PDX Parent April 2019

FREE

Step into Oregon History, pg. 38

Time to Book Those

Summer Camps!

for the long days and short years

d n a l t r o p A t Pr Ê St y le t i ps

f ro

k n ow e w s m o m e st m t he cool

Laura Jansen,

Style Editor of

The Mom Edit, and

her daughter Sienna.

Elderberry Syrup& Coconut Oil& Amber Necklaces& Probiotics. pg. 20

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | VANCOUVER | APRIL 2019

FOR KIDS IT’S FREE !

1st SATURDAY of EVERY MONTH 9AM - 10AM Inside the Food Court

Kids will enjoy meeting a new character each month, fun activities, dress up, snacks and more!

2019 SCHEDULE

Events are best suited for kids up to 8 years of age.

April 6th Easter Bunny May 4th Time to Make Music

June 1st Summer Luau with Hula Dancing July 6th Bounce House & Face Painting

August 3rd All about Dogs

November 2nd All About Transportation

September 7th Spider Hero Appearance

December 7th Pictures & Cookies with Santa Claus

October 5th Thomas the Train

Exit 17 off I-84 • Troutdale • (503) 669-8060 • ShopColumbiaGorgeOutlets.com

Contents FEATURES Mom’s Got Style................................................................... 12 Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to give up your sense of fashion. Three Portland moms show you the way. Photos by Jamie Carle.

Text by Denise Castañon.

Elderberry Syrup & Amber Necklaces &

Coconut Oil & Probiotics.............................................20 Sure, they’re trendy. But can these and other alterna-remedies really keep your kids healthy?

By Kat Merck.

PDX Parent Picks: Curate your personal style with tips from local designer, boutique owner and mom Rita Hudson-Evalt.

Services & Shopping............................................................ 24

DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Note...............................................................................6 Play Room.....................................................................................8 Update on a Kid to Know, real talk about measles and kid-approved reusable straws, just in time for Earth Day. Field Trip............................................................................38 Sifting through Oregon’s complex past, present and future at the Oregon Historical Society’s new flagship exhibit. By Sarah Vanbuskirk.

How We Live...........................................40 Talking with one of the architects of Portland’s backyard density renaissance.

By Erin J. Bernard.

Hands On................................................ 42 With farmers’ market season starting up, it’s the perfect time to make a nifty, no-sew tote bag.

By Amber Gauntlett.

Family Supper.......................................................44 A

A feast from Eastern Europe at Anchor’s End bakery and café in Northeast Portland. By Julia Silverman.

Recipe File..................................................................45 Welcome spring with some green juice even your kids will love. (We’re serious!)

By Judith Rich.

Time Out...................................................................46 Easter egg hunts, teaching kids to fish, and parties for the planet.

Parentlandia..............................................................50 A comic for parents. By Tom Toro.

JAMIE CARLE

RESOURCES Summer Camps............................................26-37 * cover stories

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Editor’s Note for the long days and short years

JAMIE CARLE

E

veryone needs a partner in crime. Bonnie had Clyde, Laurel had Hardy, Emmett has Wyldstyle. Me? I have Denise.

We met almost five years ago. I had just taken over as the new editor of PDX Parent, and was on the lookout for a managing editor, someone to bounce ideas off of and to backstop me (and back me up), someone to plan ahead with and dream big for the magazine. Denise answered a post I’d put on the Portland Mamas Facebook group to find new writers; I did some stealth Googling, saw her impressive background in magazine journalism and invited her to meet for coffee. Ten minutes after meeting her, I made up my mind — 20 minutes after that, I offered her the managing editor job. She took a few days to make up her mind, to talk to her husband, Trevor and consider how it would impact her then 2-year-old, Adela. I was on pins and needles, and when she said yes, I could barely restrain myself from cheering out loud.

And yet. It’s taken me five long years to publicly let loose with that cheer for Denise in this space, entirely too long. This month — when she single-handedly masterminded, coordinated and wrote our awesome feature on Portland-area moms who make being stylish seem easy, page 12 — seemed like the right, if long overdue, time.

Denise is the best copy editor I’ve ever worked with in my nearly two decades in journalism, a graceful writer, a fiend for finding a just-right font and the only person I’ve ever met who can consistently come up with a fresh spin on a story about local birthday parties. (You should see the ones she throws for Adela and her son Cruz — we’re talking next-level.) She always knows when to make a stand, when to let it go and exactly what homemade item to bring to the holiday gift exchange. Most importantly, she’s always thinking about you guys, the readers, and how the world of parenting in Portland is shifting every year, from baby-led weaning to how to talk to your kids about the pot shop around the corner.

I don’t know what the next five years will bring for our magazine, but with Denise around, I know it will be good. Cheers — and thanks — to her, at long last.

—

PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774; Fax: 503-331-3445 Publisher Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com Editor Julia Silverman, 503-922-0893 julia.silverman@pdxparent.com Managing Editor Denise Castañon denise.castanon@pdxparent.com Art Director Susan Bard Web Director Michelle Carew, 503-914-6151 michelle.carew@pdxparent.com Calendar / Newsletter Editor Amy Conway calendar@pdxparent.com Customer Accounts Manager Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 christie.kline@pdxparent.com Distribution Coordinator Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com Senior Account Executive Ali King, 503-331-8184 ali.king@pdxparent.com Account Executive Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272 jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Web Administrator Casey Rhodes casey.rhodes@pdxparent.com President

P.S. And three more hearty cheers for PDX Parent’s excellent showing in the most recent Parenting Media Association’s awards competition! In a competitive field of regional parenting magazines from around North America, we went 6-for-6, medaling in every category we entered, including a bronze award for general excellence in our circulation category and a gold award for overall writing.

A special shout-out to three of our fantastic contributors, writers Sarah Vanbuskirk and Kat Merck, and photographer Jamie Carle, whose work was also honored by judges from the University of Missouri at Columbia’s journalism school. We’ve got more from all three of them in this month’s issue, including Jamie’s beautiful photos to accompany Denise’s essay on stylish local moms, Kat’s eye-opening take on natural remedies popular with Portland families on page 20 and Sarah’s fun field trip to the Oregon Historical Society’s newest exhibit with one of her sons on page 38.

On our cover: We’ve loved Jamie Carle’s edgy, modern photography style for some time now. And Jamie didn’t let us down when we asked them to document the seriously cool style of three of Portland’s mom trendsetters, including cover model Laura Jansen and her daughter Sienna. Of course, we’re not the only ones who know Jamie’s got serious talent.

We entered their “Mom’s the Boss” photo spread from our September 2018 issue in the Parenting Media Association’s Design and Editorial Awards — and the judges gave us a gold award! See more of their terrific, award-winning work at jamiecarle.com.

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Keith Goben, 503-460-2774 keith.goben@pdxparent.com For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com For calendar submissions, e-mail us at calendar@pdxparent.com PDX Parent is published monthly by Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., and is copyright 2019 Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. 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, sex or sexual orientation.

Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., 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.

