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It’s hard to believe July has rolled around so quickly. Time sure flies when you’re having fun! And fun is exactly what I’ve been having working on canvas. Not only do we have an amazing team and group of contributors, but it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to personally connect with our extended canvas family—readers who email, respond to blogs, and attend the many events we host.
The events in particular are one of my favorite aspects of canvas. They’re varied—open mic nights, wine tastings, art exhibits, lectures from some of the more interesting experts I’ve had the pleasure of hearing, and networking evenings such as canvas cocktails and Green Drinks—so there’s pretty much something for everyone. It’s wonderful to relax and enjoy the company of like-minded people, and learn something or be entertained to boot. What I love best is making new friends, and being inspired by the various efforts people are making both personally and professionally to better their lives and our community—and world at large. Many of these chance encounters lead to stories or blogs you may find turning up in the pages of this magazine or on our website, canvasli.com. In fact, this month we’ve introduced “Good Company” (page 16), a new column that was spawned at a Green Drinks event; it explores how businesses are taking steps to be more sustainable.
It’s so important to get out there and be part of the community, to mix and mingle and find out about all the amazing things people are doing. Take Maria Brandis, for instance. I met her at Green Drinks last month, when she mentioned how the article “Good Growing” in our June issue prompted her to join her local CSA so she can begin feeding her family fresher, healthier, locally grown foods. She’s now blogging about the experience for canvas—check our website each month to read how her family is responding to their new cooking and dining adventures. Feng Shui expert Maureen Calamia—a regular at canvas events—mentioned to me one night how much she likes to write. Who knew when I asked her to send some samples how wonderful, informative, and easy her advice for incorporating Feng Shui techniques into everyday life would be; she’s now contributing monthly to our website, and you can look forward to reading some articles by her in future issues of the magazine.
Other interesting folks who’ve turned up at canvas events include a man who runs a renewable-energy company, another who handles communications for a wonderful program that trains seeing-eye dogs (the Guide Dog Foundation, www.guidedog.org), a talented jazz musician who is also a staunch environmentalist, an investment banker specializing in green investing, the marketing director for an electric-car company, an inventor who also writes children’s books, a woman who designs eco-friendly interiors, an attorney with a holistic law practice that’s started a group for women entrepreneurs . . . the list goes on and on.
As an official member of the canvas family, I encourage you to join us—and bring some friends—to a canvas event. I can assure you you’ll have a great time, and you never know who you might meet!
Diana
Upcoming canvas Events
July 10: canvas presents Open Mic Night. Join us from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at canvas Gallery, 51 Gibson Ave., Huntington. Admission, $5. Register to perform by emailing openmic@canvasli.com, or call (631) 351-6480.
July 17: GreenDrinks Long Island. Join us from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Minnesota’s, 959 West Beech St., Long Beach. Admission: $5. More info: canvasli.com
Read Diana Murphy’s blog at www.canvasli.com/blog. Have any comments, suggestions, ideas, favorite artists, musicians, galleries, restaurants, events, or other areas of interest on Long Island you’d like to share? Send us an email at editor@canvasli.com
