NW Kids June / July 2010

www.nwkids.com | jun & Jul 2010

the summer issue

Family Fun: Biking Trails, Hikes, Movies, Best Parks

2 | NW Kids Magazine

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NW Kids Magazine | 3

Editor / Publisher Jessica Davis jessica@nwkids.com Online Editor Liz Hummer liz@nwkids.com Business & Operations Director Pete Davis pete@nwkids.com Sales / Advertising Director Michelle Snell michelle@nwkids.com Client Services Coordinator Karel Chan karel@nwkids.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkids.com Design Corrina Reff corrina@nwkids.com Teddy Raines teddy@nwkids.com Client ad design Julie Martinez chiceye@gmail.com Masthead design Erin Sorenson Accounting & Business Services Mary Anderson mary@nwkids.com contact us...

NW Kids / littlemedia llc 107 SE Washington St. Suite 470 Portland, OR 97214 503-282-2711

on the cover and above: Rose Festival Fun. Photos provided by Ben McLeod, local parent and photographer. Ben McLeod / Flickr

4 | NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids is published monthly by littlemedia, llc.

Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.

Printed locally; Please recycle.

contents INSIDE: 8 Portland’s Best Parks: Best places to play, climb, fish, hike, take your dog and picnic

summer outings

12 Portland’s Best Hikes: Short hikes for short legs 14 Summer Movie Preview: The skinny on Hollywood’s G and PG offerings 18 Portland’s Best Biking: Beautiful Bridgetown

dining out outings

shop

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trails and cycling events for families 20 Ned Ludd: Shabby-Chic Farmhouse Charms Young Diners 23 Summer: Must-Do Summer Activities and Places to Explore around Portland 30 Goods: Summer Fun, Found Around Town

on the web: Events and Activities: Check the NW Kids calendar daily for times and descriptions of fun outings: nwkids.com/calendar The New and Improved NW Kids Blog is easy to search and you’re best bet for finding tips on everyday outings and activities: nwkids.com/baby/blog

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Lots and lots of giveaways all summer in the NW Kids newsletter: nwkids.com/sign_up Coming Soon: The Annual NW Kids Birthday issue comes out in August.

Get ready to party!

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listings

A Brilliant Nanny..............................28 A Mother's Love...............................28 Academy Theater.............................17 Backyard Adventures ........................ 2 Barre3................................................. 7

editor’s

corner

Bennett Suzuki Violin.......................11 Caroline Peterson - OHSU................21 Caroline Peterson - Private Practice...21 Clever Cycle......................................15 ecoBabygear....................................17 EcoRemedi.......................................13 Escuela Viva......................................21 Flutterby Kids Yoga Camp................17 Goddard School, The........................11 K12..................................................... 3 KUIK SafeAssured ID........................29 Little Fruit Farm................................17 Mamalates.......................................13 Meringue............................................ 2 My Masterpiece Art Studio..............23 Oregon Children's Theatre................. 7 Penny's Puppets...............................21 PGE Park Kids Club...........................28 Pigtails & Crewcuts..........................17 Playground Gym, The.......................15 Portland Children's Museum...........31 Posy Quarterman Photography.......11 REI.......................................back cover Saturday Academy...........................17 Scentsy Candles...............................11 Schoolita Alegria..............................11 Silverwood Theme Park...................13 SolRose Photography......................13 Sound Roots School of Music..........28 Spielwerk Toys..................................10 Sue Wiebe Piano Lessons.................21 Sweet Peas Kidzone.........................17 Valley Suzuki Violin..........................21 Wendy's Wonderful Kids...........26-27 WeVillage........................................... 3 World of Smiles................................13

Our Other Children A few weeks back, I pulled into my driveway to see two women standing in the front yard pointing at my house in some deep discussion. I introduced myself as the owner and looked at them expectantly. Turns out, one of the women used to live in the same house some 20 – 30 years ago. We got into a conversation about how the house had changed over the years and in the hands of multiple owners who’ve lived there in the interim.

She told me how saddened she was to learn that the owners immediately after her had removed all the leadedglass doors on the built-in bookshelves in the living room.

“They were original!” She was just thrilled when I told her that our next-door neighbors had caught wind of the removal and offered to store the doors in their attic in case someone else wanted them. Luckily, one of the other owners did want them and had since reunited the doors with the shelving. What a stroke of luck.

