PDX Parent April 2020

Homebound fun! pg. 48

Plan your summer camps, pg. 24 FREE

DIY stamps, pg. 44

for the long days and short years

» Camping getaways, pg. 20 »A dventures

for kids, pg. 34

Sculptors Crystal Schenk and Shelby Davis with their son, Alder.

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | VANCOUVER | APRIL 2020

contents

12

CHRIS CEARNAL

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Creative+Kids...................................................................12

From Our Owner.........................................................6

Family Supper................................................................ 46

Play Room........................................................................... 8

Southern-fried goodness at

Art begins at home for these Portland parents. Meet local makers and peek inside their studios to see how they keep it creative with kids on hand.

Photos by Chris Cearnal and story

Greener ways to pack lunches, car seat

family-owned Ezell’s Famous Chicken.

Q&A, and music for new parents.

By Denise Castañon.

Adulting..............................................................................42

Recipe File............................................................................47 Take your eggplant Parmesan to

by Denise Castañon.

It’s never easy to bid farewell to a beloved family pet. Here’s what

the next level. By Judith Rich.

Keeping It Wild..............................................................20

to consider as you prepare to say

It’s getting warm — time for an adventure!

goodbye. By Brooke Strickland.

Time Out................................................................................ 48

From tent and yurt camping to the best spots to park an RV, we’ve got options for coaxing your family into the Great Outdoors. By Catherine Ryan Gregory.

PDX Parent Picks.............................................40

Field Trip........................................................................... 43 We check out a kid-friendly sewing class at Portland Craft Bar. By Ali Wilkinson.

Hands On......................................................................... 44 Upcycle cardboard into DIY stamps

Reader favorites for Services &

and make your own collagraph prints.

Shopping.

By Laura Streib.

Fun ideas for keeping kids busy at home.

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

RESOURCES Open Houses................................................................ 18-19 Summer Camps........................................................24-33 Kids ♥ Adventure.................................................. 34-38

* cover stories pdxparent.com

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f r o m o u r ow n e r

for the long days and short years

Change Is the Only Constant

W

e experienced a big change here at PDX Parent in February, but if we did our jobs correctly, no one was the wiser. Not because we didn’t want to shout it from the rooftops, but because we always want to make sure that our number one priority is delivering smart, relevant and useful parenting information to our Portland-metro readers, regardless of who is at the helm. And therein lies the change.

After nine years of owning PDX Parent, Keith Goben decided he wasn’t going to let his wife enjoy retirement without him. So after putting together a stellar team, fine-tuning our business model, and shepherding our website through a redesign, he decided the time was right to relax and sell PDX Parent. And lucky for me, I was in the right place at the right time.

Some of you will know me already because I’ve been working with our westside advertisers for the past two years. My name is Jill Weisensee, and I’m now the proud owner of a magazine and website that I’m incredibly happy to be a part of. I’m also a bornand-raised Portlander (I know, a rarity these days), MICHAL MCCAMMAN PHOTOGRAPHY a wife to John, and a busy mom to twin 10-year-old boys, Gabe and Sam. I have a career in local media sales that’s a few years longer than I care to admit, and there’s nothing I’d rather do. I personally love sipping coffee while flipping through a magazine, whether I’m looking for dinner ideas, camps for the boys, or an article that opens my mind to new ideas or perspectives. PDX Parent has always delivered on that, and it always will. And because I learn so much by working with our clients, I plan to continue in my role as westside sales representative for the foreseeable future.

Speaking of change, I think it goes without saying that Portland parents have had to summon an unprecedented level of flexibility and fortitude over this past month as suggestions for the safest ways to weather the COVID-19 outbreak evolve. You’ll see that we’ve shifted the focus of some of our columns this month to bring readers inspiration for keeping kids entertained (and educated) at home while our community practices social distancing. Check out our roundup of at-home creative and educational resources on page 48. And we’re stocking our website with useful content for homebound families, so be sure to visit us at pdxparent.com for plenty more up-to-date ideas and resources.

Going forward, my goal is to continue delivering on content, design and distribution (in print and digital), encourage editorial to expand our coverage of tween and teen content for parents (it comes along so fast and I know I could use some guidance), and offer more articles and calendar listings for parents of children with special needs. You might notice a change to our newsletter in the coming months. And, as always, we appreciate feedback from our community of readers and advertisers. We’re here to serve you. Let us know how we can do that best.

I look forward to many years of growth — and change!

On our cover: Chris Cearnal of Chris Cearnal Photography literally went above and beyond to capture this shot of artists Crystal Schenk and Shelby Davis and their son, Alder. Davis lifted Cearnal up in a forklift so she could fit their amazing sculptures in the photo. Find more of Cearnal’s work on page 12. If you are curious about what one of her “day in the life” sessions might look like for your family, check out chriscearnal.com/family-stories.

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PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 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 Erin J. Bernard erin.bernard@pdxparent.com Art Director Susan Bard Web Director Michelle Carew, 503-914-6151 michelle.carew@pdxparent.com Eastside Account Executive Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184 lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com Westside Account Executive Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272 jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Calendar Editor Briauna Skye McKizzie calendar@pdxparent.com Newsletter Editor Jake Weiss, 503-679-1763 jake.weiss@pdxparent.com Customer Accounts Manager Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 christie.kline@pdxparent.com Distribution & Digital Production Coordinator Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com President Jill Weisensee jill.weisensee@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 (except July) by Northwest Parent, LLC., and is copyright 2020 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.

p l ay r o o m

Kid to Know: The Kenzi Cayton — a second-grader at

artist for a cause

headquarters. There, Kenzi will meet other

Hockinson Heights Elementary School in

grand prize winners and young inventors and

Brush Prairie, Washington — is a busy kid.

rub shoulders with MED-EL engineers and

She loves baking, Girl Scouts, Blazers games,

scientists.

and just about anything to do with art.

She’s most stoked about spending time with

Kenzi, 8, was also born profoundly deaf

other kids who wear cochlear implants.

in both ears and wears MED-EL cochlear

“I like being around other kids with cochlear

implants to help her hear.

implants because they understand what it’s

Kenzi is among more than 200 children

like to have them,” Kenzi explains. “No one

worldwide ages 6 to 12 who recently

asks questions about them, or stares at them,

proposed inventions to improve quality of life

or thinks they look funny because we all wear

for people living with hearing loss in MED-EL

them, and that makes me feel comfortable.”

USA’s third annual International Ideas4Ears

If her concept is ever invented, Kenzi’s already got a wish list for the skins she’d like

concept took home a grand prize: a cochlear

to see: “I definitely want to see a Blazers skin

implant that lets users automatically change

because they are my favorite sports team, an

the look of their implants with the click of a smartphone button.

KENZI CAYTON

Hearing Loss Invention Contest. But her

Eiffel Tower skin because I’m excited to see Paris, a cupcake skin because I love to bake,

Kenzi often finds herself changing the

and a ring-tailed lemur skin because that’s my

“skin” — or sticker-like cover — on her processor to match her

favorite animal,” she says.

moods and her clothes, but this takes time and planning; an

Kenzi’s father, Chris Cayton, is also profoundly deaf, and he and

implant covered with a screen-saver-like material and connected to an app full of preloaded design options would make switching things up a snap.

