SPIRITED WOMAN NEWSLETTER
Copyright Nancy Mills. Issue 4, 2003. All rights reserved.
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CONTENTS
* Spirited Woman Quote
* Editor's Spirited Message
* Spirited Woman Q & A - CHRISTA LARIRIT
* Upcoming Spirited Woman Events
* "WHAT'S HAPPENING" Message Board
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SPIRITED WOMAN QUOTE
"You will have much more strength in anything you choose to do, if you surround yourself with like-minded women going in the same direction." - Nancy Mills
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EDITOR'S MESSAGE
As I sit here writing this newsletter the whole town is preparing for Fiesta. The streets are alive with an array of bright colors and banners are blowing high and wide across State Street. Santa Barbara is all about spirit. So I say, "Viva La Fiesta" and let's march together as one. It is up to us as spirited women to ALWAYS lead the way.
The SPIRITED WOMAN newsletter is meant to be fun, informative, and inspirational. Your free monthly tool to stay connected. This month, please check out the growing SPIRITED WOMAN Events section. You'll see the SPIRITED WOMAN workshop is going on the road to Los Angeles, Ashland, Portland, Eugene, and Nashville. I urge you to tell a friend in any of those cities about the popular workshop.
As always, I would like to thank you for your support, comments, suggestions, and friendship. Means a lot.
Nancy Mills
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SPIRITED WOMAN Q & A
CHRISTA LARIRIT
A few months ago, I went to a poetry reading at the Perch Gallery. One of the poets, Christa Laririt, particularly enthralled me. There she was expressively shouting out her poignant words from her new book Rose's Collage. This 27-year-old with the bold tattoos and blonde bob cut was passionate. Afterwards we got to talking, and one thing led to another. In June, Christa attended the Spirited Woman Workshop.
Christa started writing poetry at the ripe age of 14 - when she lived on a farm in Central Oregon. Later, she graduated from college on a full scholarship. Always eclectic in her pursuits, she's been a writing tutor, an assistant librarian, domestic violence shelter women's advocate, nude artist's model, waitress, health food co-op volunteer, wilderness field instructor, and property management bookkeeper.
Now, in addition to running her own publishing company Calliope Books, Christa, who moved to Santa Barbara from Bend Oregon in 2002, also promotes books, videos, and workshops for The Glendon Association, a local non-profit psychology association.
In October, Christa will be one of 15 performers at the 10th Annual Dancing Poetry Festival in San Franciso. It's quite an honor. She will choreograph and dance to her poem, "Keep the Pen Moving." Wow! I think you will find her fascinating.
Q. Christa, why did you choose to write poetry?
A. The reason why I chose poetry is because there are no rules except those that I determine for myself. I can write all over the page if I want - sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right. I have more freedom of expression to do things and to twist the words around. I don't have to write in complete sentences. I can write in fragments. Also, I can say what I need to say and be done with it - even though some poems have taken me a year to get just right. I’m not really sure why I became a poet. I believe there is kind of a blueprint of our life and we choose whether to realize who we are or not. Maybe poetry was something deep inside me.
Q. Your first book, Rose’s Collage took you five years to write. Why were you compelled to write it?
A. Five years ago when I committed to myself to write this book, I had just left a relationship that was extremely physically and verbally abusive. I felt there were a lot of other people who had gone through the same thing and would be able to relate. I wanted to capture the kind of madness that a person goes through in that situation. I needed a place to have a voice, to express myself and not rely on anyone else’s help. Things would come to me. Walking through a park at night just feeling the heaviness of the darkness – weighting on me - because of what I was feeling inside. I just had to write it down and share my experiences.
Q. What helped you the most with your recovery from domestic violence?
A. Two things. I studied Poekoelan Tjimindi Tulen martial art at One with Heart in Portland. It’s an extreme study based on four animal forms – crane, monkey, snake and tiger. I needed to understand the difference between how using self-defense is different from responding to violence. I also worked at a domestic violence shelter. I saw and talked with a lot of woman and children. I heard their stories and saw what they went through and how they got out of it. By relating to them, I could heal. It was also a way to give back to my community from a perspective of someone who’s been there.
Q. Who is Rose in Rose’s Collage?
A. One of the women residents that I worked with at the shelter was named Rose. She made a collage about empowerment from magazine and newspaper clippings. It was just brilliant. I named the book Rose’s Collage because it was her perseverance to create it, her dedication to finish it, and positive outlook on life, regardless of what had been done to her, she still knew who she was. This book is a tribute to Rose. She doesn't know it is called Rose’s Collage – the staff and residents were not to remain in touch – but I hope one day she does see the book by chance.
Q. Christa, why do you feel you are a Spirited Woman?
A. I believe anybody committed to helping the world move in a direction they want it to, first needs to take care of themselves. To work towards becoming a realized being. To persevere everyday. Live each moment as if it were the last. To know your different aspects and to accomplish them. Face your fears. When I find something that excites me I go for it, and that fire that burns inside of me is my spirit. Spirit cannot live without us and we cannot live without spirit. If we forget that – then what quality of life are we living?
THANK YOU CHRISTA. SHOUT OUT TO THE WORLD.
Christa will be reading from and signing her book, Rose's Collage at Chaucer's Bookstore on Tuesday evening, August 12th at 7pm. She welcomes you. Christa can be reached at 452-1463 or her website is: www.calliopebooks.com.
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UPCOMING SPIRITED WOMAN EVENTS
For more info on events or to sign up call Nancy Mills at 698-3555 or e-mail her at: thespiritedwoman@aol.com.
SANTA BARBARA
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, August 23, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Nancy's Cottage (above the El Encanto Hotel)
Cost: $50
Afternoon of self-inspiration. Includes creative playfulness and growth. Emphasizes your ALIVENESS and reinforces YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE. Great for transitions, change, movement. Attendees range from writers/artists/healers to business owners. Led by Nancy Mills.
