Happy Thanksgiving!

Sure is quiet over at the Just CAWS blog, what's everyone up to? I'm still blogging pretty much daily at the Writing Nag and working at the restaurant. Anyone else?

Come help Wendy Burt celebrate the impending arrival of her little boy!

Come help Wendy Burt celebrate the impending arrival of her little boy!
We'll have a brunch/shower/reunion 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Aug. 5 at the Commons House of the co-housing community. We'll have access to the microwave, but not the oven or stove.
We need:

paper plates
plastic cutlery
napkins
drinks and paper cups
brunch food (quiche, baked goods, fruit, etc.)
We'll also spend some time catching up on what we've all been doing with our creative endeavors.
Wendy is registered at Target/www.Target.com - due September 22.
Come hang out and catch up with your Just CAWS friends!

If you are coming, please reply to Rhonda (creativeincolorado@yahoo.com) BY THURSDAY, AUGUST 2. Tell her what you are bringing, and please ask if you need directions.

We had a great time at the Gracie shower - and speaking of Little Miss, she will probably attend.

Here are the responses so far:

Terry Barber – egg dish

Laura Benjamin – not sure yet

Janice Black – not sure yet

Cyndi Deville – not sure yet

Sue Dougherty – paper plates and/or plastic cutlery

Dianne Perea – not sure yet

Annette Roush – Bundt cake

Rhonda Van Pelt – cornbread or cornmeal-jalapeño muffins

cancel

Hi All,

Once again I am cancelling the meeting here. Actually, I better just say that after some reflection I have decided not to host it here on a regular basis. However, if we need space for some particular gathering, I would be happy to reserve the Common House.

library art show

The Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave., is having a show called "Gardens: Nature's Palette," with work in a variety of media, through June 29. It's worth checking out - library hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

Italian Cooking

Just wanted to share that my new column is online.

http://www.gardenandhearth.com/Italian-Cooking.htm

Pat

yet another show

As part of an experiment to see how many shows I can be in at (almost) the same time, I will have nature photos in a group show at Phantom Canyon, 2. E. Pikes Peak Ave. (at Cascade). It will be up until Aug. 7.

arty party

I've uploaded the image I just received, but in case you can't read it all:
Sneak preview of peakradar.com, your source for art, culture and fun. The most comprehensive cultural events calendar ever. Presented by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR).
7-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, brief presentation at 7:30 p.m.. Smokebrush Gallery, 218 W. Colorado Ave. (under the bridge)
Food, beverages and music provided.

Sunday meetings

Hello All,

I will not be hostessing the June meeting for various reasons. In other words, the June meeting will not be here at Casa Verde Commons.

Yours truly,
Janice

Standing Women

g Women --Mother's Day

Have you heard about the Standing Women event on Sunday, Mother's Day?
Women across the world are standing at 1:00 for five minutes of silence
to imagine a better world.

It is a pretty amazing thing. Thanks to Ann Fisher for her Dispatch
article on the event.  A group of women have invited women
all over the world to stand together.

The idea came from a book called a THE GREAT SILENT GRANDMOTHER
GATHERING: A STORY FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS SHE CAN'T SAVE THE WORLD by Sharon
Mehdi.

There will be 2284 women events in 66 countries. The number keeps growing.

The combination of women and good books continue to make the world a
better place.

Americans for the Arts Survey

Americans for the Arts is conducting a nationwide scan of the arts environment to help us determine the best ways to advance the arts in America. As someone who knows just how essential the arts are, your voice and input are vital. We hope you will help us by dedicating some of your time to complete our online survey no later than Friday, May 11. We also encourage you to pass this survey along to your colleagues, networks, and friends. The more stakeholders we hear from, the better educated will we be in working together to build an environment in which the arts can thrive.

All survey respondents who choose to provide their contact information will be automatically eligible to win one of five $75 American Express® gift cards.

http://www.artsusa.org/about_us/environmental_analysis/default.asp

Artists Lair Summer Arts Festival

All media except audio, video or performance art, $25 entry fee per two entries, mailed slide/CD entries by May 18, entry deadline June 5. Artists Lair, 2766 Janitell Road, CS 80906, 576-5247.

