I spy with my little eye...

Great success last night. With gratitude and respect, thank you to all the fantastic musicians and to everyone who came out and made the night what it was. Good times indeed with a great group of people. Together we raised $1,055! .

* Photograph by Jeff Lynch

Uganda Rocks, Part Deuce... TONIGHT

Take a nap and then get on your dancing shoes... be a part of a night of live, local music for the greater good.

Spy Club, Second Street, 9:00 pm until the wee hours...

$10 at the door

Build a school, sustainable farm, and birthing center for Ugandan communities in great need.

The Sentinel Online : A E : Arts : Area bands rock for Ugandan charities

The Sentinel Online : A E : Arts : Area bands rock for Ugandan charities

Thanks to Lisa Clarke - area entertainment writer, and to Jeff Lynch who sparked her interest... Uganda Rocks and Yogini for Uganda has a write in The Sentinel.

Gratitude

I bow to you all in gratitude and acknowledge your very important roll in the world... thank you endlessly.

Hero on Bridge Street etc etc

Last night I printed my logo on all the shirts for Uganda Rocks Part Deuce... and this afternoon I turned them over to Josh at Axis Custom Apparel to print the poster image on the front. This is the first item that I will not have a chance to actually print the entire shirt, a process that is important to me - and while that disappoints me I could think of no one that I would rather have getting the job done.

Thank you Josh and the rest of the crew at Axis... your kindness and radness it is fully appreciated.

Spontaneous advocate

Last night I had a spontaneous fundraiser.

Our story begins with my usual weekend gig as a bartender... I had four people come in. They sat themselves down directly in front of one of my Change for Change cans and a few postcards for Uganda Rocks ~ Part Deuce... they asked about it, I told about it. And what happened next was a flurry and a mad fundraising delight. One of the women in the group starts going from person to person, table to table explaining to people what I was doing. She is out there on the floor of the restaurant striking deals, asking donations, and buying drinks for patrons if they donated $10, $20, $1, .$25... around and around the bar she went. It was fabulous.

The band played, people carried on, drinks and tapas were consumed. An hour passed and the foursome got up to leave and this is what the previously 25% filled can looked like. She raised over $100.

Thanks spontaneous fundraising friend.

Either you're a part of the problem or a part of the solution...

A comment was left on the Facebook event wall for Uganda Rocks Part Deuce that had me so worked up that my hands were shaking and my palms were sweating... I 'm aware that people have differing views, and I realize that some people hold to the opinion that a better use for money raised could be found in our own country, towns and communities but this comment was well...wow! It had been a long while since I encountered such bigotry, hostility and hatred.

Without naming a name (although this "fella" sure wasn't shy about sharing his opinion openly) or quoting him correctly by inserting the proper amount of f-bombs ... his sentiment summed up was that raising money for Uganda (or anyone outside the US) is a scam and he felt and actually wrote that the "people, (he did not use the word people but rather a word that starts with n) in Uganda should die of thirst".

Why the hate? I am curious what this person's contribution to life is? I almost commented back, I almost emailed him but rather I deleted the comment and moved on.

But I will say this - part of the money raised does stay in the USA, it goes to support yoga programs for urban at-risk youth. This guy probably doesn't like urban youth either. And I strongly believe that we, I, you , me, can benefit from helping others within or outside of our own borders. And if you want to help your own town, community, neighborhood or country - then do it. Raise the money, create the projects... walk the walk. Peace.

How many hands does it take to make a chicken shirt?

I ran into a bit of a dilemma yesterday... and I am pretty sure my head was about to split right open. I needed to solve a problem. I needed to solve it fast.

How did I solve it - I went to the Deuce Gibb Salon. A hair cut at a time like this you might be saying? No... initially this visit was just to deliver some posters and postcards to Deuce who's band is playing in Uganda Rocks ~ Part Deuce (hence the Deuce part of the event name)... and to talk over some last minute details regarding the show but what I got out of the visit was a breath of fresh air and a big sigh of relief and many a helping hand.

If you have never been to Deuce's salon I highly recommend it. Not only do they deliver excellent services but the staff there are as cool as cucumbers, oh so nice and it is a welcoming, comfortable, cool place to hang.

