Don’t forget to keep the soil moist.

Educational Information:

There are more than 9,000 different plants in the grass family, and it is one of the largest plant groups on Earth. Grass is extremely important to most people's lives. For one thing, grass is a major food source all over the world. Rice, corn and oats come from grass plants, for example, and most livestock animals feed primarily on grasses. In some parts of the world, people use grass plants in construction (bamboo is a grass, for example), and wherever it grows, grass plays a vital role in curbing erosion. Grass is also used to make sugar, liquor, bread and plastics, among many other things.

Join the Run

2010-04-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

This year True North is Sponsoring the 18th annual Solaire Salmon Run! This fantastic event, put on by The Environmental Center and partnering businesses, raises money for collaborating non-profit organizations and schools working on native fish habitat restoration or enhancement efforts. Event organizer Aimee Baillergon of Bend Event Co. explains, “The primary goal of this event, protecting and restoring local rivers and streams, remains the same, and we are counting on individuals and families to continue to raise awareness — and money — through the 1K, 5K, and 10K runs and walks. But we are also expanding our scope this year by inviting other organizations in our area which share and foster the same mission of supporting restoration projects to participate.”

This year the event is incorporating a kids 1k run and walk so the whole family can get involved. To register yourself or your child for this exciting event click here! If you can’t make the run then donate! Here is the link to the True North Team’s Pages: Bendetti/Garrett Family& Astacia. We will run for you!

For a great story on this year’s Solaire Salmon Run check out Beyond Plastic Bags and Light Bulbs: The 2010 SolAire Salmon Run by Aimee Baillargeon.

The quick and dirty details follow:

SolAire Salmon Run:

May 1, 2010
McKay Park, Bend
5K & 10K Run and Walk, 1K Kids Run and Walk
http://www.solairesalmonrun.com/
For More Information Contact:

Aimee Baillargeon
aimee@bendeventco.com
541/480-8555

Cowboys 4 Kids

2010-04-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

The following information is about an amazing event for an amazing set of non-profits. If you don't have plans for tomorrow night, this is the place to go. Affordable and benefitting the children in our community!

Cowboys 4 Kids Thursday, Tickets Available at the Door

Several local nonprofit organizations have come together to do what makes so much sense in this economy – collaborate! The John and Linda Shelk Foundation of Prineville initiated the collaboration to benefit Crook County children and the Crook County satellite programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, KIDS Center, Saving Grace and SMART (Start Making a Reader Today).

So, the first annual “Cowboys 4 Kids” was born! Presented by the John and Linda Shelk Foundation with Les Schwab Tires, Thursday, April 22, 2010 will be an evening of country and western entertainment, a great silent auction, a grand raffle drawing for tickets to the Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum concert at the Rose Garden … and chock full of local love!

All four organizations serve the children and families of Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes counties, and the group decided that it was very important to keep the event talent as local as possible. It doesn’t get any more local to Central Oregon than the main event, Shannon Bex.

“I feel very honored to be a part of such a wonderful event like Cowboys 4 Kids. Not only is this a great cause, but it’s benefiting the community I love, my home,” said Bex.

Other performers include 2008 AWA Cowboy Poet of the Year Jay Snider, members of the Bunkhouse Orchestra and a cowboy swing dance presentation by James and Paige Gustaveson.

In keeping with the theme of the locals in mind (and that includes their pocketbooks!), tickets to “Cowboys 4 Kids” are only $12 each and can be presented for 10 percent off a meal at either Dillon's or Club Pioneer in Prineville the day of the event. Raffle tickets for Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum (with a night's stay at The Mark Spencer Hotel!) are only $5 and can be purchased in advance or at the show. Doors open at 5:30 for the silent auction, and the entertainment will be from 6:30-8:30pm. "Cowboys 4 Kids will be held at the Crook County High School Southwell Auditorium.

Tickets are for sale now online at Cowboys4Kids.kintera.org/CrookCounty and will be available at the door.

"Cowboys 4 Kids" is sponsored in part by Commissioner Lynn Lundquist/Bar Lynn Ranch, Home Federal Bank, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, Harrigan Price Fronk & Co. LLP, Bryant Lovlien & Jarvis PC, and Nosler and has partnered with the media entities of Horizon Broadcasting Group/KRCO and Cascade Publications Inc.

Sakura Matsuri! Mark your calendars!

2010-04-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

I recieved this in my mailbox today. How wonderful that local students recieve this exchange opportunity. And How wonderful that these schools and their students are offering the Central Oregon Community the chance to be introduced to the Japanese culture:

Japanese Festival/ Sakura Matsuri

Each year Mountain View and Summit High School students get together to fundraise for our annual Japanese Exchange Program. This program between MVHS, SHS and Kamogaoka Senior High School in Toyota City, Japan, has been sending and receiving students for over 35 years and began with Bend High School.