State Fair art show

http://www.coloradostatefair.com/index.php?page=competitive_fine_arts

Rhonda's calendar

I just wanted to let everyone know that Rhonda's calendar has made its way to Florida. I sent one to my aunt, who has a cabin in this area, and she was thrilled with the photography. She is an artist/writer/photographer in her own right.

Challenge for Poets

My classmate and colleague Becci has set up a poetry challenge on her website, you'll need to write a poem a day (any style). Details below:

If any of you are interested in joining a 365 poetry project challenge, go to
www.megans-closet.com <http://www.megans-closet.com> check out the 365 board on the forum and if you'd like to join sign up at MC and send Becci Goodall an email muzzmuse@hotmail.com so Becci can create a board for your work.
You’ll need to write a poem a day then post it on the site. Poems don't have to be posted daily as we don't always have access to the web. Participants are asked to write one poem
wherever they are before going to sleep that day and then post when able.

Any takers?????


Cyndia

New art group

Springs Art League is meeting at 11 a.m. Sunday April 29 at Pikes Perk, 1616 S. Eighth St.
For more information, check out http://cosart.blogspot.com/ and http://cosart.wiki-site.com/index.php/Main_Page
Everyone is welcome; bring samples of your work if you'd like. We will also discuss ideas for a logo and a group show.

Rhonda is famous (sort of)

http://www.opticalreverb.com/visualSearch.asp?id=&s=Rhonda%20Van%20Pelt&c=&pn=1

book

This sounds interesting and helpful:
"Become Who You Were Born to Be: We All Have a Gift . . . Have You Discovered Yours?" by Brian Souza.

lessons from an artist

"To be an artist is to find out how many pats on the back it takes to warm a bowl of gruel."
Sean O'Meallie, Colorado Springs sculptor
Read the story, which illustrates how synchronicity and happy accidents can boost an artist's career:
http://www.gazette.com/onset?id=20821&template=article.html

Just CAWS Newsletter glitch

I wanted to let everyone know that I am aware you received a bajillion copies of the newsletter in your email box this morning. Yahoo.groups was a having a glitch in their software. They're trying to make postings appear quicker and instead it made so postings multiplied themselves. I've heard some people got 20 copies of the newsletter and others got 12. This was not intentional but a bug in a program.

Cyndia

opportunity?

Art in Community (AIC) promotes local artists who are willing to donate 10 percent of the purchase price of their art to a nonprofit of the buyer's choice. Local artists and nonprofits that are interested in participating may call 540-3592.

opportunity for artists

Biore and Genart Uncover/Discover contest: Women can enter original artwork at www.biore.genart.com. The grand-prize winner gets $20,000 and a trip to New York City to showcase their work. Deadline: May 31.

F*R*E*E Book

I have an extra copy of The Power of Kabbalah: Technology for the Soul by Yehuda Berg. It's free to a good home (and the first person that claims it). I can give it to you at the next Just CAWS meeting (April 1st) or we can make other arrangements.

Cyndia

New Yahoo! Group

I wanted to let everyone know about a new group, SPDColoradoSHARE. This group has been created for families, relatives, teachers and therapists who have or know someone who has Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) in Colorado, USA. We are here to provide Support, Help, Advocacy, Resources and Education.

Join us!

"It is not enough to prepare our children for the world ... we must prepare the world for our children."

(I hope this post offends no one. Just CAWSers are the most caring group of women I know and I knew you would be willing to pass the word on to help others-both adults and children. Thanks in advance for helping to get the word out.)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SPDColoradoSHARE/

art show

“In Retrospect,” works in a variety of media by Rhonda S. Van Pelt, through May 31. Paragon Ballroom: 3125 Sinton Road, 634-4550. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays-Saturdays.
Paragon Ballroom is in the Paragon Culinary School/Cedars Jazz Club complex just north of the northeast corner of Fillmore and Interstate 25.
Let me know if you want to see it and I'll make arrangements for a time that's convenient.

