“Dances of Universal Peace” starts again on Sept 7th!

Local “Dances of Universal Peace” group is starting back up again on Sept. 7, 2008 after being on summer break! Children and elders welcome — dances are not difficult.

Here’s the details from Steve Hawkins, one of the dance leaders:

WHAT:

Please join us in connecting with the spiritual traditions of the world through simple, circle dances and chanting to feel the spirit which unites us with each other and all creation.

All dances are taught in the moment. Musicians /leaders: Manny Gross, Steve Hawkins

Dress casual. Bring friends.

WHEN:

Sunday, September 7, 2008
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

COST:

Free! Please bring a dish or fresh produce platter to share for the potluck following the Dance.

WHERE:

First Unitarian Church of Orlando, Gore Hall
1901A E. Robinson St.
Orlando, Florida 32803

For additional information, please email Steve Hawkins at dances@orlandouu.org or visit the web site DancesOfUniversalPeace.org

Walking Warm Up

Simple circle dance

Setting out potluck yummies!

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Birth On Labor Day (BOLD) Event at Infusion Tea in College Park

Orlando’s first Birth on Labor Day (BOLD) event will take place on Saturday, August 30, 2008 from 10am to 4pm at Infusion Tea, 1600 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a “Red Tent” event, whereby mothers can express their birth stories through words and/or art in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment of community and integrity.

What is this event all about?

A Red Tent…mothers’ voices…intimacy…truth. After BOLD New York’s hugely successful Red Tent event in 2006, the organizers thought: why not have BOLD Red Tent events around the world and throughout the year? BOLD’s Red Tent event concept is simple: gather women under a “red tent” to listen to mothers’ birth stories and then record their stories (in film, written word or visual expression) as part of our BOLD Library of Birth Truths. A BOLD Red Tent event is an excellent opportunity for communities throughout the world to be BOLD any time of the year and showcase your community’s local birth stories.
Who is organizing Orlando’s Event and why?
Christina Cowherd, owner of Infusion Tea, is the organizer of the Orlando Event. Cowherd believes, “Every mother has a story and should be able to tell it in a supportive environment.”

Who can participate and how?
Anyone interested in changing the culture of birth and/or learning more about birth options and practices! Women interested in processing their own birth story can share their experiences. Vendors, doctors, midwives, doulas, others involved in the culture of birth in Orlando can participate by setting up a booth at the event.

To learn more about BOLD go to boldaction.org.

To find out if there is still availability for setting up a booth, contact Christina Cowherd at 407-488-6614.

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Recycle your clothes: Diva Eve Clothing Swap

WHEN: The 1st Wednesday of every month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm

WHERE: Jason’s Martini Club
300 Sanford Ave. Sanford, FL 32771

• Bring up to 5 items of clothing (on hangers) or accessories that are in great condition and you no longer wear to exchange. PLEASE no stains, holes or buttons missing.

• $20.00 admission fee includes: a glass of wine or beer or “DIVA Martini” or favorite non-alcoholic beverage, mini spa treatments, foot detox bath, massage, make-up tips & hair tips & plus loads of “FREE” giveaways!

• Any left over clothing will be cut up and used to create new “DIVA FASHIONS” to be worn in our Annual fashion show on November 9th. Ticket sales from the event will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation .

Contact: Sammy Hudson at (407) 562-7478 or thenextbestthing@bellsouth.net for more information

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“Orgasmic Birth” Screening at UCF on Sept 14th!

Pioneering filmmaker and doula trainer, Debra Pascali-Bonaro, brings to the screen the ultimate challenge to our cultural myths by inviting viewers to see first hand the glorious emotional, spiritual, and physical heights attainable through the miracle of birth.

This documentary reveals that birth is something a woman can enjoy, rather than endure. “Orgasmic Birth” intersperses expert commentary with stunning moments of women in the ecstatic release of childbirth.

Witness the power of birth through the lives of 11 families.

You will never think about birth the same way again!

