Posts from — March 2008

Once again we find ourselves with a satisfying sense of tiredness this morning, last night was our third canvas Open Mic Nite. Before I share some open mic happenings I need to thank my son Jake, who’s 20 months old, for sleeping in this morning. It was 7:15 before I heard the words “Ba Ba” “Num Num” Jake speak for I’m hungry. I also need to thank my daughter Candice who went to a friends party late to help us out watching Jake, so my wife Adele could finish making the canvas gift basket for our raffle and spend some time at Open Mic. Thanks for making the basket Adele.

If you haven’t guessed by now we’re trying to create a sense of community and family as part of our philosophy at canvas. To that end I want to thank Tara, my business partners wife, for handling the door. She does an awesome job.

Back to Open Mic

Thanks to everyone who shared their words, music, energy with us last night. The level of talent is unbelievable and I am proud to be part of this event. We had a singing group Individual Unity, ages 12-17, who are siblings call early on in the month about performing. They asked us about having a cd player and 4 mics that they could use. Based on the request for the cd player we didn’t know what to expect, but I think I speak on behalf of everyone who was in the room…THEY BLEW US AWAY!

Once again I got a chance to meet some new friends Patrick, Maryellen, Mike and Michael, Jordan and Alisa – Jordan came out from Manhattan to play and we’re happy he did. We had a great contingent from the UUFH in Huntington, where I’m member, thanks Larry and Ramona for joining us with your great sounds. Marcy and Alicia joined once again with their powerful words. Jess joined us again with her great voice and guitar, I waiting for the Fiddle. I missed Electra last night but her music’s in my mind. If I didn’t mention your name please forgive me as I began it’s a good tiredness.

I also want to thank Karen and Chris from Whole Foods Market, who always take us to the next level in treats, great grahams. Alex Wolff from Alex Wolff Photography for being on hand with camera. Michael Perez for showing his great pop art in the canvas gallery which brighten up the room.

Lastly I want to thank Joe Iadanza who has joined us as MC for canvas Open Mic Nite and who brings a special touch to the evening.

Our next event is May 8, come play, talk, listen, email us at openmic@canvasli.com to sign up early.

Hey Matt - Wake Up!

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine

Last night was the 1st Annual Building Green Gala put on by the U.S. Green Building Council, Long Island Chapter. I was happy to attend and had a great time, met some great people at the event.

It was gratifying to see the event was sold out and raised substantial monies for the Green Building Councils efforts on Long Island. Scott Rechler of Rexcor was honored for his company’s efforts. Pat and Michael of the Green Building Council pointed out to me the attendees were a who’s who of the Long Island Building Industry.

The efforts of the Green Building Council have been going on long before my, and many others, entrance into this space. It was very gratifying to hear the members talk about how they focused and continued on their mission before everyone went green and how they are now seeing the impact of their efforts, as well as, the call to action it’s created within the building community.

Click here to learn more about the Green Building Council’s Long Island Chapter

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine

I am often concerned with ‘time’. How much of it do I have today, for this or that project, before a deadline, in this life, how long it will take me to do something like an errand, or such. Its such an interesting concept, especially after changing the clocks for ‘daylight saving’ time. Why is it we do that again? No, I am not sure either!

I was once told by a wise man that said that one aspect of the Christian cross actually has to do with time, and that the horizontal bar was to represent ‘regular’ or unconscious time and that the vertical bar or living consciously and being completely present in each moment as it happens, was meant to represent that you were living ‘out of time’ or eternally if you will, and is the beginning of ‘heaven on earth’.

Here is an interesting article from the times I read recently related to the subject of time.

Today is the kind of day we all want to climb back in bed, pull the covers up and go back to sleep. But for most of us that was not an option this morning.

As we get ready to put April to bed here at canvas, media speak for closing the issue and sending it off to be printed, my mind keeps being vacillating between the “to dos” of the moment, with the magazine and Open Mic Nite tomorrow to my post the other day about 2012.

For some reason the dreary weather today has my mind drifting to this notion of the Mayan calendar ending, what that means to us and the energy for us on earth.

On the Weinhold Organization website they talk about the need for Inner and Outer Work in preparation of 2012. I found the Outer Work interesting they say it “involves conscious acts of doing.” They talk about doing things for yourself, others and the environment. For yourself things like going to bed early, I do that. For Others; hide a love note in your kids or significant others pocket or lunch, while I haven’t done that, I do call them unexpectedly at times just to say “I Love You.” For the Environment; Pick up a piece of trash, put your shopping cart back where it should go, I’m happy to share I generally do both of these.

As I read this I said to myself wow how “canvasesque” which is a term my business partner Matt and I have adopted when speaking about things that fall within the realm of the magazine’s philosophical bent.

I wonder if 2012 is why I was drawn from a corporate life to start canvas and why many others I’m meeting are in similar places in their lives. My hope is that everyone makes the shift through the 2012 change and no one gets left behind.

Tom Pellicane - Publisher, canvas Magazine

Since I was a kid, hanging around the kitchen, eating, talking and doing some cooking, helping my Mom, Grandma, and Aunts, has been always been a safe, confortable place for me, and I have the waistline to prove it!

Last night was no different, I cooked up with the support of my wife, who likes to cook but not as much as me, this delicious Chicken with Lemon and Garlic recipe. For me coming home after an intense day, one of th best things for me to do is to cook. The aromas, the textures the colors all serve to bring me into a creative state of presence where all other concerns fall away. I also truly enjoy the time with Tara to catch up on the day, appreciate the moment, being grateful for what we have been given, listen to some great music and talk about tomorrow. I hope someday to set up my life so I can do this more than once or twice a week.

By the way, every recipe I have cooked from this book has been really great. This one I changed quite a bit but it was inspired by a book called The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook, by Jacqueline Clarke & Joanna Farrow, published by Hermes House. Its on ebay for a great price.