We chatted about some other features of the house – had she added the tiles in the bath? The cabinets in the kitchen? Did we do the landscaping? Now, none of these things are that interesting – just basic stuff. But we shared an enthusiasm, a pride in this house.

Our instant engagement reminded me of something my mother says to my mother-in-law: “Who else will let me go on and on about my grandchildren?” When they get together they can brag to their hearts’ content. They don’t talk about the whining or the crankiness. They focus on the cutesy little sayings, the sweet mannerisms and “how smart” they are. These grandmas can trace every feature to some relative and truly enjoy discussing these kids in minute detail.

Just like me and the stranger, the who once owned my house. Though we don’t even know each other’s names, we have a shared bond—one that comes with the intimacy living in this particular house. We know about the creaky floorboards and the squeaky hinges. But when we got together, all we wanted to talk about is our little house and how sweet it is. Just like two proud grandmas.

Happy Summer!

—Jessica Davis

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NW Kids Magazine | 7

Courtesy Richard Kassissieh

summer outings

Commonwealth Lake

Portland’s

Best Parks

By Vince Schreck

Both Laurelhurst and Sellwood parks top most lists of family-favorite parks in Portland. Yes, these are beautiful destination parks; however, I have some personal picks for other great parks that may not be on your parental radar.

Best Overall: Memorial Park in Wilsonville I hate to tell you this, but Portland’s best park is not actually in Portland. Memorial Park offers so much to do that it’s an obvious choice for top spot on the list. I don’t think I’ve ever been so shocked by the quality and design of a park. With a skate park, huge athletic fields, a fishing dock, plenty of hiking paths and trails, paved bike paths, and some of the most interesting and unique play structures you’ll ever see, this one has it all! Older kids will dig the skatepark ramps, younger tots will go nuts in the spraying water park (on par with, if not better than, Jamison Square) and parents will enjoy the simple pleasures of summer.

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Best Play Structures: Overall: Rose Garden Children’s Park Although a bit dated in some spots, this incredible maze of ramps, slides, swings, seated rockers and monkey bars in Washington Park will keep you and your kids endlessly entertained. The entire area around the play structure is padded to help break falls, which is great, however, the structure has some danger spots that require hypervigilant parenting of early walkers and toddlers. It’s still fun, you just need to stay close.

For older kids: Portland Waldorf School in Milwaukie Wow! All the equipment on the grounds is practically brand new, but what makes this playground an absolute must is the Hexamid, or as we call it, “the giant spider web.” Made out of rope in the shape of a very large teepee, this entire structure bounces when you’re climbing on it. By far, definitely one of the best play structures for older children who like to climb. I recommend it only for kids in

Courtesy Dan Knoll

For toddlers: Wilshire Park in NE Portland This quaint (NE) neighborhood park has one of the best collection of play structures for toddlers. The little house slide is just the right

Courtesy Rick Hamell. photography.hamell.net

grades 6 and up. Note - this is private property; be respectful and responsible.

Horning’s Hideout

Memorial Park

size - tots go up a ramp and down the slide by themselves. Early walkers have many items to hold onto as they navigate around the play area.

There’s also a nice sandpit, tons of trees and good shade.

Promontory Park in Estacada Small Fry Lake at Promontory Park is your best bet for beginning anglers. It’s a quiet troutstocked pond where you’ll fish from the shore.

Continued on page 10

Courtesy Cheryl Link

Best parks for fishing:

Klineline Pond NW Kids Magazine | 9

summer outings Make no mistake, you’re not going to catch a 10-pound salmon at this location; however, it’s almost a guarantee that your kids will catch fish and get plenty of bites on the line.

Other great parks:

Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Park in Vancouver Klineline Pond is a man-made lake with some sandy shores, a concessions-area and a lifeguard in the summer. The park even has a sunbathing dock out in the water, which is rare sight around here. Fish from the shore or from one of several fishing docks. The pond is stocked with trout. The park also features 35 acres of developed parkland and 368 acres of undeveloped green space.

Best park for your dog: Mt. Tabor

Horning’s Hideout in North Plains This is without a doubt in my top five favorite places to take the family. Get in your cars and head out there as soon as possible.

On a beautiful setting near Hillsboro, the fishing (stocked rainbow trout) is excellent; catching a nice rainbow trout is not guaranteed but highly likely. Don’t even bother even bringing your own fishing gear; it’s inexpensive to rent. They have everything, including licenses, with no hassles. Other activities include playstructures, horseshoes, paddleboats, hikes, biking trails, incredible disc-golf courses, and picnicking. Relax and stay a while.