Play Room

Kid to Know: Irie

Page 2.0

Last year we highlighted the work of 15-year-old Irie Page as she

dance party/benefit at the Polish Hall on North Interstate. Tickets

organized a super successful community talk on consent for teens.

are $15 in advance. On April 13, one of our favorite entertainers, Penny’s Puppets, will present a

Portland teen has teamed

show for preschoolers to third

up with six other teens to

graders called “From My Head

form the Coalition For

to My Toes, It’s My Body” at

Consent Education

the Portland Waldorf School in

(CFCE). Their goal is to

Milwaukie. The puppet show

build a culture of consent,

aims to empower children about

one conversation at a

their rights around personal

time. Since April is Sexual

boundaries. And Page and her

Assault Awareness Month,

crew are bringing back consent

they decided to roll out

educator Mike Domitrz for a free

a series of events to get

talk at PCC Sylvania on April 27.

teens, parents and even

Purchase tickets and get

younger kids talking

more details at facebook.com/

about consent. Saturday,

CoalitionForConsentEducation/

April 6 is a teen pop-up

IRIE PAGE

This year the Southeast

— Denise Castañon

Good Deeds:

foster hope

Nothing about being a kid in foster care is easy. The folks at Portland-based nonprofit Project Lemonade can’t turn all of those lemons into you-know-what, but they can — and do — help make life a little less turbulent by providing an annual free shopping spree for foster youth at their storefront at the Lloyd Center in Northeast Portland. Kids can get the autonomy and dignity of shopping for their own outfits, accessories and shoes from the store’s selection of new and gently used gear. Everyone gets a package of brand-new underwear and socks, too. Kids work from a checklist of items, and there are even personal shoppers on hand to help them find the right fit. “The focus is on the shopping makes them feel good about themselves,” says Program Director Lindsay McDonnell. So, how can your family help? Not only can you donate clothes in new (or like new) condition, but you can run a clothing drive at your preschool, school or community organization,

LINDSAY MCDONNELL.

experience and giving youth the ability to find something that

or volunteer with older kids to help get things in order at the store for their shopping events. That means inventorying new merchandise, tagging clothing and sorting donations. Ready to sign up to help out? Get in touch at volunteer@projectlemonadepdx.org. — Julia Silverman

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Chalkboard:

The Last Straw 390 million: Number of PLASTIC STRAWS Americans used every day (!) in 2017.

Plastic straws are the 11th MOST FOUND ocean trash.

Gear Guide:

Straw Poll Buluh Straws

It takes 200 YEARS for a plastic straw to decompose.

This set of eight organic bamboo drinking straws comes with a cleaning brush and its own carrying bag.

Bonus: kids can’t break the superstrong bamboo.

From $12.99 at Amazon.com.

BULUH STRAWS

Softy Straws Made from silicone, these reusable straws have that fun bendy quality that kiddos

An estimated 1 MILLION SEABIRDS die each year from ingesting plastic.

love, and they are BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Testers note that these are especially

SOURCE: THE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

Kids love straws. And let’s face it — straws make it way less likely that they will spill all over the place, multiple times per meal. But in the last few years, environmental

good for special-needs kiddos, who like to chew on

SOFTY STRAWS

activists have been sounding the alarm over the incredibly negative impact that

their straws, as

disposable, single-use plastic items like straws have on the environment and on

they are soft enough that kids won’t

marine life in particular. According to the Portland chapter of the Surfrider Foundation,

cut their teeth, but rigid enough that

straws are among the most common litter picked up during beach clean-ups. Now the

they won’t tear. $11.99 at Amazon.com.

powers that be in Portland are listening. A new ordinance passed just a few months to eat — in other words, goodbye to the days when a straw came automatically with your super-sized drink at the drive-through window. Already, plastic straws are being phased out at some of our favorite kid-friendly pit stops around the city, from ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria to the Portland Spirit’s Willamette River cruises. So what’s an environmentally conscious parent with young kids to do? There’s a solution: Reusable straws. They come in everything from stainless steel to bamboo to glass,

Klean Kanteen stainless steel straws A best of both worlds situation: These have flexible and removable silicon tips and strong stainless steel bodies.

and are easily tucked into a diaper bag or tote. (See Gear Guide for our top picks.)

Equally good for hot

Straw for your kids, less plastic waste for the planet. Win-win! (Want to do more? Email

chocolate or smoothies!

ditchthestraw@portland.surfrider.org to learn how you can volunteer for clean-up

$9.99 at New Seasons

days.) — J.S.

Market. — J.S.

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KLEAN KANTEEN

ago mandates that customers need to ask for straws and plastic cutlery when out

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Play Room

Playlist:

Mexican Treats

When I was a little girl, going to the panadería with my dad was a highlight of the weekend. I’d ogle the colorful Mexican pastries behind the glass case and we’d bring home pink, crumbly polvorones, swirly topped conchas and little breads shaped like pigs. Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis capture the experience of a MexicanAmerican childhood on their new album Buenos Diaz,

under the rebranded name The Lucky Band. Clearly,

the song about my favorite Mexican pastries, Pan Dulce, struck a strong nostalgia chord for me. When I pointed out to my son Cruz that Lucky Diaz had a new song about pan dulce, he made the universal kid sign for something delicious — stuck out his tongue and said, “Mmmmm.” Even if you or your kids haven’t experienced a bi-cultural childhood, lively musicianship and effortlessly bilingual gems make this album a keeper. The funky

Ask Dr. Doug

Q A

:T he outbreak of measles in Clark County has me feeling terrified about taking my

baby into public spaces where she might encounter lots of kids, since she is too young to get the vaccine. Any advice on how to handle this?

: I hear you. Who would have thought we’d be living through an outbreak of a

potentially deadly, but completely preventable disease?

Your daughter is a perfect example of why it’s important to maintain something called “community immunity.” For us Pacific Northwesterners, I like the example of kindling to explain this. When we’re starting a fire, if we have mostly wet wood — even if one piece of kindling burns — it’s probably not going to catch the rest of the pile on fire. However, if enough pieces are dry, then that fire can jump from one piece to the next, and the spread continues and the fire grows.

Measles is the same. It’s incredibly contagious. It can live hanging out in the air for up to 2 hours after the infected person has left a room. And if you are exposed and not immune, you have a 90 percent chance of getting full-blown measles.

Unfortunately, I’ve heard older family members say, “We all got measles when we were kids, and we turned out fine.” To them, I say “Congratulations; you survived to be able to tell us that.”

Other than feeling miserable and spreading it, in most cases, measles does get better. But there are serious consequences that can happen, like ear infections, pneumonia, a dangerous swelling around the brain that can cause deafness and brain damage, and even nerve problems that show up years after an infection. And on average, 1 in 1,000 children infected with measles will die.

So here’s the good news — vaccination against measles is safe and it works. It’s important to realize that immunizations in kids are the most studied interventions we have in pediatrics.

They have been proven safe in large studies with thousands of children, over and over again, year after year.

The normal ages to receive your MMR is at 12 months old and 4 years old. Almost all children will make enough antibodies after the first shot to be immune, and the rest will make enough after the second shot.

I worry the most about children who are too young to get immunized, or who have immune deficiencies or cancer, and are not able to get the vaccine. They are at a much higher risk of infection and complications.

The other thing I have seen on social media is to give your child megadoses of vitamin A to “prevent” measles if you don’t want to vaccinate. This is 100 percent false. In the developing world, where vitamin deficiencies are pervasive, it’s true that giving vitamin A when you’re fighting off measles may prevent severe complications. It does not keep you from getting measles, and in the United States it will not make you less likely to have complications.

Things you can do now with your daughter: Talk to your pediatrician about whether it makes sense to immunize early based on where you live, her age, and your comfort level. Remember you still need 2 doses of MMR starting at 12 months even if you get one early. Breastfeeding can be protective. If she’s in day care, ask about their policies on vaccination. And when you see or hear information on vaccination that is misguided and not evidence-based, speak up.

We are all good parents, doing the best we can. This absolutely includes parents who decide not to immunize their children. But please, let’s make these decisions based on sound evidence. The littlest members of our community depend on it.

and Mix It Up will make you want to put on your boogie shoes. And the fun, surf-pop tune Taco Tuesday celebrates everyone’s favorite meal of the week. — D.C.

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Dr. Doug Lincoln practices general pediatrics at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Happy Valley. He is board certified in both pediatrics and preventive medicine, with special interests in helping parents meet their breastfeeding goals, caring for neurodiverse children with behavioral health needs, and advocating for children via teaching and policy. As a dad of two boys, he understands the joy and hard work that comes with parenting. Find out more about Dr. Doug and Metropolitan Pediatrics at metropediatrics.com.

