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November/December 2007 NW Newsmakers
NW Newsmakers

Giving Back: The Village Pearl

Doing good and doing what you love go hand-in-hand at The Village Pearl in Vancouver.

Owner Judy Schumacher not only sells books and gifts, she also chooses products and creates programs that benefit others.

If you love coffee, you'll feel good about buying Café Femenino, which supports women farmers in Peru who grow, harvest and sell organic fair-trade certified coffee. The coffee is sold to roasters, like Kobos Coffee in Portland, for slightly above the regular fair trade price. The additional proceeds go directly to the female farmers. Kobos Coffee donates an additional 50¢ to the Café Femenino project for each pound sold.

Schumacher also uses the power of a good book to support women and children. Through her used book program, she sells donated used books for $2.95 and gives the proceeds to the Women's Opportunity Fund. The women's program, which is a part of Opportunity International, makes small loans to impoverished women in third world countries to help them create small businesses, including sewing, knitting, weaving, basket making and farming.

Donations made by The Village Pearl have put 10 women to work, and positively impacted 40 people in their rural communities.

"I have always believed that we have to give back," says Schumacher, who celebrated the store's second anniversary in October. "This just gives us a bigger avenue to do this work. The retail is here, but it supports everything we want to do to help others."

Located in Uptown Village at 1911 Main St., Ste. B, The Village Pearl is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the holidays. Visit www.villagepearl.com.

Northwest's First Green Church Opens

Celebration Church is the Northwest's first eco-sustainable church to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Oregon church opened its new green building in Wilsonville in October, moving from its temporary location at the World Forestry Center.

The church received a silver rating by meeting environmental building standards in USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which is a voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings that are environmentally responsible and healthy structures. LEED evaluates buildings in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Established in 2003, the 400-member Celebration Church is led by Rev. Barry Dennis, a world-class musician and inspired teacher of universal spiritual principles.

"There will be a time when everything will be built following the standards that we have adhered to, and hopefully far beyond, as we develop new ways to leave less of a footprint on our planet," says Rev. Dennis. "What is today a challenge will be common sense tomorrow."

Sunday services start at 10:30 a.m. at the Conference Center at Stafford Woods, 25030 SW Parkway Ave. in Wilsonville. Visit www.celebrationchurch-portland.com.

Addiction Healer Comes to Oregon Coast

Rhonda Lenair, a pioneer in energy medicine for addictions, will offer her unique addiction treatments in the Astoria-Seaside coast area in February. Lenair, who works with a wide range of addictions and out-of-control behaviors, specializes in eliminating the cravings for alcohol.

A renowned medical intuitive, Lenair has assisted more than 30,000 clients from around the world during the past 20 years. Established in 1987, the Vermont-based Lenair Healing Center provides addiction resolution and medical intuitive services to corporations and individuals.

A limited number of appointments are available in February and deposits are due by Nov. 15. Contact Barry Lenair at 888-412-8392 or Bobbi Kelly at 503-440-4540. Visit www.lenair.com.

Winter Solstice: Donation Time in Spokane

The Metaphysical Research Society, which offers monthly meetings and programs for members to explore the many pathways to enlightenment, is giving back to the community this Winter Solstice. The society holds food drives during its monthly meetings, and during the holiday season, the group will present local disadvantaged families with gifts of food, clothing and personal items. To donate items, contact The Metaphysical Research Society at www.mrsspokane.com.

It's Warm There: Retreat to Hawaii

Hawaii beckons cold Northwesterners, calling you to stretch your body and spirit. Yoga Awareness Maui, a yoga center based on the teachings of Patanjali and the ways in which these teachings were transmitted through the late T. Krishnamacharya, offers a wonderful location to retreat and immerse yourself in the study of yoga.

"Surrounded by the vast Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the most remote land mass. It is a vortex known for its mana (power) of spiritual and healing energy, which is obvious the moment you arrive," says Ted Surman, founder of Yoga Awareness.

The studio offers retreats to study Raja yoga, which progressively gives you an understanding and awareness of asana or body, pranayama or breath/lifeforce, pratyahara or senses, and dharana or meditation. The one, two or five day retreats are suitable for all levels.

For retreat details, visit www.yogaawareness.com.

The Answer to Absolutely Everything

Are we here by default or design? By chance or by choice? These questions and more are boldly explored in an inspiring new documentary film The Answer: To Absolutely Everything, available onDVD Dec. 1.

The Answer reveals the metaphysics of success and offers a road map to navigate and powerfully accelerate your life in the areas of health, wealth, relationships, self-expression and wisdom.

"We admit it's a bold title," says Portland-based Ed Madison, executive producer and co-founder of Transformational Media Group. "And yet it truly befits the magnitude of what we're up to with this project."

The Answer not only promises to change lives through its transformative content, but also a percentage of the film proceeds will benefit various charities, including the Children's Hunger Fund.

Visit www.gettheanswer.org.