Pacifica, an intimate, home-based shop in Waxhaw, recently opened offering eclectic gifts: jewelry, candles, essential oils, stained glass, books, crystals, natural soaps and more.

Owner Marianne Coleman-Hinkins, a transplanted Kiwi from New Zealand, is a jeweler/sculptor/painter. She has been recognized for her unique jewelry design. As a clairvoyant and medium, she says her work is strongly influenced by her feelings. "I simply go with the flow. The piece tells me how it wants to be created and I just allow it to develop as it will," says Coleman-Hinkins, who also designs commissioned pieces.

She says Pacifica is a place that people will feel comfortable enough to browse, chat and perhaps support the work of talented local artisans. “It is also a place where spirituality is paramount. Whatever path each person chooses to walk, all are honored and welcomed here.” Pacifica is located at 7703 Old Waxhaw Monroe Road and opened from 8:30am-5pm on weekends and weeknights by appointment. For more information call 704-243-6445 or visit www.pacificashop.com.

Prosperity Plus Workshop With Author Edwene Gaines

Imagine living a life of true prosperity - enjoying a healthy body through which you experience relationships that are always honest satisfying and nurturing; work you love so much that it's really play; and all the money you can spend. Rev. Edwene Gaines will teach you how to achieve that in her Prosperity Plus Workshop on March 22.

Gaines, author of The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity: A Simple Guide to Unlimited Abundance, overcame poverty to live a lifestyle of wealth. Her workshop teaches participants how to how to raise their abundance consciousness and free themselves from a life of deprivation and want by focusing on tithing, goal setting, forgiveness, and finding and achieving your Divine Purpose.

“Living at this exceptional level is not only possible, it's right there for you,” Gaines says. The workshop is from 1-3:30pm and is given on a love offering basis at Unity of Charlotte, 401 E. Arrowood Road. Gaines will also be the guest speaker at the 10:30am Sunday service. Information: 704-523-0062 or www.unityofcharlotte.org. Munay Spirit Center Now Offering Vision Quest Retreats & Ceremonial Dances

Munay Spirit Center is adding vision quest retreat weekends and ceremonial dances to their 2009 schedule. Co-owners Marti Ackerman and Robbie Warren will host the first event April 3-5.

Vision quests, a Native American tradition, are self-guided searches for knowledge within for the purpose of healing and wholeness. Warren says the weekend can instill deep, personal growth. “In addition to the Seeker having plenty of time for insight, there will be three sweat lodges, a releasing ceremony, a give-away blanket and plenty of shamanic counseling.”

Ackerman and Warren, who have spent eight years studying with several world-renown Shamanic teachers, have received special permission to bring a Visionary Dance (The Long Dance) in the tradition of Joseph Rael, Beautiful Painted Arrow to Munay. This sacred dance helps to expand the vibrations of insight and manifestation. “We know this coming year will take us further down, deeper in and higher up on our collective and individual journeys," concluded Ackerman. For more information visit www.MunaySpirit.com or call 704-263-5323. Spring Equinox Celebration Drumming, Feasting, Bonfire

Celebrate the first day of Spring with a ceremony, drum circle, potluck and bonfire led by Steve Nelson, astrologer/celebrationist and master drummer Saleef Kafajouffe at Sacred Grove Retreat.

This festival of rebirth and fertility brings the community together for fellowship, feast and fun. It is tradition to eat local fresh greens or sprouts at Spring Equinox to key into the energy of the place and time. Drumming, dancing, chanting and singing will take place in the yurt to raise the energy level. Making a joyful noise now brings joy for the whole year.

Fire is key to celebrating Spring Equinox because it connects us with the Sun, the source of our soul consciousness. “Fire transmutes what is released through deep breathing,” says Nelson. “Focusing on a fire while contemplating a desirable quality will help fix it in reality. Extraneous thoughts are consumed by fire and what is true and useful for the future is empowered.” The festival begins at 6pm on March 20th. Info/RSVP: 704-463-0768 or www.SacredGroveRetreat.com.

Free Interactive Health Fair At Davidson Healthy Home Market

Davidson Healthy Home Market celebrates the arrival of Spring with an interactive health fair on March 28. Experience the vitality of wellness by sampling vitamins, food, drinks and beauty products from over 25 different vendors. Relax in good hands with healing mini-sessions from some of Greater Charlotte’s best health care practitioners. Learn valuable information about emotional, physical and spiritual health.

