PDX Parent December 2021

FREE

FRESH IDEAS FOR KID-FRIENDLY TAKEOUT, PG. 18

for the long days and short years

Top Toy Picks Holiday Fun Helping Those In Need

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | SW WASHINGTON | DECEMBER 2021

Holidays with the Symphony!

Handel’s Messiah dec 4, 7:30 pm dec 5, 2 pm dec 6, 7:30 pm

Comfort and Joy: A Classical Christmas dec 8, 7:30 pm

It’s A Wonderful Life in Concert Feature film with the Oregon Symphony

A Very Merry Christmas Concert with Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández*

dec 13, 7:30 pm

dec 15, 7:30 pm

Gospel Christmas with the Oregon Symphony dec 10, 7:30 pm dec 11, 7:30 pm dec 12, 4 pm

Cirque Nutcracker with the Oregon Symphony dec 18, 7:30 pm dec 19, 2 pm

Tickets Start at Just New Year’s Eve with Gladys Knight and the Oregon Symphony dec 31, 7:30 pm

$25

for most concerts Subject to availability *The Oregon Symphony does not perform

For tickets: orsymphony.org | 503-228-1353 | 909 sw Washington, Portland, or 97205

contents

JILL WEISENSEE

18 FEATURES The Gift Report............................................................................... 12

Time Out...............................................................................................24

Find just-the-right toys for babies to tweens at

So many festive holiday events are back this

Portland’s fabulous, locally owned toy stores.

year! Find spectacular light displays, a delicious

By Ali Wilkinson.

Hanukkah storytime for families, Milwaukie’s

The Takeaway..................................................................................18

Umbrella Parade, where to sit with Santa and so much more!

While much of Portland welcomes a shift to indoor dining, we know the ease of ordering meals to-go will continue to appeal to many families. Check out our list of kid-friendly options to freshen up your takeout routine.

By Meg Asby, Tiffany Hill and Denise Castañon.

RESOURCES: Holiday Gift Guide........................................................................ 17 School Open House.................................................................... 21

DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Note........................................................................................4 Play Room............................................................................................. 6 Bring holiday cheer to kids in need by participating in local toy drives, fun kids’ books on diverse holidays, and our new pediatric medical columnist talks flu shots.

* cover stories

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e d i t o r ’ s n ot e

A Sweet Season for the long days and short years

I

t’s the most delicious time of the year. Whether you are reaching for rugelach pastry, decorating Christmas cookies or simply craving more carbs as it gets colder and darker outside, there’s no shortage of tasty treats to enjoy. And that makes December the perfect month for our annual food and dining issue.

Yes, elementary-school-aged kids are finally eligible for the COVID vaccine, but we know many families may continue to forgo indoor dining and stick to takeout for a variety of reasons. We’ll help your family discover some new kid-friendly places to order from with our story on page 18. (And if you are ready to eat out, each spot listed does offer onsite seating!)

It’s also the time of year for our editors’ picks gift guide, page 12. Written

by Ali Wilkinson, a former staffer and mother of three, it is chock full of fun toys and gifts from independent, local stores. Find both budget-friendly ideas and splurges for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary-school-aged kids and tweens. Bonus: By walking into a locally owned store and purchasing directly from it, you are supporting someone right in your community and there’s no need to keep checking to see if your order will arrive in time for the holidays!

We know this is also the time of year many families like to donate to various charities. If your family is able to give this year, please check out the list of toy drives on page 6 that will help spread holiday cheer to local families who need some extra support this year. It’s been a challenging year — whether it’s financial, emotional or mental support, many of us can use some additional help in some shape or form. And as we head into 2022, I hope we can all keep supporting each other during the long days and short years of parenting little ones.

PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660

What's your favorite nonprofit to support during

the holidays?

Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774 Publisher Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com Editor Denise Castañon, 503-922-0893 denise.castanon@pdxparent.com Managing Editor Tiffany Hill tiffany.hill@pdxparent.com Art Director Tiffany Howard tiffany.howard@pdxparent.com

I like to donate to places where my girls can be directly involved. This year we are going to collect materials for

With Love. That way they can gather some material

donations and recognize that there are kids out there that need help.

Web Content Coordinator Meg Asby meg.asby@pdxparent.com E-newsletter Editor Renee Peters renee.peters@pdxparent.com Eastside Account Executive Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184 lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com Westside Account Executive Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272

My kids really love fulfilling

“asks” in our Buy Nothing

group around the holidays. A

family with both parents out of work due to COVID asked for toys they could regift to their kids and my two loved helping with that!

jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Digital Ad Manager/Calendar Editor/ Distribution Coordinator Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com Operations Manager Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 christie.kline@pdxparent.com President Jill Weisensee

With a young child we’re just starting to form family traditions, but one we’ve committed to is choosing a new charity each year to support

jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com For calendar submissions, e-mail us at calendar@pdxparent.com

during the holidays. This year On Our Cover: Angela Scorcio of For the Love of Hazel Photography snapped this merry and sparkly shot of

her youngest daughter. (Incidentally, Hazel, who Scorcio’s photography business is named after, has been on our cover before.) “I upgraded my camera and truly practiced on her as she grew,” says Scorcio.

The glitter photo session was inspired by her kids as well.

“My daughters wanted to play with glitter and I wanted a way to capture the joy in their faces,” says Scorcio. “So, I set up a backdrop and we made a huge mess!” To see more of her work (or schedule a time for her to capture your own kids playing with glitter), visit facebook.com/fortheloveofhazel or Instagram @fortheloveofhazelphotography.

we’re donating to Central

City Concern.

