MAY 2014

Dr. Phelps, a pediatric development specialist with the Child Development & Rehabilitation Clinic, specializes in assessing and caring for children and youth with developmental disabilities and behavioral problems. Dr. Phelps will address parent questions related to autism on Thurs., May 1 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to  3 p.m. in room 201 B & C of the Clinical Services Bldg., located at 901 E. 18th Ave. This class is geared for caregivers and parents of children who either have or are in the process of getting an autism eligibility. The class will be held during the day, so please allow extra time for parking. Metered parking is available on 18th Ave., or free, 2-hour parking is available on side streets. Families with children enrolled in A Child’s Garden will attend this training while their child is in class. Childcare will not be provided for this training. To register, please contact your Early Childhood CARES autism consultant by Mon., April 28.

 

The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome will host Tot Discovery Day on Fri., May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. This is a casual, friendly and fun “drop-in” program for parents and preschoolers to discover science together. The cost is free for members, $10 for nonmember parent with child and $2 for each additional child. Registration is not required.

 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History offer free admission the first Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both museums are located on the University of Oregon campus. Visit the museum’s websites for information on current exhibits.

 

The City of Eugene will host the First Friday Family Fun Night on May 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Petersen Barn Community Center, located at 870 Berntzen Rd. in Eugene. Dinner will be served until 6:30 pm. There will also be games, crafts and live entertainment. This is a free drop-in program; no registration is required.

 

The City of Eugene Recreation Services will host a free First Saturday Park Walk on Sat., May 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Dorris Ranch, located at 205 Dorris St. in Springfield. Families should meet in the Dorris Ranch parking lot. Naturalists from the City of Eugene Outdoor Program will lead this interpretive walk. For questions, call 541-682-5329.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

The Eugene Waldorf School will host a May Faire on Sat., May 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1350 McLean Blvd. in Eugene. There will be games, crafts, art, beautiful silk marionette puppet shows, Maypole dancing, cake walks, delicious food and live musical performances. Eugene Youth Ballet will also perform. Admission is free; however, most activities will require tickets, which are $1.50 each.

 

The 61st annual Junction City Pet and Costume Parade Celebration will take place on Sat., May 3 from 11:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. in downtown Junction City (W. 5th Ave. and Greenwood St.). Demos begin at noon with dog training through fun positive games, followed by Springfield Police Department Canine Unit demonstration at 12:30 p.m. and concluding with the parade at 1 p.m. To enter the parade, register at 11:45 a.m. There will be giveaways and children’s prizes for the selected winners. For more information, call 541-998-8852.

 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will host Animal Tales Family Day on Sat., May 3 from noon to 3 p.m. at 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene. Enjoy a day of art making and performances during this free family-friendly event! Explore the galleries and create art inspired by the museum’s collection together.

 

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) will host a Family Fishing Day on Sun., May 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the canoe canal at Alton Baker Park, located at 100 Day Island Rd. in Eugene. Onsite ODFW staff and volunteers will provide all the equipment and teach youth how to bait, cast and reel in their catch. Licenses are required for anyone 14 years and older. Licenses can be purchased online. For more information, visit ODFW Family Fishing Events.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 4 of its Behavior Training for parents of children of preschool age children with challenging behavior on Mon., May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This is an 8-week training to help parents learn effective behavior support strategies. Early Childhood CARES will offer another behavior training in the summer.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Come join a group of parents and share in the joys and struggles of parenting a child with special needs. This is a great group for parents looking to connect with other parents. The bimonthly Early Childhood CARES Parent Support Group will meet on Tues., May 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. The Spanish group will meet in room 145 and the English group will meet in room 201A. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the meeting even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Fri., May 2. Spanish parents should call 541-346-0742. Please note, the support group will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

Come learn helpful tips for making community outings successful on Thurs., May 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in room 201 B & C of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This class is geared for caregivers and parents of children who either have or are in the process of getting an autism eligibility. The class will be held during the day, so please allow extra time for parking. Metered parking is available on 18th Ave., or free, 2-hour parking is available on side streets. Families with children enrolled in A Child’s Garden will attend this training while their child is in class. Childcare is not available for this class. To register, please contact your Early Childhood CARES autism consultant by Mon., May 5.

 

Parents and preschool-age children are invited to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) at the University of Oregon on Fri., May 9 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for stories and hands-on fun, including crafts, songs, games and museum exploration. Little Wonders is hosted the second Friday of every month at MNCH, located at 1680 East 15th Ave. in Eugene. This month children will learn about the different parts of plants and how they grow and thrive. Little Wonders is free for MNCH members and $5 per family for non-members.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network provides Daytime Support the second Friday of every month for families with children who experience emotional, behavioral, mental and/or physical special needs. Daytime Support will be provided on Fri., May 9 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Science Factory, located at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. A light snack will be provided. Preregistration is required. To RSVP, call 541-342-2876.

