MANDYLAND: THE JAZZ ROOM

MANDYLAND: THE JAZZ ROOM
By Mandy Richardson for Echo Weekly
October 13 - 19, 2011

Love jazz? Then you'll love this. Friday and Saturday nights have just gotten exponentially more fantastic now that The Jazz Room has inhabited the historic Huether Hotel in Uptown Waterloo. Featuring International jazz acts that play the world’s top clubs, this new hot spot opened its doors on September 9, 2011 to a sold out show and has averaged 100 in attendance every weekend since.

Offering incredible performances every Friday and Saturday from September to June, The Jazz Room is run by the Grand River Jazz Society (GRJS); a not-for-profit group made up of volunteers who are passionate about bringing good, live jazz to the community. Costs are covered through season subscriptions and 100% of the door proceeds go directly to the artists in attendance each night.

The GRJS mission is simple: Foster audience appreciation, education, outreach and demonstrations. Build community amongst local and national jazz musicians. Create opportunities for up-and-coming musicians to perform live for an audience of jazz lovers thereby increasing awareness and appreciation for jazz music in Waterloo Region.

Doors open each Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. for dinner and opening acts by local artists. There is no cover until the headline show takes the stage at 8:30 for three sets. With a 130 capacity and great sight-lines, The Jazz Room provides a warm and intimate atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Local, national and international jazz players and lovers can't help but gravitate to what KW Symphony favourite Larry Larson calls "the new place to be." And as the season opener for The Jazz Room last month, he should know. Other performers have included multi-Juno award winner Mike Murley (who declared The Jazz Room to be “one of the best jazz venues in Canada!") and his Septet, along with Joni NehRita (one of Guelph's Top 40 Under 40) and jazz legend Archie Alleyne of Kollage.

Another unique feature of this beautiful venue (apart from its resident Yamaha grand piano that was renovated after being rescued from the former Waterloo Stage) is regular live performance painting by Cambridge artist Lori Wonfor Nolan, who paints barefoot while the musicians play. Her life-size canvases capture musical moments in time and adorn the walls of The Jazz Room until they are sold.

Tickets for each weekend’s events are on sale a week in advance at Words Worth Books in Uptown Waterloo (cash only), at Cafe 1812 within the Huether Hotel or at the door of The Jazz Room the night of the event (unless sold out). Check out www.kwjazzroom.com for news on ticket availability and upcoming shows.

If you are an independent business owner, creative genius or another form of awesome, email mandy@mandylandrocks.com to be featured in what is now called Mandyland Magazine. All previous Mandyland features and interviews can be found on www.mandylandrocks.com

MANDYLAND: SPACE FOR LIFE (CLUTTER CLEARING WITH CECILIA)

MANDYLAND: SPACE FOR LIFE (CLUTTER CLEARING)
By Mandy Richardson for Echo Weekly
October 6 - October 12, 2011

"Clutter represents an attachment to something you are struggling to release." -Julie Morgenstern

Ah, clutter. It is the bane of most people's existence yet it surprisingly offers an incredible opportunity to look within and address the issue that is creating it. Understandably though, most of us don't think much about what underlies this real life annoyance; we simply want it to go away, and for good reason. Not only can clutter be overwhelming and cause us to turn a blind eye to the chaos, it can show up almost anywhere: our minds, our homes, our cars, our finances, the office, our computer and more. Luckily, there is hope. Yes, even for you and even if you can't see your counter or desk top at the moment.

Feng Shui consultant, Clutter Coach, Life Coach, Western School of Feng Shui graduate and Space For Life owner Cecilia Moorcroft has been helping people make space for what they really want in their lives since 2003. “Clutter clearing is not about living in an empty house, it’s about creating a space that feeds your heart and soothes your body and allows your mind to rest. Instead of random clutter, you could surround yourself with things that you love and that make you feel alive.” Cecilia's job is to help you get clear on what's no longer working in your life and to help you clarify what it is you now want to create. She takes you through the process of letting go and learning how to do things in a new way, while working through the emotional releases that are sure to come.

