Supporters of keeping Colwood National Golf Course zoned as open space have unveiled a new website that outlines the problems that would result from allowing industrial development on this golf course.  The purpose of the website is to provide interested citizens with a way to get informed on the issue and to take action; any time day or night.

The rezoning of Colwood is opposed by numerous neighborhood, environmental, and business groups including the North Northeast Business Association, the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA), and the Audubon Society. These disparate groups oppose the rezoning because it would result in a permanent loss of open space, negatively impact the wildlife and habitat of the Columbia and Whitaker Slough, and increase pollution in North and Northeast Portland.

More info can be found at KeepColwoodGreen.com

Want to honor your mama or a mama you know and make the world a better place? Here are a couple of ideas from Portland-based non-profits:

  • Honor your mama by giving purchasing a Breastfeeding Kit from Mercy Corps. Breastfeeding has been called “a natural safety net against the worst effects of poverty.” But breastfeeding rates are alarmingly low in one place where that safety net is needed most: downtrodden neighborhoods in Jakarta — Indonesia’s sprawling, 23-million-person capital. This kit covers cost to train a breastfeeding counselor to support mothers and their families at a neighborhood health clinic in Jakarta.
  • Plant a Tree in Honor or Memory of Your Mama. For $25 Friends of Trees will plant a young native tree in honor of your friend or loved one and send a card to the person you designate acknowledging your gift. For $50 they will plant a grove of six native trees!

Baby Blue Lightning Bolt Raglan TeeAll sorts of stuff..

Super cool, mama-made shirts for the like Hero in your life (Hero is gender-neutral! Just ask my daughter Super Chica!)

Amber Teething necklaces! These have been used traditionally as a baby teething remedy. By wearing Baltic amber close to the skin, the necklace helps to calm and soothe teething babies. Clearly not a FDA-approved statement but we know more than a few folks who swear by them, and they look pretty cool as well…

swaddle wrap

Solana Swaddling Blankets! These 100% cotton, soft and thin baby swaddle blankets are designed to comfort babies without overheating them. They are also made large enough to ensure a secure swaddle for either a small or big baby. A great warm weather swaddling blanket. Of course we still offer the super-styling blankets from SwaddleDesigns as well.

American Apparel Karate Pants in the sizes and colors you need. Fashionably wide-cut legs, 100% Baby Rib Cotton, looks great on boys and girls.
Quite Contrary Organic Yoga Shirts for the Little Ones…because even the little yoga masters should look the part.

UPDATE: It was a fun event, despite the weather. We’ll do it again next year.

Weekly Yoga at the store is still happening! 

Be sure to come to the Wellness Event this Saturday, May 3rd! Among the wonderful free and informative activities will be a free yoga class for kids aged 4 and up taught by Elizabeth Wilson Woodyard! This will be at 2 pm at NE 30th and Killingsworth!

Elizabeth is a mother of two and has more than 17 years experience as a yoga instructor for people of all ages. She brings a love of children, nature, and music into the yoga experience. Elizabeth teaches the drop-in Mommy-Child Yoga Classes at Milagros on Mondays (see the calendar for more detail on those classes).

See you Saturday!

UPDATE: Hope you can join us next year!

Join us for this great FREE, family-friendly Wellness Celebration!

When: Saturday, May 3rd from 10 am - 3 pm
Where: Fox Chase Corners (NE 30th Avenue & Killingsworth)
What: An outdoor health event featuring an endless list of wonderful activities and information including:

  • Free toy screening for lead - at Milagros from 10 am - Noon
  • Free Baby Boot Camp Class at 1 pm - outdoors!
  • Yoga for youth ages 4 and up! at 2 pm - outdoors!
  • Breastfeeding Support by lactation consultants, Le Leche League, Nursing Mothers’
    Council, and Zenana Spa!
  • Naturopathic child wellness screenings
  • Chiropractic wellness screenings for children and adults by David Higginson, DC and Rebecca Higginson, DC
  • Medical pediatric nutrition by Chrissie Ott, MD
  • Free lead tests for your home
  • Sign-up area for elder care community group (Concordia Care Network)
  • Walgreens pharmacists on site to discuss medicare and prescription benefits
  • Audiology – Pacific Audiology hearing specialists
  • Acupuncture/Chinese medicine by Carie Klein, LAc
  • Tai chi in the streets by Nadav Aharonov and Margo Goodman
  • Yoga in the streets by Allison Alstrom
  • Nutrition/Weight/Lifestyle/Behavioral Health by Bob Wilson
  • Massage and touch for health by Angela, Amy, and Erin of the Concordia Movement Center
  • Live Music by chamber groups from Portland Community Wind Band

Please join us for this wonderful spring event!

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UPDATE: Join us for the next Crafty Mamas on Saturday, May 24th!

Our monthly Crafty Mamas Bazaar is THIS Saturday, April 26. Each month we feature local mama-preneurs in the Family Room. This event is 11 am - 3 pm on the fourth Saturday of the month. On tap this month:

  • See samples of artistic baby announcements by Elle Zober of Zober Images
  • Barbara Anderman will be showing her hand-made jewelry
  • Handmade items for baby and mama by Christina Bissell! We also carry Christina’s work at Milagros
  • Fun shirts and more from Go Goose Go! We also carry a selection of their tops at Milagros
  • Ridiculously cute fashions by Violet Craft of kung fu bambini!
  • Candles and essential oils by Crystal Covelle!
  • Zippy stroller covers and more by Brandy Penner!
  • Super stylish items for baby and child made from recycled materials by Danielle Maes!