This event is from 1-4 pm at 261 Griffith Street in Davidson. For details call 704-892-6191 or visit www.hemarket.com. St John Acupuncture Now Open with a Green Agenda

St John Acupuncture, a family clinic offering acupuncture, qi gong and herbal medicine, is now open in South Charlotte

The benefits of acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, herbs and medical qi gong are no secret. However, what most people don’t realize is how important the roles of intention, environment, community and education are in the healing and wellness process. It is St John Acupuncture’s goal to provide patients with both an effective treatment and beautiful healing experience.

When head acupuncturist, Marston St John L.Ac., decided to commit her life to holistic wellness, her vision extended towards the greater goals of the community. This meant not only building a clinic that would serve to harmonize the human body on an individual level but also create a balanced environment that would set the pace for the future of healthcare. “St John Acupuncture uses Forestry Stewardship Council certified massage tables, Energy Star appliances, recycled paper products and even eco-friendly paint on the walls,” said St John.

In addition, treatment rooms also function as healing sources for the patient. Each room is designed to invoke the essence of one of the five elements of Chinese medicine, thus surrounding the patient in the type of elemental healing environment they need most during their treatment. St John Acupuncture is located in the Park South Professional Center, 10430 Park Rd, Ste 200. For more information, call 704-541-7177 or visit www.stjohnacupuncture.com.

New Earth Builders Creating Earth-Healthy Homes

After more than 20 years in interior design, Robbie Warren is re-defining the building industry again. She recently formed New Earth Builders, a construction company with a view to the future. “Our purpose is to help people build new homes in an earth-healthy way,” said Warren, who has often been known as the designer in jeans and work boots.

Warren assists clients from blueprints to move-in and spends ample time with the other contractors. She says being green begins in the design stage using day-lighting, Energy Star appliances and even active and passive solar technology. “It’s not as difficult or expensive as most people think. I can show homeowners ways to save dollars now and down the road,” she said.

Warren also works with people to remodel their homes and make them efficient as well. “Close to 80 percent of the energy used in this country is consumed by homes built before 1980. So instead of just putting on an addition and reworking the flow of the house, I want to apply building science principles and good solid construction to help reduce the home’s carbon footprint and improve its efficiency,” she stated.

Fore more information: www.NewEarthBuilders.com or 704-378-4211.

Game Night 2009 FUNdraiser Literacy Council of Union County

One of the greatest gifts we can give to society is the gift of reading. The Literacy Council of Union County will hold a FUNdraiser to benefit their tutoring programs on March 7th. Participants are invited to bring board games and prepare for interaction and challenges among teams. Each table will have a theme and groups are encouraged to dressed according to their theme.

There will also be a silent auction that includes $50 passes to the Speedway Club at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Panthers prizes, Michael Waltrip autographed caps and much more.

The event will be held from 6:30-9:30pm at the Monroe Country Club. Tickets are $35 and include catered food and beverages. Info: www.literacyunion.org or 704-226-1425.

Anti-Aging Expo & Symposium

Want to elevate your awareness of preventative and healthy methods for vibrant living and longevity? On March 28th, The Charlotte Anti-Aging Expo and Symposium brings together local and national experts in the science of anti-aging and preventative methods.

Meet and talk with experts representing alternative and complimentary medicine, nutritional professionals, food and supplemental professionals, green product manufacturers, skin care companies, spas and medi-spas and many more. See leading edge technologies designed to help you meet your goals.

The Charlotte Anti-Aging Expo & Symposium acts as a health consumer advocate. The sole objective is to enable personal empowerment so you can make better health decisions based on your individual goals and dreams. You will leave you confident on what your next steps are to lose weight, overcoming specific ailments, looking more youthful or manage hormonal balances.

Through many years of researching solutions for her own personal health issues, expo founder Sally Gilbert is pleased to offer first class health and wellness representation all under one roof. “The good news is that we can all have the vibrant and healthy life of our dreams,” she said. “It’s all within your reach provided you have the necessary tools and resources available to you.” For more information and to receive $5 off admission, visit www.CharlotteAntiAgingExpo.com.