Oregon Family Magazine

IT’S TOUGH TO ACCURATELY document shark sightings, but shark attacks are documented every year. There are two classifications of shark bites: provoked and unprovoked. Provoked bites occur after a person has initiated interaction with the shark, like attempting to touch or feed it. But, according to Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, “Unprovoked bites give us significantly more insight into the biology and behavior of sharks. Changing the environment such that sharks are drawn to the area in search of their natural food source might prompt them to bite humans when they otherwise wouldn’t.”

Globally, unprovoked attacks in 2022 were 57. In 2021, there were 73. During the pandemic, many beaches shut down, but looking at the years preceding 2020, we can more accurately deduce changes in shark attack frequency. Using data from The University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File, the average number of annual unprovoked attacks from 2015 to 2019 was 79.4. Comparing this to 2022, it can be seen that the frequency of shark attacks has not risen significantly, if at

all, in the past few years. In spite of this, due to increasing ocean temperatures sharks are more inclined to travel into coastal waters where tourist activity is common. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, these waters

than before.

Although the number of unprovoked shark attacks around the world has not increased, regions along the United States’ East Coast have seen upticks in shark incidents. In 2022, there were eight shark attacks in New York after three

Many shark species are struggling in their native coral reefs and marine ecosystems. According to the journal Science, “Five of the most common reef shark species have experienced a decline of up to 73 percent.”

In addition, The Washington Post states that “a third of all sharks, rays and related species are at risk of going extinct.” As a result, scientists are concerned that species lower on the food chain will overpopulate without the presence of sharks as natural predators.

Humans are responsible for many factors that may be causing a decline in shark populations. Overfishing deprives sharks of one of their primary food sources. Millions of sharks get entangled in fishing nets and longlines ever year. Plus, some 73 million sharks are killed for the shark fin and meat industry. ✦

are typically cooler than waters offshore. Warmer waters have higher concentrations of chlorophyll which attracts plankton growth. Many species of fish, rays and crabs feed on plankton. As ocean temperatures rise, northern and coastal waters grow warmer, attracting plankton, fish and other shark bait prey. As a result, sharks are more attracted to these regions

consecutive years of zero cases. In 2021, Florida experienced 28 shark attacks following a threeyear-average of 17.67 annual incidents. Because of these increases, there may be more media coverage on shark attacks, leading people to believe that there are more sharks overall.

Though shark sightings may be becoming more frequent, shark numbers are dwindling.

CONTACTS: The ocean phenomenon that’s bringing sharks closer to shore, wral.com/story/the-ocean-phenomenon-that-s-bringing-sharks-closer-toshore/20394126/; Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays, science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade4884

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

You hear a lot about shark sightings and attacks nowadays; does this mean that sharks are more abundant than ever and doing well overall—or the opposite?

— R.W., WELFLEET, MA

Though shark sightings may be becoming more frequent, shark numbers are dwindling.

PHOTO:

Our Contributors

Oregon Family Magazine is distributed monthly, year-round via direct mail in the greater Lane County area, and at over 150 high-traffic commercial locations. For information regarding Every Door Direct Mail, please visit www.dmachoice.org or www.optoutprescreen.com.

PUBLISHER

Pacific Parents Publishing

EDITOR

Sandy Kauten

GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT

Springer Design & Illustration

ADVERTISING

Sandy Kauten • 541.683.7452 sandy@oregonfamily.com

Christi Kessler • 541.484.0434 christi@oregonfamily.com

OREGON FAMILY MAGAZINE

A Dad’s Eye View contributor, also awardwinning columnist, and journalist. Author of Rookie Dad (Hyperion) and The Right Number of Kids (McKenna Publishing Group). His wife and three daughters run a living laboratory in which he is constantly tested, analyzed, and experimented upon. It’s as if a guinea pig could write.

2. BONNIE HARRIS

Bonnie is Oregon Family Magazine’s resident Movie Review Master Extraordinaire. She enjoys watching movies of all kinds, and has been doing movie reviews for over 9 years and counting. She lives in Eugene with her family, enjoys gardening and cooking.