The cost for each student to go is around $2500 for 18 days in Toyota City and Tokyo. While there, students live with a Japanese family and attend school with their host students. This is quite a phenomenal experience for our students.We also receive students from Kamogaoka High School each March for about 2 weeks. They too live with host families, attend classes and venture around Bend and the surrounding area.

The Japanese festival started as a way to enhance Bend’s awareness of Japanese culture and customs. At the festival, students from MVHS and SHS work together to teach others about various traditional crafts, such as: Origami (paper folding), Ikebana (flower arranging), and Shodou (Calligraphy). The festival centers on a “Japanese Festival, or Matsuri” theme and we will have a wonderful Taiko (Drumming) performance by a group out of Portland called En Taiko. Students put on a Fashion show highlighting both traditional Japanese fashion as well as various “Tokyo Fashions”. Sakura Immersion Pre‐school students will be there to entertain as well. There is also an area for little ones that includes “gold fishing” in which you fish with origami cups and try to catch a goldfish. Face painting and a ramen‐eating
contest are other events not to miss.

During the event we will have a silent auction with goods from our friends at Wabi Sabi and other local vendors. Sumi’s Japanese Restaurant will be serving food too.

The Date of the event is Saturday, May 22 from 12 until 4 at Mountain View High School. Admission is $5 per person or $12 for the family. The price includes Taiko performance and access to all activities.

Embrace Life!

2010-04-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

I was in a severe car accident when I was in high school. I wouldn't have gotten to grow up and have and hold my beautiful babies if I hadn't been wearing my seatbelt. Wear your seatbelt. Do it for your little angels.

Mini Me-Time

2010-04-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

I was reading the April issue of Health magazine when I came across the article How I Steal “Me” Moments by Lynn Harris, and found myself inspired. Lynn explains how she has transformed long lines and tardy friends into opportunities for mini breaks in her hectic daily life. This article spoke to me on a personal level because as a mother of three and a business owner I constantly find myself feeling run down and like I desperately need a vacation; and as a mother of three and business owner, vacations are few and far between. After I read the article I started brainstorming ways to fit mini breaks into my daily life. After a lot of creative thinking, here is what I have started incorporating into my days:

When I walk my daughter to school I leave my cell phone at home and bring my ipod filled with my favorite songs. Instead of making business calls on the way home, I enjoy a brisk walk and a mini music break.
When I rock my 3 month old son to sleep at night, I keep a book and a lamp next to the rocking chair so once he is asleep I can enjoy some stress free cuddle time and work my way through that pile of books I have been dying to read since I had baby number one 8 years ago.
When I go grocery shopping I pick the longest checkout line and use the extra time to peruse the magazine rack and thumb through some of my favorite trashy reads.
If I have a choice on what chore to tackle, I choose laundry. Depending on how many loads I have to wash and fold, I have the perfect excuse to rent and watch a couple of movies while accomplishing something important.
I take a bath instead of a shower. I always have a couple of candles and sea salts on hand. Even if I don’t have a lot of time, submerging myself in warm scented water sooths sore muscles and leaves me refreshed.
I always keep a yoga mat two blankets and a block in my office. When I am waiting for a call, a client, or have a couple minutes between tasks I fit a couple quick yoga poses in. Downward dog and a head stand can clear my mind and calm my nerves so I can perform at the top of my game.

Can you think of some other good way to fit “Me Moments” into your day? Tips and tricks are always appreciated.

Earth Month

2010-04-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

April is Earth Month and one of the first things that comes to most people’s mind when considering Earth Month or Earth Day is the emphasis of living green and how our daily choices are impacting the earth. This special month offers parents the perfect opportunity to discuss what being “Green” actually means with their kids, and this is no small task with all the hype and commercialism that surrounds the concept of living green these days. Going Green: Beyond the Hype and Back to Basics by Michelle Pate, is a great read for families who want to change their daily life and make it “greener” but feel overwhelmed and confused by all of the conflicting information in the media. Michelle gives her readers clear and simple directions for living green when she says, “The easiest way to truly live green without falling for all of the latest trends and hype is to go back to basics and follow the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle — and in that order.”

Take time this month to discuss the 3 R’s with your kids. If you haven’t already, start incorporating the 3 R’s into your daily living routine. Some ideas for making your household a little greener are: get a recycling bin and teach your kids how to separate garbage from recyclables; take your kids to a local consignment store when you need to shop for clothing (they might be surprised at all of the cool stuff they find); start turning off the water while you brush your teeth; have the kids help turn off all electronics and lights at night; get reusable shopping bags; and finally, give your kids the opportunity to brainstorm unique ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

While incorporating the 3 R’s into your families daily life is a great way to celebrate Earth Month, there is truly no better way to instill the love for Mother Nature in your children than by getting them outside. Children need to connect to nature, and with spring here, now is the perfect time to go on nature walks and hikes and point out the beautiful sprouts pushing out of the ground, and the green buds forming on bushes. Once outside, you children will know exactly why preserving the earth by living green is such an important thing to do.

