PDX Parent May 2019

PDX Baby + Summer Camps Guide

FREE

Wait to Inhale: Real Talk on Pot and Pregnancy, pg. 16

for the long days and short years

Left Coast, Best Coast From Astoria to Brookings, new spots to stay, play and eat

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | VANCOUVER | MAY 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.

May 4th Time to Make Music

July 6th Bounce House & Face Painting

September 7th Spider Hero Appearance

June 1st Summer Luau with Hula Dancing

August 3rd All about Dogs

October 5th Thomas the Train

November 2nd All About Transportation December 7th Pictures & Cookies with Santa Claus

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

Contents FEATURES Let’s Be Blunt.................................................. 16 Pregnant and breastfeeding moms

who are 420-friendly are increasingly visible in the Portland area. But scientists say that’s not a safe choice for infants. By Alice Callahan, Ph.D. PDX Parent Picks:

Pregnancy & Baby...................................... 20 Going Coastal................................................ 30 Three itineraries for hitting the

Oregon Coast with the kids this summer.

By Erin J. Bernard.

DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Note..................................................... 6 Play Room.......................................................... 8 Snuggle puppies at the library, plus Oregon’s Kid Governor and the birth rate goes bust.

Field Trip........................................................... 44 Hit the links, and the target, at Topgolf in Hillsboro. By Julia Silverman.

This Mom Life.................................................56 Summertime doesn’t have to mean screentime. By Toni Hammer.

Family Supper................................................60 A new tea spot in Northeast Portland, just in time for Mother’s Day.

By Denise Castañon.

Recipe File........................................................ 61 A brightly flavored quinoa salad for

your Cinco de Mayo party. By Judith Rich.

Time Out............................................................ 62 Paw Patrol at the Rose Quarter, Mother’s

Day festivities and the coolest science fair around.

Parentlandia...................................................66 A comic for parents. By Tom Toro.

PROVIDENCE HEALTH & SERVICES

20

SPECIAL SECTION:

KIDS ♥ ADVENTURES............................. 36 Road-trip destinations the whole family

will love, plus gear must-haves from our friends at Next Adventure.

RESOURCES: PDX Baby................................................... 21-26 Summer Camps....................................... 46-55 Birthdays.................................................. 58-59 * cover stories

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Editor’s Note for the long days and short years

T

he nicest thing anyone has ever done for me was when my parents uprooted their lives for two-and-a-half months to come to Portland when our twins were born a month early. I was in labor for 36 hours before Elly and Ben finally arrived, with 31 minutes in between their births (of which all I can recall is telling the doctors that I was good, thanks, they could just leave the other baby where it was, because I did not want to do that again). During that time, my mom barely left the hospital, except to sleep. She walked through the halls with me to try to speed up the process, and fed me ice chips and smoothed my hair gently back from my forehead, the way she did when I was a kid, sick in bed. Six days later, they let us out of the hospital with two tiny babies, barely 4½ pounds apiece, and we went home to start that blurry fourth trimester. My mom was there through all of it. She was the only one who could reliably coax both babies into burping, and she went for walks in the park with me in the 45-minute windows in between the feed-burp-change-sleep cycles. She came to Book Babies at the library and the new mother’s support group at the hospital and she held my hand as I cried when the pediatrician told me that Ben wasn’t thriving. At about two months, the kids started sleeping through the night (a brief respite, as it turned out — hello, dreaded four-month sleep regression, but that’s another story), and the weather, after the most mild, gloriously golden fall I can ever remember in Portland, started to turn cool and misty. All signs pointed to it being time for my parents to go home, and so they did, leaving the city just hours before a for-the-ages snowstorm closed down the airport for the better part of a week. When I look back on those months, the children’s faces, so dear and known to me now, seem out of focus and blurry, but my mom’s is a constant, steady and calm. I wish she lived in Portland, so I could tell her how much it all meant in person, but this column will have to do. Happy Mother’s Day, to all the moms — read on for our tips on ways to celebrate this month, from date nights out to Mother’s Day weekend events to trips to the coast with the entire clan — but especially to the one who has always been there when I needed her most.

—

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 Keith Goben, 503-460-2774 keith.goben@pdxparent.com For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com

P.S. Looking ahead, we’re deep into plans for the second annual PDX Parent Celebrates the City festival at Oaks Park on June 22. Last year’s event was such a hit that this year we’re planning an even bigger and better event, with more fun for the whole family. Find all the details on pages 28-29.

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.

On our cover: The moment we came across this shot from Washougal, Washington-based photographer Lindsay

Walder, we knew we had to feature it on our cover. Her kiddos, Martell and Esmae, are all of our kids in this shot — true Pacific Northwesterners who don’t care that the water is cold, who marvel at the anemones and sea stars and sink their toes into the sand as far as they can, because at long last, it’s summer. See more of Lindsay’s lovely work at lindsaywalderphotogaphy.com.

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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.

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Play Room

Kid to Know:

Madam Governor

Did you know Oregon currently has two governors? Yes, there’s Kate Brown. And then there’s Erikka Baldwin, a fifth grader from

Her platform hinges on raising awareness. She plans to ask fifth graders across Oregon to create posters to advertise shelter

McCornack Elementary in Eugene

pets. Then she wants to ease

who was sworn in this January

the stress of being in a shelter

as Oregon’s Kid Governor. The

by having kids come read to

Kid Governor program started up

animals. “This will help the dog or

in Oregon two years ago by the

cat by having a friendly kid keep

late Secretary of State Dennis

them company and will also help

Richardson to help kids learn about

the kids become better readers,”

civics. (That’s Richardson, at right,

she notes. And finally, she wants

at Erikka’s swearing-in.) Erikka first

shelter pets to come to school

heard about the program from her

events as special guests to help

teacher, Karen Olsen, and decided

the animals get noticed by more

to run on a platform of helping

families who may want to adopt

shelter pets find forever homes.

them.

Since being sworn in, Erikka

First she won the spot to represent

has had a busy term. She’s been

her school, then her teachers, friends and family helped her make a video explaining her three-

interviewed on the radio shows Think Out Loud and Wake Up

pronged approach to getting animals out of shelters. When she

Call. She appeared on KOIN news in Portland to help adovocate

was selected as a finalist, her video went public and other fifth

for shelter pets and do the weather forecast. “Most importantly

graders across the state had the opportunity to watch all the

to me though was that I had the opportunity to do the Pledge

candidates’ videos and choose who they wanted to represent

of Allegiance at (Richardson’s) memorial service,” in March,

them. “We weren’t allowed to necessarily campaign for ourselves

says Erikka. “This was a very special moment for me because I

like you see presidential candidates do before an election.

got to be a part of honoring someone who I will never forget.”

Instead our message and our video did the campaigning for us,”

Keep up with Erikka’s accomplishments at or.kidgovernor.org. —

says Erikka.

Denise Castañon

TOP 5 ... Date-night Splurges ➊ At the swanky Studio One Theatres cinema in SE Portland,

you can settle in to a comfy reserved seat and enjoy a cooked-toorder dinner, or just share a bucket of gourmet popcorn.

➋ Meet up at Portland Craft Bar for adults-only workshops, including making your own rope baskets and reusable gift wrap.

➌ Go see Native Gardens, the hilarious, Desperate

Housewives-meets-John-Cheever take on suburban living at Portland Center Stage (opens May 18).

➍ Skip the drive

to Newberg and go wine tasting at Dame, the intimate new STUDIOONE THEATERS

bottle shop on NE Killingsworth’s restaurant row.

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➎ Catch a

live recording of Live Wire, Portland’s answer to A Prairie Home Companion, in its 15th anniversary season. At the Alberta Rose Theater. — Julia Silverman

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Playlist:

Let’s hear it for the ladies I’m always surprised that the genre of kids’ music seems to be dominated by men. (Big stars like Laurie Berkner and Elizabeth Mitchell are the exceptions to the rule.) So this month, we’re shining a light on two

Gear Guide:

Take a Seat Summer is the time for road trips! If you’re feeling inspired to hit the Oregon coast with your baby after reading after reading Going Coastal on page 30, here are our picks for top infant car seats. And, of course, all of our favorites have passed federal safety standards and strict crash performance tests.

The Chicco KeyFit30 ranks year after year as one of the best infant car seats around for value and ease of use. Four to 30 pounds, up to 30 inches. $199.99.

new, outside-the-box albums from female artists. First up, Lissa Schneckenburger’s

CHICCO

The Britax B-Safe 35 has a smaller

Thunder in My Arms is at once a beautiful and blunt

footprint than many car seats, so it’s a

meditation on raising foster and adoptive children who’ve faced

great pick if you have a compact car.

trauma. The lyrics veer far from the typical bright, silly themes

And it’s also a good choice if you have

we see in most music for families: “And they say ‘child don’t you

a taller baby. Four to 35 pounds,

worry’ but if you had known what I have known/Then you would

up to 32 inches. $219.99.

worry.” But Schneckenburger’s pure, expressive vocals imbue the album with grace and hope. This album’s exploration of the hardships and joys of being a foster parent seek to offer a measure of solace and understanding to foster parents in the thick of it.

The UPPAbaby MESA is

BRITAX

five-star ranked by the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration for

Next up Philadephia-based duo Julie Beth and Anya Rose of Ants on a Log offer up the quirky eco-feminist album Curious: Think

ease of use for correct installation. You won’t even have to rethread the harness straps as your baby grows. The seat fabric is also moisture-wicking — a great perk for summer road

Outside the Pipeline!

warriors. Four to 35 pounds, up

The album is actually closer

to 32 inches. $349.99.

to a book on tape than a straightforward compilation of songs. Inspired by real events in Philadephia, Curious tells the story of two sisters who engage in community activism to stop an oil refinery from adding more air toxins to their already polluted neighborhood. The can-do attitude of the album’s protagonists Clio and Taylor, who face mutiple hurdles from adults who don’t take them seriously because of their age and gender, are sure to inspire any activists-in-training in your house. — D.C.

