Category Archives: Village: You+Me+Us

Where we share and work together for mutual success.

Landfillharmonic’s recycled orchestra

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When you live on a landfill in Cateura, Paraguay, and in such poverty even your children must work in it, what do you do to bring them joy?

Landfill workers Favio Chavez, a musician, and Nicolas Gomez, a luthier, decided to build instruments from trash and create a children’s orchestra. The “Recycled Orchestra” movement even inspired a movie: Landfill Harmonic.

Since no release date is specified on the Web page, I assume they’re in need of financial support to complete the project. If you care to find out more you will certainly be inspired to help.

Human ingenuity never ceases to amaze.

What incredible musical activities can you share?

The Recycled Orchestra story is humbling and makes you profoundly grateful, especially when your own children get to participate in music, like my son Cutter's digital performance at ASU. @2011 ANVidean

The Recycled Orchestra story is humbling and inspires profound gratitude, especially when your own children get to participate in music far on the opposite spectrum, like my son Cutter’s digital performance at ASU.
@2011 ANVidean

Coffee CommuniTea: Pegasus Coffee House, Bainbridge Island, WA

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Today’s Cup o’ Tea
Pegasus Coffee House

A favorite of Jackie Nagel, owner of
business coaching/consulting firm Synnovatia, San Pedro, CA,
who recommended this choice spot.

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Perks (what I really like!)
“The beautiful, nurturing environment and the incredibly good-tasting coffee.”

Photo complements of the Pegasus Coffee House Web site.

Share a cuppa (the stories)
“My first experience with Pegasus Coffee House was when I was still living in Washington State. I arrived early for the ferry to take me to downtown Seattle. With the little bit of extra time I had, I discovered this incredible coffee house shrouded in [Virginia Creeper, which looks a whole lot like] English Ivy.”

History: The Pegasus opened its doors on May 1, 1980. It’s Web site description says it’s “friendly, lively, casual and a bit funky and bohemian.

“The building was formerly home to Anderson Hardware store and its trademark bricks were salvaged from the Port Blakely Mill incinerator.

“Some use it as an office, some as a living room, but it’s always been a hub for information and the arts. The walls play host to local artists works and there’s live coffee house music every week.”

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)
“Love, Love, Love their coffee! Although we moved from the area in 2001, we still order their coffee online. There’s no bitter aftertaste like some of the better-known coffee brews/beans.”

They also offer tasty treats like:

  • Greens and soup
  • Sandwiches
  • Dinner, with available beer, wine and cocktails
  • Desserts

The Grind (what I would change)
“Wish they were local!”

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)
“The people always remember my name when I call in to place my order. It’s nice to be remembered.”

Per the Web site, Pegasus also offers:

  • Free wi-fi
  • Music on Friday and Saturday nights, with a distinct preference for folk and country flavors
  • A 20-person private event room available for parties, or business meetings
  • An outdoor terrace
  • A “Fresh Connections” blog

The Grounds (location)
131 Parfitt Way S.W.
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206-842-6725

Tea Times (hours)
M–Th.,  Su.: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
F.–Sa.: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Yelp rating: 3.5 stars (49 reviews)

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I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel and Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress in coffee/tea venues, so it seemed natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

Call for delicious vegetarian dishes for young-adult fiction book

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Community garden

A community garden in Highlands Ranch, CO. In its beautiful surroundings with the Rocky Mountains in the distance, I could see this garden tended by faeries. ©2012 ANVidean

In a banquet scene in The Song of The Ocarina (first book of my Delfaerune Rhapsody series),  I want to describe a number of succulently mouthwatering vegetarian dishes.

But, being of Armenian heritage where meat is a serious staple, I am at a loss. Can you share a vegetarian recipe worthy of a serving to the political leaders of Delfaerune (my realm of both Noble and Dark Fae)? Suggest a luscious dish that would fit into this paragraph:

“The chefs honored her homecoming by outdoing themselves in the kitchen. First, the servers delivered a leafy salad bursting with a variety of bright, colorful, tasty garden vegetables mixed with the chef’s especially creamy, tangy Ceasar. How wonderful to experience fresh-from-the-garden vegetables again. Their flavors exploded across her taste buds. Second, arrived the main entrée: a perfectly presented stuffed winter squash nestled in its own shell within a field of bright arugula and dressed with a cheesy asagio Alfredo sauce. Artfully placed golden squash blossoms piped with pesto hummus topped the dish. The orangey, coconutty ambrosia delivered third … well, talk about food for the gods. Pure heaven melting in her mouth.”

In your comment, please make sure to provide:

  • Full recipe
  • Description or even a few adjectives about the recipe, describing why it will work in this scene
  • Your name, or how you’d like to be identified in the blog or book
  • Your geographic location

(Just so you know, I may use your contact info provided via the comment to communicate with you about the book, but will not publicize it, or use it for any other reason.)

