Shakti Rising: Transforming in North County

The touch of Shakti Rising is indelible in nature, often in your first encounter. That was certainly my experience. The rich, authentic community born out of the Shakti model transforms, inspires and empowers as it moves through San Diego county and beyond. I am a proud member of this community and thrilled to be a participant in their migration north.

On January 12th, Shakti Rising began offering their signature course, Transformation 101, in North County for the first time at Carruth Cellars Winery On Cedros. Many North County women have long been requesting local access to classes provided by Shakti in the San Diego area. The response to this initial offering at Carruth Cellars has been GREAT!

As a new student myself, I found it compelling how 15 women of varied backgrounds, ages and life experiences could so effortlessly come together and transform a space, as well as one another in their very first encounter. Our first class meeting (out of eight), proved to be enlightening, emotional, exciting, and healing, under the expert leadership of Shakti instructors Ruthi Solari and Beth Fuller.

I would like to express much love & gratitude to Adam Carruth, owner/winemaker of Carruth Cellars for donating the use of the Winery On Cedros on Tuesday nights for our class. I was inspired by the transformation of the tasting room into a beautiful space where an eclectic circle of women can gather in harmony with one another. As I soaked in the magic of community building in the space, I gratefully reflected on Adam's efforts that day (his day off), to clean and transform the winery production pad into a lovely space for us to gather. Thank you so much Adam!!!

One of my homework assignments for our class was "to make one tiny change" this week. My agreement was to spend 15 minutes on my blog. Much more than 15 minutes have passed now, and it feels wonderful to honor my commitment to myself and the class!

I will keep you posted on my journey with Shakti Rising. I also encourage you to learn more about this incredible organization and their work In Our Community. Visit www.shaktirising.org to learn more, drop me a note, or catch me at the winery and I will be happy to share more with you about my Shakti journey.

Community Inteface Services Holiday Celebration

The people of Community Interface Services (CIS) are near and dear to my heart.  After moving back to California, I found a home working for CIS as a program coordinator.  CIS serves people with developmental disabilities throughout San Diego County.  I encountered so many inspiring individuals during my time with CIS; the stories and experiences I shared with the staff and individuals being served by CIS stay with me as I continue my journey.  The staff at CIS are some of the most dedicated, hard-working people I know and I have been proud to share friendship and lots of laughs with many of them.

This Sunday, Carruth Cellars Winery On Cedros will be hosting a fundraiser on behalf of CIS to raise funds for a very special event:

"Your help is needed to make a magical evening come to life.  Each year in December, Community Interface Services hosts a Holiday Party for hundreds of people with developmental disabilities and the dedicated staff members who serve them.  Most people with developmental disabilities live below the poverty line and wrestle with social isolation, making our Holiday Party a very special event in their lives.  Attendance at the event consistently surpasses 400 people - the dance floor is full when the band strikes the first note and does not empty until the final encore.  Add in a little food, a visit from Santa and some socializing, and it truly is a magical evening."  ~Community Interface Services

As a former staff member of CIS, I can personally share with you how vitally important this event is to hundreds of people that CIS serves.  The supervisors and coordinators work incredibly hard to put this event on each year, and relish in the joy it gives to so many people.  

Carruth Cellars will be donating a mixed case of wine, valued over $400, to be raffled on behalf of CIS.  All proceeds will be donated to Community Interface Services Holiday Party.  Carruth Cellars will also be donating 25% of wine sales on Sunday to CIS.  

Please join us, Sunday, September 12, anytime from 1:00PM to 7:00PM.  

Wine raffle to be held at 6:30PM

Carruth Cellars Winery On Cedros

320 So. Cedros Ave. #400

Solana Beach, CA 92075

www.carruthcellars.com

(Just south of the Belly Up Tavern~Behind Cole's Fine Flooring~Next to Project X Art: Gallery)

I am honored to help facilitate this event, along with Adam Carruth at Carruth Cellars Winery On Cedros, on behalf of all of the amazing staff members and service recipients of Community Interface Services.

For me, these are the types of collaborations at the heart of true community.