books, CD’s, events, sunday gardening...
Category: Writing and Poetry

Today on the Conscious Discussions Sunday Gardening segment, I discussed the benefits of using raised beds in our landscaping & gardening areas; how to create soil; how to build weed free beds and pathways; reducing water use & how to test the soil.

CONSCIOUS LIVING EVENTS:

From May 11 and continuing through to May 15th – a very special event will be held in Edmonton AB, Canada... "Waste -The Social Context"
Location: Shaw Conference Center.
Visit: www.conferenceewmce.com

A little later on this week on Wed & Thursday - May 14-15 – is when the AMRC Workshop & Annual General meeting will be held.
Location: in the Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville, ON (Canada) For more info visit: www.amrc.ca

May 16-18 - Child and the Book 2008 Conference, Buffalo State
College. For more information, see: http://www.buffalostate.edu

May 17-18 - Philadelphia Book Festival
Location: Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA.
For more information, see: www.freelibrary.org/bookfestival


Thank you for your support! Remember, there is plenty of time between now and Father's Day to purchase a copy of one of our books as a gift; 30% of the royalties we receive are donated to 3 charities... and you help us keep the radio show going. So you can feel good about purchasing one of our books or CD's for your Dad. Check out our site for more information: www.brummet.ca

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quote

Confucius - "Study without thinking, and you are blind; think without studying, and you are in danger."

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mid-life; women; writing
Category: Podcast

Today, on Conscious Discussions I had the honor of speaking with author Traci Slatton. Traci has had two books published to date; Piercing Time and Space, and her most recent novel Immortal - which has already received attention from Twin Star. Traci is a wife and the mother of four children. She comes from a long line of descendants with gifts for healing, and I enjoyed the tale she related regarding the renowned healing powers of her great grandmother in the Ozark Mountains. Traci shares some excellent information about the world of writing and is not afraid to express her opinions on a variety of issues ranging from the world of writing, mid-life, women's roles in society and more.

As always, if a featured guests offers resources I always try to pass those along at this time. Today's resource is: www.writersrelief.com

Visit Conscious Discussions talk radio program at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions

Alternatively, go directly to the archived interview with Traci Slatton here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ConsciousDiscussions/2008/05/09/Mid-life-1

Next week, we have the Sunday Gardening (May 11) segment on "building soil" and "raised beds". Followed by a discussion on networking, scholarships and marketing with Shayla Price. And on May 15th, Barbara Quinn will be joining in to discuss her life as a psychologist, author and happiness life coach. - Hope to see you there! :)

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volunteers/
Category: Life

Recently we have been receiving strong listener and blog/book reader feedback in support of our work and also in support of numerous interesting and ethical events that are happening across the globe. We certainly enjoy hearing from all of you re: future radio show suggestions, questions and information about events that you'd like us to share with others.

Here are a few more events that are happening this month that some of you may find of interest:

The Grand Forks SPCA is fund raising this weekend. They are selling 50/50 tickets and operating the concession at the Ball Tournament. They are looking for volunteers to take a shift. Shifts are both Saturday and Sunday and run as follows: 10 to 1, 1 to 4 and 4 to 7. You can choose either position and they will require 3 people each shift for the concession and 2 for 50/50 tickets. If you are in the area and can help, please call the Grand Forks SPCA staff to let them know. (442-5858)

There is also an emotional protest happening at the Point Pelee National Park on Sunday May 18, 2008 (Victoria Day long weekend): On April 30, 2008, Parks Canada began shooting nesting Double-crested Cormorants at Middle Island, Point Pelee National Park. According to the Peaceful Parks organization, Parks Canada intends to kill 90% of nesting cormorants over the next five years, basically eliminating the vibrant and historical colonial water-bird colony. Thousands of birds will be shot. I am sure there are reasons for the decision for controlling these birds in this way - but the public is rightfully concerned about this decision and is expressing this with the demonstration outside of the park.

For more information:
www.peacefulparks.org
www.peacefulparks.org/ppc/action_cormoranthm.htm


Join me tomorrow on the Conscious Discussions talk radio program when I have Traci Slatton on as the featured guest to discuss mid-life, what this means today and how it compares to previous generations. We'll hear about her writing experiences and the wonderful success of her book, Immortal - which has recently won the attention of movie producers. Find out more at: www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions

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Electronics recycling in BC, Canada...
Category: Life

Alda Nicman is the Executive Director of ESABC - which is the product stewardship organization responsible for the BC program. Alda deals with the national perspective of waste management, liaising with other programs and government relations with respect to program expansion and accountability. She appeared today as the featured guest on the Conscious Discussions talk radio program and her topic sparked so much interest that we extended the show to 1-1/2 hours! Come hear the archive and see how exciting this aspect of waste management is!!!

Head over to the Conscious Discussions talk radio show's home page: www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions

Or go directly to the archived interview here:

www.blogtalkradio.com/ConsciousDiscussions/2008/05/06/e-waste-what-is-it-how-can-we-manage-it

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Robert Kennedy on the power of the individual
Category: Life

"It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing eacother from a million centers of energy and daring those ripples to build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and injustice." ~ Robert F. Kennedy

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Drum Workshop !!!
Category: Music

I would like to welcome you to a 2-hour hand drum workshop facilitated by Dave Brummet, drum teacher and percussionist for the band 'Grooveyard'. Dave has been playing drum-set professionally since 1982, playing in bands in and around the Okanagan and throughout BC and Alberta, live and in the studio.

Born in raised in Kelowna, Dave now resides in beautiful Grand Forks but still makes regular trips throughout the interior of BC teaching private lessons to students of both drum-set and hand drums as well as facilitating group hand drum workshops and repairing the many tired and sick drums he meets along the way.

