OCTOBER 2013

Bring the family to Lone Pine Farm and be entertained in the ten acre corn maze! Lone Pine Farm, located at 91909 River Road in Junction City, is open Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for children 11 years and under, and $6 for children 12 years and older.

 

Celebrate the harvest season at the Northern Lights Family Farm, located at 36777 Wheeler Rd. in Pleasant Hill. Colonial Harvest Days will run Tuesday through Sunday, Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Tractor hayrides to the pumpkin patch! Festivities include a pumpkin trebuchet, live music, tractor hay rides to the pumpkin patch, pie eating contests and more. Kids can also visit the cows, goats, chickens and pigs and see some GIANT pumpkins.

 

Sensory Storytime will start again on Wed., Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. at the Eugene Public Library, which is located at 100 W. 10th Ave. This is a gathering designed especially for children with sensory integration or other special needs. All children are welcome to enjoy these fun stories, songs, and word play developed by Debby Laimon, Early Childhood School Psychologist. As with all Eugene Public Library storytimes admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

A new exhibition called “Roll, Drop, Bounce – The Science of Motion” will open at The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome on Wed., Oct. 2 at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. The new exhibition will explore the physical properties of motion, and the seemingly magical ways it works. The cost is free for members, $10 for nonmember parent with child and $2 for each additional child.

 

All parents are invited to join the Early Intervention (EI) Council on Thurs., Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the second floor boardroom at the Eugene Hearing and Speech Center, which is located at 1500 W. 12th Avenue in Eugene. This is an opportunity for parents to meet representatives from community agencies who may serve their child and receive training on a variety of topics. At this month’s meeting, Early Childhood CARES Co-Director Judy Newman will present Lane County’s plan for the early learning hub. Childcare will not be provided; however, a stipend is available for self-arranged childcare. To register, please call 541-346-2578. This is a great opportunity for parent involvement and parent input!

 

The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome will host Tot Discovery Day on Fri., Oct. 4 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.

 

The City of Eugene will host the First Friday Family Fun Night on Oct. 4 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.

 

Celebrate Cottage Grove’s historic covered bridges with good old fashioned family fun at the free Oregon Covered Bridge Festival on Sat., Oct. 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Bohemia Park, located at 10th and Main St. in Cottage Grove. Check out the bridges from above in a hot air balloon, or keep your feet on the ground with a guided tour of six local bridges. Join in Punkin Chunkin with a trebuchet that can hurl an 8 lb pumpkin over 300′! Kids can enjoy geocaching, pioneer kid games, arts and crafts and a running relay.

 

Join the Moombah gang for fun and songs as they present The Shlubby Submarine on Sat., Oct. 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 2 p.m. at The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, located at 868 High St. in Eugene. The cost is $5

 

The Arc Lane County will offer its Saturday Respite Program on Sat., Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4181 E St., Springfield. This is a low- cost program the Arc Lane County provides to families the first Saturday of each month. The cost is $10 per day per child with disability and $5 per day for siblings. Families must email Sydney Shook or call 541-343-5256 ext. 113 as soon as possible to confirm space availability and reserve a spot for their child.

 

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Oregon will host Dig it! Fall Family Day on Sun., Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1680 East 15th Ave. in Eugene. Families will dig for clues about the past just like historical archaeologists do, and enjoy crafts and other hands-on activities. Great for all-ages! This event is free for members, and $5 per family for nonmembers. Half-price memberships will be available on Family Day.