Homeless Artists

My renter will be leaving by August 1, which leaves me with a room to rent in a new, clean light filled home in downtown Colorado Springs. I may have a room available before that date. This could be short term or long term. If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact me at JaniceBlack@pcisys.net. (P.S. I hope this post offends no one. )

More haiku

Haiku on Sunday

Mahongony cone, with sap clings.
Sun rays melt certain grasp
like resolve.

..........................................

Breath is gone. Red dirt shifts
In its own auburn light,
Parched, a homeless god.

The above is a product of today's Haiku led by our Pat Nolan.

Hey, what was it that I told the group that I would post here? Something about next month's JustCAWS gathering at Casa Verde Commons entailing crazy exercises to come up with a witty ditty, a plain name, a pogo logo, a lame game? We want more general CREATIVITY exercises that lend themselves to the heart of the matter of CREATIVITY which will then find expression in each woman's chosen media...written or spoken work, visual arts, movement, sound, etc. Actual practice or tool developing, skill building, medium expedium, that may be limited to particular art forms can happen at other times or locations and be POSTED HERE. But the first of the month meetings will target EVERYWOMAN's creative juices.

So the poets who poet don't have to draw, the fancy dancy Nancies don't have to cut-and-paste or cook-and-taste.

Did I get it right? Does my message come through? Write to me, please, to let me know!

On another note:

• If you are a creative woman who wants information about poetry gatherings in the Pikes Peak region, or
• if you want to post to this blog,

email me at JaniceBlack@pcisys.net for an invitation/instructions to join.

Janice

Daycare at Just CAWS?

Several women have commented that they'd like to come to some meetings but don't have babysitting. There is a playroom on site at the community house. Would anyone be interested in either sharing time (maybe 4 30-minute shifts) to watch the kids or paying to bring in an outside babysitter/art teacher? (Maybe we could hire someone from the college down the road.)

Inspired by Pat Nolan!

If you missed the haiku workshop you missed an inspiring morning of poetry among some very creative women. Thanks to Pat Nolan for sharing her poetry with us and for teaching us about this form of poetry.

the peony bud
shrimp-colored sweetness for a
parade of black ants


before the spring rain
tender bulbs make a quick plan
bloom before Easter

Pat Kennelly

Just CAWS Sunday, 4 March 2007

Patricia Nolan will present a workshop about the Japanese form of poetry, Haiku.
Bring a notebook or paper, pen or pencil. We'll have handouts and plenty of examples.
The theme is nature, seasons, weather, etc.
Meet at Casa Verde Commons, 10 am - noon. Hope to see you there. P

Haiku Salon

Hello Just Caws, I've only heard from one person regarding the Haiku Salon this Thursday evening, 15 Feb, 7 pm. if you are interested, please email RIVERPHOTO@aol.com or call 719 - 540 - 2878 for more information and directions. Thanks, Patricia

Dinner And A Movie

The Mediterranean Cafe has a great offer for Valentine's Day or any other day. For only $30. a couple (+ that pesky sales tax) we offer The Mediterranean Feast (spanakopita, moussaka, Med salad, dolmas, rice, hummus,grilled pita bread, the best falafels anywhere, gyro meat) & BAKLAVA and 2 movie passes to Kimball's. Reservations are necessary, but the great part about it is you can use the passes anytime and Kimball's shows some of the best movies in town. When was the last time you went downtown? No really there is plenty of parking, althought you may have to park in a garage but what's a few extra minutes when all the great stuff is downtown! There is also a free downtown shuttle and very cool stores that have neat gifts you won't find anywhere else. Or wander over to The Book Broker or Poor Richard's for those books you've been meaning to get.