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Best parks for hiking with kids: Hoyt Arboretum & Tualatin Hills Nature Park See the NW Kids guide to family hiking on page 12 Vince Schreck is the author of Portland Family Adventures, a virtual guidebook to local fun.

Find directions and greater detail about the parks listed here, including photos and video, at www.pdxfamilyadventures.com.

N O P O 3 8 0 8 N W I L L I A M S AV E 5 0 3 . 2 8 2 . 2 2 3 3 | S E L LWO O D 7 9 5 6 S E 1 3 T H AV E 5 0 3 . 7 3 6 . 3 0 0 0

Commonwealth Lake in Cedar Hills As far as parks go, this one is unique. Basically, it’s a man-made lake surrounded by a nice neighborhood. The lake is stocked each spring with rainbow trout and with warm-water fish (bass, bluegill and crappie) in the summer.

This may be one of the nicest places to drop a line, especially for young anglers. Bring your rod and some tackle. The lovely park is part of a Cedar Hills neighborhood so please respect homeowners’ privacy and property.

Park with the best outdoor grills/picnic benches: George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego

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NW Kids Magazine | 11

summer outings

short hikes

for short legs in portland

By Paul Gerald Sunny days, warm weather, and no school – good thing we’re surrounded by hiking trails!

Here’s a quick summary of places where little legs can have big fun. For detailed route maps, check PortlandHikers.org, a wiki with a comprehensive Field Guide.

Around town, start with some of the 8 miles of trails through Tryon Creek State Park on SW Terwilliger Blvd. Many loops are available, with a creek, a visitor center, and ranger-led programs throughout the year. Call Friends of Tryon Creek (503-636-4398) or visit tryonfriends.org for more info.

Another loop-filled park is Hoyt Arboretum, part of Washington Park. With 950 species and varieties of plants, labels on more than 5,000 trees and shrubs, and miles of shady paths, a family can do as much or as little as they want. (Portland Parks and Recreation, 503-823-7529).

Up at the Audubon Society on NW Cornell Road, you can see owls, hawks and a falcon up-close at a bird rehab center, and you can also wander three short loops through a bird sanctuary. For a slightly tougher adventure, start down at Lower Macleay Park under the Thurman Street bridge and put in 1.1 miles along a scenic creek, with a little climb at the end, to Cornell and the birds. (Audubon Society, 503-292-6855).

For a more woodsy adventure, head up towards Mount Hood and stop at Wildwood Recreation Area, right on Highway 26 in Welches. There you can find Cascade Streamwatch, where two flat loops total 1.75 miles: one that traces a boardwalk through a wetland and another along the Salmon River to an underwater fish viewing structure. ($5 to park; BLM Salem District, 503-622-3696) 12 | NW Kids Magazine

Just a little farther up the Salmon River is a Forest Service trail that goes 2.6 miles right along the stream and under towering old-growth trees. It has little ups and downs, plenty of stream access, and fun logs to play around. (NW Forest Pass required to park; in Zigzag, turn right off US 26 onto Salmon River Road for 2.7 miles; Zigzag Ranger District, 503-622-3191) If you’re looking to camp or fish, the Mount Hood area is also home to Lost Lake, with a full-service campground, store, boat rentals, stocked fish, an interpretive boardwalk through old growth, and a lovely three-mile jaunt around the lake. ($7 to park; Lost Lake Resort, 541-386-6366 or lostlakeresort.org).

Now, for a couple slightly tougher options.

There are a few hills to climb at Silver Falls State Park, but there’s also a seven-mile trail with 10 waterfalls – some of which you go behind – and plenty of ways to cut the walk short. ($3 to park; Silver Falls State Park, 503873-8681).

And if you’re at the coast, try Cape Lookout State Park, near Tillamook. From the upper trailhead, it’s 2.3 mostly flat miles to a 500-foot-high viewpoint over the ocean, or 1.8 miles down to sprawling South Beach, which is only accessible by trail. (Cape Lookout State Park, 503-842-3182).

Paul Gerald is a local writer and avid hiker. He is the author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Portland, a comprehensive and entertaining guide to local environs. All the hikes Paul recommends are available in the book, now in its 4th Edition, and available in local bookstores or online at paulgerald.com.

