NW Kids Magazine December 2017 - Revised

L I V E • PLAY • DO

magazine

ALL ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS! Events Gift Guide Light Displays nwkidsmagazine.com

DECEMBER 2017

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S

THE NUTCRACKER

®

DECEMBER 9  24, 2017• KELLER AUDITORIUM TICKETS START AT $23 • OBT.ORG/NUTCRACKER • 5032225538 PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY:

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10 PER including FORM ANCES OBT O with The RCHE STRA

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Editor’s Note I love winter. I love beanies and scarves. I love warm sweaters in cool colors, and I love the hand-knit socks my mother-in-law always sends, wrapped around festively-colored paper-wrapped Russian chocolates.

I love sledding and hiking and all of the mountain sports. But most of all, I love the lights.

I’m not alone in my passion, either. My kids share my fascination. This time of year, we play a game in which we’re naturalists, looking for new species of decorated houses: “There’s a whole flock of common rainbow twinkles.” and “Look! A rare Columbian Prancing Rudolph! And it’s got its icicle plumage in!” My kids battle to be the first one to find a decorated house for the year, and then they look for the last lonely house in January, the one that forgot to migrate with its fellows.

Portland lends itself so well to these games. It’s a city that loves the light, loves the warmth of the holidays. We can spend days looking at the displays—private and professional. I’ve spent a bit of time and compiled for you a list of our favorites, a short directory of the light shows that reflect the beauty of our area. So get out there and enjoy!

Melissa

Cover photography by OREGON ZOO

Contents photography by OREGON GARDEN 4 | NW Kids Magazine

Contents DECEMBER 2017 7 Lice: The Unwanted Visitor

18 Holiday Lights Brighten the City

13 Buying Local: Our Gift Guide

24 Holidays with Teens

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magazine Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Instagram : @nwkidsmagazine • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids NW Kids is published monthly

by Miche Media, 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.

Editor Melissa Kniazeva melissa@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Director Laurel Carrasco laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Graphic Designer Robyn Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Client Services Coordinator / Web Editor Mary Brady mary@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com

Listings Aim High Martial Arts...................................31 All Families Surrogacy...................................23 Barre3.............................................................25 Bennett Suzuki................................................. 9 Brain Balance.................................................23 Christian Youth Theater..................................31 Club Pilates.....................................................23 Congregation Shaarie Torah...........................31 Eco Maids.......................................................23 Engineering for Kids......................................31 Hearing Resources Audiology Center............20 iFLY Portland..................................................11 Imago Theatre ...............................................29 Jack and Jill of America.................................12 Keys To Life Music............................................ 9 6 | NW Kids Magazine

Lice Clinics of America...................................10 Lice Ninjas......................................................10 Little Fruit Farm..............................................29 Made You Look...............................................20 Milagros Boutique.........................................12 North Clackamas Parks and Rec....................27 NW Children’s Theater....................................29 OMSI................................................................. 2 Oregon Ballet Theatre...................................... 2 Oregon Episcopal School...............................26 Oregon Zoo....................................................... 3 Play Fit Fun.....................................................26 Portland Children’s Museum.........................29 Portland Spirit................................................27 Portland Trampoline......................................22

Pottery Fun.....................................................12 Presents of Mind............................................11 Ratzlaf Cello Studio........................................11 Salem Carousel..............................................20 Saturday Academy.........................................29 Sit Still.............................................................. 9 Soccer Shots...................................................32 Spielwerk Toys................................................12 Sunshine Montessori....................................... 9 The Kids’ Backyard Store................................22 The MOB NW.................................................16 Thinker Toys....................................................11 TinkerMaker Toys............................................12 Uniquely Wise.................................................. 9 Victorian Belle................................................20

“Hunting for lice” by Gerard ter Borch

Lice: A Treatable Menace by ARIEL FRAGER

On a late Sunday afternoon my son wandered into the kitchen wildly scratching his head. “My head doesn’t itch Mommy,” he declared, “it’s just from playing outside.” I calmly sat him down and confirmed my fear when I found a dozen or so of lice nits and one live louse partying on my kid’s scalp.

Like 90% of American parents who choose to treat head lice themselves, I drove down to the corner pharmacy and bought some chemical based lice treatment and doused by son’s head with the stuff. After washing out the chemicals, I turned on an audiobook and spent the next two hours combing through my son’s hair.