UPPABABY

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 is not only light on your wallet, but light to carry, too, making this a smart choice if you’ll be toting a car seat up and down stairs. The higher weight and height limits also make this seat a long-lasting value. Four to 35 pounds, up to 32 inches. $149.99. — D.C.

GRACO

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Bookshelf:

The Author Next Door Turns out, your kid’s favorite author just might be your neighbor. The Portland area is home to any number of kid-lit superstars. Here, Kim Tano and Madeline Shier, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s, our city’s beloved independent bookstore, single out a few of their new favorites.

The Good Egg by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald Author Jory John has written 15 children’s books, including Penguin Problems, Giraffe Problems, the middle reader series, The Terrible Two, and this wonderfully charming picture book sequel to The Bad Seed. The titular Good Egg puts so much pressure on himself to help everyone else be so HARPER COLLINS

very good that he cracks and eventually realizes he has to take care of himself first. Pro tip: Jory John’s next book, That’s What Dinosaurs Do, also illustrated by Pete Oswald, will be coming out later this month. $17.99.

The Little Guys by Vera Brosgol Illustrator Vera Brosgol has been a storyboard artist with local film company Laika on feature films like Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings. She won an Eisner Award for her debut graphic novel, MACMILLAN

Anya’s Ghost, and a Caldecott Honor for her first picture book, Leave Me Alone! Her latest, The Little Guys, follows a group of tiny forest dwellers who already know they can accomplish anything if they work together, but need a little lesson in being kind to the others around them. $17.99.

The Cyclops Witch and the Heebie-Jeebies by Kyle Sullivan and Derek Sullivan Twin brothers Kyle and Derek Sullivan split their time between Portland and Seattle. A charming HAZY DELL PRESS

collaborative debut about facing one’s fears, The Cyclops Witch and the Heebie-Jeebies — the Sullivans’ first foray into picture books — is a perfect read for kids who look forward to Halloween all year round. $17.95.

Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate by MK Reed and Jonathan Hill We love the Science Comics series! Covering topics from dinosaurs and sharks to volcanoes and

MACMILLAN

coral reefs, each volume is educational for children and adults. In Wild Weather, MK Reed and Jonathan Hill explain the very complicated topics of storms, meteorology and climate, from how sleet is formed to how meteorologists predict the weather. Best for ages 10 and up. $19.99.

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Emily Chenoweth, Johnny Marciano and Robb Mommaerts Author Emily Chenoweth has made her way from Ohio to New York to Portland. She’s now making PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

the journey from adult fiction (Hello Goodbye) to kids’ books with her new series, Klawde: Evil Alien

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Warlord Cat. The first two books of Klawde’s adventures are available now, and follow the former High Commander of a distant planet of warring cats through his exile on planet Earth — namely Elba, Oregon. Kids who love Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man or Aaron Blabey’s The Bad Guys series should definitely give Klawde a try. $14.99.

Good Deeds:

Listen Up, Pup It is hard to imagine a sweeter, more photogenic kidfriendly volunteer opportunity than this one. Sign your emerging reader up to read to a certified therapy dog at your local Multnomah County Library branch.

(Call 503-988-5123 to find the next opening at a branch near you.) Kids get to practice their reading in front of a completely non-judgemental audience; doggies get practice being around unfamiliar humans, and in listening attentively. Cuddles and petting encouraged (Just check out Archimedes, the snuggle puppy in the picture here). That’s a win-win all around. — J.S.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

Chalkboard:

Baby Bust?

The birth rates are falling! The birth rates are falling! OK, OK, Chicken Little. Calm down. After all, it’s not like zero babies were born in Oregon last year. In fact, there were more than 42,000 new little Oregonians in 2018. But that is about 7,000 fewer babies than just about a decade ago. That doesn’t mean that last year’s crop of new babies will get plenty of elbow room when it’s time for kindergarten, since about 50,000 people or so per year move to Oregon from elsewhere, plenty of whom arrive with kiddos. But the decline in the birth rate is making people take notice. So why is it happening? Well, for one thing, women in Oregon and around the country are putting off having their first babies for longer, in favor of careers, school and life. That means that when women do get around to having kids, they’re having fewer of them, since they’ve got fewer child-bearing years left. And while the recession of 2008 may have mostly receded, it still left its scars. Having a baby is expensive, starting with child care and lasting all the way through college, and for many millennials who can’t even afford to buy a house in Portland’s still-overheated market, adding a child may feel out of reach. — J.S.

SOURCE: OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY

42,067: The number of babies born in Oregon in 2018.

THAT’S THE LOWEST NUMBER IN 25 YEARS.

11 years ago, in 2007, there were 49,373 babies born in Oregon. That’s almost 7,000 more than today.

30-34:

AVERAGE AGE OF NEW MOTHERS IN OREGON IN 2018.

20-24: Average age of new mothers in Oregon in 2000. pdxparent.com

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Play Room

Apps We Love:

Just Breathe

It seems like everyone we know

is using a guided meditation app these days, extolling the virtues of Calm or Headspace. Turns out, tuning into a mind/body connection is great for kids, too.

Check out these apps developed to help the short set do just that.

Breathe, Think and Do with Sesame Best for toddlers and preschoolers, this app features familiar Sesame Street characters teaching kids how to deal with frustration and stress. Kids get to help a cuddly blue monster make the best possible choices; the app also includes some deep breathing exercises to help kids — and their new monster best friend — calm down from big emotions. Plus, it’s available in English and Spanish. iOS and Android. Free.

Meditations for Kids Great for elementaryschool-aged kids and up, this is a

Ask Dr. Doug

Q

: I am having so much trouble with breastfeeding. She’s our second, and

A

feeding is painful and very different from our first. We’ve seen two lactation consultants, and both were concerned that she might have a tongue tie. Our pediatrician isn’t so sure. I’m not sure what to do. Any advice?

: You’re not alone in feeling confused about this. Most of the recent debate around

tongue tie comes from a good place ­— a desire to help moms meet their breastfeeding goals, but without performing unnecessary procedures. Both concerns are important, so let’s think through this.

First, what is a tongue tie? We all have a band of tissue under our tongue that connects to the floor of our mouth, called the frenulum. When that tissue is too short, too tight, or too far forward, it impacts tongue movement, and can be called restrictive. Tongue tie can lead to pain with breastfeeding, feeds that take a long time due to poor milk transfer, reflux symptoms from swallowing air, or poor weight gain for your baby.

Ultrasound data shows us that the middle of the tongue moving up and down is the most important part of getting milk when nursing at the breast. That means the old idea of, “If your baby can stick out his tongue, he’s fine” isn’t true. And you can’t diagnose tongue tie from a photo. It’s a functional diagnosis, taking into account how the tongue moves and how it fits with the breast.

Why the recent uptick in diagnosing tongue tie? When you know better, you do better.

There are many reasons breastfeeding may not be going well, but in the past when someone might have said, “It hurt too much so I stopped” or “I’m pumping plenty but he never seems to get enough from the breast,” tongue tie may have been playing a role — it’s just that no one looked for it.

You may have heard the terms anterior and posterior ties. This has to do with where the shortened tissue attaches to the tongue. Anterior ties are visible when babies cry and they’re hard to miss. Posterior ties are not mysterious or made up — you just have to know how to properly examine a baby’s oral function and anatomy to diagnose them. Posterior ties are further back under the tongue, and can result in a poor latch or uncoordinated suck. There may or may not be much pain. Usually feeds take a long time, as milk transfer from the breast may be inefficient. Some babies may have issues with bottle feeding as well.

There are many other reasons breastfeeding may not be going well (the list is long!), and that’s why it’s so important to take a team-based approach with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant before deciding how to proceed. If after skilled lactation help, you feel a release is warranted, your doctor could perform a quick procedure in the office called a frenotomy, where he or she snips the frenulum. This releases the tension on the tongue, improving mobility and resulting in less pain for a mother and better transfer of milk.

I hope you have a supportive team as you navigate these decisions. And please remember there are lots of ways to feed a baby, and no mom should feel shamed for her feeding choices.

Parenthood is challenging enough without adding more judgement!

guided meditation app including move, stretch and make noise, along with help for coping with situations from being scared of the dark to not wanting to sit still in school. iOS and Android.

99 cents. — J.S.

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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

exercises that invite kids to

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Let’s B

Some new and expecting moms p for pregnancy and postpartum ail

S

ince the 2014 legalization of recreational cannabis in Oregon, pot has become a commonplace part of Portland’s landscape (on sunny days, it can feel like its’ scent permeates the entire city’s air). Yelp lists more marijuana dispensaries than brewpubs in the metro area, and that’s not counting the coffee shops offering shots of CBD in your chai latte.

So yes, those cannabis products are everywhere, accompanied by claims that they’ll alleviate many of the maladies familiar to pregnant and postpartum women, like nausea, anxiety and insomnia. But is it safe to use when you’re growing a new person in your uterus, or breastfeeding one?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine all strongly discourage cannabis use in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, citing worrisome data about effects on fetal growth and brain development.

Yet, local mothers are surrounded with conflicting information about this topic. Blogs and social media groups promote the benefits of cannabis in pregnancy, even advertising meetups for Portland mothers who want to learn more. Dispensaries may also be encouraging its use; a 2018 study from Colorado found 69 percent of contacted dispensaries recommended cannabis products to treat morning sickness.

Nationally, studies show that more women are using cannabis in pregnancy as more states legalize it.

Shauna O’Neal, certified nurse midwife and family nurse practitioner at Women’s Healthcare Associates in Tualatin, said that people may perceive cannabis as safe for a variety of reasons. “The fact that it’s legal and the fact that it’s a plant contribute to this perception of safety, because it’s natural.” But, she points out, “tobacco is also natural, is also legal, and it’s also definitely not recommended in pregnancy.”

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Be Blunt

perceive cannabis and CBD as safe and natural remedies lments. But science doesn’t back that up.