WHEN:

• September 14, 2008 at 7 PM

WHERE:

• University of Central Florida, Health and Public Administration Building Room 119

WHO:

• Presented in cooperation with UCF Women’s Studies and Florida School of Holistic Living

WHY:

• To benefit Global Maternal/Child Health Association – a nonprofit public benefit charitable foundation.

HOW TO HELP:

Would you like to help promote the “Orgasmic Birth” screening at UCF on Sept 14th? Download the PDF flier and pass it along to friends!

• orgasmicbirth

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Second Annual Kid’s Festival by Simple Living Institute

The Second Annual Kid’s Festival by the Simple Living Institute is coming on Sept. 20th! Here’s the scoop:

The Kids’ Festival is an event custom-made for children aged 5-12 to explore and engage in Simple Living-style activities including conservation and organic farming. This event will be held at the Econ Farm,which is a rustic outdoor setting, so come prepared for Florida weather. Activities will include a hydrology lesson/river swim, scavenger hunt, seed planting in the garden, and celebration and snacks at the end.

If you’d like to volunteer or help plan the event, drop them a line!

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Orlando Organics

I’m a big fan of fresh produce. That’s why I grow some in my garden! But I can’t always grow everything I want!

ORLANDO ORGANICS

For a few years, I was getting my produce delivered from Orlando Organics. They have a big range for delivery. Unfortunately the driving routes changed and my house is no longer on it.

It is particularly good for those who prefer to just “eat through the basket” and plan the menu around what they got and just want to use it up. I especially liked that because I’m not very good at thinking ahead to what I want to eat. I find it easier to go from the “I have a mess of onions to use up. What can I make out of it?” side of things.

Website

Established in 2002. The website is clean, crisp, and easy to navigate. The member login area is pretty self-explanatory and you can make the changes you need without too much difficulty. If you lose your password you can request it at the website.

Membership Fee

One time $15 registration fee.

Ordering

You select the size “basket” you want from the website and can leave it permanently set to get that size weekly or every other week. This is useful for those who want regular delivery. You get it set up for the size you want and then don’t worry about it any more.

You can also log in to change basket sizes before the next delivery date if you need to, but I found the basket method especially good for people who don’t want to be logging on to websites a lot.

The front page of the website tells you what this week’s Harvest Blend Regular basket contains along with a link to the other basket options. I found the harvest blend regular basket adequate for my family of 2 adults and one baby/toddler for 1-2 weeks if supplemented with other produce bought elsewhere — usually fruit.

You can list your likes and dislikes in your membership preferences and they will try to exchange things in your basket so it suits your tastes.

Payment Method

Credit Card on file automatically billed for your order, though you have to call it in when first setting up your account.

Food

The food is fresh, nice, and best of all — delivered right to you! Here’s one Harvest Regular Basket order:

Everything is inside your cooler bag. At the next order you return the cooler bag and in really hot weather, they suggest you leave out a cooler with ice so they can put the food in that so it will keep til you get home. If you lose your bag, you do have to replace it or pay a replacement fee.

Customer Care

The website is set up to deal with most of my needs. On the rare occassion where I had to call in by phone, both Dave and Heather have been very attentive any time I ever had a question. They care about their business and promptly get back to you.

Notes

Your home may be outside the area of delivery. If you like to make your menu ahead of time and then get the groceries to fit it, the “basket” approach may not work for you. The newsletter archives with recipes are still available. The best thing I liked about it was the ease of use, and not having to think about my menus or produce selections so my family got variety. I just ate my way through the basket!

I would and do reccommend Orlando Organics to friends who seem to want the “basket” approach.

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PCRM’s Food for Life TV Weekly Session: The Low Cost of Eating Healthy

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is offering a new series of web casts to educate the public on diet and disease, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. I have followed the series for Diabetes education and I am excited they are now generalizing the discussions to reach more people!

