:Title: SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:07:15 PST :Modified: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:03:36 PDT :URL: http://www.ned.com/group/solid/news/8/ For the past couple of weeks I've been meeting with a two of my friends, Melanie, former SOLID board member who has just returned from 2 years spent in Zimbabwe, and Simon, jewelry artisan and client, to discuss opening a *fair trade* type retail outlet on SaltSpring. With any luck and a lot of hard work by the time some of you get here in May we will have our little shop open. ---- **Comments** :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:10:07 PST Today we worked on our statement and goals. At the moment these are SaltSpring specific. **Statement** Our aim is to address the urgency of global wealth inequality by creatively linking SaltSpring Island with communities of the South to facilitate the exchange of goods, ideas and much needed resources. **Goals** 1. Facilitate the success of community based projects in countries with less financial wealth by insuring their access to North American markets. 2. Creating long term sustainable relationships between SaltSpring Island and communities in the South. 3. To promote production of artesian goods at a grassroots level and to ensure a consistent source of income for them. 4. Raise awareness and participate in community lead projects in (names of countries SOLID is involved in). 5. Create forums to connect people with different backgrounds and passions and to exchange information relevant to their current realities. These are still a work in progress, we are open to suggestions and feedback. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:14:53 PST Our website meeting for last Friday had to be re-scheduled until the February 22nd which was a bit disappointing. Hope to get the site up soon after our meeting. We will be launching the fair-trade store at `Our Island, Our World Film Festival`_ March 7th - 9th then moving it over to the SOLID office after that. .. _`Our Island, Our World Film Festival`: http://www.saltspringmediagroup.com/ ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:10:43 PDT :Modified: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:11:30 PDT Thanks to everyone that helped to get the store - **SOLID Exchange** - up and running. We opened the Saturday of the weekend, May 17, 2008. Shop hours are Thursday - Sunday, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. **Sales May 17 - May 31** * Gross: $449.50 * Cost: $135.75 * Net: $313.75 It's a beginning ... It was encouraging to note that we had much more traffic through the shop this past weekend and our display is improving as we move along! ---- :Author: Gayle Rogers :Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:01:58 PDT That is sensational!! Oh and so is **$313.75** - it's in black ink baby! **:)** Congratulations to all of you. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:42:40 PDT :Modified: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:44:56 PDT Yep, that would be black ink *baby*! The only kind I like to use **: )** Considering that we never use to make any money out of the office space I'm pretty happy. And worth mentioning, it raises our SOLID profile in the SaltSpring community. ---- :Author: Jackie Brosseuk :Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:41:41 PDT Right ON!!!! I"m so proud of you and hope that my efforts in my community are as successful! Here's to selling purple baskets LOL j. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:44:02 PDT LMFAO!!! <<< that one's for Ray **:D** Still got all the purple baskets. Okay, that's not totally true I did sell a purple basket just not one of *the* purple baskets. ---- :Author: Evvy Bryning :Date: Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:37:33 PDT Great Meron, that is too cool. I still want to send you some of the LiA stuff for the store. Pm me an address to send it to. ---- :Author: someone (at) yahoo.ca :Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:54:53 PDT Hi Meron, Melanie, Simon and everybody, who is interested. I have set up a site on gobc.ca for SOLID Exchange. This is a website with all kind of tourist information about places in BC. This is the link to the site, I named it so far SOLID Exchange. I had to put a name behind that, when I registered it, so I used mine. Let me know, if you want a different name there. `http://www.gobc.ca/salt-spring-island-travel/galleries-exhibits-shows/`_ It's a very interesting website, check it out and see, if you like what I did with our site and if you want any changes. If you want, I can give you the password, you can see, how many page views we had per day, per month... In June we had so far 172 page views and on the german site we had 45. Stephanie ---- :Author: David Bale :Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:00:34 PDT Stephanie, This_ should make your link work .. _This: http://www.gobc.ca/salt-spring-island-travel/galleries-exhibits-shows/ :) ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:38:38 PDT :Modified: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:05:28 PDT Stephanie, Looks awesome! Just a few **correction** suggestions: Silver Pendant **Pearl** & Ruby, handcrafted in Thailand ALL CRAFTS are bought by us from the artists in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Kenya, **Swaziland,** Laos **and** Thailand. Proceeds are going to SOLID, a non-profit society dedicated to support communities in Sub-Saharan Africa facing the devastation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Handcrafted in Lesotho SOLID EXCHANGE is a group of concerned friends aiming to contribute to people in Southern Africa and other parts of the world in achieving an adequate standard of living. OUR GOALS are: 1.) To raise necessary funds for already existing community-driven projects through the sale of arts and crafts from all over the world. 2.)Facilitating artisans in the South to develop and produce their crafts, and provide them with marketing outlets in North America. 3.) To fund training workshops for our partners in southern Africa. 4.) To create forums for the exchange of goods as well **as** ideas between **Canada** and the South of Africa. 5.)To establish long term relationships with our partners. Handcrafted in Laos WHAT WE SELL: As many of us are aware, there is unrelenting basic **need**, that an overwhelming majority of people feel on a daily basis in the Southern Hemisphere. At the same time, we are becoming aware of the immense material privilege we have in the North. One way, that we can help is through **the** purchase of goods produced by the artisans, made using traditional techniques that reflect the richness of their heritage. For example, we may purchase from artisans in Asia, sell them in Canada and send the profit to a project in Southern Africa, where we already have successful projects we are supporting. Shirt and basket, handcrafted in Kenya WHERE THE MONEY GOES: Our intention is to provide income for producers as well as supporting our partners in Southern Africa. Yet, because we need money to operate, we have to set aside a certain amount for our cost of running SOLID Exchange. In most cases 50% or more of the proceeds will go to the projects we are involved in supporting and the other 50% will go towards purchase of goods and our operating costs. Please refer to each item for info on where the money from the sale goes. We aim to provide our customers with as much information as possible so you can learn how you are creating positive change in the world. **I removed some commas.** Soapstone carving, handcrafted in **Zimbabwe** OUR PARTNERS IN THE SOUTH: * Apples for Orphans in Lesotho: samsyd@telus.net * Tuendele Mbele in Kenya: maggieziegler@telus.net * Masango Cultural Canter in Zimbabwe: www.masangodema.org * Phelisanong in Lesotho: info@solidsaltspring.com * Sala Hantle in Malawi: acallegari2003@yahoo.com * Agnes Pareyio in Kenya: ccole51@telus.net * Kambhoke Orphan School in Swaziland: ccole51@telus.net ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:09:24 PDT :Modified: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:07:04 PDT SOLID Exchange has been *in business* for a month and a half now and this is how it shakes down. * Gross: 1,637.00 * Cost: 623.50 * Net: **$1,013.50** I'm keeping track of the books in a google document so if any of you are interested in the particulars send me your gmail address and I'll invite you. Finally, we got our summer weather and I'm off to find a body of water to jump in to. Stay cool!!! ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:59:00 PDT :Modified: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:01:08 PDT The **SOLID** Exchange doors have been open for almost 3 months now. Here are the 1st quarter figures. *Sales May 17 - August 12, 2008* * Gross: $2,800.00 * Cost: $997.50 * Net: **$1,802.50** **: )** ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:15:59 PDT $600 a month is not bad at all...heck, net in and of itself is great news. Great work. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:02:57 PDT Yeah, I know it's not big money but I'm pretty happy with the way things have been going. And officially we still have another weekend to go before the 1st quarter is over. We'll have to get the mom and Max (the dog) team to turn up the heat. They have a pretty good selling strategy. Mom works in the rose garden, Max lures them and mom starts pitching. And it's not all about the $$$s. A couple of weekends ago a father brought his daughter, about 7 years old, in on the Sunday to buy a birthday gift for a party she was attending. She bought a bracelet and an Apples for Orphans card. I had the opportunity to explain to her what we do and give her one of our little fliers that explains our goals and where the money goes. I ran in to the father a couple of days later; he thanked me and told me how proud he was of his daughter. She was very taken with the whole experience and told *everybody* about it. I thanked him for being so thoughtful and bringing her in. **That** is priceless! ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:52:59 PDT That **is** a great story, and that really **is** what it is all about. ---- :Author: Ellie Langford Parks :Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:40:28 PDT I have witnessed the store's evolution- from helping set up on the first day to dropping by yesterday and want to applaud Meron's dedication and determination. The big success measure here is not the $, although that's always useful but the success is in the collective action combining resources (space, inventory, volunteers, promotions). This store has advanced the cause of SOLID and the African partner projects by building awareness, education and advocacy. Another important outcome is the postive impression one gets of Africa in the store through the photographs and crafts. When there are so many images of needy, desperate Africians in the media, its important to get a glimpse of the beauty and complexity. I know of some of the challenges Meron has faced, including staffing, angry locals freaking out on volunteers, and she has persevered. You rock, Meron! ---- :Author: Shirley McIntyre :Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:57:48 PDT Thanks for the kind words. It has been quite a journey for her but also an adventure . Meron's Mom ---- :Author: Anna Callegari :Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:07:23 PDT I also want to thank Meron and all the hardworking volunteers for keeping SOLID's projects active and vibrant in our community of Salt Spring Island. I continue to stand in awe of your dedication Meron! Congrats on a great effort and result. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:12:43 PDT Awww, geee, *shucks!* Thanks everyone for your very kind words, they are very much appreciated. But to read you all one might think that I'm on this road alone and that's so NOT what is happening here. It takes all of us, working together, to make these things happen. Thank you all for your wonderful help, support and getting behind these sometimes seemingly crazy schemes. Nothing happens without all of us **: )** ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:11:02 PDT Super stuff! Hooray SOLID-SSI :) ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:17:36 PDT :Modified: Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:01:18 PDT Thanks Lars! Your energetic support is very much appreciated. Here are the figures for the 1st quarter ending August 17, 2008. ** - Gross: $3,209.00 - Cost: $1,070.00 - Net: **$2,139.00** This translates to and average of $713.00/month for the 1st quarter. And because I was encouraged to do so *(thanks Ellie)* this represents 100 volunteer hours. Good thing/bad thing? Is this a good use of our volunteer time? How do you measure that which is not monetary gain? What value do you place on the positive image that Ellie so eloquently pointed out earlier? ---- :Author: Gayle Rogers :Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:27:22 PDT Hey Gorgeous, Firstly, **WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!** :) Secondly, I don't know the answers to any of your questions mainly because I'm not sure one could accurately answer those questions after only one quarter. The one thing I know beyond doubt is that goodwill is priceless. What price (for instance) do you put on every volunteer hour Yue-Lin puts in editing and organising i-act stuff when Gabe & KTJ have been in Chad?? Some things cannot be easily or accurately measured - like spending time with a little 7 yr old on a birthday present buying outing. You might forget her in 20 years time..... but Meron, she will remember you **ALWAYS!** love Gayle :) ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:00:49 PDT :Modified: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:48:01 PDT Thanks Gayle!!! Personally I feel this is all well worth the effort and believe this to be a valid use of volunteer time, I'm just asking the questions because I was told I should LOL! I know, it's not very often I do a thing just because some one told me to : ) but I like her just fine and I want to keep her as a friend 'cause she's really, really smart and stuff. And because I spent all day fighting with the computer/internet/spreadsheets I'm going to share the financial results for August: - Gross: $1,259.50 - Cost: $359.75 - Net: **$899.75** Now I'm going home. My daughter has been calling me once an hour for the last 4 hours wondering why I'm not home yet when I said I'd be there at 2:30 when the shop closed. *ps: you made me cry ... a good thing : )* ---- :Author: Shirley McIntyre :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:02:20 PDT Meron, think of all the folks who now do not say "what is SOLID" because Max herds them into the store and they stop to admire the restored rose garden. Now I hear, oh yes, have heard of you. you do good work. Now SOLID has a face, ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:09:12 PDT hi meron - i'll look forward to sending some PT kits along. will a dozen do for now? i will be able to ship them in, i'm guessing, 10 days. kudos all around! ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:22:06 PDT That would be excellent Lars! If they could get here by the 27th that would be wonderful. `Jami Sieber`_ is doing a benefit concert for SOLID at ArtSpring and we are going to set up a mini SOLID Exchange in the lobby. Our biggest challenge now at SOLID Exchange is keeping stocked up with things to sell. .. _`Jami Sieber`: http://www.jamisieber.com/ ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:26:02 PDT >>Max herds them into the store<< Good old Max, that dog can herd. >>Our biggest challenge now at SOLID Exchange is keeping stocked up with things to sell.<< Mmmmm, I've got a few hundred things just waiting for you. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:28:35 PDT ~Mark said: Mmmmm, I've got a few hundred things just waiting for you.~ Now we just need to figure out how you can get them to me. I wish I was thinking further ahead when you were here in the spring and I would have had you bring them with you!!! Doh ... ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:32:14 PDT If you could get a van, we could meet up for a day in Seattle (or perhaps a little further north). ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:56:15 PDT :Modified: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:57:58 PDT ~Mark said: If you could get a van ...~ hmmm, I'm thinking the Clipper maybe? Exactly what is the volume of the stuff you have and how much do you think it would be to ship? Just trying to weigh cost effectiveness. .. image:: http://www.ned.com/group/solid/file/1238591/3.22.12208889223/get/river%20between%20poster.jpg [Edit: Yeah, I did it!!! (the poster). Just playing with a new computer and tools.] ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:16:37 PDT Cool poster. 12 (maybe a couple more) huge boxes, probably $30-50 each to ship. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:03:36 PDT Oh, wow! you do have a lot of 'stuff'. So that means the Clipper isn't going to work. Hmmm, wonder if Ray is going state side any time soon ... mind you I think he's busy with the new warehouse. ---- :Author: Anna Callegari :Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:59:35 PDT We might be heading hiking in the Cascades sometime in the next month...could easily do a side trip to pick up some stock for the SOLID exchange Mark! GORGEOUS poster, and congrats on the amazing accomplishments at the SOLID exchange...you are a visionary Meron!!! Looking forward to seeing you all at the concert...anything I can do from the big island??? Anna ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:20:01 PDT That would be fantastic! Do you know when you will be going? If it's going to be later I could have Mark send me one box of mixed stuff for the Sieber event then get you to pick up the rest when you are there. Don't think there is much you can do from the big island for the concert. I have been thinking we should put together an event thingy for FaceBook but I haven't tried doing that yet so am a bit timid. ** Luv 'ya XoX ---- :Author: Margery Moore :Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:09:10 PDT Very nice poster and I look forward to helping at the event! Great news on the $ generated by the Exchange, too!! Margery ---- :Author: Linda Nowakowski :Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:41:57 PDT The Thai Elephant Orchestra! If I had known with a little more notice, we could have had some Thai things for your table! ---- :Author: Linda Nowakowski :Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:19:27 PDT For those who can not make it to the concert or to Thailand, Journeyman Pictures has posted this video_ on the Thai Elephant Orchestra. .. _video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1NpvHsxjgw ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:01:58 PDT Jami performing with the elephant orchestra. .. raw:: html

*"Hidden Sky music video produced by artist and film maker, Galen Garwood. The footage was filmed in Northern Thailand at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center where I (Jami) had the experience of playing music for elephants and with the Thai Elephant Orchestra. These remarkable beings have changed my life."* ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:08:41 PDT Perfect Anna, if we can connect and I can get you boxes in time, (or even after) that'd be great. If after, I can ship an initial box in time for the event. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:08:54 PDT :Modified: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:16:33 PDT By sheer luck and coincidence (?) `the `Merville Grandmothers textile art exhibit “Who Will Plant the Seeds of Hope?”`_ will be displayed at ArtSpring the same weekend as the concert. The show consists of 39 textile art pieces created by the North Island Quilters for Community Awareness. Each piece addresses a question about who will do the work that would normally be done by the people in Africa who are dying of AIDS. Themes include: "Who will plant the crops... Who will teach the children?... Who will carry the food to market?" Please check out the website, these pieces are AMAZING! After the exhibit is over they will be auctioning off the pieces on-line, raising money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. .. _Merville Grandmothers textile art exhibit “Who Will Plant the Seeds of Hope?”