ParentMap November 2021 Issue

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Hunger Crisis 7 ways families can help combat food insecurity in their communities

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Made in Washington Unique gifts for everyone on your list — homegrown in our own backyard

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The Giving Season New traditions to make it a meaningful one

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WELLNESS

Hunger Crisis 7 ways families can help combat food insecurity in their communities

Don’t Forget a Flu Vaccine This Season Why the annual influenza vaccine is particularly valuable this year

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HOME, SWEET HOME

Start a New Holiday Tradition 8 Festive meals, thoughtful gifts, and ways to give back and spread cheer EDUCATION

November Play List 18 A bountiful harvest of shows, festivals and early-season holiday events for families

5 STEM-tastic Competitions for Young Innovators 14 Encourage your budding inventor to enter one of these great contests

22 Brain Boosters 4 powerful tips to help improve your child’s memory GIFT GUIDE

Made in Washington Unique gifts for the giving season — homegrown in our own backyard

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OUT + ABOUT

“Fortunately, it’s easy for the whole family to take action together to make a difference.”

Fall is in full swing and the holiday season is almost upon us — we’ve got your bucket list of shows and performances, festivals and earlyseason holiday events to get you out and about this November.

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10 INSIDE: 2021 Winter Family Adventure Guide

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DE AR R E ADER

Prioritizing food for all

NOVEMBER 2021, VOL. 18, NO. 11

What is a favorite family food tradition around the Thanksgiving holiday?

PUBLISHER

Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL

I’m guessing that the majority of us would probably agree that the most anticipated aspect about celebrating the yearend holidays — apart from the moving target of “togetherness as we can experience it in our pandemic reality” factor (and maybe the perennial chart-topping giving of gifts, for the under-10 set; p. 25) — is the sharing of fabulous food. The traditional dishes handed down from generation to generation sustain the connection to our familial and cultural/communal origins throughout the years, a through line that in every delectable morsel consumed identifies us and propels us forward meaningfully.

Our signature holiday meal staples can just as often be epic feats of culinary skill as they are bodaciously and unapologetically low-brow indulgences. (Case in point: the Lindley family “Pink Salad,” a hypnotically Pepto-Bismol-pink-hued and oversweet — but delicious — frozen concoction of ambiguous origin comprised of pantry/freezer stalwarts, such as: canned cherry pie filling, pineapple chunks, sweetened condensed milk, an abomination of Cool-Whip, walnuts [superfood salvation!], a critical soupçon of almond extract … Don’t judge, lest ye be judged …) When I asked my dear colleagues to share a favorite holiday tradition, most of them immediately cited a go-to family recipe.

What should never be a holiday tradition for anyone? Hunger.

Could anything be more painfully antithetical to the inherent celebration of holidays — or to every single day of family life — than hunger? Too many Washington state families — totaling some 850,000 souls each year — face a second pandemic holiday season in food-insecure homes.

Every single one of us can and must help.

“Discovering the full extent of hunger in the midst of plenty is dismaying, and not a little infuriating.”

Let this holiday season be the one during which we all institute a new and enduring family tradition (the Lindley-Henehans’ will be as indelible and enduring as “Pink Salad” has been, I promise) to make sure that our PNW neighbors don’t experience hunger during the “giving season.”

Our feature (p. 10), by Gemma Alexander, proposes some readily actionable ideas for how families can help combat food insecurity in their communities. Please, help — the benefit to your community and family will have positive reverberations well into the future.

I hope that your answer to Nicole Persun’s astute question, “What makes my family feel happy and connected?” (p. 8) is: Anything that helps feed our neighbors in need.

— Patty Lindley, managing editor

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Wellness Don’t Forget a Flu Vaccine This Season An expert addresses why the annual influenza vaccine is particularly valuable this year

By Kellie Schmitt Flu season is always unpredictable, but it’s even more uncertain during a pandemic.

Despite worrisome predictions, last year’s influenza numbers plummeted, largely due to physical distancing, school closures and other COVID-19 precautions people were taking. With some of those restrictions easing and kids back in classrooms, this year could be quite a different story, health officials warn.

“We can’t let our guard down just because we had fewer cases last season,” says Annika Mai Hofstetter, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, a Seattle Children’s pediatrician whose research focuses on vaccination. “There is potential for a severe flu season ahead.”

That potential underscores why it’s so important for children and adults to get vaccinated, which is the best way to prevent flu, she says. Health officials strongly recommend influenza vaccination for everyone ages 6 months and older, including pregnant people, as soon as possible. The flu season runs October–May, typically peaking between December and February. Since it takes the body about two weeks to build immunity after receiving the vaccine, it’s best to prepare now.

What will this flu season be like?

Pediatric deaths caused by flu reached a tragic new high during the 2019–2020 flu season: Nationally, about 200 children died — historically, that’s the highest recorded number of child deaths during a regular flu season. But last year, those figures plunged to one child death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“In addition to vaccination, we were on

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top of those other preventative measures,” notes Hofstetter, referring to washing hands, staying home when sick and wearing face masks.

But what happens now, with kids back in school and some of the precautions relaxed? This past summer might offer some unsettling clues. When mitigation efforts were greatly eased this summer, some parts of the country experienced a spike in childhood respiratory diseases, such as respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. That disease, a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children, usually surges in the winter. But like the flu, the illness did not circulate widely last year. “[This unseasonal surge in RSV cases] could be indicative of what might come over the course of this upcoming flu season, with kids back in school,” says Hofstetter.

Still, some behavioral changes could help.

Parents are now more diligent about keeping sick kids home from school, even if it’s “just a cold.” And perhaps the delay in COVID-19 vaccinations for younger children has resulted in a greater appreciation of the widely available flu vaccine.

