Trees, NVC and Potlucks

Here is the latest news at Insideout Schoolhouse:

There seems to be a lot of interest in the NVC Parenting workshops with Kristin Collier. There will be four classes, once a month on Saturday mornings, beginning the first week of March. Classes are $40 each, or $150 for all four sessions with pre-registration required. Childcare will be available. The Albina Head Start declined our request for use of space (even though we offered parents and teachers free attendance at the workshops). As soon as I can find a location I’ll send out more information.

I was just notified by the Northeast coalition of Neighbors that we were not chosen to receive a grant for our planting project. They did, however, say that it was a great project and we were right at the cutoff. They said it might have helped if we had more representation at the neighborhood meetings. I have 48 hours to figure out if we should still go ahead with the Friends of Trees planting and where we might get funds or materials to do so. The Head Start did offer the use of their parking lot on Saturday February 14, if we’d still like to celebrate something there. I’d appreciate any feedback you have on this.

Earlier this month our cedar tree fell in our backyard and landed on our neighbor’s roof. Our insurance was of no use to us. No one was hurt. We now have lots of sunshine in our back yard and have learned a lot about that tree and the others remaining in our yard. Thank you Ismael, Benno and Margaret (and my in-laws and their chipper) for helping us take it down. Does anyone know where we can find a portable mill to make a “treehouse” out of the remains?

In the past few months we’ve had just one or two families attending the Caring Parents meetings at North Portland Library. It seems like the park days or other outings much better meet the needs. Unless I hear back that there is interest in this I’m going to let go of the regular potlucks.

My son, Julian, after experimenting with food and a video camera over the past 6 months, has been written up in the Oregonian, the Toronto Star, the Sunday London Times, the Irish Examiner and Portland Monthly. We’ve been fielding calls for appearances on the Today Show, Rachel Ray, and even an offer for travel, lodging and performance fees if he would “perform” at a mall in Hong Kong. This, coupled with the fact that the inaugural quartet totally faked it, has left me gaping, incredulous and taken my skepticism and awe of the media to new heights.

On a lighter note, we’ve also had the pleasure of seeing the Continuum Learning Community come to life. I am so delighted that there are so many families interested in supporting each other in this way, and grateful for the skill and effort that Heidi, Emily and others have put into it. (And I’m glad that it is in NE Portland!).

As for me, I’m feeling a little sad today amidst all this, having a hard time getting my needs met- for peace and compassion in my neighborhood, for learning freely, for joy and delight, for honesty, and for knowing that I am a valuable part of the community. I am grateful though for life’s instruction, and hopeful that somehow this weird project will lead me to the place I need to go. Maybe I’ll see you there too.