InkSpotting: Writing, life and the writing life

• Two new books from InkSpotter Publishing

  2009 Nov 24

  Just in time for that last minute holiday shopping, InkSpotter Publishing has released two new books.
  
  First up is The Communal Desk, a chapbook featuring flash fiction by eight members of the Literary Lapse writing group. Contributing writers approached this project as a true cooperative, from initial concept to final proofreading. John Cowan, Krys Douglas, Mary Ellen King, Gail A. Laursen, Laura Salamy, Tevia Wall, Gretchen Wilsenach and Kerry-lyn Witherspoon all deserve kudos for their efforts in bringing this project to completion.
  
  We're also proud to introduce our first children's book, A Boy Named Wish. Richard and Esther Provencher's story of a young boy making the adjustment to life in foster care will pull at your heartstrings and make you believe in the power of wishing.
  
  For more information on these and other books from InkSpotter Publishing, visit http://inkspotter.com/bookstore/index.htm or http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=19596

  

• BOOK LAUNCH - Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation

  2009 Sep 29

  
  

  I want to share this book, Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation, with you because it seems like we finally have a manual for ridding ourselves of nagging issues that never go away...those issues that creep into our quiet minds and trouble us endlessly and wreak havoc on our health. This book offers easy solutions, and, if you go to the website, you can get a sample chapter and view a video on EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), a healing technique you can do yourself by tapping acupuncture points.

  Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation (for men, too) was created by Tracy Latz, M.D., and Marion Ross, Ph.D., following repeated requests to share in written form the information they had been teaching for six years. Prior to using these tools on anyone else, they used them to shift their own lives. Tracy transformed anxiety, stress, and an acute physical issue, while Marion used the techniques to transform chronic physical pain and an inner restlessness.
  
  Their system is a discussion of the 12 self-sabotaging obstacles that we all unwittingly place in our paths, followed by a menu of easy-to-use techniques for removal of each issue blocking your path. Tracy and Marion do not want you to struggle as they did to find the 12 keys that they discovered! They share their solutions with the sincere intent of assisting you so that you too can shift your life--only more quickly than they did!

  Bernie Siegel, M.D., a retired general/pediatric surgeon (and the author of Love, Medicine & Miracles) heard about Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation and offered to write the foreword for the book. He says: “The lessons to be learned from this book are age old but reframed in ways that are easy to incorporate and appropriate to our lifestyle today…cancer patients who display a survivor personality, exceed expectations and more often survive when no one gives them any hope… It is easier to have coaches and guides to help you on the path to transformation and this book can do that for you.”
  
  Shift is a melding of Chinese medicine, cognitive behavioral therapy, guided meditation, and energy psychology. This book can be used as an intensive personal healing journey and a reference guide to be consulted whenever a specific issue arises.

  Drs. Latz and Ross give bullet points at the end of each chapter to show you how to most rapidly dissolve the obstacle in your life, along with examples of how others have shifted their lives using these tools. If you're truly serious about changing any long-established habits of emotional patterns/thoughts that have kept you STUCK then you are ready for Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation.

  Besides more than $8,500 in downloadable bonuses (ebooks, MP3s, courses, articles, coaching and more) donated by their friends and colleagues who so strongly support the book, the authors are offering a cash contest for the best Tales of Shift, with $250 as the top prize!
  
  Check it out! Shift your life today! http://tinyurl.com/okupgs
  

  

• Free Teleconference on Living Well with Advanced Breast Cancer

  2009 Sep 22

  FREE TELECONFERENCE
  
  Advanced Breast Cancer: Living Well Through Information and Support – New Evening Time! Understand the latest research and treatment advances and learn how to improve your quality of life during our this teleconference series.
  
  Speakers: William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP; Patricia S. Steeg, PhD and Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS
  
  Register for part or all of the advanced breast cancer teleconference series.
  
  Teleconference series, Advanced Breast Cancer: Living Well Through Information and Support, on Wednesday, October 14, Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, November 5. All teleconferences will be held from 8:00pm to 9:15pm (Atlantic)/8:30pm to 9:45pm (Newfoundland).
  
  Part 1, Treatment Update: Medical and Quality-of-Life News, will provide you with information on recent clinical trial findings and the latest research. Speaker William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP, will also give you practical advice on how to manage symptoms and side effects.
  