“Certainly, some parents have seen the downsides of not having a COVID-19 vaccine available,” Hofstetter notes. “But thankfully, children as young as 6 months can receive a flu vaccine for best protection.”

How well do flu vaccines work?

Each year, scientists predict which flu strains will be circulating in the coming season.

When vaccines are well matched to the circulating flu, that protection can reduce the risk of contracting influenza by 40–60

percent on average, according to the CDC. Only time will tell how accurate this year’s predictions turn out to be. But even imperfect flu vaccines are effective in terms of reducing the severe infections that can lead to hospitalization and death, Hofstetter says.

In fact, a recent study published in the journal Vaccine found that vaccinated adults with breakthrough flu cases had lower risks of being admitted to the intensive care unit and death as compared to unvaccinated patients. Children who had been vaccinated against flu were 45 percent less likely to get a fever if they became infected, the same study found.

Where to go?

Along with the pediatrician’s office, there are other vaccination location options for children ages 3 and older, such as area pharmacies and vaccination events. For example, in the Seattle area, grocery store pharmacies, such as QFC and Safeway, offer the flu vaccine, as do drugstore chains such as Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy.

In Washington state, children ages 18 and younger can get a flu vaccine at no cost, and most insurance plans cover this preventive care for adults.

Preparing for the visit The flu vaccine comes in several forms, such as a standard shot that’s approved for kids 6 months and older, and a nasal mist for children ages 2 and older. Parents can consult with a provider about which flu vaccine formulation is available and the right choice for their child.

The best way to address a child’s concerns

about vaccination depends on their age. For older children, it’s often useful to explain why and how vaccination works in preventing illness, says Hofstetter.

For younger children, it’s helpful to address their fears directly. Creating a choice — however small it might seem — also gives the child a sense of control. That control can come in the form of choosing which arm receives the vaccine or which kind of cartoon-themed bandage to pick afterward. Incentives like stickers can also be helpful.

Last year, pediatricians reported a drop in regular childhood vaccines, a result of some parents’ apprehension about taking their children into a health-care setting. But more than 18 months into the pandemic, health-care providers have taken measures to mitigate caregivers’ fears. Many pediatric practices maintain different waiting rooms for sick and healthy kids.

Masking recommendations are strictly enforced, and surfaces are regularly sanitized.

For those with children ages 12 and older* who qualify to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, it’s reasonable to get both shots at the same time, Hofstetter notes. This practice has been studied for routine vaccines and found to be safe and effective.

But no matter your child’s eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, Hofstetter urges families not to delay in getting a flu vaccine for the most effective protection heading into the flu season.

For more information about the influenza vaccine, visit knockoutflu.org.

■

Kellie Schmitt is an award-winning health and science writer. *Editor’s note: At press time, COVID-19 vaccines were not yet available to children younger than 12.

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Home, Sweet Home Start a New Tradition This Holiday Season Festive meals, thoughtful gifts, and ways to give back and spread cheer

By Nicole Persun Last year, families all over the country broke long-held holiday traditions in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Dinners were skipped, cross-country flights were canceled, and visits were held on Zoom, or not at all. But amidst the grief and frustration, many began to consider holiday traditions in a new light. Family values were redefined, and new traditions formed — not based on the pomp and expectation that can oftentimes plague otherwise meaningful gatherings, but on answers to the question “What makes my family feel happy and connected?”

This year, as we test the waters of indoor gatherings once more, it seems pertinent to bring the lessons of the past year into a new era of family traditions. We’ve compiled a list of fun and meaningful new traditions to adopt this season. They’ll help you add some whimsy to the festivities, and introduce intentional compassion and connection into your annual holiday celebrations.

Compile a family cookbook So much of the holiday season revolves around food. Whether you’re dining together or apart this year, you can share in the deliciousness and celebrate a true taste of togetherness by compiling a 2021 family cookbook filled with everyone’s favorite recipes. For more clever ideas for distanced traditions, go to parentmap.com/ connnections.

Make a holiday ‘passport’ Bring multicultural and educational flair to your celebration by learning about holiday traditions in other countries. Have your kids craft mock passports to document your family’s “travels” as you explore other countries through food and culture. Explore other meaningful traditions at parentmap.com/passports.

Craft a napkin ring for upcoming holiday dinners We think this charming pony-bead napkin ring craft project from the Art Bar blog is a clever way to involve the kiddos in the process of setting the dinner table. Use the rings for many Thanksgivings and Christmases to come or make it a yearly tradition with new

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napkin rings each time. Want more Thanksgiving crafts? We can hook you up. parentmap.com/14-crafts Bake a special breakfast Holiday dinners might be the norm, but isn’t breakfast the most important meal of the day? Dazzle your family with a special holiday breakfast, such as overnight French toast from the Chef in Training! blog. Not only is it delicious and easy, this recipe is made ahead of time — which means more time spent bonding instead of cooking. Looking for more holiday breakfast inspiration? Try our list at parentmap.com/breakfast.

Delight in the holiday sparkle If you haven’t put gazing at holiday lights on your family’s roster of fun traditions, well, why not? Pour cocoa into everyone’s thermoses and drive through a winter wonderland of sparkling lights. We’ve got a list of the best holiday light displays in Seattle at parentmap.com/lights.

Discover your new favorite cookie Who doesn’t love holiday cookies? They’re yummy and they make great gifts. We can’t get enough of the easy melted snowman sugar

cookies from the blog Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons. For something a little different, try the popcorn snowballs from the Life Made Simple blog. You’ll find these recipes and a whole bunch more at parentmap.com/cookies.