We’re volunteering at the

Children’s Book Bank with

the boys’ school. It’s a perfect fit for my book lovers. (Although I hope I can keep them from reading all the books!)

PDX Parent is published monthly (except July) by Northwest Parent, LLC., and is copyright 2021 Northwest Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

PDX Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA metropolitan area.

PDX Parent reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised herein.

PDX Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender expression, sex or sexual orientation.

Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Northwest Parent, LLC., and its agents and employees cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained herein. The contents of PDX Parent and its website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment.

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p l ay r o o m

TOP 5:

holiday toy drives

Want to give a gift that specifically helps our homeless neighbors?

Make a child’s holiday extra-special by donating a gift to one of these organizations. to families in need. Kgwtoy.com

The Blanchet House is accepting donations of new and

3. The city of Lake Oswego is holding its annual Lake Oswego Toy Drive, too. The city is also

gently used clean winter coats in all adult sizes.

Blanchethouse.org

hosting its Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart (pictured below) program during which volunteers make more than 3,000 large stockings, which are then stuffed with toys, blankets, gloves, socks and more. Call 503-635-0257 for more info. 4. Trillium Family Services has been holding its annual toy drive, the Holiday Wish Giving Drive, for more than 20 years. Simply buy a gift from its Amazon wish list and it will be sent directly to the organization.

Families can also drop off presents at the Parry Center Campus on 1. Not only is Toy & Joy Makers one of Portland’s largest toy

Southeast Powell on December CITY OF L AK E OSWEGO

10. Trilliumfamily.org/holiday-giving

drives, it’s also one of the country’s oldest! Founded in 1914, this organization is completely volunteer run. Drop off a present — or donate money — at any Portland fire station or the org’s office in Northeast Portland. Toynjoymakers.org 2. The KGW Great Toy

Drive is perhaps the area’s most well known toy drive. More than 130 local nonprofits participate in collecting and distributing gifts

5. If you’re in the Vancouver area, the YWCA Clark County Holiday Shop is an excellent toy drive. There are several ways to help, including donating online, buying and dropping off a gift — the deadline is December 16 — and volunteering to wrap the presents. Ywcaclarkcounty.org/ holiday-giving — Tiffany Hill

Ask Dr. Baynham

Dr. Allison Baynham of Metropolitan Pediatrics is PDX Parent’s new doctor columnist on call!

Email her your questions at askthedr@pdxparent.com

Q: Is it really necessary

older receive the flu vaccine.

for my kids to get a

The ideal time to vaccinate is by the end

flu shot this year? We

of October; but don’t worry, it’s not too late!

Flu tends to peak in February. Flu mist (live

don’t normally get them

attenuated intranasal flu vaccine) is again

and they’re wearing

available this year, but not everyone is eligible.

masks all day at school. true that mask wearing and social distancing help slow the spread of viruses, it is not 100% effective.

Even if you and your child are already GAIL PAR K

A: The short answer is yes, absolutely! While it is

In addition, the flu can be a very serious illness in

getting the flu shot this year.

It can be easy to forget how serious influenza can be in kids.

vaccine offers an additional layer of protection and helps slow the spread of infection to those who are more vulnerable. The best place for

children. Throw COVID into the mix and you can see why it’s more important than ever to protect your family by

vaccinated against COVID, getting the flu

more information on COVID and flu vaccines is your pediatrician. Let’s get ahead of the flu this season so that you can spend more time enjoying holiday activities with your loved ones.

Every year, thousands of children die from the flu, even those without underlying risk factors. Things that increase risk of severe disease in children include young age — less than 1 year old — and underlying respiratory disease such as asthma. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a formal recommendation for the 2021-2022 flu season that all children ages 6 months and

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Pediatrician, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and mom of two, Allison Baynham, M.D., knows what it takes to raise healthy, resilient children. Come bond, share your struggles and team up with her for great care at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Tigard.

Bookshelf:

Lots of Celebrating

Yes, there’s a big holiday this month. But plenty of other holidays are just as important to families in our country and across the globe. Kim Tano and Madeline Schier, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s City of Books, selected these beautifully illustrated books that will help your child appreciate a world of celebrations. Look for these titles at the Burnside, Hawthorne or Cedar Hills Powell’s locations, or order online at powells.com.

Binny’s Diwali

The People Remember

Let’s Celebrate! Special

Festival of Colors

A beautiful and exciting

This fantastic new picture

by Kate DePalma

Surishtha Sehgal

story of the Hindu Festival

book of poems grounded

Thirteen special holidays

The Sehgals introduce

of Lights from the eyes

in the seven principles of

from a wide range of

readers to Holi, the

of Binny as she tells her

Kwanzaa charts African

countries are featured in

Hindu Festival of

classmates about the clay

American history from

Let’s Celebrate! Special

Colors, in this board

lamps (diyas), the delicious

before the Atlantic slave

Days Around the World. A

book adaptation of

sweet treats (pedas and

trade up through today.

wonderful introduction to

their wonderful picture

jalebis) and the fireworks

Both a history primer and

world holidays such as the

book. Beautiful, bright

in red, gold and green. A

an introduction to the story

New Yam Festival (Nigeria),

illustrations from

wonderful picture book

and practices of Kwanzaa,

Novy God (Russia), Kodomo

master illustrator Vashti

by award-winning author

this heartfelt, important read

No Hi (Japan) and Inti Raymi

Harrison (Sulwe, Hair

Thrity Umrigar, gloriously

— with beautiful illustrations

(Peru). Fun illustrations by

Love) bring the colorful

illustrated by Nidhi Chanani

from Loveis Wise — is a great

Martina Peluso and fantastic

spring celebration to

(the author/illustrator

way to start conversations

information on traditional

life. Great for ages 1 and

of teen graphic novel

and honor Black history this

foods and activities make

older. $8.99.