– Ann

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

#2 Writing Tip: Use your book cover as a profile picture

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Rhythms & Muse’s back cover. You want to click on it so you can read it, don’t you? I’ll let you watch my Facebook page at Ann Narcisian Videan for the front cover to appear in a few days, or check it out at http://www.tinyurl.com/ANVamazon.

Change your profile picture to your book cover.

Twice a month I meet with a group of established Phoenix, AZ-area writers in my Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) “tribe.” We share writing tips, ideas and resources, which I pass along to you.

The authors attending our May 22, 2012, gathering came up with a number of great ideas, which I will parse out in the near future, but Eduardo Cervino shared a real winner, an easy way to gain a bit more visibility.

He suggested authors change their profile photo to their book cover every once in a while on their social media sites. You know when you see the same image over and over, you tend to ignore it? A change in scenery can pique interest and entice your friends and followers to actually click on your little image to see it in better detail, especially a book cover.

Just make sure you offer valuable information next to the photo, such as a photo description in Facebook which includes your Web site address.

Thank you, Ed! I’m going to do this whenever I’m running a special promotion or on the  verge of a big book event.

Do you have a savvy writing tip to share for authors or freelancers? Please post a comment. (And, don’t forget to ALWAYS write!)

Share your best writing tip and get featured: ALWAYS

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• Need contacts to help your writing?  • Want advice about your writing business?  • Like to hang with other cool writers?
If so, my tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.
Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting.
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ALWAYS gathering
May 8, 2012

Topic:
Share your best writing tip and be featured in my Words•Music•Village blog

Expect an informal, let’s-help-one-another lunch gathering. Come ask questions, gain resources and meet other freelance writers. We’ll share our own best writing tips and hear what works for others. I’ll gather the tips and write up each one,  along with background on you and your writing, as an entry in my new series of writing-tip blogs.

Also, if you have something noncommercial you’d like to showcase — a tool, a resource, a tip — please contact me and I’ll slot you in for 15 minutes of our undivided attention at the meeting.

Next gathering:
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(Freelancers typically meet for lunch on the second Tuesday, and authors on the fourth Tuesday of each month.)

Where:
T.C. Eggington’s
1660 S. Alma School Rd., #129
Mesa, AZ 85210
(Just one block south of I-60 on the west side of Alma School Road, toward the south end of the strip mall)
480.345.9288

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Attending” link on our Facebook Event page
• Emailing Ann Videan with “ALWAYS May 8” in the Subject line

If you’ve RSVP’d and run into a conflict later, please let me know before the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group. Cheers!
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We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

Please do add a your best writing tip in the comments below, but I will feature only those who attend the meeting in my blog. I’m encouraging face time here, wordsmiths!

Meet authors to talk books and writing

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I’m one of 20 authors featured at this event and can’t wait to talk about books and writing with you!

Join me for the 2nd Annual Arizona Dreamin’ readers conference Fri. and Sat., June 1-2, 2012, in Chandler, Ariz. This  glorified “Girl’s Night Out” allows you to rub elbows with authors – including me – who write fiction in diverse genres, which involve a thread of romance.

For just $35, expect to:

• Meet 20 authors of various genres of romance. Choose 6 you find the most interesting for “Book Clubs” (10 readers with one author in 30-minute sessions to ask questions and talk about their books).

• Enjoy a free Hospitality Suite with snacks and beverages.

• Meet Jimmy Thomas, international book-cover model, and have your photo taken for a charitable donation.

• Munch out with an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner.

• Provide input for the “Man of Our Dreams” cover model competition during dinner.

• Win huge raffle baskets.

• Take home a FREE goody bag!

• Meet with two publishers to see if there is a book in you.

• Visit our event bookstore with discounted pricing.

Venue:
Windmill Inns & Suites
3535 W. Chandler Boulevard
Chandler, AZ 85226

Learn more.

Meet Phoenix-area authors Sat., Dec. 10

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Have you ever wanted to just sit down with an author and ask some questions about his or her book, the writing process, or how in the world s/he came up with that character or plot point? Your chance is coming up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10,  at Dog-Eared Pages Used Books in Phoenix. A handful of local authors, including “yours truly,” will be on hand to answer questions, sign one of our books for you, or just shoot the breeze about writing and reading.

Simply show up at Dog-Eared Pages – 16428 N. 32nd Street, Suite 111, in Phoenix, AZ  85032 – any time throughout the day and get in on the action. I’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Scheduled authors:

  • Ed and Les Brierfield – short stories and novels blurring the lines between mystery, sci-fi and paranormal
  • Barbara Cole – historical nonfiction
  • Nancy Goodreau – The Silly Family [if you know the genre, please comment below]
  • Jack Hawn – memoir
  • Bella Thayer – The Silly Family
  • Kris Tualla – historical romance
  • Ann Narcisian Videan – contemporary women’s fiction

Consider… if you are looking for a unique, local gift, it’s a perfect season to think about my Rhythms & Muse novel and original music CD since I’m donating 10% of December proceeds to ICAN youth programs in Chandler, AZ.  A book and music by a local author, available at a local indie bookstore and benefiting a local charity. What’s not to love?!