DR. DOUG

dance beats of Como Se Dice

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The call of the yoga pants and messy bun can be strong. We’ve all been there. But these three Portland moms show how you can get back into fashion — and stay in the picture! — after having kids.

PHOTOS BY JAMIE CARLE / TEXT BY DENISE CASTAÑON

Shot on location at Tendue in the Ford Building and at nearby murals.

Visit tenduepdx.com for more information on this gorgeous event space.

N

orth Portland mom Laura Jansen doesn’t have a formal fashion background, but clothes have always been another way for her to express her creativity. Her innate sense of style landed her a gig with the online magazine The Mom Edit (she’s also a part-time graphic designer). She started going to the site to get advice on postpartum dressing after having her daughter Sienna, now 5, and answered a call for reader submissions. Her advice was so good, she was hired.

She’s now the Style Editor, writing about topics ranging from her dining room makeover to the best ways to wear a “fancy” sweatshirt. And she takes a killer dressing-room selfie. But helping moms find the right pieces for them is what really motivates her. “We like to focus on solving problems,” she says. “Really practical ideas for getting dressed. Ideas that can easily translate to your own closet.”

In terms of her own look, Jansen likes to mix things up and break the rules. “I like to mix sporty and preppy with a rocker vibe. These are the pieces I love to play with,” she says. “You don’t have to wear things that are ‘supposed to go together.’”

Around town she likes Button for consignment: “They have a lot of things I am drawn to, great boots and jackets.” Shop Adorn, North of West, and PedX for shoes also rank at the top of her list. “And I’m always in Anthropologie, Madewell and Free People,” she adds.

Wearing: Madewell sweater, AllSaints leather jacket, Everlane jeans, Lucky Brand boots and Botkier bag.

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Wearing: Trouve blazer, Madewell tee and jeans, J.Crew heels, and Warby Parker glasses.

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Wearing: Rita Hudson Apparel dress, Lane Bryant jacket from a “free box,” Sven clogs and Rubygirl necklace.

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Wearing: Rita Hudson Apparel dress and Rubygirl necklace.

D

esigner Rita Hudson-Evalt started her line of clothing for a very practical reason. “I was working for Sofada. The designer, Alice Dobson, was really supportive, but she wasn’t making anything for bigger bodies — including me,” says the Lents mom of a 3-year-old, who’s expecting her second child in July. “So I made myself a shirt and started selling at her store. And it started from that.”

Hudson-Evalt originally called her line Hubris, but switched to the name Rita Hudson Apparel about a year ago. Her dresses flatter a variety of body types and range in size from extra small to 3XL. “My goal as a designer is to make things that are versatile, that really support women in their daily lives. So they don’t have to worry about looking put together throughout the day.” And can we get an amen? Her dresses often feature pockets!

Hudson-Evalt also owns the shop Union Rose in outer Southeast’s Montavilla neighborhood.

She carries a number of local designers and is especially drawn to the natural organic fibers used by the Vivid Element Line and the bright colors and patterns of KD designs.

Their ease and versatility make dresses a personal favorite of Rita’s. “I love that it’s just one garment — you put shoes on and you are good for the day,” she says.

What advice would she offer to a mom who is stuck in a style slump after having kids? “It definitely happened to me,” says Hudson-Evalt. “You forget that you might need a different wardrobe. You forget that your body could change. The only way to get out of it is just to play.

You have to experiment, just try things on. Just play with it and have fun!”

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B

efore skyrocketing to Instagram fame, Arbor Lodge resident Lavenda Memory worked as a fashion and commercial photographer. In 2014 she started blogging and Instagramming about fashion. Now she’s got 250,000+ followers who can’t wait to see the latest looks she’s pulled together.

She tries to post to Instagram about twice a day, though it can be hard to keep up that pace when mom duties to 9-year-old daughter Ella or her partner Luke Smith’s two daughters Elsie, 6, and Lulu, 3, beckon. (Also a lot of those great photos, especially the sponsored content, come from photographer Bailey O’Bar. Other times she recruits Luke or a friend.)

Advice she’d give to a mom in a style slump? “I get it, number one. Ha! And number two, make it really easy on yourself. For mom-duty weekends I can’t tell you how often I’ll reach for my capsule pieces.” Memory suggests building a capsule wardrobe of 20 plus pieces that you can interchange into different looks. The pieces can be classics, like blazers, denim or crew neck tees. But she recommends having fun with getting dressed and making it reflect your preferences and style. “If you have more of a rocker style, you can change out the blazer for a classic black moto jacket or instead of skinny jeans, you can stock up on girlfriend jeans,” she says.

Memory describes her own style as a cross between eclectic chic and sophisticated bohemian. She also is a major fan of vintage styles. Locally she loves Shop Adorn, Hollywood Babylon for vintage, and Goodwill for unique finds.

Photographer Jamie Carle lives across the bridge in Vancouver, Washington.

They live for leather jackets, a good brown boot, and a little bit of gold jewelry. Other than photographing for brands, couples and families, you can find Jamie trying new foods and playing outside with their son Jaxin. Jamie’s work for “Mom’s the Boss,” September 2018, won PDX Parent a gold Parenting Media Association award for best interior photography.

Managing editor Denise Castañon is determined to get her wardrobe rocking after meeting these cool, stylish moms. It will be admittedly easier now that her 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son are getting more independent by the day.

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Wearing: Zara top, Zara dress, Lack of Color hat and ASOS boots. Jacket is a ’90s Donna Karan she found at Goodwill for $12.99.

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Elderberry Syrup Coconut Oil& Amber Necklaces Essential Oils&

BY KAT MERCK

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et’s get one thing out of the way: We all want the best for our kids.

No parent wakes up one day and decides they’d simply love to pump their cold-and-flu-afflicted child full of sodium benzoate and yellow No. 6. But vacations and emergencies happen, as do long weeks at work and confusing, insomnia-addled trips to Walgreens at 11 pm.

This guide is not for those times. One can’t swing a surveyor locator in this city — or, increasingly, its suburbs — without hitting a natural-foods store of some sort, filled with herbally scented and extremely expensive promises of greener, healthier, more righteous ways to ward off the colds and flus that drove you to that Walgreens in the first place. But do these products actually work? Does that stylish vegan mom in Aisle 6 with the hand-crocheted tunic know something you don’t? We took a look at some of the more popular remedies to let you know what they’re supposed to do, what they actually do, and what medical professionals really think of them.

SAMBUCOL

But wait, coconut oil cures everything, right? We take a hard look at Portland’s favorite green family wellness trends to see if they really live up to the hype.

AURA CACIA

Probiotics.

s&

Did it work? Nothing signals one’s natural-parenting bona fides quite as clearly as an amber teething necklace on a baby or toddler. My own son didn’t seem particularly affected by teething — and I was leery of the potential choking hazard — but it wasn’t difficult to find dozens of parents who remain fervent believers. “After a night up with my 2-year-old crying and feverish because of his molars coming in, I decided to get one as soon as the stores opened in the morning,” says Debra Almsted of Washougal. “After having my son tell me his teeth didn’t hurt anymore, I was convinced, and all four of my children have used them now.”

What do doctors say? “I do not recommend amber teething necklaces,” says Scott Spencer, M.D., a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of the Northwest in Portland. “The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees that the use of amber necklaces to help relieve teething pain is not supported by modern science. The makers claim it releases pain-relieving substances into the bloodstream, but there is no evidence for this. Moreover, the necklace is both a choking and strangulation risk.”

