KIDDO

Your local guide to parenting in Oregon

Anyone from classical quartets to a pair of friends willing to share their musical talents can brighten the holiday season of others while helping local food banks.

The annual Sing from the Heart will be Dec. 12-14 at all Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores in Oregon. The stores will donate $50 to a food bank for each hour a group presents holiday music. Participants may include organizations, bands, families or friends. Children's groups can register for 30-minute performances.

Toy & Joy/Compassion in Action Clackamas County is accepting applications for holiday food and toy boxes. Applications are available through Friday, or until the quota has been reached, from any of the social service agencies within Clackamas County.

Applicants need to provide address, name, birth date and the last four digits of the Social Security number for all members of the household. Additionally, the electric account number for the household will be required when completing the application.

"Howliday" celebration: Autism Service Dogs of America, based in Lake Oswego, will benefit from a Saturday "Howliday Celebration and Fun-raiser" at Camp Doggie Tails. The second annual event will be from 10a.m. to 4p.m. at 14865 S.W. 72nd Ave. Visitors can have their dogs' pictures taken with Santa, meet golden retriever puppies-in-training, pick up dog behavior and grooming tips, and watch dog acupuncture and massage demonstrations. A one-night stay and brunch for two at the Crowne Plaza Lake Oswego will be raffled off, as will gift certificates for dog acupuncture, massage, behavior training and grooming. Food vendors will also be on site. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is encouraged. Autism Service Dogs of America provides trained service dogs to autistic children and their families. Details: www.autismservicedogsofamerica.com or info@autismservicedogsofamerica.com.

www.howtodatebook.com

A few admissions. My daughter has been formula-fed almost from day one. During labor, I got an epidural. My daughter goes to daycare five days a week, for nearly nine hours a day.

Is that a "tsk tsk," I hear?

Go ahead. I've heard my share. Judging the decisions made by other moms seems to be the favorite sport of mothers everywhere, and something we seem to excel at without even trying. How is it that moms -- who can be the most supportive people in the world -- are also the most judgmental? (Need proof? Check out this post and the responses on The single most annoying mom type is... )

But while finger-pointing and tongue-clucking on Web sites is one thing -- what do you do when it's your best friend who's doing the clucking?

www.pdclipart.org

A new DVD, "Childproofing the Home," recently arrived on my desk. The cover jacket read, "This DVD shows the potential hazards around the home as seen from an infant's eye level." It made me think about our home and what more we could be doing to protect our kids.

I have to admit I never actually got down on my hands and knees to confirm that all potential hazards had been removed from the baby's path. Still, our home can be a challenge for child-free visitors, who have been flummoxed by:

thefuntimesguide.comWondering what to get your child's teacher this holiday season? Not this.

If your child's teacher could make one request before you start your holiday shopping, it would be this: Put down the mug.

Your child's teacher is touched that you think highly enough of her to add her to your shopping list. But seriously, do not buy her a mug. Or a tote bag, for that matter.

Looking for a gift for a cyclist? Look no further than BikeCraft, the fourth annual bike lovers bazaar. This bikecentric craft fair features the wares of 30 local vendors who make everything from leather mud flaps and clocks made out of bike parts to bike zines and quirky cycling attire.

The event is the brainchild of Portland blogger and cyclist Jonathan Maus, who founded BikePortland.org. This year the event is being organized by Elly Blue, who says she expects attendance to be in the thousands.