Write holiday tidings in a homemade card Okay, holiday cards aren’t exactly a new tradition, but they’re a great way for families to reflect on the year and spread some cheer. Rather than defaulting to a fancy print run, try handwriting personalized tidings on a homemade card created by the kids. The tinfoil card from the scrumdilly-do! blog at parentmap.com/DIY-cards is a cute craft for the occasion.

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Make ornaments for loved ones Need a sweet gift for the grandparents? We love the cookie-cutter photo ornament craft from Martha Stewart we’ve included at parentmap.com/ornaments.

They’re simple to create but full of heart. Add to the collection every year by taking new photos and making new ornaments as an annual tradition.

Volunteer together Volunteering is a fabulous way to bring meaning and connection to the holidays while also giving back to the greater community. If you aren’t sure where to go or how to get started, try our list of opportunities for younger kids (parentmap.com/young-volunteers) or our list of opportunities for teens (parentmap.com/ teen-volunteers). Find ways your whole family can help combat food insecurity in our communities on p. 10.

Donate to a great cause If in-person volunteering isn’t your thing, try donating instead. Every year, have your family decide on a new cause to support. This list will get you started: parentmap.com/give-back.

■

Nicole Persun is an award-winning novelist, a writing instructor and the digital content production coordinator at ParentMap.

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FE ATUR E

How Families Can Combat Food Insecurity in Their Communities

By Gemma Alexander

Kids understand what it means to be hungry. Every child can remember melting down after a missed snack or struggling to concentrate during the last class before lunchtime. Living in one of the richest states in one of the richest countries in the world, it’s hard to believe that these are daily experiences for many children in our community. But hunger and food insecurity are widespread — just drive by a local food bank on a distribution day and see the line circling the block.

in the first five months of the pandemic. Of those households, 59 percent were families with children living in the home.

According to Northwest Harvest (northwestharvest.org), 850,000 people in Washington struggle to put food on the table each year, with one out of every six children in the state living in a foodinsecure household. The pandemic has turned an already serious problem into a second crisis. The first Washington State Food Security Survey, which was conducted in 2020 by a team of professors and researchers from Washington State University, the University of Washington and Tacoma Community College, found that 30 percent of Washington state households experienced food insecurity

Volunteer.

Living in one of the richest states in one of the richest countries in the world, it’s hard to believe that these are daily experiences for many children in our community.

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Fortunately, it’s easy for the whole family to take action together to make a difference. Start by working through Feeding America’s Hungry to Help Family Action Plan (feedingamerica.org) with your child. Then try one or more of these all-ages actions to help feed the hungry.

Numerous organizations throughout the Puget Sound region work to feed the hungry. Although in-person volunteer opportunities are somewhat limited due to the pandemic, food banks and soup kitchens are among the most welcoming of youth volunteers and family-group volunteers. Food Lifeline (foodlifeline.org) is a local affiliate of Feeding America. The organization welcomes families with children ages 10 and older for in-person volunteering at its centralized distribution center in South Seattle, which supplies food banks. You can also use Food Lifeline’s map to find the food bank or meal program nearest you and contact them to see how your family can help. Teen Feed (teenfeed.org) runs off-site food programs that allow families to cook meals at home to feed homeless teens.

Organize a food drive or fundraiser.

If your kids are too young to volunteer in person, they can still help you organize a food drive or a fundraiser. The Phinney Neighborhood Association (phinneycenter.org) has a food-drive system to support its hot meal program; Food Lifeline encourages old-school canned food drives; and Feeding America provides guidance for how to arrange a food drive with your neighborhood food bank.

SEATTLE’S PREMIER NANNY AGENCY Help Feed Our Neighbors

“Your child deserves the best, and so do you”

Seattle-area volunteer opportunities for teens, tweens and families Teen Feed, Seattle • teenfeed.org Teen Feed’s peer-based programs provide homeless youths with meals and other critical services. Dinner volunteers (ages 15 and older) cook and package mobile meals for the dinner program, and volunteers in the Youth Ally program (ages 15–18) distribute them. In some cases, the minimum age requirement can be waived at the supervising parent’s discretion.

Food Lifeline, Seattle • foodlifeline.org Volunteering duties at Food Lifeline are fun, easy and make a huge difference in the lives of people experiencing hunger. Volunteers must be age 14 or older to participate.

Hopelink, multiple locations • hopelink.org Volunteers must be at least 16 years old (and some jobs may require volunteers to be at least 18) and register for an orientation session before participating.

West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle • westseattlefoodbank.org West Seattle Food Bank’s mission is to make sure neighbors don’t go hungry by providing access to safe and nutritious food. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Teens can also get involved by participating in a PCC food repackaging party.

University District Food Bank, Seattle • udistrictfoodbank.org The University District Food Bank has been helping prevent hunger in Northeast Seattle since it opened its doors in 1983. Volunteer slots for teens ages 15 and older accompanied by an adult are currently limited, but those who are interested can fill out an application on the website to be added to the waiting list for opportunities as they become available.

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FamilyWorks, Seattle • familyworksseattle.org FamilyWorks provides food and services to families in need. High school students can volunteer at the FamilyWorks food bank during school breaks.

Teens can also organize a food or clothing drive at their school or in their neighborhood.

Northwest Harvest, Kent • northwestharvest.org Help sort and pack food for Northwest Harvest, which promotes healthy eating while reducing hunger. Volunteers ages 9–15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; teens ages 16 and older can volunteer independently.

Nourish Pierce County, Tacoma • nourishpc.org Serving food to more than half a million people in Pierce County every year, Nourish Pierce County always needs volunteers to help out! Teens must be 17 or older to volunteer on their own.

— Nicole Persun

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F E AT UR E

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Because of the pandemic, many food banks are not accepting food donations right now. But Hopelink (hopelink.org) runs a campaign specifically to address family hunger, providing resources to help you organize your own online fundraiser. Feeding America also offers guidance for planning different types of fundraisers, from bake sales to encouraging donations “in lieu of gifts.”