BY ALICE CALLAHAN, PH.D. or need NICU care. Importantly, much of this “The fact that it’s research is several decades old, and plant breeding To judge the safety of any substance, natural legal and the fact has increased THC concentrations from 1 to 5 or otherwise, it helps to understand the chemical percent in the 1960s to 15 to 25 percent and higher molecules within it and how they react in the body. that it’s a plant in modern cannabis. In other words, yesterday’s Cannabis contains at least 500 different chemical contribute to this research may underestimate the effects of today’s compounds, more than 100 of them considered cannabis. cannabinoids. perception of Other research has looked at more long-term The main psychoactive molecule is delta-9safety, because effects on brain function. Studies from Canada, the tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC and United States and the Netherlands have tracked the focus of most cannabis research. THC is a small, it’s natural. But thousands of children exposed to cannabis in fat-soluble molecule that easily crosses the placenta tobacco is also pregnancy. Together, they found little difference in and enters breast milk, and once in the bloodstream toddlers or preschoolers, but by school age, cannabisof a fetus or baby, likely accumulates in fat-rich natural, is also exposed kids were more likely to have problems tissues like the brain and adipose tissue. (While there’s legal, and it’s also with attention, impulse control and hyperactivity. a lot of hype and hope about the medicinal properties In adolescence and early adulthood, they had of cannabidiol, or CBD, there’s virtually no research definitely not higher rates of depression and psychosis and were on its effects in pregnancy or breastfeeding.) recommended in more likely to be using marijuana and tobacco, Research on how THC affects developing humans with greater rates of addiction. Again, separating is challenging, and results have sometimes been pregnancy.” correlation from causation is tricky in this research, conflicting. Most studies are observational, tracking — Shauna O’Neal, and these effects haven’t been seen in all studies. certified nurse midwife outcomes in babies and kids whose mothers reported For example, a study conducted in Jamaica in the using marijuana in pregnancy, but their lives are 1980s found no adverse effects of cannabis use in often complicated by other factors, like alcohol and pregnancy in a group of 24 babies assessed through age 4 or 5, so it’s tobacco use, abuse and trauma. often held up as reassuring evidence of cannabis safety. However, the Researchers try to sort out these confounding factors, but there Jamaica study was small and didn’t assess children beyond preschool, is uncertainty about whether observed effects are directly caused and considering the many studies that have found worrisome effects, by cannabis. Still, some concerning and consistent themes emerge in most researchers agree that there is a serious risk that cannabis use in these studies. “We don’t have great safety data on it,” O’Neal said, but pregnancy could affect children in both the short- and long-term. “what we do know is not reassuring.”

“You’re not just considering ‘what does this mean for my baby?’

Fetal development is an intricate, complex process, and many but ‘what does this mean for my teen, in like a decade and a people don’t realize that it’s in part orchestrated by natural half?’” said O’Neal. And while we need more studies, the existing cannabinoid molecules made in the body. When THC and other research suggests cannabis use in pregnancy could have long-term molecules from cannabis cross the placenta, they can potentially to our kids. ramifications hijack normal development. While cannabis use in pregnancy doesn’t seem to cause any obvious birth defects, there is evidence that it might Cannabis in Breastfeeding interfere with fetal growth and development of brain circuitry, with If there’s uncertainty about effects of cannabis in pregnancy, even possible long-term implications. less is known about its use during breastfeeding. One of the few For example, an analysis published in the medical journal BMJ Open studies was published in 1990 by Susan J. Astley Hemmingway, Ph.D., in 2016 combined 24 studies and concluded that babies exposed to now a professor of epidemiology and pediatrics at the University of marijuana during pregnancy are more likely to have low birthweight Cannabis Safety in Pregnancy

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USING CANNABIS R E S P O N S I B LY The risks of cannabis to kids go beyond exposure in pregnancy or through breast milk. If you choose to use it, follow these tips to keep kids safe: » Be sure there’s an unimpaired adult to care for the kids. “Parental intoxication from any substance affects parenting and can compromise the safety of infants and children in their care,” said OHSU pediatrician Dr. Ilse Larson. » Don’t smoke inside or in the presence of babies or children. Just like tobacco,

Washington. She compared 68 1-year-olds who had been breastfed by cannabis users to a control group whose mothers hadn’t used cannabis, but were similar in other factors, including tobacco and alcohol use. At one year, those exposed to cannabis at least 15 days out of the month had significantly delayed motor skills — they were behind in things like stacking blocks, crawling and walking.

Astley Hemmingway said the difference in motor development may not be obvious to a parent, but it was significant enough to be noticeable to a pediatrician, and it would qualify a baby for early intervention services. In addition, most of the participating babies were breastfed for just three months, so they would have had a much lower cumulative THC dose than a baby breastfed for a year or more with today’s potent cannabis. “For a single study, it’s incredibly concerning and compelling that we found statistically significant impacts on motor development,” she said. “It absolutely begs for follow-up studies.” But Astley Hemmingway has since focused her career on fetal alcohol syndrome, and unfortunately, there haven’t been more studies of how cannabis use in breastfeeding mothers affects their babies.

However, studies do show that THC passes into breast milk and remains detectable for somewhere between six days and six weeks after cannabis use.

There’s no research on how babies metabolize cannabinoids or how long they stay in a baby’s body. We also don’t know how breast milk cannabinoid levels are affected by different routes of use (inhaled, edible, topical, etc.) or type of product (high-THC or highCBD). We do know that CBD passes into breast milk, but it will take time for researchers to catch up with all of these relatively new cannabis products.

While we wait for better science, we know enough to assume that exposure to THC — both in pregnancy and through breast milk — “is likely not good for the developing human brain,” said Ilse Larson, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at OHSU Doernbecher, medical director of the OHSU Mother Baby Unit, and a certified lactation consultant. She firmly recommends that breastfeeding mothers avoid cannabis use.

marijuana smoke contains

Weighing Risks, Benefits and Uncertainty

toxins and carcinogens.

Portland mothers told PDX Parent that the decision to use cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding wasn’t taken lightly. Irene of Sherwood (she asked that her real name not be used), age 32 and mother of two, was hospitalized because of dehydration from severe nausea and vomiting in her last pregnancy. In her current pregnancy, she’s finding cannabis helps her keep food down. Lindsey Webb, age 40 and mother of two kids, now living in Florida but formerly of Beaverton, used cannabis while breastfeeding her daughter to wean herself off opioid pain medications, which were prescribed after a back injury sustained during childbirth. To her, cannabis felt like the safer choice. In general, medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding has been under-researched,

Second- or even third-hand smoke (lingering in homes or on clothing) of any kind increases the risk of SIDS. » Store cannabis products locked and out-of-reach of kids. “Edibles in particular are often appealing in appearance and taste to toddlers and children, but

3. B aker, T. et

4. Bertrand, K. A.,

Opinion:

R. E. Maternal

al. Transfer

et al. Marijuana

toxic doses can be fatal,” Dr.

Marijuana

marijuana use

of Inhaled

Use by

Larson said.

Use During

during lactation and

Cannabis

Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

infant development

Into Human

Mothers and

and Lactation.

at one year.

Breast Milk:

Cannabinoid

Obstetrics and

Neurotoxicology

Obstetrics &

Concentrations

Gynecology,

and Teratology,

Gynecology,

in Breast Milk.,

(2017).

(1990)

(2018).

(2018).

are extremely dangerous;

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1. ACOG Committee

2. Astley, S. J. & Little,

“While we wait for better science, we know enough to assume that exposure to THC — both in pregnancy and through breast milk — ‘is likely not good for the developing human brain.’ ” — Ilse Larson, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at OHSU Doernbecher, medical director of the OHSU Mother Baby Unit, and a certified lactation consultant.

M A N AG I N G PREGNANCY N AU S E A Nausea and vomiting are common pregnancy symptoms, but cannabis isn’t recommended as a treatment.

and women like Lindsey and Irene are making decisions with limited information and imperfect choices.

How women weigh these risks and benefits is a focus of the research of Celestina BarbosaLeiker, Ph.D., associate dean for research in the College of Nursing at Washington State University. In one yet-to-be-published study, she and colleagues interviewed 20 pregnant women reporting daily cannabis use. All said they were using it for medicinal purposes, to help alleviate symptoms like nausea, pain, or anxiety, or to help them sleep. “They probably don’t want to be using anything, but they’re trying to make that decision,” said BarbosaLeiker. And the women they interviewed said they wanted to know more about the safety of cannabis. “They’re concerned and they want scientific information,” said Barbosa-Leiker.

“They want to make the best decisions possible for themselves and for their baby.”

But both Dr. Larson and nurse-midwife O’Neal emphasized that there are safer alternatives for treating pregnancy and postpartum symptoms, with more evidence and better safety data, compared with the concerning research and unknowns about cannabis.

To Astley Hemmingway, the confusion about cannabis use feels familiar. When she started her career in the 1980s, most people, even many doctors, didn’t know alcohol should be avoided in pregnancy. Only after decades of public health campaigns is it now common knowledge. “It took a long time, but we’re there, and here we go again with marijuana now,” she said. “I know there’s a lot of well-meaning women out there that aren’t drug addicts or anything, but do use legal marijuana, and they’re going to be, I presume, most upset to find out after the fact that they probably shouldn’t be smoking while breastfeeding. Were they appropriately informed so they could make that decision? I think we’re really playing catchup here.”

Try these tips instead: » Eat frequent, small meals containing protein and avoiding spicy and fatty foods » Stay hydrated » Try ginger candy, tea, or supplements » If a prenatal vitamin worsens your symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider about switching to a simple folic acid supplement » If symptoms persist, talk with your provider about medications that can help.

There are safe and effective options, with far more research behind them and

Alice Callahan, Ph.D., is the author of The Science of Mom: A Research-Based Guide to Your Baby’s First Year, and her writing on health and science has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post and elsewhere. She lives with her husband and two kids in Eugene, where cannabis dispensaries are also everywhere.

5. D ickson, B. et al.

a better safety profile than cannabis.

Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

6. Gunn, J. K. L. et al.

Recommendations

Prenatal exposure

From Cannabis

to cannabis and

Dispensaries

maternal and child

About First-

health outcomes:

Trimester

a systematic

Cannabis Use:

review and meta-

Obstetrics &

analysis. BMJ

Gynecology, (2018).

Open, (2016).