ELDERBERRY SYRUP FOR COLDS

The claim: Though the exact mechanism by which it works is unknown, the extract of Sambucus nigra, commonly known as the black elderberry, is thought to have antiinflammatory properties and shorten the duration of colds and the flu.

The cost: $9.29 for Sambucol black elderberry syrup at Target.

Did it work? There is no better science lab than a kindergarten class in winter, so when my kindergartener’s neighborhood friends began sniffling, I began dispensing a dropperful of “disgusting” purple syrup each morning. To my surprise, my son only had a single cold all winter — and that was before I began the syrup.

What do doctors say? “I don’t have experience recommending or taking this product,” says Dr. Spencer. “But according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there are initial studies that indicate it can be helpful for colds in adults, but there is not enough evidence to say that for sure. However, there are no pediatric studies and there are possible side effects like nausea, so I can’t recommend this for children.”

(Author’s note: Darn.)

The claim: Not yet been invited to a “free intro to essential oils” class by your kid’s friend’s mom who sells Young Living? Well here are the Cliffs Notes: Essential oils can purportedly cure everything from eczema to stomachaches, as well as improve concentration, repel fleas, and be used as a natural sunscreen (no matter what your kid’s friend’s mom says, don’t try that last one at home).

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ... WELL, EVERYTHING

The cost: Varies widely. A single 15-ml (half-ounce) bottle of multi-level marketing (MLM) oil such as Young Living or DoTerra can run anywhere from $13 to $80, while store-brand oils such as Now or Aura Cacia are usually under $10. Though MLM reps will swear on their favorite pair of LuLaRoe leggings that the price difference is due to their oils being “certified pure therapeutic grade,” this is not an official designation from any organization.

COSTCO

&

The claim: Baltic amber contains succinic acid, a natural analgesic that is supposedly released when the beads are heated by the skin, thereby reducing teething pain.

The cost: $14-$20 for baby necklaces and $30-$56 for adult versions through Vancouver, Wash.-based The Art of Cure (theartofcure.net).

AMBER TEETHING NECKLACES

Did it work? Essential oils had never passed the smell test with me (no pun intended, I swear), so until now, I had not tried them. I decided to start with a problem we’d been having as a family — lack of focus. The internet suggested peppermint oil, so I found a bottle of Aura Cacia on sale for $5.99 at Natural Grocers. “Get that away from me!” my 6-year-old screeched when I asked him to smell the open bottle. “It smells like an old candy cane.” Improved focus? One could say so, but certainly not on schoolwork.

What doctors say: “Essential oils used for aromatherapy are generally accepted as safe,” says Dr. Spencer. “There is evidence that aromatherapy can produce improvement in mood, stress and feeling of health, so, in general, I support its use if desired by a parent or patient. One caution is that some people, particularly those with asthma, can be sensitive to inhaling these — or any — chemicals. So make sure that the essential oils are not causing difficulty breathing or any other unwanted allergic reaction.” pdxparent.com

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The claim: A known antiseptic, the distilled oil from Melaleuca alternifolia — a myrtle tree native to Australia — is thought to kill live lice, although its ability to kill eggs is in question.

The most common application method seems to be applying directly to the scalp before covering the head with a towel or shower cap. Many sources, even ones of questionable veracity, seem to pooh-pooh the ability of tea tree oil to kill hardy parasites, but tea tree-based lice shampoo can be found at most grocery stores.

TEA TREE OIL FOR LICE

The cost: $10.95 for 1 fluid ounce on Amazon.

Did it work? I haven’t tried it myself, but a surprising number of parents I spoke to swore by it — one mom in my area, Tiffany Pulido of Washougal, goes so far as to spray her two boys’ hair every single day before school with tea tree oil diluted in water. “They’ve never gotten lice,” she maintains. “I am a strong believer.”

What doctors say: “I had to look this one up!” says Dr. Spencer. “There is evidence that tea tree oil is effective for killing live lice, but is not as effective in killing nits — the eggs that are attached the hair. So, a combing or nit-removal technique is needed if tea tree oil is used. The concentration of tea tree oil is also very important, as too-concentrated oil can cause a rash. There is also some evidence that repeated tea tree oil could cause male breast development (gynecomastia), presumably because it acts like a hormone in the body. Also, in higher doses and repeated applications, it is theoretically carcinogenic. So it is not recommended for frequent applications. Also, it doesn’t work as a preventative treatment to ‘repel’ lice.” (Editor’s note: Double darn.)

The claim: The live bacteria found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kombucha and kimchee have been credited with curing everything from constipation and depression to obesity; you’d be hard-pressed to find a crunchy Portland parent without a bottle in the fridge that probably cost half their monthly natural gas bill.

PROBIOTICS

The cost: $19.99 for 30 capsules at Fred Meyer.

Did it work? In short, no. Neither my husband nor I saw a noticeable difference in temperament or gas reduction when my son was a baby, and though we still use probiotics capsules off and on to hedge our bets during cold and flu season, their effect on immune or gut function for us is largely unnoticeable.

What doctors say: “Like most medical providers, I recommend probiotics for all children while they are on antibiotics and also for certain other medical conditions,” says Dr. Spencer. “Probiotics are strains of good bacteria that are found in normal healthy digestive systems. Some studies suggest that using probiotics can help prevent colds, but there isn’t enough evidence to support this claim. I recommend a probiotic that contains active lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium …. One possible downside to probiotics is that most products contain dairy. So for those individuals with a dairy allergy or very significant dairy intolerance, I wouldn’t recommend probiotics.”

The claim: The hype is dying down a bit on this once-maligned, extremely saturated fat, but some still believe in its powers to regulate metabolism and strengthen the immune system, alleviate cradle cap and diaper rash, and even substitute as a sunscreen (again, do not try this at home).

COCONUT OIL

The cost: $16.99 for virgin, unprocessed coconut oil at Costco. The refined kind is less expensive, but does not contain the purported health benefits.

Did it work? It’s greasy, it’s kind of expensive, and as a child of the ’80s, I distinctly remember being told I was going to die of coronary artery disease for eating it with my movie popcorn.

Forgive me if I still have a bit of difficulty slathering it on the inside and outside of my body. However, it does make a pretty decent winter moisturizer for both my son and me.

What health experts say: According to Pediatric Associates of the Northwest’s staff dietician, Connie Liakos, coconut oil “just doesn’t live up to the hype as a health food” due to its saturatedfat content. However, she says less-processed “virgin” coconut oil is probably better metabolized in the body, so it is okay to use sometimes in cooking, but not as a primary cooking fat. One caveat: She actually specifically recommends it for children under 2 years of age, as infants need saturated fat for brain development.

The claim: Locally produced honey is made by bees who have visited local flowering plants, so people who consume the raw, unprocessed honey regularly — a spoonful a day is what’s typically recommended — are supposedly also consuming all the local pollen, allowing them to build a tolerance over time.

LOCAL RAW HONEY FOR ALLERGIES

The cost: $5.99 for a 12-ounce squeeze bottle of Vancouver, Wash.-based “Artie’s Harvest” at QFC in Vancouver.

Did it work? My family is blessedly free of allergies, so I had to ask around on this one. Portland mom Jenya Rafi runs Inquisitive Mermaids, a local Facebook group focused on toxin-free living, and is such a devotee of local honey she buys it in bulk. “We use it all the time to help alleviate allergy symptoms,” she explains, “as well as to boost the immune system and as a cough suppressant. If allergies are really bad, local bee pollen is even better!”

What doctors say: “In terms of allergy treatment,” says Dr. Spencer, “according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, eating honey — perhaps local honey — is theorized to reduce pollen allergies by exposing people to a small amount of the pollen and allowing the body to build up tolerance.

However, the studies that have looked at this have been inconsistent. So it is unknown if it helps, but, as long as a child is over 1 year of age, it is safe to ingest raw honey.”