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Grow a garden for others.

Everyone deserves to eat healthy food, but because produce is perishable and expensive, canned goods and prepared foods are the backbone of many food programs. Growing food to give away teaches kids about selflessness and nutrition while also getting them exercising outdoors. Start a vegetable garden in your parking strip with a “Help Yourself” sign; plant a row (or dedicate a bed) in your backyard garden for the food bank, or join a community garden to grow shareable produce (seattle.gov). If you have fruit trees, City Fruit (cityfruit.org) helps you share what you don’t need so none of it goes to waste.

Many food banks cannot accept your extra zucchini.

Ample Harvest (ampleharvest.org) is a free nationwide registry that enables gardeners to find food pantries in their area. The University District Food Bank (udistrictfoodbank.org) is one local option that welcomes your homegrown produce. Seattle’s Giving Garden Network (sggn.org) also maintains a list of organizations that welcome produce donations.

If you can’t maintain your own garden, your family can help out at Solid Ground’s Giving Garden at Marra Farm (solid-ground.org) or in the Beacon Food Forest (beaconfoodforest.org).

Join or start a mutual aid network.

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Mutual aid societies replace charity with solidarity.

They have a long history within communities of color.

Locked out of commercial banking, free Black Americans once pooled resources to buy property and help the needy within their communities. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Latino communities formed sociedades mutualistas. Similarly, Asian American immigrants formed benevolent associations to preserve their heritage and promote the general welfare of their communities.

Mutual aid networks sometimes grow into credit unions and formal cooperatives, but they are most

likely to be loose, informal groups of friends and neighbors who look out for each other. The pandemic sparked a resurgence in the number of mutual aid networks. Mutual Aid Hub (mutualaidhub.org) is a project that tracks such collective efforts. When the pandemic began, it listed 50 mutual aid groups around the country. Now there are hundreds. You can find one near you on the website’s interactive map, or you can form your own with the people you care about using the tool kit.

Stock a community fridge or Little Free Pantry.

A Little Free Pantry (LFP; thelittlefreepantries.org) is just like a Little Free Library, except that instead of (or in addition to) sharing books, you share food and other useful items, such as soap and toothbrushes. The mini-pantry movement is a crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need. Although LFPs don’t hold a

Direct aid is important, but hunger is ultimately a question of justice.

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lot of food, they are “open” at all hours. They also allow you to share perishable food items that food banks may not accept (just make sure you maintain your pantry so it doesn’t get dirty and gross). You can help stock a nearby existing pantry or build and host your own. (If you’re not handy, you can obtain one from The Little Free Pantry Project.) During the pandemic, people have started setting up community fridges, too.

These outdoor refrigerators provide a no-contact way for anyone to take or donate food. Find out if there’s a “freedge” near you at freedge.org. Freedges take a little more effort than a pantry, but there is an online community ready to help you figure out if your family can manage it.

Push for policy changes.

Direct aid is important, but hunger is ultimately a question of justice. We will not eliminate food insecurity until we remove systemic inequities that create barriers in our food and economic systems. Parents can educate themselves about these systems. Learn how the U.S. government struggles to define and measure food insecurity (ers.usda.gov) and then study Northwest Harvest’s food justice resources (northwestharvest.org).

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LO CAL R ES O UR CES / ST EM PRO GRAM S F E AT UR E

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Structural inequality may be too complex for most children to understand, but even young children can learn that advocacy is a powerful tool for change.

Children must learn to raise their voices if they are to eventually take their place as members of a functioning democracy. That can start by simply speaking up on topics they care about, but they don’t have to wait until they are old enough to vote to contact their representatives. Find out who your legislators are and help your child write a letter to them in support of Northwest Harvest’s legislative priorities. If your kid is old enough to have their own email account, they can start to take some virtual action, too, with Feeding America’s petitions and social media campaigns.

Become an ally.

Since food insecurity is a social justice issue, it requires a social justice response. As long as they’re doing good work, it may not seem like it matters who is helping the hungry. But African Americans are disproportionately affected by both the pandemic and food insecurity, with Black children more likely to experience hunger than children of any other race.

According to Feeding America, 24 percent of the Black community experienced food insecurity in 2020. Become an ally by supporting Black-owned businesses and participating in Black-led social justice movements.

Civil Eats (civileats.com) maintains a nationwide list of organizations working to advance Black food sovereignty. Find one whose work speaks to your family and contact that group to ask how you can help. Closer to home, seek out and support local Black farmers, like those at Nurturing Roots, Percussion Farms and Preserves, and those who are members of the Black Farmers Collective (blackfarmerscollective.com).

Support farms owned by people of color and stock your own fridge with a CSA subscription — and don’t forget to let your kids know who grew their food.

Discovering the full extent of hunger in the midst of plenty is dismaying, and not a little infuriating. But families can take heart knowing that there are simple, practical actions they can take together to alleviate the immediate needs of the hungry and to dismantle the systems of injustice that perpetuate the problem.

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Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.

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LO CAL R ES O UR CES / ST EM PRO GRAM S

5 STEM-tastic Competitions for Aspiring Innovators Encourage your budding scientist to enter one of these great contests for young inventors.

2 Future City Competition • futurecity.org Middle school students (in grades 6–8) imagine, research, design and build cities of the future that showcase their solution to an annual sustainability theme.

3 Kids Cooking Recipe Contest •

1 National Geographic GeoChallenge • nationalgeographic.org The National Geographic GeoChallenge empowers young people to learn about issues in their community, engage in critical thinking to identify innovative solutions and take action as champions of the planet.

kids-cooking-activities.com This rolling recipe contest rewards kids’ original recipes. Using the online entry form, entrants submit their recipe with cooking instructions and a photo of their own preparation of the food.