In Cecilia's experience, all clutter is unfelt emotions which is why each pile can be so charged and difficult to face. In reality, these aren't just objects you're dealing with, but energy that has built up over time. Once you acknowledge what the clutter represents in your life however, you are well on your way to clearing it both physically and emotionally.

You might think that clutter is a negative thing and criticize both the chaos and yourself for its presence, but as Cecilia says, there is always a benefit to clutter, and compassion for yourself is the most appropriate response. Clutter can serve to fill the voids in our lives that we are not yet ready to face. It can also offer security and comfort and it can even help you to set boundaries you don't feel ready to set on your own. If we are already lonely, a clutter-free home may only enhance that feeling and if we still can't say no to our mother, a constantly chaotic atmosphere might ensure she stays away.

Clutter clearing therefore, is not just about clearing your physical space; it is about personal empowerment. It's about acknowledging what is going on and taking the steps to heal it. It's about making new choices and learning how to say no to the things we don't want and finally saying yes to the things we do.

So if you feel ready to do some clearing of your own and would like support along the way through Clutter Coaching, Feng Shui or Life Coaching, Cecilia can be reached at spaceforlife@gmail.com or by phone at 416-535-6007. You can also attend her upcoming 'Home is Where the Heart Is: Fall Clutter Clearing Workshop with Cecilia' on Sunday, Oct 16, from 1:30pm – 5:00pm at Queen Street Yoga, 44 Queen Street in Kitchener. In this workshop you will learn the root causes of clutter, how to identify it and let go, exercises to get clear on what you really want in your home and your life, how to create a home that inspires you to live the life you want, and the power of bringing you into your space. Go to www.queenstreetyoga.com to register and check out www.spaceforlife.ca for some great articles and videos on Feng Shui, Clutter Clearing and more.

If you are an independent business owner, creative genius or another form of awesome, email mandy@mandylandrocks.com to be featured in Mandyland. All previous Mandyland features and interviews can be found on www.mandylandrocks.com.

Listen to my interview with Cecilia on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mandyland-rocks/id397184212

MANDYLAND: ADOPTION CONNECTIONS

MANDYLAND: ADOPTION CONNECTIONS
By Mandy Richardson for Echo Weekly
September 29 - October 5, 2011

As a mother who chose to give her son up for adoption seven years ago, Shelley Ibbotson of Adoption Connections knows just how emotional and challenging this decision and process can be. With her background in Social Work and Child Welfare however, this birth mom offers something very unique and special to those looking to place or adopt.

To be clear, Adoption Connections is not an adoption agency but an online tool that provides added exposure for Canadians who want to adopt and the opportunity for expectant mothers to browse these profiles from the comfort of their own home. Inter-provincial adoptions are not an uncommon result of having been brought together on this site, and if you think about it, that's pretty incredible. Families who have been struggling to conceive now have a wonderful forum to showcase themselves to expectant mothers and fathers through their online profile; even providing contact information should a mom or dad-to-be want to get in touch.

If you're wondering what it takes for people to be able to adopt, every couple (gay or straight/married or not) or individual looking to adopt must have completed the Home Study by a Ministry approved Social Worker before adopting and even before joining Adoption Connections. This is a very extensive and thorough process that adheres to strict criteria and ensures that each child will be safe and provided for. Once matched, should both parties want to go ahead with an adoption, an adoption professional or lawyer will do all the legal work and get everyone set up with counselling to help with this transition.

The first year is typically the hardest for birth parents and grieving is a natural consequence when they are dealing with not being present for many of the 'firsts'. This is why support groups are essential and why birth parents have a window after the birth of their child should they change their mind and decide to keep him or her. The official paperwork for the adoption cannot be signed until after the baby is 7 days old. And even if you do still choose to place your baby on the 8th day, you and your partner have another 21 days to change your minds.