Kat Merck is a freelance writer, editor and mom who was once publicly shamed in line at Natural Grocers for buying cheese. She continues to buy cheese — and sometimes not even the organic kind — while living in Camas, Wash., with her husband and 6-year-old son. Kat’s article “Trash Talk,” April 2018, won PDX Parent a silver Parenting Media Association award for best service feature.

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Services & Shopping 2019

We asked, you answered! This month, we reveal the results Congrats to the winners and nominees, and check back nex pdxparent.com/picks-winners.

TOY STORE

BIKE SHOP & BIKE REPAIR

Top 5

Top 5

Hammer and Jacks

Community Cycling Center

Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts

Sellwood Cycle Repair

Piccolo Mondo Toys

River City Bicycles

Kids at Heart Toys

Bikes for Humanity PDX Clever Cycles

Oodles 4 Kids

Winner Bike Gallery

Winner Thinker Toys 7784 SW Capitol Hwy., thinkertoysoregon.com

locations, bikegallery.com

Almost every Portland neighborhood has a

FLICKR/JINHO JUNG

Bike Gallery, multiple area In a city full of great bike stores, Bike Gallery stands out for our readers for its

winner, Thinker Toys in Multnomah Village, is what you would consider a destination toy store.

Readers come from all quadrants of the city

low-key sales approach, excellent repair services and wide selection of kid bikes. Starting with balance bikes from respected brands Haro and Trek and going all the

to shop at this mecca for LEGO, board games, stuffies, costumes, favor bag stuffers and play

way to tricked out Electras for tweens, this Portland institution can

food in all shapes and sizes. If your kid put it on

get your kids out on two wheels, pronto.

their wish list, it’s probably here.

COMIC BOOK SHOP Top 5 Things from Another World Cosmic Monkey Comics Comic Cave Books with Pictures Excalibur Books and Comics Winner Bridge City Comics

CONSIGNMENT SHOP/SALE Top 5 Hoot-N-Annie Children’s Boutique Super Kids Resale Piccolina Resale Boutique Pass It On sales event Just 4 Kids

3725 N Mississippi Ave., bridgecitycomics.com

Winner

With a motto like “Comics for the People,”

Beanstalk Children’s Resale

how can they go wrong? Bridge City Comics

3527 NE 15th Ave and 8021 SE Stark St.

has something for everyone, from a robust section featuring Portland makers to the new Dog Boy installment that your 6-yearold has been impatiently waiting for to more esoteric graphic novellas for grown-ups.

(After selecting your comics, wander over to our readers’ pick for best pizza, nearby Mississippi Pizza, to read your finds and enjoy a slice.)

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beloved local toy store to call its own. Our

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beanstalkchildrensresale.com Portland’s consignment store and sale game is strong. So to rise to the top of the pack means you’re really something special. Our readers give Beanstalk the nod for the second year in a row based on their well-curated selection, roomy, easy-to-browse shops and great pricing, plus the biggest selection of used KEENs in town. Pro tip:

Keep an eye on their Facebook page for in-store concerts and flash sales.

AMY CLOSE PHOTOGRAPHY

PD X

A B C

of our annual readers’ poll in the shopping & services category. xt month for more PDX Parent Picks. Find the complete list of winners at KIDS’ HAIR SALON

NEW KIDS’ CLOTHING

Top 5 Pigtails & Crewcuts

Top 5

Bishops Cuts/Color

Black Wagon

Lil’ Snippers Hair Care 4 Kids

Grasshopper Store

Sit Still Kids

Posh Baby

Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids FLICKR/BRITNEE BELT

TreeHouse Children’s Boutique EcoBaby Gear

Winner Kid’s Castle Cuts 6000 SE 41st Ave. kidscastlecuts.com So much to love about this sweet

Winner

Hanna Andersson multiple locations. hannaandersson.com

neighborhood spot for kids’ hair cuts, from the Nintendo Switches they

We Portlanders love a homegrown success story. Hanna Andersson, known

provide to keep wiggly kiddos in their

for its bright, organic clothing and indestructible leggings, launched in our

seats during cuts to their participation in

city more than 30 years ago and now has shops around the world. But the

the Wigs for Kids program, which helps

flagship store in the Pearl District and the outlet in Lake Oswego are still

pediatric cancer patients. Bring your

tops on our reader list for where to go when you’re searching for that extra-

kiddo in for a haircut and donate their

special outfit for your littles. (Or matching jammies for the whole family. You

hair to Wigs for Kids, and the haircut will

heard it here first!)

be only half price.

SUPERMARKET

BOOKSTORE

Top 5

Top 5

WinCo Foods Costco Wholesale

Green Bean Books Annie Bloom’s Books A Children’s Place Bookstore Maggie Mae’s Kids’ Bookshop

Whole Foods Market

Mudpuddles Toys & Books

Winner New Seasons

Winner

multiple area locations,

Powell’s City of Books

FLICKR/THROGERS

Fred Meyer Trader Joe’s

newseasonsmarket.com

multiple locations,

From the stickers at the cash register to the

powells.com

plentiful samples throughout the store, the

There’s a reason that every first-timer to Portland has Powell’s on their

usually available “car carts” to the coloring page contests, the “just for kids” basket of free produce for snacking on when shopping and the books and crayons available in the eat-in section, New Seasons is clearly aiming for a very family-friendly vibe in its many metro area grocery stores. Our readers agree: It’s working.

itinerary, and a reason that those of us who live here and love books return to their flagship West Burnside store time and again. The kids’ section is enormous and features a great selection of used and new favorites; there are also regular kid storytimes and young adult book club

groups. Pro tip: Find fresh kid-lit recommendations from Kim Tano and Madeline Shier, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s, in our Bookshelf

column every other month.

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ENERGETIC & POSITIVE YOUTH SPORT CAMPS FOR ALL ABILITIES!

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CELEBRATE THE CITY 2019

The votes are in and we’re getting ready to party!

Join us

June 22

at the historic Oaks Amusement Park to celebrate your favorites with us.

Music, giveaways and family fun!

Performances by Red Yarn, Micah & Me, The Alphabeticians, Tallulah’s Daddy and Olive & Dingo.

PRESENTED BY

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Field Trip

Oregon, My Oregon Step back in time at the Oregon Historical Society’s new “Experience Oregon” exhibit. STORY AND PHOTOS BY SARAH VANBUSKIRK

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hen I picked up my fourth grader, Noah, age 9, early from school recently to go on a “special” outing he was beyond thrilled. That is until I told him where we were going: the Oregon Historical Society’s new Experience Oregon exhibit.

“Really, Mom? A museum?” he questioned, clearly disappointed. “I was thinking laser tag or paintball. I experience Oregon every day!”

So it was with a decidedly unenthused boy, who had been bribed with a post-museum treat, that I arrived at the museum on the eve of the new Experience Oregon exhibit’s debut, which appropriately enough was scheduled for Valentine’s Day 2019, otherwise known as Oregon’s 160th birthday.

Within seconds of stepping into the brandnew, 11,000-square foot, open-design space, three years in the making, his skepticism slipped away.

His eyes brightened as he let go of my hand and made a beeline to the huge, incredibly lifelike model of a tree holding court near the entrance. “Wow,” Noah said, crouching down, immediately reaching out his fingers toward the wide, bumpy trunk, as he peered up at the canopy of branches above. “Can I touch it?” The answer, happily, was “Yes!” since the new exhibit is very interactive and totally kid-friendly.

The centerpiece tree will resonate with locals for a reason. Its bark was cast from the trees in Washington Park and is emblematic of the curators’ effort to imbue the visitor experience with not just the relevant facts, dates and artifacts, but with the power and pull of the natural world as well. This painstaking attention to detail is evident throughout the exhibit, which is geared toward ages 8 and up, and

IF YOU GO:

celebrates, educates and questions about all things Oregon.