Pashmina). Great for ages 4

holiday season. Great for

this picture book perfect for

and up. $17.99.

ages 4 and up. $19.99.

ages 6 and up. $16.99.

by Thrity Umrigar

SCHOL A STIC

by Ibi Zoboi

HAR PER COLLINS

Days Around the World

BAR EFOOT BOOKS

by Kabir Sehgal and

SIMON & SCHUSTER

Playlist: What Does a Song

Taste Like?

Do you love food so much you sing about it? Clearly Ben Tatar does. And on his second album for kids, aptly named Seconds,

Ben Tatar and the Tatar Tots are dishing up some tasty tracks all about delicious eats. The album is a really fun way to expose your kids to different genres of music. For example, Jambalaya takes on a New Orleans second-line flair; I Got the Greens grooves to a Blues sound; Peanut Butter transports listeners to a ’70s Vegas lounge; and Sweet Nectarine has an old-time, barbershop feel. And you and your kids will giggle over silly lyrics throughout.

Seconds is fun and tasty — and will have your kids asking for more.

— Denise Castañon

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p l ay r o o m

Ask the MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR Q: My 7th-grade daughter is very bright

and successful at school, but she’s a per-

fectionist and breaks down when she gets any sort of criticism. I’m worried she’s got

“smart girl syndrome” and will only stick to her strengths to avoid criticism. How can I

Chalkboard: Portland’s Other Epidemic Portland has a gun-violence problem. A big one. And it’s increasingly likely that your neighborhood or family has been impacted by it. According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), shooting incidents in which a firearm

was discharged and reported to the PPB more than

doubled from 2019 to 2020. The Multnomah County District

help her see that failure is not the end of the world?

Multnomah County zip codes with the most

weapons-violations cases prosecuted from 2019-2021

A: This is a problem I see more and more in middle

70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

school as the years go by. Somewhere along the way we — as educators and parents — have mangled the message we send our kids about school. We talk about “growth mindset” an awful lot, but treat education like a race that needs to be won. We use words like “behind” and “accelerated” and spend time and money making sure our kids are ahead of the pack. I am not by any means saying that you are at fault somehow or that she’s a perfectionist because of the words we say in schools versus the reality of

600

suggest learning with her about the adolescent brain by hopping onto some TED talks or reading some

400

books together. Address it as an issue lots of kids

200

face and not just her. Make sure to praise her efforts

0

and not her fixed qualities. Sometimes perfectionism can warrant some outside help from a therapist or a

that can help perfectionist girls take risks: The Confidence Code for Girls by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman and Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn for Teens by John C. Maxwell.

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97267 97267

800

glad that you are taking this seriously; it is serious. I

Books

97230 97230

1000

a very score- and achievement-based system. I’m

Sahjo Brown is a 20-year veteran of school counseling, mostly at the middle-school level. Her favorite part of working with middle schoolers is their desire to connect and build relationships; plus, their pop culture references keep her on her toes.

97233 97233

Shooting incidents reported to PPB

of how she was raised, but it is part of a large picture

meeting with school staff.

97266 97266

2019 2019

2020 2021 (JANUARY-OCTOBER) 2020 2021

Attorney’s office recently launched a dashboard to show how many weapons-violations charges have been prosecuted from 2019 to 2021. Those statistics illustrate the increase in gun violence as well. Outer eastside neighborhoods such as Southeast’s Lents, Rockwood and Centennial neighborhoods have the highest rates of weapons violations prosecuted, while Southwest neighborhoods such as Hayhurst, Maplewood and Multnomah Village have less than a handful. And 97267, the area just south of Milwaukie and home to the Oak Grove and Jennings Lodge neighborhoods had only one weapons violation prosecuted in three years. If gun violence has affected your family or neighborhood, first of all, we’re sorry. No family should have to go through the trauma gun violence imparts. If you want to make your voice heard on this issue, find your local legislators at myreps.datamade.us and urge them to take immediate action.

— D.C. Sources: City of Portland, Multnomah County District Attorney

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Registration now open for winter term classes and lessons.

Virtual and In-person options.

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| December 2021

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For more

holiday magic, visit

pdxparent.com Portland-area Holiday Lights

Santa Sightings

Family Holiday Activities

U-Cut Tree Farms

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PDX PARENT PICKS 2022 Get ready to

VOTE

for your family’s favorite local businesses, people, playgrounds and more!

The PDX Parent Picks readers' poll

opens January 2!

S AV EE AT THE D

And the PDX Parent

Family Festival is back to celebrate

the winners of our readers’ poll at Oaks Amusement Park, June 18 from 10am2pm. Come for music, prizes and tons of family fun!

We can’t wait to see you again in person!

pdxparent.com

| December 2021

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The

Musical Lili Llama by Manhattan Toy

M A N H A T T A N TOY

Who doesn’t love a good llama gift? Especially when combined with musical instruments!