So.... yesterday I was having a screen burning issue - our local art supply store is leaving us and everything is 50% off and while that is fantastic for those of you who want to stock up on supplies it was not so good for me yesterday when I needed something and the screen printing aisle was completely cleaned out of all items. No supplies, no screen. No screen, no cool new concert tee. Sadness settled in and disappointment that I should have planned ahead in some unforeseen way... but I don't really have time for "should of" and "could of" I needed a real solution - the shirts are on the way, and the benefit show is around the corner.

The solution - Axis Custom Apparel ... they checked out my issue and solved the problem. When another problem came up, he solved that one too. The owner even took the time to show me the shop, the awesome equipment and process. This is the place to go to get your custom apparel done. I love my basement workshop but these guys have the set up and the owner is cool and kind enough to take time out of his incredibly busy schedule to help me out.

Thank you Josh at Axis - and Deuce for sending me down there. Sometimes you cannot do everything yourself, actually very rarely, and when you can't and you have reached the end of your abilities - open you mouth, ask for help... you'll be surprised where it comes up. It also shows once again that New Cumberland is a very cool place to be.

Are you ready to Rock?

Friday November 27th (the eve after Thanksgiving) is Uganda Rocks ~ Part Deuce @ Spy Club ( which is inside the Dragon Fly on Second Street)

Your ticket price of $10 will help to build an eco-birthing center for mothers with HIV/AIDS in Uganda, a seven room primary school with attached sustainable farm, and will help to leave a living legacy for a community pf people in great need.

Mechanical Minds goes on first starting the night with a blend of hip hop, spoken word and jazz instrumentation, Blue Elephant is up next bringing us the blues... and after that the Martini Bros rock like rock n' roll should be done and the ever excellent Suburban Transit closes out the evening with their stellar funky style.

Friday November 27th 9:00 pm... $10... a small way to give thanks by giving.

Hope to see you all there.

Bizarre success!!

whooshhhhh... what a day!

What a fun, exciting, cozy, inspiring, non stop day!

Huge success for Yogini for Uganda at the Odd Ones Bizarre yesterday - with sales coming in at $1,035 (and counting) we have now raised $8,112.75!!!

Thank you everyone who came out yesterday, to all the vendors and creative community who came out in support! Thank you to Mantis for putting together another fantastic Holiday Bizarre. And a very special thank you to the artists and friends that contributed their time and hands to getting everything together.

** Photograh by Elliot Stevenson

ready. set. and go....

Almost ready for tomorrow's Odd Ones Bizarre... thanks to all my peeps for lending a helping hand in all the ways that you did.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Everything we do has consequence - whether the outcome is positive or negative depends on many factors and viewpoints.

Today I want to send out a very special thank you Mia, a sister in the Seva challenge, who has decided to donate what she has raised so far to my fundraising goal. With that amount we have now raised $7,077.75!! I am teary eyed just thinking about it. Namaste Mia - I bow to the divine in you.

Thank you Mia. Thank you to everyone who helped you raise the money. Thank you to everyone who is supporting this simple, sustainable way to make a positive difference in the world. Beyond politics, beyond borders and religious views - just one community helping out another and not wanting anything in return.

That is some positive news to focus on in these confusing and troubling times on our planet - good stuff like this is what builds bridges of peace from person to person, from place to place. I am continually touched by the generosity and support I find in the community where I live and grew up. I could not ask for better friends, teachers, co-workers, community and family. I am beyond grateful and thankful everyday.

What better way to salute veterans on this day than to try and make the world a better place so no one has to fight anymore. Idealistic but I'll take it.

Save this date

Sunday December 13th - we will gather. stretch. dance. listen. sit. move. breathe and come together... for a day of yoga. of union.

yoga for the greater good.

After... and then there were none

The making of one purple tee..

Before...

These little sweeties are getting their lotuses tonight... Organic tees for all sizes!

rise & shine

Right after waking up and making the coffee I went downstairs to check up on last night's work - see how everything is drying, see if any little brownies finished the work for me in the night... see what's what.

Standing in the "studio" I had to fight off the urge to start printing - I was justifying it to myself thinking, "well small black lotus wouldn't take that long..."

I walked away before I got myself into something... and to keep productive I'll bust out some rows on this scarf. Knitted with love for Uganda using organic cotton made in the USA.

good night sleep tight

sorted and ready to go

It doesn't get much better than a chicken with side burns...