3. JAN PIERCE

Jan Pierce is a retired teacher and a writer who specializes in education, parenting and family life features. She is a Pacific Northwest native who loves reading, gardening and playing

tennis. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www. janpierce.net.

4. SANDI SCHWARTZ

Sandi Schwartz is an author, journalist, and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. Her new book, Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer, comes out in the spring. Learn more at www.ecohappinessproject.com.

5. RODDY SCHEER

Journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors and travel. When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy runs EarthTalk, the non-profit Publisher of the syndicated EarthTalk Q&A column and the EarthTalk.org and Emagazine

P.O. Box 21732 • Eugene, OR 97402 541.683.7452

Email: info@oregonfamily.com

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Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of, nor an endorsement by this publication.

© 2023 Pacific Parents Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior expressed written consent from Pacific Parents Publishing.

1. RICK EPSTEIN

Great Moments in Education

BY RICK EPSTEIN

MY WIFE TOOK OUT her phone and heard the words every parent dreads: “There has been an accident. Bring Sally some dry pants.”

It was the kindergarten teacher. Spurred by visions of her weeping and humiliated child, Betsy rushed to the rescue.

When she arrived, she found Sally wearing a pair of trousers that looked like hand-me-downs from an extraterrestrial. They were tight and short on her legs and blossomed in baggy folds around her butt and abdomen. Sally had taken a jacket, stuck her legs down the sleeves and then zipped it up. “Hi, Mommy!” she said gaily, “How do you like the pants I invented?”

When life gives Sally lemons, she trades them for limes and makes mojitos.

One day in first grade, her teacher asked, “OK, Sally, what have you brought for Show and Tell?”

Sally went out into the hall, took her little sister by the hand, hauled her to the front of the room and said, “This is Wendy. She is 3. I made her with magical powders.”

Little Wendy smiled, pleased with the attention. She didn’t mind being exhibited like a sideshow freak. The orthodox succession of dolls and souvenirs had been broken by the presentation of a living child, and the kids stared in amazement. Sally was triumphant; she had turned her pesty little sister into an object of wonder.

Sally’s big moments tend to be victories of the spirit, rather than of the intellect. Multiplication and cursive writing don’t come to her as naturally as showmanship and courage.

When Sally was in second grade, the boys formed a club called Boy Attack, whose sole purpose was to pursue screaming girls all over the playground. One day at recess, Sally climbed up on the monkey bars and addressed the secondgrade girls: “Are you sick of being chased around? We have to fight back! Who wants to join Girl Attack?”

The enthusiastic girls all but brandished machetes and pitchforks. “Let’s get ’em!” she yelled and slid theatrically down the pole to join her troops. Inside of two minutes her avenging Amazons had turned a degrading sport into a spirited game.

Now Sally is about to enter third grade and it’s hard to guess what she’ll be adding to her resume this year.

Last week I got a box of my grade-school stuff down from the attic, hoping to put a fine edge onto her readiness for the new school year with the idea that we have a family tradition of achievement and erudition.

“My dirt collection!”

I exclaimed, pulling out two

pill bottles filled with soil and labeled “MINN.” and “WYO.” “See, Sally? I had dirt from each of 20 or 30 states all bottled like this and it won a prize. Here’s the award certificate.” I pulled out a half-sheet of white paper.

Sally was impressed with the bottles of dirt, but not the certificate. “Dad,” she said, “This paper is blank except for your name.”

The mimeograph ink had faded completely out. “Well, trust me,” I said, “It used to say: First Prize, Ben Franklin Elementary School Hobby Show. Hey, look! Here’s my

dinosaur report!”

“Dad,” she said, “this is about brontosauruses.”

“Right,” I said. “‘Brontosaurus: The Gentle Giant.’ Take a look at those drawings of them eating bushes and fighting with T-rex. I must’ve spent two days tracing pictures and paraphrasing stuff out of the encyclopedia for this report.”

“Dad,” said Sally, “There’s no such thing as the brontosaurus.”

“Not now,” I said.

