Bead Trunk Lands In Downtown Urbana, IL

Don't want to deal with the Illinois Marathon this weekend? Don't worry, our Bead Trunk Show Starts This Afternoon.

The show will take place April 26, 27 & 28 and May 3, 4, & 5 in our classroom at the shop.

Fridays, April 26th and May 3rd, we will stay open until 7pm to allow later shopping.

PLEASE NOTE: NO DISCOUNTS allowed on show beads.

Trunk show opens on Friday, April 26th @4pm to 7pm
Saturday, April 27th from 10am to 5pm
Sunday, April 28th from 12noon to 5pm

If you cannot make the show the first weekend, IF we have beads left, you can stop by
Friday, May 3rd @4pm to 7pm
Saturday, May 4th from 10am to 5pm
Sunday, May 5th from 12noon to 5pm

If you've never participated in a bead trunk show, the concept is pretty simple. Think of a traveling bead show where you can find all sorts of treasures, but for a limited time. Cha Cha Beads will ship a huge selection to our shop. When the show is finished, we return whatever beads remain back to Cha Cha.

This enables us to offer you a much larger selection of beads. In the Champaign-Urbana area, you will not find a larger, more complete, or fantastic selection of seed beads than you will find at this show. We hope you will enjoy ChaCha Beads as much as we do.

Beads N Botanicals

117 North Broadway Ave, Urbana, Illinois 61801

View Map · Get Directions

Preview some of our beads for the trunk show.

Beach Party Fridays at Beads N Botanicals in Champaign-Urbana, Central Illinois

Beach Party Fridays: Celebrate Summer the third Friday of the month at Beads N Botanicals, 117 North Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL 61801

When the heat is on, it’s time to stop in at Beads N Botanicals for cool Summer drinks, Beach party music, jewelry making and readings on “The Boardwalk." Special sales discounts will also be available on selected beads and other items each Beach Party Friday.

Cool off with some iced tea or lemonade, make beach-themed anklets, bracelets or necklaces. Enjoy the casual beach party music and atmosphere and kick back for some Summer fun without a long drive. Cost: $5 per jewelry project. Children welcome to make a project (accompanied by an adult).

--Readings on “The Boardwalk.” Different readers will be scheduled each month ($20 per 15 minute session). Call for appointment (217-365-9355) or just stop in!
Friday, June 18th , 12noon-5pm Friday July 16th , 12noon-5pm Friday, August 20th , noon-5pm

Cost

Payment required. $5 per jewelry project. $20 per 15 minute reading session.

Links

• [Info] Beads N Botanicals Shop Info
• [Website] Wise Weeds Shop

Psychic & Health Fair in Champaign Urbana, Central Illinois on June 12

Psychic & Health Fair in Champaign Urbana, Central Illinois on June 12

Saturday, June 12, 2010
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Psychic & Health Fair:
Location: Beads N Botanicals, 117 North Broadway, Urbana, IL 61801

Come and Join Us!

Psychics, Tarot Readers, Reiki, Reflexology, Energy Art Readings, Archetypal Readings, Foot massage, Stone Readings, Mediums, Spiritualists and more

$20 per 15-minute session. Longer sessions available. Register at the door.

Body/Mind/Spirit Spring 2010
Held at Beads N Botanicals
117 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
217-365-9355 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              217-365-9355      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Links

• [Info] Wise Weeds Blog  X
• [Website] Botanicals from Wise Weeds  X
• [Info] Beads N Botanicals Shop Info  X

 

Earth Day Celebrations: Paper Bead Making, Secrets of Herbal Teas & Tinctures

Beads N Botanicals, 117 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL 61801            217-365-9355

Tuesdays: 11am-4:30pm, Wed-Fri: 11am-7pm, Saturdays: 10am-5pm

Earth Day Celebrations:

Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse: Making Paper Beads: Great ways to recycle old magazines and other paper into new art. Basic techniques for making paper beads for jewelry, beaded curtains and more. Cost: $10 per adult; child (age 8 or older) with paying adult, $5, 1 hour, materials included.

Thursday, April 22, DAYTIME LUNCH CLASS: 11:30 am

Secrets of Herbal Teas & Tinctures: Tasty and healthy brews. The differences between a cup of tea, medicinal teas and herbal tinctures. How to prepare a medicinal herb tea. Cost: FREE

Thursday, April 22, 6pm.

