Today’s Forecast

49º | Showers | 84% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:50 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.

“Kids are sponges”

Q+A: Shira Fogel, founder of Tiny Talkers

Shira Fogel, founder of Tiny Talkers, signs with her hands to two young toddler age kids.

Play is an important tool for teaching children basic signs. | Photo by Serravision Photography

There is a growing movement that shows introducing basic sign language to young children — even before they can talk out loud — can boost their brain development, while helping their parents communicate with them on a complex level at an earlier age.

We spoke with Shira Fogel, founder of Tiny Talkers, about how this process works and what interested caregivers can do to get started.

Note: As a hearing person, Fogel is aware that she is borrowing the deaf community’s language, but she wants to be clear that her intent is never to teach full ASL. If you’re interested in studying more in depth, she’ll point you to a local instructor or community college.

How are babies able to learn to communicate so young?

The muscles in the mouth take several years before they’re strong enough to really talk well. However, you do see little babies reach for their bottle, so the muscles in their hands develop a lot sooner.

There is a lot to it — consistency and repetition. What I tell families is, you’re already talking, so this is just like adding something extra to it.

What are some of the signs you teach?

You want to pick a handful of signs that are helpful to the kids and to you. For example, “all done,” “more,” “milk,” that kind of thing. But you don’t want to forget to add fun signs, because sometimes those are the ones that kids are more interested in, like “bird,” “dog,” or “light.”

Then there are more abstract signs, like “help” or “hurt.” With “hurt,” you would want to have a lot of repetition showing, “Oh mommy hurt herself,” you know, and purposefully bang your knee on the coffee table so they can see it. Kids are sponges though. They’re always watching.

Read more about her classes

Events

Wednesday, May 10

(Re)Bloom | Wednesday, May 10 | 6-7 p.m. | The Bidwell Marriott, 520 SW Broadway, Portland | $33 | Find your inner peace at this sound bath and meditation session.
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake | Wednesday, May 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., Portland | $15+ | Cheer on the green and gold as they push to advance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Thursday, May 11

BundyBand Sweet Preserves Jazz Band | Thursday, May 11 | 5-8 p.m. | Amaterra Winery, 8150 SW Swede Hill Dr., Portland | $25 | Sip vino and let the spontaneous rhythm carry you away.
Milk Carton Boat Race Family Info Night | Thursday, May 11 | 6-8 p.m. | Sellwood Community House, 1436 SE Spokane St., Portland | Free | Start plotting your course for the upcoming voyage in Westmoreland Park.
Bad Friends with Andrew Santino & Bobby Lee | Thursday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $39.50-$69.50 | Laugh along with these comedian/actors known for supporting roles in shows and movies like “Dave” and “Pineapple Express.”
CineVox Dance Film Festival | Thursday, May 11-Saturday, May 13 | Times vary | BODYVOX, 1201 NW 17th Ave., Portland | $12-$15 | Enjoy short and feature-length films full of movement and expression.

Friday, May 12

Sip & Create Ostrich Egg Planter | Friday, May 12 | 7-8:45 p.m. | Triskelee Farm, 29700 SW Mountain Rd., West Linn | $75 | Cross “making a planter out of an ostrich egg” off your list of things you never thought you’d do.
Portland Disco Ball | Friday, May 12 | 8 p.m. | Show Bar, 1300 SE Stark St. #101, Portland | $12 | Get groovy on this 70s-themed night out.

Saturday, May 13

St. Johns Bizarre | Saturday, May 13 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | St. Johns Bizarre, North Lombard Street and North Philadelphia Avenue, Portland | Free | Soak up the sun in NoPo with the return of this quirky market featuring craft vendors, food carts, a beer garden, live music, and more.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Health

The response time of ambulances in Multnomah County is getting longer. From September 2022 to February 2023, almost 16,000 ambulances were “late” — eight minutes is the expected window — that’s a 100% increase from the previous six-month span. Staffing shortages are cited as the main reason for the decline. (Willamette Week)

