Happy Independence Day Weekend

Wishing you a great celebratory weekend and reflection time on what independence means today for us as global citizens. What would happen if we had independence from fossil fuels, toxic chemicals and plastic bags and containers?
I believe that following this dream will lead to some of the most exciting and rewarding actions that we will accomplish in our lifetime.

Imagine if all the species of Earth could vote to keep or not to keep us humans in charge of the planet. It seems to me the only ones who would vote yes would be the well-treated dogs and house cats. The good news is that we are awakening to the eco-crisis and changing our life-styles.  Members of Circle Connections are growing into eco-fabulousness, leading the way in preserving and protecting the natural world. We are seeking funding to provide free Being Green classes as a community service. We want to make this so appealing that everyone especially those who have not been awakened will attend. What about changing the name Being Green to something such as Eco-Fabulousness? We would love to hear from you and get your help in co-creating a healthier and greener world.

Happy 4th of July to all Americans and to all of our friends far and near.       Namaste!!!      Ann & Rhonda

Karen Tate will be our guest on Circle Connections radio show, tomorrow, Monday. To find out more about this show and others go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/circleconnections. Guest phone in number to listen is 347-215-7136.

For over two decades, Karen’s work has been fueled by her intense interest and passion for travel, comparative religions, ancient cultures, and Goddess Spirituality and the resurging interest in the rise of the Feminine Consciousness. An independent scholar, speaker, radio show host, published author, ordained minister and sacred tour organizer, Karen’s body of work blends her experiences of women-centered multiculturalism evident in archaeology, anthropology and mythology with her unique academic and literary talents and travel experience throughout the world. Her two books, Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations and Walking an Ancient Path, Rebirthing Goddess on Planet Earth, were both endorsed by the Joseph Campbell Foundation, while the latter was a finalist in the National Best Books of 2008 Awards in the spirituality category. Tate’s work has been highlighted in the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times and other major newspapers. She is interviewed regularly in print, on television and on national public radio and hosts her own radio shows, Voices of the Sacred Feminine and the new, Earth’s Sacred Places on CBS. Her work has segued into writing, producing and consulting on projects which can bring the ideals and awareness of the Sacred Feminine into the mainstream world through television and film. She has been happily married for 25 years and resides in Venice Beach, CA with her beloved husband, Roy, and their two feline daughters, Isis and Xena. For more information, visit www.karentate.com.

LOCAL ACTION MOVES THE WORLD

Petition to ban plastic bags in grocery and drug stores in Collier County, Florida

We wish to discourage the use of paper and plastic shopping bags by requiring grocery, drug
and convenience stores to charge a fee of approximately 20 cents per bag. We also suggest a ban on plastic foam containers for food and drink. People can avoid the fee by bringing their own reusable bags when they shop.

Sponsored by Naples Network for Climate Action and Circle Connections

Go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ban-on-plastic-bags and please sign and send the petition to others.

Together we can ban plastic bags in Collier County as well as in your town and county.

Namaste!!!  Ann

This is a day abundant in wonderful books that support women.  Another that I want to be certain you are aware of is a book by Victoria Moran.

I have known Victoria since my days working with Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, and it’s all small stuff. She is a gem full of lightheartedness, humor, and insight. She has lived a charmed life no matter her circumstances. She has always been determined to see and experience the best, no matter what sadness and challenges beset her. I join another wonderful women, Jennifer Louden, in her praise of Victoria and her work. Jennifer, author of Comfort Queen, says that Victoria’s  essays are ‘healthy comfort and inspiration at its finest.’

Victoria has written a sequel to her beloved best-seller Creating a Charmed Life. Her new book is Living A Charmed Life and if you buy it today, you get all kinds of goodies. But one way or another, I wanted you to have a taste of her wisdom and goodness so here’s an exclusive excerpt from her new book to charm your day.

==========================================

Excerpt from Victoria’s New Book: Wash the Dishes with All Your Heart

In a charmed life, the best thing going is what is happening now.