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PD X

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RENT P PA I

Pregnancy & Baby 2019

Got a baby on board, or one on the way? Then read on, for the results of our annual readers’ poll in the pregnancy & baby category. High fives to the winners and nominees; find the full list of winners now at pdxparent.com/picks-winners.

HOSPITALS & BIRTH CENTERS

BABYSITTERS, NANNIES & AU PAIRS

Top 5

Top 5

Legacy Health

Northwest Nannies LLC

Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

Portland Nanny UrbanSitter

Women’s Healthcare Associates

A Brilliant Nanny

Kaiser Permanente

SitterCity.com

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Winner

Providence Health

Systems

oregon.providence.org Last year’s winner is still the one to beat! More than 9,000 babies in Oregon and Southwest Washington were born at a Providence-affiliated

Care.com PROVIDENCE HEALTH & SERVICES

Winner

hospital last year, and there’s a good reason why. The hospitals offer thoughtful, practical services for both pregnancy and postpartum families, from the ability to virtually chat with a breastfeeding specialist every day until midnight to the state’s largest neonatal clinic at Providence St. Vincent’s in Beaverton.

It’s hard to match this national platform for sheer breadth. Portland families turn to Care.com for

everything from the occasional date night sitter to a full-time nanny to an after-school tutor. You can sort by whether you need someone who has their own transportation, or is comfortable with pets, or is a nonsmoker. Of note: the system can help manage payroll and taxes for families who employ a full-time nanny.

LACTATION, MIDWIVES & DOULAS Top 5 OHSU Providence St. Vincent’s Lactation Store Luna Lactation & Wellness Bridgetown Baby

Winner Portland Doula Love, portlanddoulalove.com If you’ve got questions about being a new parent in Portland, this

DOULA LOVE

Alma Midwifery

place probably has the answer. Their roster of classes is extensive, covering everything from hypnobirthing to babywearing, and they also offer support groups for underserved populations, like new dads and parents of older babies who just won’t sleep through the night. And of course, if you’re in the market for a doula, you’ve come to the right place — they have a full staff of experienced, culturally sensitive doulas who can help smooth your journey, from labor and delivery through that joyful and terrifying fourth trimester.

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PDX BABY

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PDX BABY

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PDX BABY

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Don’t miss our big summer

issue, including our

three month calendar, with fun

activities for every single day!

Ad sales

close May 10. Âť Get in touch at publisher@ pdxparent.com.

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Come party with us!

PDX Parent will Celebrate the City on June 22 at Oaks Amusement Park from 10 am- 2 pm.

Free swag bags for the first 600 guests!

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PD X

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RENT P A P I

CELEBRATE THE CITY 2019

FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY

FUN ACTIVITIES FROM

Red Yarn

Ground Kontrol

All Families Surrogacy

Imagination Yoga

Acting for Kids and Teens

Green Bean Books

Fit4Mom

Maggie Mae’s Kids Bookshop

Groundplay Therapy Works

Elks Children’s Eye Clinic at OHSU

Pacific Crest Children’s Urgent Care

Mo Phillips The Alphabeticians Micah & Me Olive & Dingo

Kona Ice

Hopworks Urban Brewery

Rock N’ Roll Fairy

Mystique’s Fancy Faces

Thinker Toys

Tallulah’s Daddy

Smartypants

The Circuit Gym

OMSI

Metropolitan Pediatrics

Trackers Earth

And many more!

The Circus Project

PRESENTED BY

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ASTORIA SEASIDE CANNON BEACH

MANZANITA WHEELER TILLAMOOK

Going Coastal We’ve cast about high and low for the freshest, family-friendliest spots to play, eat and sleep on the Oregon coast.

BY ERIN J. BERNARD

O

regon’s sublime 360-mile shoreline is sometimes called the People’s Coast, and the reputation’s well-earned: From its host of budgetfriendly lodging options and its trove of carefully preserved marine wonders to the endless miles of pristine trails for hiking and biking, this coast has it all, and kids are welcome to jump into the mix just about everywhere.

In celebration of the long-awaited summer season, we’ve cooked up three fun-filled itineraries to bring your family face-to-face with the best stuff you’ve never seen along Oregon’s North, Central and South Coasts. Pick your favorite and decamp for a weekend, or string them together and explore the length of the family-friendliest coast around.

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ERIN J. BERNARD

GET TO KNOW YOUR PEOPLE’S COAST! Our coastline harbors a rich (and quirky) history.

Did you know …

Oregon’s beaches are also (technically) public highways.

Fearing the encroachment of private developers intent on privatizing the state’s best beaches, Oregon Governor Oswald West declared the wet-sand areas of all beaches as public highways in 1913, ensuring they’d remain fully accessible to Oregonians. In 1967, the Oregon Legislature passed the so-called “Beach Bill,” which expanded the designation to include the

THE NORTH COAST: TRAIL MIX

coast’s dry-sand and vegetation portions. Thanks, Gov!

Looking to get active with your elementary-school-aged kids? Pack the bikes and hiking boots and take an up-tempo tour of scenic coastal trails new and old, peppered with historic stop-offs, then reward yourself with sustainable bites at a few locally beloved restaurants.

The Tillamook Creamery gets 1.3 million visitors a year.

This iconic, 100-year-old dairy,

STAY: Astoria’s historic Norblad Hotel offers a playful blend of coastal/

renowned for its generous

urban sensibilities, with simple-yet-stylish budget room options (some with river views) for those who don’t mind a toilet down the hall. Or hit up Seaside’s newly opened Ashore Hotel, a pet-and-family-friendly boutique hotel featuring free cruiser bikes, an outdoor firepit and a saltwater soak pool.

spread of free samples, recently expanded its girth to accommodate even more hungry hordes. The bigger, better and fully revamped

PLAY: Fort Stevens State Park, located a 20-minute drive south of

Tillamook Creamery Visitor

Astoria, features 9 meandering miles of paved biking trails peppered with historic attractions kids will actually care about, like a shipwreck and old war bunkers. Afterward, 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 ELAINE MURDY-TRUCKE message behind and enjoy panoramic views of Tillamook Head, a picturesque Pacific coast promontory. Then hike through Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, a recently designated state park north of Pacific City with a diverse spread of natural wonders, from tidal flats and saltwater marshes to wetlands, forested dunes and an estuary. It’s the perfect place to coax older kids away from their devices — there’s no cell service!

Center offers more dining and

EAT: Grab a morning bite at Yolk, Manzanita’s new all-day

that a treasure chest brimming

breakfast joint; it’s earning rave reviews for its huevos rancheros and lemon ricotta pancakes. Later, tuck into the crispiest fish around at Tom’s Fish & Chips, a low-key takeaway joint located just a block from the shoreline in Cannon Beach. Or sit for a spell and enjoy sustainably and locally sourced seafood delights in a relaxed atmosphere (with Nehalem Bay views) at the newly opened Salmonberry Saloon in the village of Wheeler.

PRO TIP: Book early. Or better yet, come late! The North Coast is packed in high summer, but post-Labor day, things settle considerably, and the weather is often fantastic.

TRAVEL TIME FROM DOWNTOWN PDX TO ASTORIA: 95 miles/2 hours.

shopping space, more food options, and better cheeseand ice cream-making views.

(And, yes, even more cheese samples.)

One coastal mountain might hide buried treasure. Some North Coast residents believe with gold is hidden somewhere on Neahkahnie Mountain, just north of Manzanita. Legend has it that in the 1600s, sailors from a wrecked Spanish galleon

BROKEN BANJO

were seen rowing to shore, carrying a heavy chest up the mountainside, and burying it.

Hopeful prospectors have combed Neahkahnie for traces of treasure ever since.

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THE CENTRAL COAST: FOLLOW THE LIGHT This chilled-out coastal jaunt features low-key, easy-access activities suited to multigenerational beach groups, including infants and grandparents. Explore a storied stretch of seaside lighthouses — many still operating — then wander the forest primeval before enjoying a hearty offering of coastal comfort food.

STAY: The oceanfront Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center in Florence features an indoor aquatic center, bonfire kits, and sandboards for rent (the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is right nearby). For a gentle foray into family-style camping, rent a wellappointed log cabin or yurt at the lesser-visited Umpqua Lighthouse State Park outside of Reedsport — this small spot is a hidden gem!

LINCOLN CITY

NEWPORT

FLORENCE

PLAY: Cape Perpetua’s easy-to-navigate trails meander through the majestic old-growth trees of the Siuslaw National Forest, where you can wrap your arms (partway) around the Giant Spruce, a 500-yearold tree towering 200 feet into the canopy. Then embark on a driving tour of four functioning lighthouses offset by dramatic views, each with an onsite interpretive center. Start at Yaquina Head Lighthouse, just north of Newport, then stop off at the nearby Yaquina Bay Lighthouse before heading to Heceta OREGON STATE PARKS Head Lighthouse, just north of Florence. Finish with a visit to the Umpqua River Lighthouse — Oregon’s oldest — whose adjoining maritime museum sits within an active U.S. Coast Guard Station. Scads of historical photos and nautical treasures are on display, and you can even climb to the top.

EAT: Delicious breakfast standards are on offer at the Otis Cafe outside Lincoln City, famed for its quick-and-friendly service as much as its German potatoes. Clearwater Restaurant in Newport is lauded for locally sourced plates and spectacular views, but this place also deserves a medal for kid-friendliness. It features a designated “Kids Lounge” where littles (and their parents) can get their wiggles out while awaiting dinner, and the deck offers prime sea lion spotting.

PRO TIP: Download the Oregon Coast Visitors Association Lighthouse app from your smartphone for easy navigation among the beachside beacons.

TRAVEL TIME FROM DOWNTOWN PDX TO FLORENCE: 171 miles/3 hours

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CLEARWATER RESTAURANT

LET IT RAIN! Keep these foulweather-friendly picks in your back pocket, and you’ll be sitting pretty, no matter the weather.