Right away, Noah noticed the thoughtful inclusivity and collaborative vision of the curators. “I learned about these tribes at school,” he noted, when he spied a sign about the “People of the Plateau, High Desert and Great Basin.” The new Oregon Trail curriculum, which doesn’t shy away from the hard truths about the Western migration and its negative impact on Native peoples, was evident everywhere we looked: “I’m glad they’re telling about the Native American story too, not just the white settlers,” he said. What’s most impressive is that every story, even that of each visitor, has a place in this exhibit, which at its start asks the question, “What is your Oregon experience?”

Visitors will find a tapestry of information on everything from the state’s waterways, resources and land, to the experiences of women, African Americans, Chinese and Native Americans, along with the more familiar accounts of powerful white men. “We tell it all, very frankly,” explains Museum Director Helen Louise. “We looked for new ways to highlight relevance across time to help people understand that history matters and informs how we live today.”

Evocative questions, such as “Who can live here?” and “Why did Euro-American explorers believe they ‘discovered’ a place where people were already living?” pepper the walls as visitors journey through Oregon over time and themes, such water, land, building communities and home. A blue river is painted on the floor, giving context for such treasures as ‘Scarborough,’ a remarkable cedar canoe that’s more than 100 years old.

Noah’s favorite parts were the interactive, often tactile or other sensory elements, particularly running his hands over the topographical state map, petting a carved wooden beaver, walking through a replica covered wagon, feeling a real beaver pelt and sniffing Oregon scents, including salmon, wheat and hops. “This is

INCLUSIVE + ADAPTIVE: The exhibit is wheelchair accessible and while they

Oregon Historical Society: 1200

don’t have specific sensory-friendly times, it is generally less crowded than other

SW Park Ave. Monday-Saturday,

local museums, which is good for kids who can get overwhelmed by crowds and

10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm.

noise. Additionally there are five listening stations, artifact labels with raised-letter text and headphones that can turn touch-screen prompts into voice commands.

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cool,” he said, “I never knew Oregon had so many smells.”

Except for the items behind glass or other barriers, much of the exhibit is indeed touchable — the rock wall in the 130-degree theater, thunder eggs, trees, a canoe cutout, a paddle, plants and more. The items behind glass are just as alluring, from the turn-of-the-century, Oregon-made gown and automobile to intricately beaded costumes and fishing equipment.

“Stories from the Archives” stations also caught his eye, especially the clever, interactive games. In one inspired by the true, 2,000-mile journey of a pregnant Marie Dorion and her children to Fort Astoria, players attempt to take a group of pioneers along the Oregon Trail without leading them all to their deaths. This is harder, and sillier, than it sounds and joyfully brings home the reality of this often perilous trek. Another lets you compete as George Fletcher, the first African American cowboy in the Pendleton Round Up. Fun, right? Until you discover that no matter how well you do, even if Fletcher wins, as he did in real life, the best he can finish as a black man is second place.

COST: Always free for

Multnomah County residents.

All others: $10 Adults, $8 Seniors, $5 Youth.

Noah loved that the majority of the objects, such as beaded moccasins and the iconic canoe, were “original” as opposed to copies. I loved that Experience Oregon offers so many different ways to connect, from sensory elements to role-playing games, and, especially, that everything my son saw sparked question after question. Many of these were answered by going deeper in the exhibit, but all invited more conversation and questioning that we could take home with us.

No wonder he’s already asking when we can make a return trip — no bribe needed.

Sarah Vanbuskirk is a Portland-based writer and mother of 5 kids, Violet, 15, Charlie, 14, Hank, 11, Noah, 9, and Walter, 7, who is currently writing a memoir. Her December 2017 PDX Parent story, “Winter Adventures, A to Z,” won a Parenting Media Association Silver Award for Travel Writing.

PRO TIP: Experience Oregon is designed to engage third graders and above.

For younger visitors, check out OHS’s History Hub exhibit, which was curated with preschool and early-elementary-aged children in mind.

For more ideas for fun outings, visit: pdxparent.com/ field-trip

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For more ways families are dealing with our housing market, visit: pdxparent.com /how_we_live

How We Live

In Our Backyard

ELI GREEN

We’ve covered the various ways Portland families are dealing with our housing market. Can we build our way to more equal housing opportunities? One Portland architect makes a case for conscious density. BY ERIN J. BERNARD

I

f your backyard screams “neglected tangle of weeds” more than just going tiny, says Green; what you build has got to blend seamlessly “lovingly maintained outdoor gathering space,” Portland architect with its surroundings without sacrificing functionality or flexibility. (and father of two) Eli Green would like a word.

The needs of a city, too, change over time. The Portland aesthetic Green has spent a lifetime moving into, out of, and back into this will no doubt keep on shifting as its population surges, thinking city. He’s lived in all five of its quadrants (yes, there are five — count on affordable housing evolves, and the availability and quality of ‘em, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and North) and standard building materials like lumber fluctuates. But this is also currently owns a home in inner Southeast. His career in architecture a culture of makers and hosts, long enamored with the Craftsman has given him a front-row seat to Portland’s heated affordablestyle and populated by skilled craftspeople eager to collaborate on housing debate. the creation of beautiful, sustainable structures. For Green, that’s a “The tension I see is the need to house all these people while heritage worth honoring. keeping Portland the way it is — that feel, that energy,” he says.

Spackle the ethos over with endless city blocks of drab apartment Density is emerging as a primary strategy for matching towers instead, and you jeopardize far more than some idealized supercharged population growth, but can we really squeeze aesthetic, he warns: “These [kinds of] buildings lead to a loss of history more living into less space without sacrificing the quality of our — a loss of connection — and that untethers the community.” neighborhoods?

From what Green’s seeing, plenty of Portland families want to be Green thinks we can, and at SQFT Studios, the Portland-based part of promoting a different brand of density, and they’re finding that design-and-build company he co-owns with fellow architect Schuyler their very own yards are, in fact, a great place to start.

Silva, the goal is to help local families transform underused outdoor “I love the ‘In my backyard’ [IMBY] idea,” he says. “It’s about helping areas into functional living and working spaces.

Portland stay Portland.”

Portlanders are looking to do many things with these It’s also about acknowledging that the choices we make structures: house aging parents or grandparents, generate today about who we house, and how, and where, will ripple rental income, or create stand-alone work studios and simple outward across the city long after we’re gone. guest suites.

That’s a big legacy, and a big responsibility, too, says Compact builds — think ADUs and freestanding Green: “The reality is, our actions are what’s going to To find out more accessory structures — are the studio’s bread and be passed on. And what we choose to build is a big about SQFT Studios, butter, but preserving Portland requires more than part of that.” visit: sqftstudios.com.

Erin J. Bernard is a freelance writer and editor living the dream in Northeast Portland, where she resides with her husband and their bossy 2-yearold daughter. She spends her (nonexistent) free time eating tamales, scoping out garage sales, and blogging about the creative life at ejbwritingstudio.com.

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Hands On

For more kid-friendy projects, visit: pdxparent.com /hands-on

A

universal truth all parents understand is that kids grow, and outgrow their clothes, at lightning speed. Sometimes saying

goodbye to a favorite t-shirt can be hard. But fear not — in a few simple steps, your kiddos can help you transform those wearable memories into a handy little no-sew tote bag — just in time for farmers’ market season!

MATERIALS:

Old t-shirt Sharp scissors, fabric scissors if you have them Ruler Permanent marker INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Lay the shirt flat, smooth out wrinkles.