Most of us recoil at the thought of lice (and you’re probably feeling a bit itchy right now!), but not only have lice been around as long as humans have, they are very common even now. The Center of Disease Control estimates that 6-12 million American school age children contract head lice a year. While

lice are not known to spread disease themselves, the open wounds caused by scratching can make sufferers prone to other infections, such as impetigo. Fear, shame, and lack of reliable data make a firm number of yearly cases difficult to estimate, but it is thought that some 100,000 lice infestations are found each year in Oregon.

Lice disproportionately affects longhaired children because the combing out process to remove the lice bugs and their eggs is so labor- and time-intensive. Few parents are willing to cut their child’s hair to the 1/16th of an inch required to get rid of lice. When I found some more nits on my son’s head after the first treatment with the chemical based medicine, my next strategy to deal with the lice was a very short haircut and more time-intensive combing sessions. Parents of long-haired children might be attached to their locks and not be as quick to opt for a buzz cut to manage a lice infestation. continued on p. 8 NW Kids Magazine | 7

Dealing with Lice

Photographs by GILLES SAN MARTIN

Professional treatment for lice removal is thought of as an expensive--but much faster and more effective--process for ending a lice infestation, but since many lice have become resistant to overthe-counter pesticides, professional services are often the most costeffective option. Using professionals can have some big advantages: professionals may avoid pesticides; technicians handle the comb outs-which is especially helpful with long hair; and often professionals provide a guarantee for the work done.

Whether you use a professional lice removal service or you opt, as I did, for a home treatment, the most important component of effectively treating lice is patience and compassion. Combing through a child’s hair for hours on end is taxing to any parent/child relationship.

Lice seem to be a rite of passage for many kids and their parents. Be patient with yourself and your child as you move through this childhood milestone, together.

Ariel Frager spends most of her time hanging out with children at work as a school counselor and at home as a mom. When she isn’t “watching this” she is planning her next adventure for her blossoming travel writer career. Ariel lives in Portland, Oregon with her family.

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1. Most public schools do not inform parents when fellow students contract lice, so parents do not know to check for them. Children can have lice for weeks or months without parents knowing, so check regularly.

2. Students are most likely to contract lice from coats, hats, and backpacks hanging tightly together on coat hooks. If there is a lice outbreak in your child’s school, teach your child to bag up their belongings individually.

3. Follow instructions carefully. However you choose to combat lice, make certain it is age-appropriate, and be certain to complete the entire course of treatment. Not following up with whatever remedy you use means the lice can come back.

4. Use a high-quality lice comb.

The Nit Free Terminator comb is recommended by professionals as a tool every household should have.

5. Machine wash any bedding or clothes that may have come in close contact with lice in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Vacuum anything that can’t be washed.

6. Head lice only live on humans.

Your pet cannot spread lice.

7. Teach kids not to share anything that touches their head, including combs, hats, towels, headphones, or hair accessories. Also, they should avoid head-to-head contact whenever possible.

8. Keep an eye out for re-infestation.

Check your kids regularly as part of a routine.

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Lice Resources LOCAL FAVORITES Lice Clinics of America Lice Clinics of America provides the safest, most effective urgent care headlice treatments, formulated to get rid of lice every time with just one treatment.

5201 SW Westgate Dr., Suite 106 (503) 966-9994 liceclinicsportland.com

Lice Ninjas Lice Ninjas, a Portland native company, only treats one family at a time, without chemicals. They are always willing to answer your lice-related questions.

10175 SW Barbur Blvd (503) 927-6605 liceninjas.com

Sit Still Every household needs a “Lice Knowing You” lice detection or knockout kit just in case you get a note from school. It’s going around!

5656 Hood St., Ste 105 (360) 728-9549 sitstillkids.com

Hair Fairies 2351 NW Westover Rd, Ste 240 (971) 803-6310 www.hairfairies.com

LiceDoctors Mobile service (503) 715-1726 licedoctors.com

Lice Knowing You 1125 SE Madison St (503) 239-5423 www.liceknowingyou.com

LiceWise Mobile service (971) 263-4867 licewise.com 10 | NW Kids Magazine

Nit Picky Mobile service (503) 933-7824 nit-picky.com

Picky Picky Lice Removal 14602 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Ste F, Vancouver (360) 597-3366 pickypickyllc.com

The Nit Knack Shack 13216 NE 59th St., Ste 45, Vancouver (360) 728-9549 thenitknackshack.com

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Gift Guide!