Gleek Out!

2010-04-08T15:01:00.000-07:00

If you haven’t heard of FOX’s hit series Glee yet, then you’ve been living under a rock. Glee first aired in May of 2009 and became an instant hit with viewers of all ages. The series takes place at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio where a group of students ranging from geeks to cheerleaders and football players come together to form the High School Glee Club called “New Directions”. The series has done so well that it won the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series—Musical or Comedy and received three additional nominations for Best Actress (Lea Michele), Best Actor (Matthew Morrison), and Best Supporting Actress (Jane Lynch). It has also earned itself a group of loyal followers that proudly call themselves “Gleeks”. For all things Glee related Gleeks can indulge with the blog Gleeks United.

So why is Glee such a big hit with such a wide variety of viewers including young, old, male, and female alike? Maybe it’s because deep down each and every one of us wants to break out in song when dealing with our daily struggles or because we can all relate to at least one of the overly generalized yet surprisingly complex characters. Yes, Glee has managed to take the typical High School stereotypes that unfortunately actually exist in real life and shed an honest light on the truth behind façade that each character puts on. This is not only refreshing but inspiring, as is the “in your face with a musical twist” way each episode handles the real to life situations that both teens and grownups face. From teenage pregnancy and a son’s “coming out of the closet”, to a couple’s infertility and infidelity, the cast dances and sings its way through each episode causing the viewers to sing (and possibly dance) along while seriously considering the message and how it relates to their own life.

While Glee is awesome as a way to self-entertain in the evening, it also offers up a wonderful parenting opportunity for those of you with teens. Each episode is full of laughs (and what better way to bond with your teen than through laughter) and also gives parents and opportunity to open conversations about the serious topics that their children are facing both personally and out in the real world. Finally, for many of us, it also gives us a chance to share something we rarely have in common with the younger generation: music. That’s right! Glee has managed to make the music from our generation seem cool to our kids! Now if that’s not a reason to Gleek out, then I don’t know what is. New episodes of Glee air April 13th on FOX.

We heart the Kombucha Mamas!

2010-04-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

Our team is always trying to find ways to stay healthy and in shape. It looks like a couple of local mamas have come up with a product that is right up our alley. If you like tea, you'll love

Kombucha Mama

Kombucha is a sweet tea mixture that has, at times, been called the “Elixir of Life", and helps keep you balanced and feeling energized. Made locally here in Bend, Oregon by the “Kombucha Mamas”, this tea well server you well whether you’re looking to ward off a cold, boost your energy, or cut back on snacking too much. The Kombucha Mamas brew only the best for your body, mind, and spirit. For a complete list of places that offer Kombucha, visit, http://www.kombuchamama.com/.

You can also follow them on the Kombucha Mama Facebook Page and find out more!

Breastfeeding Is Beautiful!

2010-04-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

And don’t you let ANYONE tell you differently.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep...

2010-04-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

We LOVE Cloud B! In the December issue of True North we reviewed the Twilight Ladybug. The beautiful constellation it projects on to bedroom ceilings makes nighttime soothing and fun for the kiddos.

Our newest, most favorite Cloud B creation is the Sleep Sheep. This little guy is a life saver for anyone with a newborn. Not only is he cute and cuddly, he provides white noise that will put mom and dad to sleep quicker than the babe. The Sleep Sheep has four soothing sounds that emulate nature almost to perfection. Choose between gentle ocean waves, spring showers, whale songs, and mother’s heart beat.

Are you on the go all the time? Sleep Sheep has straps that easily fastened to a car seat, chair, or wrist (if you happen to be pacing back and forth for a while). Sleep sheep also comes in an on the go version.

And if you or your little one isn’t into sheep…check out the dolphin and giraffe.

If you are looking for a Sleep Sheep in Bend, Oregon, you can find yours at Baby Phases (Located at 759 NE Greenwood Ave. Suite 1). Visit them online at http://www.babyphasestot2teen.com./

The Blue Ribbon Campaign

2010-04-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

April is National Child abuse Prevention month. The following information on child abuse and the Blue Ribbon Campaign was submitte by Elain Knobbs at the KIDS Center in Bend, Oregon. Please get involved, get a blue ribbon, and show your support.

The Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse

The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in the spring of 1989 when Bonnie Finney of Virginia lost her grandson, Michael Dickenson. The three year old died at the hands of her daughter’s abusive boyfriend. Bonnie tied a blue ribbon to her car- symbolizing the blue of her grandson’s bruises- and encouraged her community to do the same. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month each April, the Blue Ribbon Campaign is used throughout the country as a way to bring communities together to protect children from all forms of abuse.

KIDS Center brought the campaign to our community in 1997 to raise awareness of child abuse in Central Oregon. Last year there were over 2300 reports of child abuse in Central Oregon and almost 700 children walked through KIDS Center’s doors for evaluation and treatment of abuse. Most children do not report therefore the actual number of children being hurt in our community is far greater than we could ever know.

