Big Announcement: We are hosting a Zumbathon!!!!

We are nearing our fundraising deadline (May 25th).  And one of our last BIG fundraising events is one we are very excited about!  

A Friends of Pheasantbrook Zumbathon! 

Feel free to print this picture and advertise the event at your place of work, we would be so grateful!


There are a few ways to participate in this event:
1) Simply come to the Zumbathon and pay the $5 donation as your entrance fee.

2) Or ask friends and family to sponsor you in this event.
We will have prizes available for pledge participants!  


How sponsorship works:
One of our committee members (Beth) has already received a sponsorship from her sister for a $0.10 donation for every minute Beth Zumbas! The Zumbathon is a 2-hour event, so if she Zumbas for the full 120 minutes, she'll have helped us raise $120.00! After the Zumbathon, Beth will follow up with her sister to complete the donation process by letting her sister know how long she lasted. Her sister can then make the donation either by mailing us a check or paying directly through our Paypal account using the "Donate" button in the upper right corner.


We are a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization so consider this when asking for donations.  

More Important Details

You can sign up on the day of the event or pre-register by making your $5.00 donation through Paypal using the "Donate" button on the upper right corner of our blog. Remember, your sponsors can also make their payments through this button. This the fastest way to make payments and to receive your receipt for tax-deduction benefits.

Pool Party Saturday Night

***EDITED POST - I said the party is tonight (Friday) but it's really tomorrow night (Saturday). I'm just really excited about it!!!!!  ***

We are looking forward to hanging out at the Rec Center tonight!  Bring family, bring your friends, and help us build a playground while having tons of fun at the pools!

Blog Updates!

We've added two new pages to the blog, check them out:

"Fundraising Calendar" Tab
May 25th is our deadline to order match our grant and order equipment. This tab outlines our fundraising plans in these the final months.

"Building the Playground" Tab
The Build Day tab outlines how we are going to utilize volunteers to build our playground.  If you are available to help on any of the days listed, please sign up! Or if you have connections for any of the items needed, we'd love your help in that way to!

Check back often
Details are still being worked out, so each tab will be updated as it all continues to fall into place.

Together WE will make this happen!  Be a part of WE.

Another Fundraising Oppurtunity

Volunteers Needed!!!

 Just 3 hours of your time can mean $400 for new playgrounds!

The South Davis Rec Center is offering $400 or more  if we can donate a minimum of 80 hours at the

Sweethearts 5K & Cupids 1K 

Friday and Saturday, February 10th-11th.

3 Shifts Available

Sign up now for the time that works best for you, and then recruit friends and family to join the fun. We are asking for a minimum of a 3 hour commitment however, you are welcome to do more than three hours or split the shift with someone.

  

 Friday, Feb. 10th

5:30pm to 8:30pm

6-7 volunteers needed

Saturday, Feb. 11th

6:30am to 9am

6-7 volunteers needed

Saturday, Feb. 11th

8:30am to 10 or 11am

6-7 volunteers needed

(end time is dependent on when the last runner crosses the finish line)

To Sign Up:

Send us an email, or check the fliers distributed to your front door if you live in Pheasantbrook for a phone number to call.

phoafriends@gmail.com

Playgrounds, yesterday and today

This strikes a little close to home....

This is one reason why the Friends of Pheasantbrook project for this year has been to  rebuild and restore our playgrounds. 

We want to give our children and grandchildren a better option for their time each day.  An option that is safe and encourages creativity, even family and neighborhood bonding!

Caution, Time on the Playground May Lead to:

CREATIVITY!!!!

We will definitely have to include a slide

(or 2 or 3 or 5) 

in our final design

Any other suggestions of what this final design needs, because we literally are days away from having the final design ready to go.  Speak now, or forever hold your peace.

What a Community Build Looks Like

One of the money saving endeavors we plan to put in place for the playground project is to host a community build.  The video below shows what a build looks like.  

Hundreds of volunteers, divided into teams, with specific assignments, working together all day.... and then, piece by piece, the playground starts to come together.  Friendships are made or strengthened, pride and ownership in the community and playground is instilled, and a playground is built.

It.Is.Awesome.

Thank You!

We don't say thank you often enough to those people who serve on the playground committee and donate large amounts of time to pull fundraising goals together.  Thank you for sharing in the same dream as the Friends of Pheasantbrook!

May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with Peace, Joy, Family and Laughter!

P.S. Start the laughter now by reading about one person's great Thanksgiving Day prank here.

How can a park be more than a place to play?

I recently read a short story on KaBOOM!'s website about a community completing their playground project that held one simple, important truth! You can read the story here, but here are just a few highlights.

