Mimi's Organic Exchange

It’s Building Blocks’ lucky 13th birthday and guess who loves birthdays?

*photo-op with photographer Leigh Loftus, face painting for kids, chair massage by Mimi Clayton, CMT, ATC for parents, anniversary gift giveaways & special treats!!

This Saturday Oct 10th

10am-3pm

Building Blocks Toy Store

2130 W Division St, 773.235.1888

Executive Director, Mimi Clayton, CMT, ATC, will be on-site providing chair massage from 11am-3pm. She has a B.A. in Sports Medicine, has been a bodywork professional for 17 years and is the owner of a 10 year old clinical massage therapy practice.

Mimi is an educator and a Reiki Master. She has taught and clinically supervised student teaching at the Soma Institute and has worked in various settings including physical therapy center, fitness clubs, corporate chair massage and a spa. Mimi is also a certified Athletic Trainer and her clients include elite marathoners and triathletes. Mimi incorporates neuromuscular, deep tissue, sports, thai yoga, reflexology and energy work in her treatments to customize each client’s treatment.

For more info, contact:

Katherine O. McHenry, Shopkeeper

Building Blocks Toy Store

www.buildingblockstoys.com

http://www.yelp.com/biz/building-blocks-toy-store-chicago

Wicker Park

2130 W. Division Street

Chicago, IL 60622

773.235.1888

773-235-2208 fax

Lakeview

3306 N. Lincoln Avenue

Chicago, IL 60657

773-525.6200

866.523.8697 fax

WHO WE ARE:

Mimi’s Organic Exchange (MOE) is a business and arts network committed to socially, environmentally and spiritually sustainable products and services. The MOE community includes over 1,000 small businesses, artisans and non-profits. Engaging people in a fun, social environment, MOE promotes building sustainable connections in an ever-changing world.

For upcoming events and news, please visit www.mimisorganicexchange.com

ENVIRONMENTALLY THEMED SHOW

Curated by Diane Ponder of Living Room Gallery

Executive Team Member of MOE

Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday October 4th 11:00am-6:00pm

1754 W. Byron

MOE Executive Curator, Diane Ponder, is a featured artist and will be curating the Chicago Artist’s Month Show at Moss Design as part of the Ravenswood Art Walk. Each year, Ravenswood Art Walk encompasses more than 50 venues and the art work of over 150 working, professional and emerging artists and performance groups. Most artists sell their work at the event! For more information, visit www.ravenswoodartwalk.org

Diane Ponder is a painter and digital photographer. Her work has been displayed locally at Navy Pier, Grant Park, and Oak Park; nationally at The Rockford Gallery in Rockford, Maine, the Art Center in Orinda, California and the New York Art Expo, and internationally, at the first abstract art show in Jeddah Saudi Arabia where she was the only woman artist. Diane’s work has also been featured in the Oak Park Wednesday Journal and the Chicago Tribune. Diane owned the Living Room Gallery, a multidisciplinary art space, was featured in a PBS documentary of an art series benefiting Sarah’s Inn, a women’s shelter, and has been artist in residence with the Art House, an artist’s cooperative. Diane showed at the Lincoln Park Art Fair and at the Chicago Cultural center in the Mark di Suervo sculpture, “The Peace Tower”.

MOSS DESIGN is a LEED accredited sustainable architecture studio committed to establishing meaningful, long-term relationships based on communication, education, trust, and mutual respect. Mutual respect is all encompassing for the client, the community, and equally important – our natural surroundings. They believe that successful design provides a solid connectivity with nature while responding to client needs, desires, and their vision of a comfortable, livable, and functional environment. This allows them to create site specific and sustainable architecture that is innovative, aesthetically appealing and energy efficient.  For more information, visitwww.moss-design.com

