UrbanMamas, Activistas, Mother Tree and the Zenana Spa and Wellness Center are sponsoring a screening of The Business of Being Born. The Business of Being Born, created and produced by Ricki Lake, is an honest look at the impact that business and corporate structures have on women and their families, their choices and the community. And of course there'll be an opportunity afterward to discuss the film and, hopefully, brainstorm ideas for next steps, if that makes sense. We'll definitely be discussing the film - and anything related - with some expert input. We've all got birth opinions, I just know it. Bring ‘em with you.  As mamas and business women there's something for us to share and learn. Planning to come? Excellent! We'll be at Zenana Spa on Saturday, 1.26.08 @ 3 PM and again on Sunday 2.10.08 @ 12:30 PM (it's 85 minutes long). The cost is $5/person; all proceeds will be donated to the Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon (a big thanks to urbanMamas for paying for the film and Zenana for donating the space!). And if you wish to donate more, no one will stop you! RSVP http://urbanmamas.typepad.com//activistas/2008/01/the-business-of.html Donation of $5 and proceeds go to: Nursing Mother's Counsel

As the holidays encroach upon us, it can be tempting to heed the call of chain-store plastic goodies (so quick ? so easy ? so cheap ? right there on the end of the aisle!), but, fear not, PDX parents: you have lots of local shopping options ? many with Chinook Book coupons to lessen the credit card burden, no less.
 
One of the newest additions to the Portland baby-and-child scene is St. Johns-based Lily Toad, a Chinook Book member ($5 off $25) whose wares I had the pleasure of viewing at the Green Sprouts Fest earlier this fall. Hip clothes (including consignment), safer plastic toys, and gorgeous, locally-made wooden play kitchens were just a smattering of the goodies they had on offer.
 
Another Chinook Book newcomer favorite is SpielWerk Toys (20% off $20) in Sellwood, which offers wooden toys and dolls with a Waldorf-y feel, along with cleverly-named WerkShops, at which kids can learn everything from lantern-making to knitting.
 
And lest we forget the new mama or mama-to-be, Chinook Book merchant Zenana Spa and Wellness Center...