 

For children up to age 13. Bring gently used costumes to the Willamalane Center for Sports and Recreation, located at 250 S. 32nd St. in Springfield, during the drop-off days of Mon., Oct. 7 through Fri., Oct. 11, 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Children will receive a “swap ticket,” and can redeem the ticket for a “new” costume at the swap on Sat., Oct. 12. Costumes will be subject to availability and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a workshop designed to help parents adjust to their “new normal” life of raising a child with different needs. The workshop will be held on Tues., Oct. 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Avenue, Eugene. Parents will learn ways to process their feelings and how to deal effectively with them, as well as tips for self-care. Gail Richards, MSW and a parent of a child with special needs, and Judy Newman, co-director and founder of Early Childhood CARES, will co-facilitate this workshop. This workshop will be in English, and a Spanish interpreter will be available. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Fri., Oct. 4. Spanish parents should call 541-346-0742 by Fri., Oct. 4. This workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) will host a free training on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on Thurs., Oct. 10 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Eugene Faith Center, 1410 W. 13th Ave., Eugene. The training will explore the basics of these two diagnoses and the general behaviors associated with children who experience them. Children’s activities will be available; however, children must be preregistered. For more information or to register, contact OFSN at 541-342-2876.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance if childcare is needed. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Oregon will host its monthly program Little Wonders – Stories and Activities for Young Children (ages 3-5 years) on Fri., Oct. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at 1680 East 15th Ave. in Eugene. This is a fun program that includes crafts, songs, games and museum exploration with a new theme and new activities each month.

 

The A Team Justice League will host a movie night on Fri., Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at The Arc Lane County, 4181 E St., Springfield. The featured films will be It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Hotel Transylvania. Families are encouraged to bring pillows, blankets and snacks.

 

Come join a group of parents and share in the joys and emotional struggles of parenting a child with special needs. The bimonthly Parent Support Group will meet on Tues., Oct. 15 and Tues., Oct. 29 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Avenue, Eugene. The parent support group is offered to both English and Spanish-speaking parents. The Spanish group will meet in room 145; 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., Oct. 11 for the Oct. 15 meeting and by Fri., Oct. 25 for the Oct. 29 meeting. Spanish parents, please call 541-346-0742 to register. Please note, the support groups 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., Oct. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Early Childhood CARES in Florence, which is located at 2325 Oak St. (in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot). Childcare is available for children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES program. Parents must register for childcare by calling 541-997-1513 by Sept. 15. For more information, call Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

The Statutory Oversight Committee (SOC) will meet on Wed., Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Early Childhood CARES, 299 E. 18th St., Eugene. The SOC is comprised of service providers, local service agencies, school district personnel and Early Childhood CARES parents who meet to discuss fiscal issues and the delivery of services to children and their families. The SOC greatly values parent input; please attend if you can! Childcare will not be provided; however, a stipend is available for self-arranged childcare. Please call 541-346-2578 to register by Mon., Oct. 13.

 

Nearby Nature will host its 17th annual Haunted Hike in Alton Baker Park (Club Rd. & Coburg Rd. in Eugene) on Fri., Oct. 18 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.! Bring your flashlight and join the fun with a family-oriented hike led by nature guides and festively lit by pumpkins throughout the Alton Baker woods. Kids will enjoy delicious tricky treats and create creepy crafts. Preregistration is required. The Haunted Hike is free for Nearby Nature members and $5 per person for non-members. Call 541-687-9699 to register.

 

In honor of Crime Prevention Month and Fire Prevention week, The Springfield Police Department will host a Community Safety Fair on Sat., Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gateway Mall. There will be activities for children, police canine demonstrations, emergency vehicles and safety information. McGruff the crime dog will visit at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact 541-726-3731.

 

Ride through the “haunted” trails of Dorris Ranch to celebrate Halloween, where zombies, ghosts, mummies and even historic figures await in the shadows of the filbert trees. Play games and make spooky crafts in the barn before your hayride, then warm up afterward with a hot beverage and some treats. Dorris Ranch Living History Farm is located at 205 Dorris St. in Springfield. The cost of the hayride is $6 to $7.50. Space is limited. Call 541-736-4544 to reserve a spot.