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We learned today that PB & Ellie’s is closing. We frequented this kid-friendly cafe when it was on NE Fremont, we only got to the West side location a couple of times but always enjoyed it.

Thank you Heidi for your dedication to your dream and we wish you all the best!

From PB & Ellie’s Cafe:

“Dear Friends,

Today we are closing the doors of PB & Ellie’s Café.

For the last several years I have had the gift of owning and running this business. It has been more than a restaurant, but a dream, both for myself and many others. When I first joined the cafe I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was a new mother, leaving one career to work part time in a family business towards the goal of a balanced life. I invested money in Peanut Butter & Ellie’s as a side project in something that I personally believed in but didn’t have the time to do on my own… Over time, my part time “day” job had grown into a large full time responsibility. At the same time my involvement in the restaurant grew, first with a move to a new location and then changing drastically when my business partner, the person in charge of daily operations left. Unplanned I found myself with a full time job, a family and a restaurant that was mine alone to run.

For the last several years I have done my best to continue to build this dream. The more I worked at it, the more it filled my heart. I have grown to deeply love PB & Ellie’s, the idea of bringing families together in a place where all members of the family feel nurtured, the importance of feeding ourselves and our children well, the joy of being connected to a community. I found deep satisfaction in the creativity and fun of our events, activity and menus. And I found meaningful challenges in the logistics of business operations. I found wonderful support in staff, customers and the public. I did my very best. We were far from perfect, but we did our best.

But here I was a woman and a mother leading businesses that promote health, nurturance and balance while myself living a life that was deeply off balance. I kept thinking that was OK as long as it was short term. But as “short term” grew into years, I knew I had to find an end. It had to be some day, so that end is today.

I cannot say how much my family and I will miss PB & Ellie’s, my team and my customers. I cannot thank you all enough for all the love and support you have shown us, and for sharing your lives and especially your beautiful darling kiddos with us. I truly love you all. I share this detail to explain to those who I know will miss us too.

If you had a goodbye wish, story or thought you’d like to share, please feel free to respond to this email or respond through the link on our web page at www.pbecafe.com

As for the future, please remember you can still find our PB & Ellie’s Healthier Choice Kids’ Menu at Mark Lindsays’ Rock & Roll Café on NE Sandy. I also hope to continue our fun events calendar, partnering with other locations to host, in addition to continuing to write and speak on good-for-you family eating. As more and more people become aware of the importance of feeding our families well and spending quality time together, the possibilities for the future are endless!!!

Yours Truly,

Heidi
PB & Ellie’s Cafe”

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival has been extended to Sunday, April 27th!

We spent a few hours there yesterday tip toeing through the tulips and marveling at the flowers AND mixed-up weather - it’s sunny! dude, I’m freezing!…Ahhh, it’s sunny again! wait, is that snow?…

Still, the field  was absolutely beautiful and the kids enjoyed the slides, horse swings, rubber duck races, and more.

The Wooden Shoe Farm is about a 45 minute drive from Portland. Directions may be found on the Tulip Festival Website. Tulip festival admission is $5 per car. Pack a lunch, bring a few bucks for the various diversions and treats, and enjoy!

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Lead-based paint was used in many homes built prior to 1978. When lead-based paint is disturbed it creates dust and this dust can be very hazardous to children. To help you test your home for lead hazards, Milagros is distributing FREE lead testing kits from the Portland Development Commission to residents of Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, or Clark County.

Come in anytime to request your free kit! Only kit one per household.

If you can’t make it in or just want to learn more about how to minimize lead hazards in your home, call the Lead Hazard Program line at 503-823-3400

You can also pick up a free kit and more information during the Concordia Wellness Fair on May 3rd!

Please note that this kit will NOT work for testing toys

Friday, April 18, 11 am: Portland Metro Mocha Moms! Join in for good conversation and good company. This weekly support group meeting (aka chat and plays) allows moms to discuss important parenting (and personal) issues while the children play! Mocha Moms, is a support group for mothers of color. Anyone who supports the mission of Mocha Moms is welcome! For more information, e-mail: portlandmocha@gmail.com

Saturday, April 19, 11 am - Noon: Naked Baby Clothing Swap! Celebrate Earth Day by Recycling your baby’s wardrobe! Bring gently-used items with no stains, rips or tears, missing buttons or broken zippers in sizes newborn up to 5T. Please no toys, books or games — just items to wear. It helps to sort your clothing beforehand (so you have more time to shop!) in these five categories:

  • newborn to 12 months
  • 12-24 months
  • 2T/3T
  • 4T/5T
  • maternity

There are no limits to how much to bring or take, we just ask that you take what you need. Please bring a bag to carry home all of your new-to-you finds! Any leftover items will be donated.

Sunday, April 20, 11 am - 1 pm: Babywearing Gathering! The Portland Baby Wearing group meets once a month at Milagros. This is a casual forum for getting your questions on babywearing answered by other mamas and/or to share your own babywearing stories. More info on the Portland Baby Wearing group may be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PDX_Babywearing

Monday, April 21, Mommy-Baby Yoga! Join Elizabeth Wilson Woodyard for these special Yoga classes for parents and infants (infants and crawler to 2 years old). These classes require no prior yoga experience and is a great way to relax, learn and practice simple yoga in a warm and joyful environment for parents and children. To sign-up or for more information, contact Elizabeth at 503-708-3686 or lizzio@live.com

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