This summer, Kenzi and her mother, Kelli Cayton, are scheduled

We Recommend:

Food Cubby dividers If your child protests heartily at the sight of ketchup-swirled peas or applesauce mingling with macaroni, Food Cubby’s got you covered. These foodsafe silicone partitions are bendy, durable and easy

JACQUELINE FELIX

to pack along, ending the tyranny of runny food at home and afar. And powerful suction cups reliably withstand the scooping and pulling of little hands. $14.99. At foodcubby.com. — E.J.B.

April 2020

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“It’s been such a joy to watch her become an advocate for deaf people at such a young age,” says Kelli. “My husband and

to travel to Innsbruck, Austria, to visit MED-EL’s international

8

Kelli are thrilled with their daughter’s big win.

pdxparent.com

I are both incredibly proud of her and we can’t wait to see what amazing things she does next.” — Erin J. Bernard

Playlist:

NEW PARENT LIFE Confession: Justin Roberts is a GRAMMY-nominated kids’ music phenom, but I never really was a

fan. When I heard his 2016 album Lemonade, I likened it to a little pink packet of sweetener, saccharine and just a touch artificial. But his latest album, Wild Life, is like unrefined cane sugar — toothsome, earthy,

real. When reading the press release that came along with the CD, I saw that Roberts had recently welcomed his first child. And it clicked for me.

He’s one of us now; he gets it. Wild Life reflects on all the emotions you have as a new parent. Uncertainty, hope, wonder, and staggering, heart-bursting love. Tracks Glad You’re Here and Ain’t No Way focus on that love. Not strictly “kids music,” Wild Life is more an album of sweet, mellow tunes for parents, that kids can enjoy, too. — Denise Castañon

In the Bag In honor of Earth Day, make a smaller footprint when packing your kid’s lunch with these alternatives to single-use plastic baggies.

Lunchskins Velcro makes it easy for little fingers to open and reseal these dishwashersafe fabric bags. With each purchase the company LUNCHSKINS

donates to the Oceanic Preservation Society, which fights against plastic pollution in the ocean. $10.99 for a sandwich and snack bag bundle. At Natural Grocers and lunchskins.com.

Stasher With its higher price point, this dishwasher-safe silicone bag with an air-tight seal is better suited for older kids who won’t accidentally toss it in the garbage. (And it could be a game-changer for adults STASHER

who take leftovers to work — the bag is also microwave safe.) As a Certified B Corporation and a 1% for the Planet business partner, Stasher supports nonprofits in environment conservancy and female empowerment. $11.99 for a sandwich bag. At New Seasons, Target or stasherbag.com.

Homelux Theory Two PDX Parent staffers swear by these easy-toclean, leak-proof silicone bags. A wide-mouth opening and flat bottom make them a cinch to fill. Dishwasher

HOMELUX THEORY

and microwave safe with a lifetime warranty. $26.97 for two small, two medium and two large bags. At amazon.com.

Beeswax wraps. Find a wide assortment of cotton fabric covered with foodsafe beeswax anywhere TRADER JOE'S

from Etsy to Trader Joe’s. Or

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April 2020

search for an online tutorial to make it yourself. — D.C.

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Ask Dr. Doug

Q A

: I’ve heard car seat safety experts say my child should ride rear-

facing until he’s 5 years old. That seems like a really long time.

What are the latest safety recommendations for car seats?

: What if I told you there was a disease killing thousands of children a year and I had a medication that would cut your risk of getting sick and dying by 80 percent? Seems like a good deal, right? What if I told you that medication was a properly sized and installed car seat?

Car accidents kill more kids each year than all other unintentional injuries and are the leading cause of death after 1 year old. So proper car seat knowledge and safety is essential to keep our little ones safe.

In Oregon, all children under 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat. Most infant seats will go up to a weight of 22 to 35 pounds. After this, change to a convertible seat, which allows both forward and rear-facing use.

Children who are rear-facing in an accident are five times less likely to be injured, so keep them rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the weight limit of the Got a question for seat. I kept my kids rear-facing as long as I Dr. Doug? Send it to could. Some parents worry that children are AsktheDr@pdxparent.com. uncomfortable with their legs against the seat, but kids are flexible! They will bend or cross their legs and be fine, and having their legs against the seat is safe in an accident.

After facing seats forward, continue to use the five-point harness (the buckle and chest clip). I see kids using a seat belt with a booster seat way too early. If your little is goofing off in the back seat and sleeping with the seat belt across his face, he needs to be in the five-point harness. Usually kids are ready for boosters around school age, but each child is different.

School-aged children should be in a booster seat in the back until they are

?

4 feet 9 inches. This is usually around 8 to 12 years old. Children are not ready for just the seat belt until it fits them properly: feet touch the floor with their back straight against the seat, knees bent at the edge of the seat, lap belt is low across their upper thighs and chest strap is in the middle of their chest and shoulder.

This will be at a different age for each child since we grow at different rates.

A few other pointers: Puffy winter jackets are cute but mean you can’t get a snug fit with the straps, so they should be off in a car seat. And all children should ride in the back seat until they are 13.

If, like me, you had bleeding knuckles and a few choice words when trying to install your car seats, please make an appointment at Doernbecher or Randall Children’s Hospitals’ Safety Centers. They will install your car seats for free and are awesome people. And you can get lots of cool safety gear. Find out more at: ohsu.edu/doernbecher/car-and-street-safety and legacyhealth.org/children/ prevention-and-wellness/emergency-prevention.aspx.

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

p l ay r o o m

Gear Guide:

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Creative +

Kids

It’s tricky balancing an art career with the demands of a growing family, admit these PDX artists, but when creativity’s in your DNA, you always find a way.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS CEARNAL STORY BY DENISE CASTAÑON

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Crystal Schenk + Shelby Davis

Y

ou may not know their names, but if you’ve ever walked down Southeast Division Street, you’ve seen their work. Crystal Schenk and Shelby Davis, who met while pursuing Masters of Fine Art at Portland State University, created the small bronze figures that dot the busy thoroughfare.

We caught up with the husband-and-wife team the week before they installed their newest and biggest project to date in The Portland Building, titled “Neither Here Nor There.” They used wood from a nearly 100-year-old silver maple tree in the Laurelhurst neighborhood to fashion three benches, five suspended sculptures and two sculptures on columns. Each piece is topographically accurate, with the wood depicting the real-life peaks and planes of various spots in Portland and beyond — the West Hills, the Laurelhurst neighborhood, Crater Lake and Mount Hood. They then cast blue glass pieces tied to particular memories of the place and strategically placed them in the carved wood. Lights affixed under the glass make it emit a gas-flame glow. In one sculpture, an oversized glass apple and pocketknife sit above the landscape of the Crooked River.

Schenk and Davis picked that apple from a tree belonging to close family friends who live in that area. Schenk’s pocketknife is on the top glass piece and Davis’s pocketknife is on the bottom. “We like to do everything as shifts of scale,” says Schenk. The project speaks to how landscapes On the Regional Arts and inform our sense of self and reminds us that, “We can live in the same town, but have a Culture Council: “If it different experience,” says Schenk. hadn’t been for their trust As Schenk and Davis worked on the sculptures at a friend's warehouse in Tualatin, in us as artists, we would their son, 5-year-old Alder, often played nearby. Sometimes they’d help him use a not have the career we specialized saw to cut a rhino or hammer out of spare wood pieces. And he’d find other do.” — Crystal Schenk cast-off parts to keep himself amused. In addition to Alder being present as his parents worked, they inserted him right into the art itself: Look for the green dot in the grid of Laurelhurst streets etched into maple. It’s a single stud from the top of a LEGO brick, and it’s embedded on the spot where Alder was born.