  During Part 2, speaker Patricia S. Steeg, PhD, will talk about Research and You: Understanding Clinical Trials. She will discuss topics such as:
  
  How to access clinical trials
  What trials are available for women living with metastatic disease
  The benefits and risks of participating in clinical trials
  The latest research on breast cancer metastasis
  
  During Part 3, Living Fully: Making Treatment Decisions, speaker Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, will discuss how to have the best quality of life while living with advanced breast cancer, including:
  
  How to make the right treatment decisions for you
  How to communicate your short-term and long-term goals with your loved ones
  How to adapt to a changing treatment plan
  
  About Our Speakers
  
  Dr. Gradishar is professor of medicine in the division of hematology and medical oncology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. He is also a member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and serves as director of breast medical oncology, associate director of the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Program and program director of Northwestern University’s hematology/oncology fellowship training program. His research focuses on the development of new therapies for breast cancer treatment. He is a reviewer for numerous journals and has published many articles on breast cancer therapies.
  
  Dr. Steeg is chief of the women’s cancers section of the laboratory of molecular pharmacology in the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). She leads treatment development efforts by focusing on the molecular aspects of tumor metastasis. Dr. Steeg serves as president of the Metastasis Research Society and deputy editor of Clinical Cancer Research. She has won many awards, including NCI’s Outstanding Mentor Award in 2005 and Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s 2008 Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Science.
  
  Lillie D. Shockney is University Distinguished Service Assistant Professor of Breast Cancer and assistant professor in the departments of surgery and gynecology at John Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is also an assistant professor at John Hopkins School of Nursing and co-founder and vice president of the national nonprofit organization Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer. Ms. Shockney is a published author and nationally recognized public speaker on breast cancer and serves on the medical advisory board of several national breast cancer organizations. She is the recipient of numerous leadership and community service awards and was selected as one of the Top 100 Women in Maryland for her leadership and community service efforts. Dr. Shockney’s research interests include quality of life issues for survivors.
  
  About the Program
  
  Both teleconferences will feature a presentation by the speaker, followed by a 45-minute question-and-answer session. To participate, you need only a telephone or computer (listen-only) with Real Network Player or Windows Media Player. Social workers may be eligible to receive continuing education credits; see our registration form for more details.
  
  The teleconferences are free, but pre-registration by October 7 is required.
  
  Register
  
  Source: Atlantic Breast Cancer Net

  

• Halifax Community Learning Network needs Volunteer Literacy Tutors

  2009 Sep 18

  

  One of my long time "babies" is the literacy group Halifax Community Learning Network. I've been a board member for several years.

  Every year, we face the challenge of recruiting new tutors to the program, and this year is no different.

  We're always interested in hearing from potential board members, as well.

  If you're interested in getting involved or just in knowing more, call 422-7648 or email hcln(at)sympatico(dot)ca

  

• Women's Healthy Living Fair

  2009 Sep 17

  The following is provided courtesy of Atlantic Breast Cancer Net
  

  
  WOMEN'S HEALTHY LIVING FAIR
  SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009
  NORTH WOODSIDE COMMUNITY CENTRE
  
  Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia is hosting a Women's Healthy Living Fair to provide an opportunity for women in Dartmouth to enhance their knowledge about health and community resources. The Fair, generously funded with a grant from the Dartmouth Community Health Board, will feature a series of educational booths that will highlight women's cancers, nutrition, exercise, financial planning, self-esteem, breast feeding, skin care, parenting, safety, employment, stress reduction, and much more. Educational talks will feature: Boost Your Self-Esteem, 5 Secrets to Healthy Eating, 5 Values for Life, Stress Reduction, and Defend Yourself.

  
  To help women attend the Fair, a bus service will be offered at Scotia Court Community Centre, Farrell Hall, East Dartmouth Community Centre, Dartmouth North Community Centre, Holly House, Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre, Findlay Centre, and 7 Parker Street. Childcare services will be provided.

  
  The Fair takes place from 10am to 3pm at the North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth, on Saturday, September 26, 2009.

  
  For more information or to have a poster emailed to you, contact the Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia office at 465-2685.