Do your part: In Central Oregon each year more than 50,000 blue ribbons are distributed locally by volunteers, active citizens and community partners. Ribbons are available at KIDS Center and at businesses and agencies through-out the community. Show your support for protecting children. Wear a blue ribbon all during the month of April and learn more about how to protect the children in your life and in our entire community! Contact KIDS Center at 541-383-5958 or www.kidscenter.org

Myths & Facts about Child Abuse

MYTH: Children who are abused do something to cause the abuse to occur.

FACT: The child is always the victim. The responsibility for the abuse lies solely with the abuser.

MYTH: It's only abuse if it's violent.

FACT: Physical abuse is just one type of child abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging, and since they are more subtle, others are less likely to intervene. Lastly, sexual abuse is violent in only a small percentage of cases.

MYTH: Most sexual abuse is committed by someone who’s a stranger to the child.

FACT: Someone the child knows, likes, trusts, loves and/or lives with is the person most likely to sexually abuse a child.

MYTH: Children lie about sexual abuse.

FACT: Children usually do not have the explicit sexual knowledge to enable them to talk about sexual acts unless they have experienced them.

Recognize the Signs of Abuse and REPORT

Some- but not all- abused children may exhibit physical or behavioral signs.

Signs of abuse may include:

• Nervousness around adults or a particular adult.

• Aggression or passivity and over-compliance.

• Sudden changes in personality or school work.

• Unable to stay awake or concentrate.

• Does not want to go home from school or after school activity.

• Low self-esteem.

• Bruises or injuries that are frequent and/or unexplained.

• Poor hygiene.

Sometimes there are no signs at all.

Since few children ever come forward to report abuse, make it your responsibility to recognize these signs and report any suspicions or disclosures of abuse.

IF YOU SUSPECT THAT A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED, CALL AND TALK TO TRAINED DHS PERSONNEL AT 541-693-2700 OR CALL 911. Anyone who makes a good faith report based on reasonable grounds is immune from prosecution.

De-Stress and Connect!

2010-04-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

It’s the end of a long week and the kids are bouncing off the walls ready for the weekend…but you are tired and all in knots from the pressure of juggling home and work life. Yoga can help you de-stress and connect with your kids! Practicing yoga with your kids is a great way for them to get their wiggles out and calm down, while you get a little exercise and release pressure and stress. Not sure how to get started? Here are some ideas:

Yoga for the whole family

Yoga offers up a great way to power up for the day or wind down for the night. Have fun loosening up those limbs and getting centered and connected with your children while arching like a dog, swaying like a tree, or standing tall like a mountain. There are poses that can help you increase your energy or decrease your kid's wiggles before bed.

What you need:

1. A sticky mat

2. Loose clothing

3. Your body

4. Knowledge of basic yoga poses

Your family yoga session can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes depending on your children's age, attention span, and interest. We recommend that you start your family yoga class with three oms while sitting cross legged on the floor with your eyes shut. Let your children play around with the sound, laugh and giggle with each other, and then take time to talk to your kids about how the om felt when it came out. This is a great opportunity to help them bring attention to their own bodies.

Your yoga sequence can consist of any number of poses in any order. Many of the poses are named after animals or things found in nature. Play with the names, act like the animals. Remember, your yoga time should be fun. Don't be worried about doing the pose "right," instead, after each pose ask your children how each pose made their body feel.

End your yoga time with Resting Pose. This can be used as cuddle time as well. Let your children lay on or next to you. Tell your children to listen to their breathing and tell you how it sounds and feels.

If you don't know any yoga poses, check out the True North Directory for local studios and classes, or go online to http://yogajournal.com/ and check out their practice section. A plethora of wonderful yoga videos for both children and adults also provide a great way to get started.

Momma Makeover Madness

2010-04-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

True North hosted a Momma Makeover Contest to celebrate Mother's Day in the Apri/May issue. Check out the online article here (or pick up a print copy, on stands now) and relive all of the Momma Makeover fun by watching winner, Tambi Lane's, video below. You can also read her account of the makeover on her blog here!

Become a fan of the TN Facebook page. Plenty more contests are on the way, and you won't want to miss your chance to win.

Get Kissably Close

2010-03-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Slings! They’ve been all over the news because of recent related infant deaths, and everybody is freaking out. Being a mother of a 2 month old baby boy, I was even freaking out. I have to admit, even though my son is my third child and I am a self-proclaimed babywearer, he is the first of my children to be carried via sling. In the past the way the sling made my babies curl up like a roly-poly and disappear beneath the fabric was disconcerting and felt wrong. I always assumed I just didn’t know how to use the sling properly even though I saw countless other women running around town, sling in tow with their infants hidden somewhere inside. Turns out all of us had it wrong.

