(photo: Sumac and Pine overlooking the French Broad River at Shaman Hill)

Happy New Year!

I hope your holidays were warm and bright, filled with expansive love to and from your dearest ones. Ours were beautiful, with visits from friends and delicious food and drink abounding.

After so much time for rest, celebration, and reflection, I’m so happy to share with you about the classes, talks, and events that I’m excited about this winter!

• JANUARY 5: FOUNDATIONS IN BUSINESS CLASS. My Foundations in Business class launched on January 5th at Mountain Bizworks. The class is off to a great start and, as always, I’m so inspired to work with local community members as they journey through the business planning process. When my next class opens for registration, you can find it posted on the Bizworks website.

• JANUARY 11TH: ASHEVILLE DESIGN SALON. I enjoyed participating in a panel discussion for the Asheville Design Salon  about the business of being a creative professional. The panel took place at the new Asheville Area Arts Council’s new Refinery Creator Space– an inspiring meeting, studio, gallery, and office space for the arts in Asheville. 
• JANUARY 16TH: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY OF SERVICE AT HALL FLETCHER ELEMENTARY. Please join The Hall Fletcher Community  in honor and celebration of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday January 16th from 9-11:30. We will have service projects appropriate for all ages, group discussions and the creation of action steps on how to create a more inclusive and equitable Asheville. We will also be making banners and signs for the MLK Peace March into downtown Asheville (this begins at noon from St. James AME Church at 44 Hildebrand Street). Coffee, hot cocoa, and light refreshments available. Please bring a canned/non-perishable food item to donate. “The time is always right to do what is right.” -MLK Jr. For more information go here.

• JANUARY 21ST: WOMEN’S MARCH ON WASHINGTON. Let’s be real: on January 20th our nation will install to it’s highest office a blustering, dangerous, narcissistic sexual predator, bringing with him a wave of fascism fueled by racism, sexism, greed, and powerlust. “The Women’s March on Washington is a women-led movement bringing together people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds in our nation’s capital on January 21, 2017, to affirm our shared humanity and pronounce our bold message of resistance and self-determination.” In my opinion, it is imperative that all people of conscience put their bodies in the streets to resist oppression and affirm our humanity. Read more about the women’s march here, and find a list of “Sister Marches” in your area here.

•  JANUARY 27TH: CREATIVE MORNINGS. I am very honored to be the January featured speaker at Creative Mornings Asheville! The global theme is “Mystery,” and I will be speaking about something very dear to my heart: Tarot and the Creative Process! Please join me at the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design at 8:30 on Friday, January 27th. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.

• FEBRUARY 5: COTTON BLOSSOM PRESS LAUNCH PARTY. Luckily for me, my friends at Short Street Cakes occasionally task me with some marketing thing or another, and I get to dabble in cake once again. I’m so happy to be representing the Cake Shop at my friend Macon York’s launch party for her newly re-branded business, Cotton Blossom Press. More info to come on CBP’s facebook page.

• FEBRUARY 25TH: ASAP’S BUSINESS OF FARMING CONFERENCE. I’m happy to be returning to the Business of Farming Conference hosted by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project at AB Tech. Spend the day learning and networking with farmers across the region, and learn strategies for building a more sustainable and profitable farm business. Your conference registration includes more than a dozen farmer and business professional led workshops, an exhibitor hall, locally sourced lunch, and exclusive networking opportunities including the Grower-Buyer Meeting, Ask-A-Lawyer Session, and Farmers Market Managers Roundtable. For more info go here.

• FEBRUARY 28TH: SHORT STREET CAKES’ 8TH ANNUAL MARDI GRAS PARTY AND BENEFIT RAFFLE! Please join Short Street Cakes as we celebrate our 8th anniversary with a Mardi Gras party on February 28th! Mardi Gras also marks the first anniversary for the Cake Shop under the new ownership of Olga Jiménez. Proceeds from the raffle will go to benefit the Emma Family Resource Center. Happy Anniversary Olga! Happy Birthday Short Street Cakes! For more info, go here.

Olga Jiménez, owner of Short Street Cakes.

• MARCH 4TH-7TH: BIRDS EYE FOLLY BEACH ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN’S RETREAT. This spring, Birds Eye Business Planning and Adventures is hosting a women’s strategic planning retreat for your business. The retreat will include access to our Birds Eye materials and resources, and is inspired by Birds Eye Adventures core principles of restoration, reflection, creativity and connection. Participants will stay in our beautiful Folly Beach home away from home, with direct access to the waterfront. For more information and early bird registration, go here.

• MARCH 18TH: FROSTBREAKER 5K AT HALL FLETCHER ELEMENTARY! The Hall Fletcher community is excited to welcome you to the first annual Frostbreaker 5K! This run benefits the Hall Fletcher Elementary PTO and Physical Education department. Early Registration is now open! Register BEFORE February 14, 2017 and the entry fee is $25. The registration fee goes up to $30 after February 14th. Also, the first 50 people to register will get a free Frostrbreak 5K T-Shirt! T-Shirts will be available for sale the day of the event while supplies last for $15. For more info and to register, go here.

I’m so thankful to be able to participate in so many varied, diverse, and celebratory community organizations and mission-based businesses. I look forward to seeing you at some of these exciting upcoming events, and I hope your winter season is restful and rewarding.

Much love,

Jodi

The view from below a footbridge at the NC Arboretum, during a winter walk with family.

The first snow of the year.