This musical llama comes with spinners, gears, a maraca tail, five-bar xylophone, washboard and more. Ages 1+. $49.99.

Available at Kazoodles Toys.

Shape Sorter Truck by Green Toys The classic shape sorter meets a sturdy garbage truck. It’s made from 100% recycled plastic and is dishwasher safe.

Ages 0-2 years. $34.99. Available at Oodles Toy Store, MudPuddles Toys & Books and Hammer and Jacks.

Little Feminist Board Book Set by Mudpuppy It’s never too early to start teaching our children that girls make history.

This board book box set explores artists, pioneers, leaders and activists.

Ages 0-4. $14.99. Available at Presents of Mind.

MUDP

UPPY

G R EEN TOY S

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Report From budget-friendly picks to big splurges, shop local this year from this collection of gifts for kids of all ages. Some of these might even make it onto your own wish list!

EST EL L A

Gift

Hand-knit Hot Sauce Rattle by Estella Show the world just how spicy your baby is with this rattle. With its soft feel and engaging sound, this is sure to be a hot item. Infants. $20.

Available at Made You Look.

BY ALI WILKINSON

SPLURGE

Babies and Toddlers Tree Top Adventure

by Manhattan Toy There’s so much to do in this activity center! Gliders, bead runs, spinning gears, and more, divided among four unique quadrants.

Ages 12 months+. $119.99.

Available at the Bull & the Bee.

M A N H A T T A N TOY

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STO RY T I M E C H ES S

Preschoolers

M I C R O K I C K B OA R D

Story Time Chess You’re (almost) never too young to learn chess. Using silly stories, illustrations and fun chess pieces, children as young as 3 can checkmate. Ages 3+. $65. Available at Thinker Toys and MudPuddles Toys & Books.

Scooter Heads by Micro Kickboard Make your kid’s scooter their own by accessorizing it with a dino, unicorn or shark friend. Compatible with Mini and Maxi scooters. Ages 2+. $24.

Available at Hammer and Jacks.

Jr. Glow Rocket by Stomp Rocket You could teach your kids about projection, trajectory, force and motion. Or you could just stomp on some rockets. Bonus: These ones glow. Ages 3+. $16. Available at Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts.

ST O M P

ROCKET

Story Book Torch, Voyage d’Olga

by Moulin Roty

JA N O D

SPLURGE

Do something a little different next storytime.

With slides and a flashlight projector, you and your child can tell the stories from the Le Voyage d’Olga collection together. Ages 4+. $16. Available at Grasshopper.

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Big Wooden Mosaic Kitchen by Janod Kids will love playing chef in this gorgeously styled, fully accessorized kitchen. Added lights and sound effects — like boiling water — make kiddos feel as if they are making real meals right alongside you. Ages 3-8. $165. Available at Black Wagon and MudPuddles Toys & Books.

MOUL

TY IN RO

WORKM

LIS AN PUB

HING

Elementary Aero Dancer by Thames & Kosmos

Turn This Book Into a Beehive

by Lynn Brunelle This book has it all. Learn about bees and how important they are to the environment. Conduct more than 20 experiments and activities.

Then turn that knowledge into action by turning the book into an actual beehive. $19.95. Ages 8-12. Available at Kazoodles Toys.

Learn about the physics of airflow and mechanics while building a cute inflatable tube dancer like you see around town. Four additional experiments allow kids to test air pressure, air flow and aerodynamics. Ages 8+. $19.99. Available at Kids at Heart and MudPuddles Toys & Books.

T H A M ES & KO S M O S

Little Red Accordion by Schylling

WOW M A ZI N G

Looking for a unique gift for your budding musician? No prior accordioning required!

This distinctive instrument comes with easy-to-learn instructions and songs.

Ages 7+. $30. Available at Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts.

Giant Bubble Wand by Wowmazing Encourage outdoor play and astound your family with show-stopping bubbles. Seriously, these bubbles are huge! Great for parties, the beach, the park, or just a fun day in the yard.

Ages 5+. $15. Available at Made You Look.

SCHYLLING

SPLURGE

Deluxe Cosmic Mini Golf by b4Adventure

B 4 A DV EN TU R E

Play minigolf anytime with this portable glow-in-the-dark minigolf set. This five-hole set comes with a putter, balls and lots of obstacles. Black lights to make it glow are sold separately. $149.99. Ages 4+.

Available at Kazoodles Toys.

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Black Wagon 3964 N Mississippi Ave. blackwagon.com.

Where’s Prince? puzzle

by Smith Street Books

Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts Online only: finneganstoys.com.

Grasshopper 1816 NE Alberta St. grasshopperstore.com.

Throw a pot. Not that kind of throw! Make your own pottery to keep or to gift. Comes with all you need, including a turntable, mini bowl molds and glaze. Ages 8+. $19.99. Available at Kids at Heart and MudPuddles Toys & Books.

Kazoodles Toys 13503 SE Mill Plain Rd. Ste. B-3, Vancouver, Washington kazoodlestoys.com.

Kids at Heart 3445 SE Hawthorne Blvd. kidsathearttoys.com.

MudPuddles Toys & Books 2305 NW Kearney St., and 16420 SW Langer Dr., Sherwood mudpuddlestoys.com.

Oodles 7727 SE 13th Ave. oodlesoftoys.com.

Presents of Mind 3633 SE Hawthorne Blvd., presentsofmind.tv.

Thinker Toys 7784 SW Capitol Hwy. thinkertoysoregon.com.

