Secrets of the City for Families & Pets

Insider tips for <i>all</i> your creatures! From holistic vets to hamster hotels to cat piles, everything a Portland pet owner needs to know. Plus: 20+ ideas for family fun.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

The Shakedown

It’s Portlandia’s Penultimate Season. We Shake It Down.

You ready, Fred and Carrie?

01/23/2017 By Marty Patail

The Essentials

PDX Jazz Festival to the Last Artful, Dodgr: February’s Pop Culture Hot List

The album, festival, show, and book you need to know this month.

01/23/2017 By Fiona McCann

Music

Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Sallie Ford Changes Course

The Portland musician’s second solo album is her most confessional work to date.

01/23/2017 By Arlo Voorhees

Visual Art

This Pendleton Institute Is a Beacon for Native Art

In its 25 years, Crow’s Shadow has helped make Oregon a stronghold of modern Native work.

01/23/2017 By Fiona McCann

Eat & Drink

Hit List

Portland's Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Sticky hands, temper tantrums, and picky eaters are welcome at these 24 eateries.

01/25/2017 By Eat Beat Team

Eat Here Now

After a Shaky Start, Bar Casa Vale Finds Its Footing

With a long sherry menu and Spanish drinking food, Nate Tilden’s newest spot looks to make good on its promise.

01/23/2017 By Benjamin Tepler

Pour

Vitaly Paley Gives the Heathman Tearoom a Russian Makeover

Towering silver samovars. House-cured salmon sandwiches. A cavalcade of sweets. High tea is cobwebby no more.

01/23/2017 By Kelly Clarke

Recipes

How to Master the Supreme Chinese Soup Dumpling

Take a bao—we’ve got tips from Portland chef Jasper Shen.

01/23/2017 By Benjamin Tepler

Home Bars

From Rocker Dives to Tiki Wonderlands, Portland’s Most Amazing Home Bars

Last call? Never.

01/23/2017 By Kelly Clarke Photography by NASHCO PHOTO

Editor's Note

From the Editor: Our Pets, Ourselves

Few topics have evoked greater passion among Portland Monthly staffers.

01/23/2017 By Zach Dundas

News & City Life

Education

Schools 2017: What's the State of Education in Portland?

Take a quick look at changes facing Portland Public Schools, the metro area's many other districts, and local private education options.

02/01/2017 Edited by Ramona DeNies By Margaret Seiler and Zach Dundas

Schools 2017: Private

Exploring Greater Portland's Private Schools

Language immersion? Waldorf? Natural learning relationships? A snapshot of the metro area's menu of specialized education options.

01/23/2017 Edited by Ramona DeNies

Schools 2017: PPS 411

Portland Public Schools Is in a State of Flux. What Do Parents Need to Know?

From boundary reviews to bond campaigns, here’s the 411 on PPS.

01/23/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Schools 2017: The Other Districts

A Look at Portland’s Metro-Area School Districts—Other Than PPS

Together, these surrounding districts educate nearly four times as many students.

01/23/2017 By Margaret Seiler and Zach Dundas

Family

20+ Ideas for Family Fun in Portland

We’ve got 10 gold-standard destinations and off-the-radar alternatives that will blow your little ones’ little minds.

01/23/2017 Edited by Fiona McCann By Kelly Clarke, Zach Dundas, and Margaret Seiler

Pets

How to Be Your Pet’s Best Friend

From holistic vets to hamster hotels to cat piles, here’s everything a Portland pet owner needs to know.

01/23/2017 Edited by Fiona McCann

Pets: Vets

Five Portland Vet Services You Need to Know

From emergency care to animal massage, here’s where to take your terrier (or tarantula).

01/23/2017 By Rebecca Jacobson

Pets: Top and Tails

A Great Vet Can Transcend the Cycle of Life

For both you and your animals.

01/23/2017 By Amy Martin

Pets: Canine Calendar

A Dream Day in a Portland Dog’s Life

From dog-friendly cafes to acupuncture and afternoon pedis, it’s a divine time to be alive.

01/23/2017 By Fiona McCann

Pets: Where the Wild Things Are

Five Favorite Portland Dog Parks

With 33 patches of off-leash, dog-friendly romping zones in city parks, how do you decide?

01/23/2017 By Rachel Ritchie

Pets: Beast Masters

Portland’s Dog Training Experts Are Divided into Dueling Camps. What Works?

It's been a long, confounding odyssey.

01/23/2017 By Benjamin Tepler

Pets: Zootopias

Day Care, Dog Walkers, and Animal Odditoriums: Pet Boarding in Portland

Be it your beagle or bearded dragon, the city's got you covered.

01/23/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Pets: Pet Sitting

Four Steps to Picking the Right Pet Sitter

Don’t trust the care of your beloved beast to any old someone.

01/23/2017 By Zach Dundas

Pets: Cat-Crazed

Finding My Happy Place at the Bottom of a Cat Pile

How we built our little fur family.

01/23/2017 By Alexis M. Smith

The Stand

A Year Ago, Armed Occupiers Seized a Wildlife Refuge in Harney County. This Oregonian Was Ready to Join.

When Kenneth Medenbach joined the Malheur takeover, he had years of experience battling the federal government.

01/23/2017 By Leah Sottile

Wheels Up

A Wilsonville Car Museum Revives Shop Class

World of Speed houses historic cars—and teaches automotive education to high school students.

01/23/2017 By Jason Buehrer

History

White Stag Made Portland into a Sports Gear Mecca

It’s more than an iconic Old Town sign.

01/23/2017 By Zeb Larson

PDX Index

Portland Is a Sanctuary City. What Does That Mean?

Mayor Ted Wheeler says Portland law enforcement won’t cooperate with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in looking for or holding undocumented immigrants.

01/23/2017 By Ko Ricker