Captain Gray’s

Columbia River

Cannon Beach

Charleston Marine

Oregon Coast

Astoria

Astoria Learn all about

Museum, Cannon

Charleston This

In May 2019, this

Port of Play,

This Astoria Parks and Recreation

indoor play center features mats,

trikes, scooters,

slides, and plenty

of room to roam for

kids aged 0-10. The center’s creative,

hands-on exhibits will also keep tiny

bodies (and minds) occupied.

Maritime Museum,

the Pacific Northwest’s signature river in this soaring space on the Astoria waterfront,

from waves that can

crest at 40 feet during severe winter weather to legendary salmon

fishing runs. Kids will

love taking a tour of a real floating lightship, docked just outside the museum.

History Center and Beach

This small-but-mighty museum offers

interactive rotating and permanent

exhibits, a small-

scale replica of a Native American

longhouse, a gift

shop filled with local treasures, and the

friendliest museum staff around.

Life Center,

recently opened

center wows with its collection

of marine life

and artifacts,

including complete whale and sea

lion skeletons,

a large, colorful

aquarium, tidepool touch tanks,

and interactive exhibits.

Aquarium, Newport: coastal marine sciences mainstay will debut a

retro-futuristic exhibit titled The Argonaut.

It’s being billed as a

“SteamPunk Powered

Undersea Adventure” and will feature live animals, absurd

contraptions, and

something called a

“steamship submersible.”

We’re intrigued!

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THE SOUTH COAST: BEACH WONDERS ON THE CHEAP Looking for an interactive, cost-effective way to explore with tweens and teens in tow? Camp the coastline, catch your own lunch, and marvel at an array of watery wonders, from seas, bogs, and rivers to a prized marine reserve.

STAY: Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort in Reedsport bills itself as a “family vacation treasure,” and it definitely lives up to the claim.

Cottages, RV and tent camping are available, plus an on-site marina and deli and fun family diversions like crafting and karaoke. Another South Coast camping pick: Bullards Beach State Park, a large, family-friendly park north of Bandon. Yurts and campsites are available, and adjoining hiking paths wind through sandy dunes and marsh to a serene 4.5-mile stretch of beach.

PLAY: The newly completed Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway offers a 60-mile web of customizable biking options winding through three state parks, beginning at Cape Blanco in Port Orford and stretching inland to the Copper Salmon Wilderness. Enjoy expansive river and sea vistas as you cruise past cranberry bogs, swimming holes, and lighthouses. Then, marvel at a wealth of protected marine life at nearby Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve — one of just five such designated coastal reserves — whose tidepools house a vibrant mix of crab, nudibranchs, sea stars and algae.

OREGON STATE PARKS

EAT: True to its name, Mattie’s Pancake House

REEDSPORT

COOS BAY BANDON

PORT ORFORD

in Brookings offers up steamy hotcake stacks dressed in everything from fruit to chocolate chips, plus 18 types of omelet, all available to go.

Rent traps and poles from Tony’s Crab Shack and coax your dinner from an easy-to-access boat ramp dock on the Coquille River. The fishing’s good year round and the Dungeness crab and red rock crab begin to hit their prime at the tail end of summer. Tony’s will even clean and cook your catch when you’re done. If nothing’s biting, head to Coos Bay’s Fisherman’s Seafood Market, a barge-turned-restaurant/fishmonger that boasts the freshest seafood around.

TONY’S CRAB SHACK

PRO TIP: Battle Rock Park is the place to be on July 4th if you want to catch the Oregon Coast’s most impressive fireworks display.

TRAVEL TIME FROM DOWNTOWN PDX TO BANDON: 246 miles/4.5 hours BROOKINGS

Erin J. Bernard lives in the Vernon neighborhood with her husband and (hilarious) toddler, just four blocks from the house her maternal grandfather grew up in. She blogs about creativity and the craft of writing at: writerinfull.com.

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OREGON STATE PARKS

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e r e h T o t e From Her GEAR GUIDE

kids ❤ adventures The Pacific Northwest has it all: Scenic coastline and rushing river rapids, dormant volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, hidden waterfalls and caves to explore and destination cities with unique food and a variety of places to stay.

Headlamp: Perfect for any adventure where daylight is in short supply.

With the chance to bike, raft, hike, zip-line and so much more, it’s no wonder that our backyard is one big natural playground for families seeking adventures. Here are six of our favorite summer getaways, all within a few hours drive from Portland.

Plus, outfit your kid as you hit the road, river or trail with gear picks from our friends at Next Adventure, 426 SE Grand Ave. nextadventure.net

Woolen socks: Wool socks keep feet insulated from cold and wet conditions.

Mount saint helens Mount Hood gets all the glory when it comes to the PDX skyline, but Mount Saint Helens, just about a two-hour drive away, is a huge adventure in its own right, completely unlike any other destination thanks to its 1980 eruption and the aftermath. If you haven’t taken your kids to Ape Caves yet, this is your chance — the trail features the longest lava tube in the continental United States and even on the hottest days, it’s a steady 42 degrees down there. (Pro tip: Bring headlamps if you’ve got them!) Older kids will dig the live seismographs and geology exhibits at the Johnson Ridge Observatory, while little ones will have fun with the National Parks’ Junior Ranger program scavenger hunts and puzzles. Other hiking options include the Trail of Two Forests, which has giant holes in the ground where trees once

Base layers: Polyester base layers wick moisture and keep kids dry.

stood, big enough for the world’s best ever game of hide and seek, the 2.5-mile Hummocks Trail and the Volcano View Trail, which is stroller-friendly and offers a peek at the mountain. Stay at Eco Park Resort just outside the national park, where you can rent a cabin for four people for $150 a night or pitch a tent for $25. Pro tip: Book one of the family-friendly horseback riding tours to get a birds-eye view tour of how Mount Saint Helens is returning to life, nearly 40 years after the eruption. For dinner, try the beefy “logger stew” in a bread bowl at the resort’s Backwoods Cafe. (Don’t worry vegetarians / vegans / the gluten-free, there are choices for you on the menu, too.) — Julia Silverman

ble at Next Adve ntur e.

Convertible trekking pants: Prepare kiddos for any weather with these lightweight pants that zip off into shorts.

A

r ea ll g

ila ava

Lantern: Long-lasting LED will light up any night under the stars.

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e r e h T o t e r e H From

kids ❤ adventures

GEAR GUIDE

Maupin Let’s be honest: There’s really only one reason to come to this friendly, sunbaked town in northcentral Oregon — the mighty Deschutes River. We submit that in August, when the flows are low Water sandals: Protect tiny toes on slippery surfaces.

and the temperature is hot, there’s no better place in Oregon to introduce your kids to the joys of river rafting. (They’ll need to be at least 4 years old to go with a rafting company, though.) A scenic drive of about two and a quarter hours gets you there. Sign up in advance with one of the rafting outfits in town — we like All-Star and River Drifters — and settle in for a fun, splashy ride. The highlights are the swooping class-3 rapids known as Boxcar and Wapinitia. Brave older kiddos can “ride the bull,” perched astride the bow of the raft — but smaller kids will want to stick in the rear

Youth paddle: Smaller shaft and grip for young paddlers.

of the boat near your guide. Make sure to ask your guide to bring along some water guns so you can retaliate in kind if you get ambushed by other rafters, and be on the

Sunscreen: Long-lasting, water-resistant prevention is step one.

lookout for slower moving stretches of water where you can take a dip. You could make it a day trip, but we recommend staying the night at the Imperial

After sun moisturizer: Relieve the pain and dryness of exposure to the sun.

River Company’s hotel, which has family-friendly connecting rooms, a huge grassy lawn that slopes down to the river, a fire-pit for s’mores and a kidpleasing menu. — J.S.

Youth personal floatation device: Grown-up fit and features sized for kids.

When you are hitting the road, you need tunes the whole family can enjoy. We’ve come up with a list of songs new and old that capture the spirit of adventuring together.

See What We Can See — Frances England, Explorer of the World ble at Next Adve ntur e.

Through the Woods — The Okee Dokee Brothers, Through the Woods Can You Canoe? — The Okee Dokee Brothers, Through the Woods

A

ea ll g

la vai ra

Raft: Inflatable raft for quick trips around the lake or waterfront

SPONSORED BY

Born In the Deep Woods — Red Yarn, Born in the Deep Woods Sand + Imagination — Tim Kubart, Building Blocks Outside — The Green Orbs, Thumb Wrestling Champions Magic Believers — Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band featuring Mista Cookie Jar, Made in LA Supa Stupefying — Mo Phillips, Supa Stupefying ¿Come Se Dice? — The Lucky Band, Buenos Diaz Down by the Riverside — Jazzy Ash, Swing Set Fireflies — Mister G, Fireflies — Denise Castañon

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GEAR GUIDE

Mount Rainier On Portland’s clearest days, Mount Rainier can be glimpsed from the city’s overlooks, reminding us that this Child carrier: Lightweight and supportive carrier to transport tired tots.

treasured national park is only a 2.5-hour drive from Portland.

Base your family in nearby Ashford, the gateway town to the park’s southwestern entrance. From there,

Youth backpack: Built with extra room for long weekend trips backpacking.

you can spend a day exploring in and around the park — strollerfriendly trails include the Nisqually Vista

trail at Paradise Lodge,

and Trail of the Shadows

at the Longmire base. Kids Binoculars: Spot flora and fauna with clear viewing binoculars.

ages 3 and older can try their hands at the Junior Ranger program — drawing pictures and answering questions about the park to earn a stamp in their National Parks passport. Or head west about 8 miles from Ashford to find

Puffy blanket: Akin to a sleeping bag, these blankets were made to snuggle.

the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad, which wends

its way across the upper Nisqually River and to the train museum at Mineral, Wash., which houses old,

ble at Next Adve ntur e.

logging, steam locomotives.

For food, check out Wildberry

Restaurant, which has plenty

la vai ra

Seat: Equally great for movies in the park or nights around the campfire.

of kid-friendly standbys, but also a menu of Himalayan sherpa-inspired foods, like bowls. Book a family-friendly cabin at Stone Creek Lodge,

A

ea ll g

momo dumplings and thali SPONSORED BY

where guests gather around a communal campfire to make s’mores on summer evenings.