Community

The Portland Police Bureau has announced the return of its traffic division after a two-year hiatus. The move should boost the force’s capacity to discourage dangerous driving in high-crash areas and investigate hit-and-run incidents. (OPB)

Trending

Frankly, this is the best news we’ve had in a while. The Oscar-Mayer Wienermobile is eating up the miles along Portland and Vancouver’s streets, making stops in the area for photo-ops until Sunday, May 14. Clara Adams, the driver and a Rose City native, is excited to “Keep Portland Wienered.” (KOIN)

Transit

The downpour earlier this week caused a landslide between Vancouver and Kelso, forcing Amtrak to halt all passenger train service between Portland and Seattle through today. Stay up to date on the resumption of Amtrak’s Cascades and Coast Starlight routes on the app.

Weather

Meteorologists are warning that this weekend will be a scorcher, perhaps even record-breaking. Afternoon high temperatures are expected to climb to the 90s starting Saturday through Monday. Be aware of the signs of heat illness and take further precautions to avoid hot cars and pavement. (KOIN)

Sports

On Tuesday, May 16, a Portland Trail Blazers legend will hope to give the franchise one final assist at the NBA Draft Lottery. Brandon Roy will be in attendance as the ping pong balls are withdrawn, determining the order of each team’s upcoming picks. Catch it on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. (KOIN)

Real Estate

For sale: one castle in Portland’s Southwest Hills, divine right not required. Charles Piggot, a businessman of many trades, built “Piggot’s Castle” in 1892 drawing inspiration from a regal structure erected on one of Rome’s Seven Hills. Hopefully your treasury is full — the listing price is $1.5 million. (Portland Monthly)

Plan Ahead

Load up the wagon and head to Ye Olde Whimsical Wonderwood Fair on Saturday, May 27, in St. Johns. Suffused with magic from artists Mike Bennett and Little Hen, the market promises to be “a bustling bazaar of creativity and commerce” the whole family will enjoy.

Job

Oregon Historical Society is hiring for multiple positions, including digital collections librarian, events coordinator, and museum educator. Learn more and apply online.

Closed

While it transitions to new ownership, popular breakfast spot Milo’s City Cafe has temporarily closed. The wait for eggs Benedict may not be too long; a sign posted in the door said, “Look for us to reopen soon.” (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Cause

We love a snack that also gives back — like PDXPOP!, a gourmet popcorn company that prepares bags daily in Meals on Wheels People’s Central Kitchen. All proceeds go straight back to Meals on Wheels People to help feed our community’s homebound older adults. Get snacking, Portland.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.*

Drink

🍹 A mocktail moment

Recipe: a zero-proof Moscow mule

Add two ounces of pomegranate juice to your Moscow mule for an added tropical punch. | Photo by Michael D. Wilson via Ritual Zero Proof Spirits

If you love the occasional nightcap but hate the hangover that follows (or already enjoy concocting flavorful mixed drinks sans alcohol), Ritual Zero Proof’s spirits will be a great addition to your home bar kit. The award-winning alcohol-free liquors offer a 1:1 spirit replacement, so you can use them just as you would traditional spirits.

Ritual Zero Proof offers alcohol-free tequila, rum, gin, and whiskey that are made using all-natural botanical ingredients to mimic the taste and smell of liquor. Bonus: Ritual Zero Proof’s website has a slew of cocktail recipes we’re drooling over. We’re featuring one of our favorites below.

Traditional Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

2 oz. Ritual Zero Proof Gin
1/2 oz. lime juice
4 oz. ginger beer
Lime wedges (garnish)

Directions:

Fill a copper mug or tumbler with ice. Add all ingredients. Stir and garnish with lime wedges.

Bonus: Buy these copper mugs and the viral nugget ice maker to elevate your cocktail night.*

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

Monday’s thunderstorms rolled through with a vengeance, dumping more rain than I think I’ve ever seen in the span of 15 minutes. It seems I wasn’t alone in having some issues with flooding. And now we’re expected to reach 90° this weekend? I’m not a fan of this weather whiplash.

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