See their work at The Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave., or learn more at crashstudioart.com. pdxparent.com

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Jalynne Geddes

T

he intricately beaded earrings in Jalynne Geddes’ Etsy shop are more than a way to earn income; they help her to connect with her Cree culture and to have a creative outlet while caring for 6-month-old Winnifred and 4-year-old Desmond. “My parents were shamed a lot for their culture and this [beadwork] is how we are connecting to our ancestors,” says Geddes.

Working out of her Southwest Portland home, she sits with her beads, playing with the colors and seeing what calls to her — not necessarily following a traditional pattern. She incorporates things like shells and porcupine quills into her designs as well, meticulously stitching each element into a stiff backing material. Her tribe is known for its beautiful beaded floral designs, but knowing their importance in her culture, she admits to being a little hesitant to attempt to replicate those patterns. She worries she would not do them justice.

Geddes says the best piece of parenting advice she ever received was to find a creative outlet so that she would not lose her sense of self when becoming a mother. She works around her children’s schedules, but did take the advice to heart. “When I nurture the creative part of me, it helps my mothering,” says Geddes.

Follow her on Instagram @nehiyanahk_creations and find her work at: etsy.com/shop/NehiyanahkCreations.

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“It’s been so healing for my mom to see her children and grandchildren flourish in their culture.”

— Jalynne Geddes

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Ryan + Lucy Berkley

I

t doesn’t get any more Old Portland than the very first Crafty Wonderland show in the basement of the Doug Fir Lounge. It happened back in 2006, and Ryan and Lucy Berkley of Berkley Illustration were there. They showed up with 15 portraits of animals done in an Old West style. And that’s how Ryan’s now-iconic animal collection got its start. Ryan is the artist and Lucy handles the business end — including writing the funny backstories that accompany each animal print. Ryan’s also done work for the Discovery Channel, the Audubon Society and Nike (eagles on their Olympic uniforms). “Most recently we did a big project with Oregon State Parks and we're excited to see that in the world soon,” says Ryan.

Amazingly, Ryan is a self-taught artist. “I drew very often from a very young age and took encouragement to heart,” he says. “I had a very accomplished artist grandfather and my brother is also talented, so perhaps it is hereditary.”

The Berkleys wouldn’t say that having kids changed the art, but it did change their business. When Ramona (now 8) was an infant they schlepped to an out-of-the-home studio with her and their hound dog every day for a year and half. They eventually moved into a home in Hillsdale with an in-home studio. After their son Linus (now 5) was born, they’d swap shifts of parenting and working. “It was not easy but we reminded ourselves constantly that it was incredibly special to both be around them in their early years,” says Ryan. “I say that, yet I can't really remember any of it. Parental blackout. I can't say the business flourished during that time, but we managed.” Linus is set to start kindergarten in the fall, so they are starting to envision what a regular five-day workweek will be like. They plan to work on a children's book, too. “Will we be able to stop working before midnight? Spoiler alert: probably not, but a parent can dream,” says Ryan.

Find them at the Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market, Saturday, May 2, 11 am-6 pm at the Oregon Convention Center and at berkleyillustration.com.

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“Instagram didn't even exist yet when we started out! ... I would say there was more weirdness in the beginning. We like pretty, but we're also pro-weird.” — Ryan Berkley

Chris Cearnal is a photojournalist currently working toward a Masters of Multimedia Journalism at the U of O. Chris has been a photographer and doula for over 20 years and loves nothing more than helping to capture precious family stories in an easygoing documentary style. Find out more at chriscearnal.com/ family-stories.

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OPEN HOUSES

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OPEN HOUSES

PDX Parent remains committed to serving Portland families during these uncertain times.

Our Kids Calendar is now providing a list of online concerts, classes and more.

So stay tuned to pdxparent.com as we continue to bring you the resources and information that will help your family weather this crisis.

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Keeping It Wild Time to get out of the house and camp in the Great Outdoors!

We share our favorite PNW spots for popping up a tent, parking an RV, or rolling right up to a ready-made shelter.

BY CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY

CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY

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CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY

N

O NEED TO LET SOCIAL DISTANCING DRIVE YOU STIR-CRAZY! As warm weather arrives, planning an outdoor adventure is a great way to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on your family and your community while also making the most of our region’s long outdoor recreation season.

And while day trips are great, spending the night in the wild has an extrarefreshing effect. That’s why we’re so excited to share these spots to camp, no matter what flavor of outdoor living suits you. Tent, RV, yurt, even Adirondack shelter — we have you covered (though you’ll still have to BYO rain fly). Plus, all these campgrounds are within a three-hour drive of Portland, so you’ll spend the bulk of your time enjoying the Great Outdoors, not counting down the miles till you can answer “Yes!” to your kids’ millionth “Are we there yet?”

CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY

d

So you want to … TENT

CAMP

GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST, SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON With more than 1.3 million acres of wilderness, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Southwest Washington has plenty of campgrounds to use as a home base. Put up a tent at one of our favorites, Iron Creek Campground, just under three hours from Portland. Here, many sites are surrounded by lush greenery — making this drive-up campground feel rustic while still having access to potable water. (No showers, though, so count a dip in the Cispus River as a bath; toilets are accessible by car.)

While you camp here, play in the rivers and hike through the second-growth forest (much of the forest was decimated by the eruption of nearby Mount St. Helens). Our pick: the 3-mile Covel Creek Trail, which takes you behind a thundering waterfall. Pro tip: Bring the kids’ helmets, since the well-paved loops within the campgrounds make bike riding a breeze.

TUMALO STATE PARK, CENTRAL OREGON Just 5 miles north of sunny Bend, Oregon, Tumalo State Park offers riverside camping, fly

fishing, hiking and, of course, splashing in the Deschutes River. Convenient amenities like ice and firewood sales, plus showers and flush toilets, makes it easy for families to stay put in the campground without a run to the grocery store every day.

If you do want to explore Central Oregon more, drive up Mount Bachelor to swim or canoe in the alpine lakes (we love bulrush-filled Hosmer Lake for its sleepy vibe and views of the peak). Pro tip: Bend’s popular Tumalo Falls are not in Tumalo State Park; they’re a 40-minute drive away.

CAPE LOOKOUT STATE PARK, OREGON COAST If you’re anything like us, no trip to the Oregon coast is long enough. So why not stay a few days — or longer — at Cape Lookout State Park? Kids will love hunting for glass floats and shells that have washed ashore onto the 3-milelong beach. (Pro tip: Hit up one of the antique stores in nearby Tillamook to buy a few floats and hide them behind driftwood for your tiny treasure hunters to “discover.”)

A popular hike hugs the cliff overlooking the Pacific, but for littler legs, a short nature trail offers opportunities to learn about local flora and fauna. (Help your kids read the interpretive signs and you’ll learn something, too.)

And like many Oregon state parks, Cape Lookout offers a Junior Ranger program, with daily activities that teach conservation in a fun way.