Introduction to Wicca and Witchcraft. Modern Pagan Witchcraft, often known as Wicca, is a dynamic balance of worship and magic.  Emerging from the Western Esoteric Tradition in the middle of the twentieth century, the Craft roots itself firmly in the sacredness of the natural world.  Ian Phanes has been a Witch since 1987. Cost: $20 preregistered; $25 at the door.

Saturday, April 24, 1pm

Introduction to Ceremonial Magic. Ian Phanes will teach this class. More details to come. Cost: $20 preregistered; $25 at the door.

Saturday, April 24, 4pm

The Attitude of Gratitude: Learn why adopting an attitude of gratitude is so power and beneficial to personal and spiritual growth and how the simple act of gratitude can change your perspective and your consciousness. Cost: $10.

Wednesday, April 28, 6pm

The Seven Chakras. Learn about the “Wheels of Light,” seven basic energy centers of the body and how they affect our health and well being. Cost: $10
Thursday, April  29, 6pm-7pm

Herbal Medicine Chest and Aromatherapy Workshops coming in May and June

More details to come

Making a Wand for Healing and Focus: Work with crystals, wood and other natural materials to make a wand that you can use to focus your intent for positive changes in your life and surroundings. All materials provided (although you can feel free to bring special crystals or other decorative materials. Cost: $25 pre-registered by April 24, $35 at the door and after April 24

Saturday, May 1, 1pm to 3pm

Understanding Archetypal Energies at Beads N Botanicals, Urbana, IL

Understanding Archetypal Energies: How do you make the choices for your life?

Four sessions: July 8, 15, 22 & 29. 6 pm.

at Beads N Botanicals in Urbana, IL

217-365-9355

to pre-register

What energies do you bring to the choices you make? The choices you make and the energies you bring to them are clues to your innate archetypal energies. One way to look at archetypes is as behavioral energy patterns--the instinctual ways you respond to people and events in your life. They influence the roles you play in each of your life's dramas.

Every person is born with their own personal mix of archetypal energies. By identifying and learning to live in alignment with your archetypes, you can explore how to live life in a way that does not compromise the beauty and power of your spirit. Discover the treasure of you. Explore the energy of your child, victim, saboteur, artist, seeker, goddess, warrior, storyteller, martyr, addict, athlete, judge, hero, coward, hermit, damsel, knight, mother & more.

Instructor Karen Gottlieb completed both the Sacred Contracts program of archetypal study and Entering the Castle of Your Soul taught by Caroline Myss, CMED Institute. Cost: $100 pre-paid by July 1^st; $125 thereafter. Four sessions: July 8, 15, 22 & 29. 6 pm. Archetypal Cards will be available for purchase.

Beads N Botanicals Classes & Events for Spring 2009 in Champaign Urbana, IL

Body/Mind/Spirit Classes Spring 2009

Held at Beads N Botanicals

117 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
217-365-9355
Please pre-register and pay for all jewelry making and craft classes
at least two days in advance of the actual class, sooner, if possible, to guarantee yourself a spot in the class.

Herbal Medicine Chest

Rattle the Boneyard: Community Drum Circle

Introduction to Palmistry Reiki I

Saturday, April 18

Boneyard Arts Festival: Evelyne Tardy’s Mandela and Chakra Art. Evelyne’s work will be on exhibit at Beads N Botanicals from Friday, April 17 through the end of May.

Rattle the Bones: Community Drum Circle
Bring a drum, rattle, instrument or just clap your hands. Beads N Botanicals is hosting a drum circle as a part of the Boneyard Arts Festival. Cost: FREE. From 2 pm-4pm

Wednesday, April 22
The Sole Experience…Foot Reflexology with Marlita: Not a class, but an opportunity for you to pamper yourself. This special type of foot massage is available by appointment (recommended) or walk-in. Reiki Healing Sessions also available. Cost: $65 per hour; $35 per half hour. Noon to 5 p.m. Call the shop to make an appointment.