It was a father of 3 little girls who spear-headed this project in Arizona.  For many who are already involved in the playground committee and various fundraising plans, this quote is very easy to relate to. We are motivated by our children and our grandchildren, we have desires to give them a safe and creative place to play:

"My three little girls were my biggest motivation and inspiration. They can spend all day long at a park playing and having fun - but it's not just that, they are exploring, pretending, socializing, leaning new things about themselves when they have the space and quality equipment to engage in unstructured play."

But, here's the part I would hope motivates us all to get involved in our own playground project, it is one major reason I am motivated to make our playgrounds better:

"For me, more than anything, a good park means more quality time together for families and friends. We are all losing too much of our lives fixated on a TV, computer or cell phone screen - unengaged with our loved ones and the world around us."

What are your reasons for supporting the playground project?  If you don't support it, why not?  We want to know. We want to be successful.  And we can't be successful without your full support!

Leave us a comment or send an email to phoafriends (at) gmail (dot) com.

The "Together We Can" Hand Mural

You've heard us talking about this for a long time now, but perhaps we should officially introduce to you our

"Together We Can" Hand Mural. 

This is not an exact replica of what we plan to build, but it puts across the idea of what our hand mural will be.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 5th, 2012. This will be our Community Build Day when we will gather residents, neighbors, friends and family together to help us build our new playgrounds.  In addition, we will also be creating a special work of art to honor the many wonderful people who have donated to our project.

All persons making a $20 donation will receive a reserved spot on our wall where to leave their mark in the Pheasantbrook community. In addition to making a hand print, each donor will also be able to leave their name, or the name of a loved one whom they choose to honor in making this donation.

There it is, simple as that: 

Make a Contribution (on the donate link above)       and Forever Leave Your Mark!

Officially a Non-Profit!

We've alluded to this already, but...

BIG NEWS!!!

We have received non-profit status with the IRS.  Do you know what this means?  All donations are now tax deductible!  That's big time!  

So make your tax deductible donation now by clicking on the 'donate now' link found on the top right, or by contributing to someone's team for the $10 Challenge, which is the 2nd to top link also on the right.

Children's Halloween 1k Fun Run/Walk

Join us for the first ever

Friends of Pheasantbrook 

Children's Halloween 1K Fun Run/Walk

DATE: Saturday, October 15th, 2011

TIME-FRAME 

8:00-8:45am - Check-in and late registration 

($5.00 - early registration, $8.00 - to register the day of)

Sign up online!
1) Click the 'Buy Now' button on the right to register now (and to reserve your free breakfast!)
2) Click here to download the registration form. Bring the completed form to the check-in that morning.
This form must be completed and turned in to participate.

8:45am - Group warm-up begins 

9:00am - the Fun Run begins!

The race will start at the east end of Brookfield Lane and then travel south on Pheasantbrook Drive on to Pheasantbrook Circle, finishing at the Pheasantbrook Tennis Courts.

Click here to see the map.

Post-race Celebration

Held on the tennis courts, get your free breakfast (for the runners, cheap for family and friends) play a few games and design your dream play space! (Some booths will require a small fee.)

All registration fees, breakfast purchases, and game fees go towards our project for 2011-2012, building new playgrounds in Pheasantbrook to encourage healthy balanced lives for our children..


Come have fun, be healthy, &support a good cause!

We'll see you there!

The 1st of Many "Ways to Play"

One of the core principles of the Pheasantbrook Kids Club is“Leading a balanced life by HAVING FUN.” With this in mind, today begins a 10-week series highlighting different websites and activities that encourage "Ways to Play." Come back every Wednesday over the next 10 weeks to find new ways to play. In some case,You’ll even be reminded of old ways to play!

Self-described as

“the mother lode of unique outdoor games”

Funattic.com had to be first on our list of

“Ways to Play”

The many ways to play listed on Fun-attic’s website help people develop co-ordination and cooperation as well as teaching team approaches to resolutions-all while having fun. What I like is how they talk about using play as a spontaneous tool for building relationships anytime, anywhere. Even more reasons why this site fits perfectly with our goals to revitalize Pheasntbrook beginning with play.

A great feature on Fun-attic is their Game of the Month page.  July’s game of the month is the Dolphin Relay, a water game perfect for all residents of Pheasantbrook during these hot summer days while cooling off at the pool.  June’s game of the month was Greased Watermelon Polo. And yes, I will be trying both of these games, don’t you worry.

Other features I like from www.Funattic.com

• They offer a free monthly newsletter to help you find more ways to play
• The Great Game List…it quite possibly is the “mother lode”  list of games and activities
• A specific list of games for youth groups, look at Kids Club!!!

