Temporarily Disconnected

We are sorry, but we are currently undergoing changes and are experiencing some blog issues. We will be running again soon.

Thank you for your understanding.

Local Flavor: Lincoln Art Festival Sept. 26-27, 2009

This event is perhaps one of the coolest things about living in Lincoln, Nebraska. For many it might have been given the title of the coolest. For us it is something we look forward to this event every year.

The Lincoln Art Council has taken probably one of the yuppiest parts of town and turned it into this very laid back cool atmosphere for all kinds of art to be discovered. Perfect fall days are the scene for thousands of folk mingling with artist and art collectors. The smell of kettle corn and roasted almonds filling the air and the sound of local jazz and blue floats through the crowd.

"...Brought to you by the Lincoln Arts Council and the help of over 75 volunteers, the Lincoln Arts Festival will celebrate its 9th year on September 26th and 27th at SouthPointe Pavilions Shopping Center. The festival will be home to fabulous works of art for purchase and perusal, amazing live music acts to enliven your senses along with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere complete with children’s activities, food and raffle prizes including two round trip tickets to Chicago on Amtrak with a free two night stay at the downtown Holiday once you’re there...

...If art is what you’re after (and we hope that you are) you’ll have the opportunity to float through nearly 100 artists’ booths displaying their very best wares. About half the artists will be returning favorites while the other half are new participants with exciting, innovative pieces to share. Affordable pricing on valuable pieces allow you to get carried away while keeping your budget in tact. If you’re looking for a great piece for that blank wall, a unique “off the registry” gift for a family or friend or just something fun for your coffee table, garden or earlobes, the Lincoln Arts Festival is the place to find it."

We hope to see you there! All Gurus will be in attendance! For more info go to Lincoln's Art Scene.

Local Flavor: PJ's Baby Cakes

There’s been a consistent theme in our Local Flavor that was brought to our attention recently—women who have turned their passion into businesses that continue to bring inspiration into their lives and those around them. Amanda of PJ’s Baby Cakes is one of those such women.

PJ’s Baby Cakes is a cupcake business located in Waverly, Nebraska but is more often found in Lincoln. Amanda, owner of PJ's Baby Cakes, hosts a variety of flavors ranging from traditional vanilla to flavors matching orange-chocolate candies and root beer floats.

Like many new businesses, PJ’s Baby Cakes came out of lost—a lost of a job early this year. According to Amanda her first thoughts after loosing her 9-to-5 was “finally I can start a bakery.” Highly enthusiastic attitude quickly took a nose dive into a slump that lasted over a month until her loving husband and strongest support, Zac, encouraged her off the sofa and into the kitchen.

The name “PJ’s” comes from little Patrick John, the son of Amanda and Zac, who often tags along on cupcake deliveries and at the Haymarket Farmer’s Market. The business began as “made to order specialty cupcakes” and continues to be that today, but as mentioned if around the Lincoln (Nebraska) area on any seasonal-Saturday you’ll be able to meet and experience the “Cupcake Goddess” yourself and her delights.

Cupcakes are made fresh according to order and come in a variety of cake and icing flavors with fun decorations and even fondant for special orders.

Amanda would like to stress one thing and that is “focusing on cupcakes.” She is dedicated to providing the customer with the “perfect cupcake.”

For more information either go to www.pjsbabycakes.com or call 402-786-2249. And for a very limited time PJ’s Baby Cakes can be found every Saturday at the famous Haymarket Farmer’s Market in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Note: PJ’s Baby Cakes has full knowledge of this article and is in support of it. Public comment welcomed!

Local Flavor: "Rainbow Gathering" Sept. 2-8, 2009

... made known to us by a friend. This "Rainbow Gathering" event is a sort of local annual hippie retreat that brings like minded individuals together for the sake of peace, music, love and a good time.

Rainbow Family of Loving Living Light started in 1971 as a type of "hippie movement." But soon all kinds of people came together and the spectrum of people coming together became the Rainbow Tribe.

Rainbow Gatherings such as the annual Nebraska retreat are for a coming together of individuals who seek a community of open and like-minded souls. All gatherings are FREE!

Nebraska Rainbow Gathering will be a week long event including fellowship, camping, nature, celebration of peace and community... with no alcohol, no radios and no violence. It will be a trade-economy, dogs are welcomed along with families and children. All gatherings make it clear that all people and children share high respect with no drama or aggression.

Rainbow Gathering will be hosted during the Nebraska Regional Harvest Celebration and Festival in the woods through Labor Day weekend, September 2-8, 2009. Celebration held at George Syas Wildlife Management Area 917 Acres of Loup River in Platte County.

Directions to location... 2 1/2 miles South of Genoa, Nebraska. Turn left/East go 1 mile on 510 St. Then turn left/North onto 445 Ave. Finally go one mile and then turn left into parking lot.

Get out of your comfort zone and give this event a try. It's a very positive thing within the community, and don't doubt you might see a few Gurus there as well!

If any confusion due to this article, go to www.welcomehere.org.