DAYTIME CLASS EARTH DAY: Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse: Making Paper Beads: Great ways to recycle old magazines and other paper into new art. Basic techniques for making paper beads for jewelry, beaded curtains and more. Cost: $10, 1 hour, materials included. …11am

Basic Stringing: Necklace Design: Want to learn how to put together a necklace, but not sure how to begin? Or, how to end it? Cost: $18, materials included. … 6pm

Saturday, April 25

Downtown Urbana Art Openings, Receptions and Open Houses.
Beads N Botanicals is featuring a variety of artisan’s works, including Evelyne Tardy’s Mandela and Chakra art, Marlita’s unique smudge feathers, Jean Nonman’s handcrafted wooden boxes and Cheryl Kemp’s colorful quilted artistry. Extended hours on Saturday (open 10 a. to 8pm), light refreshments from 6 pm-8pm. Other nearby Urbana galleries having art openings at the same time include Cinema Gallery, Furniture Lounge, Heartland Gallery, Madeline's Gallery (all on Main St.), and Fleurish (on Race St.). Also there is an Open House from 6-10pm at OJC Technologies, on the alley behind Cinema Gallery.

Saturday, May 2

Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings: A great starter class! You'll make two pairs of earrings. Please Note: This class is a pre-requisite for our Wire-Wrapping Pendants class. Cost: $15, 1 hour, materials included … 11am

The Sole Experience…Foot Reflexology with Marlita: Not a class, but an opportunity for you to pamper yourself. This special type of foot massage is available by appointment (recommended) or walk-in. Reiki Healing Sessions also available. Cost: $65 per hour; $35 per half hour. Noon to 5 pm. Call the shop to make an appointment.

Thursdays, May 7 through June 4^th

Herbal Medicine Chest Course: This course will cover somewhere between 25 and 50 herbs, holistic approaches to “medicine,” a traditional Chinese medicine view of “medicine,” and a Native American perspective on “medicine.” You will learn how to us herbs safely and responsibly; methods of preparing herbs; suggested herbs to keep on hand for everyday use; how to make herbal oil infusions and salves; and how to use wild edibles as food and medicine. Teacher: Catherine Novak, Certified Medicinal Herbalist. PREREGISTRATION with payment REQUIRED. Cost: $150 per person, due by May 6^th Or $125 prepaid by April 30th^. … 6pm-8pm

Saturday, May 9

Introduction to Palmistry with Sioux: Introduction to Palm Reading. Sioux Bowling has been reading palms since she was four years old. Over the years she has read many people's palms in Illinois, Indiana and surrounding areas. She is an incredible lady who is extremely compassionate as well as amazingly knowledgeable. If you have ever wanted to learn about how your life story can be read in your hands, this is an opportunity you will want to seize! (If there is enough interest, Sioux may teach ongoing classes in palmistry. But this is NOT a guarantee.) The workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 COST: $20 if prepaid by May 2^nd; $25 per person after May 2 and at the door.

Sioux will also be available by appointment for readings on Saturday, May 16 (all May 9 appointments are booked)starting at 11:00 am to 5pm. Cost for readings is $35 per half hour, $65 per hour. If you are interested in an appointment with Sioux, register at Beads N Botanicals as soon as possible as the number of appointments available are extremely limited. Thank you.

Saturday, May 16

Basic Wire Working: Collage Pendants/Pins: Learn how to make theme-based pendants or pins using basic wire working techniques. Make great gifts whether for cat lovers, nature lovers, celestial themes, weddings, graduations or healing. Cost: $24, 1 hour, materials included … 11 am

Wednesday, May 20

The Sole Experience…Foot Reflexology with Marlita: Not a class, but an opportunity for you to pamper yourself. This special type of foot massage is available by appointment (recommended) or walk-in. Reiki Healing Sessions also available. Cost: $65 per hour; $35 per half hour. Noon to 5 pm. Call the shop to make an appointment.

Tarot and Divination Meet and Greet: Give a Reading; Take a Reading:
Do you read cards, runes, palms or something else? Do you want to practice, but have been too shy? Stop by and share your skills with other like-minded folks. All participants must be willing to give readings as well as receive them. This is an opportunity to have some fun and play. Cost: $5. Includes tea. 6pm to 7:30pm

Saturday, May 30

Reiki I Class: Saturday May 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday May 31, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reiki, the art and science of channeling universal life force energy to promote spiritual, mental and physical healing. Reiki is a powerful and simple hands on technique, which anyone, regardless of health or age, can easily learn. Former Reiki students of Marlita may attend this class at no additional cost.

Cost: $150. Advance Preregistration with payment required.