Tinker-Maker Tubs & Kits Bring STEM home and give a gift parents will love as much as kids: a bucket full of things to build, explore, invent, and create. $30 - $40 tinkermakertoys.com/store--sign-up.html

The Firechief A beloved classic toy, the “Firechief” sports a bright red coat, a roof-light, and inspires heroism. A solid wood, safe, and nearly indestructible wooden car. $30 madeyoulookpdx.com/products/firechief

Made in Portland For our newest residents! From local designer Salty Raven comes this hand screen printed in Portland design featuring three of Portland’s iconic bridges. NB-12years. $22-$25 presentsofmind.tv/product-page/ made-in-portland-onesie-gold

Cat Headphones Perfect for the kiddo who loves cats, glitter, or keeping the same song on repeat for 2 weeks straight. And the sound is great! $30 In store at Sit Still Salon & Shoppe

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Gift Guide!

Assist the Resistance onesies Assist the Resistance onesies allow baby to be part of the moment! Add #resist and few teething toys and you’re set to take on the world. $30 milagrosboutique.com/products/assist-the-resistance

Mischief Maker Slingshot Mischief Maker Slingshot is handmade in Portland and is designed to only shoot soft foam balls.

Super easy to use for little hands to big ones! $20 blackwagon.com/product/mighty-fun-mischiefmaker-classic-green.html

Loog Guitar Give kids music! With Loog Guitars, your little one can play songs on day one. The app helps kids tune and play along with their favorite bands.

Mini $79, electric $199 huckleberrykidsrooms.com/ collections/wild-rare

Dreadful Stitch Rattle The tiniest gift openers will adore these locally made 7� works of art by The Dreadful Stitch. Each is a one-ofa-kind rattle with its own style! $20 In store at Bella Stella

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iFLY Flight School Program Soar through the New Year with indoor skydiving at iFLY! The Flight School Program for kids ages 4-16 is a great gift for little athletes. Packages start at $69.95 iflyworld.com

Oregon Zoo Membership Unlimited animal awesomeness! A family membership to the Oregon Zoo brings you closer to the wild—all year long. $69-$169 oregonzoo.org

Portland Children’s Museum Membership A membership to Portland Children’s Museum gifts a lifetime of memories.

Kids explore, build, imagine, and learn every time they visit. $85-250 portlandcm.org

OMSI Membership Give the gift that lasts all year to family and friends! It’s 365 days of brain-powered fun for everyone on your list. Stop in or call 503-797-4634. $95-$225 omsi.edu/membership

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Holiday Lights Ma ZooLights What would the holidays in Portland be without ZooLights? With more than a million and a half lights it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Buy tickets online before you go so there’s no waiting. Take the train, snack at the food carts, visit the carousel, and take pictures with Santa, all the while visiting the beasties that we love!

When: Nov. 24-Jan. 7 (except Dec. 24, 25, Jan. 1-4), 5-9 p.m. (8 p.m. on Value Nights).

Where: 4001 S.W. Canyon Rd Cost: $14.95 Adults (ages 12-64), $12.95 Seniors (ages 65+), $9.95 Youth (ages 3-11), free for ages 2 and younger. oregonzoo.org/visit/zoolights

Christmas in the Garden

Grotto Festival of Lights

Holiday market, ice skating, photos with Santa, fire pits 600,000 lights and live music each night.

When: Nov. 24-Dec. 3 (closed some weekdays, Dec. 24 & 25) Where: 879 W Main St, Silverton Cost: Pricing varies, averaging $10 per person oregongarden.org

The largest choral festival in the world, carolers, puppet shows, and live animals.

When: 5pm-9:30 pm, Nov. 24-Dec. 30.

Closed Christmas.

Where: 8840 NE Skidmore St. Cost: $11 for adults, $10 for seniors. $6 ages 3-12, free ages 0-2. thegrotto.org

Peacock Lane Portland’s premier residential Christmas lights never fail to impress. Please be respectful of the neighbors.

When: 6 pm-11 pm Dec. 15-31. Pedestrian only Dec. 15-17.

Where: SE Peacock Lane between Stark & Belmont Cost: none peacocklane.org 18 | NW Kids Magazine

Oregon Garden

ke Holiday Magic Victorian Belle: The Miracle of a Million Lights December at Victorian Belle is The Miracle of a Million Lights. The entire 2.5 acres is filled with a million plus twinkling lights that turn this historic Portland landmark into a Christmas Wonderland! Tour historic Victorian Belle, decorated with more than twenty Christmas trees, take a picture with Santa, roast marshmallows with Rudolph, and meet the resident bunnies and turtles.