Finally, this location is perfect for those who prefer Camping Lite: The campground has flush toilets, hot showers and is a 10-minute drive to hot coffee in Netarts. pdxparent.com

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So you want to … STAY

IN A YURT

GRAYLAND BEACH STATE PARK, WASHINGTON COAST If you want to fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves (and who doesn’t?), the yurts in Washington’s Grayland Beach State Park are just a quick walk from the beach — and within listening distance of the ocean. Don’t forget the kites, as the steady breezes here make for ideal kite-flying. At low tide, the beach becomes massive — it’ll take a while to reach the surf — but that means more space for frisbee throwing, sandcastle building and, once your kids are worn out, lounging in the sun.

The park lies within several Native American tribes’ traditional territory, so stop by the welcome center to learn about their culture and history. While you’re there, chat up a park ranger — they may have seashells or other beach treasures for little ones to touch.

CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY

FORT STEVENS STATE PARK, OREGON COAST It’s pretty much impossible for families to get bored at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria. This expansive, kid-friendly park includes a wide beach, hiking trails, and a small lake perfect for teaching children to fish. (Pro tip: Don’t forget to purchase a license first!) If that weren’t camping bliss enough, check out the shipwreck on the beach at low tide and explore the military fort on the park grounds.

Then put on your swimming suits to hike the 2 miles around Coffenburry Lake within the park, pausing whenever you get hot to take a dip in the water.

Yurts here aren’t terribly private, but the hot showers, bikeable loops and easy access to Warrenton (and its Starbucks just 10 minutes away) more than make up for seeing into your neighbor’s site.

CAMP WILKERSON, NORTHWEST OREGON Yurts and cabins get reserved fast. If there’s no availability on state park sites, check out hipcamp.com, the site that accumulates privately owned lodging options like cabins, yurts and even tree houses.

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A few minutes past Vernonia, Oregon, in a thick Douglas fir forest, Camp Wilkerson offers an off-thebeaten-path camping experience an hour and a half outside of Portland. Rent one of the rustic cabins here, which can sleep a family of six, and each has a porch swing. (Wee!) If those are reserved, unroll your sleeping bags on the shelf bunks of the Adirondack shelters — three-sided structures that offer a roof in case of unexpected rain.

Kids will love walking over to the trails to see all the horses (or “earth ponies,” as my My Little Ponyloving daughter calls them). Then wade in the stream that runs through the camp, reteach yourself how to play horseshoes and keep an eye out for the elk that sometimes wander through the woods.

Ready to RV? Feeling inspired to strike out on your own family RV adventure? Take a test run at one of these tried-andtrue spots: Crooked River Ranch RV Park, located in Central Oregon’s High Desert, is just a 20-minute drive from the entrance to Smith Rock State Park, which offers endless recreation opportunities.

Pro tip: An onsite swimming pool and tennis court make this a fun spot for tweens and teens looking for a little freedom to wander about. Lost Lake RV Resort in the Mount

Hood National Forest offers fine views of the lake and the mountain, along with full services including firewood and a general store. Don’t forget to check out the old-growth boardwalk interpretive trail! Want to keep it easy when traveling in a larger group?

Try the Pine Point Group Camp at Timothy Lake,

also in the Mount Hood National Forest. Each group site has its own toilet and water spigot and can accommodate an RV or trailer, plus two tents.

And fishing, paddling and horseback riding are all available nearby.

Little Kids, Big Rig IF YOU’RE ON INSTAGRAM, you’ve probably noticed all the accounts posting about living full-time (or much of the time) in an RV or van — for good reason, says Britty Viazzi, who travels full-time with her husband, Danny Murawinski, and their 2-year-old son in a 40-foot RV. More than 9 million families in the United States own a recreational vehicle, according to the RV Industry Association, and groups supporting nomadic families have multiplied.

“More and more people are making a big effort to spend more time together as a family,” says Viazzi, who shares their nomadic lifestyle on Instagram @NewFamilyDream.

“Camping gives life to that.”

Whether or not you’re up to taking to the road for the long haul, these tips from parents who camp with their kids much — or all — of the year will uplevel your outdoor adventures.

Focus on your why.

When your kids won’t sleep or everything is covered in dirt, it can be easy to question camping in the first place.

“For me, creating memories COLE ZUVER

with my kids drives me,” says Cole Zuver, who camps with his

R

COLE ZUVE

7-year-old and

Embrace detours. Zuver points out that he’s never quite

9-year-old in a

certain if his family will make it to their destination, whether that’s

VW van and shares

because of engine trouble or a surfing session that went longer

photos from his

than expected. “I’ve learned to be OK with things that don’t go

trips on Instagram

according to plan,” he says. Zuver also notes that a van with a

@ColeZuver.

pop-top and beds allows them to park and camp in gorgeous

“Focusing on that

spots, even when campgrounds are totally booked.

helps me stay patient.”

Don’t fear conflict. You might wonder how families spend so much time together in close quarters without ripping at the

Be a citizen of the world. When you explore the great outdoors

seams, but all that togetherness forces long-term campers to up

— whether that’s sticking to the Portland area or trekking cross-

their communication game, says Murawinski, who works remotely

country — your kids will feel more invested in nature. “We always

from the family RV. “We learned how to reduce the time in which

want our son to consider the world as his home, where he feels

it takes to resolve a conflict because we are so close. And when

he’s a part of so many people’s lives, so many places,” says

you’re dealing with other problems, like rush hour traffic in

Viazzi, who is pregnant with their second child.

Chicago, the petty stuff doesn’t go to the forefront.”

Catherine Ryan Gregory lives in West Linn and shares family travel hacks as well as kid-friendly destinations on her blog, toAndFroFam.com. She aims to help parents feel more confident traveling with their kids so they can hit the road, make memories together and leave the stress behind.

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LAKE OSWEGO PARKS & RECREATION

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE OUT MARCH 11!

CAMP GUIDE RELEASED MARCH 16 pdxparent.com

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Our readers want to safely support local businesses during these uncertain times!

Tell them how your business is adapting with curbside pickup, amended hours or online options.

pdxparent.com/events-calendar

Contact jill.weisensee @pdxparent.com or lauren.wylie @pdxparent.com.

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kids ❤ adventure

IF CAMPING ISN’T YOUR THING, we’ve got some great ideas for summer

trips — when hopefully we’ll all be able to head out again. These urban getaways are less than a day’s drive from Portland. Take your pick of kidfriendly museums, family-friendly brewpubs, comfy hotels and superb shows.

Need a breakfrom the city? check out these coastal attractions!

In Astoria, you can bike or stroll the 6.4-mile Astoria Riverwalk, drinking in scenic Columbia River and city views.

For lunch, pop into family-friendly Buoy Beer brewery — you might even spot sea lions lounging beneath the riverfront restaurant through a glass partition in the floor. If it rains, visit Captain Gray’s Port of Play — this Astoria Parks and Rec indoor play center features mats, trikes, scooters, slides, and room to roam for kids 10 and under. Hands-on

MAHESH THAPA

exhibits will also keep tiny bodies (and minds) occupied.

For a new view of Seaside, peek in on Painted Rock Beach — a secret stretch of sand just south of Seaside festooned with piles of colorful rocks artfully decorated by visitors past.