Basic Stringing: Bracelet Design: Want to learn how to put together a bracelet, but not sure how to begin? Or, how to end it? $15, 1 hour, materials included. …11am

Advanced Wire Working: Wire Wrapping Pendants:
Do you have a stone that would make a wonderful pendant? But have no clue how to make it into a pendant? In this class, basic techniques for caging tumbled and rough rocks in cages of wire will be taught. Hands-on. Wire and stones will be provided. Bring a special piece if, you want. $22, 1 ½ hours, materials included. (Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings or Collage Pendants is a prerequisite to this class.) 1pm

Saturday, June 6

Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse: Making Paper Beads: Great ways to recycle old magazines and other paper into new art. Basic techniques for making paper beads for jewelry, beaded curtains and more.

Cost: $10, 1 hour, materials included. …11am

Psychic & Health Fair:
Saturday, June 13, 2009 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come and Join Us! Palmistry, Psychics, Stone & Tarot Readers, Reiki, Reflexology and more.

$20 per session.

Boneyard Arts Festival: Mandala and Chakra Paintings by Evelyne Tardy

Mandala is the Sanskrit word for “circle”, and it also means “whole”, “center”, and “self”. It is a visual image created in a circle, and many cultures throughout history have used mandalas as a source of inspiration and/or meditation. Each painting Evelyne Tardy creates is created in the mandala form.

Mandalas are known for their healing characteristics. By placing them in your environment to look at and reflect upon, one can bring certain inspirational qualities into their awareness.

Evelyne began creating mandalas spontaneously in her artwork in 1993. Approximately seven years later she began to purposefully create them with specific symbols and colors to promote positive feelings and healing attributes.

Come and view her paintings at Beads N Botanicals during the Boneyard Arts Festival through May 30th. Beads N Botanicals is located at 117 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL 61801. Phone: 217-365-9355.

Introduction to Palm Reading in Champaign Urbana Illinois

Introduction to Palm Reading

Sioux Bowling has been reading palms since she was four years old. Over the years she has read many people's palms in Illinois, Indiana and surrounding areas. She is an incredible lady who is extremely compassionate as well as amazingly knowledgeable.

I felt privileged to host her as a palm reader at our recent Psychic & Health Fair here in Urbana. And am very excited that she has agreed to teach here at Beads N Botanicals.

Sioux is offering an introduction to palmistry.

If you have ever wanted to learn about how your life story can be read in your hands, this is an opportunity you will want to seize! (If there is enough interest, Sioux may teach ongoing classes in palmistry. But this is NOT a guarantee.)

The workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 noon

Saturday, May 9

at Beads N Botanicals
117 North Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
217-365-9355

COST: $20 if prepaid by May 2nd
$25 per person after May 2 and at the door.

Sioux will also be available by appointment for readings starting at 12:30 p.m.
Cost for readings is $35 per half hour, $65 per hour.

If you are interested in an appointment with Sioux, register at Beads N Botanicals as soon as possible as the number of appointments available are extremely limited. Thank you.

Experience palm readings and more at this weekend's Psychic and Health Fair

This article is online at the217.com

Experience palm readings and more at this weekend's Psychic and Health Fair

Beads N Botanicals puts on their second fair

2:00 am Mar 18 - by Austin Lee – buzz Writer

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• Deciphering destinysps

Never been read by a psychic? Want a glimpse into your future? Just want to relax? You can find all of these things and more at the Psychic and Health Fair at Beads N Botanicals in Urbana this Saturday, March 21st, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a wide array of psychic readings and healings available to the participants, ranging from palm readings and Tarot readings to foot massages. This event is open to anyone who has an interest in the field, or just simply wants to come, relax and meet people.

For the rest of the article, go here...

Experience palm readings and more at this weekend's Psychic and Health Fair

Swarovski™ Crystal Butterflies Fly into Central Illinois' Beads N Botanicals Shop

Calling all beaders in Central Illinois!

We are still sorting through the new bead shipment that arrived last week here at Beads N Botanicals in Urbana, IL.

As promised, I did get the new Swarovski™ crystals out in the front case. We’ve brought in more 8mm bicones (as well as an assortment of other sizes), some rounds and rondelles, as well as some new colors.