Tiny Ceramics Studio by Klutz

B 4 A DV EN TU R E

Hammer and Jacks 6406 SE Foster Rd. hammerandjacks.com.

Made Your Look 2418 E Burnside St. madeyoulookpdx.com.

S M IT H ST R EE T B O O K S

Combine the fun of Where’s Waldo with some serious ’90s trivia with this whimsical 500-piece puzzle. Look for Prince, Cher, Britney and a cast of other pop celebrities.

Ages 10+. $14.95. Available at Presents of Mind.

the Bull & the Bee 7044 SE Milwaukie Ave. bullandbeebaby.com.

PIXICADE

Mobile Game Maker by Pixicade Draw your own video game and then watch it come to life through the magic of technology. It really does seem like magic!

Ages 10+. $24.99.

Slackers Skyboard by b4Adventure There’s nothing slack-ish about the Slackers Skyboard. Practice balance, gain strength and just have fun using this skateboard-like board with a bouncing ball. Ages 9+. $44.99.

Available at Thinker Toys.

K LUT Z

Where to Buy

Tweens

Available at Thinker Toys.

T H A M ES & KO S M O S

SPLURGE TKx400i Dual-LED Microscope

by Thames & Kosmos Treat your budding scientist with a working microscope. This package comes with slide preparations, so kids can begin observations immediately.

More than 70 experiments are also included. Ages 10+. $105. Available at Oodles.

Ali Wilkinson is a freelance writer, lawyer and mom living in Portland. She has not yet started her holiday shopping.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL

Mention this ad for a 10% discount on any one board game or puzzle.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Your friendly local game store in the heart of Portland’s northeast neighborhood. www.puddletowngames.com

Portland’s favorite toy store is here for you

Perfect Gifts for The Whole Family

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this holiday season!

In-store shopping and special events!

Check out hammerandjacks.com

Shop Small * Shop Local * Gift Big

Downtown l SE Hawthorne l NW 10th l Bridgeport l PDX tenderlovingempire.com

Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie has gone missing, and now it’s a chicken chase to crack the case!

Deep in the heart of this mythical forest lurk ogres, goblins, and fearsome fire-breathers themselves!

DAY GAMES FOR FAMILIES You’re mole rats on a research station that’s been invaded by snakes. Collect equipment and escape.

Highly addictive strategic game for two players that has no board and can be played on any flat surface.

TWO PLAYER GAMES FOR PARENTS

The woods are old-growth, dappled with sunlight.

Morels may be the most sought-after in these woods.

BOARDGAMES RPGS MINIATURES CARDS DICE BOOKS PUZZLES CCGS & COMMUNITY GGPORTLAND.COM | 345 SE TAYLOR ST. PORTLAND, OR. 97214 | 503.238.4000

Two players compete to build the most aesthetic and high-scoring patchwork quilt on a 9x9 game board.

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Take

Away Families with kids 5 to 11 years old

DENISE C A ST AÑON

may be feeling more comfortable about dining out these days. But we predict takeout meals will still be a go-to for many families. Maybe you need an idea for a special meal to celebrate a birthday kid, or want to switch up your normal takeout routine — or it’s Thursday and you just can’t stand the thought of cooking dinner again. We’ve got you covered. WalletHub recently ranked Portland as the best foodie city in America, and this roundup of 14 restaurants and carts that lists fresh and tasty to-go options across a wide range of cuisines shows how we got there. So get ready to dig in!

JOJO

Kids love the little cheeseburger at Jojo (page 19).

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KEY

BY MEG ASBY, TIFFANY HILL AND DENISE CASTAÑON

FOR AN ENTREE:

$ Less than $10 $$ Between $10-$20 $$$ More than $20

GF Gluten-free options VG Vegan options

y

New York Pies There is great pizza to be had all over Portland, but Pizza Thief is poised to steal the top spot. They won’t split flavors on their NY style pies, but — even better — you can buy any pizza on the menu by the slice, which is perfect for families like mine who want to try it all. The creamy Wildwood with generous mushrooms was the best slice we tried, and my son was blown away by the sauce-to-cheese ratio: “The cheese doesn’t slide off when you take a bite!”

Plus their rye-dough hand pies prove that they’ve mastered more than one type of crust. — M.A. 2610 NW Vaughn St., pizzathief.com. $-$$ GF VG

MEG A SBY

burbs

SE

Far East Treats

Deep-fried Goodness

Your kids may have never had a double chocolate melon pan, honey-sesame doughnut or vanilla cornet before, but after trying these delightful and subtly sweet Japanese pastries at Oyatsupan Bakers, they’re sure to become fans. The melon pan with its crisp, sable-cookie topping, reminded me of Mexican pan dulce. But these lighter Japanese sweet buns that come in several flavors are stuffed with pastry cream to boot. My daughter adored the cute cornet filled with chocolate cream and topped with candy googly eyes while my son devoured his cinnamon cream doughnut before I even had a chance to taste it. (Sandwiches and savory baked goods are available, too.) — D.C. 16025 SW Regatta Ln., Beaverton, oyatsupan.com. $

If the name of your food cart is Jojo, then you better deliver when it comes to fried potato wedges. And Jojo does. My whole family raved over the seasoned potatoes. But the hefty fried-chicken sandwiches are the real reason to visit the cart. The chicken bacon ranch sandwich hits the spot. And if you like your chicken pleasantly spicy, don’t be afraid to make your sandwich “Nashville hot”— it won’t be an over-the-top, mouth-burning hot. Definitely order a side of fried Brussels sprouts topped with Crystal hot sauce and honey. Pro tip: The “little cheeseburger” is the perfect size for kids. — D.C. 3582 SE Powell Blvd., jojopdx.com. $$

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MEG ASBY

MEG A SBY

SE Veggie Vietnamese

Middle East Eats When we picked up evening takeout at Lil’ Shalom, a downtown Mediterranean restaurant, there were no other families with kids, but the atmosphere was casual and we felt welcome.