Leave your own message behind and enjoy panoramic views

cheaper, way less crowded, and full of kid-friendly attractions to explore. Start at the city’s world-

pizzas, pastas and sandwiches (gluten-friendly options abound!), plus an enormous, super-fresh salad bar.

Did you know that The Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook,

out Glass Fest Northwest, a fun free event that celebrates PNW artists with music, handson activities, and glass-making demonstrations down to Point Defiance Park and check out Fort Nisqually, once the first European settlement on Puget Sound and now a living history museum.

samples, recently opened

Volunteers in period dress are ready to take your

the bigger, better, and

kids’ questions at the blacksmith’s shop and down

fully revamped Tillamook Creamery Visitor Center.

Visitors enjoy more dining and shopping space, more food options, and better cheese- and ice cream-making views.

(And, yes, even more squeaky cheese samples.)

Newport, the Dungeness Crab Capital of the World, is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, whose dozen-plus exhibits include a seabird aviary, a giant Pacific octopus display and those famous barking sea lions. But this seaside stop also houses the West Coast’s largest commercial fishing fleet; stroll the Historic Bayfront to see the fisherpeople in action, then introduce your littles to the joys of fresh-caught

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500-foot-long bridge of glass. This July 27, check

guaranteed to leave your kids googly-eyed. Or head

generous spread of free

fish and chips. — Erin J. Bernard

works by favorite native son Dale Chihuly, like his

a million visitors a year? dairy, notorious for its

TREVOR PARKER

renowned Museum of Glass, featuring amazing

Oregon, gets more than This iconic, century-old

|

Sister city Tacoma is closer to Portland, significantly

Center and try your luck at classic and cutting-edge arcade right inside the arcade is Fultano’s Pizza, offering gourmet

April 2020

Seattle gets all the love, right? But here’s the deal:

of Tillamook Head. If it rains, hit Funland Entertainment games, from skeeball to Dance Dance Revolution. Tucked

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tacoma

by the stockades. Nearby, drink in the views of towering Mount Rainier at Owen Beach. You can fly a kite, rent a kayak, or even hop a ferry to Vashon Island. When it’s time to eat, hang your hat at local icon Harmon Brewing Company, and top it off with a scoop or two from Ice Cream Social, Tacoma’s answer to PDX’s Salt & Straw. Book a room at the hip Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma and check for special family-friendly packages, like discounted museum tickets. — Julia Silverman and Erin J. Bernard

kids ❤ adventure ashland Maybe you think that bucolic Ashland, in southern Oregon, is a grown-ups only destination, given that not many kids might want to sit through Julius Caesar and Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, no matter how stunning the setting?

Think again. The home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is chockfull of kid-friendly fun, including on its legendary stages. Family Days, offered regularly on weekends May through October, feature THE SCIENCE FACTORY

Eugene If you’re a Ducks fan, you already know about the mighty tailgate scene at Autzen Stadium on football Saturdays in the fall. But why fight the traffic on I-5? Come in summer instead and make a weekend of it. If you’re down to dress up, grab tickets for the Oregon Country Fair, happening Friday-Sunday, July 10-12 this year.

Families are welcome at this colorful, only-inOregon celebration of human diversity. You can also check out the Discovery Village Playground at Skinner Butte Park all summer long, where kids can scale a miniversion of the iconic butte or dig for “fossils” in an archeology-themed sandbox. On a rainy day, head inside to the city’s Eugene Science Center; it’s not OMSI-scale but has some fun and interactive science and technology exhibits, a special area for the smallest visitors and live star shows. Bigger kids can let it rip at the 23,000-square-foot WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza, at Washington Jefferson Park, billed as the country’s largest covered and illuminated park; try the mini-snake run if your kid’s a novice.

Parents in the know recommend the build-yourown burritos and soft tacos at local mini-chain Burrito Boy. If the weather’s nice, visit Ninkasi Brewing Company’s The Better Living Room — a restaurant and taproom with tons of beer choices and a one-of-a-kind kids’ menu — spaetzle or croquettes, anyone? Later, swing

by Vanilla Jill’s Scoops and Soups for some top-shelf ice cream. As for where to stay, check out vrbo.com or airbnb.com for a family-friendly vacation rental. — Julia Silverman 36

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hands-on activities and pre-performance discussions perfect for prepping theatercurious littles to actually enjoy sitting through classics like A Midsummer Night’s

BOB PALERMINI

Dream. (Visit osfashland.org for details.) Afterward, stretch your legs at Lithia Park, the city’s 93-acre crown jewel, and don’t forget to sample the famously stinky Lithia mineral water from the bubbling fountain. There’s also an awesome play structure, a duck pond, and trails winding into the hills. (Pro tip: Locals tell us the sandbox at North Mountain Park in east Ashland is another winner.) If it rains, head to ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum and check out interactive exhibits plus the Bubble Room, where visitors can stand inside a giant soap bubble. When the kids get hungry, fill ’em up with stacked sannies at Sammich, bargain-price Vietnamese pho noodle soup and spring rolls at Happy Bowl Restaurant, or the best chocolate chip cookies in town at Hither Coffee & Goods. Bed down at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, a family-friendly mid-century modern hotel located close to downtown and offering a deluxe continental breakfast. Pro tip: Be sure to snap a pic of your littles in the lobby’s groovy “Ball Chair.” — Julia Silverman, Judiaann Woo and Erin J. Bernard

kids â?¤ adventure

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PD X

S CK

RENT P PA I

Services & Shopping 2020

This month we reveal the winners of our PDX Parent Picks read to shop for everything from groceries to gently used kids’ cloth BIKE STORE/REPAIR

TOY STORE

Winner Bike Gallery

Winner Hammer and Jacks

Multiple locations. Bikegallery.com

6416 SE Foster Rd., hammerandjacks.com We’ve got a new toy store

Portland takes its biking seriously, and

winner this year! Yes, FoPo’s

whether it’s time to hit the Springwater

Hammer and Jacks is

Corridor, the Eastbank Esplanade, or just

always adding something new

go for an easy spin down a smooth stretch

and fun to their thoughtfully

of neighborhood sidewalk, Portland parents

curated selection of wooden

and their kids love this full-service, family-

toys, educational games and

owned shop. Bike Gallery offers onsite

soft stuffies, but they are

repairs and rentals and has a longstanding

also committed to building

reputation for offering friendly, low-

community. Normally the

pressure recommendations — no chain-

store’s 680-foot play space

yanking here!

that boasts a castle, slide, blocks, trains and riding toys is neighborhood gathering

HAMMER AND JACKS

spot. But while their play area

Bikes for Humanity PDX Clever Cycles

is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, parents can order toys online for

Community Cycling Center

curbside pickup or home delivery!

River City Bicycles Sellwood Cycle Repair

Top 5 Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts Kids at Heart Toys

Piccolo Mondo Toys Thinker Toys

MudPuddles Toys & Books

LOCAL NEW KIDS' CLOTHING Winner Hanna Andersson

COMIC BOOK SHOP

Multiple locations. Hannaandersson.com

Winner

Striped cotton jammies for the win!