The process of adoption has come a long way over the past 20 years and long gone are the days where you'd give your child up and wonder for years just how or what your child is doing in life. These days open adoption is more prevalent than closed ones, and encourages both connection and regular visits, and not just between the birth mom/dad and child/adoptive parents, but with the birth parent's family as well. With inclusiveness like this, adoption has transformed from an uncertain and restrictive experience to one that is much more transparent and welcoming.

Of course every adoption contract is different and you can be as involved (or not) as you'd like, presuming both parties are in agreement. Semi-open adoption is also an option and this can include letters, gifts and pictures but no visits.

While open adoption does not appeal or work for everyone, having the option can add a sense of relief to those who are drawn to it. I had a unplanned pregnancy when I was a teenager and my decision not to place my child up for adoption was based on a fear that I would go through life never knowing how she was; something I couldn't bear the thought of at the time and thus, I decided to keep her. I had no idea about open adoption at that time so I am glad it is now becoming more known.

Surprisingly enough though, Shelley informed me that many teen mothers do not place their children up for adoption; it is often those in post-secondary and/or those who already have a child who end up choosing this route. There are many reasons for this, including financial strain and already feeling overwhelmed as it is, and just not feeling equipped to provide the quality of life that they know their child deserves.

Making such a big decision is never easy but it is made easier by Adoption Connections because it offers you peace of mind as you take an active role in choosing whom your child gets placed with. More information means more choices. Also, if you are currently facing a similar life-changing situation and need to make a decision, just remember that you do have options and it is your body and it's your baby so you get to decide what you would like to do. Seek support if you need to because this is not something you should have to face alone.

Finally, did you know that Birth Mother's Day is the day before Mother's Day and Birth Father's Day is the day before Father's Day? This came about by some women in Seattle who noticed that birth parents are rarely celebrated or acknowledged. They chose the day before the original day because “The birth mother/father came before your mother/father”. Thanks for the 411, Shelley!

Go to www.adoptionconnections.ca for more information on this service and/or to connect with Shelley about her consultation services. As a birth mom herself, Shelley can help you to create the kind of profile that will answer the questions most mom-to-bes are wanting to know when they are looking for someone to adopt their child.

If you are an independent business owner, creative genius or another form of awesome, email mandy@ mandylandrocks.com to be featured in Mandyland. All previous Mandyland features and interviews can be found on www.mandylandrocks.com.

Link to this article online: http://www.echoweekly.com/9186-Mandyland.htm
Listen to my interview with Shelley on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mandyland-rocks/id397184212

MANDYLAND: ALL DECK'D OUT

MANDYLAND: ALL DECK'D OUT SKATE JEWELRY
By Mandy Richardson for Echo Weekly
September 22 - 28, 2011

Thanks to All Deck'd Out you can now wear your board with pride. That's right. Skate it. Break it. Wear it. Boom. A fabulous motto to live by and the inspiration behind Dan & Nina Kieswetter's bustling online business, All Deck'd Out Recycled Skate Jewelry. Only 2 years young but possessing the spirit of an established enterprise, All Deck'd Out is already a top player in their field and shows no signs of slowing down.

With Dan's passion for art and boarding and Nina's love of beauty and all things fun, it is no surprise that this fabulous duo have found their niche in recycling skate boards. Spending all their evenings and weekends in the garage surrounded by music and over 1000 skate boards, there really isn't anything that could top the fulfillment of making their dream into a reality. Neither could dream of a more satisfying career.

Specializing in dog tags, rings, necklaces, keychains, bangles, tie clips, earrings, and a helluva lot more, All Deck'd Out can turn you from hip to happenin' in no time flat. Every piece is made by hand, making each item one of a kind and as perfect as perfect can be. Dan & Nina pride themselves in the quality of their work, spending between 2-7 days on just one ring. Perhaps this is why they have already risen to the top despite being so new. With every purchase you are guaranteed the very best work and countless hours behind what you've bought.