Let the screen printing begin...

I am excited about this next batch of apparel. I am actually excited about the next three batches.. (Uganda Rocks, Part Deuce is going to have a pretty killer concert tee and Yoga for Uganda will have a lovely new design as well).

Today I am working on items for the Odd Ones Holday Biazarre next Saturday. I changed the color scheme around a bit and this time went for Autumn hues and cozy shades. Heather grey, warm yellows and unbleached organic cotton make up the majority of pieces... and I have new styles like soft long sleeve tees and cozy hoodies. I did a run of the popular short sleeved organic tees for both men and women.

Of course there are more totes and a nice assortment of organic apparel for wee ones including onsies, hats, bibs and long sleeve baby tees... these will also be available at the Om Baby Open House at BeFit Yoga on Saturday December 5th.

Now that the laundry is done... it is time to start printing.

See you Saturday!

Change for Change, I knew I was saving these for a reason...

I am a saver of things that are useful. Never knowing when you might need or want to create something out of something I tend to keep a hold of things for future use, like coffee cans for instance.

There is a brand of organic coffee that is sold in a sturdy classic coffee can. For a while the ease of the already ground can o' coffee was my standard coffee purchase which left me with about 33 cans over time. Refusing to throw out such a useful item... I kept them knowing one day I would re purpose them at least once... or twice. At the time I was thinking lanterns to light a path during a party... collection cans for a fundraising challenge, I had not really thought of that one at the time.

So now we get to Change for Change and what the collection cans are doing inhabiting my dining room like a temporary art installation.

A few months ago I was thinking about ways to raise money in times when the economy and the world feel unstable. People are concerned, and rightly so, about issues that hit far closer to home than Uganda. It does not seem that these are times that large monetary donations will be flying in - and I am, I will admit, uncomfortable with asking people for them. And so the idea of Change for Change was born. A way to take what is spare to us in our everyday lives, and gather that together to help others.

Last year I deposited two or three coffee cans full of change into my savings account. I was delighted at the amount hidden within this small vessel. A ha! light bulb moment... What if all the cans I had saved, and then some, were full. What a difference we could make, what an impact and change we could help to create.

Once again with the help of the ever talented Megan Caruso the Change for Change campaign was born. The idea being that a little spare change from everyone will go a far way to helping others and bringing our community together at the same time.

From now until the end of the Seva challenge, December 15th, I am asking you to save your spare change and help make a difference.

There are several ways this whole thing can work...

• You can pick up a can from me and take it to your work, home, office, school, neighborhood, bar... etc.

• You can take one home and fill it from your already saved change.

• You could have a party and ask your guests to bring change.

• Or you can let it sit quietly in your home and fill it for the next five weeks - see how much accumulates.

Along with your collection can - or when you see them out and about - I will have information about the challenge so everyone can see where their money is going.

Perhaps you live far away or have a giant vessel full of change to donate - impossible to travel with or too far away to drop it off.

• You could if you so desired deposit your change and donate the amount of your choosing in the form of an online donation or check. (Directions to do that are found in the upper right corner of the sidebar here on the blog - or email me:)

Near the end of the challenge, on Thursday December 10th, there will be an event - a time to get together and bring your change with you. Either in the can or in the vessel of your choosing - a baggie, a jug, jar, bucket or dish... I will announce the details of that event shortly.

So "Where", you say, "is the first place I can get one of these cans or learn more about it"... well I will be at Odd Ones Holiday Bizarre*on Saturday November 14th, held in the HHA Building, 1230 N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg PA. After that you can email me here to request a can. You can pick one up at Suba, in Harrisburg, where I work Friday and Saturday nights. I will also have one with me at upcoming events and will post a list of places where you might see one.

I may even have a "pick up your can" fundraiser... hmmm.

And, maybe you don't want a can - well then, keep your eyes open for them. Look where you shop, eat, get coffee, at a friends house or business. If you see one - throw in a little spare change if you can. In the end we'll see how much we can raise together just by giving what is spare to us.

I'm excited...

*(The Odd Ones Holiday Bizarre is a collection of local artisans selling their handmade goods. I will have a table there with new apparel, organic sugar scrubs, hand knitted scarves, hand loomed rugs - all the proceeds of which go towards the building of a primary school, sustainable farm and eco-birthing center in Uganda.)