Tell us how you like to play?????

Why Start with Play? Part 5

To Help our Property Values

This is the last of a five part piece on why revitalizing Pheasantbrook has begun with play. Click to read the first, second, third and forth pieces.

Let’s be honest, property values are a big topic among homeowners today. If the following statement is true: “Houses that overlook a well maintained lawn stand a better chance of their property value getting higher preference and value as compared to one that has not (1)” then what type of positive impact will updated playgrounds have on our property values?

At www.realtor.com the question was asked ‘How do I increase my home value?’ Among the common answers of fresh paint and appliance updates, they also stated “Of course, amenities appropriate for your area can help (2).”

The playgrounds are a visible indication of our pride and our diligence in maintaining our property. The members of the HOA board and our maintenance crew are working hard every day to maintain our property; the current condition of our playgrounds does not represent their efforts well.  The playgrounds are sending the wrong message to anyone entering our community.

Pheasantbrook is beautiful, award winning, and at the heart of Centerville. As we begin our process of revitalizing our community with play, we will begin to see our property values show greater resistance against current market trends.

References:

(1) http://ezinearticles.com/?Lawn-Care---Increase-the-Value-of-Your-Home-Or-Property&id=4199072

(2) http://www.realtor.com/home-values/homevaluesfaq.aspx?source=web#HowDoIIncreaseMyHomeValue

Gardenwalk Pictures and....and...and...

Pictures of the 2011 Gardenwalk are ready!  

This year's Gardenwalk was another great event.  Did you see how big the poppies were ?  What about the square garden??? Amazing!!  Hopfully you discovered a new kind of flower you've never seen before, for me it was the English Daisy. And after visitng a few of the gardens I've got new ideas for a rock garden at my place combined with some container gardening. And I have to mention how each patio felt like a private sanctuary were I wanted to sit and rest for a time--so inviting and so hard to leave. I couldn't stop taking pictures of all the flowers, they were big, bright and beautiful!

These are only a few of the highlights from our 2011 Gardenwalk.  But my favorite part is and always will be walking through our community and seeing so many of my neighbors out as well, enjoying our beautiful neighborhood. I love taking a minute to chat with all of you, whom I am glad to call my friends.

Thank you to each person who participated in the Gardenwalk, whether as a patio-host or a garden-walker. It takes both to make this event happen.

Looking ahead, next year is our 5th Gardenwalk, to celebrate the occasion we have exciting things planned and are putting things together for it already! Mark your calendars for June 23, 2012!!!

Click here  to see these pictures and more!

and...

Our Lemonade Stand/Bake Sale was also a fantastic success.  The Kids Club put together a great fundraiser, raising almost $140 to go towards our playground project.  We are getting closer and closer to our goal.  It is so encouraging to see everyone come out to support us!

This playground is definitely going to happen.  We keep saying it can only be as great as WE, TOGETHER can make.  As each fundraising event happens, I see that the "WE" part grows bigger and stronger!  Thank you for being a part of WE!

and...

Don't forget to celebrate the 4th of July this weekend with all the folks in Centerville.  We are hosting a booth to raise more money for the playgrounds.  If you like Strawberry Shortcake, Brownie Sundaes, and waffle cones, this is not an event to miss!  Click here for more information about the festivities.

and...

Starting Wednesday, July 6th, we will feature a 10 week series on different ways to play throughout the summer.  As our "Why Start with Play?" series described, play is important to each of us in more ways then one! 

Why Start with Play? Part 4

For Public Health & Safety

This is the fourth of a five part piece on why revitalizing Pheasantbrook has begun with play. Click to read the first, second, and third pieces.

For years we’ve had reminders in the community newsletter to keep our children out of the ponds due to concerns about the chemicals used to treat the water.  With broken down playgrounds, where else do they have to go? All nearby parks require crossing major streets. Our townhomes are, by nature of the time they were built, not very big.  Rebuilding our playgrounds is a solution to the keeping our children safe and out of trouble while playing outdoors in our community.

Additionally, we frequently hear about the rise of childhood obesity as well as the elimination of recess and gym classes in schools. New playgrounds in our community will not only give our children a safe, fun place to play, it will also help facilitate physical activity for our children.

Why Start with Play? Part 3

Community Development

This is the third of a five part piece on why revitalizing Pheasantbrook has begun with play. Click to read the first and second piece.

We are using the tools provided by KaBoom.org to guide us through the playground project. Their method is a “community-build model,” meaning the playgrounds will be built by the efforts of the community. One of the great things about a community-build model is that it requires people to come together to plan, design, and build the playground, thus strengthening the surrounding community and building a solid foundation for the future community projects.