MOE Executive Director, Mimi Clayton, has carried a camera and taken photos for as long as she can remember catching candid moments. She has been formally doing photography over 6 years.  Mimi discovered Richard Stromberg’s classes riding her bike down Lincoln Ave. and jumped head first into photography.   Mimi is drawn to photograph natural expressions, CARPE DIEM moments, as well as being able to capture the essence that others may fail to notice.  She has been diverse in taking photos for photography shows, headshots, high school senior photos, weddings, documenting art shows, outdoor activities  and special occasions.  The pure enjoyment of photography, lighting and seeing life in a different way, keeps Mimi’s creativity and fascination alive.  It is her way of journaling and embracing the visions. For more info, visit Mimi Clayton Photographywww.gallery.me.com/mimisorganicexchange or email mimisorganicexchange@gmail.com

Darrell Roberts moved to Chicago in 1997 after growing up in rural Iowa, and attending the University of Northern Iowa, where he received a BA in Art History. Mr. Roberts spent the summer of 1996 on the Leon Levy Expedition in Ashkelon, Israel on an archaeology dig. It was there he realized his interest in civilizations and desire to pursue painting. Darrell continued his education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he received a BFA and MFA in studio art. Mr. Roberts had a solo show titled “Luscious” at the Hyde Park Art Center January 21st to March 27, 2007. A Robert Rauschenberg Grant was awarded to Darrell Roberts March 2007. He has been in numerous shows in the last decade and was awarded a full fellowship on behalf of the Dedalus Foundation to the Vermont Studio Center for December 2007. A grant from the George Sugarman Foundation was awarded to Darrell Roberts for the purchase of paint and the enrichment of his artistic career November 2007. A generous grant from the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation was awarded to Darrell Roberts for the development of his artistic career December 2007. Darrell Roberts received an Illinois Arts Council Grant in January 2009, for the continuous development of his artwork. Mr. Roberts received a grant on behalf of the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs for the purchase of art supplies and to further the development of his artwork, March 2009. Also, Darrell is the Chicago Art Examiner for examiner.com, Chiguide.com and contributed artist interviews to Chicagoarts-lifestyle.com, A voice for Artist in Chicago. Darrell Roberts is represented by Thomas McCormick Gallery of Chicago. Mr. Roberts’ review is in ARTnews magazine, May 2009 from his solo exhibition “Surface Matters” at Thomas McCormick Gallery, Chicago. For more info, visitwww.darrell-roberts.com or email 

Cydney M. Lewis began working as an artist after a successful career in the film industry as an Art director.   She graduated from the University of Illinois with a BSAS in Architecture and studied at the L’ecoled’architecture des Versailles, France and the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. She draws her inspiration from her surroundings relying on the experiences in her daily life, relationships with friends, family and accomplices.  Cydney hopes to create an awareness of our life in progress and the obligation to find its brilliance and truthfulness through all the anxiety and uncertainties that encircle us. For more info, visit www.meartcy.com or emailcydney@meartcy.com

MIMI & ALI’S BIRTHDAY BENEFIT

Held at: MOSS DESIGN

Friday, October 2nd

1754 W. Byron

7pm-11pm

http://www.moss-design.com/

17 years of friendship

Every night in Chicago, thousands of youth find themselves homeless through lives interrupted by family issues and neglect. Teen Living Programs offers these youth a new home and a community of comprehensive support with a focus on education, vocation, counseling, health care, nutrition and life skills. With your help, we can continue to give Chicago’s youth who are homeless a roof over their heads and a positive future in their sight. For more information, please visit www.teenliving.org

$20.00 in advance ($25/door) plus an In-Kind Gift includes food, drinks (including martini bar), music, and a sneak preview of the Ravenswood Art Walk. Some of the great people in our MOE community will be selling their products, and a portion of their sales will be donated to Teen Living Program.

Your in-kind gift helps provide necessities and recreation for youth who are homeless. For more details on welcome baskets and survival kits, please click link at bottom of page.

Consider sponsoring a Welcome Basket for new residents of Belfort House. For many youth, these are the first new items they can claim as their own. You may sponsor part of or an entire basket by donating the items below (please, new unopened items only).

