Neighborhood Notes

Is your child always on the go? The pitter-patter of little feet just won't stop? Quiet listening not an option? Some children just can't stop moving and making noise. Our noisy and interactive program is designed just for them. For ages 3 and older with an adult. For other library storytimes, visit the library's website .

Indoor Active Play on Mondays is at  Pearl Court Activity Center  from 3:30 - 5:00. Play starts at 3:30. At 4:45 we begin to clean up and the event ends at 5:00. Indoor Active Play is for children of all ages and their families. We'll run, make noise, play with balls, dance to music and create games. Pearl Court Activity Center's owner has kindly loaned us use of his storage room, so we're able to store toys and play items. You're welcome to bring balls, obstacle course materials, CDs of kids music and anything else that would be fun. We welcome cash donations to defray the cost of renting this space. Donations are returned to  Zimmerman Community Center , which has rented the space. Pearl Court Activity Center is located at 1425 NW 16th between Pettygrove and Quimby. Free parking is available in front of the building. Heres additional information about Indoor Active Play. Indoor Active Play starts the week of October 6t
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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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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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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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Indoor Active Play at  Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center   starts at 10:00. At 11:15 we begin to clean up and the event ends at 11:30. Indoor Active Play is for children of all ages and their families. We'll run, play, dance to music and create games.  Please bring $5 cash if this is your first time at Indoor Active Play at Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center. This money covers an initial processing fee Cami Curtis has generously loaned us use of this beautiful space, which also provides an array of structured classes taught by some of the most gifted performers in the Portland area. Please see  www.camicurtis.com  for more information. Cami Curtis Performing Arts Center is located at 1932 W Burnside St Portland, OR 97209. Phone: 503-227-8649. Validated parking is available under the Morrison Apartment building the parking garage is accessible on SW Morrison between 19th and 20th Ave. Spaces are availa
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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!