On to Canton, Ohio

Good neighbors Al Nuski and Don Theis bringing over vegetables for Mother and me

Celebrating with highschool friends Mariana Boyanides and Teresa Carmen-Beckett and Bob Beckett at the Avenues Wine Shop

Back home in Canton, Ohio with family and friends.  Tomorrow is the Hall of Fame Parade and if I get up in time I will show you pictures!!!

On to Boston !

You have to love Boston, what a great city.  Board member Debbi Cassini and I went to meet with Ron Shaich, Kate Antonacci and Marianne Gaziadie of Panera Cares. We were in town just in time for their biggest heat way!!!

Debbi and I also got a chance to meet with Kristina Simes, a wonderfully inspired woman who is thinking of bring the One World concept to her home town of Santa Anna, CA.

I was also able to meet my dear friend Gloria's son Stephen Zeitler before I left Boston. Gloria is always talking about him or about me to him so we were happy to connect!!

Debbi Cassini(left) and Kristina as we talked by the pool

denise and Stephen ( Gloria's son)

At the beach with Susan and Paul in Gloucester. Paul had a funny chair that day!!!

Susan and I relaxing on the back patio

I also got a chance to visit my editor Sue Bugamin and her husband Paul, (both my friends from our Heifer International/ Little Rock, Arkansas days) in Gloucester,MA.  We had a great time going to the beach on the hottest day of the year and attending a beautiful Shabbat potluck together later that evening.

COMMUNITY IN SANTA FE,NEW MEXICO

I am happy to be back home in Santa Fe. Currently I am consulting Chris and Reingard Kolon as they get close to opening Community Table Cafe in Santa Fe at the Design Center.

It is another twist on the growing number of community cafes.  Community Table Cafe is a for profit business with a priced menu, which includes one 'pay what you can' plate at lunch daily. People can also volunteer to earn a meal voucher. 
I feel the Santa Fe community will respond to their good vegetarian food along with their great concept!  Chris and Reingard are both fabulous cooks with years of experience!!

Chris, Reingard and their beautiful daughter Zoe passing out fliers at the Santa Fe  Farmers Market this Saturday

A picture I took at sunset, notice the smoke rising on the left from the Los Alamos fire and another on the far right 

July 15th is the opening party from 5-7pm at Community Table Cafe located in the Design Center on Cerrillos Road

COMMUNITY IN NEW ORLEANS

Once again I found myself in New Orleans with the group planning to open Welcome Home Cafe!! It was actually Jyaphia's 50th birthday party so I decided to visit and mix a little business with pleasure.

Things are steadily improving at the Unitarian Church and the Center for Ethical Living as New Orleans rebuilds itself.  We spent time creating a time line for a business plan and pilot project. 

Quo Vadis and Jyaphia at her birthday lunch the day I arrived.

A view of Jyaphia's big birthday bash. Her Aunt and Uncle came all the way from Scottsdale, AZ!!

We also enjoyed meeting and talking about the future cafe at Jyaphia's birthday party at the church.  Jyaphia is truly blessed to have so many people around who love and care about her.

COMMUNITY IN MARIETTA,GEORGIA

It was wonderful to arrive in Atlanta and be met by such fine gentlemen from Marietta, GA that want to be part of the food security solution in their community.  This particular group has a wide variety of skill sets that together make a great team!!  We had 3 meetings and toured one potential location for their restaurant. I originally thought that the space we looked at was too large, but after sleeping on it feel that this group, with their skilled restaurant component and connection to their community could handle it.  I especially liked their unique pricing structure: a fixed price menu and a daily 'price your own/or complimentary menu( based on need) that is driven by a mix of their profits, extra donations or corporate/business sponsorship.  This team is really on the ball and I think will continue to move their project forward!!!  I look forward to staying in the loop and helping out if I can.

The Marietta, GA Community Cafe Team:( from left around the table) Brian, Andrew, David, Dan, Forrest, Tyler and me

Community in Manhattan

Leslie, the mysterious and brilliant astrologer

Photo of Abdi's book

I went with my friend to her acupuncture treatment with Abdi Assadi, a well known healer in Manhattan.  As soon as you walk into his reception area, you can feel peace.  As I was waiting for my friend I made a wonderful connection with his receptionist, Leslie who is a historical astrologer.  She is a wealth of knowledge and I felt like I also received a treatment just by accompanying my friend that day!!

Abdi Assadi has written a book called Shadows On The Path, which I think you would enjoy if you are seeking inner peace and awakening.

COMMUNiTY IN MANHATTAN

Hi there,
I am currently in Manhattan.  Yesterday I had lunch with documentary film maker Alice Elliot.  It was good to catch up and discuss future projects!!

Saturday there will be a street fair on Bedford and I will get to see Larry Seldman, 'The Collector of Bedford Street' again.  If you have not seen Alice's Academy Award nominated film it is well worth watching.  You will be inspired!

Documentary film maker, Alice Elliot