Even the most dazzling lives are punctuated more by commas and periods
than by exclamation marks. You virtually guarantee a charmed life when
you can give yourself as fully to doing the dishes, and tending to the
other miscellanea that make up your day, as to some grand adventure.
This is because you can count on the dishes. They’ll be there alongside
the grand adventures, and if no adventure is immediately forthcoming,
the dishes won’t let you down. Besides, feelings of enthusiasm,
excitement, and positivity about anything and everything attract
adventures to a life the way an open bag of trail mix attracts bears to
a campsite. They just can’t stay away. Read the rest of this entry »

SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION

JUNE, 21, SUNDAY 7-9 PM

HAPPEHATCHEE CENTER,  Estero,  Florida

http://www.happehatcheecenter.org

Bring your family, a flashlight, candle to light and take home, and musical instruments for making
a joyful sound. Join Carlene Thissen who will lead us in song, Lulu Carter who will lead us in
Outside The Box fun, Ann Smith who will facilitate the Fire Circle, and Ellen Peterson and Bella
who will greet us.

Suggested Donation of 15.00
$25.00 for a family

RSVP Ellen Peterson 239-992-5455

We are delighted to welcome to our BlogTalk Circle Connections Radio Show Kris Steinnes to celebrate with her the launch of her new book,  Empowering the Dreams and Spirit of Women. Mark your calendars now for a rich half hour of juicy conversation.

To join us Monday, June 22nd at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern or to access the archived show if you can’t join us ‘live’…

CLICK HERE

or call to listen in…

347 - 215 - 7136

Kris Steinnes is the visionary founder of Women of Wisdom Foundation and in 1993 she organized the first WOW Conference in Seattle. Year after year she has brought together women leaders from many fields to to share their experiences and help build a world in which women’s voices are heard and feminine wisdom can be live to its fullest. Kris has a commitment to bring feminine consciousness to the fore of our collective experience.

The Women of Wisdom book is an Award-Winning Finalist in the Best New Non-Fiction category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News and the 2009 Bronze award winner for Mind, Body, Spirit from Independent Publishers.

In her book, Kris captures the wisdom of many amazing women. Contributing Women of Wisdom authors include Jean Houston, Angeles Arrien, Judith Orloff, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Marion Woodman, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Riane Eisler, Isabel Allende, Frances Moore Lapp, Nicki Scully and Brooke Medicine-Eagle.

Special promotional offer:

Purchase the Women of Wisdom book at http://www.wisewomanpublishing.com/womenofwisdom.html on June 23rd and receive bonus gifts valued over $3000!

When you purchase the WOW book at (website link) you will be entered into a drawing to win a free 2010 conference registration for the 18th Annual Women of Wisdom Conference, Feb. 11th - 15th in Seattle, WA, value $360.
“This anthology of wisdom from some of the greatest women thinkers and writers of our time is a rare treasure. It inspires, informs, and gives us hope for the future in which the best potential of all people, and of our precious earth, can be realized.”

—Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Inner Peace for busy Women and A Woman’s Book of Life.

Want to know something incredible
you can do on your summer vacation?

Join us this Monday…
12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern
Circle Connections Blog Talk Radio Show
Act In, Act Up, Act Out, Act Together
Call: 347-215-7136
- or -
CLICK HERE

Our guest will be:
Donna Roberts
and
Kandy Taylor Love.

Donna Roberts, our own Associate Director at Circle Connections and our Green Empress of Environmental Issues lives near the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida, with her 10-year-old son Gabriel, after many long winters in Montreal. Yet, her heart resides in Brazil - a cherished place of project manifestation, soul connections, and celebration.

Kandy Taylor Love, owner/director Health & Harmony Center, a place for yoga and massage in Ft. Myers, Florida joined Donna on an incredible adventure to Bahia, Brazil.