Haiku

Ke_peace_2u@yahoo.com Hi, who are you? How can I contact you? Can't get your email to go through. Please email me. Riverphoto@aol.com. Thanks, P

Creative Arts Salon

I am hosting a Creative Arts Salon the first Monday of each month, and today (Feb 5 2007) is the very first meeting:

---

dictionary definition: salon: "a regular gathering of prominent people from the worlds of literature, art, music, or politics, especially one held at the home of a wealthy woman"

in this particular case, remove "prominent", "wealthy" and "politics" and you'll get a pretty good idea... :-D

---

When: The first Monday of each month,
5:30 pm potluck dinner (optional), 7-9 pm meeting

Where: North Central part of town, near Fillmore and Hancock intersection

Who: Adults and mature teens (meetings could be "R" rated at times)

Info: contact Karen at ke_peace_2u@yahoo.com or 471-9456


This is an opportunity to share, in a supportive environment, any creative endeavor you are involved in, at any skill level. This is not a critique group (although feedback of any sort, including critique, can be requested if you wish).

The guiding idea and attitude is that: creativity is one of the most natural activities of humankind, therapeutic, healing, community-building, and beneficial regardless of one's skill level or expertise. Heraclitus said [approximate quote] "Man is never nearly so much himself as when he has the seriousness of a child at play."

Pat Nolan has announced that she is hosting a HAIKU party on Thursday, Feb. 15th at 7 pm at her place for a limited number of people. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to her. I was going to post a map for her but thought better of it. So, either contact her, or email me and I will send you the map (if I know who you are and assuming it's OK with Pat to do it this way.)

Janice

Workshop and Counseling Room Space Rental

The Sanctuary of Sacred Truth Spiritual Center has space for rent on a part-time basis. There is a workshop, class, gathering space with beautiful wooden floor as well as a private counseling/bodywork room available, totally furnished with massage table included. The workshop space includes use of 45 padded chairs and several tables at no additional charge. Also, the wooden floor would work well for yoga, tai chi, etc. classes. For further information, photos, exact location and rates, see website: sanctuaryofsacredtruth.com. Laurie Spindler will be happy to show you the space when you contact her....number and email on website.
Elizabeth Brandes 685-1408

photo calendars for sale

Rhonda Van Pelt is selling calendars with photos of Red Rock Canyon. They are for 2007, but the photos are still nice to look at! They are $19, which works out to about $1.46 per photo. I've inserted the cover photo, and many of the others can be seen at:
www.redrockcanyonopenspace.org/page37.html
Contact Rhonda at creativeincolorado@yahoo.com

Cooking Class Announced

Mediterranean Cafe is announcing the first in a series of cooking classes. The first one will be held at our downtown store on February 18, 2007 beginning at noon and ending at 3 p.m. Our restaurant is closed on Sundays so there will be ample opportunity to learn new skills, try out your skills, ask questions and bring home great tasting soups.

This class is called Basic Knife Skills and Basic Soup Techniques. The cost is $35 per person or $55 which includes an all purpose chef's knife. You must bring a knife with you if you don't intend on purchasing a knife. The class will cover basic knife skills taught by Cordon Bleu trained chef Mike Bergman and soup making techniques taught by Mike and Just Cawser, Pat Kennelly. The classes are limited to 8 people so please register by emailing me at kennelly25@msn.com. If you don't get into this class we will schedule another class in March. For questions, comments or suggestions you can email me!

online photo gallery

Until I can get my rear in gear and create my own Web site, here's a link to the Friends of Red Rock Canyon photo gallery:
www.redrockcanyonopenspace.org/page37.html

photo show

“Regarding Red Rock Canyon,” photos by Rhonda S. Van Pelt, Feb. 1-June 30. Pikes Perk, 1616 S. Eighth St., 634-7375. 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays.

brief update

The guy at Paragon just called - he'd forgotten they're having a three-day show in early March, so I won't hang mine until after that comes down. I'm relieved - I was not looking forward to hanging two shows in what could have been two days.
So don't rush over there to see my work until mid-March! :-)

Busy, busy

Hi everyone -

I just found out in the last couple of days that I've been accepted for shows at the Paragon Ballroom/Cedars Jazz Club (I-25 and Fillmore) and the Pikes Perk on South Eighth. Turns out, they both need work starting in February. As in 11 days from now!