• Sheets (Twin)
• Pillow
• Towels (face and bath)
• Alarm Clock
• Toothbrush
• Shaving Supplies
• Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Comb
• Cotton Balls
• Brush
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Toothpaste
• Peroxide
• T-shirts
• A-shirts
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Hats
• Underwear
• Long Johns
• Clothing Hangers
• Laundry Basket

The following items are also needed– new or gently used and in good condition:

Education tools: movie projectors, TABE test software, SDS testing books, financial planners, job portfolios

Music instruments and equipment: guitars (acoustic and electric), synthesizers, drum kit, microphones, recording booth, sound-proofing materials, beat machines, Kaoss pad, distortion pedals, amplifiers, PA System

Digital media equipment: video camera, Mac Final Cut Pro, fire wire cables, After Effects, 3-D Studio Max, 3-D modeling and animation software, DV tapes

Writing tools: leather-bound journals, nice ink pens, subscriptions to writing magazines

Art supplies: various size canvases, drawing and sketch pads, charcoal and pastel sets, acrylic and oil paints, clay and modeling materials, beads and jewelry-making supplies

Camping equipment: tents, sleeping mats, camp stoves, Nalgene bottles

Weight room equipment: new hand-held weights (5lbs to 75lbs), pull-up bar, weight mats

Sporting equipment: bicycles and helmets, volleyball net, softball equipment, flag football equipment, martial arts equipment, focus mitts, kick shields, leg splitter, dummy bag

Clothing: men’s and women’s clothing, appropriate for interviews

If you are not able to attend the event, but you would like to donate you may send monetary donations and In-Kind donations to:

Mimi Clayton and Associates

dba Mimi’s Organic Exchange

3840 N. Bell Ave. 1^st Floor

Chicago, IL 60618

773.991.3835

mimisorganicexchange@gmail.com

Please make out checks to Mimi Clayton & Associates

You can also donate via Paypal

Paypal Account: mimiclayton@sbcglobal.net

For more details on Welcome Baskets and Survival Kits click here

If anyone or a business is interested in helping sponsor the event financially, giveaway items or any other help, please contact Mimi via mimisorganicexchange@gmail.com or phone 773.991.3835.

MEET THE ENJOYMENT FOR THE EVENING

photo taken by www.shellyanderson.com

Staying true to his name, DJ limbs is all about reaching out. Broadening his network and expanding the horizons in the world of sound, music and good vibrations is something that comes naturally to this DJ/producer.  His collaborations span across the world from Brazil to Switzerland, the Philippines and back to his current home base Chicago.  Known by his friends and family as Victor Carreon, the 24 year old was born in the west suburbs of Illinois listening to 80s pop tunes his sisters played and parents’ oldies. At 8, he moved to Geneva, Switzerland where he discovered his love for hiphop, digging deeper into the underground movement and discovering its roots in funk and soul.  Inspired by close family friends, DJs Arch D-lux and DJ Izreal, he began teaching himself to spin and scratch records in 1999. At 15 he moved to Manila, Philippines, where he continued to develop his style.  He returned state-side in 2002 to attend the University in Champaign-Urbana, IL.  In college as the President of the local Hip-Hop Congress chapter, he helped organize HipHop Awareness Week which, with Michael Crammond launched IL Breaks, a staple midwest b-boy battle still going strong today. He also shared his mixing and scratching skills at workshops for any student looking to learn, and held sessions at the local middle school, inspiring the next generation of deejays. Now, he resides in Uptown, Chicago.  His diverse upbringing and environment has helped shape the unique subtleties of his sound and broad network. He has recently launched an event series called “Music is the Weapon” that brings non-profit organizations together to raise funds, awareness and build connections. He continues to DJ at loft/ house parties, galleries, clubs/lounges, festivals, b-boy battles, weddings and is currently working on hosting workshops to teach DJing and music production.  His production credits range from commercial sound design for video games and children’s publications, to independent film soundtracks and beats for emcees and vocalists.  For more info, visit www.linkedin.com/in/victorcarreon www.myspace.com/djlimbs