— J.S. 40

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Columbia River Gorge The Eagle Creek fire in the summer of 2017 broke Portland’s collective heart, and left many of us wondering what we could do to help restore our beloved Columbia River Gorge. Here’s one answer: Go visit, and help out those who depend on tourist dollars. Base yourselves in the hip little burg of White Salmon, Wash., just across the Columbia from Hood River, where you’ve got easy access to some of the region’s best (and fire unaffected) trails. Our pick is Falls Creek Falls in the Gifford Pinchot National

OREGON STATE PARKS DEPARTMENT

Forest, 3.4 miles out and back with minimal elevation gain. For indoor fun, the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center has neat exhibits on the history of the area.

pendleton

Visit the friendly G. Willikers’ toy store in Hood River, or

It’s kind of ironic that to get to Pendleton from Portland, you

buy books for everyone on your list at the independent Waucoma Books, just up the street. When it’s time to eat, we like Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon — their kid’s menu has a pick-three, build-a-plate option for $7 and includes healthy choices like black beans, roasted sweet potatoes and red grapes; their beer selection can throw down with the best of PDX’s brewpubs. Bunk down at the historic old Inn of the White Salmon, where the family king suite comes with bunk beds and a comfy king-sized bed for you. — J.S.

have to head east. Because the little city along the Umatilla River that functions as a gateway to the dry side of Oregon bills itself as “The Real West.” And indeed, even if you’re not visiting during the world-famous Pendleton Round-up, Pendleton is a great place to take your little cowgirls and cowboys for a taste of the old-timey wild west. Start at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, about 10 minutes outside of town, at the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The museum tells the familiar story of the pioneers on the Oregon Trail from the perspective of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes, and includes hands-on exhibits that make plain the deep and abiding connection between the Native tribes and their lands. Next, stop off at Emigrant Springs State Park, a popular resting point along the Oregon Trail and stretch your legs on the nature trail there. Back in Pendleton proper, kids will love the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon on Main Street, which has tons of educational exhibits and activities for ages 0-6, including a Lewis and Clarkthemed area. You will drool over the signature wool clothing and blankets on display at Pendleton Woolen Mills, an iconic Oregon brand. Tours of the factory are available on weekdays at 9 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Grumbling tummies will be wellserved at Prodigal Son Brewery and Pub, the city’s first craft brewery, which has surefire kid pleasers like mac and cheese with a side of seasonal veggies and a quesadilla with greens on the menu. To sleep, check out the fantastically named NEIGHbors bed and breakfast, which offers accommodations for horses and people alike, including a 600-square-foot apartment with a queen bed and queen futon in the living room, and a view of the property’s horses grazing in the field out your window. It’s just $105 per night (bring your own horse and you get a $20 discount.) — J.S. pdxparent.com

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e r e h T o t e r e From H

kids ❤ adventures

GEAR GUIDE

Astoria The secret’s out about this awesome town on the mouth of the Columbia River. Start your visit at Fort Clatsop

National Historical Park, where you can trace Lewis and Clark’s journey Youth rain pants: Versatile piece for urban commutes or rainy-day adventures.

to the sea and explore a replica of the fort they built to shelter them over the long winter of 1805-1806.

Afterwards, stretch your legs by hiking the Fort-to-Sea trail — smaller kids will want to turn around when you’ve reached the summit of Clatsop Ridge, in about 2 miles. Back in town, rent

DON FRANK PHOTOGRAPHY

bikes from Bikes and Beyond and

head out on the Astoria River Trail, Rain jacket: Perfect for any day in the Pacific Northwest.

a 5-mile-long wooden boardwalk that reminds you that for all its tourist gloss, Astoria is still very much a working port. You’ll go under the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the world’s largest truss bridge, which spans the mighty Columbia. Not cyclists? The quaint Astoria

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streetcar covers part of the same route. On nice days, it’s worth a trip up to the Trekking shorts: Comfortable and chafe-free, breathable shorts make for fun adventures.

top of the Astoria Column, a 125-foot tower painted with murals that recall key moments in Oregon history.

For lunch, many people swear by Bowpicker Fish & Chips, located near the Columbia River Maritime

Water bottle: Collapsible water bottle for hydration anywhere you go.

Museum in a converted gillnet boat; for dinner, try the Buoy Beer Company,

ea lg Al

The Columbia River Maritime Museum’s mission is to preserve and share

pier while you eat. Stop by

the rich maritime history and culture of the Columbia River. It is home to the

themed gift shop, to pick Hiking boots: Waterproof hiking boots keep baby bunions at bay.

up souvenirs (last time, we got our kids a plastic Viking helmet). Stay at the

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Maritime Center. In all, the Museum is responsible for more than 40,000 objects and 20,000 photographs. Classes, workshops, demonstrations, lectures and other educational programs are offered on a regular basis.

waterfront, where there are

1792 Marine Dr., Astoria

most rooms. — J.S.

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and rotating exhibits, a lightship, 3D movie theater, gift shop and the Barbey

Cannery Pier Hotel on the

and views of the river from

May 2019

largest collection of maritime artifacts in the Pacific Northwest, and houses a 10,000-volume research library. The Museum includes both permanent

Learn more at crmm.org.

free snacks at happy hour

42

Columbia River Maritime Museum

sea lions lounging on the Finn Ware, a Scandinavian-

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where kids can watch the

Hours: Daily, 9:30am-5:00pm

Admission Prices: $14 adults, $5 kids (ages 6-17).

Senior and AAA discounts available.

www.crmm.org

Field Trip

Hit the Links

The driving range goes high tech at Topgolf in Hillsboro.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JULIA SILVERMAN

A

h, Spring. That time of year when a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of … golf?

Okay, that may not be just as the poet Alfred Tennyson intended that line. But it’s true enough for my son, who on the first spring-like weekend of this year was all too happy to excavate the set of clubs his golf-loving grandparents gifted him from the dark recesses of our storage closet and head out to hit some balls.

Though Portland has some excellent and kid-friendly golf course options, we headed this time for Topgolf, the newfangled driving range on the very edge of Hillsboro, just off of Highway 26. My son needed some practice after the long winter, and I thought the mix of technology and sport would be just the ticket.

If you’re used to a more traditional driving range experience, Topgolf can seem like a bit of a sensory overload. You reserve one of their 100-plus spaces (or “bays”) in advance, and pay according to the time of day. Pro tip: If you show up before noon, it’s $25 an hour per bay, which works out to $4.18 a person if you’re there with a group of six. And you get unlimited balls to hit, which makes this a competitive deal, since a big bucket of balls at a local driving range usually runs at least $10, and runs out in about half an hour.

The difference at Topgolf is that each ball is equipped with a microchip, allowing the scoreboard in your bay to track exactly where your ball has landed on the range.

And the range itself is dotted with targets, some of them just 20 or so yards away, others more than 200 yards out. The trick

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

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is to hit your ball in the vicinity of the targets — the closer you get to the flag, the more “points” pop up under your name on the computer scoreboard that hangs above every bay. There are also bonuses and the chance to double the score on the next round, too, so a good player can rack up the points quickly, not unlike bowling.

You can also scroll through the monitor to choose your game. More experienced players

TEEING OFF:

More PDX-area golf options

might like a game that demands more precision, like hitting each of the targets in turn; Ben and I settled for the more basic version — take turns hitting balls, and celebrating wildly every time one of them made it anywhere close to a target.

Yes, I played too, though my knowledge of golf is rudimentary at best. Another plus for Topgolf is that clearly labeled sets of clubs, for men and women, are included at each bay, so I really had no excuse not to give it a whirl. When we arrived, a host checked if either of us needed left-handed clubs, and kid and toddler clubs were also available.

Like most of his generation, Ben is fluent in screen, so he immediately grasped how to wave his club over the ball dispenser’s sensor to trigger a new one. He also dug the instant feedback available from the screen after every shot, and was able to use it to choose which club to use based on which target he wanted to hit.

For me, it was a little less intuitive — at first, I kept waving my club wildly, but no ball appeared from the dispenser until Ben sighed and stepped in to help. Mastering the scoreboard also took a little doing, since I kept forgetting to tap the screen when it was my turn to switch to my setting, and thus my frequent misses were recorded as Ben’s. No matter, as Ben figured out right away how to readjust the score with a few quick taps, though I had to keep a close eye to make sure he didn’t “accidentally” tack a few extra points onto his total.

After about 15 minutes, we settled into a groove. It is hard to underestimate the pure pleasure of smacking a ball so it gets some good “up-in-the-air-action!” as my mom says. (This is not a technical golf term, but it’s accurate.)

The head-to-head nature of the Topgolf experience, especially reflected on screen, is a direct lift from video game culture, and it can lead to some heated competition — after a few lucky shots, I was actually beating Ben in one matchup, and he was not pleased. To keep the peace, I eventually stepped back and just let him go into practice mode. His shots got longer and more accurate the more he played and pushed himself. He got wrapped up enough that he even forgot to check the screen between shots, on occasion.

Of note: If we’d wanted to play on a colder or rainier day, we’d have been fine, since there are powerful outdoor heaters (or coolers, as needed) located at every bay. There’s also a food and drink menu and a table at each bay. Plenty of people around us were digging into brunch fare, from an acai superfood bowl with blueberries, avocado, kale and toasted coconut for $11 and 620 calories to the “hot mess” waffle fries toppped with pulled pork, a fried egg and pickled jalapeno for $12.50 and 1,980 calories (hopefully, large enough for two or more!). There’s drip coffee, for early morning tee times, and a full cocktail bar.

There were a number of other kids around on the Saturday morning that Ben and I were there and Topgolf offers some special deals for families, including a Summer Season Pass — $149 gets you unlimited game play all summer long, every weekday until 5 pm, for up to six people, if you buy before May 27 (after that, the price goes to $199). They also do birthday parties and offer kid-focused golf clinics and camps.

If you go: Topgolf, 5505 NE Huffman St., Hillsboro. topgolf.com/us/ hillsboro.

Julia Silverman is PDX Parent’s editor. She’s not a bad putter, either.