There is a new topic every Thursday night. Most sessions include a brief lecture by PCRM President Neal Barnard, M.D., and a cooking demonstration, along with success stories and a question/answer session with members of PCRM’s Nutrition Department.

This week’s “Food for Life” TV show is a re-airing of a feature called “The Low Cost of Healthy Eating.”

The show will air tonight, Thursday, August 14, at 8 p.m. EDT. PCRM Nutrition staff members Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., and Jill Eckart, C.H.H.C., will give a lecture on the low cost of healthy eating and Lisa Davis will demonstrate how to make Potato Cabbage Stew. Chef Jason Wyrick created this week’s recipe. Read more about this recipe, including Chef Jason Wyrick’s special notes (PDF).

To connect to the session tonight, click here. The link will only work between 8 and 8:30 p.m., as the session will be interactive.

The class will also be repeated this Saturday, August 16 at 1 p.m. EDT. To connect to the session on Saturday, click here.

If you are unable to attend Thursday or Saturday, you can view any of the many archived shows available to be downloaded.

You can also join the Get-Healthy Club message board, which will allow you to post questions that will be answered by a team of health care professionals.

These are great educational sessions for the whole family and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home!

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CODEPINK Peace Parties — Art Party Wednesday and Delegate Send Off Party Saturday!

My daily reality tends to revolve around my caring for my family and my green education volunteerism.

But just like I go visit other campuses or other groups in the name of green education, sometimes I just have to take the time out to go somewhere or do something in the name of peace.

It’s all very well and good to raise my daughter in a “natural family, peaceful parenting” kind of way, but I also want to make sure her world is peaceful. Not just her home or her upbringing.

War is not green, and Codepink gives a lot of tips for being greener here.

WHAT IS CODEPINK?

I recently started getting to know and become friends with with local CODEPINK organizer, Deidra Lynch. I was thrilled to learn Orlando had a CODEPINK chapter and she’s been filling me in on local activities. The last time I had checked, Orlando hadn’t gotten a local CODEPINK yet.

If you haven’t heard of CODEPINK before, here’s the scoop:

CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education and other life-affirming activities.

CODEPINK is not exclusively women — we invite men to join us — -but we are particularly eager to see mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters, female workers, students, teachers, healers, artists, writers, singers, poets and all outraged woman rise up and oppose the war in Iraq. Women have been the guardians of life — not because we are better or purer or more innately nurturing than men, but because the men have busied themselves making war. Because of our responsibility to the next generation, because of our own love for our families and communities, it is time we women devote ourselves — wholeheartedly — to the business of making peace.

PEACE ART

Because of my daughter’s age, we don’t get to do as much local CODEPINK as I’d like to yet. But helping out on the peace art front is something we certainly can do!

She chose the art work and I coped with the computer and Xerox side of things. I have to deliver them this week:

Interested in helping take the Peace message to both the Democrat and Republican conventions this election year? Can you help paint? Got some art in mind? Willing to donate time, energy, or wishlist items?

Then get over to the parties!

PARTY INFO

If you are going to be in the downtown area this week, feel free to either one or both CODEPINK parties!

On Wednesday it’s about the art making:

CODEPINK Orlando Monthly Meeting & Art Wrap Up

Wednesday, Aug 13, 6 to 9pm

First Unitarian Church of Orlando,

Gore Hall ~ 1901 E. Robinson Street

Orlando, FL 32803

Help us get ready for the delegate Send Off party this Saturday, Aug 16, finish our banners for the conventions, create vibrant back patches for activists and share ideas for our autumn actions!

Can’t make it out? Then come on Saturday:

Peace Delegates Send Off party

Saturday Aug 16th, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

First Unitarian Church of Orlando,

Gore Hall ~ 1901 E. Robinson Street

Orlando, FL 32803

Help us send off our Peace Delegates and show them how proud we are them. Eugene Snowden of Umoja, the Legendary JC’s and his new collaboration, MONDO LIBERO will be playing for our Peace Delegate Send-Off party. Gene and friends will bring Brazilian styled jams, African songs, UMOJA Drum jams and some good ole soul music!