Angelynx, John Sacelli, Yale University BA Philosophy, has spent 40 years exploring alternative therapies, spiritual paths, healing, and shamanism.  While experiencing a series of Shamanic Visions, he met his totem Lynx (links) who introduced him to a series of inter-dimensional, alternative and past life adventures, and also to the subject of ‘Angelish, the Original Language’.  Words are spelled because they are castings of spells.  Words are placed in sentences because we are sentenced to live by the spells we cast.  Angelish, the ‘Original Language’, is the base for the angeLynx Oracle, developed by Poet-Intuitive John Sacelli in conjunction with Visionary Artist Chris Deschaine.    John lives and works in Chicago.  He will be on hand giving private readings.  For more info, visit www.johnsacelli.com www.angeLynx.com

FOR A LIST OF THE ARTISTS AT MOSS DESIGN FOR RAW (RAVENSWOOD ART WALK), PLEASE GO TO OUR RAVENSWOOD ART WALK PAGE.  http://mimisorganicexchange.com/the-ravenswood-art-walk-raw

MOE Networking Potluck Party: Tuesday, August 18th, 6:00pm – 9:30pm

Come meet your fellow MOE network members at the Life Force Arts Center (3148 N. Lincoln Ave). Bring a dish to pass or drinks to share and be prepared to have a good time. Please RSVP to Mimi at mimisorganicexchange@gmail.com or 773.991.3835. For more information about Life Force Arts Center, please visit www.lifeforcearts.org

Life Force Arts Center is also looking for volunteers and has a great co-op program, so if you are interested in learning more, this is a great opportunity to see what they are all about.

The Local Market of Mimi’s Organic Exchange: Saturday, September 12th, 12pm – 7pm & Sunday, September 13th, 12p – 6pm

The Local Market of Mimi’s Organic Exchange is the perfect place to shop local, unwind and learn about sustainable living. Items for sale range from essentials to one-of-a-kind. Local artisans will showcase a variety of products, including clothing and accessories, art, jewelry, stationary and home decor. Meet great holistic health and wellness service providers, and enjoy performances by featured local musicians.

Stop by the market and learn how local artisans create sustainable living and a greener tomorrow. Vendors, musicians and others interested in the MOE Market may contact Mimi Clayton at info@mimisorganicexchange.com or 773.991.3835.

Held at Leeway Room at 855 West Blackhawk: www.leetracy.com/space.html

Mimi & Ali’s Birthday Benefit: Friday, October 2nd

Mimi Clayton and MOE Network member, Ali Wayer, are hosting a birthday benefit at Moss Gallery in October. Keep your eyes open for more details.

Ravenswood ArtWalk: Saturday, October 3rd & Sunday, October 4th

MOE Executive Curator, Diane Ponder, is a featured artist and will be curating the Chicago Artist’s Month Show at Moss Gallery as part of the Ravenswood Art Walk. Each year, ArtWalk encompasses more than 50 venues and the art work of over 150 working, professional and emerging artists and performance groups. Most artists sell their work at the event! For more information, visit www.ravenswoodartwalk.org

MOE Fall Harvest Festival: Friday, October 23rd, 4:00-9:00 pm

Come celebrate Harvest Season with Mimi’s Organic Exchange! We’re featuring a select group of MOE vendors and will have a variety of products and services, including art, handmade custom candles, jewelry and accessories, and bodywork. We’ll be cooking out and having fun, so make sure to stop by. Stay tuned for more details.

ANNOUNCING A NEW ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLE MARKET

Mimi’s Organic Exchange and the Leeway Room

855 West Blackhawk Street

Chicago, IL 60642 USA

Think globally, enjoy locally Saturday 7/11, 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, 7/12 11:00am-4:00pm

The Local Market of Mimi’s Organic Exchange is the perfect destination for your shopping needs. Come see how local artisans embrace sustainable living, and browse through various hand-made, organic and repurposed products. Come find something renewed.

Items for sale include essentials as well as one-of-a-kind. Our vendors offer a range of unique products, including clothing, accessories, art, jewelry, stationary and home decor.  Holistic health and wellness services also available. Shop local and enjoy performances by featured local musicians.

