Fundraising for “My Sister’s Place” – a Women’s Shelter

I recently attended a fun annual event “Wildwood Women’s Weekend”  at Wildwood Family Resort on Lake Huron, just east of Sauble Beach. Part of the busy event schedule was a “Survivor Game” day on the Saturday. At the event I met Brenda, the Chair of the volunteer board of  People In Transition “My Sister’s Place” in Alliston, which has provided emergency shelter services to abused women and their children in South Simcoe County since 1987.  I was impressed with team spirit Brenda and her friends demonstrated by wearing their bright yellow team t-shirts with the shelter logo.

Promoting the fundraising raffle for the women's shelter


They were raising awareness about the shelter through their while selling tickets to their annual fundraising raffle. For more information on how you can support this shelter and purchase tickets for the November 2013 draw see the link above. I have my ticket, how about you?! Purchase your ticket now for a chance to with $10,000 cash.

Last updated: May 19 2013 G MacDonald

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“Mom’s The Word” debuts monthly comedy night about parenting

Last updated: March 24 2013

On Friday night at Playful Grounds in the heart of Little Italy I enjoyed a delightful evening of  comedy.  An eclectic mix of standup comedians and a comedic singer/songwriter provided amusing insights into parenting and being parented from the perspectives of single and married moms, dads, a nanny, a former babysat man-boy, and more.  The small licensed venue was sold out and I expect as word spreads advance tickets for upcoming monthly events will go quickly. Here’s a secret tip… the next one is expected to be on April 26….Watch for more details!

I hope to get some stills and/or links from the videographer to highlight some of the presenters. Each brought a unique perspective that could be be appreciated by parents and non-parents alike.

Watch for links for more info about the following entertainers:

Hosted by Melissa Story

Standup Presenters: Erin Keaney, Jeff Clark, Precious Chong, Martha O’Neill,  and Todd Graham. This strong lineup of seasoned performers shared their personal stories and experiences and kept the rapt audience laughing the entire evening.

Musical presenter: Amy Lockwood . This charming young actor/comedian played guitar and sang three original compositions with clever lightly-provocative observational lyrics and wordplay covering the themes of mathematics (*“You Can’t Quantify My Love“), “Fleet Week” in NYC, and “riding the Red Rocket of my roaring twenties”.
*link to one of her YouTube videos for a live performance of this song .

by Glenda MacDonald
sailonsilvergirl@rogers.com

c. 2013

 

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Make Bold Moves in Heels at Sweet Talk on Wednesday night!

*The following information about  Sweet Talk is courtesy of Women In Leadership Foundation – Toronto Chapter. Proceeds from the their event will support their mentoring program. The event is taking place at The 1871 Berkeley Church, 315 Queen St. E., Toronto ON M5A 1S7, March 27, 2013 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Register online asap as tickets are going  fast. They have announced a special price – 4 tickets for the price of 3. See you there!
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*Don’t miss this fun-filled soirée that will have you glammed up for a lasting impression and set up for long-term success! Grab a glass of vino, get your hair and make-up styled by Toronto’s finest, followed by a professional headshot – all while networking with like-minded fabulous women.

Why you don’t want to miss this event:

  • Network with other fabulous women as we (Women In Leadership Foundation – Toronto)  raise funds for our 2013 Mentorship Program.
  • You get to wear one of 10 exquisite jewellery pieces from The Black Box Boutique for your headshot.
  • You will end the night sporting a stylish makeover, kitted with a sweet professional headshot, and holding a swag bag filled with goodies.
  • Exciting raffle prizes to be won – be sure to bring plenty of business cards
  • Instagram Competition – snap photos of your bold heels during the event and use the hashtag #boldmovesinheels for your chance to win a gift certificate towards your next shoe shopping excursion!
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An Evening with Hildegard March 20 2012 6:45 at Revue Cinema

Film poster for movie VISION

Celebrate Spring with a film and mini-concert dedicated to the medieval mystic Hildegard von Bingen.  The following details are provided courtesy of the Revue Cinema.

This year, the Vernal Equinox comes on March 20. The Revue Cinema will mark that day with a special screening starting at 6:45 p.m. of Vision, the film, directed by Margarethe von Trotta, about the remarkable 12thcentry German mystic Hildegard von Bingen.

You’ll also enjoy a moving performance of Hildegard chants by Schola Magdalena, an ensemble of six women, directed by York University music professor Stephanie Martin.

Toronto author Teri Degler, who has written extensively on creativity and women mystics, will introduce the screening and present background on Hildegard. She will tell us what to look for in the film.

For full details about the event click here for the article on their website.

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Catherine the Great event at the Revue Cinema

On March 12 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Revue Cinema on Roncesvalles at 4:00 pm a screening was held of Josef von Sternberg’s 1934 movie The Scarlet Empress  starring Marlene Dietrich, about Catherine the Great.  The film is not historically accurate but did highlight some of the inspirational elements of her life. Introducing the film and available for questions and discussion afterwards was Eva Stachniak, author of The Winter Palace, an historical novel about the early days of Catherine after she arrived in the Russian court. The book has been a success — topping the Globe & Mail’s best-seller list and being chosen for the book section on Oprah’s website. This was part of a series of films and events at The Revue celebrating inspirational and creative women.

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Start where you are and you will see progress

One receipt at a time

Have you ever been faced with an overwhelming task? We all have. For me it is the pile of receipts and miscellaneous papers on top of my printer, waiting to be dealt with. (And that is just the beginning of my office tidying project.)

Like the journey of a thousand miles that begins with the first step, you have to just start with one piece of paper and deal with it. 