Dave is offering his wide range of musical experiences to groups and individuals from all walks of life and of all ages. He has a diverse curriculum of African and World rhythms from which anyone may benefit. He has extended the reach of his teachings to workshops at Okanagan Collage (Salmon Arm), Selkirk Collage (Grand Forks) a well as various festivals.

The hand drum workshop is designed for all abilities and taught in a fun and upbeat manner. Elements of djembe, congas, doumbek, bongos, and tabla are all utilized to make this a true worldly drum experience. Traditional rhythms are taught as well as how to create your own. Layering and looping of rhythms create easy to remember songs to perform as a group. Great way to establish and exercise the creative side of your drumming!

The Workshop will be on Sunday, May 25'th from 1PM – 3PM.
Cost: $30.00/person
Location: KELOWNA, BC - Canada
All drums are supplied or you may bring your own.

If you are interested in attending please pre-register before May 4'th.
Contact:
Jim Copeman
jimcopeman@telus.net
250-763-1017
www.feeltherhythm.ca
www.myspace.com/smallchangeok

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Gardening, Youth Violence, Writing...
Category: Podcast

Today's guest on the Conscious Discussions talk radio show was Therese Tappouni - who has written five books covering women's issues, poetry and spirituality. Her latest book, "The Promise: Revealing the Purpose of Your Soul" shows readers how to turn anger and tragedy into blessing and teaches how to uncover your life's purpose. Therese is also a certified hypnotherapist and the co-founder of the ISIS Institute, an organization that conducts workshops and classes on forgiveness, spirituality and women's issues.
The URL for this organization is: www.isisinstitute.org

Access the interview with Therese and learn about her successes in promoting her books, developing workshops and her work as a therapist through the Conscious Discussions home page:

www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions

Or go directly to the interview's archive here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ConsciousDiscussions/2008/05/02/Turning-Tragedy-into-Bliss-Finding-Purpose




I'd like to invite our blog-readers to drop by & hear the archived broadcast of yesterday's interview on Meet The Author talk radio – which aired May 1st- I was interviewed by the host Denny Griffin regarding the marketing aspect of a writer's career. Access the archived broadcast at: www.blogtalkradio.com/Dennisngriffin

And I am also excited to announce that I was interviewed on the very popular radio show: The Donna Seebo Show - yesterday afternoon. Listeners can access the archived broadcast at: www.bbsradio.com

Just a few days ago, I was part of a panel of people from the UK, US and Canada discussing today's youth and the media's portrayal of youth violence. Check this archived discussion at: www.blogtalkradio.com/free2live2


Well, it has been a busy week. My dental surgery went well and I'm healing quickly. The gardens are finally getting a little of the attention they deserve and we are already hearing from summer and fall visitors regarding the time frames they plan on being in our area. Dave's schedule is quickly filling with bookings for festival gigs with the band Grooveyard. He also does occasional volunteer work for local theater, choirs and charities. So life is full and rewarding...

Join me on Sunday for the Sunday Gardening segment of Conscious Discussions at: www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions

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Global events!!!!
Category: Life

There are quite a few waste related events coming up in the next couple of weeks. Starting on May 4 – 10 we are all celebrating International Compost Awareness Week. I have the pleasure of announcing today that due to listener's communications, we have decided to take on doing a third show per week – this show will air on Sundays and will be solely about gardening… starting with a discussion on, you guessed it – composting.

Also in celebration of International Compost Awareness Week, our friend, Larraine Roulston will be launching ..Pee Wee goes to the Fair' on May 10 at the 7th Annual Nelson Garden Festival on Baker St. This is the 4th illustrated children's adventure book in the Pee Wee series that combine composting facts with literature. Printed on 100% post-consumer paper, Pee Wee and friends attend a Spring Environmental Science Fair where children display their elaborately decorated worm bin. To view the Pee Wee series, visit www.castlecompost.com.

*Then on May 5-7 the CARE organization will be hosting the 6th annual conference at Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida –(USA)- : find out more at www.carpetrecovery.org.

*Coming up in just a few days on May 5-8 will be the Waste Expo in Chicago Illinois – (USA) - at McCormick Place – find out more at www.wasteexpo.com

*And around this same time period on May 5-9 in Munich Germany: IFAT – an organization that deal with international environmental solutions will be meeting and providing information to the public, at New Munich Trade Fair Center www.ifat.de

*Lastly, I'd like to let you know about The Amsterdam Global Conference on Sustainable and Transparency, which is happening from May 7-9 this year. Now I don't have contact information on this event, but I am sure if you use your search engine you'll find it easily enough. Also if you happen to be listening from the Amsterdam region, simply look for information through local community announcements in the media and so forth.

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Interview: Andrea Campbell on Conscious Discussions
Category: Podcast

The month of April was closed by a fascinating interview with Andrea Campbell as the featured guest on the Conscious Discussions talk radio program today. Andrea Campbell & I have been networking & interacting together for a few years now. She operates a lovely bi-monthly author's newsletter entitled "Soup's On", is a columnist for the Simian Society & has published 12 non-fiction books. Andrea shared information about her life experiences including the fact that she holds a degree in criminal justice, is a forensic artist & a cancer survivor. She also touched on her publishing company: Primate Press LLC. I found her stories about raising a monkey for the Helping Hands organization absolutely fascinating. Even though the interview flew by - we were able to ask Andrea to share a tip or two for writers to use in their own careers.

As promised here are the non-profit resources discussed during today's show:
www.monkeyhelper.org - Helping Hands Organization
www.simiansociety.org - Simian Society

To hear today's broadcast visit the Conscious Discussions home page at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions

Or go directly to the archived interview at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ConsciousDiscussions/2008/04/29/Author-volunteer-animal-activist

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