My tweens ate their weight in pita bread and hummus with wild mushrooms, declaring the topping the best they’d ever tasted. Everyone in our family loved the crispy chicken schnitzel pita, but the flavor-packed lil’ shalomie beef and lamb burger was a close second. The Hawaijspiced fries are sure to be a kid favorite, or the mezze-style shalom y’all plate for children who don’t want their food to touch. — M.A. 1128 SW Alder St., lilshalompdx.com. $$ GF VG

SW

At Mama Dút, slow-cooked jackfruit and “chicken-fried” oyster mushrooms take the place of pork and chicken in banh mi sandwiches, bao buns and more. For proprietor and mom Thuy Pham, bringing Vietnamese cuisine back to its vegetarian roots is extremely personal — and luckily for Portland’s vegan families — extremely delicious. Pro tip: Don’t miss the pretty vegan cupcakes, whoopie pies and other desserts. — D.C. 1414 SE Morrison St., mamadut.com. $$ GF VG

Diner Delights For years, my daughter and I spent “Thursdays with Mama” at The Daily Feast, a charming downtown diner (pictured above). Beyond the menu full of kid-friendly home runs, it’s the staff that makes the magic. We’re always greeted warmly, often hugged (pre-pandemic) and asked about our lives. Children will love the greek-yogurt parfait, burgers and fries, pancakes, cheesy scramble, and, of course, the flavored hot cocoa. I recommend the chorizo breakfast burrito and roasted sweet potato salad. As much as we miss sitting at the counter, the magic still translates through the takeout window.

Come for the made-from-scratch food, come back for the people.

— M.A. 837 SW 11th Ave., thedailyfeastpdx.com. $-$$ GF VG

Creative Korean Cuisine We are new fans of Toki (pictured right), a Korean restaurant downtown, brought to you by the team at Han Oak. Ordering brunch online is a breeze, and pickup is quick and easy. My kids are crazy for the steamed bao burger; if you’ve got cheeseburger fans in the house, this is a sure winner. For kids with a sweet tooth (all kids?), try the sweet sesame and walnut hodduk or the donut flight. The fried chicken sando with spicy chili oil is a burst of umami and texture perfection, and my husband and I devoured the kids’ leftovers. My daughter’s take? “Best. Brunch. Ever.” — M.A. 580 SW 12th Ave., tokipdx.com. $$-$$$ GF VG

>>Visit each eatery’s website for convenient online ordering!

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M EG A S BY

BACK-TO-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Open to Community Since 1869, Oregon Episcopal School has prepared students for higher education and lifelong learning so students may realize their power for good as citizens of local and world communities.

Learn more about OES’s pre-k to grade 12 inquiry-based education by visiting oes.edu/explore

6300 SW Nicol Road, Portland, OR 97223 503-768-3115

Think Globally

.

Learn Deeply

.

Act Passionately

Winter Virtual Open House ~ january 23, 2022

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The Sushi Standard Like much of Portland’s dining scene, many local sushi restaurants adapted to takeout over the course of the pandemic.

And thank goodness. A favorite of the PDX Parent staff is Sushi Mazi on SE Division. This cozy restaurant offers classic and modern sushi rolls and Japanese standards like gyoza, tempura veggies and miso soup. For burgeoning sushi fans, there’s everything from the standard veggie or California rolls to the adventurous White Pearl Roll with creamy scallop, avocado and cucumber and topped with seared black-pepper tuna. (Sushi Mazi also has a great selection of nigiri and sashimi.) If your kids don’t like fish, order them the chicken teriyaki or the chicken katsu bowl. — T.H. 2126 SE Division St., sushimazi.com $-$$ GF

Take a Dip

Carb Comforts For fresh, house-made pasta, look no further than Gumba on Alberta (pictured above).

Upon picking up our order, we immediately noticed the stylish interior. Take note, this is a great date-night spot. Gumba has a rotating menu and its pasta, perfectly al dente, comes in portions that are great for sharing or leftovers. The Pappardelle is a great option for younger palates and is made with the most tender braised beef, breadcrumbs and Pecorino cheese. Pro tip: For kids who wanna skip the pomp, Gumba makes butter-Parmesan noodles upon request. Another standout for us was the frybread.

Neapolitan style, it’s crispy on the edges, chewy in the middle and topped with Parmesan cheese.

