Pearl District Kids

Join up with other parents and grandparents to celebrate Halloween in the Pearl. Pearl Parents Alliance is hosting a meet and greet at 4:30 in front of the Green Frog toy store. Green Frog is on NW 11th between Lovejoy and Marshall, across from the Metropolitan construction site.
 
Also on Halloween, Lynnette (concierge at the Park Place building) is coordinating a trick or treat event from 5:00 until 8:00 on the 31st. This was a great success last year, and promises to be even bigger and better. Please contact her at 503.243.6147 or concierge@msipm.com if you’d like to learn more.

The Kid started in Childrens House at Childpeace Montessori about three weeks ago. Would love to meet up with other Pearl parents and grandparents who are part of the Childpeace community. Please email me at info@pearldistrictkids.com if you’re interested.
 
All in all it has been a positive change for our family. The Kid has really taken to the new school, and seems to love the culture and the teachers. We have our first parent teacher conference this evening, so will get a chance to ask questions. I will say that it’s quite a transition, both for the parents and the child.
 
One benefit for me is that I get to walk from my downtown office all the way down to the Fremont Bridge. Along the way, I walk past the ‘last park’ slated as part of the original Pearl District development plan. Conversations on what to do with that site are just starting to pick up. A Pearl Parent Alliance parent is on the planning committee, so stay tuned for more information.
 
In addition to stretching my legs, the walk to Childpeace takes me through a neighborhood (past Northrup) that I wouldn’t otherwise see. There’s a stretch of 12th where we always see skateboarders, some of them seem pretty skilled. And a surprising number of the low industrial buildings are being renovated, rather than knocked down. Although the Trimet #16 drops me off a block from Childpeace, I plan to keep walking as long as the weather holds.

Jamison Park was lovely this evening around 8:00. We were walking by, actually headed to the swamp park, when The Kid decided he needed a dip. Next thing I knew he was stripped down and racing through the water - carefree and happy. There were only a handful of kids and parents, and only one dog, and it was a pretty perfect scene. Read More...

Astoria, Oregon is worth a trip with kids. We were just there for a wedding, and were traveling in a band. A three year old, two year old, and a 6 month old all escorted by their adults. The downtown is very walk-able, most of the time we left The Kid’s stroller at the Hotel Elliot and went out on foot.
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The Oregonian's article yesterday on kid-positive upscale restaurants, while great, missed a few excellent Pearl District spots. Silk and Park Kitchen never fail to provide a great dining experience for our entire family. Read More...

After breakfast at Fullers (Teddy Bear pancake for The Kid, toast from Suzie’s home made bread for me) we met up with friends who are new to the Pearl and headed off into the neighborhood for adventure.

We strolled up Glisan, crossed the freeway and headed North on 17th. The olive trees in front of the old Casanis have thrived, and are covered with fruit. It didn’t take long before both children had spied the two firetrucks parked in front of the station, and the firemen washing them. As always, this fire station goes all out for kids. Soon The Kid and his friend were sporting red plastic fire helmets, sticker fire badges, and playing with trading cards. Neither wanted to ring the fire bell (too scary) but a friendly fireman obliged. Read More...

Vancouver BC can teach the Pearl a few things about child friendly urban planning. Just spent the weekend with a host of community-minded folks touring housing, community centers, schools and childcare.

The focus on mixed income family housing was inspirational. But what really sticks in my mind, as a Pearl Parent, are the community centers. They house gyms, cafes, art rooms and craft rooms for all ages. They're located near day care, after school programs and in one case an actual school. They’re close to housing, and engage the outdoors.

Kudos to Vancouver, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Let’s find a way to build it here. Zimmerman Community Center is doing great work. Contact them if you’re interested in helping them explore how they can serve children in the Pearl.

We strolled down 10th at twilight this afternoon and enjoyed the courtyards, plazas and passageways along the street.

The Kid loves the waterfall courtyard in the middle of the block between Davis and Everett. The trolley stop there is closest to our building, and he calls it ‘the waterfall stop’. This is also a fascinating place for children due to art installations, bamboo plants and the musical instrument selection at the Fairly Traded store accessible from the courtyard. This courtyard is a ‘must visit’ if the temperature dips below freezing, as the waterfall becomes an ice sculpture. Read More...

Made two stops at the corner of 10th and Flanders and found everything I needed for a baby shower. And, both stores have great children’s play areas and gift wrapping.

Found organic cotton onesies, zipper suits, helmet caps and blankets in buttercup yellow and stripes at Hanna Andersson. And the only socks that ever stayed on Jake’s feet when he was little and squirmy. He still sleeps in zipper suits, and it’s so nice to see the selection of organic cottons. Read More...

Saturdays during the winter require a certain amount of creativity. And parental wakefulness. And therefore coffee. The rest of the year it’s easy to head straight to the Farmers’ Market – on foot if we’re up to it, and via streetcar if we’re feeling lazy.

So in late March, with the Market still a week away, we went on a full fledged adventure. Jason was working, so The Kid and I bundled up against the briskness. Read More...