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Dec 18,2008
Notes of Interest » December 17, 2008
by shooter
Here is our daily list of interesting links meant to distract you from Snowpocalypse '08. Don't forget to get out and do some Christmas shopping. A little snow shouldn't stop you!Yesterday, our friends at Willamette Week had a post about the Ork Portland Neighborhood Map , a link to WWeek's story is below. We love it and have already ordered one for the bare walls in our office.
Stay warm, be safe, and get out!
posted at 09:04 AM
2 comments 
Dec 17,2008
Tight Times
by Librarian Kate
"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries." Library use is up around the country. Here in Multnomah County alone more books, movies, and music are being checked out than a year ago. Haven't discovered your local library yet? Here are a few reasons libraries can help in tough economic times: FREE books, movies, and music to check out. FREE magazines and newspapers to read at the library. FREE programs. Join a book discussion group, listen to music, learn about different cultures, attend storytime with your child, or learn a new skill. Visit Multnomah County Library's events page for details. FREE resources for your business-tips and information for small businesses, websites and databases, and grant information. FREE resources for your job search-test prep, job hunting and resume books, and local and national job listings. FREE internet including WiFi. Did I mention that all of this
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posted at 03:34 PM
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Dec 11,2008
Multnomah electronic recycling project underway
by TeachStreet
This holiday season, as you head out to the market to buy ingredients to prepare a holiday meal or bake cookies for you know who, think about recycling your old electronic goodies in preparation for the new ones you may receive as gifts. The materials that make up your electronic gadgets are often times toxic, therefore Multnomah County is offering its residents an alternative option for discarding their toxic trash.You can recycle your old cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, chargers and Bluetooth headsets into one of the free recycling bins at 11 locations across the county . You can find the drop boxes at libraries and other county buildings.
Photo: Olivia Bucks | The Oregonian
The program was started by Commissioner Jeff Cogen last month in anticipation of the coming holiday season. The Environment Protection Agency predicts that we recycle only 20% of old cell phones, and that we hold onto 130 million unused phones.
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posted at 10:44 AM
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Dec 3,2008
December with Isobel's Clubhouse
by nancy
Families that live, work, learn and play in central Portland have many opportunities to build community and come together this month. We’re grateful to Zimmerman Community Center for funding a Community Organizer and Isobel’s Clubhouse , and to Gun and Tom Denhart for donating the Isobels’ Clubhouse space. And we’re thrilled by the generosity of our friends and neighbors who help organize events for families in central Portland. In December volunteers have already launched a Sunshine Division Food Drive . This idea came out of the November Family Conversations , where ‘teaching our children about donating, volunteering and generosity’ was a major theme. Involving our children in choosing healthy food to put in the distinctive blue bins helps to develop their sense of abundance and generosity. Today Sweet Masterpiece shared their joy of ch
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posted at 10:26 PM
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Dec 3,2008
Thank You Sweet Masterpiece
by nancy
Thank you Sweet Masterpiece for hosting families this afternoon for a delicious field trip. Crystal, one of the owners, connected with the kids right off by passing around an actual coco pod. And impressed the parents by fielding tough questions about chocolate terminology. We all loved the 'behind the scenes' look at how to dip chocolate candies and seeing what a ten pound bar of chocolate looks like. Crystal wrapped the tour up by passing around creamy chocolate and steamed milk so kids and adults alike could make their own hot chocolate. Delicious! And all the parents appreciated how kid friendly and thoughtful the staff were to have a big group of kids having fun and enjoying fine chocolate. If pictures of kids clamoring for chocolate makes you smile, you'll definitely want to check out the photos on our flickr page . There's one where it looks like the children are trying to claw their way into the chocolate case. Uh huh. Th
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posted at 08:07 PM
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Dec 2,2008
Caroling Party
by nancy
All neighbors and friends are invited to a caroling party on December 20th. We'll leave Isobel's Clubhouse at 4:00 and sing our way down 10th Avenue while stopping in to carol at the businesses along the street. We'll end at Little Green Grocer , who has generously offered to serve hot cider and hot chocolate. Thank you Little Green Grocer! 3:00 Meet at Isobel's Clubhouse to make luminaries from paper bags and electric candles. Please RSVP for this event so we can have enough materials. 4:00 Leave Isobel's Clubhouse and sing our way down the street. Open to all, no RSVP required. One of our musically talented parents has generously offered to lead practice sessions so we can learn the words to the songs that she's chosen. You're welcome to join us for caroling practice from 3:30 - 4:30 on December 5th and December 12th. Please RSVP for the practices and we'll send the location.
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posted at 05:26 PM
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Dec 1,2008
Thank you Little Urbanites
by nancy
Thank you Little Urbanites for donating House Kidsonroof to Isobel's Clubhouse , and to our creative parent volunteer who organized a 'raise the roof' art party. We spread the pieces out on the floor Friday afternoon, after Thanksgiving, when everyone needed a little creative unscripted art time. Kids and parents used markers, crayons, stickers and stencils to decorate the house. We listened to music, visited and caught up on holiday plans. Everyone helped to assemble the structure, and the children had a great time playing house and peek a boo. It's a magical place, a miniature clubhouse within, well, a miniature clubhouse. And as one parent said 'I believe the kids will feel great pride and a deep sense of appreciation every time they visit Isobel's and see and physically play with their work of art The photos on our flickr page tell the whole story.
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posted at 02:15 PM
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Nov 28,2008
savvy streetwear is diamondz
by nancy stovall
Shopping for your boyfriend, brother or best friend? What they want is at Hecklewood Clothing --new in Old Town at the newly-remodeled Estate Hotel, on NW 3rd and Couch. While you can shop Hecklewood online, their headwear, t-shirts, sneakers, pants and accessories fill the shelves of their flagship store in Old Town. Touch the fabrics, see the colors, and while you're there, pet Sam's ever-friendly pitbulls. Need more? Starting . . . NOW--summer/fall '08 is on sale from 15% - 75%. and don't miss their First Thursday opening on December 4th, 7 to 10pm. The new show is all skateboarding exhibition they're calling " Wood Pushers ". Once you're done shopping for the boyz? Refresh yourself with a nosh at Casba Cafe' (NW 2nd & Davis). Finish your list with imported objects at the Monkey & The Rat and girl-y glam from Eclexion boutique, both on NW 2nd between Davis and Couch. Done, and done locally.&
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posted at 03:11 PM
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Nov 24,2008
Kenton's Own: Dancin' Bare
by Allison
We had just grabbed a bench seat near one of the stages at the Dancin' Bare when the DJ told the crowd to put their hands together for the amateurs. A blonde girl sauntered on center stage, took an effortless swing around the pole, then glided to the edge, leaning over the rail to meet the men and women who would be tipping her. She was cool and comfortable in her enormous, clear plastic platforms and when she started to take off her clothes to Pantera's Cemetery Gates she was was as efficient and deliberate as a pro. Either she'd been practicing in front of a mirror for months, or she'd done this a few times. In fact, all but one of the amateurs we watched that night looked pretty comfortable in their bared skin. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. I'd hoped to see someone who had lost a bet or a middle-age business exec who had just realized her true calling was to be on a stage, nude. Apparently, that's rarely the case.
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posted at 11:28 AM
2 comments
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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