Fortunately, I've got a lot of work on hand - Paragon has room for at least 30 pieces. Also fortunately, they're both willing to have work there for three months or so.

FYI: Paragon doesn't charge a commission and Ron, the guy who books art shows, has been great to work with. The only caveat is they don't want anything risque (and I know you ladies like to raise eyebrows) because they frequently have wedding receptions there - which tends to mean elderly people.

At the very least, I'll get a few more eyeballs on my work. If you're interested, Ron's cell phone number is 510-1450.

The show at Pikes Perk will be Red Rock Canyon photos. Because I just noticed it looks very easy to add images, I'll throw one in here. Well, actually, up there.

See you!

Using this blog

Hi all,
Sherry asked how to use this blog. You can add a new post, comment on something someone else posted or just read the posts. FYI, be sure to check out the link on the right called "Notices" where Rhonda posted about the call for art, etc.

Thanks!
Wendy

Another opportunity

Arts Perspective magazine is looking for photos to publish in its Spring 2007 Photography Issue. Winners will receive a modest stipend and an exhibition opportunity at Open Shutter Gallery in Durango April 4-11. Submissions can be digital or film. Non-refundable entry fee is $15. For more, see www.ArtsPerspective.com.

ONE the movie

This is the movie we talked about at the Just CAWS meeting on January 7, 2007. It may be showing in Colorado Springs at a later date. I sent the info to a church that may host a screening.

Denver Hosts Two New Colorado Showings of

ONE, the MOVIE:

A Contemporary Journey Toward a Timeless Destiny

ONE the Movie, an independent film, has now been seen on five continents by over 100,000 people. The film was made by Ward Powers, a trial attorney and father of three who lives in a suburb of Detroit. After waking one morning with an idea to make a film exploring some of life's big questions, he ordered a video camera and ventured out with two friends and a list of questions designed to discover the meaning of life. No one had any filmmaking experience.

"The universe comes to the rescue when a group of friends decide to step outside the lines of everyday existence. Armed with only a digital video camera, a list of 20 questions and a dream... these suburban dads set out to become independent filmmakers in search of the meaning of life. Miraculously, they are joined in their quest by many of the world’s greatest spiritual leaders, authors, icons and masters of our time. The movie weaves the novice filmmakers’ remarkable adventures with the answers to life’s ultimate questions in a journey that just may transform your way of seeing the world ... as ONE."

Over time, they ended up interviewing great teachers, leaders and philosophers, including Deepak Chopra, Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Father Thomas Keating, Riane Eisler, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Robert Thurman, Father Richard Rohr, Sufi Sheik Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Mantak Chia, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, and many others.

The film will be shown in Denver on Friday, January 19th, and Saturday, January 20th. Since it is an independent film, it is not showing in first run theatres and has been brought to Denver by Kerensa Meadows of Connecting Heart Spiritual and Life Coaching. Come see the movie with others and explore some of these questions together. Visit http://onetheproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=72 for more information about the movie.

Check it out

Hi everyone -
I've added some interesting opportunities as a comment under Notices - didn't know where else to put them.

Hello All

I've never "blogged" before, now what do we do? Sherry

Yeah, I made it.

I made it to the JC blog and was able to type a post! Yippee!

Cyndi

Notices

At the last Just CAWS meeting, we decided that we would meet regularly at 10-12 am at the Common House at Casa Verde Commons on the first Sunday of the month. Then, we would keep in touch for other meetings via this blog.

If you know of, or would like to make arrangements for events of particular interest to you and other creative women, you can announce the time, place and topics here.

Blue Streak Open Mike happens for poets at Poor Richards on the 2nd Mondays at 7 pm.

See ya!
Janice

OK. I sent myself an email with the login info and tried it. It works!

Invitation

Hi Wendy and Cyndi.
Janice