The Colwood Golf Center has turf mats and sells

The First Tee of Greater Portland, which offers inexpensive

size, to accommodate all ages. When you’re ready to

Golf &Tennis. Kids will be mostly on the driving range, but

range balls by the small, medium or large bucket

get out on the course, they have an all par-3 course that’s great for kids. 7313 NE Columbia Blvd.

lessons for kids from all walks of life, is based at Glendoveer can get out on the course towards the end of the series of lessons. Summer golf camps too! 14015 NE Glisan St.

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SUMMER CAMPS

CAMP ROCKSTAR

AT THE CIRCUIT GYM Campers will improve their balance, coordination, phsyical strength, problem-solving abilities, and cultivate confidence on and off the wall.

JUNE - AUGUST ¡ 9A-2P $279 per week | Discounts available.

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an accessible and inclusive directory pdxparent.com/umbrella PDX Parent Umbrella serves the thousands of families in the Portland/Vancouver area who require special services for their children.

If your business offers resources for families experiencing disabilities, you should be in PDX Parent Umbrella.

For more information visit: pdxparent.com/umbrella-listing.

Reservation deadline June 12.

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SUMMER CAMPS

a High-energy, hands-on stem camp

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This Mom Life

Parental Controls Tips for a screen-lite summer with the kids

BY TONI HAMMER

S

ummer is right around the corner, which means parks, camps, sleeping in and lazy days at home.

With screens.

So many screens.

In my apartment, we have TVs and cell phones and Nintendo Switches and the list goes on.

As a work-from-home mom in the social media space, I am on my laptop and phone a lot. I don’t feel guilty about it when my kids are in school because they’re not here to see it, but when they’re home, I become acutely aware of how often I have blue light shining on my face. And while I’d like to say it’s always for work reasons, it’s not.

I like to scroll Facebook for family updates, Instagram for inspiration, and YouTube for funny cat videos. I’m only human, after all. It’s a part of my life and I’m not ashamed or embarrassed by it, but I do want my children to see more of my face than my phone case, you know?

How do you find the balance between “It’s OK for me to have a few minutes to check in on social media or write a quick email” and “I’ve been staring at my laptop for so long, I’ve forgotten what color eyes my son has?”

Exaggeration aside, it’s a real problem. On one hand, yes, it’s fine to unwind. We all need a way to turn off our brain. On the other hand, generations upon generations survived without screens, so why can’t we seem to put them away?

I’ve been pondering this question for a few weeks now, trying to come up with a plan for the long summer days where we’re all home together more often. Here’s what seems to be working for me and I hope these tips work for you as well.

1. Set your phone in a place where you’re not tempted to grab it.

Instead of keeping it on the coffee table or in your pocket, try putting it on top of your fridge with the sound on. That way you can hear

if you get a text or a call, but you’re not obsessively looking at it just because it’s there.

2. Save some chores to do when the kids are home so you can be available for conversation and connection. I’ll fold the laundry when they’re home from school because it’s easy to talk with them while I do it. Or I’ll even help them clean their room because it means we’re spending time together, working as a team, and I don’t have my phone in my hand. More intense or loud chores like scrubbing the bathroom or vacuuming, I do when they’re out of the house.

3. On weekends, if I don’t have something pressing I’ll set a timer for while I’m on my laptop. Thirty minutes in the morning while I drink my coffee, thirty minutes after lunch, and then I’ll wait until they’re in bed to pull it out. My kids are learning that when I have it out I’m working and it will only be for a few minutes.

Not only am I starting to set boundaries with myself, I hope I’m teaching my kids to have a healthy relationship with the screens in their life. As they grow older and technology evolves, it’s going to be even more tempting to always have our eyeballs locked onto a device instead of the people in front of us. And as technology changes, my rules and parameters will change. As my kids get older, I may loosen or tighten the reins on technology in our house depending on the circumstances. For now, though, these strategies are working and I hope they help all of us have a more screen-free summer than we have had in the past.

Toni Hammer is a Beaverton-based confidence coach who helps women entrepreneurs to build their confidence so they can build their business.

You can learn more about her offerings at tonihammer.com.

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The Craft Factory The Craft Factory is a craft studio and birthday party specialist located in the heart of Multnomah Village in SW Portland.

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Rose City Futsal Have a happy birthday at Rose City Futsal! We provide futsal and fun in a relaxing airconditioned atmosphere! While kids play soccer and games on the court, parents can relax and watch from above on the mezzanine. Spring and summer birthday party reservations now open for booking on rosecityfutsal.com. Experience the heart of the game with your friends and family!

10831 Cascade Ave., Tigard » 971-727-8481 5010 NE Oregon St., Portland » 503-734-2382 info@rosecityfutsal.com » rosecityfutsal.com 58

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Pietro’s Pizza Pietro’s Pizza, a Northwest family favorite since 1957.

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

Family Supper

You, Me and a Spot of Tea L

ittle sandwiches, warm scones, dainty desserts, beautiful cups — all the small touches elevate high tea from a plain, old meal. It’s something I’ve appreciated for a long time. So when I heard about Lovejoy’s Tearoom of Portland opening up, I knew my family would have to try it out, including my son, Cruz, 4, who had never experienced a tea service before Lovejoy’s Tearoom of Portland is like a fussy English grandmother’s living room landed on NE Killingsworth, but in a good way. Lace curtains, spindly mismatched chairs, doilies on the tables, and dainty, fragile tea cups all give the space a slightly kitschy charm. We had dressed up for tea, as had many other patrons who donned hats, fancy dresses and even gloves.

We made a reservation for noon the day before we planned to go.

Pro tip: When I made the reservation, there were same-day spot available as well, so don’t panic if you want to reserve last-minute.

(Unless you’re planning a Mother’s Day trip, then book ASAP!) My husband grumbled a little at the thought of going for lunch, convinced he’d never be filled up with finger sandwiches.

He needn’t have worried. The menu gives several options, from light snacks to a multi-tiered spread guaranteed to fill up someone who had been working in the garden all morning. My husband and I each chose the hearty Queen’s Tea, which came with two sandwiches of our choice, cabbage salad in a punchy caraway dressing, spring greens, a scone with preserves and Devon cream, a crumpet with lemon curd, fruit, a petit four and a shortbread biscuit, $29.95 per person. I tried the cucumber and cream cheese, and turkey chutney sandwiches, while my husband went for the salmon and cream cheese, and pickle chutney and cheese.

We delighted in eating our way through the layers, and found ourselves quite full when the plate of petit four arrived.

Introduce your kids to the joys of finger sandwiches and scones at the new Lovejoy’s Tearoom of Portland — just in time for Mother’s Day. STORY AND PHOTOS

BY DENISE CASTAÑON The extensive loose tea list varies from black to green to decaf to herbal choices.

I choose the strong black afternoon darjeeling and the kids loved the decaffeinated chocolate truffle tea with sugar and cream.

We ordered each kid a Wee Tea, which included a cream cheese and jelly sandwich (or any sandwich from the list), a scone with preserves, fruit, a lollipop, and a petit four, $18.95 each. Adela complained about not liking any of the sandwich options, but we ordered her the jelly and cream cheese anyway. She loved it once she tried it. Cruz, having just eaten numerous stalks of roasted asparagus the night before, asked for the chicken and asparagus sandwich. But the canned asparagus on the sandwich creeped him out. (He did eat some of the sandwich after I scraped off the offending green stuff.) Both kids especially loved the warm scones, slathering them with cream and preserves. And they devoured the ample portions of pineapple, strawberries, honeydew and blackberries.

I had made the mistake of not laying out clear expectations for Cruz before we got to the tearoom. He’s usually on his best behavior when we go out to eat, but the minute we were seated he started playing with the fragile plates and cup. I hissed at him to please leave the plates alone. But what really saved our trip was the fact that our tea and food came out so quickly. He was just fine once he had a buttery scone to eat, saying, “I call this place Scones and Tea!” So everyone was won over by Lovejoy’s Tearoom of Portland — from hungry husband to antsy 4-year-old.

3286 NE Killingsworth St. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am- 6 pm.

Reservations recommended. 503-567-7888. Lovejoysportland.com.

Managing editor Denise Castañon loves scoping out the best new restaurants in Portland with her husband and their 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son — even when the kids are in a picky mood.

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Recipe File

Give quinoa a makeover with vibrant Mexican flavors STORY AND PHOTO

BY JUDITH RICH

Fiesta Bowls I

n a quest to be creative with my food, I often use Mexican flavors to spice things up. Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, I wanted to introduce a simple, but flavorful Mexican quinoa salad that works well as either a side dish or the main event.

Crunchy tortilla chips give this salad great texture, so they are a must. But other than that, you can rummage in your pantry and add as you like. Traditional add-ons might include beef, chicken, black or pinto beans, salsa, corn and avocado.

As always, be liberal with the cheese or let the kids sprinkle it on themselves so they feel involved. You can eat this dish in a bowl, as we do in our family, serve it as a salad over a bowl of greens, or pop it into a crunchy or soft taco shell. Pair it with a delicious horchata or an agua fresca and you’ve got yourself a partay!

Mexican Quinoa Bowls

Directions

Serves 4 1 cup quinoa 2 handfuls of crushed tortilla chips 1 15-ounce can of black beans 1 cup store-bought mild salsa 1 cup frozen corn

½ pound of ground meat such as beef or chicken (optional) 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Small handful of chopped cilantro Avocado cut into ½-inch cubes Taco shells or salad greens (optional)

1. Cook quinoa according to the directions on the packaging.

2. If using meat, cook in a medium pan with olive oil for about 8-10 minutes or until cooked through.

3. Fluff quinoa with a fork and then add the rest of the ingredients including the meat, if using.

4. Top with shredded cheese, avocado and chopped cilantro.

5. Place into taco shells or salad greens, if using.

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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Time Out

VSTAR ENTERTAINMENT

dog days Marshall, Skye, Zuma and the rest of the Paw Patrol pups will be landing in Portland this month. In Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure, the pack of pups will be following

DOUG O’LOUGHLIN

read the funnies Around our house, we talk about how the kids have inherited “the comics gene.” So naturally, Free Comic Book Day is a can’t-miss event, and every year it feels like more comic book shops in Portland join the fun. This year, the available titles have something for everyone, from a new installment of Jeffrey Brown’s popular Lucy and Andy Neanderthal series to Riverdale, Stranger Things and Minecraftthemed titles. Check out freecomicbookday.com to find a participating store near you and head over there — you’ll likely find comic book authors ready to sign their creations, kid-friendly crafting activities and more.