The evolution of All Deck'd Out has been an organic one; relying on inspiration, customer feedback and some friendly competition to lead their business into exciting new directions each month. Dan & Nina credit Etsy especially for providing the perfect online store front to sell their goods worldwide. From California to British Columbia to Qatar and a ton of places in between, All Deck'd out is becoming the go to cyber shop for top quality exclusive hand-made recycled pieces that make a statement.

Those who appreciate something unique, colourful, natural, and bold will absolutely love this jewelry line. And for those looking for something extra special, you can even customize your order to include the colours or board of your choosing and engraving is an option as well. Many have chosen All Deck'd Out for custom wedding bands, as well as for nostalgic reasons, like when a favourite board has been smashed to bits. When this happens, tis the perfect time to turn the lost ride into wearable art.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one, check out All Decked Out Skate Jewelry on Facebook which provides a direct link to their Etsy account as well as a ton of pictures of their incredible collection. You can also find their pieces at RareFunk at 91 King Street in Kitchener (www.rarefunk.ca) which supports over 100 local and Canadian artists.

If you are an independent business owner, creative genius or another form of awesome, email mandy@mandylandrocks.com to be featured in MANDYLAND.

www.mandylandrocks.com.

MANDYLAND: GREG MOORE'S 'ROLLING JOURNEY'

MANDYLAND: GREG MOORE'S 'ROLLING JOURNEY'
By Mandy Richardson for Echo Weekly
Septemeber 15 - 21

Now here's something you don't see every day: a Kijiji ad looking for travelling companions for a two-month road trip that's totally legit yet oh so funny, and written by a quadriplegic/comedian/writer whose goal is to live on the edge. Welcome to the fascinating life of Greg Moore.

After a motorcycle accident at the age of 18, Greg suffered a broken neck and a broken spine in 5 places, resulting in a year spent in the hospital and a body now bound by an electric wheel chair. 24 years later however, Greg says that life couldn't be better. “The limits in life aren't physical. They're mental for sure.” He gets to travel, lives on his own here in KW, has incredible friendships and has freedoms that many people don't get to enjoy; like leaving September 24 for a few months to explore the states in search of a new home in L.A., all while helping others along the way.

The ad Greg placed in Kijiji got over 3000 hits, a ton of applicants, 2 newspaper articles, a television interview, and a documentary filmmaker offering to follow Greg for the duration of his trip. This incredible response led Greg to create www.rollingjourney.com as a way to document the process of selecting his travel companions, preparing for the trip and soon enough, the trip itself.

To give you an idea of what Greg was offering and asking for in this Kijiji ad, here is an excerpt:

More details:
*leave end of September
*back, maybe end of November, fairly open ended
*Vehicle: Honda Odyssey Touring edition. (video screen for blowing through Oklahoma)
*Van rule: no beans, no hot dogs, clean undies so your mother won’t be ashamed if we blend fenders with someone
*work: personal care, driving, journaling, being fun, laughing, taking unused hotel/motel soap. more details available
*pay: $25/day plus food and accommodation, some 5 star, some 2 star. Part of the fun is the motel with the vice grips on the tv to change the channel, no?

expectations:
*you should be hygienic. Don’t make me say eureka!
*You have never killed anyone, or animals bigger than a very large fly.
*No excessive drinkers, but I drink some, so moderate is cool. No daytime drinking for any driver.

miscellaneous facts about me:
*male, 6’2″, two hunner pounds
*two eyes, neither glass
*dreamy smile
*once broken, now healed neck.
*I am independent and have no trouble communicating
*not always great at capitalizing lists

Greg has already chosen his travelling buddies; a 24 yr old personal trainer named Dan and a teacher named Amy, as well as an open invite to Amy's sister should she be able to take time away from her PhD studies. The selection process happened through a cocktail party hosted by Greg, where his friends and family got to mingle with the applicant's friends and family in an effort to see which personalities fit the best. The decision was simple and now team Rolling Journey is ready to roll.