Find more information at info@DogEaredPagesUsedBooks.com or 602-283-5423.

See you there to talk writing, big time!
– Ann

Burger phenom: Hudson’s Hamburgers

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Bob, Codi and Cutter help occupy the 23 counter stools available at Hudson’s. ©2011 ANVidean

One special Coeur d’Alene memory I somehow neglected to work into my Rhythms & Muse novel (half of the story takes place in the Idaho town) is Hudson’s Hamburgers. The joint is known worldwide for serving up – for the past 100 years! – a limited menu of simple, fresh, delectable burgers in a storefront on Sherman Ave., the town’s short main street!

I happened to grow up right next door to the Hudson family in the Fairway Hills neighborhood. Patriarch Roger was the fry cook in my day, but his sons Steve and Todd were in training on weekends. Now, they run the place.

I have very fond memories of conversations with the Hudson boys while sitting at their counter. How many times I watched them form my burger, grill it up on that savory grill, slap on the cheese, rapidly slice up thin slices of onion and pickle to place on the grill-toasted bun. The best part about a Huddy burger is the hot mustard and/or special sauce you squirt on yourself once the server plops your small plate in front of you. My mouth is watering right now, just thinking about the juicy goodness of that first bite.

It’s not a true trip to Coeur d’Alene without standing in line at least one, or two, or three times, at Hudson’s to enjoy a perfect “cheese, both” (i.e. cheeseburger with both onion and pickle). If you’re ever there in Cd’A, do not miss it. Any wait is totally worth it!

Check out this a great little historical PBS video about the local institution,  providing a number of fun facts, plus interviews with Roger and Todd.

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Rhythms & Muse novel and music CD:

Coffee CommuniTea: Echo Coffee, Scottsdale, AZ

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Inviting entrance and patio at Echo Coffee. ©2011 ANVidean

Today’s Cup o’ Tea
Echo Coffee
Fresh. Local. Organic.

Perks (what I really like!)

  • Knowledgeable owner:  Steve Belt
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Calm, light, peaceful environment
  • Modern décor
  • Local art
  • Organic tea selection

Share a cuppa (the stories)
Owner: Steve Belt
The tipping point for Steve to open a coffee shop, per his blog, was a Twitter tweet. He said, “I researched nearly every significant coffee shop in the Phoenix area, tasted a ton of coffee, and watched how each shop’s customer service was handled… Batch after batch, I roasted and tasted, roasted and tasted, until I developed a very strong idea of what I wanted my coffees to taste like.”

Steve will give you a mini lesson on roasting coffee, if you ask. ©2011 ANVidean

His research led to the decision that the shop would “not only need to be good, but great.” I think he’s hit the mark.

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)

  • Coffee roasted on-site
  • A tea selection
  • Organic pastries
  • Cold and hot sandwiches
  • Salads

The Grind (what I would change)
Nada.

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)

Owner Steve Belt showcases local artists' work. ©2011 ANVidean

  • The servers and baristas were friendly and helpful.
  • It’s a busy place with customers enjoying their coffee, working and chatting comfortably.
  • Steve holds a periodic Barista Jam. The Feb. 2011 event featured a latte art competition, a tasting opportunity with one original coffee roasted four different ways, and included a visit from Walter the Bus, a 13-foot-tall VW bus accommodating 50 people on its upper deck.

The Grounds (location)
2902 N. 68th St., Suite 135
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-422-4081

Tea Times (hours)
Open:
6 a.m.–10 p.m. daily

Yelp rating: 4 stars

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I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel in coffee/tea venues, so it seemed natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

Coffee CommuniTea: Rocket Bakery On First, Spokane, WA

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Today’s Cup o’ Tea
Rocket Bakery On First

Rocket Bakery On First. Photo by Nathan on Urban Spoon

Perks (what I really like!)
• Great open-air space
• Free Wi-Fi
• Located in a charming old brick building in downtown Spokane, within walking distance of Riverfront Park (site of 1974 World’s Fair)

Share a cuppa (the stories)
• Locally owned bakery and coffeehouse with nine neighborhood locations in the Spokane area, since 1992.

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)
• All baked goods made by scratch with only wholesome ingredients
• Wide selection of delicious food choices
• Good tea selection and specialty drinks

The Grind (what I would change)
• More accessible Wi-Fi (I couldn’t get on during my second visit, perhaps because of a an over-protective firewall?)

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)
• Lots of activity from loyal, local patrons.

The Grounds (location)
1325 W. 1st Ave.
Spokane, WA
509-747-1834

Tea Times (hours)
Open daily 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Yelp rating:
4 stars

…………………

I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel in coffee/tea venues, so it seemed natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!