I like to think of it as a treasure hunt, or a game of “Go Fish”! Maybe in this pile I will find that lost business card of the person I wanted to reach, or the receipt I needed to submit for a health care benefit. Maybe it will be a love note that I tucked away, or  a schedule for an event I wanted to attend.

I recently bought an iPad2 with unexpected money from a tax return (which I completed after finding last year’s receipts!). I have purchased a couple of apps that make my life easier. One is iExpenseIt. As I go through my pile of papers I enter my receipts and then happily throw them away if I don’t need to keep them. I can even take a picture of a receipt or item purchased and insert it into the record, before I put the receipt in the “to be filed” pile. Some receipts I need to also track separately in a shared document with my husband or due to my business ventures. For these I also use GoogleDocs whether I am at my PC at home, at work, or now conveniently, using the GoDocs app, on my iPad2. Some of the other iPod/iPad apps I use while organizing my papers are Contacts (free), Grocery Gadget pro , Dropbox (free – and has a desktop version to synchronize files), and Things, the fabulous project management app I just bought.

I am fortunate to have been able to make the investment in my “tech toys” (some as a business expense) which increase the sense of play when I enter receipts, deal with sticky notes full of mileage records and odd jottings,  and update my contacts and other project files, slowly filling my ‘blue box’ for recycling and my “to be shredded” pile. But even if I had no computers or smart phones or tablets I think I would enjoy this game. Even with a pencil and eraser and an old-timey ledger book I would feel this sense of adventure and accomplishment as I tackle that pile.

g.

Posted in Acer laptop, Belkin tablet stand, Contacts, Dropbox, GoDocs, Grocery Gadget Pro, iExpenseIT, iPad2, iPad2/iPod apps, Organizing Tips, Overcoming fears, Tech Toys, Things | Tagged | 1 Comment

Growth is possible even in the harshest conditions

Flower growing out of concrete curb

Fitting in time for running has been a challenge, with my focus on more desk-bound duties. Today for the first time since Christmas I was compelled to run a 5k.  I headed out for a leisurely run, taking along my camera so I could  pause and snap if something caught my eye. Just as I was getting tired, wondering if I would stick it out to meet my distance goal I spied this little red flower growing bravely out of a tiny hole in a concrete curb between two houses. There were also some small patches of green grass growing in the cracks in the driveway below, rising up to greet it. Even in the harshest conditions growth can occur, resulting in strength and beauty.  I finished my 5k, taking encouragement from this tenacious little flower.

G. MacDonald, Editor
Photo taken with Samsung Galaxy Vibe smart phone.

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Judy Bradt Honoured as SBA 2011 Women in Business Champion

Last updated: May 11 2011

Congratulations to my friend and former MBA classmate, Judy Bradt, on being honoured on May 11 by the United States Small Business Administration  as Women in Business Champion, Washington Metropolitan Area for 2011. The award recognizes an individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership. Judy’s service and commitment to businesswomen, at the regional, national, and international levels, stood out.  Top business leaders praised the value of her contributions including as partner and educator with Women Impacting Public Policy, volunteer and speaker for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and WEConnect Canada, and leader of special programs on government contracts for the National Association of Women Business Owners.

I recently reconnected with Judy in Toronto and had the pleasure of hearing her brilliant presentation about the consulting services she offers through Summit Insight to Canadian companies wanting to do business with the U.S. Government  and her new book Government Contracts Made Easier. She is truly an inspiration and an expert in her field.

For more info on the Award and Judy’s services read her blog at  Government Contracts Made Easier . Way to go Judy!

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Experience a World Premiere – Patches of Blue – The Musical

Last updated: April 25 2011

I recently had the tremendous privilege of attending the first full rehearsal for a new Canadian musical for which the World Premiere is set for the last weekend in May. Patches of Blue – The Musical, is a light-hearted musical comedy with jazz and pop elements, written, produced, and directed by Joan Hendershot and choreographed by Eric Oleskiw. Visit the Home Page for details, plus links to  Cast and Crew Profiles, to Order Tickets, and for Directions to the venues in Brantford.

This new musical is a true work of creative genius. The original songs will stay with you long after the performance. The characters are so richly-defined that they not only seem real but very likable.  The simple set allows the drama and comedy to shine through the skills of the players and through the imagination of the audience. This is a very smart work that will appeal to all ages from young adult to old, and both men and women. The dance numbers are delightful and an excellent complement to the score.

I believe that this is going to be an important work with a wonderful future. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the world premiere. Ticket prices are nominal ($10.00 each) making this affordable for everyone. Having seen the rehearsal, I can’t wait to see the premiere and experience it with audience.  Order your tickets now!

Glenda MacDonald

Posted in Authors Female, Bike racing, Canadian artists, Choreographers, Composers, Dance, Emerging talent, Gift ideas, Grief, Live, Music, Musical, Musicals, Overcoming fears, Relationships, Separation, Songwriters, Sports & Fitness, Theatre (Live), Widows/widowers, World Premiere, Writing | 1 Comment

Upcoming & Past Events

Last updated: March 24 2013

Mark your calendars for the upcoming events:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wed. March 27 2013 6:00 pm, Berkeley Heritage Event Venue,  315 Queen St. E., Toronto. Sweet Talk – Making Bold Moves in Heels . Register now for this fun-filled soirée that will have you glammed up for a lasting impression and set up for long-term success! Grab a glass of vino, get your hair and make-up styled by Toronto’s finest, followed by a professional headshot – all while networking with like-minded fabulous women. Tickets are going fast!

See also the Past Events Archives page for links to reviews and additional links.

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