Central Portland Families news...
Jan 7,2009
SAVE THE TOYS!!!
by NoPo Ness
No, that's not the battle cry to man-up against the Burger Meister MeisterBurger from Jules Bass' and Arthur Rankin Jr.'s 1970's classic, Santa Claus is Coming to Town . It is instead a call to action here in the real world, where our kids are inundated with electronic gadgetry and BPA plastics. Under the guise of "protecting us" (Note to the US Government: you're a little late on this one!) the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is now endangering the livelihood of our local handmade toymakers. These are the few places we can get beautifully made toys by caring folks, who do things like use natural dyes, fiber and wood or hand stitched or knitted creatures. The real danger here is to the minds and imaginations of our children, especially if the only toys they can get their hands on are those made by large corporations that single-handedly keep battery manufacturers in business and require in-the-box play instead of the wonderful exploratory world of make bel
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posted at 06:04 PM
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Jan 7,2009
Hot Off the Press » Jan/Feb 09 Pearl District Newsletter
by pearlgirl
A new year extends an invitation to evaluate our personal health, wealth and happiness. As you contemplate the state of your personal economy, we hope that you will also consider the role you play in the health of the neighborhood. In this issue, we look at ways to improve our personal and neighborhood health. Contributor Michaela Bancud discovers that volunteering is a win-win for personal and community health (p.4). Instructor Alice Peters Diffely demonstrates the finer points of ChiWalking (p.6) and sommelier Timothy Nishimoto gives us advice on how to build community one glass of wine at a time (p.8). Here's to a healthy and happy 2009! Download your copy About the Pearl District Newsletter The Pearl District Newsletter is published six times per year by Neighborhood Notes. We distribute 4,000 free print copies to neighborhood residential buildings and businesses. The newsletter is paid for through the generosity of local sponsors. Without them, this opportuni
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posted at 02:05 PM
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Jan 6,2009
2008 at Isobel's Clubhouse
by nancy
Grateful. Joyful. Humble. Just a few of my feelings as I compiled a set of photos from our year at Isobel's Clubhouse . Isobel's Clubhouse is a dream come true, a collaboration between families, donors and a community that believes that children are good for the central city, and the central city is good for kids. The look on Joan's face the day Zimmerman Community Center signed the lease and got the keys says it all. For those who don't know her, Joan is a ZCC board member as well as Chair of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association . Like many other adults in our community she has long advocated for a community center, and for the resources families need to thrive in central Portland. Isobel's Clubhouse is a small (490 square feet) but significant (220 families and growing) step toward these long held goals. And it has a lot of love from the community. Gun and Tom Denhart donated the space. ZCC signed the lease
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posted at 07:36 PM
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Jan 6,2009
Portland Cello Project Kicks Off Family Friday Concert Series
by pearlgirl
Portland Cello Project, the city's popular "indie cello orchestra" leads off a series of Family Friday concerts at the Community Music Center (CMC) in Southeast Portland on Friday evening, January 9 at 7:00 PM. Family Friday concerts, a new series at the Center, are short musical programs by popular local musicians designed for school-age kids and adults to enjoy music together. The Portland Cello Project , an ensemble of 8 to 16 cellists playing everything from Brittney Spears to Beethoven, from video game themes to Strauss, has had "a meteoric rise in the vibrant Portland music scene", with diverse and exciting collaborations, all in the spirit of building a stronger music community. WHAT: Portland Cello Project performs a family concert WHERE: Community Music Center, 3350 S. E. Francis, Portland
WHEN: January 9 at 7:00 PM, ending by 8:30
TICKETS: $5 for individuals, $15 for families, purchased at the door only. Future Fam
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posted at 04:22 PM
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Jan 6,2009
Thank You Portland Classical Chinese Garden
by nancy
Many thanks the Portland Classical Chinese Garden and Education Director Joan Kvitka for a lovely winter tour of the Garden. Joan has that unusual ability to connect with children of all ages, and help them identify what they see and sense. The group learned about patterns and symbolism, inspected pomegranates growing in the courtyard, and had the help of a few Mandarin speaking children to learn simple phrases. The winter garden is a special treat, and was appreciated by all.If you were unable to attend, or want to remind your child of the tour, you might like the the Family Guide that the garden offers on their website. The Garden is also planning extensive Chinese New Year festivities starting January 26th. And we're excited to announce that Joan will make a guest appearance at Isobel's Clubhouse on January 16th and 28th to read Chinese stories to the children. I've had a preview of some of the stories she's chosen