Now Infantino, a major sling manufacturer is pulling its SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo models following the death of at least three infants. It seems that these particular models pose an elevated risk of suffocation. Read about the recall here. Parents are strongly urged to return these models immediately

While it is important for parents to be aware of recalls, I think it is even more important for parents to be reminded of the benefits of babywearing and get educated on how to properly use slings. Slings are a wonderful bablywearing option that should still be considered.

Babywearing Benefits (taken from Babywearing International Babywearing Safety Press Realease)

Infants who are carried close to their parents:
• cry less
• are more calm and content
• sleep more peacefully
• nurse better and gain weight better
• enjoy better digestion
• develop better

Babywearing International advises caregivers to follow these positioning guidelines when carrying young infants in wearable carriers:

• DO ensure the baby's back and torso are well supported. Make sure the baby is not curled up such that his chin is pressed to his chest or his airway is otherwise compressed. Ensuring that you can put two fingers vertically between the baby's chin and chest is a good guide.

• DO carry babies how they would be held in-arms.Well-designed front baby carriers hold babies snugly against the chest and near caregiver's face ("Close Enough to Kiss").

• DO monitor the baby at all times. Make sure nothing obstructs the face or impedes breathing.

• DO be aware of movements and surroundings.In general, don't do something while wearing a child that shouldn't be done while simply holding them. Avoid heat sources, bumping and jarring motions, and other hazardous situations.

For correct positioning for your baby while being carried in a sling click here? This information is excellent and followed by beautiful photos that explain everything.

Most importantly, as in everything we do with our children, parents must always stay aware and check in with their infants. If it feels wrong…it probably is. The purpose of babywearing is to help caregivers stay in tune and in sync with their little ones while enjoying all the benefits of being kissably close!

The Map

2010-03-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Admittedly, this blog has been on hiatus for almost a year now. But as True North has grown and changed we have realized a need for a way to communicate all of the stories and interesting parenting stuff that comes up in between issues. Thus The Map was born!

As Editor in Chief, I receive more informative press releases, inspiring stories, and important tips and information for parents than I can possibly shove into each issue of True North. The Map gives me an opportunity to share all of this PLUS the local activities and events that families are dying to know about.

And while I have plenty to share, The Map will also be hosting local bloggers and writers who want to keep you in the know, share some tips and tricks, or just plain ol’ entertain you. So stay tuned and jump in and share your thoughts any time.

Mmmmm. Mother's Day!

2009-05-06T21:23:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day is coming up. Sign your kids up for chocolate making classes on May 8th and 9th. Participants will tour the Goody's factory and make a personalized box of chocolates for mom! Now how cool is that? Sign up at one of the Goody's locations! http://goodyschocolates.com/

Is that a hint of spring I see?

2009-05-02T09:21:00.001-07:00

There's rain. There's a bit of sun. Spring is here! (I am simply choosing to ignore the snow we've had.)

If spring is here, summer is right around the corner. And while we are all looking forward to the sun and warm temps, many of us are dreading figuring out what to do with the kids while we work.

Yes, yes... many of us have to work right through the summer...

Don't stress quite yet! Check out True North's article "Summer Camps, Classes and Adventures" online or on page 51 in the April/May print issue, and pick from a long list of fun options that will leave you wishing you were a kid again!

Ok, time to run outside and work in the yard before the rain (or snow) starts up again!

What's going on around here?

2009-05-01T11:34:00.001-07:00

Looking for something to do tonight? The Tour Du Chocolat is at the Tower Theatre ! $5 gets you 5 pieces of chocolate plus a glass of wine! Yum!

Bring the kids, they'll love it too.

This weekend is packed with cool events! You don't want to miss out so keep up with everything.. check out the TN Calendar.

Did you know?

2009-04-30T12:11:00.001-07:00

Make Sure You Stay Informed!
We are now keeping our readers updated and in-the-loop with Twitter and Facebook!

You don't want to miss out on True North's new Facebook or Twitter pages. Keep informed on what's going on around town with our regular updates and tweets! But that's not all! We will be having contests and content requests that "fans" and "followers" will hear about first. You won't want to miss this opportunity to have some fun and reap the rewards. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for special offers and opportunities from our supporters!

Join The Club!Become a fan of True North's Facebook Page (follow the link below)

We Tweet!
Follow us on Twitter! (follow the link below)

Win big at the 5th Annual Preschool and Child Care Fair!!

2009-02-20T16:56:00.001-08:00

Don’t forget to come visit True North at the 5th Annual Preschool and Child Care Fair TOMORROW. The first 100 through the door will receive a free pass to Working Wonders Children’s Museum. True North is also holding its second annual raffle and you won’t want to miss this opportunity to win the following prizes contributed by local businesses that support families:

· Kiddoz: Win a year membership for up to 2 kiddoz: value $245.

· Janellybean: Win a Birthday Dance Party by Janellybean 30-45 minute includes gift ages:2-8 value:$90.00.