In amongst wanting to do some motivational speaking at schools along the way from the east to the west coast, Greg is scheduled to co-host a comedy show in Philly to raise money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, make a pit stop in New Jersey to do what he can to help, meet some Facebook friends, and give a few strangers the experience of a lifetime. Greg's ultimate goal is to have fun however, not to fulfill some bucket list which he feels far too young for. He just wants to enjoy life as it comes, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

On this particular trip Greg wants to take a helicopter ride, try repelling or white water rafting, and anything else that gets him out of his comfort zone. His companions seem equally open to adventure, which will make for some exciting times to be sure. You can follow their shenanigans on www.rollingjourney.com and stay tuned for the documentary that will be out net year.

You can also 'like' Greg Moore/Rolling Journey on Facebook, and get this: if there are 400 likes by September 23, Greg will donate $1,000 to charity and die his hair a funky colour. If there are 1,000 likes, he will donate $2,500. Go to it, hotties!

Be sure to tune into Mandyland Rocks on iTunes to listen to my full interview with Greg. You will no doubt be inspired.

If you are an independent business owner, creative genius or another form of awesome, email mandy@mandylandrocks.com to be featured in Mandyland.

www.mandylandrocks.com

MANDYLAND: THIS BOX ROCKS

MANDYLAND: THIS BOX ROCKS
By Mandy Richardson for Echo Weekly
September 1 - 7, 2011

Living with teenagers sure can be tough, but what's tougher is the bittersweetness you face as a parent when he or she leaves home to attend college or university. Even tougher still is finding a way to show your beloved whippersnapper just how much you care without being lame, interfering with their new-found independence, or buying them junk they'll never use. Luckily, my fellow procreators, This Box Rocks is here to help and provides all the proof your kid needs in order to determine that you are in fact the most kickass parent on the planet.

This Box Rocks has become the modern day care package provider with an emphasis on healthy, high quality, eco-friendly and useful goodies that students love and parents appreciate. It's the perfect way to say I love and miss you; especially when your child is living in residence, going to school out of province or studying internationally.

Born out of a girl's night out where now owner Valerie McKenzie-Flynn and her friends reminisced about all the amazing care packages Valerie received from her mom while in school, This Box Rocks seemed to be the perfect solution to the time crunch that most professional moms face today. After a ton of market research and feedback from students themselves, Valerie began to create what has now become over 25 care packages including the Girl Power Package, Hangover Rescue Package, Workout Fanatic Package, Get Well Soon Package, Valentine's Day Package, Keep Warm Package, and just recently This Box Rocks has also expanded to include packages for moms and babies and those dealing with cancer. And if that weren't enough, Valerie is more than happy to create a custom order to better suit your needs.

"This company actually cares about the products I send my boys. The food is tasty and nutritious and the creams and cleansers are natural. I can feel confident that what goes into and on their bodies is good for them. The sturdy boxes are great for storage and for hiding messes when there is a surprise visit from mom and dad! The boys and their friends at the University of Toronto agree 'this box rocks' " Joanne, Waterloo, ON

Some of the items you can find in these boxes include travel mugs, flash drives, eye masks, ear plugs, Tim's cards, I Love You gum, Burt's Bees products, fuzzy pink socks, stain removing laundry sticks, delicious and nutritious foods and drinks and a whole lot more! And really, who among us doesn't absolutely love receiving packages in the mail? Exactly.

You have two sizes to choose from: the Deluxe Package ($79.95) and the Half-Package ($39.95), both of which have super-strong double-wall construction on the sides and bottom making them built to last. Designed to be reused, these boxes are perfect for storage and the lid is secured to the box with twine and then the whole package is wrapped in a strong uncoloured kraft paper for shipping. Not only that, but before your online order is complete you can customize a message for your child which will be included with the box as a letter. Go to www.thisboxrocks.ca to place your rockin' care package order and be sure to join This Box Rocks on Facebook.

If you are an independent business owner, creative genius or another form of awesome, email mandy@mandylandrocks.com to be featured in Mandyland.