2. Cut sleeves and collar off shirt, to form the handles.

3. Turn shirt inside out. (Or if you want fringe to end up on the outside of the bag for a decorative touch — like the tie-dye example pictured — do not turn the shirt inside out.)

4. Use the ruler to draw a straight line across the shirt where you would like the bag to end.

5. Cut off the shirt 3 inches below your line.

6. Cut vertically from the bottom edge of both layers of fabric up toward the line. Each strip of fringe should be about ¾- to 1-inch wide. Be sure to cut back and front layers together, so they match up for the next step.

7. Tie the front and back layers of the fringe together. (This is the perfect job for dexterous kid fingers!)

Totes Adorbs!

Upcycle a favorite tee into a stylish, no-sew tote bag — just in time for farmers’ market season!

STORY AND PHOTOS BY AMBER GAUNTLETT

Amber Gauntlett is the owner of Smartypants kids’ art space in North Portland. Witnessing the joy that kids find in the art-making process brings out the kid in her. For more information visit smartypantspdx.com.

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8. You’ll notice there are small gaps between your knots. To close up those holes, tie the fringe strips on either side of the hole together. Do this all the way across the bag to close up all the holes.

9. Turn bag right-side-out again, marvel at your collective crafts acumen, and high five your little helper!

Take the washable, upcycled tote bag with you on your next trip to the farmers’ market and load it up with tasty veggies!

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Family Supper

Who’s Hungary?

Checking out the Eastern European-inspired fare at the new Anchor’s End eatery in the Beaumont neighborhood.

STORY AND PHOTO BY JULIA SILVERMAN

For more kid-friendly restaurant reviews, visit: pdxparent.com /family-supper

A

fter a double overtime fourth grade basketball game ends in a 1-point loss and your kid fouling out, some comfort food is definitely in order.

Small wonder then that on just such a day recently, my family headed straight for Anchor’s End, a new Euro-inspired café/bakery hybrid holding down a corner of the extremely family-friendly and It’s a good thing I had picked the salad, because I also went for the low-key neighborhood of Beaumont in Northeast Portland. pretzel nokedli and cheese ($8), not quite realizing that I was ordering a Friends who live nearby had been posting about the new place for gooey, cheesy, impossibly rich platter of grown-up, beer-spiked macaroni weeks, singing its praises, and the first impression was encouraging. and cheese. What can I say? The description on the menu had me at Counter service, all the better to get hungry kids fed? Check. A menu the words “pretzel dumpling.” I made it through half of the dish before with both familiar and straightforward choices for kids and something handing it over to the men in the family, who polished off the rest. a little more elevated for us? Check. Prices that weren’t stratospheric?

As for my husband, he tried out the speciality of the house, three Check. pierogi, or traditional Polish dumplings, filled with a mash of boiled Anchor’s End began life as a food cart in Seattle before heading potato and parmesan cheese for $8. For me, it was a bit too much doughsouth to open a Vancouver, Wash. food truck specializing in soft on-carbs, but he mixed it with the more of that mushroom gravy and pretzels, but this is their first brick-and-mortar storefront. My kids were cleaned his plate. immediately distracted by the display case of tempting pastries, next to Anchor’s End isn’t going out of its way to attract the stroller crowd — the cash register, but we were there for lunch, not sweets. there’s a thin shelf of books, and the only games we saw were Scrabble My son, hungry after that nail-biter of a basketball game, ordered the and a deck of cards, plus the bathroom has no changing station. But we “breakfast schnitzel” ($14) — a Carlton Farms did spot high chairs and booster seats and pork cutlet, pounded thin, breaded and crisped the food came very promptly, always a plus FROM THE EAST: up, alongside two runny eggs and a pile of when there are hungry kids on hand. Other pickled cabbage that he refused to touch, but Happy Sparrow recently decamped from kid-friendly menu items include a roasted SE Belmont to Lake Oswego, but their the rest of us swiped from his plate. Usually, tomato soup, a soft pretzel plate that comes kolaches — Czechoslavkia by way of the dish comes with mushroom gravy, but he with dipping sauces, and yogurt with jam and Texas meat-stuffed pastries — are just as requested this on the side which was, I think, granola. delish as ever. his loss — the gravy gave the meat a nice hit of Most importantly, there were families umami, and without it, the pork was a little dry. with kids throughout the restaurant, many Not many places specialize in the food of My daughter saved her highest praise for the of them playing happily with the Russian the Balkans but Two Brothers Café on zippy “gypsy” salad I ordered ($11), which came nesting dolls that replace table numbers at SE Belmont is bringing the art form back laden with broccolini, zucchini, raw beet chips, the restaurant. We examined ours closely to the traditional Sarajevan-style meat and crunchy pops of Polish kasza, known better and noted that the original doll and all of the rolls, known as chevapi. here as “groats” or grains of buckwheat. Her progressively smaller dolls she contained own breakfast sandwich on pretzel bread was Kachka is a special date night out kind of looked very Portland-appropriate; one even less of a hit; even though the restaurant had place, but their new more casual spinsported a nose ring. Comforting indeed. graciously agreed to scramble her eggs instead off, Kachinka, is kid-friendly, including of frying them, she wasn’t a fan of the gently Anchor’s End, Tuesday-Sunday, 8 am-4 pm.

Russian-style dumplings with farmer’s cheese and chives for $8 a plate.

4641 NE Fremont, anchorend.co spicy aioli slathered onto the pretzel bun. ($8).

Julia Silverman is PDX Parent’s editor. Her ancestors are from Eastern Europe, and she has a great recipe for noodle kugel, passed down through the generations. Her kids, sadly, aren’t fans of kugel. Their loss.

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Recipe File

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A nutritious green juice crowd-pleaser, just in time for spring.

STORY AND PHOTO BY JUDITH RICH

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Green Juice

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e’ve been drinking our veggies in our household for quite some time, in various forms. From thick, fruit-and-veggie smoothies made with Greek yogurt to healthy, vegetable-and-herb-based juices, it has become a staple for the whole family. Whether you’re using it as a vitamin supplement or simply a way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, kids and adults of all ages seem to enjoy it.

While this juice recipe isn’t naturally sweet like a smoothie, the flavors are really vibrant and earthy from the herbs and spices, including parsley and ginger. I was surprised by how much my 1½-year-old loves it. She can polish off a quick 6 to 8 ounces in one sitting.

“Mo joose, peese!” she says.

With nutrient-packed foods such as kale and spinach, this juice is full of vitamins C, B6 and E, which can help boost your immune system.

It’s a natural way to get your strength up, and it works best when consumed almost each day.

a

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Directions

Makes 25-30 ounces 1 bunch kale (thick stems removed)

1 cucumber 2 medium-sized carrots

1 generous handful of spinach 2 stalks celery (leaves removed)

½ cup parsley, packed (stems and leaves included)

1 large green apple, cored

1-inch piece ginger root

1. Run all ingredients through a centrifugal juicer (or a slowmasticating juicer), stir to combine. You do not need to peel or chop the veggies.

2. If you don’t have a juicer, you can also use a blender. Simply chop up the celery, apple, cucumber, carrots and ginger, liquify all ingredients, and then strain through several layers of cheesecloth, or a nut-milk bag.

3. Enjoy immediately (with an ice cube) or refrigerate overnight.

Judith Rich creates kid-inspired recipes and writes about her family’s dining out adventures in and around Portland at her blog, Eaty Pie. Find her at eatypie.com. pdxparent.com

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go. play. explore.

April | 2019

ROSE CITY SING OFF

pitch perfect Can you believe that it’s Rose Festival season already? Things kick off this year with the Rose City Sing-Off, one of the marquee a cappella competitions for high schoolers in the Pacific Northwest. Teams will come from around the region to compete for the crown. Saturday, April 13, 6:30 pm. Imago Dei Community Church, 1302 SE Ankeny St. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for students.