Challenge sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives calls for middle and high school students to submit their apps developed in the past year.

5 Google Play Change the Game •

play.google.com/about/changethegame To address the gender gap in gaming, this program challenges teens to design an inclusive game they’d like to play for the chance to win a $10,000 college scholarship and $15,000 for their school’s or community center’s technology program.

4 The Congressional App Challenge •

congressionalappchallenge.us The district-specific Congressional App

■

Find more cool contests for creative kids at parentmap.com/contests.

Math Classes Now Enrolling

for the Fall & Winter The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, afterschool math enrichment program. We use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop our students’

Schedule a FREE Math Evaluation!

math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life. Hybrid and in-person courses may be available; please inquire with our office for more information.

3 Locations in WA

RussianSchool.com

Bellevue

(425) 518-6114

Factoria

(425) 230-6452

Math Classes Now Enrolling!

Redmond

(425) 616-3511

PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 1 5

LO CAL R ES O UR CES / CAM P S : ARTS + ACT I V I T IES

Media to Encourage Creativity in Kids During a typical day, kids are passive consumers of the content they love — which is fine. But with a little nudging — and the right tools — they can be using that time to build creative skills while sharing their stories, opinions and ideas.

Encouraging your kid to be more of a maker might just be a matter of pointing to someone or something they admire and giving them the technology to make their vision come alive. No matter your kids’ ages and interests, there’s a method and medium to encourage creativity.

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Get kid-specific ideas at parentmap.com/creative-media.

— Common Sense Media

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LO CAL R ES O UR CES / CAM P S : ARTS + ACT I V I T IES

IS JEWISH OVERNIGHT CAMP Right for Your Child?

Live, in-person adventures like ziplining, canoeing, and campfires

lo

Say Hel to:

Authentic connections with new and lifelong Jewish friends

Small groups, masks, and pristine hygiene

Silly fun with water balloons, color war, arts, music, and capture the flag

Singing in Hebrew, connecting to Israel, and bonding over a rich heritage

Heart thumping challenge courses and days filled with screen-free activities

Generous scholarships*

Explore your options at: samisfoundation.org/jewish-camps

* Generous scholarships supported by the Samis Foundation, and first-time camper incentive grants are available through the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle Needs-Based Camp Scholarship and One Happy Camper programs PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 17

FAM I LY F UN

November Play List 15 ways to make the season merry and bright

By Devon Hammer

Check out many more happenings online at parentmap.com/calendar.

Zoolights; photo courtesy Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Wait, what? Wasn’t it just summer? Whether you can believe it or not, fall is in full swing and the holiday season is almost upon us. The strange state of the world continues: Some festivals are back, some are back but look quite different, and some are still on hold. Lucky you, we are staying on top of it all and will keep you informed of any and all opportunities for family fun this season. We have shows and performances, festivals and early-season holiday events to get you out and about this November.

Important note: Some events now require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to attend.

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� Disney on Ice returns with all your favorite Disney stars in “Dream Big.” Snag your tickets to see Moana, Elsa, the Genie, Mickey and other characters take to the ice for a magical show the kids will love. Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett. Nov. 4–7. $30 and up; ages 1 and younger free. parentmap.com/on-ice �

Celebrate the art, spirituality and traditions of Mexican culture while remembering the lives of departed loved ones at Seattle Center’s Día de Muertos exhibit. Altars on view at Fisher Pavilion daily. Oct. 31–Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. parentmap.com/altars

� Enjoy family game night from inside your car during Car Bingo at Meridian Habitat Park. If someone in your car scores a bingo, honk and flash your headlights to redeem your prize! Food trucks on-site provide dinner options. Friday, Nov. 5, 6:30–9 p.m. $30 per car. parentmap.com/car-bingo

� Recognize and honor our country’s veterans and active-duty military at Auburn’s annual parade, one of the largest in the United States, along East Main Street in downtown Auburn. Saturday, Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. Free. parentmap.com/vets-parade � Pitch in during Seattle Forest Week to help keep our region gorgeously green. Check the schedule to find volunteer opportunities, nature walks and more, from Green Seattle Day on Nov. 6 to Arbor Day on Nov. 13. parentmap.com/forest-week

Highlighted Events for November

Nov. 4–7

|

Thursday-Sunday

‘Disney on Ice: Dream Big’ Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett parentmap.com/on-ice

Nov. 16

Grab tickets to an upbeat and entertaining AveKids concert by Vocal Trash at Auburn Avenue Theater. This performance highlights themes of sustainability and anti-bullying.

Saturday, Nov. 13, 2 p.m. $10 per person. parentmap.com/avekids

Okinawa Taiko performs during Bunka no Hi. Photo by Tyler Sipe

� Immerse yourself in Japanese culture at Bunka no Hi, a Japanese Culture Day festival taking place live at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center in Seattle. This year’s focus is on traditional Japanese crafts. Friday– Sunday, Nov. 12–14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. parentmap.com/culture-day

Tuesday

ParentMap Live: What Makes Relationships Work Online parentmap.com/live

10 a.m.–5 p.m. $10–$20; ages 4 and younger free. parentmap.com/julefest

� The ever-popular Kindie West Music Series returns to the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Start your Sunday with a morning jam that’s perfect for kids ages 5 and younger. Check out the Not-Its! on Sunday, Nov. 7, and The Harmonica Pocket on Sunday, Nov. 21. Shows at 10:30 a.m. $5 per child; $10 per adult (series pass option available). parentmap.com/kindie-west �

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�

WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo

� See the Woodland Park Zoo in a different light at WildLanterns. This enchanting seasonal show features giant beautiful lanterns in the shapes of the animals we know and love. Nov. 12–Jan. 30, 4–8:30 p.m. Book in advance online. $25.95–$30.95; ages 2 and younger free. parentmap.com/wildlanterns � Discover ways to help make marriage work with “The Einstein of Love,” John Gottman, Ph.D. Join our ParentMap Live virtual talk to hear Gottman share simple and effective tools that can strengthen (or even save) your relationship. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. $0–$15. parentmap.com/live

Enjoy Fantasy Lights’ amazing displays on foot during the only chance to walk, not drive, through the annual holiday light display at Spanaway Park in Tacoma. Food trucks on-site will offer yummy dinner options. Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 20–21, 4:30–6:30 p.m. or 7–9 p.m. $4 per person; ages 3 and younger free. Book tickets online. Fantasy Lights DriveThrough edition begins Nov. 26. parentmap.com/fantasy-lights

� Sign up early for KidsQuest Museum’s beloved Gingerbread House Workshops at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. This year, you can choose to build in person or pick up a kit to take home. Friday–Saturday, Nov. 26–27. $70/family for in-person build; $50/family for take-home

Nov. 20–21

|

Saturday-Sunday

Julefest National Nordic Museum, Seattle parentmap.com/julefest

kit; preregister. parentmap.com/gingerbread

� Return to live theater and enjoy Cinderella’s timeless tale told in a modern way, onstage at Tacoma Musical Playhouse.

Friday–Sunday, Nov. 26–Dec. 19. $22–$31. parentmap.com/cinderella � Zoolights, another dazzling holiday light show, returns to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Immerse your family in a colorful winter wonderland that includes light displays of favorite zoo animals and other lighted features. Nov. 26–Jan. 2. Book timed-entry tickets online. $12–$15; ages 2 and younger free. parentmap.com/zoolights

■

Devon Hammer is ParentMap’s Out + About editorial assistant and a mother of two.

� In more good news, another annual festival is live this year!

Visit Julefest at Seattle’s National Nordic Museum to experience Scandinavian Christmas traditions with music, tasty treats, a craft marketplace and more.

Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 20–21,

PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 1 9

LO CAL R ES O UR CES / S CH O O L S + PR ES CH O O L S

SAMENA PRESCHOOL

WASHINGTON STATE CHARTER SCH O O LS ASSOCIATION

WHERE SWIMMING IS PART OF THE CURRICULUM

Every student deserves to feel known, seen, and valued.

SWIMMING | PLAY-BASED | ART S.T.E.M. | MUCH MORE! WWW.SAMENA.COM PHONE : (425) 746-1160 - INFO@SAMENA.COM @SAMENACLUB

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Washington Charter Public Schools: Free, Public, Open to All LEARN MORE | wacharters.org

Changing the Face of Private School Education Discover a learning community where intellectual curiosity drives student success, where interdisciplinary instruction meets experiential learning, and where students are inspired to learn at the highest international levels.

Visit bellevue.basisindependent.com today.

2 0 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

Pride in excellence, strength in character LO CAL R ES O UR CES / S CH O O L S + PR ES CH O O L S

Where Curiosity, Confidence and Kindness Grow!

Pride in Excellence, Strength in Character Seattle's K-5 Jewish Independent Day School located in the heart of the Green Lake Neighborhood.

Middle School Open House November 7 | 2-4 p.m.

Middle School & High School Open House December 7 | 6:30-8 p.m.

Visit our website for more information! www.sjcs.net

Learn More & Register

ParentMap_10-15-21.pdf

1

eastsidecatholic.org/visit Coed, Grades 6 - 12

10/18/21

9:24 AM

DR. LIZ WILLIS APPOINTED HEAD OF SCHOOL As an outstanding educator, brilliant strategist, and empathetic leader, Dr. Willis was selected from an impressive pool of candidates and will succeed Julie Thenell Grasseschi, Interim Head of School, on July 1, 2022.

At Villa Academy, our students thrive in their learning styles and social-emotional growth and wellbeing, and through grade-appropriate social justice curricula, they deepen their compassion and character.

Discover the Whole-Child educational advantage and why you belong at Villa Academy, thevilla.org.

C

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Preschool through 8th-grade students engaged in STEAM

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Financial Aid Awards

31-Acre

Learning Lab

50

Villa Viking teams

67%

Faculty with advanced degrees

100

Students in theater arts

27%

Students of color

55

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Student extended learning trips

Hours of professional development

PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 2 1

LO CAL R ES O UR CES / S CH O O L S + PR ES CH O O L S

Brain Boosters Powerful tips to improve your child’s memory Several studies have shown that you can help your child to improve their long-term memory. Here are four easy ways to get started.

1. Establish a routine.

Routines help give your child a sense of security, reduce problems of inattention and strengthen their memory.

2. Try presenting information in a different way.

Some kids may recall information better if it is presented visually; others will remember anything that rhymes!

Growing confident, curious, courageous learners since 1958 Epiphany School is an independent, non-parochial elementary school in Seattle serving students in Pre-K through 5th Grade.

Visit our virtual admissions hub for videos, tours, and open house info!

epiphanyschool.org

3. Ask your child to repeat the information they have understood.

It is through repeating information that new knowledge moves from the short-term memory to the long-term memory.

4. Help your child cope with stress and anxiety.

Teach your child coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing or counting to 20, and ensure that they are getting sufficient activity and sleep.

■

Read the full article at parentmap.com/brain-boosters.

— Sanya Pelini, Ph.D.

All-Girls, Independent, Catholic

Grades 5-12

Why all-girls? Because there’s no better way to build competent, confident and courageous young women.