Highlights include Swarovski™ Crystal Butterflies in all their available sizes: 5mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm. Bright, shimmery butterflies to adorn earrings, bracelets and necklaces. By the way, the latest fashion trends are featuring butterfly accents in clothing, furniture, and jewelry designs.

If you have never seen the Swarovski™ Crystal Cantaloupe beads, you need to stop by and check them out. We ordered a small selection of bicone, cube and round crystal beads in this color. With Cantaloupe beads, you get three colors in one. In one type of light, the crystals appear a light green. In another type of light, the beads appear clear to pale grey in color. Shift your lighting once more, and the crystals have a peachy cantaloupe color. Not only are these colors among the fashion colors for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2009 fashion season, they are also hot colors for the Fall/Winter 2009 fashion scene. Never mind that they are just a neat crystal to work with.

As always here at the Beads N Botanicals shop, you can select as few as one Swarovski™ Crystal bead for a project or a 100 Swarovski™ crystals. The choice is yours.

More Herbs at Beads N Botanicals

We've been getting a lot of requests for different herbs, some of which are harder to find locally than others. Recently, Beads N Botanicals brought in Marshmallow root.

Next week we will also have Bloodroot, Pipsissawa, Oregon Grape Root, Organically grown Chicory Root and a very potent Organically grown powdered ginger root from Hawaii.

Stop by and check out all the herbs. We've got lots more than what's listed here.

Beads N Botanicals is the Place for Valentine's Day Gifts for Her or Him

Want to give your Valentine something special?

If you are looking for a more traditional Valentine's Day gift, Beads N Botanicals offers unscented and custom scented massage oils, body lotions and organic hand creme. Add some votive candles in a few holders, some All Night Long incense and soft music and you have the beginning of a very romantic evening.

Or think about a beautiful gemstone necklace. Or a pearl necklace with Swarovski crystals. Grace her with a bracelet or several pairs of earrings.

We have gifts for every budget, from body jewelry to wire-wrapped pendants, real flower pendants, books and yoga mats.

Remember the beader in your family with beads, jewelry making tools or even a GIFT CERTIFICATE if you are not sure what to pick out.

Thinking more along Gothic lines? We also have black silk roses and dead roses. Goes against the grain but suits some folks with a sense of adventure (as well as a sense of humor).

News-Gazette article about Beads N Botanicals

Don't let the headline fool you! The article gives us a nice mention about our new location in Urbana, Il 61801

Store moves to Urbana

Beads N Botanicals, which sells scented products and beading supplies, has moved from Hoopeston to downtown Urbana.

Now at 117 N. Broadway Ave., the shop also offers classes and consultations with owner Catherine Novak.

Novak also operates Wise Weeds Botanicals, a handmade oils and incenses retail/wholesale business she has had for 16 years.

Novak first opened her store in Hoopeston three years ago. She decided to relocate to Urbana, she said, because she has lots of potential customers there who know her through the tarot card readings she does in the area.

Her new Urbana store sells crystals, beads, semiprecious stones, crystal stones and clusters, medicinal and culinary herbs, handmade jewelry, tarot cards, teas, incense, hand-blended oils, books, candles, custom-blended perfumes and bath products.

Classes focus on jewelry-making, beading, aromatherapy, medicinal herbs and personal development.

Novak said she is available for consultation about herbs, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, Reiki (a Japanese relaxation technique) and tarot readings.

For the complete
article check here.

Urbana Farmers Market Gets Ready to Heat Up

Tarot Readings by Phone


http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/2008/11/02/its_your_business_urbana_farmers_market_gets_ready_to_heat_up

The Dance of the Harvest, Halloween, Samhain, Dia de Muertos

If you live in the city, you may not appreciate the change of seasons as much as those of us who live outside an urban area.

While I've always enjoyed the change of seasons (as a gardener, even in the city I paid attention to their passing), I especially notice them nowadays.

On my drive from Hoopeston, IL to my shop in Urbana this morning, I saw one of the huge harvesters just pouring down a shower of golden corn into a trailer. A glorious sight that brought home to me what all the acres of corn and soybeans are about.

Mind you, I tend to favor smaller, organic gardens and the concept of organic farms. Nonetheless, there is beauty in seeing the dance of the harvest on such a grand scale. Yet to produce this harvest, corn, soybean and other plants must die.