OWEN CAREY

spring shows Two great new kid-friendly shows start their runs this month. Over at Oregon Children’s Theatre, Jason and the Argonauts is a two-actor show featuring wooden swords, paper boats, comic books and a mission to capture the Golden Fleece and dethrone a murderous uncle. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Performances begin Saturday, April 20 and continue on weekends through May 19; Saturday shows are at 2 pm and 5 pm, Sunday shows are 11 am and 2 pm.

Find tickets at octc.org. Over at Northwest Children’s Theater, April brings the premiere of Tenali: the Royal Trickster, a whodunit which sees our hero on the trail of the varmint who stole the King’s treasured peacock crown. Keep an eye out for the intricate dance sequences from local director/choreographer Anita Menon.

Best for ages 5 and up. Performances start Saturday, April 20, and continue on weekends through May 12. All show times at noon and 4 pm. Visit nwcts.org for tickets.

DAN VOSSEN

go fish Fishing requires patience, a trait for which most kids are not noted. But if you want to get them hooked (see what we did there?) take your littles to Salmon Creek Park in Vancouver for the annual Klineline Kids Fishing event. The event kicks off on Friday, April 12 when 500 special needs kids and their families are the guests of honor; on Saturday, April 13, the event expands to include an estimated 2,500 kids. Register ahead of time so you’ll know what to expect at klineline-kf.org. Then, all you’ve got to do is show up at your assigned time and your child gets a fishing rod and reel, bait and an event t-shirt. They’ll be able to fish for 45 minutes, and while there are no guarantees in fishing, the pond is stocked and ready. Afterwards, stick around for fun activities like an archery range. Plus, there are prizes on the hour for the largest and smallest fish caught (including an hourly bicycle giveaway!). $5 per kid, preregistration is required. 8 am-4 pm.

Get social with us!

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Collect stamps from merchants and win prizes at the Hippity Hop Bunny Hop in the Pearl. The Easter Bunny will also be out taking photos and giving out candy and hugs. Art activities and live music will also be part of the fun. Jamison Park.

Saturday, April 20, 11 am-3:30 pm. Free admission.

Hit the Oregon Zoo’s ultra-popular Rabbit Romp. In addition to candy hunts on the lawn every 15-20 minutes, kids can get photos with the Easter bunny, meet and greet farm animals and wildlife, and do some coloring activities. Saturday, April 20, 9:30 am-3 pm. Free with zoo admission At the Kidical Mass PDX Easter Ride the focus is on community. The mostly flat 3-mile route starts at Overlook Park and ends at Arbor Lodge Park with an egg hunt for the kiddos. Organizers say the plan is to ride as one group and not leave even the littlest pedalers behind. (Just keep in mind, your family might have to bike 3 miles back to the start.) Sunday, April 21, 11 am-2 pm. Free.

be an ally .... ... and join the movement at The Autism Society of Oregon’s 17th Annual Autism Walk. You can show up and mingle as early as 9 am, but the ½-mile, fully paved walk starts at 10:45 am.

Stick around when you’re done to ride some rides and check out sensory-sensitive crafts, face painters, autism awareness items and other great community resources. Pro tip: For kiddos who are Star Wars fans, rumor has it there will be some stormtroopers in attendance; for those who won’t necessarily dig all that stimulation, there are designated quiet areas, Sunday, April 28 at Oaks Park. $15 for adults and $12 for kids.

the mighty beavers Ducks fans may want to sit this one out, but everybody else should get ready to celebrate Beaver Day at the Oregon Zoo. There will

food, flora, fiber

be keeper talks

Thousands of people every year flock to the Oregon Ag Fest at the state fairgrounds in Salem. For many city-dwellers, it might be their only chance all year to get so close to the farmers who grow Oregon’s incredible bounty, from hazelnuts to marionberries.

Come learn where your food, fiber and flora come from, with hands-on exhibits and plenty of tasty samples. Kids can ride ponies, watch sheep get sheared, pet farm animals and more. Best of all: admission is free for ages 12 and under. Saturday, April 27, 8:30 am-5 pm, and Sunday, April 28, 10 am-5 pm. $9 per person for ages 13 and up.

( @pdx_parent % /pdx_parent/

at pdxparent.com/inclusive-pdx-events-calendar.

Hop aboard the Portland Spirit for their Easter brunch cruise. The 2-hour trip includes a tasty brunch and special gifts for kids. Sunday, April 21. Two sailings, at 9:30 am and 2 pm. Visit portlandspirit.com for tickets.

THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF OREGON

and activities to celebrate our state’s unofficial rodent, plus a chance to learn more about what we can do to help preserve the habitat for these important dam builders, who

Looking for accessible events for kids of all abilities? Check out

egg-cetera

RICE MUSEYM OF ROCKS AND IMNERALS

The Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals’ uber-popular ThunderEgg-Stravaganza is back.

Kids search for four colors of plastic eggs around the property and redeem them for one of 2,000 whole thunder eggs. (Yes! An egg hunt that doesn’t revolve around C-A-N-D-Y!) And volunteers are on hand to slice open all those cool eggs. Saturday, April 20. Morning session from 10 am-1 pm, and afternoon session from 1 pm-4 pm. Advance online ticket purchase required for members and non-members. $8, or free for members. Visit ricenorthwestmuseum.org for more details.

MICHAEL DURHAM

create wetlands that benefit all types of wildlife. Sunday, April 7, OREGON AG FEST

10 am-3 pm. Free with zoo admission.

$ /pdx_parent/ pdxparent.com

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earth day is easy of invasive plants, refresh bark chips and re-weave the willow dome. Pro tip: Don’t miss the unveiling of their new bee hotel, and sculptures by kids from the local elementary school. Sign up via SOLVE Oregon at solveoregon.org. Keep the celebration going on Saturday, April 27 by bringing the fam up to the Oregon Zoo’s Party for the Planet, with a focus on celebrating wildlife. You can have some up-close encounters with a few special animals, learn about how to protect wildlife habitat and even browse their summer camp open house. 9:30 am-3 pm. Free with zoo admission.

PDX FLEA

When you live in one of its most beautiful corners, celebrating Earth Day is a no-brainer. This year, get out, help the planet and give thanks for our shared home at the Oregon Garden’s big festival on Saturday, April 20. There will be events and exhibits of all kinds, and plenty of food too. 10 am-4 pm.

Admission is free, but a $5 donation per family is encouraged. What’s that?

You want to do even more to help out the planet?

Check out the Boise Eliot Native Grove’s second annual Earth Day clean OREGON GARDEN up and celebration at 300 N Ivy St. 10 am-1 pm.

Children are welcome to help out at this native plant garden — the whole family can help pick up garbage, get rid

spark joy If you’re an eagle-eyed shopper who loves to dig for treasure and adores a vintage vibe, look no further than the Portland Flea, an outdoors monthly marketplace that gathers together some of the city’s chicest sellers of newto-you furniture, accessories, clothing and jewelry. Kids and pets are welcome; your kids should bring their piggy banks in hopes of finding a few treasures of their own. Sunday, April 28, 11 am-4 pm. SE 6th and Salmon.

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Parentlandia

“No one uses Facebook anymore. I’m on to this new thing called make-believe.”

Tom Toro is a freelance cartoonist and writer whose work appears in The New Yorker, Paris Review, American Bystander and elsewhere.

His collection of Trump cartoons TINY HANDS was published in 2017 by Dock Street Press. His fiction writing has been shortlisted for the Disquiet International Literary Prize. Tom is currently developing an animated TV show, and finishing a graphic memoir about becoming an artist during turbulent times. He lives in Portland with his wife, preschooler and cat. To see more of his work, visit tomtoro.com.

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