Learning to Live with Less and Why it Matters
What are the financial and psychological costs that clutter can have on your personal and professional life? Leave this session with solutions to help you declutter and be motivated to discard unneeded ‘stuff.’ Presentation will include group discussion related to struggles with letting go of items in your home.
Spring Decluttering: 10 Items to Let Go of Today
Springtime is usually a period when people feel inspired to start fresh and anew. But before Spring Cleaning, you may want to start with Spring Decluttering. In this session, get inspired to go home and declutter those 10 items that are no longer are serving you, so there is less to manage, clean, and dust. Get motivated to clear out the clutter to create space for new things to enter your life that are in alignment with your values and priorities.
Too Much Clutter? How Do I “Let It Go?”
Are you stuck? Feeling overwhelmed, too many clothes, piles of paper, photos, bags, spices, magazines, craft projects, China, and antique furniture? Have you inherited boxes of family heirlooms and have let them sit? Participants will learn the 5-step method of organizing items in your home and office. You will also learn about Brain Organizing to help you declutter your brain so you can declutter your life. Clearing out the clutter will create space for new things to enter your life that are in alignment with your values and priorities.
Tips for Downsizing
Do you or a family member need to downsize or right size their life? Are you ready to move to a smaller place or just live with less? We will discuss what to do with all those mementos, kids school work, sports equipment, photos, dvds, and videos? Participants will leave with a new outlook on your items and be inspired to start downsizing now!
Amy Carstensen, a San Diego based Professional Organizer, started her business “Organizing with Amy” in 2013. Amy holds a Master’s degree from UCSD in International Relations. She’s taught high school Spanish, worked for the International Community Foundation and was the Founder and Executive Director of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center. When she’s not out helping clients let go of excess Tupperware and bags, she’s home annoying her husband and two teenage boys reminding them “to never leave a room empty handed.”
Hello, I’m Kendra Faye. Officially, I am a harpist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, though my joy comes from seeing the transformative power of music. Music has taken me around the globe. To environments as varied as the Amazonian jungle and the hospital wards; it has taken me from teens struggling to overcome addiction to sharing the joy of new born baby; and finally, it has taken me to the bedside to help ease the fear of an illness or offering music to comfort the biggest of life’s transitions in my work with hospice. Sharing the power of music has been both ecstatic and humbling; being both performer and witness; being both minstrel and student; learning from the Universal language of song that crosses borders and blends appreciation with wonder. The ways we sing, play and praise in devotion awakens the heart to experience more fully the healing, the pleasure, the celebration, and utilize the lessons from pain or sadness. I am grateful that my lifelong love of music reminds me of the power and beauty that we all are and how sound can help remind us of our inner beauty. Song speaks our stories. There is something sacred about deep listening and expression of song that our soul thirsts for. It soothes us, comforts us, and inspires us as we dance with life’s mystery.
Keith Macpherson, a Canadian mindfulness coach, speaker, and author, has dedicated over two decades to empowering individuals through mindfulness practices. His transformative breakthroughs guide people toward their best lives. In 2018, he authored the bestselling book “
Claudia de la Cruz
Since graduating with her master’s degree from the USC Thornton School of Music, Chelsea Chaves has sung with Pacific Chorale, soloed with Pacific Symphony, and performed at various private events around Los Angeles and Orange County. Chelsea is currently performing in Pacific Symphony’s Class Act program and is the Education Manager for Long Beach Opera. In 2018, she was a recipient of a prestigious vocal scholarship from the Profant Foundation in Santa Barbara. Roles performed include Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) with the Astoria Music Festival, Hanna Glawari (Die lustige Witwe) with Chapman University, and Lay Sister (Suor Angelica) with Opera Santa Barbara. She has also performed the roles of Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) and Adele (Die Fledermaus) for Pacific Symphony. Previous Young Artist Programs include OperaWorks, SongFest, the Astoria Music Festival and Musiktheater Bavaria. She was a finalist for the Loren L. Zachary Competition in 2015 and has sung the National Anthem at two Lakers games. For more information, visit 
Elena Durán grew up in Oakland, California and has enjoyed an international career, appearing as soloist with more than 50 orchestras all over the world, playing on a number of occasions for the Queen of England, HM King Charles as well as the President of Mexico. She has recorded a hit single with Paul McCartney and has made two albums with jazz great Stephane Grappelli. At various stages of her career, she has taught at University and Conservatory level including at Stanford University, the London College of Music, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Hartt School of Music. She has given masterclasses and courses all over the world and was the director of the Stratford International Flute Festival for twenty years and the Mexican Flute Festival at UNAM for five years in the nineties. She was named Mexico City’s Ambassador of Culture and Tourism, and with her personal outreach program FLAUTA SIN FRONTERAS, she has taken music to those who can’t attend concerts, especially those in prison and those who live along the US/Mexico Border. Elena is a passionate supporter of the Ranch’s Fundación La Puerta, bringing her programs to the local community.
Amos Nachoum, a professional wildlife photographer and explorer, has left an indelible mark on photography and wildlife conservation. Renowned for his close-up underwater photography of large marine animals such as whales, sharks, leopard seals, crocodiles, anacondas, and polar bears, Amos has received numerous awards and global recognition for his work. Beyond his photography, Amos is a passionate environmental activist, tirelessly raising awareness about the importance of conserving the world’s natural habitats and wildlife. His camera and expeditions are not just about capturing stunning images; they are a powerful tool to support science and conservation and to inspire awareness about endangered wildlife. Amos Nachoum, a man of unique experiences and achievements, arrived from Israel in the USA in 1977. Since 1978, he has embarked on daring explorations, venturing into every significant body of water from the North Pole to Antarctica. His photographs are not just about capturing wildlife; they strive to challenge misconceptions about “dangerous” wildlife and show the harmonious interactions between man and animal. He also leads wildlife photography expeditions with his company, Big Animals Global Expeditions. Amos’s recognitions include 1st place for animals in their environment, Sienna Award 2018 and 2022, 2021 Nature Photographer of the World, 2019 Sea Keepers Award, Person of the Year, two-time award winner of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year for animal behavior. Amos has recently published “BIG,” a book of his photography of big animals worldwide. In November 2023, Amos was nominated for the NOGI award in the art—the highest award in the international diving industry. Amos has also been the subject of the documentary “The Picture of His Life,” which chronicles his epic quest to photograph polar bears underwater in their natural habitat. Notably, twelve people have landed on the moon, but only five have dived with polar bears.