SOUNDVIEW SCHOOL now accepting applications

Join us for an Open House

www.soundview.org

November 6, 2021 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

(425) 778-8572

To learn more or join a virtual information session, visit

a small, independent school in Lynnwood, WA 2 2 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

www.forestridge.org

LO CAL R ES O UR CES / S CH O O L S + PR ES CH O O L S

The Sammamish Montessori School In Redmond

Call 425-883-3271 for a tour. ͻ Child-centered, joyful atmosphere with strong academic focus ͻ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ͕ DŽŶƚĞƐƐŽƌŝͲĐĞƌƟĮĞĚ ƚĞĂĐŚĞƌƐ ͻ Preschool, kindergarten, and STEAM Enrichment ͻ Family owned and operated since 1977 ͻ ^ƵŵŵĞƌ͕ ďĞĨŽƌĞ Θ ĂŌĞƌ ƐĐŚŽŽů ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ͻ WƌĞƉ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ͕ ;ƐƚĂƌƟŶŐ ĂŐĞƐ Ϯ ПШЖͲϯͿ

Age 3-Grade 8

in g N o w E n ro ll

“Eton School has done an excellent job preparing my children to be compassionate leaders and problem‑solvers.” ~Parent of Alumni

www.sammamishmontessori.com 425-883-3271

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7/30/20 5:20 PM

Your weekly parenting fuel

Accepting Applications for 2022‑2023 Learn more about our program, schedule a tour, and get answers to your questions!

Stay up to date with the latest family news, stories and adventures around the Puget Sound — straight to your inbox.

www.etonschool.org/admissions 2701 Bellevue-Redmond Road Bellevue WA 98008 425-881-4230

ParentMap.com/eNews

0721_enews_1-8h.indd 1

@etonschool.washington

At The Valley School, we ignite children’s natural passion for learning. Our students develop an academic foundation and become joyful learners through playful work, purposeful play, and the practice of community.

318 30th Ave E. | Seattle

etonschoolwa

6/18/21 10:01 AM

The Power of Childhood

Pre-K Pre K through 5th h Gra Grade

@EtonSchoolWA

To learn more about our school and community, visit our website at www.thevalleyschool.org

I FAM E S THO FO R

CH , P I SH

LI ES

LU T VA THA

TE C A AR

E

R,

Y T I N U L M M O C AND ER E AD

OF NT S E N PO N. CO M L ATI O A C I T U S ED SS E N I LD’ AS E H C IR THE

PRESCHOOL – 8TH GRADE

www.stthomasschool.org CHARACTER • CURRICULUM • COMMUNITY PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 2 3

LO CAL R ES O UR CES / GIF T GUIDE

Explore. Shop. Eat. Mingle.

Aditi Yoga & Body Work Aspire Capital Advisors, LLC Chutney’s Bistro The Exploration Academy IRG Physical Therapy - Wallingford Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Trophy Cupcakes & Party Tweedy & Popp Hardware Yazdi

Give the gift of the library.

SNO-ISLE L I B R A R I E S sno-isle.org/get-a-library-card

FREE PARKING

Family Dinners Delivered! www.pickmeupseattle.com

Unique shopping experience in the heart of Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood.

visitwallingfordcenter.com 1815 N 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98103 2 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M 1121_wallingford_center_1-2v.indd 1

10/14/21 2:51 PM

Gift Guide

Made in Washington Unique gifts for the giving season — homegrown in our own backyard

By Jenna Vandenberg

While the personal benefits of shopping locally are numerous — that cozy feeling of walking into an independent bookstore, receiving that personal recommendation, discovering a unique item — the community benefits are innumerable and exponential.

Purchasing locally creates a domino effect, since locally owned and operated businesses often purchase from other resident suppliers, thereby keeping money circulating in our local economy. Shopping locally not only helps to ensure that people in our community have jobs, but also causes our

region’s tax base to thrive, which in turn benefits publicly funded jobs, programs and community spaces.

Fortunately, Washington is awash in handcrafted toys, spicy chili sauce, native art, great books and upcycled cotton clothing.

Here are a few ideas for your next local shopping spree.

Terrific toys Designed to be educational and beautiful, Mirus Toys’ creations (mirustoys.com) are perfect for home-schooling families,

PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 2 5

LO CAL R ES O UR CES / GIF T GUIDE GI F T GUI D E

WELLNESS, EDUCATION, AND FUN! SINCE 1958.

SAMENA SWIM & RECREATION CLUB

Rainbow color-sorting toy by Mirus Toys; photo courtesy mirustoys.com continued from page 25

SWIM LESSONS | BEFORE & AFTER CARE | PRESCHOOL FITNESS CENTER | SUMMER CAMPS | PARTIES & MORE!

PHONE : (425) 746-1160 INFO@SAMENA.COM WWW.SAMENA.COM

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Burke Memberships Make a T.-rrific Gift!

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parents trying to stay away from ubiquitous plastic toys and people looking for an heirloom-quality gift. These gorgeous puzzles, games and charts are handcrafted by a team of five Vancouver, Washington, women.

Wooden blocks, modular tree house sets, 6-foot growth-chart rulers and more can all be found at Manzanita Kids (manzanitakids.com). Items are made by a Gig Harbor husband-and-wife team in their home shop using Forest Stewardship Council–certified wood.

The five locally owned Snapdoodle Toys & Games stores (snapdoodletoys.com), in Kenmore, Redmond, Seattle, Issaquah and Totem Lake, are treasure troves of toys made by local creators and businesses. Be sure to check out Prism Kites (prismkites.com). This Seattle-based company produces flip kites that spin like a kaleidoscope, hardy kites to harness the wind from atop a snowboard and everything in between.

For indoor toys with a winter theme, check out Sumner’s Toysmith (toysmith.com). The company’s latest seasonal items include a build-your-own-snowman kit, slime with metallic snowflakes to mix in, and a growing yeti that emerges from an iceberg when submerged in water.