Donna and Kandy will join us to share about their recent trip and Donna will give you many reasons why you should join her this August for her next trip to Bahia. This most certainly is what you should consider doing for your summer vacation!

This is the dream project of Donna Roberts who came to know and love Brazil’s culture and people after multiple journeys there, including field research among women environmentalists.

Bahia is the most African of Brazilian regions, the birthplace of samba, and truly the heart of the country.  This bio-cultural journey begins and ends in the coastal capital of Salvador, Bahia, plus five nights in the countryside including yoga, delicious food, and ecological and cultural excursions focusing largely on matriarchal spiritual traditions and Earth-centered livelihoods.

A key component is connecting with local people, with opportunities to contribute to social projects.  Join this small group journey for an unparalleled immersion experience.

For more information, please visit: www.ProjectZula.com - or -  call Donna Roberts, (239) 810-0241 or (239) 936-0415; E-mail: roberts.donna@mac.com

Part of the Connect to Care journey’s goal was to connect women from North and South in exchanges of wisdom and skills. In this image Kandy is instructing three local women (as well as Mario, our host at Casa do Morro-House on the Hill) in some of her advanced “touch” techniques. This was Kandy’s turn to share with young women who our host family identified prior to our arrival.  Rosie Emery, another traveler on the April trip to Bahia, shared her musical talent with a project that serves children who work in the streets of urban Salvador.

The women of Circle Connections are doing amazing things. I just have to bring to your attention the incredible art work of Sage Knight. Here creativity will astound you!

To learn more about Sage, her Belly Pots, and all the other amazing things she does, visit:

CLICK HERE

And mark your calendar now. Sage’s work will be on show at the 8th Annual Topanga Canyon Artists‚ Studio Tour, featuring over 20 studios and 40 artists…
Saturday, June 13: 10 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, June 14: 11AM to 5 PM
Reception and Silent Auction: Saturday, June 13, 5 - 8 PM

Topanga Canyon Gallery is located at 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. #109, Topanga, CA 90290 and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 – 6 and Sunday from 11 – 5.  You can reach the gallery at 310 455-7909.

Whole Foods Market confirmed today that Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms in Florida have reached agreements with Whole Foods to support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) penny-per-pound program and meet strict labor standards. This step forward by Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms effectively breaks the stalemate established nearly two seasons ago when the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange (FTGE) threatened to fine any of its members that sold tomatoes under the terms of the CIW agreements.

As the CIW explained, “The Campaign for Fair Food is bearing fruit. For nearly two seasons, the Campaign’s promise of fair wages for Florida’s farmworkers has been held hostage by the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange. Today, however, the higher wages and fairer conditions we have fought for will begin to reach the workers who so clearly deserve them, thanks to the leadership of Whole Foods Market and the forward thinking growers at Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms. Without a doubt, the food market is changing, and for the better. Sustainability, social as well as environmental, is the way of the future. Together we — as farmworkers, farmers, and buyers — are forging a path toward that better future.” For more information and celebration visit www.ciw-online.org.

A dear teacher, mentor, and “geologian, Thomas Berry age 92, died this past Monday. As a Christian educator, I learned from him a theology that transformed power over creation to power with all creation. He drew his wisdom from science, Indigenous peoples, women and classical traditions. We are all blessed to have his legacy for a new theology to care for Earth, a cosmology that will change our destructive ways to new thinking and acting. His work will continue and Circle Connections is dedicated to bring to you resources and programs that provide deep connections within ourselves, one another and Mother Earth.

His book, The Great Work: our way into the future, is one of the most important books to read and digest. This August two more books of his essays will be published: The Sacred Universe (Columbia University) and The Christian Future and the Fate of Earth (Orbis Books).

The Great Work continues. Namaste!!! Ann

“Just as in the human order, creativity is neither a rational deductive process nor the irrational wandering of the undisciplined mind but the emergence of beauty as mysterious as the blossoming of a field of daisies out of the dark Earth.”  Thomas Berry