Bridge City Comics

Originally founded out of a Portland mom’s

3725 N Mississippi Ave., bridgecitycomics.com

garage in the 1980s, this children’s apparel

In case you hadn’t noticed (or

Hanna Andersson’s colorful, natural-fiber

company sports some serious local cred.

you don’t yet have a tween),

kids' clothes and pajamas deliver comfort,

comics and graphic novels are

softness and style, but the company’s

experiencing a major cultural

BRIDGE CITY COMICS

renaissance. And it’s not just

middle-aged X-Men aficionados behind the groundswell: Kid-oriented graphic novel titles like Raina Telgemeier’s Guts now reliably top bestseller lists. Local comic book enthusiasts both young and old praise Bridge City Comics for its family-friendly vibe, easy-to-peruse layout, and solid local authors’ section.

Browsers welcome!

Comic Cave Cosmic Monkey Comics April 2020

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harm-free production ethos also keeps PDX parents sleeping easy: Many duds are fashioned from organic cotton and meet the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which ensures clothing is processed minus harmful chemicals.

Top 5

Top 5 Books with Pictures

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Top 5

Black Wagon Excalibur Books and Comics Things from Another World

Grasshopper Store Posh Baby The Bull & the Bee

der poll in the Services & Shopping categories! You told us your favorite places hes. Find the complete list of winners at pdxparent.com/picks-winners.

CONSIGNMENT SHOP/EVENT Winner Beanstalk Children’s Resale 3527 NE 15th Ave. and 8021 SE Stark St., beanstalkchildrensresale.com If nothing gives you a thrill like scoring a screaming deal on a gently used pair of KEENs that your kid will outgrow by the end of summer, then Beanstalk Children’s Resale is your happy place.

The boutique feel of the stores and excellent selection of highend brands keeps our readers voting it to the top consignment spot. One more thing to love: Look for kindie music shows and kids’ cooking classes at the Montavilla location!

Top 5

KIDS’ HAIR SALON Winner Sit Still Kids 70 N Mason St., 503-657-3975 and 4768 NW Bethany Blvd., 503-992-6329, sitstillkids.com At Sit Still Kids, parents are the ones who can sit back with a cold brew or glass of wine cause the professional stylists have got this. Yes, they’ve got cool car chairs, and tablets, and toys. But the patient, understanding stylists are key.

Hoot-N-Annie Children’s Boutique

They want your child to look like a million bucks and have the best

Just 4 Kids Consignment (tie)

experience. Pro tip: Mondays

Pass It On Sales

SIT STILL SALON

and Fridays from 9 am-10 am

Piccolina Children’s Resale Boutique

are dedicated to kids with special needs. And if you’ve

Super Kids Resale

got concerns, they’re happy to chat with you about how

Sweetpea’s Resale (tie)

they can give your kiddo extra support.

BOOKSTORE Winner

Top 5 Bishops Cuts/Color Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids Tualatin

Powell’s City of Books

Kid’s Castle Cuts

1005 W Burnside St., plus multiple other locations, powells.com

Pigtails & Crewcuts

Lil’ Snippers Hair Care 4 Kids

This downtown Portland gem, purported to be the largest independent new and used bookstore on the planet and spanning a whopping 1.6 acres of

It’s no surprise that this homegrown grocery store

introduction. Portland booklovers and their littles have been roaming the stacks at Powell’s on rainy Saturday

mornings for coming up on three generations. And while Powell’s voluntarily shuttered in response to COVID-19, you can still shop at their online store.

Top 5 Annie Bloom’s Books A Children’s Place Bookstore

Winner New Seasons Market Multiple locations. newseasonsmarket.com

retail floor space, needs no

ERIN J. BERNARD

GROCERY STORE

takes the top prize yet again. New Seasons is so Portland. The stores are teeming with local produce and products. And the company has a conscience; it’s a certified B Corporation that partners with the hungerfighting nonprofit Urban Gleaners, among others. And then there’s that impressive sample stand that kids (and their grown-ups) can never resist heading to.

Top 5 Costco Wholesale Fred Meyer Grocery Outlet Bargain Market (tie)

Green Bean Books

Trader Joe’s Portland SE

Maggie Mae’s Kids Bookshop

Whole Foods Market (tie)

MudPuddles Toys & Books

WinCo Foods pdxparent.com

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a d u lt i n G

It’s never easy to bid farewell to a beloved family pet. Here’s what to consider as you prepare to say goodbye.

BY BROOKE STRICKLAND

A Friend to the Last

F

or my birthday one year, my husband surprised me with an 8-week-old pug puppy. We fell in love with his ugly-cute face and his crazy antics, and named him Zeke. Zeke was with us through multiple milestones in our lives, including new jobs, college graduations, the births of our children, and a move to a new house. In short, Zeke was a part of our family. When he turned 12, his health started to fail, and we knew we wouldn’t have much time left with him. We had to determine what was best for Zeke, and then we had to figure out the best way to explain the coming loss to our kids. (See what our pediatric advice columnist Dr. Doug Lincoln recommends when talking to your kids about death: pdxparent.com/new-fun-february-2020.)

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest things a family will ever do. And while a natural death is what many pet owners hope for, sometimes euthanasia is the most peaceful way for your pet to pass. Here’s what to watch for as you decide whether it’s time to euthanize your family pet.

If you want to say goodbye to your pet in the comfort of your own home, these providers can help:

Signs to Look For If your pet shows symptoms of illness, including changes in thirst or appetite, behavior, or movement, consult with your veterinarian right away. Be Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice on the lookout for difficulty breathing, eating, and In-Home Euthanasia Lapoflove.com/Services/ or drinking, in addition to changes in potty In-Home-Euthanasia habits. If your pet is beginning to struggle to do some basic things in comfort, you should Compassionate Care Drlorigibson.com take note.

Meredith Ott, a Portland-area mom, says Dignified Pet Euthanasia Dignifiedpeteuthanasia.com/ the loss of her family’s 13-year-old cat was pet-euthanasia-portland.html difficult to process, but knowing what to look for helped. “When we took her to the And DoveLewis offers pet-loss grief support including free vet toward the end, they were very helpful memorial art classes. in giving us signs to look for — for when she Dovelewis.org/pet-owners/ was nearing the end of her life,” says Ott. pet-loss-support “We were pretty sure she was beginning to have kidney failure, but weren’t willing to incur massive vet bills to operate. Suddenly one day, she had a seizure and could not really move after this point. It was immediately obvious it was time to say goodbye.”

Ask Questions Your veterinarian is your best resource as you navigate the end-of-life discussion and make a final decision. They understand that every situation is unique, and your pet’s best interest is always their priority. Age, breed, condition of your pet, and the financial reality of your pet’s care are all things that factor into the discussion.

When Zeke began to show signs of neurological failure, we took him into the vet to talk about what options we had. Was it time to say goodbye yet or did he have more time? How could we make him more comfortable in the meantime? We were expecting that Zeke would need to be euthanized right away, but our vet said that we probably had a solid month of time before the final goodbye. We left the vet office encouraged that we had a few more weeks with him and that we had that extra time to prepare our kids for what was coming. We snuggled with him a lot, we gave him extra food and treats, and we talked a lot to our kids about doing our best to enjoy those final days with him.

Just like our vet did, your vet is also willing to walk you through scenarios and steps and make sure you have the answers you need.

They can also explain the actual euthanasia procedure so you will know what to expect when the time comes.