My wife intervened. “Not ever,” she said. “The guy who discovered the brontosaurus had mixed up the bones of two different kinds of dinosaurs and thought it was a new kind. I guess they discovered the mistake right after you wrote your report.”

“I should have been informed!” I said.

Sally and Betsy looked away. I regarded my blank certificate and my obsolete dinosaur report. My greatest academic achievements had been as ephemeral as a vial of Oklahoma dust emptied into a strong wind.

But you know, my own feeble scholastic efforts are mere prologue to Sally’s education. And she’s doing pretty well. If she puts a little extra effort into her arithmetic and penmanship this year, she can realize my full potential. ✦

The Ten Commandments of Back to School

HOW TO BUILD RAPPORT WITH YOUR CHILD’S NEW TEACHER

BY JAN PIERCE

WANT TO GET OFF on the right foot with your child’s new teacher this fall? Want to have smooth sailing in the transition from summer to fall? I’ll tell you what you need to know. I taught school, mostly first and second grades, from 1967 to 2007, and then retired. I had a few years off (for good behavior) while I raised my own two children. I loved teaching. I loved fall, especially when everything in the classroom was fresh and new. Crayons had sharp points, paste jars and later glue containers were full. Desks were scrubbed and boasted beautifully printed nametags atop each one. Children arrived that first morning of school all put together, wearing smiles of anticipation.

That first day of school I often met a few parents as well. They were the ones who couldn’t quite allow their children to ride the bus the first day—they needed to see them safe and sound to the classroom. I understood. I cried the day my eldest boarded the bus for first grade, later telling me it was like “a ride at Disneyland.”

The first few days of a new school year are important ones. Meet and greets, new rules and expectations, a few queasy tummies, making new friends—they’re all part of getting a new year underway. For parents it’s a time of fresh starts, moving back into school routines and, sometimes, it’s burdened with a few doubts and fears. Did he get the right teacher? Will she learn to read?

Relax, parents. I can help you get this new school year off to a great start. Just read and follow the ten commandments of back to school and you’ll be well on your way to a wonderful school year. 1

THOU SHALT SET A PROPER BEDTIME. It can be difficult to transition from the long, fun-filled days of summer to the more rigid schedule of fall. Start a week or two early. Get back into the habit of going to bed early and rising at the appropriate time. Maybe even

add fifteen or twenty minutes to the morning scramble time to ease the pressure. Select clothing the night before. Eat breakfast together. Your children will arrive at school ready to begin their day.

2THOU SHALT DO THE DREADED

PAPERWORK. Teachers and administrators take advantage of the first week of school to get all their ducks in a row. They want current address and telephone information. They need to know who to call in case of illness or emergency. And teachers want to get a handle on the children in their room. They want to know which parents will be available to help them, who has special health conditions, etc. Even though the sea of papers coming home threatens to spill over into the trash can, don’t let that happen. Take the time to complete the paperwork and find a safe way to transport them into the teacher’s waiting hands. The teacher will love you for this.

3THOU SHALT WAIT A WEEK OR TWO

BEFORE MAKING CHANGES. The one and only time I intervened in selecting the teacher for my son, I was dead wrong. I got him the older, more experienced teacher and we were both bored for the rest of the year. (My son and I, not the teacher☺ ) Trust the system. A lot of work goes into creating the balance of any given classroom. Children are placed with a certain teacher based on the needs of both the child and for balance in the classroom. The ratio of boys to girls, the number of special needs children, or English language learners, for example, have been taken into consideration.

If you suspect that a change may be necessary, wait a bit and see how your child adjusts. You may be surprised. (Of course in any situation that has potential for serious problems, you as the parent must act in your child’s best interests.)

4

THOU SHALT VOLUNTEER. I can’t emphasize enough the value of giving something to your child’s classroom experience. If you work during the day you can still send in cupcakes or take one day off to chaperone a field trip. If you have young children at home, arrange child care trades and volunteer to listen to children read, play reading and math games or offer any other help the teacher needs. One on one attention is very valuable in the classroom and you can offer that with no training in education. Children are very aware of their parents’ attitude toward school and learning in general. Be the parent who shows up, supports and gives.