You support two businesses with one toy purchase when you snag a Funko Pop! Webbly vinyl figure (aquasox.milbstore.com).

In 2019, Everett-based Funko partnered with the

Everett AquaSox, a minor league baseball team. The team’s mascot, a tree frog named Webbly, is both a collector’s item and a local favorite.

Brand-new company ViBuGo (vibugo.com) recently released its first family card game, Stack the Scoops. Created during the pandemic by a 9-year-old, the game involves taking turns matching ice cream sets to collect points. The colorful card game is easy to learn, travel-friendly and provides a bit of math practice. The company has more games in development.

Beautiful books and amazing art Started by Asia Citro, a local mom and former teacher, Innovation Press (theinnovationpress.com) is one of the fastest-growing small publishers in the United States. The press publishes Citro’s own chapter-book series, “Zoey and Sassafras,” as well as her nonfiction titles featuring endless ideas for kids’ activities. Other excellent books include “Your Name Is a Song” by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, in which a young girl learns about the musicality and cultural background of her gorgeous yet often mispronounced name, and “Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist: The True Story of a World-Traveling Bug Hunter” by Christine Evans.

Seattle-based Mountaineers Books (mountaineers.org) has published and sold climbing guides and maps for more than 60 years.

For those less inclined to spend the day driving up mountain passes, its “Urban Trails” series is excellent. Each region-specific book is packed full of ideas for parents looking for nearby destinations to take the kids out on a stroll, bike ride or toddle.

As the Latino arts hub of Seattle, Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery (nepantlaculturalarts.com) hosts monthly exhibitions, workshops

and community forums. Shop online or at its West Seattle location for artist prints, T-shirts and accessories with a Latino flair.

Lantern Press (lanternpress.com) sells items featuring illustrations and photographs of national parks and cities across America.

Check out the gorgeous regional puzzles, art prints, wood and metal signs, and more.

Jewelry and clothing Eighth Generation (eighthgeneration.com), a Seattle-based company owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, designs and manufactures textiles, jewelry, art and clothing. In response to cultural appropriation and exploitative “Native-inspired” art, 100 percent of Eighth Generation’s products are designed by Indigenous people. The beautiful and elegant First Light baby blanket by Muckleshoot and Chehalis weaver Gail White Eagle is an excellent choice for those looking for a special keepsake gift for new parents.

Bootyland Kids (bootylandkids.com) and Two Owls (shoptwoowls.com) children’s stores have joined forces to bring Seattle-area parents sustainable and utterly adorable toys and organic clothing. While not every stocked item is made in Seattle, several signature pieces are, such as the faerie tutu and the T-shirt line whose design features quintessential Seattle words (which happen to be Coffee, Cobain, Orcas, Rain and Salish Sea).

Handcrafted in a Seattle studio, Baleen jewelry (shopbaleen.com) offers delicate chain necklaces, vibrant cuff bracelets and hoop earrings that really pull a look together.

LO CAL R ES O UR C ES / GI F T GUI D E

PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 2 7

Invincible Health and Wellness Prenatal classes supporting Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude and Nutrition for a healthy pregnancy.

invinciblehealthandwellness4life.org/ pregnancy

20% discount when you use this code:

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What Makes Relationships Work

5/11/21 2:23 PM

PRESENTING SPONSORS

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EVENT PARTNER

GI F T GUIDE

continued from page 27

Fabulous food finds Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (beechershandmadecheese.com) is hardly a secret. The company’s mac and cheese is pure creamy goodness, and its Flagship cheese is a must for every party platter. However, Beecher’s cheese curds are the true treat. Cheese curds, or “squeaky cheese,” are at their best right after production (by the time they get to your local grocery store, they are still delicious, but have lost their squeak), so a trip to Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in Pike Place Market is recommended. Watch cheesemakers in action at the flagship store and pick up some fresh cheese curds to eat on the ride home.

After 20 years of research, tasting, development and work by Washington State University, the perfect apple has finally been developed: the Cosmic Crisp (cosmiccrisp.com).

This bright red apple is crisp, juicy and sweet.

Slices are slow to brown, making it perfect for packing in school lunches. Look for Cosmic Crisps in local grocery stores after Nov. 8.

Fun in your inbox Stay up to date with the latest family news, stories and adventures around Puget Sound — straight to your inbox.

ParentMap.com/eNews

0921_enews_weekender_1-8h.indd 1

Hopelink 21st Annual

Grown in Prosser, Washington, naturally dried Chukar cherries (no preservatives or sweeteners needed!) have been the company’s staple product since 1988.

Enjoy Chukar cherries covered in chocolate, with nuts or in sauces. chukar.com Me’s Way Vietnamese chili sauce is delicious on absolutely everything: Put it on popcorn! Ice cream!

Pancakes, tofu and pizza! The company was founded

by Chau Tonnu, a first-generation Vietnamese American, and she makes her award-winning sauce from scratch in small batches using her mother’s recipe. Check out the blog for some unique recipe ideas (meswayllc.com).

8/18/21 9:55 AM

Presented by

Join us virtually November 15-21 for a race against poverty!

■

Jenna Vandenberg is a Seattle-based teacher, writer, runner and mom of two girls.

HOPELINK.ORG/TURKEYTROT

PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 2 9

What are you doing after graduation?

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8/10/21 12:29 PM

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Visit wdfw.wa.gov/life-outdoors for more information PA R E N T M A P / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1 / 3 1

T This Th holiday classic for the whole who ol family will lift your spirits

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By Charles Dickens Adapted by Gregory Falls Directed by Julie Beckman

DECEMBER 7 – 26 | acttheatre.org