KaBoom! makes the following statement about their community-build model: “We like to say that the ‘achievable win’ of a playground build gives neighborhoods the hope, confidence, and inspiration they need to take control of their public spaces (1).”

And that is exactly why we have begun the efforts to revitalize Pheasantbrook with playgrounds. Having brand new playgrounds and happy, safe children throughout our community, will be a constant reminder of what we are capable of doing as we work together.

We believe that this reminder will enable powerful, lasting changes in Pheasantbrook.

References:

(1) http://projects.kaboom.org/projects/2813-phoa-playgrounds/teams/fundraising/tasks/111

Why Start with Play? Part 2

Playgrounds Aid in Child Development 
   ...and in strengthening relationships with other members of the community

This is the second of a five part piece on why revitalizing Pheasantbrook has begun with play. Click to read the first piece.

The Pheasantbrook Community is a mix of single adults, young couples, retired couples, and families young and old. Regardless of where we fit in that list of descriptions, most of us have children in our homes for some amount of time. And to a child...play is crucial.  The people at KaBoom.org have put together the following information about how playgrounds help to aid child development:

“Playgrounds are a critical component in a child's physical, intellectual, creative, and social development. Did you know that 90 percent of a child's mental character is developed by the age of five? Through active play, children gain first-hand information about themselves, their bodies, their peers, and their environment. Without it, they're too often stuck indoors with mind-numbing video games and television shows.

Play also develops increasingly complex behaviors as children grow and socialize, preparing them to function as healthy, confident adults.

Finally, a community playground provides a meeting area where parents and other adults can gather to support each other's parenting needs and discuss family issues. This strengthens the adult relationships that parents need to be successful (1).”

I personally can attest to the facts stated by KaBoom! 

The playground outside my house is now an empty sandbox.  Ever since the unsafe equipment was taken out eight months ago, traffic to this area has increased. I have had a number of opportunities to meet and talk with neighbors I had generally only waived to from my car. My son has also gained many opportunities in building his fine and gross motor skills, nurturing his creativity, and in learning social skills as he works in the sand box with other children.

It’s not only about giving the children who come to our homes a safe place to play outside and aid in their development, it’s also about bringing members of the community together to develop friendships and create a safer place to live.

References:

(1) http://projects.kaboom.org/projects/2813-phoa-playgrounds/teams/fundraising/tasks/111

Why Start with Play? Part 1

When the Pheasantbrook community was built 30 years ago, we won awards for how beautiful it was. Even though we are now one of the older communities we know we can still be the heart of Centerville, representing all that is positive about our city- unity, safety, responsibility, hard work, ingenuity… you get the idea. 

While the HOA diligently takes care of the communities needs such as roofs, fences and keeping our lawns green; the Friends of Pheasantbrook is helping to revitalize the community by focusing on the amenities that have began to fall apart or are no longer useable.

Each Monday over the five weeks, we will post reasons why the Friends of Pheasantbrook has chosen to start our Pheasantbrook Revitalization efforts with the playgrounds. 

So, without further ado… Why do we start with play? I will tell you why…

The Playground Project will Help us Revitalize Other Community Amenities

The project to revitalize Pheasantbrook is about taking advantage of an opportunity to create amenities that will meet the needs of our community today. 

A park can be much more than slides and a swing set. We can incorporate a variety of options based on the interests of our community.  We can include murals, benches, gazebos, even a fitness trail for adults- the opportunities are literally endless. We want our community to reflect all that is unique about Pheasantbrook, while incorporating all that is desirable about Centerville.

Additionally, as we experience success with the playground project we will have created a pattern for the future. Not only will Pheasantbrook benefit over the years to come from the program created by the Friends of Pheasantbrook with the playgrounds, but other communities will be able to follow our same program in revitalizing their neighborhoods as well.

This is an opportunity for the residents of Pheasantbrook to demonstrate the power of unity in making a large impact by small measures.

Updates on the last few weeks

A couple of updates on the progress the Friends of Pheasantbrook is making toward new playgrounds:

Final results from the Pheasantbrook Yard Sale are in....

We raised over $1,000!

This kind of success is a real tribute to all residents, family members, and friends of Pheasantbrook. With out the donations of your items and time we could not have been so successful.  

Thank you for your help.

Since the yard sale, we've been working on grant applications... unfortunately, we have not been awarded either grant. We are not worried though.  There are many more grants and we have established a grant committee who's sole purpose is to make our grant applications awesome!

On Tuesday night, we are having a committee meeting. We are still accepting committee members, if you are interested send us an email at:

phoafriends (at) gmail (dot) com

New playgrounds are within reach, WE are making it happen!