This was the best bread we’ve had all year. Get more than one order, because you will fight over it. And don’t miss dessert: We loved the cannoli, filled with whipped cream, chocolate and Butterfinger. Better order more than one of those, too. — T.H. 1733 NE Alberta St., gumba-pdx.com $-$$$

At 24th and Meatballs, the love for hearty, round balls of tender beef, chicken and pork is all in the name. And meatballs are what they do best. From the standout Costanza, a hefty sub made with three chicken-Parmesan meatballs and slathered in cheesy sauce to Nonna’s Special, with three traditional Italian meatballs atop spaghetti with tomato sauce. And vegan families rejoice. There are vegan meatball options, for both sandwiches and pizza. (You can also opt to build your own creation.) This Northeast joint also serves East Coast-style pizza — by the slice or whole pie — with thin, chewy crusts. With all these options, it’s the ideal chooseyour-own-mealtime adventure for everyone in the family. — T.H. 2341 NE Glisan St., 24thandmeatballs.com $-$$ VG

Nacho Average Restaurant There is nothing ordinary about Nacheaux, a food cart-turned brickand-mortar on Northeast Fremont. Chef Anthony Brown draws influences from his hometown of L.A. (renowned for its Mexican food) and his wife Stephanie Brown, who was raised in Louisiana on Southern food. The result: outlandish dishes perfect for an indulgent family takeout meal. We chomped down on the popular fried chicken sandwich — topped with house-made pickles and coleslaw — but there’s also the fried chicken crunch wrap or burrito. And the rich mac ’n’ cheese is a must. It’s made with heavy cream and a five-cheese blend and then topped with more cheese. Pro tip: A side of mac ’n ’cheese is enough for smaller kids to share. But that’s not all! There’s also tacos and fried seafood. The hard part about getting takeout here is deciding what to order. Whatever you do though, get dessert.

Nacheaux also has some tasty sweets, like beignets. Our favorite was the churro flavor, lovingly tossed in cinnamon sugar. — T.H. 4765 NE Fremont St., nacheauxpdx.com $-$$ GF

Mexican Comfort Food Deep-fried potato-cheese tacos. Those words alone might be enough to persuade your family to try the Little Conejo food cart at the Prost! Marketplace. But don’t skip the insanely good brisket tacos and tortas either. And for kids who just want a quesadila, or beans and rice, they’ve got that, too. — D.C. 4233 N Mississippi Ave., littleconejo.com. $-$$ VG

Sizzling Tandoori Tastes

JILL WEISENSEE

Birria may be one of the latest Mexican food trends on social media, but for the folks at Birrieria La Plaza in east Portland, it’s a family tradition going back to the 1960s. This fireengine red food cart doles out our favorite birria tacos, filled with juicy, slow-simmered beef and encased in crunchy, cheesy corn tortillas. It’s the perfect vehicle to dip into the seasoned broth known as consome. If you want to truly experience birria — and the genius of Birrieria La Plaza — try the Plaza Plate, which includes a taco, mulita, tostada, quesadilla and a small cup of consome. For the pickiest of eaters, there’s even a plain cheese quesadilla. — T.H. 600 SE 146th Ave., tacoslaplaza.com $-$$

NE

Roundabout

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You’ll find a wide variety of Indian and Pakistani favorites at Silsila the Flaming Tandoor (pictured left). Staffer Jill Weisensee says her boys love the rich, flavorful butter chicken, the marinated, tandoor-baked chicken, rice and naan flatbread. Bonus: There’s naan for every taste including garlic, green chile-stuffed, spinach and cheese, and plain. Vegetarians will rejoice over the long list of vegetarian and vegan curries. — D.C. 819 N Killingsworth St., Silsilapdx.com $$ VG

time out

December 2021

Go. Play.

Explore. sit with santa

Outside the mall, get a big dose of holiday spirit at West Linn’s Magic on Mainstreet Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 11 at 10 am. And then head to the Willamette Fire Station to visit with Santa. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food are gratefully accepted for the West Linn Food Pantry. At 10th and Willamette Falls Drive, West Linn. Black Santa PDX will also be back in Portland this year (pictured right). He’s hanging out in a COVID-safe giant snow globe! He’ll parade through Southeast Portland on Saturday, December 11. But you can also find him Friday and Sunday, December 10 and 12 at Sunnyside - Groves, 3520 Yamhill St.; Friday, December 17 at Black Parent Initiative; Wednesday, December 22 at Lilac Meadows, 7740 SE Powell Blvd.; and Thursday, December 23 at Aloha UMC, 2270 SW 198th Ave., Beaverton. Open to all, no registration required. For more details check out: facebook.com/ BlackSantaPDX. And while the Victorian Belle will not be hosting it’s Miracle of a Million Lights display this year, it will have a kids’ crafting time with Santa on Sunday, December 5, 12 and 19. Find out more at victorianbelle.com.

— Denise Castañon

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BLACK SANTA PDX

Santa is plenty busy this year! Pro tip: All the malls allow you to reserve a spot online; check individual websites for costs and specific times. This holiday season, snag pictures with Santa at Lloyd Center, December 17-24, lloydcenter.com. He’s at Clackamas Town Center now through December 24, clackamastowncenter. com. In addition to traditional Santa photos through December 21, Washington Square Mall will offer special sensory-friendly sessions on Sunday, December 5 and December 12 at 9:30 am, shopwashingtonsquare.com. Pioneer Place hosts the big guy in red daily through December 24, pioneerplace.com. And at Bridgeport Village, reservations are required for photos with Santa through December 24, bridgeport-village.com.

umbrella squad

CITY OF MILWAUK IE

Milwaukie’s Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting is back!

This perfect-for-Decemberweather event lets you and your kids show off your creativity. Bring umbrellas decorated at home and then march through downtown.

Prizes will be handed out for umbrellas deemed most unique, most festive and “most Milwaukie.” After the parade, the city’s big tree gets switched on. Masks and social distancing required. Saturday, December 4, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm.

