Zhi Tea in Austin Texas

Ok, I am (rarely ;) embarrassed to admit how little I know about . . . well, a lot in life. But somehow living in Italia is helping me become more aware of the joys of consuming – food and drink to be exact. Imagine my joy recently when I met Candice Oneida and Jeffrey Lorien. They have started a company called Zhi Tea. Why? Because, as Jeffrey explained to me, “We just love tea.”

I met these two through the event that Keith Hogan hosted last Wednesday in Austin, Texas. And while we were all busy showing off our various loves to all of the guests, I had a few chances throughout the night to speak to Jeffrey to learn more about their business and about tea. Their story started in Seattle, moved to New York, and their international business is based in Austin.

While I still want more information – and more tasting, I did get to learn that Zhi offers delicious organic teas and a healthy way of doing business. Jeffrey also explained to me a little bit about the “Fair Trade” program with which they are involved. Basically, 80% of revenues paid for teas (and other products) goes back to the actual people who grow the food. It allows these communities to make their lives better in ways that they choose. Read more on their site, search in the Articles section.

Pictured here are the owners of Zhi, Candice and Jeffrey next to some of their sample yummy teas (with my small bronze “Eric” in the background). The other image shows some of my newest friends Sue and life coach Rebecca Burgman with Barry Woltag. I did a stone restoration for Barry last summer. It was good to see him again.

And to continue to name drop, other friends I got to say hello to on Wednesday include Betty Gerald, Donna Wetegrove of Tips on Art, “my kid” Rudy Sanchez (who helped me setup my exhibit), Joe and Chris Kenney, Rodney and Donna Bohl, Jane Parsons and Carl Nelson (both of whom brought me Christmas gifts!), and Willy and Billie Gunther.

Zhi Tea:
www.ZhiTea.com

Barry Woltag’s stone restoration by Kelly Borsheim:
http://www.borsheimarts.com/news/2006_08.htm

Real Estate and Art Exhibited Together in Austin Texas

Austinite Keith Hogan knows how to throw a party and show people the finer side of life at the same time. Wednesday night’s Open House of his newly renovated (and available) homes in the Rosedale neighborhood in Austin, Texas, was a big success.
Afterwards, we estimated a minimum of 75 guests at the beautiful condominiums on 4207 Shoalwood Avenue. I felt so comfortable there because everyone was so warm and friendly, just like at a small town holiday party. And people really LOOKED at and were INTERESTED in the art and each property.

It struck me as good customer service for Keith to show these homes at a time when enough of the décor (flooring, walls, cabinetry, etc.) was installed to get the idea of the space, but unfinished enough so that the new owners might suggest a change or two, if desired. I especially enjoyed speaking with several neighbors who were pleasantly surprised by how different the homes looked after Keith and his crew worked their magic. According to them, the new floor plans were much more open, spacious, accessible, and yet, private. And they love how well the new homes fit into the neighborhood!

I met Keith some time ago through his partner Ruth Glendinning, or GuRuth. I am almost convinced that the two of them know everyone in Austin. Ruth has been helping me promote my artwork, some of which you see here in these photos from Wednesday evening’s event. Other artists who exhibited art here were Jennifer Lovelace and Reji Thomas.

Adding to the evening’s festivities were:
Music by Plan B (members are Bruce Banks, Tom Hughes and Wayne Rimkus)
Delicious food by Emily’s Catering of East Austin, served by Sharon and Jessica.
Fantastic organic teas by Candice and Jeffrey of Zhi Tea (more on them tomorrow).

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For more information on the condos at 4207 Shoalwood Avenue, Austin, Texas 78756, please call Keith Hogan at 512.280.5402.

Help Keith make homes more enjoyable and accessible to people with disabilities:
http://jumpup.intuit.com/start/?p=contest&id=3568


Other useful links:
Austin Musicians Plan B:
www.myspace.com/planbaustin
Catering Services:
www.emilyscatering.com
Zhi Tea:
www.ZhiTea.com
GuRuth:
www.akaguruth.com

I Do Not FALL in Love

It was a fantastically beautiful day today as I loaded up my car and prepared for tomorrow’s exhibit in Austin, Texas. This evening while printing out new price labels, my printer jammed. As I waited for the reboot, I re-read all of my years’ old posted newsprint and decided to share with you one of my favorite poems of all:

i do not fall in love.
i magnetize to its demands,
attach to its clinging magic,
and sing its living charms.
i stand, i rise, i fly
towards love,
but never fall at all.

-- Thom the World Poet
“Loyalty to the Star System”
(an excerpt from his Secular Prayers)

Tomorrow night will mark the debut of my newest stone carving, “Encounter” (finished in September just before I left for Italy). Inspired by manta rays, I now see the connection to this poem that is rarely far from my thoughts: “i stand, i rise, i fly . . .” Will you not join me at:

Host: Keith Hogan
Location: 4207 Shoalwood Avenue, Austin, Texas 78756 US
When: Wednesday, December 19, 6:00 p.m.
Hours: 6 p.m. to ??
Phone: 512.280.5402
Please join us as we celebrate an evening of holiday cheer and beautiful art in the setting of two beautiful condominium units that I (Keith) have totally and completely renovated at 4207 Shoalwood Avenue in the Rosedale neighborhood. [They are for sale.]