Mimi’s Organic Exchange (MOE) is a business and arts network committed to socially, environmentally and spiritually sustainable products and services. A cornerstone of Mimi’s Organic Exchange is to create community through support of local micro-businesses.

Featured in Local First Chicago, Mimi’s Organic Exchange invites you to support your community and learn how local artisans promote sustainable living and a greener tomorrow.

For more details, contact Mimi Clayton at mimisorganicexchange@gmail.com

Mimi’s Organic Exchange is not just an event, it’s an experience. A way of life.

Featured Vendors and Service Providers

Chapter One Organics
Emily Wiser Jewelry
Elizabeth Kline Designs
Silver Drops Jewelry Design
Arbonne International
Soda
Marilyn Grad Handpainted Functional Creations
Happy Katt
Angelynx
Karen Heart Life Coach, LCSM
Louise Cloutier
Zach Livingston
Nicolet Candle Company
Dan Arrecis
Lee Tracy
Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage
Darnell Williams

Members of The MOE Executive Team will also be on hand, showcasing their wares.

Mimi Clayton, Founder, Visionary & Director; Mimi Clayton Photography
Jen Berman, Marketing; Metabody Studio–Reiki & Energy Work
Diane Ponder, Curator; Living Room Gallery

Meet our Saturday Speakers

12:30pm: John Sacelli of AngeLynx

Chakras and the Change of Ages

Jesus said ‘I will be with you unto the End of the Age’. We are living in the End of an Age. What does this mean? Examining the spiritual shift from the heart chakra to the throat chakra. To learn more about John, please visit www.angelynx.com.

2:00pm: Karen Heart, Life Coach

Communication and Self-Esteem, Relationships and Stress.

Psychotherapist and Life Coach Karen Heart will explain how you can resolve conflicts, strengthen your relationships, and get the support you need through better communication techniques. She will lead a discussion about the problems we all face and how we can cope with them and reduce our stress. Her tools help people strengthen their relationships, boost their self-esteem, and find some inner peace. For more information, please visit www.karenlifecoach.com.

3:30pm: Louise Cloutier of Voiceborne

Use Your Voice!

Louise Cloutier, sound healer and holistic voice teacher shows you how to use the sacred power of your own voice, to speak your truth, release old toxins and set your soul free! To set your voice free, please visit www.voiceborne.com.

Listen to our Sunday Musicians

1:00pm: Dan Arrecis

Dan Arrecis, lead singer, guitar player, and songwriter has put together a powerful and moving debut in Alive Day. The songs bring you back and take you somewhere new and unexplored. Their debut album “Blindsided By Hope” is now completed. This modern rock band speaks to audiences with their songs of shared experiences while engaging and challenging our changing times. Every listen to “Sparkle and Shimmer” or “Drifting” tells a different story with every play and with melodies that keep you singing and moving. Listen to Dan at www.myspace.com/aliveday.

2:30pm: Zach Livingston

Zach Livingston puts together his sound by molding the sensibilities of a folk singer-songwriter with the passion of a soul singer and the smiling melancholy of a bluesman. Having done a lot of traveling and seen a lot of things, Zach has a lot of stories and sentiments set to music – but the real aim is to find something timeless in those stories and write songs people really connect with. Music by a vagabond, written for everyone – best taken with a tall frosty beverage, a grain of salt, and a love of life. Listen to Zach at www.myspace.com/zachlivingstonmusic.

Local First Chicago’s mission is to educate the public on the importance of choosing locally owned, independent businesses. They work primarily through public education, business support, and advocacy.

Local First Chicago is a network of locally owned, independent businesses and community organizations joined together to keep money and character in our neighborhoods and build a thriving local living economy. In doing so, they hope to promote the overall social, economic, and environmental health of our economy and communities.

CLICK LINK  TO FIND OUT THE : Ten Reasons to Shop Local

FOR  INFO ON LOCAL FIRST CHICAGO VISIT http://www.localfirstchicago.org/