5

THOU SHALL ATTEND OPEN HOUSES AND PERFORMANCES. See commandment number four. Show up. It matters.

6

THOU SHALT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR IMPARTING IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Open houses and other large school gatherings are wonderful for a positive group experience. But if you have a question about what happens in the classroom, your child’s successes or needs, behavior issues and the like, please make an appointment to visit with the teacher before or after the school day. Teachers are encouraged by parents’ concern and interest in their child’s performance. They want to give you their full attention to discuss important topics.

7

THOU SHALL BE PART OF A TEAM EFFORT. The school, the family and the child make up a learning team. There may be other teaching specialists involved in your child’s learning experience—speech therapists, social workers, reading specialists, etc. Speak positively about your child’s teachers and the school program. While no system is perfect, most educational professionals want to cooperate with parents and address their concerns. Your child will know if you’re unhappy with the school and it will reflect in his or her attitudes and behaviors. Keep it positive.

8

THOU SHALT PAY ATTENTION TO CHANGES IN ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR. If your child displays changes in behavior or attitude, pay close attention. The problem may be as simple as illness or mild discouragement, but it could be something bigger such as bullying incidents or fears of failure. Talk it out and take appropriate action.

9

THOU SHALL FEEL FREE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE TEACHER. Teachers are busy and they may give the impression they don’t have time to talk with you. That’s wrong. They have time before the bell rings in the morning, after school, and even in the evenings. With the advent of computers they often like to e-mail back and forth. Teachers care about their students and they’re usually eager to hear what you have to say.

10

THOU SHALL DO THY BEST TO “LET GO” IN APPROPRIATE MEASURE. It’s hard to entrust your child to anyone but yourself. But growing up is a series of letting go experiences. They go off to pre-school, kindergarten, first grade and before you know it they’re ready for high school. The time flies by and you can’t stop it. Further, you don’t want to. Let your children become strong and independent one step at a time. It’s hard to let go, but it’s necessary.

As you know by now, children don’t come with a user’s manual. Parenting is a tough job and each child is unique. You’ve done your best to prepare your child for school and the world, and now you have to entrust him to another adult’s care. You have to allow her to fend for herself for a large chunk of each day. You have to trust he’ll make good choices. It’s hard.

On the other hand, most teachers are not doing their extremely complicated and demanding job for the pay they receive. They’re in the classroom because they love children and the learning process. There’s nothing more rewarding to us teacher types than to see a little face light up during a read aloud, or when a new concept is grasped. It’s pure gold. Your child’s teacher is probably one of those. Here’s wishing you and your child a most successful school year. ✦

PRESCHOOLS

Eugene

Montessori School

2255 Oakmont Way Eugene, OR 97401

541-345-7124

www.eugenemontessorischool.com

Eugene Montessori School offers a quality education for children age 3 - Kindergarten. The individual curriculum fosters the child’s natural curiosity and love of learning while building self-confidence and independence. In our multi-age classrooms, children work together as a community caring for each other and the environment. For more information please call 541-345-7124.

Preschool Promise

29 locations in Lane County Lane County

541-741-6000 ext 201

www.earlychildhoodlane.org/ preschool-promise

Free, high quality preschool for 3 and 4 year olds in income eligible families. Preschool Promise offers culturally relevant early child care and education programs. All preschools offer hours comparable to full-day kindergarten and provide supplies and meals. Programs are home-based, center-based, and school-based. School days, hours of operation and availability of transportation vary between preschools.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Oak Hill School

86397 Eldon Schafer Dr Eugene, OR 97405

541-744-0954

oakhillschool.net

(please see our ad on page 2)

PK-8 independent school focused on educating the whole

student-- creating caring and responsible critical thinkers. Rigorous academic program complimented by the visual, literary, musical and performing arts. Foreign language programs include Mandarin, French, and Spanish. Collaborative learning environment that focuses on the individual student. Small class sizes, strong personal relationships and rapport between faculty, students, and parents.