· Jenellybean: Win a “Sing With Janellybean” CD ages newborn-8 value: $10.00.

· Urban Beauty Bar: Win a free mani/pedi and pamper yourself!

· Goody’s: Enjoy goodies from our favorite local candy shop!

The fair is being held at St. Charles Medical Center in the conference rooms from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There will be over 40 booths for families to peruse, gather information from, and children can enjoy musical performances by Janellybean at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Face painting, activities, and refreshments are all included, best off all, admission is FREE!

For more information visit the True North website at http://www.truenorthparenting.com/ and click on the Preschool and Child Care Fair logo.

We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

Thankful!!!

2009-02-02T19:58:00.001-08:00

The February issue of True North has hit the stands and we are thrilled by our reader’s response! I want to thank everyone for the heartfelt words of support that have been sent our way. We want you to know that making sure that each issue of True North is filled with the information you want is our #1 priority. On that note, True North is ecstatic to sponsoring the 5th Annual Preschool and Child Care Fair this year. This fair presents an awesome opportunity for families to get some face to face time with local preschools, child cares, and business owners serving young children and their families. To find out more about the fair check out pg. 23 of the February issue or go to http://www.truenorthparenting.com/ and click on the Preschool and Child Care Fair’s logo.

At True North we are also excited to announce that we have completed our 1st full year of our print issue! Again, we must send a big “Thanks!” out to all those who have supported us. Each issue an amazing team of photographers, writers, and editors come together to create a magazine that truly reflects the heart of the Central Oregon parenting community. Many of these individuals donate their time and hard work in order to make our publication a success. Similarly we have been blessed by many local business owners who have put their faith in our publication and chosen to advertise with us, making the vision of True North a reality. We hope that you will take some time to check out our publication and get to know the individuals and businesses that keep True North on the stands. We feel grateful to have been embraced by our community!

Finally, on pg. 36 of this issue you will find a new opportunity for readership essay contributions. Birth Stories from the High Desert offers our readership the opportunity to send in and share their own personal birth experiences. This is a wonderful way for readers to feel more connected and supported and less alone in their birthing experiences. We are looking for a wide variety of stories and would love accompanying photos. To contribute please send your birth story to info@truenorthparenting.com with “Birth Story” in the subject line.
Once more, we send out a deep heartfelt “Thanks” to all of those who have made True North’s first year a huge success.

Sincerely,
Annette Benedetti
Editor in Chief
True North Parenting

annette@truenorthparenting.com
www.truenorthparenting.com

Adding to our team! Looking for a passionate Graphic Designer!

2009-02-01T09:30:00.001-08:00

True North Parenting Magazine is looking for a highly creative, highly motivated designer to join our team. Our candidate will be responsible for producing fresh and exciting page designs, as well as ad layouts for our customers.

• Must be strong in design, from concept to execution.
• Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines a must.
• Must be self-motivated, with a positive attitude and great work ethic.
• Experience with Adobe InDesign a must.
• Must be passionate about the Central Oregon parenting community and familiar with our publication.

To apply for this job opportunity, please send resume along with cover letter clearly explaining your background and experience as well as your interest. Work samples will be required.All materials should be sent via e-mail to Annette@truenorthparenting.com.

2008-08-15T17:02:00.001-07:00

The August/September issue of True North is on stands now! This back to school issue is full of useful information that is sure to help you get the new school year off to a great start. Check out articles like Emotion Coaching: Making It Through The First Day of School and Homework Wars to help you get your family prepared, and don't miss The Immunization Deliberation. With the ever growing concern over vaccinations and their effect on our children's health, True North decided to dedicate two articles to the subject in order to arm our parenting community with the information they need to make their own personal decisions.

_____________________________________________________

Submit your ideas for the October/November issue of True North!

We are looking for some great holiday craft/recipe ideas and photos for the October/November issue of True North. If you have some fun ideas you would like to share with the True North readership e-mail them via e-mail to info@truenorthparenting.com.

And don't forget to visit the True North Booth at Fiesta Del Sol!
That's right! True North will be hosting a booth at Fiesta Del Sol, Saturday August 16th downtown Bend in Troy Field. The festival will start at 11am and run until 6pm. The event is free and open to the public. It's a family festival celebrating the traditions of Latin America with dance, music, food, art, and lots of activities. True North will offer a maraca making craft activity for kids and we will, of course, have our latest issue on hand. Stop by, say hi, and meet our staff up close and in person!

True North Sponsors the Cascade Children's Festival!

2008-07-18T13:19:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,

This Saturday, July 19th, the 20th annual Cascade Children's Festival will take place in Drake Park and True North is proud to be a sponsor of this incredibly fun and very important event. Festivities will run from 10 am to 4 pm. There will be more than 50 booths of activities for children and entertainment including JanellyBean, a Drum Circle, Gotta Dance performances, and more. There will be food vendors, a stuffed animal corral, face painting, and more! Enjoy a day of true family fun. Ticket prices are 50 cents per activity, or have a full day of fun with a $20 wristband. For more information visit Saving Graces Link on our online magazine!

