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Nov 20,2008
Thank You Cupcake Jones - November
by nancy
Lisa from Cupcake Jones gave us one more reason to be thankful this month with her arrival at Isobel's Clubhouse yesterday. She handed out chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, frosting to go with, and fondant cutouts of leaves and turkeys. Not just a simple turkey cut out, mind you, but lovingly constructed with eyes and a gobble in contrasting colors. Some of the children went for tall icing, some spread carefully (but not thinly) and others just nibbled on the turkeys with delight. You can see it all on our flickr page . While the children frosted, the adults made sure she'd be open the day after Thanksgiving (YES) and that the amazing pumpkin cupcake would still be on the menu next week (Another YES). Thank you Lisa and Cupcake Jones for providing this fun activity for kids, and for donating time and materials. We had a great time. And for those of you who missed it, mark your calendars. Lisa has volunteered to make this a monthly event
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posted at 11:59 AM
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Nov 19,2008
Thank you Nuvrei + photos
by nancy
Nuvrei gave a spectacular class on marzipan molding and decorating yesterday at Isobel's Clubhouse . Thank you to Nuvrei owners for organizing this and donating time and materials, to Lynnette and Ken for making the introduction and much appreciation for Brian F., Emi, Levi and Brian R. who gave hands on instruction and coaching to the kids. The parents had a great time as well. They enjoyed connecting with the staff, asking questions about their favorite pastries, and learning more about the special desserts Nuvrei has developed for Thanksgiving. Brian R. volunteered to take photos, and really captured the joy and focus on the kids faces. Check them out on our flickr page .
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posted at 11:52 AM
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Nov 17,2008
Portland PTA Clothing Center needs your donations!
by Trace
The Portland Council PTA Clothing Center located at Marshall High School has already served over 600 students this year, with over 1000 volunteer hours.We served nearly 2000 students last year. The Clothing Center always needs gently used (no rips, tears or visible stains) clothing size 4T through 4X. We also take shoes, binders, back packs, PJ's, and toiletries. We are experiencing a greater need this year and are out of donations to hang on the racks. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please check your closet and drawers for clothing that your family has outgrown. We especially need warm winter coats and boy's and girl's jeans all sizes. Please consider collecting new gloves, mittens, socks and underwear at your holiday party, office, club or group meeting. Monetary donations purchase new jeans, socks and underwear for the kids in need. Monetary donations may be sent to PTA Clothing Center, c/o Jackee Duvall,2246 SE 90th Avenue, Portland 97216. A tax receipt will be mailed
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posted at 11:32 AM
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Nov 14,2008
Sellwood-Moreland's Only Tea House
by evil genius
Jade Teahouse & Patisserie has opened along Sellwood's bustling "Antique Row" on SE 13th Avenue.This spacious and bright teahouse offers a kid-friendly, savory, sweet, and cozy coffeehouse alternative for residents and travelers through the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood. Just a few blocks from the traffic of Tacoma Street and the Sellwood Library, Jade opens in time for our much-needed winter warm-ups.
Owner April Ecklund designed the interior herself, from choosing the bamboo-like mosaic tile beneath the counters to the sophisticated, yet cozy furniture. About the assorted knick-knacks for sale, Ecklund says, "I just pick things that amuse me. I hope they amuse someone else too."
All of the loose teas are available for purchase, or you can have them brew up a pot if you want to stay a while. If you're not sure what kind of tea you're in the mood for, Ecklund has them organized in handy magnetic containers by price range and ca
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posted at 10:32 AM
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Nov 7,2008
November Fun with Isobel’s Clubhouse
by nancy
Many thanks to all our talented and generous neighborhood volunteers who have organized so many fun events for central Portland families in November. Our children have already had great interactions with arts and music. The Museum of Contemporary Craft Family Tour led by Sassafras Art Tours was a huge success. Families experienced the Manufractured exhibit in a whole new way, and had a lot of fun learning. And 23 elementary-school-aged performers from My Smilin Violin wowed a First Thursday audience last night with Suzuki compositions and ear-to-ear smiles. There must be a baking theme in the air… Tonight a parent is teaching kids how to make koulourakia , a traditional Greek cookie. Nuvrei will teach families how to make traditional marzipan confections on November 18 th , and Cupcake Jones will teach kids how to frost and decorate cupcakes on November 19 th .