South Downtown Plaza, 11222 SE Main St., Milwaukie. Find out more at: milwaukieoregon. gov/events/umbrella-parade.

— D.C.

BLACK SANTA PDX

Find more family fun on our

online calendar: pdxparent.com/events-calendar Be sure to confirm the most

up-to-date

info with event

organizers before heading out.

happy Hanukkah Celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah in a delightfully delicious way! The Mittleman Jewish Community Center is hosting a family Donuts and Dreidels event. Your whole family can make Hanukkah decorations for your home, eat jelly doughnuts and enjoy a storytime and holiday sing-along.

Sunday, December 5, 1 pm-3 pm. Masks are required and proof of vaccination may be required for adults. Register at: oregonjcc.org/donuts. $5 per family. And if you want to catch the lighting of Portland’s giant public menorah, head to Pioneer Courthouse Square from 5:30 pm-6 pm pm daily through December 5. The event is hosted by Chabad of Oregon. Free. — D.C.

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time out

find a fresh tree Nothing beats the smell of a real tree wafting through the house during the holidays. Find your family’s perfect Christmas tree — both u-cut or pre-cut — at one of these regional farms. There’s Plumper Tree Farm in Portland (plumperpumpkins. com/christmas-trees), Lee Farms in Tualatin (leefarmsoregon.com/ christmas-trees), Frog Pond Farm in Wilsonville (thefrogpondfarm.com) and Loch Lolly Christmas Forest in North Plains (lochlollychristmasforest. com). We recommend calling the farm before you visit to check their supply.

Many tree growers across Oregon and the country experienced crop damage because of the extreme heat this summer. Pro tip: Make an afternoon out of it by enjoying the extra goodies these farms offer, including hot cocoa and cider, free hay rides and visiting the farm animals. — T.H.

PITTOCK MANSION

critters creating cheer Visit Pittock Mansion this month to see how volunteers have transformed the historic mansion museum for its annual holiday exhibition with Critters Make Merry. A trip to the West Hills to see festive furry creatures big and small — including polar bears, reindeer and teeny mice — is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Admission: $13 for adults and $9 for youth; exhibition runs through January 4, 2022. pittockmansion.org — Tiffany Hill

ride the rails All aboard! Holiday trains across Oregon are back and ready to take you and the family for a fun ride on historic, scenic tracks near the Willamette River and the Oregon Coast. These festive trains are decorated with twinkling lights. And rides feature music, stories, hot cocoa and cookies and, of course, a visit from Santa. There’s the Holiday Express, run by the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, that departs from Oaks Amusement Park (orhf.org) and the Candy Cane Express, organized by the OREGON RAIL HERITAGE FOUNDATION Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (oregoncoastscenic. org), that runs from Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach and back. Masks required aboard trains. — T.H.

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merry and bright After seasons on hold because of COVID, Portland-area performancearts organizations are back and ready to showcase their holiday magic with these merry shows. The Oregon Symphony has a whole slew of family-friendly performances from a screening of It's a Wonderful Life to a mariachi Christmas concert (orsymphony.org). Be sure to watch A Christmas Carol, The Musical, a fun twist on the Charles Dickens classic, presented by the Broadway Rose Theatre Company in Tigard (broadwayrose.org/christmas-carol). For comedy fans, there’s Elf, the Musical (pictured below) on stage at Lakewood Theatre Company LAKEWOOD THEATRE COMPANY

(lakewood-center.org). Pro tip: Little audiences will enjoy the theater’s performances of Elf, Jr. Don’t miss the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker (obt.org/nutcracker-2021) or Portland Ballet’s A Victorian Nutcracker (portlandballet.org/vicnut). And the Oregon Children’s Theatre is putting on Merry Happy Everything, an original performance featuring works by local artists and musicians (octc.org/merry-happy-everything). Masks required. — T.H.

PIONEER COURTHOUSE SQUARE

merry downtown Two holiday favorites return to Pioneer Courthouse Square this December. Pitch Perfect fans, this one’s for you! On Friday, December 3 at 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Contest brings together a cappella groups of all ages to duel for $1,000 and bragging rights (pictured above). The audience picks the winners by show of applause. On Saturday, December 11, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm it’s all about the brass at the 30th annual Tuba Christmas concert. As many as 150 tubas will show up to play everything from Rudolph the Reindeer to Silent Night. Free. — D.C.

light bright

winter break camp & classes

at the theater & in your community

CHRISTMAS SHIPS

The Oregon Zoo’s ZooLights, the Christmas Light Festival at the Grotto, Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway and the Oregon Garden’s Silverton Christmas Market are still going strong into December. But a few more spectacular holiday light displays will start shining this month, too. Check out Beaverton’s Winter Lights centered in their downtown district. Whimsical displays can be found outside the Beaverton Library and in Beaverton City Park. And a dancing light shows sparkles at The Round. December 4 to January 6.

4 pm-8 am. Free. The Christmas Ships floating boat parade (pictured below) was the perfect socially distanced light experience last year and is back for its 67th season. Brightly lit boats will travel up and down the Columbia and Willamette rivers on select nights starting on Friday, December 3 and wrapping up Tuesday, December 21. Visit christmasships.org for the full schedule and viewing locations. Free. As of press time, it’s a big question mark as to whether or not the lights will switch on at Peacock Lane in inner Southeast Portland. Check their website peacocklane.org to find out the latest information. Free.

— D.C.

nwcts.org • 503-222-2190 pdxparent.com

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Nov. 24 through Jan. 9

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