i speak here

Awaken Cafe Article

cortt — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:02:27 GMT

Bring Home the Burning Man Two 30-something entrepreneurs who met at the festival in the desert open a café and performance space in O-town. By Andrea Lampros http://www.themonthly.com/eastbayLife-12-07.html

A Hopi Elder Speaks

cortt — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:58:50 GMT

"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . . Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader." Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time!" "There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly. "Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, Least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. "The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from you attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. "We are the ones we've been waiting for." -- attributed to an unnamed Hopi elder Hopi Nation Oraibi, Arizona

Burning Man Coordinates

cortt — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:49:32 GMT

In case you'd like to find me on the playa this year: I'm camping with Collective Regeneration between 3:00 and 3:30 on Chance. We're creating amongst other things future prayer flags and are responsible for the installation in the middle of the 3 pm keyhole, which will be a sculpture field featuring the prayer flags. Our camp will have a large common area dome and will be recognizable by the prayer flags. Come say hi, put your future prayers on a flag, and before you go, share your address in the comments below...

Yard Dogs Road Show for My Birthday

cortt — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 16:15:26 GMT

A group of us are going to the Yard Dogs Road Show on my birthday, Saturday, September 9th. Join the celebration... Tickets at: https://www.virtuous.com/purchase/info/e/3141940975

Idaho girl becomes superhero for a day (AP)

cortt — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:16:07 GMT

BOISE, Idaho - Most days, 6-year-old Aubrey Matthews spends her energy fighting a brain tumor growing behind her eyes. But the first-grader managed to foil crimes and chase an arch-nemesis through Boise on Friday, serving the city as the superhero "Star" with assistance from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho, The Idaho Statesman reported. When she donned her blue and metallic superhero costume, Star took on the super-powers of X-ray vision, superhuman strength, speed and blowing power -- and a mission: To capture the villain who had stolen a golden star from the Idaho Historical Museum. After Star was alerted by authorities, she hopped on a Life Flight helicopter to reach the crime scene, where she found a clue linking the crime to a kjnown evildoer. The chase was on, with plenty of opportunities for Star to use her superpowers along the way. Before catching the bad guy, she rescued people from a "smoke"-filled building, saved a citizen from drowning in ParkCenter Pond, and vindicated ferrets at Zoo Boise who had been framed for stealing the golden star. It was a busy day for Aubrey, a little girl with an incredible imagination whose biggest foe is the inoperable optic glioma tumor growing in the center of her brain. The tumor was diagnosed when Aubrey was 6 months old. "I try to enjoy every day with her," said her mother, Elisa Matthews. "Life is just precious, and you can't blow it away. You have to take it for what it is, no matter what it is." The tumor is inoperable because of its location and the way it grew into her optic nerve and against her hypothalamus, said her father, Dave Matthews. Aubrey began chemotherapy when she was 15 months old. The tumor was stabilized for three and a half years but started to grow again last summer. A second round of chemotherapy began in August and was completed in January, her father said. So far the news is good -- the tumor has shrunk some, and Aubrey isn't as ill as doctors expected her to be after the chemotherapy. She has not lost her hair and her white blood cell count is stable, representing a small victory over the toxic chemotherapy drugs. Most kids making a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho wish to go someplace, to meet someone or to have something special. Aubrey's request -- to "be" something -- is the rarest kind of wish, said executive director Marcia Karakas. It's the first time in at least 10 years that a "be" wish has been received in the Idaho office, which serves the state's lower 35 counties. Windermere Real Estate's 150 employees took part in scripted superhero scenes, and the caper was filmed by Area 02, a local production company, for a special premiere this fall. "I'm overwhelmed with all the time that people have put into this," Dave Matthews said. "The whole day is centered around her, and it's just awesome. This is truly a dream come true for her." Aubrey came up with other superhero characters to help her fight crime -- Lion Lady, Frog Lady, Dog Man, House Lifter, Sky Girl, Martian Manhunter and Tree Girl -- all played by volunteers. She also helped design the costumes. "I think she's brought out the child in all of us," said Jessie Gillingham, volunteer coordinator for the foundation. By noon on Friday, Star had rescued a hostage from the villain's grip and tied the miscreant to the replica Liberty Bell in front of the Statehouse, cheered by hundreds of fans. "I'd like to thank you for your extreme bravery," Mayor David Bieter said when the bad guy was in custody. He swore Aubrey in as an honorary police officer and proclaimed June 15 as Make-A-Wish Day and Star Day. "You have shown extraordinary crime-fighting skills," Boise Police Mike Masterson said before presenting her with an Aubrey-sized police uniform. For the little girl whose strength helps her fight cancer, it was all in a day's work.

I'm Home!

cortt — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 20:50:35 GMT

I'm happy to be back home in Oaktown. Give me a shout... Or stop by cafe van kleef's on monday at 8 pm... Cortt

arizona moon

cortt — Sat, 13 May 2006 01:51:00 GMT

yosemite, oh yes

cortt — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:20:28 GMT

just back from yosemite, pics at... http://web.mac.com/cortt

Meet at Van Kleef's Tonight @ 9 pm

cortt — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 20:10:40 GMT

Join us...