 

Kids ages 2 to 7 years are invited to the All American Kids Fishing Derby on Sat., May 10 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the River Road Park & Recreation District, located at 1400 Lake Dr. in Eugene. Kids should bring fishing poles, bait and tackle to this fun fishing extravaganza. The wading pool at River Road Park will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. The event is free, but there is a suggested donation of $2 per fish caught. Children must be accompanied by and adult. Call 541-688-4052 for more information.

 

Kids are invited to Dandelions Flowers on Sat., May 10 from 10:30 a.m. through noon for this free event where they can make a bouquet for their mom in celebration of Mother’s Day. Flowers and vases will be provided. All donations will go to the Relief Nursery. Dandelions Flowers is located at 1710 Chambers St. in Eugene. For more information, call 541-485-1261.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will host an ArtAccess Workshop for Children with Special Needs on Sat., May 10 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. This is a free, drop-in art class for K-12 children with developmental, emotional and physical disabilities. The class will be taught by occupational therapists and artists. Reservations are requested. Email Nori Rice or call 541-346-6443 to register. Visit ArtAccess VSA for more information.

 

The University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History will host Bring Mom to the Museum on Sun., May 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In celebration of Mother’s Day, all moms and their families will enjoy free admission to the museum! The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is located at 1680 E. 15th Ave. in Eugene.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 5 of its Behavior Training for parents of children of preschool age children with challenging behavior on Mon., May 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This is an 8-week training to help parents learn effective behavior support strategies. Early Childhood CARES will offer another behavior training in the summer.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

Social thinking is an intuitive process, but for many individuals with autism, this process is anything but natural. Cathy Hyslop and Teresa Copeland, autism consultants with Early Childhood CARES, will host a discussion on social thinking on Thurs., May 15 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in room 201B&C of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. This class is geared for caregivers and parents of children who either have or are in the process of getting an autism eligibility. The class will be held during the day, so please allow extra time for parking. Metered parking is available on 18th Ave., or free, 2-hour parking is available on side streets. Families with children enrolled in A Child’s Garden will attend this training while their child is in class. Childcare is not available for this class. To register, please contact your Early Childhood CARES autism consultant by Mon., May 12.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., May 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 1385 Oakway Rd. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance. Please call 541-345-0805 to make childcare arrangements. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network hosts a monthly Family Support Meeting the third Friday of every month for families of children and youth who experience mental, emotional, behavioral and/or physical special needs. The Family Support Meeting will take place on Fri., May 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Emerald Park Pool, located at 1400 Lake Dr. in Eugene. Kids can swim for free and a light snack will be provided. Preregistration is required. To RSVP, call 541-342-2876.

 

The City of Eugene Recreation Services will host a Family Fit Friday on Fri., May 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sheldon Community Center, located at 2445 Willakenzie Rd. in Eugene. Grab the family and enjoy some recreation time together in the gym, pool and playground. This is a free, family event. Swimming is available for a charge. Registration is not required. Swimming costs $3.75/adult, $3.25/child or $7.50/family. For more information, call 541-682-5312.

 

The 12th annual Eugene Scottish Festival is scheduled for Sat., May 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, located at 3060 River Rd. in Eugene. Families can enjoy the rich traditions of Scotland including Celtic music, dancers and pipers; clan gatherings and Scottish food. Highlights include the Scottish museum and a dog parade. For children under 12 admission is free. For all others, admission is $5 plus a canned food donation.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

The 29th Annual Asian Kite Festival will be held on Sun., May 18 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at Yujin Gakuen Elementary School, located at 250 Silver Lane in Eugene. Beginners and pros are welcome to show off their kite-flying skills at this free event. An all-ages kite competition will award prizes to participants in several categories, including most creative, highest-flying and more!

 

A day of wildflowers, music, food, crafts and microscopes is scheduled for Sun., May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mount Pisgah Arboretum, located on Frank Parrish Road in Eugene. The Wildflower & Music Festival is loaded with fun things to do for everyone in the family. Visit the Wildflower & Music Festival to learn more.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 6 of its Behavior Training for parents of children of preschool age children with challenging behavior on Mon., May 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This is an 8-week training to help parents learn effective behavior support strategies. Early Childhood CARES will offer another behavior training in the summer.