When: December 9-23, 6 pm-10 pm nightly.

Where: 1441 McClellan St. Cost: $8 adults, $5 seniors and $4 children ages 4-17, free under 3. Bring in a canned food item for $1 off. victorianbelle.com

Christmas Fantasy Trail

Holiday Express Train

Fantasy Trail with thousands of lights, Christmas scenes, a tunnel, maze, crooked house, suspension bridge.

When: 6pm-9pm. Dec. 2-30, Closed Dec. 24 & 25.

Where: 19754 South Ridge, Oregon City.

Cost: $6 adult, $5 ages 12 & under (cash only) fantasytrail.com

Ride along the Willamette River from Oaks Park on an old Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation train.

When: Varies, Nov. 24-25, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17; Where: 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way Cost: $10.50-$20.50 orhf.org/the-holiday-express

Christmas Ships Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 festively-decorated boats between the Columbia and Willamette rivers.

When: Check the website Where: Check the website Cost: free christmasships.org

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For the past sixteen years, PJA fifth grade teacher and lover of words, Harriet Wingard, has led an after-school writing class called Living as a Writer. On Thursday afternoons, workshop participants gather to write, just for the joy of it. They cultivate community as they read their work, offer supportive critique, seek outside publishing opportunities, and celebrate their shared love of language. Here is what the current participants in the Living as a Writer workshop have to say about what draws them into the writer’s circle: My words fall before I can speak.

Writing is an escape, an escapade through worlds made by pen and not by sword.

Writing is an outlet for me to plug in my creativity.

I write for those smart-sounding ideas in my head that I can’t quite phrase right.

I write for the adventures my pen brings me.

I write to escape the drowning reality of today.

The embarrassed feeling I get when I’m complimented drives my writing to stay anonymous.

I write because I like imagining places and things that don’t actually exist in our world today.

I write about what the texture of the air felt like; the crunch of my tortilla chip; the raindrops that caused soft ringlets in my light, golden hair.

I write for what each day brings in detail.

I write because a page covered in writing is better than an empty one.

I write because speaking can stop, but words cannot.

The pen pushes through the boundaries of my mind.

Timeless imagination conquers my mind with no escape.

I write to calm myself and because I enjoy creating my own, amazing universes.

I write because the heart can never house too much poetry.

I write because the world needs a voice!

Thank you to our wonderful writers: Abe, Anna, Bella, Brianne, Eli, Gabrielle, Gili, Jacob, Jemma, Lev, Liana, Mazzi, Ruthie, Sylvie, and Tess for their words!

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Photograph by PRAYITNO/FLICKR

Getting Your Teens Involved for the Holidays by MELINDA THOMPSON

Already stressing about what to do with your teens during the holiday/winter break?

How will you get them off their phones, the computer and get them involved in the joy of all the season has to offer? Let’s face it as teens get older they often just want to hang out with friends and being forced to visit with family isn’t always high on their wish list. Finding creative ways to get them involved and keep them busy can be a challenge, but with a little creative planning and some clever ideas it just might be the key to the perfect holiday.

Plan a family meeting in early November where everyone brings their calendar. Come up with a list of activities and obligations that are a “must do,” for everyone. Outline dates for special holiday outings and discuss what activities are important to each family member. Maybe let each person pick a fun festive outing that everyone could do together; like a play, a movie, skating or looking at holiday lights. Things like tree trimming and shopping combine family time with activities. Things like cutting down the tree, decorating and putting up the outdoor lights are fun things that everyone can take part in. Plan a special baking day and ask for help with cookie decorating.

Let them decorate their own tree for their room or put up a festive string of lights.

Make ornaments or homemade gifts, have them help deliver treats, address holiday cards or wrap gifts. Have them clean out their closets and donate what they do not need to charity.

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Perhaps your teens are motivated to make money during their winter break?

Have them brainstorm ways to do so.

Babysitting, gift wrapping, dog walking, holiday helper or personal shopper for a busy family or a part-time job are all possibilities. Raking up fall leaves or shoveling snow? Have them get creative and find a way to make some extra cash.

Teaching them to give back during the holidays is a great way to get them involved within their own community.

Have them organize a canned food drive or coat drive, help an elderly neighbor or family member. If they are looking for a cause to volunteer for they can google www.VolunTeennation.org where they can connect to this unique nationwide teen volunteer organization.

Using their own zip code they can see the volunteer opportunities in their area for teens ages 10 to 17.