And don't forget to visit the True North Booth! For one ticket your child can get a cool tattoo, you can grab a free magazine, AND enter our raffle. That's right! True North is holding a raffle and will be giving away cool prizes to the lucky winners. Here is what you stand to win:

$40 Gift Certificate to go towards a lady's haircut from the Hair Gallery!

Two tickets to the play Birth, from the Better Birth Coalition

A Mandala Farm organic skincare basket from Rescue Jr.

A certificate and reusable totes from Stone Soup !

1/2 off doula services from Annie at BLISS!

And goodies from Bambini of Bend!

Remember, proceeds from the Cascade Children's Festival will benefit Saving Grace, Central Oregon's only local provider of emergency and prevention services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Working with community support and volunteers, Saving Grace offers counseling, education, advocacy, and shelter for women and children seeking refuge from violence. Now that's a great cause! So support Saving Grace and the most vulnerable in our community and take some time to check out the festival - you won't be disappointed.

Subscribe!

If you would like our bi-monthy print issue to show up on your doorstep Subscribe Now! You can count on information rich articles that will keep you up to date on hot parenting topics as well as the local happenings in every issue.

And don't forget, if you love True North, then support our adverisers because we wouldn't exsist withouth them!

Sincerely,

The True North Team

True North Creates a Sales Team!

2008-06-03T22:10:00.001-07:00

True North is putting together a sales team and is looking for ad reps who are as passionate about our mission as we are. This is a great job for stay-at-home parents who want to get more involved with our community while making some extra cash. Pay is based solely on commission and training is provided.

Requirements for this position are as follows:

1. You must love True North and be passionate about parenting!
2. An outgoing personality is a huge plus as our advertisers are cool people who we love getting to know.
3. Enjoy working as part of a team, but be able to manage your own time and leads.
4. Previous sales experience is a plus but not a must.
5. Most importantly, you must feel confident in your ability to represent True North’s mission.

For more information about this opportunity call 541-728-0332 and ask for Annette or send an e-mail to Annette@truenorthparenting.com with “Sales Rep” in the subject line.

True North wants to hear from you!!!!

2008-05-29T16:36:00.001-07:00

We know that some of the best parenting advice comes from parents. That’s right! There’s no one better to turn to in difficult times than those who are on the actual front lines learning how to hold it together during the difficult phases all children (an parents) go through. Here is your opportunity to share some of the solutions you have come up with, with the rest of our community. Read the questions below and if you have some words of wisdom, advice, or personal stories you’d like to share, send them to info@truenorthparnting.com and write “If you ask me…” in the subject line:

How do you ease your children out of summer and back into the school routine? Do you have tips on the first day of preschool? Kindergarten? First grade? How about Jr. High and High school? We’d love to hear what works for your family and keep the kids from groaning as school days grow near.

How do you keep the love alive? Let’s face it, with kids, jobs, chores, and all the daily stresses that go along with raising a family…well it can be a little challenging to keep the flame a burnin’ in a relationship. Do you have favorite places you get out to? What do you do when the funds are tight or you can’t find a sitter? Whatever you do, on the cheap, expensive and chic, we’d like to know!

Please note that while all submitted e-mails may be published in both the True North print and online publications, publication is not guaranteed.

True North Parenting hits the newsstands!

2008-04-01T20:06:00.001-07:00

That’s right! Our first print issue is out and being distributed throughout Central Oregon at family friendly locations including, but not limited to: the public schools, libraries, coffee shops (Di Lusso, Thump, Bellatazza, Strictly Organic… and more), children’s stores (Tree Fort, Little Ones, Stone Soup, Baby Phases, Leapin Lizards, Addi, Bambini…and more), doctors offices, grocery stores, restaurants, book stores, and spas.

But don’t worry, if you don’t get out much there is also the option to subscribe to our issue online. You don’t have to go anywhere; True North will just show up on your doorstep!

If you love our information rich articles and directory, then this first issue won’t disappoint. And here’s a little hint…check out the contest on our last page and submit your own “Gentle Reminder” photos to win a prize!

And as always, we love to hear from our readers, so don’t hesitate to send us your feedback. Better yet, if you love writing or photography, check out our submission guidelines and consider submitting your work for our upcoming issues. May’s focus is Celebrating Motherhood and June’s focus is Summer in Central Oregon/Celebrating Fatherhood. We’d love to hear your story and/or thoughts so don’t hesitate to send them our way!