Saying Goodbye Almost exactly a month after that vet appointment where we discussed our options, we knew it was time to say goodbye to Zeke. He had taken a turn for the worse and it was very difficult to see him struggle. But it didn’t make the decision any easier. On his final day, we took him to get an ice cream cone at Burgerville, so we could have one final positive memory with him.

There were many tears, but we all knew that he would be happier and healthier in doggy heaven.

Letting go of your beloved pet is very hard, but there are some special ways you can honor your pet after they are gone. Ott shares that her family bought some special stones and placed them on the top of the spot where their kitty was buried. They also bought a plant in her memory and keep a picture of her on their living room mantel.

Others like to donate money in their pet’s name to a meaningful organization or scatter the animal’s ashes in one of their pet’s favorite places.

Brooke Strickland is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading a historical novel on her front porch, trying a new recipe in the kitchen, or spending time with her husband, two kids and elderly pug.

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field trip

Learn to sew (and bond with your tween!) at Portland Craft Bar, where patient instructors and cool projects make sewing a breeze.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALI WILKINSON

M

y daughter, although only 7, is already showing signs of the tweendom that is suddenly, scarily near. More frequent are the eye rolls, “uggggghs,” and audible sighs at my, just, momness.

But I haven’t lost her yet! So to celebrate Clara’s enduring willingness to spend time with me, we recently took a break from her two siblings to learn how to sew at the Portland Craft Bar, tucked away in inner Southeast Portland. (Bonus: ample free parking!)

I am a novice machine sewer — I can handle curtains and, OK, I guess only curtains. Clara has not sewn on a machine before. We were promised that, by the end of a few hours, we would conquer — or at least tame — the sewing machine, and learn how to make a lined, zippered pouch. I figured if we got out of there with all of our fingers intact, we would be coming out with a win.

When we arrived at the space, there were sewing machines set out for six. However, we learned that three of the participants were home sick, so we ended up with a class of only three — me and Clara, and another woman who came solo. This meant that we were treated to a lot of one-on-one attention. But because of the class limit of six, even if everyone had been there, we would have been in great care.

The founder and owner of Portland Craft Bar, Leah Woods, was our instructor for the afternoon. She began by giving us a tutorial of how our sewing machines worked. This machine was different (read: way better and more high-tech) than my machine, so the tutorial was useful for me. And since Clara had never used a machine, it was a great opportunity for her to practice sewing lines, turning corners, and making knots. (If you are already familiar with sewing machines, you have the option to skip this part of the class and join a bit later.)

With the basics behind us, it was time to start the project! Leah laid out several different precut fabric and zipper choices so we could focus on the sewing. The fabric was deliciously funky and satisfyingly sturdy — perfect for a Portlandy zipper pouch. We were then able to put our basic training to use, turning corners, switching out needles, and easiest of all to forget, making knots. I liked how when the inevitable mistake happened, Leah made clear it was not a big deal — worst case, a few stitches were ripped out and we started that side again.

Finally, it was time for the moment of truth. We sewed everything inside out so the seams would be hidden, which made the big reveal pretty nerve-wracking. There were a few moments where I was pretty sure my zipper was on inside-out, or I had somehow managed to make

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

Sew Cool my pouch pouchless.

Clara, though, was all confidence as she pulled her pouch into shape. The result – a pouch! A perfectly lined, usably zippered, totally functional pouch.

This class was a great experience both for me and for Clara.

It was fun to work alongside my daughter, watching her take on a pretty complicated project step-by-step, with her own hands. Leah was a fabulous teacher — able to break down the steps of the project simply without being condescending.

And while Clara did get some extra attention, Leah never did the work for her. When Clara finished her pouch, after several hours together with nary an eyeroll, she could honestly and proudly proclaim, “I made this!”

Know before you go: Portland Craft Bar, 211 SE Madison St., Ste 3, portlandcraftbar.com.

Learn to Sew: Zipper Pouch is $50; $30/child 7 years and up.

Portland Craft Bar also offers other family classes, birthday parties, after-school and no-school classes, and camps.

Ali Wilkinson is a Portland-based writer, lawyer and mother of three kids (ages 5, 7 and 9). She's also the co-founder of PDX Kids Calendar. pdxparent.com

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hands on

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

Green Stamps Refashion cardboard into DIY stamps and make your own collagraph prints. STORY AND PHOTOS BY LAURA STREIB

S

pring is in bloom! And if you’re already scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to minimizing social contact during the COVID-19 outbreak, read on: this engaging (and very photogenic) at-home craft turns simple household items into art that will brighten up your house, fridge or a friend’s day. Repurpose cardboard from an Amazon order or Costco run to make a 3D stamp, or collagraph, to print on paper for cards. It may take some experimentation and play to see what works best! Pro tip: Simpler, bigger shapes work better than smaller, more detailed shapes.

Materials Pencil

Paint

Cardboard

Paintbrushes

Scissors

Paper (either printer paper or card stock)

Glue

Instructions 1. Use a pencil to sketch out a simple design on a piece of cardboard, then cut out your shape.

(Easy shapes to try: flowers, fruit, animals, the sun or a tree.)

2. Glue your cut-out cardboard design onto a square-shaped cardboard piece.

3. Brush paint onto your design.

4. Stamp it on a piece of paper.

5. Let it dry, and then it’s ready to go. (Pro tip: you can also mount it onto a card or backdrop.)

Once the paint is dry, you can also add markers, colored pencils or Sharpie on top for more texture and detail. Get as creative as you want!

6. Reuse your stamp with new colors, layer paint, layer stamps — the sky’s the limit!

7. Share your art: tag us on Instagram: @pdx_parent and @vibepdx.

Laura Streib is the founder and director at Vibe of Portland. Founded in 2007, Vibe is an arts and music educational nonprofit committed to making the arts accessible for all in Portland. Vibe has weekly classes, no-school workshops, spring-break workshops and summer camps throughout the year. Check out their complete list of upcoming classes, workshops, camps and events at vibepdx.org.

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fa m i ly s u p p e R

EDITOR’S NOTE: We reviewed Ezell’s before

Governor Brown closed restaurant dining. At press time, Ezell’s was open for pickup or delivery through Door Dash.

Sprin Spring Chicken

Perfectly fried chicken, kidapproved sides and quick service make Ezell’s Famous Chicken a hit.

BY DENISE CASTAÑON

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

O

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prah’s favorite fried chicken recently moved into a space in Tigard, right next to Washington Square mall. So my family headed to Seattle-based, family-run Ezell’s Famous Chicken shortly DENISE CASTAÑON after it opened to see if it lived up to the hype.

Others had the same idea and the line was out the door when Once we sorted the meals out, a chorus of “Yums” went around the we arrived a little past noon on a Sunday. That said, it moved table. My daughter ate a few bites of tenders, but happily focused on surprisingly swiftly and we only waited about 10 minutes to order. the mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, baked beans, and the irresistible But we received some bad news when we got to roll. Cruz had a hard time handling his big piece the counter: they were completely out of mac ‘n’ of chicken, but ate more once my husband cut up cheese, which my 7-year-old daughter had picked bites for him. After which my husband didn’t say as her lunch. We talked her into a kids’ chicken much, choosing to set to work on his well-breaded tender combo ($7.99), which included a roll, a side, and perfectly crunchy chicken. But at one point he Any of the and juice or a fountain drink. And I promised to did realize his order was not spicy, and in fact Cruz fried chicken. share my mashed potatoes from my chicken tender got a spicy piece, so we just swapped pieces around.