Have them plan a few outings with friends, movies, sleep-overs, skating, game night, shopping or attending a fun holiday event will get them off their phones and out of their rooms!

Go to the local library or let them buy a special book for the break…anything to get them reading.

Put them in charge of a family tradition like reading a special story aloud or making place cards for the dinner table.

Let them choose a special present for each of their siblings. Let them choose the gifts for the local ‘Giving Tree.’

The holidays can be a magical time to reflect, give back and celebrate with family and friends. Creating those memories and cherished family traditions while getting your teens involved will eventually mean more to them than they realize.

Melinda Thompson is a Portland-based freelance writer with a degree in speech communications and a coveted “Ducktorate” from the Walt Disney World Company. She has been featured in many local magazines and newspapers.

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Get Out and Play!

This month’s local adventures

Nov 24-Dec 20

Dec 2

Salem celebrates in style. Mail a letter to Santa and get a response; have breakfast with Santa; and take a photo (without a sitting fee).

Ride the carousel for free on Christmas and New Year’s Day! $1.50 per ride, salemcarousel.wixsite.com/salemcarousel

Grown-ups will love the vendors, cider, and hearty lunch while the kids can listen to stories, make candles, do crafts, roast stick bread, and visit the petting zoo. Pre-order tickets and skip the line. 10am-4pm.

Admission is free, some activities have a cost, cedarwoodschool.org/ events/winter-faire

Salem’s Riverfront Carousel

Dec 2

Da Vinci Arts Fair

Shop for local art and enjoy live music all while supporting Da Vinci Arts School. Students and professional artists will be selling their work, along with craft and food vendors. Free, facebook.com/davinciartsfair DaVinci Arts Fair

Cedarwood Winter Faire

Dec 2

Fantastic Mosses and Where to Find Them

Explore Scouters Mountain Nature Park in Happy Valley and learn all about moss from a local naturalist. You’ll never look at this abundant Northwest plant the same way again! $6/person or $11/ family, oregonmetro.gov/event/ fantastic-mosses-and-where-findthem-1/2017-12-02

Dec 2

Winter and Holiday Ceramic Painting at Troutdale Library

Young participants get to pick an ornament to paint and take home.

All supplies provided--just bring your creativity! Free, multcolib.org/events/winter-andholiday-ceramics-painting

Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur.

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Dec 10

Miller Family Free Day at the Portland Art Museum

Scanfair

Dec 2-3 Scanfair

Enjoy Nordic crafts and treats and meet Joulupukki, the Finnish Santa Claus. Additionally, make sure to stop by the special Pippi Longstocking kids area to enjoy additional holiday activities. $7-$8, scanheritage.org/scanfair

Dec 2 & Dec 9 Wing It for the Kids at Clackamas Repertory Theater

Children between ages 2 and 10 are invited to this interactive production.

No two shows are alike, because the kids’ input shapes the story each time. $5, clackamasrep.org/event-item/ wing-it-for-kids/

Dec 10

Science from the North Pole at Hollywood Library

Ever wonder about how science could explain Santa getting down the chimney? Kids ages 5 to 12 will get to explore this and other special North Pole puzzles. Free, multcolib.org/ events/science-north-pole

In addition to free admission to the Portland Art Museum, this month’s event will also be a celebration of the museum’s 125th anniversary! Join the party with family-friendly art-making activities and cake. Free, portlandartmuseum.org/ event/miller-family-free-day-2017

Dec 10 Black Santa

Play games, visit vendors, and get a picture with Black Santa. It’s a fantastic time and a worthy cause: all proceeds benefit Albina Head Start. 3pm-5pm. $20 for a framed photo with Black Santa, jackandjillportland.org

Dec 16

Winter Solstice and Christmas Ship Viewing in Milwaukie

Come to Milwaukie Riverfront Park for a great view of the illuminated Christmas Ships. Warm yourself by the bonfire and fortify yourselves with hot chocolate (or beer for adults). Free, milwaukieoregon. gov/citymanager/winter-solsticechristmas-ships-viewing-event-0

Dec 19

The Amazing Bubble Man

If the young ones in your life are mesmerized by bubbles you’ll want to be sure to stop by the Clinton Street Theater to watch the master in action.

This interactive show will have the whole family spellbound! $6-11, cstpdx.com/show/amazing-bubble-man

Looking for more? Check out our online calendar: nwkidsmagazine.com/events 30 | NW Kids Magazine

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