March Issue of True North :: Family Travel Fun

2008-03-01T09:07:00.001-08:00

Photo by Blink Photography

CURRENT ISSUE
March 2008

Letter From the Editor

out + about
Vacation in your Own Backyard

our community
Wanted: Surrogate Grandparents
A Mother's Story

for you
The Unplugged Vacation: Leaving the Virtual World Behind
Reel Life With Jane: Movie and DVD Reviews
Three Great Books for Preschoolers
Dad's Picks for the Month

great outdoors
5 Kid-Tested Hikes: Hit the Trails with your Family this Spring

health + wellness
What is Your Body Telling You:
Exploring Your Physical and Emotional Messengers
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Water Survival

get creative
Spring Bird Feeder

education
Choosing Quality Child Care:
What to Look for, Questions, and More

ages + stages
Children and Chores: Build Responsibility and Self-Esteem
The Family Road Trip: Childhood's Rite of Passage

base camp
Travel Talk: Important Conversations for Vacationing with Kids

Advertising Sales Professionals Needed

2008-02-11T11:20:00.001-08:00

The first edition of our bi-monthly print magazine will be released in early April 2008.

We are looking for ad sales professionals who can help us recruit advertisers for our print and online publications. Sales experience is preferred, but we are open to hearing from anyone with interest.

Compensation is paid as commission based on the total ad sales made. We are offering very competitive rates for our sales team, so please contact us for more information.

For more information about our magazine, please see our website: http://www.truenorthparenting.com

Please email us with your information if you are interested in joining our team!

WinterFest 2008: Don't Miss Family Events!

2008-02-03T12:56:00.001-08:00

Upcoming Family Event: Bend WinterFest 2008

Don't miss out on the many FREE family activities going on at the Bend Winterfest February 8th - 10th.

Read more in our article:
>>WinterFest 2008: Don't Miss Family Events

True North February: Approaching Education

2008-02-03T12:47:00.001-08:00

Our February edition is live!

Approaching Education
In our February edition, True North explores the many educational options in Central Oregon.

February Features

>>Read More in our Current Issue

True North is Live!

2008-01-17T09:05:00.001-08:00

We are very happy to announce that the True North website is live! Read our online January issue. Check out the local Calendar for things to do with the kids. Or use our community Directory to find a new school or doctor.

We will publish a new online edition every month, with new articles from local authors. We will also be adding to our Calendar and Directory every month. So if you know of a great family event or business in the area, please send them our way.

And let us know what you think of the new site!

www.truenorthparenting.com

Thanks for your support,
Nicole and Annette

True North website will launch January 15th!

2008-01-06T08:17:00.001-08:00

So, we were hoping to have True North Parenting up and running by the first, but unforeseen forces held us up (Ok, our estimate was a little naïve). Not to fear! We are working tirelessly and are pleased to announce that IT'S OFFICIAL! we will be live on January 15th.

We’ve had a sneak peak at the site and are extremely pleased and excited it share it with all Central Oregon parents. Remember, we are always looking for new articles and pics so drop us a line or send your work our way.

Thanks,
The True North Team

Server migration

2008-01-04T20:03:00.001-08:00

Hi,

We're migrating servers right now, so if you're have trouble getting a hold of us please call or use our backup email address: truenorthparenting@gmail.com.

Thanks!

541-728-0332

Nicole and Annette

True North partners with Blink Photography

2008-01-04T09:41:00.001-08:00

January 04, 2008

Contact:
Nicole Oliver
Annette Benedetti
(541)728-0332
email

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

True North Partners with Blink Photography of Bend, Oregon

Bend, OR -- True North Publications, which is scheduled to launch a regional online parenting magazine in mid-January, has selected a Bend-based firm as its exclusive cover photographer.

Blink Photography, owned by Anna Spence and Danielle Pratt, features on-location and studio work and specializes in lifestyle portraits. The firm will provide all cover photos for True North, including the website home page, a directory of regional businesses, services and resources due in April 2008, and a print edition of the magazine scheduled for publication in June 2008.

“We chose Blink because it best represents the True North brand – modern, outdoors-oriented and family-centered”, said magazine co-founder Annette Benedetti. “The partnership makes sense from a business standpoint and on a personal level, as Blink is owned by two working moms and creative professionals committed to this region.”

Danielle Pratt, co-owner of Blink, echoed the synergy between the two companies.

“True North’s high quality, informative, and fun publications are going to be a wonderful asset to families in Central Oregon,” she said. “We (Blink) are passionate about family life and found that paralleled in True North. We also take great pride in Central Oregon, and love to support the local companies that better our community, and believe that True North will do just that.

“We’re looking forward to working with the magazine to bring our best to print each month.”

True North is an online magazine dedicated to parenting and other aspects of family life in the Central Oregon region. Following its online magazine launch in January, the magazine’s content will refresh each month with new articles and features. True North welcomes submissions from regional writers and photographers who wish to contribute to the magazine.

See the True North blog for up-to-date information on the website and submission guidelines. Log on to the premiere online issue in January.

Website: www.truenorthparenting.com
Blog: http://truenorthparenting.blogspot.com/