Plus the combo ($7.99) and an extra side of baked beans There was much trying of everyone else’s food. potato salad and ($3.49) with her.

And I really couldn’t stop eating my husband’s sweet potato pie!

From on-the-bone pieces to tenders, all chicken potato salad. comes in your choice of original, spicy or half & My husband, who grew up in Maryland and half. And each order of chicken comes with a hot, considers himself a connoisseur of Southern fried fluffy and slightly sweet bread roll. (And bigger foods, didn’t think Ezell’s was the best fried chicken orders mean more rolls.) Another choice: When he’d ever eaten, but then quickly added, “But it’s you select your number of pieces (two-24) you can pretty darn good.” I also ordered the two desserts, also pick the cut of chicken you’d like. My husband peach cobbler ($4.79) and sweet potato pie ($2.49). ordered a spicy three-piece combo, with a breast, The sweet potato pie disappeared before I knew it, wing and drumstick, and potato salad and creamy mainly because of two kids who for once in their R KE coleslaw ($10.99). For 5-year-old Cruz’s kids’ combo, AR lives decided to try something new after I said they RP O EV TR we ordered him an original breast piece and corn would like it. as the side ($6.29). Pro tip: An eight-piece combo with four rolls and Ezell’s is a long drive for us, but for the quick and friendly service, two jumbo sides could easily feed a family of four for $26.49. crunchy chicken, sweet rolls, kid-approved sides and sweet potato pie, After ordering we waited just a few minutes for a table to open up, we’d make the journey back. and just a minute more for a helpful employee to wipe down the table for us. And a few minutes after we sat down, our number was called.

Ezell’s Famous Chicken, 10218 Washington Square Rd., Tigard.

Given the line and crowded dining room, we were surprised by how Ezellschicken.com. Monday to Thursday: 10:30 am-9 pm; Friday and quickly we got our food.

Saturday: 10:30 am-10 pm; Sunday: 11 am-9 pm.

Order this:

Editor Denise Castañon loves exploring Portland’s family-friendly dining scene with her husband, 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.

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recipe file

Looking for more kid-friendly recipes? Visit: pdxparent.com /recipe-file.

Next-level plant Parm

Ditch all of the gluten and none of the flavor with this extra-crunchy eggplant dish.

STORY AND PHOTO BY JUDITH RICH

G

iven that half of our household has recently become gluten free, our family has been experimenting with new takes on classic dishes. Enter this extracrunchy, cornflake-crusted eggplant Parm — a recipe devised by my pescatarian (now also gluten-free) husband. Ingeniously substituting traditional breadcrumbs with cornflakes, this sometimes-too-soft dish became perfectly crispy with a little hint of sweetness.

Pro tip: To get the eggplant soft and to prevent a rubbery texture, grill it first on a grill pan or an outdoor grill.

A minute on each side will do the trick. To finish things off, broil the top of the eggplant for about a minute or two max to get the cheese nice and brown. Not only will it look gorgeous, it also amps up the flavor.

Extra-crunchy Eggplant Parmesan Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup chickpea flour 2 eggs, beaten (or 1 egg beaten and mixed with a splash of milk)

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. 2. Slice the eggplant into ½-inch circles and set aside.

3. Grill eggplant on a super-hot grill pan or outdoor grill for 1 minute on each side.

4. Let cool for a few minutes.

1 cup crushed cornflakes

5. Coat the eggplant in chickpea flour first, then dip into the egg mixture and finally the cornflake crumbs. Shake off any excess.

Olive oil

6. Heat oil (2 tablespoons) in a nonstick skillet.

1 cup prepared pasta sauce 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and pepper to taste

Pro tip: Place cornflakes in a quart-size plastic bag.

Seal and burp the bag, and then let your kids crush the cornflakes with their hands!

7. Fry eggplant for about 3 minutes on each side.

Drain off any excess oil.

8. Place eggplant in a lightly oiled casserole dish. Top with pasta sauce and then generous amounts of cheese (both mozzarella and Parmesan).

9. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

10. Set oven to broil and brown the cheese for another minute or two.

11. Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy.

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

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time out

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Instead of our usual Time Out events column, we are listing resources for parents while school is closed. Need ideas on how to give lessons at home? Want some structured art projects? Looking for kid-friendly science experiments? We’ve got you covered! After all, we’re parents, too. And we’re all in this together. And please visit pdxparent.com for even more ideas!

GetCreative

At-home education resources

Need ideas for

home art

projects? Find step-by-step

directions for found-object wind chimes, no-sew tote bags, DIY suncatchers and more. Visit pdxparent.com/hands-on.

kids’

We’re all worried about keeping our while schools are closed. Find some (free!) ideas for school-closure

learning on track lessons here.

Get tips on how to structure home learning during the closure as well as lessons for all grades at: khanacademy. org. Or download the Khan Academy Kids app to a tablet.

Watch or participate in engaging, expert-led activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Use the code “homefun1” for access: circletimefun.com.

EVE HANSEN

Find mini science lesson videos for kindergarteners through fifth graders here: mysteryscience.com/ school-closure-planning.

High school seniors worried about AP Test prep can find help at: app. fiveable.me.

Spring Planting Now’s a great time to get the garden ready!

Here’s an easy way to start seeds indoors:

Find a treasure trove of videos, lessons and handouts for pre-K to high school students at: pbslearningmedia.org.

Publisher Scholastic has pre-K to middle school lessons on topics ranging from spiders to the chemistry behind extreme candy at: classroommagazines.scholastic.com/ support/learnathome.html.

Junior Chefs

If the thought of teaching math to your elementary school-aged kid freaks you out, go to: prodigygame.com.

lemonade to kid-approved breakfast bars at:

Get social with us!

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! /pdxparentonline

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( @pdx_parent

Keep little hands busy in the kitchen. Find recipes for everything from homemade pdxparent.com/recipe-file.

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% /pdx_parent/

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$ /pdx_parent/

STEM at home Find loads of ideas for at-home science experiments that perfectly balance fun and education!

Get some seriously cool science projects from local, momowned company Yellow Scope science kits.

Make rainbow paper, snow globes and more: AMBER GAUNTLETT

yellow-scope.com/ blogs/news.

Let kids learn the science behind homemade play dough and sidewalk chalk with The Fab Lab With Crazy Aunt Lindsey YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/ CrazyAuntLindsey/ videos.

National Geographic Kids magazine serves up quick labs that teach kids how to identify positive and negative electric charges, make a DIY lava lamp and more: kids. nationalgeographic.com/explore/ science/science-lab.

Use household items to test out experiments like Jell-O glasses and “rainbow in a glass� at: sciencefun.org/kidzone/experiments.

JUDITH RICH

pdxparent.com

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pa r e n t l a n d i a

"Never get bet ween a mama bear and her cub — unless you want to hear a long story about our str uggles with bedtime."

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

His debut children’s book, How to Potty Train Your Porcupine, will be published in May 2020 by Little, Brown. 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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For a complete list of your Winners and Top 5 Picks, visit pdxparent.com/picks-winners

WINNERS Save the date for our family festival!

PDX Parent Celebrates the City Oaks Amusement Park Saturday, June 20, 10 am-2 pm.

Stay tuned to pdxparent.com for details.