Nature on Vancouver Island

Beautiful East Sooke Trail last weekend!

GREEN HAIRCUTS FOR KIDS

"GREEN Haircuts for kids?" The Hair Garden is an Eco-friendly Salon with Eco-friendly products. We don't use Ammonia, we don't do perms, and we have no Sodium laurel sulfate in our shampoos.
So, whatever GREEN habits we create for our KIDS, our kids will benefit and so will our WORLD. By bringing up Eco-savvy kids with a sense of environmental stewardship, we will leave the planet in capable hands.
For Kids 10 & under $10 and for Pre-teens 11 to 14 yrs $20.

MOM MONDAYS always receive 20% off any Hair service!

With ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS, and NO AMMONIA HAIR COLOR! Take some time to unwind and relax! Enjoy a cup of tea or an organic mocha, a paraffin hand dip, and a scalp massage with our organic essential oils. Every Mom Monday enjoy a complimentary mini manicure with any Cut/Color/Style as well as the 20% off. Book now!

First time mentioned in Martlet article!

Naked poets leave impression

Provided Photo

Oct 08, 2008 04:07 PM

Kyle D’Odorico

Strong Cottonwoods walked on the stage to a crowd of confused and slightly irritated faces. He was dressed to the nines compared to the other performers. In fact, he was just plain dressed.

Someone from the audience rose to object and finally asked the question that everyone else was pondering over: why does he have clothes on? Or more accurately, why isn’t he naked?

The audience didn’t have to ponder long, as halfway through his poem Cottonwoods let his clothing drop to the floor as though he wasn’t wearing them in the first place. Of course, by then, the audience was used to such a sight. The group had seen Cottonwoods (and seven other local poets) bare their flesh and hearts — to use the words of host Dave Morris.

This year’s “Poetry in the Raw” — a slam poetry reading where the poets shed their clothes and act out their pieces wearing nothing but the stage and spotlight — performed its second rotation in Victoria last week.

The theme this year was “cover.” First, the poets read covers of other’s works, ranging from Canadian slam poetry champion Brendan McLeod to experienced spoken-word performer William Shatner. Following that, the poets took to the stage with their own pieces.

“Poetry is you being naked, you in the raw . . . sharing who you are,” said Kristy Westendorp, member of the Victoria Slam team, of the nudity.

But there’s more to being naked than just not having any clothes on. And it was more than just the poets that were sharing.

Morris lead the audience through his journey toward his first sojourn into public nudity, and invited audience members to share the experience. Many were so inclined to join Morris they defied his “one step at a time” policy, and took clothes off as they pleased rather than waiting for his brief introductions where he would announce both the next poet and the next piece of clothing that would be collectively removed.

The first poem was written by Morris, but was covered by Westendorp, and dealt with the very situation Morris was going through on stage: overcoming insecurities through trust. And it was a trusting atmosphere; whether that was displayed through the audience’s willingness to throw themselves into the same boat as the performer or through the generally respective tone they emitted.

The atmosphere was so trusting that Jen Davies, who had recently given birth, stood naked on the stage to announce the winner of a draw for services courtesy of The Hair Garden Salon.

The themes were numerous. Missie Peters, producer of the event and Westendorp’s fellow Victoria Slam Team member, wrote of the hassles and cover-ups of everyday work life. Meanwhile, Jane Bee wrote about the triangular relationship between her, her children and the current world state.

For her own piece, Westendorp walked onto the stage eating a piece of cake, which (she later assured everyone) was vegan. Her approach to the theme of cover dealt with the fact that she wanted to show that everyone is different under their clothes; something often forgotten in the days of fad diets and eating disorders. To prove this, standing stark naked before reading, she ate.

For Westendorp, writing a poem about body image came from the dilemma that she could either lose 15 pounds or write a body acceptance piece. Considering losing 15 pounds could hardly be shared with a group of poetry lovers, it seemed like she’d made the right choice. Plus, she said, losing 15 pounds wouldn’t have been as fun.

All the proceeds from the event go towards sending the Victoria Slam Team to the nationals.

"Going Green" the Chemical Free Nursery!

I remember what my mother said to me when I was nesting right before Garnet was born 5 1/2 months ago." A breast and a drawer thats all baby's need when they come into this world." I was mortified, shocked! I guess thats all she did for me stick me in a drawer and pull out her boob.
But my mom has a point. Those matching bumper pads and hand-embroidered Roman blinds and teddy bears all in a row are not really that important. When you consider all the chemicals coming off of the bumper pads, new paint, carpet and plastic toys from china. Lead, (VOCs) and polyurethane foam, BFR chemicals you start to really wonder is this why we have a higher rate of Cancer?
But, there are alternatives now! Green alternatives, healthy alternatives! IKEA does not use fire retardants in any of their mattresses or furniture, organic cotton supplies for cribs are available at www.sagecreeknaturals.com and www.grassrootsstore.com. Also, Willow Natural Home is a B.C. company that stocks every possible option for natural nursery gear. Check out www.willownaturalhome.com.
Diapers what a horrible invention, they do not breakdown in a landfill and they are immersed with cancer causing chemicals. Yuk!
There is an alternative!!!!!!!! G Diapers you can order them online or buy them at London Drugs, Mothering Touch in Victoria B.C. Here is the website http://www.gdiapers.com/
You will love them!

• no elemental chlorine
• no perfumes
• no plastic layer
• no inks or dyes
• no latex
• no garbage, no guilt

Garnet just woke up, so I have to go now but I will talk to you soon. Have a great day and have fun being "GREEN" :) Jenn and Garnet