 

Come join a group of parents and share in the joys and struggles of parenting a child with special needs. This is a great group for parents looking to connect with other parents. The bimonthly Early Childhood CARES Parent Support Group will meet on Tues., May 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. The Spanish group will meet in room 145 and the English group will meet in room 201A. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the meeting even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Fri., May 16. Spanish parents should call 541-346-0742. Please note, the support group will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

A support group for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder who live in Mapleton or Florence will meet on Tues., May 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Early Childhood CARES classroom in Florence, located in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot at 2325 Oak St. Childcare is available for children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES’ programs. Parents must register by Wed., May 14. For more information or to register, call Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network hosts a monthly Family Fun Night the fourth Friday of every month for families with children who experience mental, emotional, behavioral and/or physical special needs. The Family Fun Night will be held on Fri., May 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Skate World, located at 3188 Gateway Loop in Springfield. Children must be supervised by their parent or caregiver. The cost is $1 for roller skates or $4 for inline skates.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts(MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

Bridgeway House will host Happy Haircuts on Sat., May 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 1385 Oakway Rd. in Eugene. Children can get a no-tears haircut for $12, and they will create a special fidget toy. Please make sure hair is clean before scheduled haircut. Call 541-345-0805 or email Cindy for a reserved time. Walk-ins are welcome!

 

The Cascades Raptor Center will host a Family Nature Discovery Day on Sun., May 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at 32275 Fox Hollow Rd. in Eugene. Enjoy a day outside with the family, visit the birds, participate in fun activities, crafts and learn new and interesting things about the natural areas that surround us. Admission fee is $5 to $8, plus a $2 activity fee. The $2 activity fee is waived for families riding their bikes or hiking the Ridgeline Trail to the event.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host its monthly Dinner Night on Wed., May 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4181 E St. in Springfield. This month’s topic will focus on picky eaters. Childcare will be provided, but parents must RSVP in advance. Please RSVP by emailing Sydney Shook or calling 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Debbie Laimon, an early childhood school psychologist who developed Sensory Story Time for the Eugene Public Library, will share tips for making story time fun for children with autism on Thurs., May 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. in room 201B&C of the Clinical Services Building, 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This class is geared for caregivers and parents of children who have or in the process of getting an autism eligibility. This class will be held during the day, so please allow extra time for parking. Metered parking is available on 18th Ave., or free, 2-hour parking is available on side streets. Families with children enrolled in A Child’s Garden will attend this training while their child is in class. Childcare is not available for this class. Registration deadline: Tues., May 27. To register, please contact your Early Childhood CARES autism consultant.

 

Providence Children’s Health and the Oregon Zoo invite families of children with special needs for a free, fun-filled afternoon at the zoo on Thurs., May 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. The Oregon Zoo is located at 4001 SW Canyon in Portland. There are a limited number of free tickets for this event, and preregistration is required. Families will be limited to 5 free tickets. A ticket is required for each family member entering the zoo. Families can pick up reserved tickets inside the zoo’s front gates beginning at 4 p.m. To register, visit Providence Community Classes. Search by class name for “Swindells Center-Zoo Day-Portland.” To register by telephone, call 503-215-2429 or 800-833-8899 ext. 52429. Spanish families may call 503-574-6595.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., May 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 1385 Oakway Rd. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance. Please call 541-345-0805 to make childcare arrangements. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

Come one, come all to Early Childhood CARES Annual Family Fun Night! Bring the whole family for a fun evening of indoor and outdoor carnival games on Friday, May 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bertha Holt Elementary School, located at 770 Calvin St. in Eugene. Children will enjoy face painting, crafts, games & entertainment. Parents can learn about community resources & fun summer activities for kids. Please call 541-346-2578 to preregister by Wed., May 28.

 

Come to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History of Fri., May 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. for the grand opening of Explore Oregon!, a state-of-the-art exhibit showcasing the dynamic forces that shape Oregon’s landscapes and ecosystems. Admission is free for this event. The museum is located at 1680 E 15th Ave. in Eugene.

 

This fun family friendly event will feature hot rods and classic cars in downtown Junction City. The Show and Shine event will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature an array of makes, models and sizes. From 6 to 8 p.m., families will enjoy one of the best cruises in the state. Visit Function 4 Junction to learn more.

 

Join the Moombah gang for the Magical Moombah! Skyscraper Caper on Sat., May 31 at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, located at 868 High St. in Eugene. The Magical Moombah! is a musical vaudeville for kids. There will be two performances: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The event admission fee is $5. To learn more, visit The Magical Moombah.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History will host an Explore Oregon! Open House on Sat., May 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Open House celebrates the opening of Explore Oregon!, a state-of-the-art exhibit showcasing the dynamic forces that shape Oregon’s landscapes and ecosystems. Admission is free for this event. The museum is located at 1680 E 15th Ave. in Eugene.

 

The Early Childhood CARES 2013 Family Survey will arrive in mailboxes shortly. Please take time to complete and return the survey. Your feedback is valuable as it helps Early Childhood CARES monitor the quality of its programs and continually make improvements. Your feedback also helps Early Childhood CARES staff learn and grow. This year, there will be a drawing for one parent to win a $50 Fred Meyer gift card. Surveys must be postmarked by June 18 to be entered in the drawing. All surveys are confidential, so please provide honest feedback.