 

Tired of your child only eating chicken nuggets? Want to learn how to introduce new foods to your child’s diet? Come learn strategies for expanding diets and establishing healthy feeding habits at the Feeding Your Resistive Eater Workshop on Wed., Oct. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Brattain Early Learning Center Library, located at 425 10th St. in Springfield. Early Childhood CARES will teach parents tips and tricks to help with their picky eater. Elaine Toper, Early Childhood CARES occupational therapist, and Cathy Hyslop, Early Childhood CARES autism specialist, will co-lead this workshop.This workshop will be in English. Spanish-speaking parents may request an interpreter. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Please call 541-346-2578 to register for the workshop and arrange your childcare needs by Mon., Oct. 21. Spanish parents should call 541-346-0742 to register by Mon., Oct. 21. Please note, parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. The workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Families Connected will host its monthly Dinner Night on Wed., Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4181 E St. Families Connected is a way for parents to come together to support each other and be supported. Dinner and respite care will be provided. The topic for this month’s meeting is assisted technology. Robin Shobe with Augment Oregon will be the guest speaker. Please RSVP by emailing Sydney Shook or calling 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance if childcare is needed. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

Kids and their families are invited to a special edition of the Eugene, Cascades and Coast Kids’ Adventure Club on Fri., Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bohemia Park, which is located at 10th and Main St. in Cottage Grove. This free event will offer educational and hands-on opportunities for kids to learn about covered bridges. Kids can make miniature replicas of covered bridges and other themed crafts. There will also be opportunities to win prizes. Complimentary morning refreshments will be served.

 

The River Road Park & Recreation District will host a Howl-O-Ween Hunt on Fri., Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. 1400 Lake Dr. in Eugene. There will be a costume contest, spooky games and creepy cuisine! Kids and parents are invited to come in their costumes for a thrilling night of fun.

 

The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome will host a Mad Scientists’ Halloween Extravaganza on Wed., Oct. 30 from 3 to 7 p.m. at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. There will be eerie experiments, scary science, pumpkin launching and other Halloween fun! Costumes are encouraged. The cost is $10 for members; $15 for a family of four and $2 for each additional person.

 

Families Connected and Early Childhood CARES are seeking families who would like to have their child photographed. Families Connected will use the photographs for a book it is creating to educate others about the disability community, and Early Childhood CARES will use the photos for its website. Photo sessions will be held Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tiffany Mamalove will be the photographer, and photos will be taken at Thistledown Farm, which is located at 91455 River Rd. in Junction City. Email Sydney Shook or call 541-343-5256 ext. 113 to reserve a time. If you can’t make this photo session, don’t stress. Future photo sessions will be scheduled in Early Childhood CARES classrooms.

 

The Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) and Families Connected will host a Sibshops workshop in November. The workshop is designed for brothers and sisters (ages 8-13 years) who have a sibling with a developmental disability. Sibshops follows a set curriculum that allows brothers and sisters to express their feelings and have fun. The group will meet for six weeks, starting Tues., Nov. 5. The workshop will be held in the late afternoon at the Clinical Services Building on the University of Oregon campus, 901 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. Email Sydney Shook or call 541-343-5256 ext. 113 to sign up.

 

Starting in October, eligibility for Medicaid (the Oregon Health Plan) is expanding and financial assistance is available for many Oregonians who want to purchase new private insurance plans. Mental health benefits are included and individuals can enroll even if they have a preexisting health condition and have been turned down before.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oregon is helping individuals and families sign up for both types of coverage through Cover Oregon, the state’s new health insurance exchange, beginning Oct. 1. Individuals do not need to have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from this service. To get help enrolling or determining whether or not you qualify for financial assistance, contact NAMI Oregon at 503-230-8009 or 800-343-6264 to schedule an enrollment assistance appointment. Appointments will begin Oct. 1 and are available both by phone and in person in Eugene, and by phone around the state.

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has a partnership with Capstone to provide free access to myON Books through December 20, 2013. myON Books is an  online library of more than 4,000 digital books for students and families.