St. Paul Parish School

1201 Satre St.

Eugene, OR 97401

541-344-1401

www.saintpaul-school.org

St. Paul Parish School is a fully accredited Preschool through 8th grade elementary program in the best tradition of Catholic education.  Our mission is to provide a Catholic education fostering spiritual growth and academic excellence in a safe, nurturing

Eugene Montessori School

Educating for a better world since 1962.

A quality Montessori education for children ages 3 through kindergarten. The individualized curriculum includes music, P.E., snacks and a wholesome hot lunch. 541.345.7124 • 2255 Oakmont Way • eugenemontessorischool.com

St. Paul PARISH SCHOOL

1201 Satre Street Eugene, OR 97401 541-344-1401

environment.  In addition to a solid academic program, students receive instruction in the Performing Arts, Physical Education, Technology and Spanish. Currently accepting applications for the coming 23-24 school year.

Eugene Waldorf School

1350 McLean Blvd.

Eugene, OR 97405

541-683-6951

www.EugeneWaldorf.org

The Eugene Waldorf School is one of over 1,000 Waldorf schools worldwide and has been serving preschool through grade 8 since 1980. Our mission is to educate the whole child for the future, equally engaging body, mind, and spirit. Our teachers foster a love of learning by enlivening the imagination, strengthening the creative will, deepening understanding, and awakening a sense of community.  Our academic program integrates the

arts, humanities, and sciences.

We strive to help all children develop their unique physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual capacities.  This enables each individual to responsibly enter into an ever-changing local and global community with integrity, passion, and freedom.

ONLINE/CHARTER SCHOOLS

Ridgeline Montessori School

4500 W. Amazon Drive Eugene, OR 97405

541-681-9662

www.ridgeline.org

Ridgeline Montessori provides an academically rigorous public Montessori education.  Students balance their freedom to explore and think for themselves with their responsibility to work and learn within a community.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Celtic and Classical Harp Lessons

Private studio near UO Campus

Eugene, OR 97403 541-357-6603

MaryTeachesHarp.com

Private instruction by conservatory-trained teacher and parent, Mary DeMocker. Safe, inclusive studio with a whole child pedogogial approach. Programs are tailored to each students learning style and musical passions, and include: technique, musicianship, ear-training, performance skills, and quarterly gatherings. All levels and musicial styles welcome! Harp rentals available. Call to schedule a FREE introductory meeting!

Eugene Science Center

2300 Leo Harris Parkway

Eugene, OR 97401

541-682-7888

https://eugenesciencecenter.org/

Visit Eugene Science Center for hands-on exhibits, state of the art planetarium shows, school group field trips, early education programs, and special events. Offering after-school science programs, no-school-day workshops, and camps designed to ignite your child’s curiosity.

Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras

PO Box 5666

Eugene, OR 97405 541-484-0473

www.esyorchestras.org

ESYO has been a cornerstone of high-quality music education since 1934! We are the only organization offering free and low-cost beginning strings classes to families throughout the area,

regardless of socio-economic circumstances. Accessible and affordable, we even provide the instruments! From String Academy classes at elementary schools to first-rate performing orchestras, ESYO gives children and youth a chance to learn, grow, lead and play!

Museum of Natural and Cultural History

1680 E. 15th Ave.

Eugene, OR 97403

541-346-3024

www.mnch.uoregon.edu/

Inspire wonder! The museum is a place for kids of all ages to experience fun, inquiry-based learning in science and social studies. Kids can dig deep into Oregon’s geology, natural history, Native American history, and more. Visit our website to learn more!

Nearby Nature

P.O. Box 3678

Eugene, OR 97403 541-687-9699

https://www.nearbynature.org/

Join us for nature, science, play, exploration, art, and gardening -- all outdoors! Based in Alton Baker Park, Nearby Nature hosts No-School-Day Adventures, the Natural Neighbors After School Program, and the Wonder Keepers Preschool. We also run

field trips, school visits, preschool Green Start Play Days, and special events for families. Nearby Nature is a partner in the Network Charter School and teaches classes for middld and high schoolers. Scholarships, membership discounts, and volunteer opportunities are available. Visit our website for current events and program registration.