I Heart You!

cortt — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 17:00:17 GMT

May you be present to the experience of loving and being loved by every one you interact with today! Cortt

True Joy in Life

cortt — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 20:22:53 GMT

This is the true joy of life. The being used for a purpose Recognized by yourself as a mighty one. The being a force of nature Instead of a feverish, selfish Little clod of ailments and grievances Complaining that the world will not Devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life Belongs to the whole community And as long as I live, It is my privilege to do for it Whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly Used up when I die, For the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch Which I've got hold of For the moment And I want to make it burn As brightly as possible before Handing it on to future generations. George Bernard Shaw

Accountant/Bookkeeper for Revolutionary Cafe in Oakland

cortt — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 17:35:38 GMT

The Awaken Cafe is seeking an experienced accountant/bookkeeper to contribute to and complete the final draft of financial projections (P & L, Source/Use of Funds, Break Even, Start-Up Costs) for use with our business plan and fundraising activities. We are looking to build an on-going relationship with a conscious and progressive person who is aligned with our vision and is available immediately for contract work on a project by project basis. Experience with start-up businesses and/or restaurant businesses a big plus. Down the road, as we open the doors of the Awaken Cafe, the ideal candidate would be interested and available for regular part time work on our day to day book-keeping and payroll needs. See description of the Cafe below. Please send resume and cover letter by email (cortt@buffalojoypark.com) or fax (510-380-8724). Namaste, Cortt Dunlap & Kari Christensen ========== “Be the change you want to see in the world!” -- Mohatma Ghandi The Awaken Café is built on the pillars of Excellent/World-Class Coffee, Community, the Arts, and Sustainability. It will revolutionize the intersection of private business and public space. We stand in stark contrast to offering more of the same: impersonal, mega-corporations who make distant board-room decisions about what is right for our communities and offer people an insular experience to participate in nothing more than a transaction. We represent a totally new resource from the ground up for artists, activists, and all members of the community to come together, find support, find access to action, an be left knowing and loving one another. We will create a community and art space specializing in gourmet, world-class espresso coffee, tea, simple organic food, and select beer and wines in Downtown Oakland. Additionally, we will be known as Oakland’s home for cutting edge performances and gallery installations. We will enlighten and refine the taste buds of the average coffee drinker in this community, giving people the joy and satisfaction that goes along with the appreciation of the subtleties of espresso coffee at the level of connoisseur while raising the bar throughout the coffee community in the East Bay. With consumers educated in what is possible with coffee, a new demand will exist for gourmet coffee and highly skilled baristas. We will be strategically positioned to both fill that demand by serving the best espresso in the East Bay, and thus altering the expectation for what a $3 latte should be. Along with the perfect cup, we will act as a model for what is possible in running a private and profitable enterprise that fosters, facilitates, and promotes a real sense of community and a thriving arts scene, along with operating on the leading edge of sustainable business practices. Awaken Café will be a place where community members come to socialize, exchange ideas, build lasting social and business networks, and grow their ability to live sustainable lives in harmony with the planet. Here they will expand their horizons for what is real and possible in this world, while enjoying what could possibly be the best coffee and tea they have ever had. In the spirit of European cafés, Awaken Café will be a meeting place during the day for people to connect over coffee and tea, and in the evening transform into Oakland’s premier night-spot—a bustling lounge with performances, gallery openings, select beer and wines, and appetizers. Throughout the day, we will create an atmosphere of engaging conversation, personal growth and creative inspiration. Our customers will feel known, connected, and at home at the Awaken Café. © Photo by Tabasco, 2005

Project Bandaloop in SF

cortt — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 18:26:17 GMT

Join me on Saturday, December 17th to check out my buddy Alex performing with Project Bandaloop. It sounds like a great show... http://www.projectbandaloop.org

Vote Today!

cortt — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 17:55:38 GMT

Don't you forget!

Headed to Harbin Thurs, Nov 10, Return Friday

cortt — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 18:49:30 GMT

Would you like to join me and a few friends?

Party this Friday...

cortt — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 16:14:29 GMT

See the invite at... http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/event/0746722c-2c1b-416f-968d-b769bc0469c8

Kama Sutra Spinner Game Photo Project

cortt — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 20:26:49 GMT

I posted photos from my project at Burning Man. If you participated or were camped with me, get in touch and I'll give you the url.

i'm back...

cortt — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 22:35:44 GMT

as my friend Randy was quoted (inaccurately as i understand it) by Larry Harvey: time to "radically reinsert" myself! say hi to me!

BRC-Where will you be?

cortt — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 20:20:16 GMT

BRC Here We Come!

cortt — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 16:45:39 GMT

I'll be camping with NAIR (Not Arson Island Resort), Pillow Fight Club, Trashistan, and the Mach12e (www.themach112e.org) at Esplanade and 4:30. See you on the playa...

courtyyard party

cortt — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 23:05:34 GMT

my building is having a courtyard party this sunday at 5 pm and i'm throwing an impromptu house warming party as well. contact me for details... love, cortt

iChat A/V

cortt — Wed, 03 Aug 2005 20:59:10 GMT

I got a new iSight camera for my computer and am using iChat A/V (which is compatible with AOL Instant Messenger and Jabber IM). Contact me for video, audio, or instant messaging at AIM screen name: buffalojoypark

Don't Miss the Town Hall Meeting this Sunday (6/19)

cortt — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 17:50:22 GMT

For all the details and to rsvp, visit http://www.buffalojoypark.com