Guru Alert!

Hey Groovin' Guys and Gals! A quick note for your groovin' pleasure...

Many of our Gurus were spotted at the local HAIR production last night. The musical shares the same package we consider to be ours, but still contains a much deeper meaning. The message that lives on in the words of John Lennon, "give peace and chance" and by the same "all you need is love" the fab four.

This mature production still sadly rings true today. We are all still learning how to live within those words. There are still a few more performances left, so go out, have a good time and support these local students. If you don't live within Lincoln (Nebraska) we still urge you to go and find anything that will lift up your spirit and make you think in the process.

Our Season of Local Flavor is going strong! Unfortunately due to technical error, our next Local Flavor will be posted at a later date... TBA

Birthday celebrations are underway! October will mark our one year in the granola buzz and we couldn't be more thrilled! It has been one incredible trip and we look forward to many more years as your favorite granola company.

Farmer's Markets are still in full swing! Get in on our 'Buy 3 bags, Get one FREE' deal. We plan to finish out the season at both the Haymarket Farmer's Market and Havelock Farmer's Market. We want to see you there!

Keep Groovin' and we thank you for your ongoing support!

Local Flavor: Bracelets by Liz

We knew Liz way before she was known as the lady behind Bracelets by Liz. We literally followed her to the farmer’s markets and in large part blame her for the wild adventures we have shared together as vendors. Through it all we have been witness to this bracelet business becoming much more than beads on string.

The business name was relevant five years ago when Liz started Bracelets by Liz but now under that same name includes not only bracelets but earrings, necklaces, watches, headbands, bookmarks, flip-flops, lanyards, key rings and even bottle openers. If the wide selection doesn’t interest you, the quality of which they are made will definitely catch your eye. Made from the highest quality Liz can get her hands on; a variety of unique combination of swaravski beads, gemstones, fresh water pearls and sterling silver or copper.

For Liz, owner and creator of Bracelets by Liz, it’s all about family. Her daughter, Elyssa was the inspiration behind the original bracelet and her husband has always been her number one fan and supporter since that little bracelet with Elyssa’s name sent Liz into retail business. She will be the first to tell you that this jewelry business didn’t happen overnight, but happened for her as a little girl living in San Diego selling “Flowers by the Sea.”

Making jewelry is a way for Liz to connect with her daughter and creativity. In fact, you will now find little anklets made by Elyssa next to the wide variety Liz provides, but don’t think Liz is going anywhere. You will find Bracelets by Liz at the Historic Haymarket Farmer’s Market [in Lincoln, Nebraska] every Saturday throughout the entire season. You will also spot these jewels at craft fairs and local events around the Lincoln, Nebraska area. You may also contact Liz for more information or special orders.

If you have questions or a comment regarding this article, feel free to contact us at Groovy Guru Granola with subject line ‘Bracelets by Liz.’

Note: Bracelets by Liz has full knowledge of this article in is in support of it.

Local Flavor: Instant Eden

So often products are overlooked, for reasons unknown to many of us and unfortunately, Instant Eden hasn’t been named a trailblazer –that is until now.

Through the novelty of mixing your own scents to make “your unique signature” Instant Eden gets your attention and learning the process of Organics will keep you coming back time and time again. Melissa, creator and owner, sums up the whole of her business as, “My objective is to have a product reflect the person who wears it – not me. On the emotional level – I love to use the power of fragrance to change people’s lives. You can change your fragrance to move yourself from where you are to where you want to be.”

If the novelty ever wears off, which we doubt it will. But just by chance it does, here is what we believe is probably the most important detail we have not discussed. Again Melissa says it best, “We should all be able to afford to do the right thing for our own health and the health of the planet. Making a product environmentally friendly should always be a major part of any design process.” This is why we put Instant Eden in the trailblazer category, because we suspect it has been passed by by those who might judge it by its cover. From “the best reed diffusers around, aromatherapy, sets for sleep and passion, sea salt scrubs, custom organic body lotion and shower gel and an organic skin line,” the health of both the customer and the planet is always main focus.

Follow the scents and it will lead to, Melissa, owner and creator of Instant Eden Organics. Melissa, like many bold women before her, is a proud mother. A doting mom of three young men who are her right hand from creation to being the greatest support. Instant Eden comes out of a necessity after the death of her husband. Turning the page to a brand new chapter full of creativity, the knowledge of over 30 years in aromatherapy and a lot of hard work came Instant Eden Organics. Melissa’s passion for her product and customers is her own unique signature. And we here at Groovy Guru Granola applaud her and support the change she continues to make in the lives of her customers and for the planet.

Instant Eden Organics can be found one more week at the Historic Haymarket Farmer’s Market (in Lincoln, Nebraska) on August 22. You can also buy year round at both The Basket Bunch and at www.instanteden.com. Melissa also offers “fun parties” at your convenience, fundraising opportunities and at many events around Lincoln, Nebraska.


Note: Instant Eden Organics had full knowledge of article and is in support of it. Public comment welcomed!