Oregon Tutor

1144 Gateway Loop, Ste 100 Springfield, OR 97477

541-733-1749

http://www.oregontutor.com/

At Oregon Tutor, we believe oneon-one tutoring greatly enriches the lives of our students. We offer private tutoring to students ranging from kindergarten through college, and beyond! We help students of all ages achieve their academic goals by providing tutors of the highest quality while working at each student’s pace.

The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts

868 High St. Eugene, OR 97401 541-434-7000

www.theshedd.org

The Shedd Institute offers music, theater arts, and dance instruction with classes, camps, and private instruction for all ages and on most instruments. “Discov-

ering Instruments” classes give students a hands-on exploration before choosing one to study. Open to creating classes for home-schoolers to fit curriculum needs. Financial assistance available.

Triple P: The Positive Parenting Program

86 Centennial Loop Eugene, OR, 97401

541-484-1449

parentingnow.org/triple-ppositive-parenting-program/ Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program, is an online parenting course for parents of children ages 2-12. Triple P doesn’t tell you how to parent but gives you strategies you can adapt to your family’s needs. This program is free for all Lane County families. Visit https://parentingnow.org/ triple-p-interest-form/ to sign up! (Triple P esta disponible en español.)

WasteWise Lane County School Resources

3100 E. 17th Ave.

Eugene, OR 97403

541-682-1223

laneountyor.gov/schoolwise

This Lane County Waste Management Division website empowers teachers, students, and parents with sustainability tools and resources to help reduce waste, save money, and take action on climate change.

Whole Earth Nature School

PO Box 5223

Eugene, OR 97405

541-937-KIDS

WholeEarth.org

Whole Earth Nature School mentors students in the outdoors to foster confidence, resilience, and kinship with nature at local parks and outdoor spaces across the Eugene-Springfield area. Our programs teach ancestral

wilderness skills such as fire making, shelter building, wild plant identification and harvesting, and much more. We offer weekly school-year daytime programs for students from pre-K through 5th grade, afterschool programs at various elementary schools, and junior high and high school programs with multiple overnight trips to the coastal and cascade ranges. Visit our website for more information and to sign up: www. wholeearth.org

Cool for school

WasteWise

If in doubt, find out, or leave it out.

Egyptian Treasure Hunt

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

THIS FUN-FILLED ANIMATED FEATURE directed by Juan Galocha should have been on everyone’s radar, but like many independent productions, its release was delayed because of distribution problems and the pandemic. Although it feels a little like a Saturday morning cartoon, Mummies wraps itself around an

MUMMIES

Warner Bros Pictures

Rated: PG

Streaming on Amazon

adventure to reclaim a priceless ring and three other-worldly mummies who must take on present-day London. Thut, an Egyptian charioteer with an anxiety problem, is chosen by accident to marry Princess Nefer, but neither is happy about the Pharoah’s decision. Thut faces a very unpleasant penalty if he doesn’t marry Nefer, or if he loses the royal engagement ring. Meanwhile, as he excavates a forgotten Egyptian tomb, Lord Carnaby discovers a secret portal to the underworld and steals the royal ring for his museum. Thut and

his younger brother, Sekham, follow Carnaby through the portal, but they’re unexpectedly joined by the reluctant Nefer and end up in downtown London. Ancient history meets the twenty-first century as the brothers save Nefer from a kidnapping, then she saves them from Lord Carnaby’s greedy schemes, and finally they all team up to save the Egyptian underworld from destruction. There’s plenty of action, lots of