Saturday, May 4, times vary according to store.

the clues of a mysterious map as they hunt for treasure. Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12. Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Tickets start at $21 at pawpatrollive.com

May | 2019

go. play. explore. rethink cinco On this May 5, honor the true spirit of Cinco de Mayo at the Portland Mercado’s Makers de Mayo event. The “decolonized” market will highlight the handmade works of black, indigenous and people of color and feature the sounds of Noche Libre Latinx DJ Collective. And of course some of Portland’s most popular food carts will be slinging some of the best Latin food in PDX. Sunday, May 5, noon-6 pm. Free admission.

a bug’s life Think bugs are just tiny irritants to be swatted?

Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly, a new production from Oregon Children’s Theatre, asks its audience to think again. The three title characters — the unlikeliest of friends — grapple with relatable issues, including ego, helping family members and growing into independence.

Based on the super-popular books by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, this is best for ages 4 and up. The show opens on Saturday, May 4, and continues through June 2, with performances on Saturdays at 2 pm and 5 pm, and 11 am and 2 pm on Sundays. For tickets and more, visit octc.org.

serenity now!

The children take over the normally zen and tranquil Portland Japanese Garden when they celebrate Kodomo No Hi, or Children’s Day. Your family will find origami helmet making, Taiko drum performances, a kidJONATHAN LEY friendly tea ceremony, a haiku scavenger hunt and a koi parade to cap off the day. Sunday, May 5, 10 am-1 pm. Free with garden admission.

Looking for accessible events for kids of all abilities? Check out 62

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all for play and play for all After years of discussion and planning, the new inclusive playground at Couch Park in Northwest Portland is finally ready for its next act. The massive old wooden structure there was beloved, but an accident waiting to happen; the new playground

PORTLAND PARKS AND RECREATION

has been in the works for five years. The space now includes inclusive swings

word to your mother

and quiet spaces for contemplation, as well as some slick new

Want your kids or significant other to plan a fun Mother’s Day activitiy for you? Just leave this magazine lying around with your preferred activity highlighted. If you love puttering around the garden the Camas Mother’s Day Plant & Garden Fair on Saturday, May 11, 9 am-4 pm is for you. Find plants, trees and supplies to make your garden shine. Bonus: There are plenty of kids activities to keep the littles entertained and you can hire a Boy Scout to cart your haul to your car!

Or check out the Mother’s Day Show and Sale at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden on Saturday, May 11, noon to 5 pm and Sunday, May 12, 9 am-5 pm. Is your Mother’s Day wish to just have someone else to do the cooking? (Raises hand.) Try the Mother’s Day brunch at the Oregon Zoo or the Portland Spirit’s Mother’s Day Cruise, both on Sunday, May 12. Does that all sound too tame, and you’d rather get your blood pumping?

Sign up for the Run Mama Run 5/10K race at Mount Tabor on Saturday, May 11. After you’ve raced up and down a volcano enjoy some coffee, beer or a post-race massage. Ah. Sign up at runmamarunpdx.org.

include free cake, food and kid-friendly activities. 1 pm-3pm .

equipment. The grand opening is Saturday, May 4, and will (Pro tip: If you’ve gotta go while you’re there, it’s also a grand opening for a brand new Portland Loo.)

turn up for science The folks behind the Portland March for Science are back, this year with a more interactive — and kid-friendly — event for all those who are fans of science, technology and rational thought. Think of it as the coolest science fair ever, with tons of interactive, hands-on exhibits. Your kiddos can attend a mini-coding bootcamp, while you learn how to decode a scientific paper, and then the whole family can reunite for the Subzero nitrogen ice cream demo (um, YUM). National Science Fair winners will be on hand to display their winning projects, and local robotics teams will let you try out their kid-built contraptions. Hosted by the University of Oregon’s Portland campus at 70 NW Couch St. Saturday, May 11, 1 pm-5 pm. Free for kids under 6, $5 for students and $7 for adults. Find tickets via marchforsciencepdx.org.

gods and monsters Perhaps you’ve got a kid who overnight become fully fluent in the mythology of the Ancient Greek gods? You’ve likely got author Rick Riordan to thank, courtesy of his super-popular Percy Jackson series, which is a big hit with the elementary-school crowd. If your kiddo is a fan of everyone’s favorite demigod, consider an outing to see the musical adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, which plays the Keller Auditorium for a two night stand on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7 and 8.

Sure, it’s on a school night, but what kid will want to pass up the chance to spend a night at Camp Half-Blood? $30-$60 per ticket; visit portland5.com for tickets. Shows at 7:30 pm.

JEREMY DANIEL

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

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Time Out just for the vets Calling all vets, and their family members. There’s a new, weekend-long event happening at Oaks Amusement Park called Vet Fest that’s just for you and yours. Hit the USO-style dance at the park’s historic dance pavilion, race in a 7K fun run supporting veterans’ aid organizations and gather plenty of information about veteran-owned businesses. Plus special pricing on ride bracelets at the park for vets and their families! Starting at noon on Friday, May 17 and running through Sunday, May 19. Check out vfrcoregon.org for more info.

beatlesmania!

Join the intrepid volunteers of Bark Northwest, a nonprofit that fights against logging and deforestation in the Mount Hood national forest, for a special springtime outing to the land of the fairies. Your family can go with their guides to the site of a planned timber sale in the national forest, to learn more about the forest ecosystem and look for signs that fairies might be near. (Think red tree voles, salamanders and more.) Kids can build fairy houses using natural materials, too!

Carpools will leave from 4420 NE Hancock St. at 9 am on Sunday, May 12. It’s a full day — expect to be back in town around 5 pm. Pack lunch, water and snacks. Call Bark at 503-331-0374 for more info and to sign up.

PRESS CONFERENCE AT MAPLE LEAF CENTER, TORONTO, CANADA, SEPTEMBER 7, 1964, ©THE BOB BONIS ARCHIVE

a walk in the woods

Abbey Road comes to Portland! To celebrate the opening of their new exhibit, Ladies & Gentlemen….The Beatles!, the Oregon Historical Society is throwing a Beatles-themed party for the whole family. Kid performers from around the Portland area, including Bach to Rock Tanasbourne, School of Rock Portland and the RiverCity Rock Star Academy will be playing, and you can check out clothing worn by band members, original lyrics sheets written by Paul McCartney and more Beatles-abilia. And check out kid-friendly interactive elements, including a virtual drumming lesson from Ringo and a playable home-made skiffle bass. Saturday, May 18, noon to 4 pm. Free for Multnomah County residents and museum members.

FLICKR-CREATIVE COMMONS/WAYNE HSEIH

tall tales in kenton

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If you haven’t been to visit the giant statue of the mythical lumberjack Paul Bunyan in Kenton, you’re missing out on one of Portland’s best (and kitchiest) landmarks. Celebrate the statue’s 60th birthday and the 10th anniversary of the Kenton State Fair on North Denver between North Watts and North Interstate, the neighborhood’s main drag. Things get rolling with a kids’ parade. There’s also a coaster car demo, a dedicated area for the kiddos and three live music stages. Sunday, May 19, 10 am-6 pm. Free. (And as for the dress code, lumberjack chic is encouraged).

Join the crowd of construction-truckobsessed toddlers at Dozer Day. This unique two-day event allows kids to actually operate excavators, loaders and bulldozers (with expert help). Plus kiddos can clamber on fire trucks, ambulances and garbage trucks, too. Pro tip: Don’t get sidetracked by the tire crawl or sand pit, go directly to the line to drive the vechicles — and prepare your kiddos for a wait. (It is worth it!). Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 11 am-4 pm.

Clark County Fairgrounds in Ridgefield, Washington. Visit vancouver. dozerday.org for more information.

everything’s coming up roses Portland’s signature summertime event kicks off on May 24 this year, with all the carnival rides and food you know and love, from a giant ferris wheel looming over the Willamette River to elephant ears on a stick. The theme of this year’s opening weekend of The Rose Festival’s CityFair is Superheroes and Villains, with the trademark fireworks coming on Friday, May 24, but the most kid-friendly activities of the weekend are reserved for Memorial Day Monday when local kindie favorites take over the mainstage with magic shows, concerts and more, between noon

DENISE CASTAÑON

and 4 pm. Admission is $8 for ages 7 and up; visit rosefestival.org for more info.

COLUMBIA RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL: CONNIE GIBSON

canoe the slough Celebrate summer’s advent with a twilight canoe trip on the Columbia River Slough. The slow-moving waters are safe for the entire family, especially if you plan to take out a “bimaran” — essentially two canoes strapped together.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to bring your own boat in order to participate. The Columbia River Watershed Council will have a variety of single and tandem kayaks, plus the aforementioned bimarans, for you to borrow, free of charge.

There will also be lifejackets and paddles on hand. But don’t sleep on this one — boat selection is first come, first served. Thursday, May 23, 5 pm. Meet at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park, register in advance at columbiaslough.org. Free, but there’s a suggested donation of at least $10 per person.

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i like big trucks

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Nothing says summer’s coming in Portland like Sunday Parkways! Families always turn out in force for these super popular events, which close down miles of streets to traffic, clearing the way for biking, rolling, scooting, skateboarding, strollering, jogging and walking at whatever pace you like (even a 2-year-old on a balance bike can keep up). There are regular PORTLAND BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION/FLICKR pit stops around the 7-mile route through Southeast Portland, too, at Laurelhurst, Colonel Summers, Ivon and Sewallcrest Parks, where you’ll find music, activities and kid-friendly food choices. Sunday, May 19, 11 am-4 pm. Free.

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rolling, rolling, rolling

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Parentlandia

“The nursery is almost finished.�

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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