MANDYLAND: CRAVING CHANGE

MANDYLAND: CRAVING CHANGE
By Mandy Richardson for Echo Weekly
September 8 - 14, 2011

If you are looking for ways to achieve better outcomes, both personally and professionally, then Angela Rolleman is your answer. As a registered social worker with extensive experience working in the field of addiction counselling and public speaking/training/facilitation, Angela is passionate about helping others to develop confidence and capacity to achieve their goals.

The Craving Change™ workshop is just one of the many workshops that Angela facilitates and is an incredible and affordable opportunity for those who struggle with emotional eating. Created by dietitian Wendy Shah and clinical psychologist Dr. Colleen Cannon, this licensed, trademarked and evidence-based program uses a cognitive-behavioural approach to help gain self-awareness of eating triggers and develop concrete strategies to help manage emotional eating and create new responses and strategies. This is not a course about dieting, but about understanding and controlling the behaviours that drive overeating.

“Most of us know that eating an apple is healthier than eating chocolate cake, so why do we often choose the cake? Contrary to popular belief, it is not just about having “willpower”. You can have all the knowledge and motivation in the world, but until you learn how to overcome the "emotional" and "conditioning" part of overeating, you will have a very hard time succeeding in your goal to overcome problematic eating behaviours.”

Craving Change is a workshop series taught as three - 2 ½ hour classes over a 4 week period, and the $75 cost includes a Craving Change™ client workbook for you to use and keep. Session 1 of Craving Change focuses on discovering your triggers, Session 2 offers a “buffet of strategies”, and in Session 3 you learn how to continue the change. You will also learn how to discern between mouth, stomach or heart hunger, and you will be guided towards finding what works best for you throughout the 4 weeks. Since our bodies are naturally self-healing, all we need to do is slow down enough to pay attention to the messages we're being given each day about how certain foods and our eating habits are affecting our bodies and well-being in order to make the best choices for where we are at and where we'd like to be.

The great thing about Craving Change is that there are no prescriptions or guidelines to follow. You are simply encouraged to pay attention to your feelings and your body, become aware of your triggers, and decide for yourself how you would best like to approach these new changes. Since everyone is different, no one way works for everyone which is why many useful tools are offered. However, this workshop is not recommended for those dealing with bulimia and anorexia, as both require more intensive support, although some of the strategies in the workshops could of course be beneficial to those who struggle with these things as long as they are receiving additional support and proper care.

With over twelve years of experience working in social service settings including child welfare, employment counselling, family counselling, crisis counselling, health care, outpatient addiction treatment, and residential addiction treatment, Angela's mission remains simple: to empower individuals to reach their fullest potential and achieve their dreams in all life areas, and to assist helping professionals to become more effective at empowering their clients to make positive changes in their lives.

Her Master’s degree in Social Work, undergraduate degree in Psychology, and Diploma in Addiction Counselling, along with her certifications in Intensive Smoking Cessation Counselling, True Colors™, Craving Change™, and the Stanford Chronic Pain Self Management Program, have more than equipped and qualified Angela to develop and deliver a number of transformative workshops including the following: Professional Development Workshops such as Motivational Interviewing, Fundamentals of Addiction, Foundations of Tobacco Cessation, True Colors™ Corporate Seminars, and Custom In-House Workshops, as well as Personal Development & Wellness Workshops such as Craving Change™, True Colors™ for Personal Awareness, Coping with Stress, Improving Self-Esteem, Assertive Communication, Yes You Can! Achieving Your Dreams, Breaking Free! Steps towards Quitting Smoking.

For more information on Craving Change or any other workshops offered, go to www.angelarolleman.com. You can also 'like' Craving Change on Facebook.

A new 4 week Craving Change series begins Saturday, September 10 and there are still spots available so call Angela at 519-573-9364 or email info@angelarolleman.com to register. Also be sure to tune into Mandyland Rocks on iTunes to listen to my full interview with Angela at http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mandyland-rocks/id397184212.



If you are an independent business owner, creative genius or another form of awesome, email mandy@mandylandrocks.com to be featured in Mandyland.