FOR the PARENTS

Plenty of Spice

FLAMIN HOT

Searchlight Pictures, Rated: PG-13

Streaming on Hulu and Disney Plus

OVERLOOKING THE QUESTION of who really invented one of the most popular snack flavors of all time, the new feature Flamin Hot is a version that crackles with inspiration, initiative, and cultural pride. Loosely based on Richard Montanez’s biography, the film takes its audience on an eye-opening journey through a young man’s early life, which could have ended with him in prison. Instead, Richard turns away from drugs and crime to become a janitor at the Frito-Lay company where he meets the people who will change his life. Not all of them are supportive or tolerant, but because of his dogged interest in the machinery and the desire to better himself, he becomes the protégé of one of the plant engineers. When hard times hit and sales slump, Richard comes up with the idea to add a flavor kick to Cheetos with the hope that it’ll save the factory. He enlists his family, his neighbors, his community, and

hilarity, an adorable crocodile with a squeaky toy, and two young people who eventually discover that opposites attract. The computer animation rivals that of any major production, and the soundtrack includes throwbacks from the Warner Bros library plus great new music. Mummies stretches the time-travel logic a bit, but younger audiences will love the fast pace, the mayhem, and the goofy jokes. ✦

eventually the entire factory to get behind his new Flamin Hot flavor sensation. The road to success is never easy, and sometimes the film is a bit overpacked with clichés, but ultimately Flamin Hot leaves a great aftertaste and the feel-good satisfaction that hard work pays off.

Seeing beyond the wrappings.

Learning about marketing.

Learn about birds—and beyond! Lane Audubon invites educators to sign up for free environmental education kits. Designed for grades 3-5 by National Audubon Society, each classroom kit includes 32 copies of three different newsletters that present standardsbased science content about birds, wildlife, and their habitats.

Homeschool editions also available.

laneaudubon.org/audubon-adventures

Good thing our ER is so close.

Accidents happen. And so do heart attacks, and strokes, and any number of unexpected situations nobody wants to think about. But isn’t it good to know we’re close by and ready to care for you when you need us. And because every minute matters in an emergency, we work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional within 30 minutes of your arrival in the ER.

1460 G Street, Springfield, OR 97477

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is owned in part by physicians.

The Emotional Highs and Lows of a Toddler

BY PARENTING NOW

ONE-YEAR OLDS ARE FILLED with big emotions: joy, love, and excitement—but also fear, anger, and frustration. So many big, strong feelings to experience over the course of a day! Imagine having all these big feelings and not yet having the ability to talk about or understand them.

Learning how to manage these emotions is a big job for your child—it’s also a big job for you as the parent. Think of yourself as your child’s guide as they depart on their emotional journey. You can support and guide your child by acknowledging and naming feelings: “I know you are sad to leave the park, you are having so much fun.”

As parents, it can be hard to stay calm when your child is upset. Whenever possible, avoid responding to your child’s upset with anger, ridicule, or by telling them how they should feel. For example, a phrase like, “It’s your birthday party, you should be having fun, not getting upset,” would not be helpful for a toddler who doesn’t yet have the cognitive ability to understand that concept.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD MANAGE BIG EMOTIONAL UPSETS

Start by imagining what it is like to be a one-year old: you are driven to explore the world, and learn and practice independence, but then something always seems to get in your way–baby gates, someone telling you “no,” or a new object being taken away from you just as you were starting to have fun with it. You would feel frustrated, powerless, and mad.

When your child is upset, what helps your child most in these moments is a calm and steady parent. You might need to take some deep breaths and remind yourself that this moment will pass; that upsets are temporary and are all a part of learning.

It can feel especially overwhelming when your child gets upset in public, and it can be hard to respond in a calm and collected manner. It can feel like all eyes are watching you–just remember that most people either are parents themselves, have raised children or worked with children, have siblings or other relatives, and are more sympathetic to your situation than you think. When possible, show empathy and understanding for your

child’s upset feelings. This can help your child learn self control.

In addition, there are steps you can take to prevent upsets from happening: Watch for early signs that an upset is about to happen, such as being hungry or tired, and make sure those needs get met. You can also look for patterns with your child’s upsets: Do they get upset around the same time each day?; Do they seem sensitive to loud noises, or overwhelmed when meeting a new group of people? With some careful observation, you might discover a pattern with your child’s upsets.

