Things I’ve Learned
After working at Atlantic Records in L.A. for 12 years as VP of alternative promotion, Kris Arnold made her way to Bend, Ore., where she has made her home for the past 14 years. Presently, she DJ’s for local station, 92/9, is their musical director and hosts the local show, Highway 97 every Tuesday. Kris…
Quick & Easy Weeknight Family Dinners
Between work, school and extracurricular activities, it can be tough to put healthy, family dinners on the table. Here are a few ideas to help with the weeknight food blues! Fall Pantry Staples Store in a cool, dry place: Onions Garlic Sweet potatoes Polenta Dry beans/lentils Rice Pasta Salt, good quality Coarsely ground black pepper…
Join the FAN Club!
Imagine being too young to provide for yourself, but your family is struggling to provide for you. It’s not because they aren’t trying, but because they have encountered some obstacles in our ever-changing community of Central Oregon. Imagine winter break is approaching and a Family Access Network advocate prepares a backpack full of non-perishable food…
Editor’s Note
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”— Benjamin Franklin As the long days of summer wane and evenings turn chilly, it’s time to savor precious unstructured time before the start of the school year. Looking ahead, take some time to address any hurdles you may encounter regarding family schedules or individual needs…
Going a Different Route
As the summer starts winding down, it’s time once again to think about education. While most kids enjoy some aspect of school—the actual learning, seeing friends or developing relationships with teachers—the typical brick-and-mortar classroom setting doesn’t allow all children to be successful. Bend-La Pine Schools realizes this and offers an online program for all students,…
Q&A
Q My 7th grade daughter comes home every day and talks incessantly about the drama of the school day. I’m beginning to feel like I’m following a soap opera and find myself looking forward to the next chapter. Is this healthy for her (and me)? A Congratulations on having a middle school daughter who talks to you.…
Little Feet on the Street
We asked these day campers at The Athletic Club of Bend, “What would you do if you were principal for a day?” Poppy, 9: Teach about animals and why they are important to the planet. Then, I’d give a test and if they passed, I’d throw a party. Lou, 8: Let everyone play Minecraft. Ashely,…
Bookshelf
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Be the King of Kindergarten and surround your day with shapes, the alphabet and new stories. Barnes’s latest picture book depicts a young boy’s first day of kindergarten. He is the King of Kindergarten from the moment he wakes up to his full day…
Fall Events
MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS BMX PRACTICE AND RACING SPORTS – For riders of all skill levels. Great for kids to come work on biking skills and get comfortable on a closed track. Loaner bikes and helmets are available. Must wear long sleeved shirt, pant/knee protection and closed-toe shoes. Mon., 5:30-7:30pm and Wed., 5:30-6:30pm. Racing is at…
Call Time
“Places everyone, places, AND action!” Listening to the detailed planning and logistics which funnels into each production at BEAT Children’s Theatre, the operation could easily be mistaken for Broadway. Since its inception 13 years ago, BEAT has hosted over 57 productions. Having recent playbills like “Lion King JR.,” “Oliver!” and “Peter Pan” under their belt,…
The Best Laid Plans
Heading back to school after a fun-filled summer is difficult for many children, but some students face more challenges than others. For kids with autism and their families, the transition is a disruption that is anxiety-provoking and requires time, energy and groundwork beyond the usual back-to-school shopping trips to prepare. “It can be a challenge…
Death By Children
I quit. I am hip deep in laundry. There are 17 more shoes than feet in our front hall—not pairs, just single shoes. There’s a kid I don’t know sleeping on the couch. There’s a dog I don’t know drinking out of my toilet. My fridge is loaded to the gills with old Chinese food and…
Starry Nights
Where can you find a winged horse, a dragon, a warrior and a swan, all on the same evening? Just look up! Stargazing in Central Oregon, where dark skies are easy to find, offers the perfect opportunity for families to connect to nature and expand their horizons – literally! As autumn approaches, daylight hours grow…
North Star Elementary
Wearing a hard hat, Kevin Gehrig strolled through the almost-completed North Star Elementary on a recent afternoon. Gehrig, the principal of Bend-La Pine Schools’ newest school, waved with an easy familiarity to builders adding finishing touches. Since the ground breaking on May 1, 2018, Gehrig has spent many days here, witnessing and sometimes giving input…
Ramping Up After School Care
If you’re a parent who’s not yet aware of the child care crunch in Central Oregon, prepare for a rude awakening. And with changes to school start times ahead for the 2019-2020 school year, that problem has only gotten worse. Two local agencies, however, are ramping up to fill the need. In October, Bend-La Pine…
Back Off, Mama Bear
Our society celebrates the Mama Bear. You know, the mothers who ferociously protect and rescue their children from any and every difficulty that appears. And why shouldn’t these women be idealized? Isn’t a child’s welfare a parent’s top priority? Even before the children are born, homes are baby-proofed and every protection possible is put in…