For more info or to RSVP please email. We also need volunteers to bring snacks to share.

RELATED LINKS:

The CodepinkOrlando blog gives local updates and has the mailing list link while Code Pink 4 Peace is the larger website that includes a link the Peace Room.

Are YOU ready to make peace?

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Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament Casino Party & Silent Auction To Benefit Nehrling Gardens

I got this today in an email. Nehrling Gardens is one of the non-profits the Green Team is supporting this year. Every little bit helps, so even if you can’t attend the party, check out the Nehrling’s website on how to help preserve this Florida treasure!

WHAT: “Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, Casino Party & Silent Auction”

BENEFICIARY: Historic Nehrling Palm Cottage Gardens

WHEN: Friday, August 8, 2008 at 7 PM

WHERE: Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St., Windermere, FL 34786

DETAILS:

Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament & Casino Party provided by Fun Planners, Inc., Silent Auction,

wine selections from Tim’s Wine Market, beer, complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Metro West Catering. Reservations available.

Requested donation $75/person. Please specify Poker Tournament OR Casino Party tickets.

All proceeds benefit The Henry Nehrling Society for Acquisition of Historic Nehrling Palm Cottage Gardens.

The Henry Nehrling Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, Fed EIN #59-3617338.
No purchase necessary to participate. Go to “Events” at the website to register.

For more information contact Theresa Myers at 407-876-4524

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Maya Books: Recycled Back-to-School Books

Has your child waited until the last minute to start looking for books on his summer reading list? Are you looking for books to fill out your homeschool curriculum for the beginning of the school year? Have you been looking for a favorite book, a book long out of print, or an old record album to play on your turn table?  Are you tired of paying top dollar for your books?  Then it is time to visit Maya Books in Historic Downtown Sanford!

Maya Books. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Holt.

Maya Books is a warm, cozy, used bookshop located in the Historic District of Sanford. You might be greeted by one of the feline or canine shop tenders (Maya, Miss Mouse, and Tiggerroo fall into the feline category while Layla the lab/sharpei mix fills the canine description!), but you will definitely be welcomed by bibliophile and store owner Yvette Comeau! A quick glance around the store tells you that you are not in a corporate box bookstore! Bookshelves are filled to capacity (and then some) and stacks of books cover every flat surface. Over 20,000 titles are crammed into this literary jungle, and Yvette knows exactly where each and every one is located in the store.

Maya Books carries every genre, including homeschool curriculums (depending on availability).  These books are priced affordably too:  paperback books run from $1-$4 and hardcover copies range from $2-$8.  Only books in good, clean condition are available for sale.  Books that Yvette doesn’t find in good enough quality to sell are placed in a community “FREE” box.  ”Books never get thrown out.  Everyone deserves a chance to read,” Yvette explains.  

“I never buy new.  Even my furniture here in the store was purchased second-hand.  I live by the principals of pre-cycle, recycle, and reuse.  Pre-cycle means to choose something that doesn’t need to be recycled in the first place.  I believe in living lightly,”  Yvette Comeau.

In addition to a huge selection of used books, the Maya Books also offers a selection of new books written by local authors including environmental author Bill Belleville and historical novelist Judge Hitt.  You just might run into an author at a book signing!  Posters, postcards, record albums, CDs, DVDs, VHS, and a selection of incense rounds out the inventory at this eclectic shop.

Yvette and the Maya Books are also supporters of the Cat Protection Society.  Make a contribution at the register, and they’ll match your contribution!

Maya Books is open daily:

M-W 10 “ish” to 5 “ish”
Th-Sat 10 “ish” to 8 “ish”
Sun 12 “ish” to 5 “ish”

Maya Books * 205 A. E. 1st Street * Sanford * Florida * 32771

407-321-6504

mayabooks@earthlink.net

Be sure to mention that you read this article on the Central Florida Green Guide and you’ll receive a 20% discount off of your purchase!

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