One-year olds are experiencing so many new, big feelings every day. Parents, you can use these emotional moments to teach your children about feelings and to build a closer relationship with your child, as well as help them learn and grow. ✦

This article is

Parenting Now’s Wonderful

adapted from

ONEs curriculum. Parenting Now is a Eugene-based non-profit organization that provides parenting education and support to families with young children. Learn more at parentingnow.org

Enjoy the Benefits of Nature During a Heat Wave

BY SANDI SCHWARTZ

IT’S THE HEART OF summertime, and many areas are experiencing record-breaking heat waves. When it’s too hot to be outside, both kids and adults get antsy. We crave time outdoors, especially during the summer months. We don’t want to overdo it and end up with heat stroke or other health issues from spending too much time outside in the steamy weather.

But nature is so critical to our health and well-being. Nature calms us, reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, and anger. It has also been shown to improve focus and attention, as well as reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It even makes us friendlier and more apt to reach out to others in our community.

How can we still connect to nature even during a heat wave when it’s difficult to head outdoors? Nothing beats actually immersing ourselves in the natural environment outside, but science proves that we can capture the essence of what nature has to offer through images, sounds, and plants inside our home.

NATURE IMAGERY

Amazingly, just looking at pictures of nature scenes can make us feel similar to actually spending time outdoors. A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that you can reduce stress by simply looking at images of nature. When participants viewed pictures of natural scenes, their stress level decreased because their parasympathetic nervous system (which helps us to calm down) was activated.

NATURE SOUNDS

Listening to nature can help relax us and improve our mood. The best sounds are those that give a sense of natural space and mimic the biorhythms of an ecosystem like the slow, rhythmic whooshing noises of water. One study found that people who listened to ocean waves had considerably lower muscle tension, heart rates, and stress than those who listened to silence or music by Mozart.

PLANTS

Plants and flowers have long been known to cheer people up. Research done in hospitals, offices, and schools has consistently found that even a simple plant in a room can have a significant impact on reducing stress and anxiety, and boost healing.

Bring nature indoors in the following ways to help your family feel happier and calmer even when there is record-breaking weather in your area:

• Visit indoor sanctuaries of nature such as an arboretum, butterfly garden, botanical garden, greenhouse, science museum, or aquarium.

• Decorate your house with awe-inspiring images of nature. Collect gorgeous pieces from famous photographers like Ansel Adams and Philip Hyde or start a family hobby of taking pictures of nature that you love to display throughout your house.

• Display plants throughout your house.

• Start an indoor garden of herbs and flowers.

• Watch nature shows, movies, and documentaries as a family.

• Include pictures and objects of nature that are green and blue in your house, colors known to calm us down.

• Play nature sounds in your home, especially at bedtime.

• Try out some virtual reality with a nature theme.

• Engage in nature-related creative arts projects like nature collages or putting together a slideshow of nature photographs you have taken. ✦

Rescue Spotlight

Meet 5-year-old sweet, friendly pup, PICO ! Before coming to the shelter, he had a rough start to life and is looking for a comfortable home to relax in. He would love nothing more than a loving family who will give him lots of snuggles and endless love. This mixed breed has a beautiful black coat with a white spotted under belly. He loves big fluffy beds, treats, and going out for strolls. He has a previous injury on his rear leg that will need management that our veterinarian can discuss further. He is still a lovely pup full of love.

Pico should meet any dog friends at the shelter prior to adoption and should have a slow introduction period to any cat friends. He would do best with kiddos who can be gently with him. Pico is an old soul who deserves a family to adore him!

Greenhill Humane Society is open seven days a week, 11 am – 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org.

The Cat Rescue & Adoption Network presents CROOK , a friendly, interactive 11-year-old male kitty. He’s a black and white tuxedo cat with slightly fluffy medium-length hair and the cutest crook in his tail. He is a sweet, affectionate boy who is very curious and talkative. He likes to sleep with you at night and hang out with you during the day. Crook needs a one-cat home with an adopter who is tolerant of his early morning activity level and vocal stylings. He’s been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and is negative for FIV & FeLV. To meet Crook, please call 541-225-4955 option 1, or visit our website at CatRescues.org