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summer outings

summer movie sneaks

By Kimberly Gadette

Amid the usual summer film sequels, Hollywood is offering up a few new kid-oriented characters. We finally get to see the wacky teenaged Great Dane Marmaduke and the mischievous Ramona come to life on the big screen. It’s been quite a wait – 50 years or so! There’s also a brand new villain named Gru (check out the voice cast for that one – woowee) and a scruffy gang of four-pawed secret agents highly skilled in the fine art of “tailing” their suspects. Here’s the skinny on upcoming G and PG flicks.

Cutting to the close-up: “MARMADUKE”

Concerns: Few, except for the fact that after viewing this film, kids might beg their parents for their own super-sized Marmaduke.

Even the most ill-mannered house pets will look angelic after watching Marmaduke’s household destruction. Other than talking, dancing and singing, the adolescent dogs and cats bully each other and flirt, but it’s relatively harmless... just like all those teens in the tame Disney films of yesteryear.

MPAA Rating: PG for some rude humor and language.

Release date: June 4 “DESPICABLE ME” (in Real 3D) Voice cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig

Voice cast: Owen Wilson, George Lopez, Fergie, Kiefer Sutherland Live cast: Lee Pace, William H. Macy Plot: The big fella from the 1954 comic strip, his feline step-brother and his humans are westward bound, moving from Kansas to hip Orange County. The two-legged creatures may have their challenges, but it’s particularly hard for a horse-sized teenage Great Dane to fit in. Told from Marmaduke’s point of view, it’s a coming-of-age, boy-meets-grrrrl mix of live action and CG-rendered talking animals.

Per the film’s director, Tom Dey, “It’s a John Hughes movie with dogs.”

14 | NW Kids Magazine

Plot: Our protagonist is the super villain known as Gru, who surrounds himself with a yellow army of capsule-sized minions who follow his every wish. The smarter super-villain Vector repeatedly foils Gru, as do a trio of wacky orphan little girls who discovers that he does, indeed, have a heart. Will his plans to capture the moon succeed? Will he ultimately care?

Concerns: The very rude Gru speaks with a thick accent that may be difficult for some Continued on page 15

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NW Kids Magazine | 15

summer outings

children to understand. A dubious hero, he’s also the villain, and his behavior is below par, he’ll present children with balloons, only to pop them; he’ll blow up a carnival booth to win a prize. With scatological references, characters frequently hitting each other and constant detonations (though no one gets truly hurt), children could come away thinking bad behavior is funny, even admirable.

MPAA Rating: PG for rude humor and mild action Release Date: July 9 “RAMONA AND BEEZUS”

family (even Beezus). Not many films center around a female child; this movie provides an emphatic nod in celebration of little girls with big dreams.

MPAA Rating: G Release date: July 23 “CATS & DOGS: REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE” (3D) Voice Cast: Alec Baldwin, Michael Clarke Duncan, Bette Midler Live Cast: Chris O’Donnell, Jack McBrayer Plot: Calling K-9-1-1! In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has hatched an im-paw-sible plot. Kitty Galore, a former agent with cat spy organization MEOWS, intends to make the world her scratching post, taking down both her canine enemies and kitty comrades. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs are forced to join forces for the first time in history, in an unlikely alliance to save both themselves and their humans.

Cast: Selena Gomez, Joey King, John Corbett Plot: Based on the best-selling books by Beverly Cleary, this upcoming film is the first adaptation for the widescreen (a prior PBS 10-part television series ran in the ‘80s). Eightyear-old Ramona boasts a vivid imagination and spirited persona. She’s often challenged by her bossy older sister “Beezus” (the nickname given to her by baby Ramona, who couldn’t pronounce “Beatrice”). When her family’s home looks like it needs saving, it’s Ramona to the rescue.

Concerns: None. This film looks to appeal to the same audience who loved 2008’s “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” Ramona is a smart young ingénue who is allowed to express herself on her own individual terms and who has strong, loving support from her 16 | NW Kids Magazine

Concerns: A sequel to 2001’s “Cats & Dogs,” blending live action, puppetry and computer animation, this film looks to be a fun romp with talking animals aplenty. The spy comedy offers entertaining visuals (e.g., exploding squirrel robots, dogs flying through space, cuddly pups and kittens). Though the kid-centric movie may be a bit tame for adults, it’ll have plenty of bite for the younger crowd.

MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG Release date: July 30