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posted at 01:15 PM
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Nov 5,2008
Wordstock for Kids This Weekend
by nancy
Last year my son and I took the exciting max train to the convention center for the Wordstock Festival and were not disappointed. He did great book-related crafts and heard authors read. I picked up a book about the food that Oregon pioneers cooked and ate, including recipes, food history and biography. Everyone was happy. Here's more info from Wordstock Did you know that Wordstock has a stage for kids? The Target Children's Stage and Discovery Area is available to children of all ages, as well as accompanying parents and guardians, on Saturday and Sunday until 4:00 pm. Devoted to hands-on activities, the Discovery Area is a great place to explore the basics of zine, comic, and book making. Visitors to the area are encouranged to create their own magazine under the guidance of IPRC staff members, or lounge in ultra-comfy beanbag chairs, donated by Target, and listen to read-alouds between on-stage appearances of your favor
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posted at 10:50 AM
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Oct 28,2008
Isobel's Clubhouse In the News
by nancy
Thank you LivePDX for writing about Isobel's Clubhouse . Here's the beginning of the article, entitled Isobel's Clubhouse: Suburban Community Spirit in the Urban Pearl. When you think of the Pearl District, your first thought probably isn't children, what with all the hard-edged condos and swanky martini bars. Despite the perception that "no kids live in the Pearl," the area houses a surprising number of families with young children, according to resident mom Nancy Davis. And for too long, Davis says, families in "Central Portland" have needed activities for their children. Davis and her friend Kirsten Lee, another mother of a preschool-aged boy, grew tired of hearing about failed efforts to build a community center in the area. "We didn't want to wait," she explains. "So we decided to do it ourselves." In November of '07, the two moms organized a focus group of about 13 downtown families. Participants shared some c
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posted at 11:47 PM
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Oct 28,2008
2nd Annual Family Conversations
by nancy
Please join Central Portland Families for our second annual Family Conversations. We believe that families are good for central Portland, and that central Portland is good for families. Come help us make it even better. Thursday, November 13th from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Monday, November 17th from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Bring your important issues, your ideas for the future of central Portland, and your enthusiasm for helping families from all walks of live thrive in central Portland. We'll serve refreshments, engage in conversations, enjoy our neighbors and talk about ways that we can work together. Lately we've been feeling reflective. Perhaps it's the seasons changing. Or the nearness to Thanksgiving... we have a lot to be thankful for. It could also be that Central Portland Families' one-year anniversary is fast approaching. Hard to believe that we came together for the first time in November 2007 with a couple Family Conversations, attended by thirteen families. Those grandpare
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posted at 09:22 PM
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Oct 21,2008
Join Our Volunteers at Isobel's Clubhouse
by nancy
Isobel's Clubhouse opened in late August to provide a gathering point for children who reside in, or visit, Central Portland's neighborhoods. In a few short months "the clubhouse" has become Central Portland's family room, a place where children of all ages come with the caring adults in their life to play, do messy crafts, read stories, dress up in costumes and build community. The clubhouse's success is the result of the unbelievable support we receive from neighbors and business owners. Many of these neighbors do not have young children, but they feel responsible for the welfare of the children around them and donate their time and resources to help families thrive. We invite other members of our community to join these incredible volunteers. Volunteers at the clubhouse will quickly discover how easy it is to help, and how much the children benefit. Currently, Cupcake Jones comes each month to teach kids how to decorate their delicious cupcakes , and donates the mate
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posted at 08:24 PM
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Oct 16,2008
Thank You Cupcake Jones
by nancy
Spirits were running high at the Clubhouse yesterday at around 3:30. Lisa from Cupcake Jones had the full attention of the kids as she handed out chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, frosting to go with, and fondant cutouts of orange pumpkins and white ghosts. And, to gild the lily, a professional icing tool for each child. Surprisingly, the children needed little instruction, nor coaching, on the appropriate way to frost a cupcake. Or their fingers. Or their noses. The final product was adorable, and tasted GREAT. Thank you Lisa and Cupcake Jones for providing this fun activity for kids, and for donating time and materials. We had a great time. And for those of you who missed it, mark your calendars. Lisa has volunteered to make this a monthly event on the third Wednesday of each month. Check out our flickr page for pictures of the event .
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posted at 11:55 AM
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