psy·chot·ic leop·ard sīˈkädik/ˈlepərd/ noun · anything that is funky, interesting, beautiful, niche, useful, and grabs one's attention

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News — Community Building

What Matters To A Teenage Boy Is Probably Not What You Think

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

What Matters To A Teenage Boy Is Probably Not What You Think

    The following was a response to a question to a college essay asking, "What matters to you?"  A bit unexpected...  (GUEST BLOG by Izzy Johnson) -- Ever since I was young, one of my biggest fears has been being alone.  That’s why community is so important to me.  Although it has been challenging to feel a sense of belonging within groups, I crave connection.   Who would have thought that spending Wednesday evenings sweating with a bunch of middle-aged women, dancing to R&B music, would be something that makes me happy? I was born almost a month early,...

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Strong Powerful Women: HEATHER FLAHERTY - FEMALE BOXER, MOTHER, CHAMPION

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Strong Powerful Women: HEATHER FLAHERTY - FEMALE BOXER, MOTHER, CHAMPION

  This is the first in a series of blogs about strong women I know personally, and today’s obvious choice is Heather, a friend and fellow turbo sweatie.   When I first started classes at the Y, I myself was going through a lot of personal trauma in the wake of my son’s best friend’s suicide, and some severe marital issues.  While normally I am quick to make friends, months passed with only a casual greeting between myself and fellow gym mates. Heather was and remains the friendliest girl in our classes, and was one of the first people I...

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Baltimore Artscape 2016:  Our Escape

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Baltimore Artscape 2016:  Our Escape

  I stumbled upon Artscape three years ago, when I had to deliver my daughter to Baltimore to an all-weekend birthday party, and found I had an entire twelve hours of day to spend by myself on the Saturday between the Paramour / Fall Out Boy concert on Friday night, and the Saturday arcade and laser tag festivities. The birthday girl’s mother, who knew I was artsy, recommended going to what was fortuitously happening that very weekend – the largest free art festival in the country, smack in the middle of Baltimore.  Though “The Wire” was my all-time favorite show,...

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CONSERVING CREATIVELY WHILE BUILDING COMMUNITY: How to Hold a Successful Tag sale / School PTA Fundraiser in Several Easy Steps

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

CONSERVING CREATIVELY WHILE BUILDING COMMUNITY: How to Hold a Successful Tag sale / School PTA Fundraiser in Several Easy Steps

I have been independently chairing school tag sales and book sales for the past 10 plus years, and decided to condense some of what I’ve learned here, in hopes that others will try this fun and profitable type of fundraising. To me, a successful tag / garage / yard / rummage sale is not about how much money you make, but more importantly, how much stuff you get rid on, how many happier homes you find for your unwanted things, and to build a sense of community.  New friendships develop when putting together events like these.  Romantic relationships are often...

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Dealing With Difficult People: Forgiveness in Unexpected Ways

Posted by Lisa Johnson on

Dealing With Difficult People: Forgiveness in Unexpected Ways

When you are someone who manages to get along with practically everyone, it’s unnerving to meet a person that you just can’t seem to budge. The other day, a good friend and I were having lunch in a local cafe, and the subject of dealing with impossible people came up. A couple of years earlier, she’d had a fluke accident after her Rhodesian Ridgeback dog had spotted a deer in the backyard, lunged at it, and dragged my friend along with her. Sylvia ended up with a broken hip, and in the hospital and rehab for months. During her stay,...

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