Neighborhood Notes

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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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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Please join us for a Family Movie Night hosted by  Umpqua Bank  and  Isobel's Clubhouse . Our friends at Umpqua Bank, as part of their commitment to families in central Portland, have offered to host this event in their beautiful lobby after business hours.  Please bring cozy kids (in their pajamas if you'd like) as well as sleeping bags or blankets to cushion the floor. A family friendly G rated movie will begin promptly at 6:30.  If you can come early or stay late to help re-arrange the lobby and do post-party clean up, we'd really appreciate it. Please  email us  to indicate your interest in family movie night. If we have more requests than available spots we'll draw names to choose attendees. Everyone who responds will get an email letting them know whether or not they are on the list. We'll get back to you on 1/7/09. If you receive a spot and decide that you cannot attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to the next family
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Join us to make play dough and then roll, cut and build with it. What will we do?  I found an OMSI recipe for play dough that doesn’t require heat. So, we’re going to try that out, and use food dyes to color it. I’ll bring some cookie cutters and small rolling pins to add to the fun.   As always, Wednesdays are Messy, Messy, Messy so dress appropriately or don one of our smocks. What should I bring?   Materials are provided Details  This event begins at 3:30. Clean up will start at 4:45 and the event will end at 5:00.  Like all events at the Clubhouse, this is a parent/caregiver and child event. A parent or caregiver will need to be with the child at all times.  There is no cost for this event, and donations are gladly accepted. As our space is limited, the activity is limited to a maximum of 10 children and their adults. Please remem
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Please join us for   Story Time and Open Play What will we do?  As part of open play, kids can dress up in costumes, play with toys, listen to music, play games or color with crayons. We’ll also read stories, and you’re welcome to bring a book to share. What should I bring?   We have fun toys and books, and you’re always welcome to bring something to share. And please bring your fun ideas for group songs and games. Details  This event begins at 9:30. Clean up will start at 11:15 and the event will end at 11:30.  Like all events at the Clubhouse, this is a parent/caregiver and child event. A parent or caregiver will need to be with the child at all times.  There is no cost for this event, and donations are gladly accepted. As our space is limited, the activity is limited to a maximum of 10 children and their adults.   Please
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Join Green Frog Toys for a fun filled adventure! We'll be reading stories, singing songs and dancing. There will even be some puppets that join us to tell some of their life stories. Tasty (healthy) treats and juice will be provided. We hope to see you, and your kids, here!

In 2008, Multnomah County's Central Library became the first library in Oregon to feature an eco-roof. Constructed with living plants and simulating the processes that occur in nature, eco-roofs absorb rain water like a meadow in a natural setting. The Central Library eco-roof is not accessible to the public. Frequent backstage tours allow you to see the roof from windows overlooking the roof. The 20-minute tour begins at the first floor Welcome Desk. Registration required: register online, in the library or by calling (503)988-5234.      

<<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.   

Join us for crafts, stories and open play on yet another snow day. We're not usually open Wednesday morning, but this week is special. What will we do?  We'll play, read stories and we may do some messy crafts so dress accordingly. What should I bring?   Materials are provided Details  This event begins at 10:30. Clean up will start at 11:45 and the event will end at 12:00.  Like all events at the Clubhouse, this is a parent/caregiver and child event. A parent or caregiver will need to be with the child at all times.  There is no cost for this event, and donations are gladly accepted. As our space is limited, the activity is limited to a maximum of 10 children and their adults. If you're wondering if we have space you can call me on my cell at 503.313.8047. Please remember to use the bathroom before you come to the Clubhouse, as we don’t have on one si
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<<UPDATE this tour is completely RSVP'd and we cannot accept any more reservations>> The  Portland Chinese Classical Garden  is offering a Childrens Tour of the Garden on December 29th at 10:00. The tour will last for 30 minutes, and then families will have the option of staying in the Garden. This tour of the winter garden will be led by the Garden's Education Director, who has experience teaching preschool and school aged children. She's excited to share the garden with the children, and plans to offer additional tours in Spring, Summer and Fall to share the seasonal garden.   This event is free and open to children and the adults who care for them.  Isobel's Clubhouse , through funding from  Zimmerman Community Center , will pay a reduced admission for the tour.  Attendees are welcome to make a donation to defray the cost.   Please  email us  to indicate your interest in attending this tour. We'll collect all res
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