LOS ANGELES
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, September 13, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: 1634 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA
Cost: $55
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday Afternoon, September 14, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: 1634 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA
Cost: $55
ASHLAND, OREGON
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, September 20, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Newandart Gallery, 258 A Street, Suite 2
Cost: $55
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday Afternoon, September 21, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Hidden Springs Wellness Center in Ashland Shopping Center
Cost: $55
PORTLAND, OREGON
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Wednesday Evening, September 24, 2003
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm.
Locale: Kathy Houston's Loft, 1314 Northwest Irving Street
Cost: $55
EUGENE, OREGON
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, September 27, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Four Winds Yoga Center (venue to be confirmed)
Cost: $55
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday Afternoon, September 28, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Four Winds Yoga Center (venue to be confirmed)
Cost: $55
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Thursday Evening, October 16, 2003
Time: 6:30-9:30 pm.
Locale: Hanging Around Gallery, 113 17th Avenue South
Cost: $55
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, October 17, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Hanging Around Gallery, 113 17th Avenue South
Cost: $55
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday Afternoon, October 18, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Hanging Around Gallery, 113 17th Avenue South
Cost: $55
SANTA BARBARA
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, October 25, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Nancy's Cottage (above the El Encanto Hotel)
Cost: $50
LOS ANGELES
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, November 8, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: 1634 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA
Cost: $55
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday Afternoon, November 9, 2003
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: 1634 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA
Cost: $55
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"WHAT'S HAPPENING" MESSAGE BOARD
Talk about staying connected! This is a GREAT MESSAGE BOARD to list your workshop, seminar, event, new business, services or WHATEVER. Presently, the newsletter reaches close to 500 local women. Think of it as your very own SPIRITED WOMAN DIRECTORY. Be sure to check out what other women are offering and support them! Also, see below HOW TO PLACE A LISTING.
SINGLE'S POTLUCK AT SKOFIELD PARK. August 17, 3-6pm, eat at 3:30 pm. A fun, comfortable way to make new friends. Bring food to share, any games you want to play (volleyball, cricket, board games) and a member of the opposite sex for gender balance if possible. Suggested age range 35-60. 963-2388 or 568-0669.
KATZ & MOUSE WEB DEVELOPMENT. Your business deserves more than a "cookie-cutter" site. Our starting point for each project is you: We listen to what your vision is for your site. Each project is carefully planned to offer outstanding visual appeal and effective, on-target communication. Visit us at: http://www.katzandmouse.com or call 899.3001.
SAFE, SIMPLE NUTRITION - Interested in finding out how Jack Canfield lost 33 pounds in 35 days? How his assistant (me) turned around serious pre-menopausal mood swings in 2 weeks? Or do you want a free copy of the Chicken Soup for the Healthy Soul sampler? Discover how this cleansing, fat-burning, and anti-aging nutritional system is helping thousands. Dana Drobny. 453-2998
FANTASY ART SHOES designed by artist Margo Von Phul. Fun, whimsical art for your home and office. Make great gifts for all occasions. Please come visit me at the Sunday Art Walk across from the Carousel. 684-0901
PIANO LESSONS. Classical and Jazz. Children and Adults. All Levels, All Ages. Now accepting students. My studio or your home. Background piano music for weddings and parties. Nancy Harris Jones, MA, Piano Performance. Member Music Teachers' Assn. of California. Member Music Teachers' National Assn. 967-1160
COLOR CARD READINGS by intuitive Margo Von Phul. Based on the wisdom of colors, my readings are similar to the tarot but more insightful. Great for personal transitions as well as parties, birthdays, fundraising and special promotions. $50/1 hr. session/parties negotiable. 684-0901
COME SEE MAUDE THE PERMFESSIONAL - For great hair color and hair design come see Maude at Bazinet Hair Salon at 3008 State Street. The salon also specializes in wigs and hairpieces. Visit www.davebazinet.com. 687-1010
WILD WOMEN OF SANTA BARBARA HANDCRAFTED SCULPTURES - "Wild" combination of glass, wire, clay and beads, the sculpted bodies are fused or lampworked with indivually-stylized details such as glass eyes and beaded hair. Uniquely created by Joe-el Helgesen, renowned jewelry and sculptor designer. 686-2417
ITALIAN LESSONS - I am a native Italian and I would like to teach you my beautiful language. For over 18 years, I taught in a private school in Santa Monica. I teach beginners to advanced, both grammar and conversation. Laura DeLuca. 565-3720
WEBSITE HOSTING AND DESIGN - The Digital Literature Institute is a nonprofit established to help individuals and organizations archive and share their stories through the use of multimedia tools. For info about domain hosting packages and website design visit http://www.digitallit.org/design or mail: info@digitallit.org.
HOW TO PLACE A LISTING
E-mail a 60 word or less description of your listing (word count must include phone number and such) by the 25th of each month (i.e., August 25 for September 1 issue) to: thespiritedwoman@aol.com and put "What's Happening" in the subject line.
All past SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP attendees receive ONE FREE listing per month. All additional listings are $10 per item per month.
For those of you who have NOT attended the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP it costs $10 per listing per month. Please follow the above instructions.
Checks for all payable listings are to be received in advance of the next monthly issue (Sept. 1) and sent to: Nancy Mills, P.O. BOX 20042, Santa Barbara, CA 93120.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER:
Place "Spirited Woman Newsletter, Yes" in e-mail subject line. To unsubscribe place "unsubscribe" in e-mail subject line.
THANKS FOR YOUR SPIRIT! SPIRITED WOMEN! AND YOUR SUPPORT!
PLEASE FORWARD TO OTHER SPIRITED WOMEN.
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