`: http://www.tidechange.ca/show5s/Merville_Grand_Mothers ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:12:00 PDT Hi Mark! I spoke to Anna and she won't be coming your way until October. If you could send a mixed box ahead of time that would be wonderful. Check out sending the box by bus ... sometimes that can be a less expensive way to ship. I know Ray does it all the time. You can send it to the Victoria, BC bus station then they will get it to me. ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:32:22 PDT Strange, Greyhound doesn't ship US/Canada cross borders. Is there another major bus line? ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:36:59 PDT :Modified: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:37:15 PDT **RATS!!!** that sucks ... not aware of one. hmmm wait, Pacific Coach Lines? off the top of my head. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:08:32 PDT :Modified: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:13:29 PDT Gone to the Fall Fair!!! ____ .. image:: http://www.ptotoday.com/images/clipart/high/12CottonCandy.jpg ---- :Author: Shirley McIntyre :Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:34:20 PDT I'll have 2 cherry please. ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:43:58 PDT meron, i have six kits (packages of 2 tiles) ready to go with me here in boston. but i haven't got your address with me. can you email or pm? thanks! ---- :Author: Linda Nowakowski :Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:05:51 PDT :-) At this point, I bet she would get it if you just send it to Meron Moroz c/o Solid Exchange Salt Spring Island Our Meron is "famous" there as opposed to infamous here! ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:29:17 PDT ~Shirley said: I'll have 2 cherry please.~ Listen kid, you don't get to order up, 'ya get what's coming out of the machine and at the moment it's green flavoured. *pssst* green is the bestest anyway! Results from fundraising at the Fall Fair. - Cotton Candy/Candy Apples/Apples for Orphans Cards: $1,226.25 - Donations: 66.74 - Zelda: 275.00 - Total: 1,567.99 Another good year. Thanks everyone for your help. It was a gorgeous weekend at the Fall Fair, the best in a long while. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:36:09 PDT ~Lars said: meron, i have six kits (packages of 2 tiles) ready to go with me here in boston. but i haven't got your address with me. can you email or pm? thanks!~ Thanks Lars! I've pm'd you my mailing address. Much appreciated! *(pssst, thanks Linda! ; )* ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:45:37 PDT Here are a couple pictures from the SOLID Exchange opening. .. image :: http://www.ned.com/group/solid/file/1.27.12214897271/get/solid.jpg I’m pretty sure that is Evvy sitting on the stairs there. .. image :: http://www.ned.com/group/solid/file/4.44.12214897444/get/solid2.jpg Inside and open for business the first day. Shop till you drop ;-) ---- :Author: Shirley McIntyre :Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:13:28 PDT I met the gal at the fair who received the bag hanging on the wall for her birthday. She loves it. ---- :Author: Shirley McIntyre :Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:22:41 PDT Have written a thank-you note to B&B guest who gave me a donation of $50.00 and will send one to GVM for the donation of 3 bags of sugar. That machine is a license to print money. Zelda ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:04:32 PDT :Modified: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:11:46 PDT .. image:: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2863145444_20b7497948.jpg?v=0 Thanks for posting the pictures Mark. Seeing all the weeds in the garden prompted me to take these pictures yesterday when I was dropping off the last of the stuff. The garden has come a long way since the spring in large part thanks to Zelda, errr I mean mom. She has diligently been tending it. .. image:: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2863142550_6e5d23cb50.jpg?v=0 Our new sandwich board out in the garden. So glad we won the recent round of "War of the Roses". ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:10:31 PDT Lars, if you haven't mailed off the Peace Tiles kits to my home address yet maybe it would be better if you send them to the SOLID Office, 125 McPhillips Avenue, SaltSpring Island, V8K 2T6. Thanks!!! ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:14:29 PDT :Modified: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:25:42 PDT okay - will do - off to SOLID Office tomorrow am. ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:26:55 PDT [Six kits, one "veggie tile" from Cabot School student, and two from Monica Nankoma's boys at Concern for the Future (Uganda) in the mail]. Good luck, and have fun! ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:52:19 PDT Thanks a lot Lars! I'm so happy we are going to have some Peace Tiles kits. The tiles get a lot of attention in the shop. ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:03:01 PDT Meron, a box of products is coming and should be there this Thursday 9/25 via DHL. Assuming no hangups at the border, we should be in good shape. Now we should be on a lookout for someone that will be heading by Portland on I-5 towards Salt Spring Island...and driving a fairly big truck/RV. There's still a few big boxes I'd like to get to SOLID for you guys to start selling and loads of **great stuff!** ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:45:32 PDT Thanks Mark! that's wonderful. Did you send it to the office address or my home? Hopefully the office, mom will be in there tomorrow (Thursday) to receive it should it arrive on time. Anna is coming down your way in October with a truck and she's willing to pick up the rest. We'll organize that after we get past this weekend and the Jami Sieber benefit concert. ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:46:57 PDT >>Did you send it to the office address or my home>> The Pallot address >>Anna is coming down your way in October<< Perfect, we'll plan after that. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:21:16 PDT That's the house. I'll leave a note on the door on my way out and hopefully they will leave it for me. Thanks for your help with this!!! On the run ... ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:08:10 PDT You bet. If Anna is going to be heading thru Portland when I'm out of town at one of `these conferences`_ I'll make sure the boxes are all packed and ready to go, and will coordinate with Pam/Anna pickup time (and related details) .. _`these conferences` : http://www.ned.com/user/u513094538/news/2/ ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:43:51 PDT Thanks Mark, got the package!!! And during one of my many trips to the landr-o-mat to pick it up (yes the landr-o-mat is where we pick up our packages, what can I say it's a small island! and it did take a couple of trips before they would let me have it ... lost paperwork, duty confusion, restrictions on how I could pay LOL!!!) the post man dropped by the shop with a notice that there was also a package at the post office. It was the Peace Tiles ... thanks Lars, they are absolutely beautiful! Today will be spent getting set up for this evenings event. ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:17:45 PDT glad they've made it. good luck on the big night! ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:48:08 PDT Have a great evening. Happy all the international shipments worked themselves out. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:00:30 PDT Thanks guys! Appreciate your help with our efforts. Looking forward to this evening. ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:35:52 PDT What's new and newsworthy? Any idea when Anna is going to be in Portland, I'm gone thru 10/3, then 10/10-10/15 and need to make sure things are boxed up for her...even more so if I'm out of town and need to more closely coordinate a pickup. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:05:03 PDT :Modified: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:05:49 PDT The Sieber concert was FANTASTIC!!! Don't know how much $$$ we made yet, still waiting to hear from ArtSpring, but better than that it was a wonderful community outreach for SOLID. Wine was served by SaltSpring Vineyards, and we had cheese donated by SaltSpring Cheese, Moonstruck Organic Cheese and bread from Bloom Breads. It's wonderful to have such community support. It was a magical evening. .. image:: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2906703713_b490ac3772.jpg Mini-SOLID Exchange set up in the lobby of ArtSpring .. image:: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2907550096_95bfe4d6d4.jpg Knit Wit table PS: I'll send Anna a note to chime in here about pick-up arrangements. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:20:08 PDT Not SOLID Exchange but ... When Mamello from HaMakhata visited us a couple of years ago for our Community to Community Conference she was a guest at the Frances Kelsey School on the big (Vancouver) island. One of the students that heard her spoke is now graduating. Two years ago the school began a tradition where by the graduating class spends their graduating year raising funds for a school in a developing country. Janet remembered Mamello and this year they want to focus on our school in HaMakhata. On Monday Sam and I met Sue at the Kelsey School and did a presentation for the Global Awareness Group. .. image:: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2907545004_b2b4d78a43.jpg I kicked off the presentation with an introduction. .. image:: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2906708931_d4392aae2d.jpg Sue showed photos from her six month stay at HaMakhata last year. .. image:: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2907565602_5653128b09.jpg It was a good turn out and the youth all listened atentatively. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:31:17 PDT Oh, Lars I spoke to the kids about the Peace Tiles Project and they may be interested in doing a workshop on World AIDS Day. Sue is going back to Lesotho in the new year and will be able to take the mural to Mamello's school. I had a meeting with the youth at our local high school on Tuesday and they are willing to facilitate the workshop, will keep you posted. ---- :Author: Mark Grimes :Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:33:25 PDT Great pix, and glad to hear things went so well. ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:40:48 PDT Meron, just enlivening to see your work grow. Let me know how I can help. ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:50:07 PDT Thanks guys! Appreciate your ongoing support. Lars, just to let you know Sam has made some beautiful Peace Tiles greeting cards that we have for sale at the shop. When I get some time I'll scan one in or better yet maybe I should send you some? ---- :Author: Lars Hasselblad Torres :Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:09:54 PDT yeah! ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:09:52 PDT :Modified: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:12:09 PDT One of the great things about the Sieber concert evening was to have the Merville Grandmother's textile exhibit there as well. It was totally serendipitous. I was so inspired by their work this morning I set about looking up 'stuff' about it (secretly I'm lusting after a couple of them LOL!). I was quickly sidetracked by this story about the `Quinte Grannies for Africa calendar`_. I was moved to tears reading the article, thinking about all the things these grannies do, from riding bicycles long distances, to creating the most amazing textile art, baring all for a calendar and arranging scrabble tourneys. Stephen Lewis has inspired a generation to step up ... that makes me smile **: )** I am in awe of their accomplishments and ambition; including our own Knit Wits and Raging Grannies here on SaltSpring. `Calendar`_ `Textiles`_ "Stephen Lewis visited the display on June 27th and left the following comments in the guest book: "This is the most thrilling and accomplished artistic undertaking in the history of the Foundation. Thank You." The individual art pieces will be auctioned off in October by the Merville Grandmothers, with proceeds going to the Grandmothers Campaign." .. _`Calendar`: http://www.quintegrannies.ca/order.html .. _`Textiles`: http://www.tidechange.ca/cgi-bin/show_gallery.cgi?TOPIC=0&ISTART=0&NSHOW=12&S=1&T=3 .. _`Quinte Grannies for Africa calendar`: http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org./news_item.cfm?news=2538 ---- :Author: Anna Callegari :Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:02:33 PDT The evening was an immense success thanks to certain peoples very hard work ;) As far as picking up more stock from Mark, looks like it may be later in Nov that we venture down to the North Cascades and Bellingham area....just in the process of moving house here in the next few weeks so can't squeeze a trip in for October...sorry!!! Let me know if that timeline will still work for Nov. Anna ---- :Author: Linda Nowakowski :Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:45:07 PDT Meron, I am in love with the textiles as well. Have you ANY idea what kind of prices these pieces will bring? I don't want to inject an insulting bid and there is a piece (or two) that I would love to have as well so I would like to bid so that I might really get it (if I can afford it). Thanks for sharing. ---- :Author: Shirley McIntyre :Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:47:13 PDT Me too. I loved "who will tend the gardens" ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:39:26 PDT They are more beautiful 'in person' Linda ... unbelievable. There are 38 pieces up for auction and I recall reading somewhere that they are hoping to raise $80,000.00 ... that kind of math is too steep for my pocket book but I'd love to have "Who will do the heavy work?" or "Who will take the food to market?". I felt like I could almost step in to the tapestry with those two. ---- :Author: Linda Nowakowski :Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2008 02:42:51 PDT Meron Moroz said: ..... they are hoping to raise $80,000.00 ... that kind of math is too steep for my pocket book Mine too .... :-( ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:41:35 PST SOLID Exchange (almost) 6 Month Financial Report ----- * Gross: $5,541.00 * Costs: $1,781.00 * Net$: $3,760.00 **:D** ---- :Author: lars@work :Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:25:47 PST Super - kudos all!! How have peace tile kits sold? ---- :Author: Meron Moroz :Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:34:48 PST Hey Lars! We've sold 4 of the 6 Peace Tiles kits so far. Half of the proceeds are going in to the account. The Peace Tiles cards Sam made are selling well and I just put in a second print order for the Peace Tiles calendar we made up. **Go Peace Tiles!!!** ---- :Author: lars@work :Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:04:06 PST Go Meron and SOLID!! ----