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posted at 12:06 PM
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Jan 5,2009
Choose Local and Save
by pearlgirl
In 2009, spending judiciously has become a priority for most of us. Fortunately, a friend of ours has devised a wonderful way to support local businesses and save money at the same time. It's called the Choose Local Card Progam . Very Portland. Although Mapclicks Owner David Bentley created the Choose Local Card Program back in summer 2007 , the program is getting loads of favorable attention these days from the likes of UrbanMamas , Around the Sun , OurPDX , KGW and other local media. Choosing local and saving money has always been a good idea, but in these tough times it has become a necessity. This year, neighborhood notes is partnering with Mapclicks to further familiarize you with the Choose Local Card Program. Every couple of weeks, we'll introduce you to a local business that participates in the Choose Local Card Program. You'll meet the owners, take a peek inside their shop, find out what type of goods and services they offer and, of course, learn about their cur
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posted at 11:19 AM
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Jan 1,2009
Thank You Isabel Pearl
by nancy
Thank you Isabel Pearl for hosting a fun and delicious Cookie Decorating Party for families in Central Portland. Our generous hostess, Isabel Cruz, thought of everything. Hot cocoa, grilled cheese sandwiches and noodles for the kids. And sangria, pulled pork tacos and savory tofu for the adults. Oh, and let's not forget the cookies. Fresh from the oven, in holiday shapes with so many icings and candies that it was hard for a kid to choose where to start. After the sugar rush hit, a few hardy adults followed the kids out into the courtyard to run and play tag in the cold. It was a wonderful party, in a lovely setting, with great food and a very gracious hostess. Thank you Isabel Pearl! Here are some fun photos from our flickr page . Enjoy!
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posted at 06:53 AM
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Dec 31,2008
Youth Action Grants for up to $2,000 available through the City of Portland
by pearlgirl
The Vision into Action Coalition and the Youth Planning Program are excited to announce that money is now available directly to youth to improve their communities! 2009 YOUTH ACTION GRANTS PROGRAM Click here to view the grants guidelines & sample application
A pool of $10,000 is available for community-based projects initiated, designed, and run by youth 21 and under. The Youth Action Grants Program will provide grants of up to $2,000 to youth or youth groups who want to take action that makes Our Bill of Rights: Children + Youth and Portland's community vision a reality. Upcoming YOUTH ACTION GRANT Workshops
The City/County Youth Programs are also pleased to offer three free grant workshops designed FOR YOUTH to answer their grant-related questions. You must attend at least one workshop to apply for a grant. Click Here to sign-up for a workshop!
YOUTH ACTION GRANTS APPLICATION FORM
Click Here to view application Applications
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posted at 01:45 PM
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Dec 22,2008
Isobel's Clubhouse is Closed Until 1/6/09
by nancy
<<UPDATE we'll be at the Clubhouse on January 6th from 9:30 - 11:30. Hope to see you then>> Thank you for a great year at Isobel's Clubhouse . If you're feeling nostalgic and want a trip through memory lane, please check out our flickr page . We're closed until January 7th, and we look forward to playing with you in the new year.
posted at 03:06 PM
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Dec 22,2008
Indoor Active Play is Closed Until 1/5/09
by nancy
Indoor Active Play at Pearl Court Activity Center and Cami Curtis Performing Art Center is closed for the year. Indoor Active Play at Pearl Court Activity Center will return at 3:30 on Monday, January 5th. The Tuesday Indoor Active Play never really caught on, so it will not resume in January. We look forward to playing with you in the new year.
posted at 02:59 PM
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Central Portland Families
Check out our photos on FLICKR!
Central Portland Families (CPF) believes that families are good for the central city, and the central city is good for families. CPF serves families that live, work, learn and play in Downtown, Central East Side, Northwest Portland, Old Town Chinatown, South Waterfront and The Pearl by developing programs that build community and an advocacy voice for families. This group is a collaborative effort between parents, grandparents, children, business owners and caring neighbors.
We'd love to hear from you. Call us at 503.313.8047 or email us at nancy(at)zcommunitycenter(dot)org.