Halloween, Samhain, Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), All Souls, are all holidays that, in their own way, celebrate the concept of harvest. The seed of the grain harvested this Autumn will not only feed people, cattle or fuel cars, it will give us future harvests when planted. Even in the death of the corn (or wheat) is found life. These holidays, which celebrate the dead, also acknowledge the living and our connection to the circle of life and death.

Many blessings to you and yours during this harvest season.

Scent of the Week: Crackling Firewood

Told a friend last weekend that I just got a "Crackling Firewood" oil in and she went gagga. For anyone who has ever attended a festival with a great bonfire...like Sirius Rising or Starwood, when you can't make it one year (or, in my case, several years), the scent of flaming wood can be rather nostagic.

Never mind that wood burning fireplaces can be so romantic, anyway!

The special at Beads N Botanicals this week (well....we're extending it through next Saturday November 1st because I'm just kicking it off) is....CRACKLING FIREWOOD incense sticks and Reed Diffuser Oils. Here at the shop (brick-and-mortar) it will be discounted.

We'll be featuring a new scent each week

Scent of the Week:Crackling Firewood

Special Discount

Incense Sticks

$2.50 per pack

Reed Diffuser Oil

$4.00/ounce $7.50/two ounces $11.50/four ounces

Beads N Botanicals Takes Urbana by Storm!

Okay, maybe that headline is a little bit of an exaggeration ;*)

Just been sooo busy that I forgot to post our new address and contact information here at the blog. Silly me.

Beads N Botanicals
117 N Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
217-365-9355

Business Hours:
Tuesdays: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wed-Fridays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And by appointment

Got the best phone call this morning from a customer in North Carolina. Lisa called me up all excited about the sample of Black Amber Musk I had sent her. (She'd ordered African Musk from my webstore).

Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Lisa'd been living in North Carolina for about nine years. She'd found that finding the scents she loved so much was much harder down there than up in New York. So she'd googled "African Musk" and decided to try mine, scent unsmelled. And was delighted when she received her order the other day.

Then...she smelled the Black Amber Musk....."It's killing me," she said. "Killing" in this instance being a good thing! LOL She was also delighted to find out I had a "killer China Rain" and wonderful patchouli oil.

Asking if I made this into an incense....I told her, "not yet, because it's new, but sure can." So, she ordered oils and incense...and then found out I can also add scent to unscented body wash, hand creme and shampoo, as well as make glycerin bar soaps.....So, that's on her list for the next order.

Lisa's enthusiasm was just what I needed this morning. She reminded me of what I've always said about my business...we're boutique, NOT Walmart. You can get almost anything you want here ("'cepting Alice"....for Arlo Guthrie fans who get the reference from "Alice's Restaurant.")

Tarot Readings at The Office in Urbana, IL

If you are one of my "friends" at myspace, or have looked at my weekly calendar, you already know I'm reading tarot cards at The Office in Urbana, IL on Tuesday nights, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Wasn't sure about going in the night BEFORE 4th of July, just because I figured a lot of folks might be at fireworks and all.

Well, I enjoyed myself tremendously AND I think the people who came in for readings had a blast, too! It was well worth showing up on July 3rd.

The Office is a cool place to do reads because it's casual, without being raunchy, the food is good and the service is friendly. So there's a fair amount of joking with the "regulars," however, anyone can feel at home there.

Also, if someone comes in for a reading and has to wait, not only is there good food to choose from, with some dinner and drink specials, but there are also two pool tables and four dart boards available. This is a fairly large venue, so you don't feel like people are breathing down your neck (unless you want to line up at the bar!).

It's also a nonsmokers' delight. If you are a smoker, there are tables outside where smoking is allowed.

While I really had fun, I also do take reading for people seriously, in the sense that I do read what the cards say and how intuition inspires me at the moment. Everyone was very nice, and most, but not all, were "virgins," that is, my reading for them was their first. Hopefully that first experience will encourage them to seek out more guidance for themselves in the future.

If you're thinking of coming out for a read, make sure you sign up on the sign up sheet at the bar. At one point, we got a little backed up. We're not real formal, and one fellow had JUST had his dinner arrive, so I read someone else while he ate and it all worked out fine.

It's best to arrive BEFORE 9 p.m. for a reading, although the last couple of weeks I have stayed beyond 9 p.m. Pretty much, if I'm up to it, I will read until everyone has had their "turn" so to speak.

Hope to see you there, in spirit if not in person.