Twitter informed us this morning that it is National Popcorn Day, because if there was one snack food that needed more publicity, it was popcorn – we guess? Anyhow it at least makes for a good segue into the fact that researchers now believe that people were eating popcorn in South America at least a millennium earlier than was previously thought. The new conclusions stem from the discovery of corncobs in Peru dating back 6,700 years. The research team says that the corncobs bore traces consistent with making popcorn and flour, which means popcorn is just about the oldest snack food on the planet. Maize was first domesticated in Mexico about 9,000 years ago before it slowly spread throughout Central and South America.
Although the open environment at The Creative Space is great for collaboration, networking and relationships, there are times where you need to really focus and though the headphones help, it’s the visual stimuli that still breaks your concentration. We’ve moved a few desks into the Back-space which generally is fairly quiet, other than a few grabbing something from the fridge or heading downstairs. If you want to give coworking a try but still need your own space, maybe this spot is for you. We’re working on other rooms to accommodate phone conversations and smaller meetings as well.
We had a great visit from Patrick Brown, Barrie’s MP. We toured the space and he was very impressed with the space, the vision and the future plans. We hope to see one day, our local, provincial and federal government support these types of spaces.
Patrick said,
“In today’s ever-changing, challenging and often fast paced economy, artists and entrepreneurs alike are constantly looking for new avenues to promote productivity and forward thinking. The Creative Space is an excellent example of how the business environment is evolving along with the workforce. I was very impressed with the venue, the flexibility of their programs and the overall feeling of productive collaboration one instantly feels as soon as they walk through the door. Well done!”
Giving the right gift to a client or colleague is sometimes a challenge.
Well, how about giving them the gift of The Creative Space?
Introducing the TCS Work Spa. It’s the perfect gift to give to someone who works in the “office” all day and needs to get away. (home office, corp office, whatev)
With a TCS Work Vacation, they can spend a peaceful, productive day away from their day-to-day grind to get caught up on work, to work on their novel – or even better – to work on the startup they’ve been dreaming about!
What’s included in the TCS Work Spa package?
A day pass to TCS
Lunch ordered in from their favourite downtown restaurant
A Beaver Tail for dessert
A large Bohemia Coffee
A TCS t-shirt
Bonus extra: new friends and coworkers
It’s a gift that’s guaranteed to provide energy and inspiration!
Format: Gift certificate
Cost: $75
Delivery: you can pick up the certificate or have us mail it directly to the recipient
The Creative Space has great boardrooms and meeting spaces. They’re perfect for all sorts of meetings, sessions, workshops, etc. If you’re a member, the spaces are available to you!
One of our tenants, Vireo Research regularly uses the space to hold focus groups. The spaces are big, bright and welcoming – perfect for sharing ideas!
The next groups they’ll be holding here are on November 16th. Vireo is currently looking for parents and their children to participate and share their views and thoughts on non-profit causes, philanthropy and fundraising.
They’ll also be talking specifically about a new fundraising campaign that’s being developed in Simcoe County, and participants will share their opinions and help to create that campaign. If you’re interesting in finding out more or possibly attending, you can Apply Here
It’s been on my mind ever since my children entered school how odd it is that most school institutions “teach from the head up and slightly to one side”, as Sir Ken states. This needs to change as we are losing generation after generation of creative, innovative, world-changing type kids. We’ve been chatting with some in The Creative Space and others about changing the way we teach and learn in business. Maybe we need to think about taking that “divergent thinking” model to our children!
I’m just throwing out some seeds here…The Creative Space, with more space could be the soil. Now all we need are the farmers! Anyone willing to consider flipping our educational system on it’s ear? ;o) The key to a vibrant culture is allowing it’s citizens the opportunity to tell a great story – through their lives; through what they say and do and think and create. This isn’t just about art for arts sake, but the process of creating things and ideas and systems that are valuable to the community we live in. It’s about nurturing the body, mind, heart and soul.
Allow me to muse a bit more here….
Real art is a story immersed in emotion, soaked with inspiration from within and from without and illuminates that which is, at times, hard to see for us mere mortals. It all begins with the story – dance, fine art, literature, film, photography, etc – are the visual, auditory and physical representations of a underlying plot. They all aim to tell a story. We all intemperate the story in different ways, but without the story we go about our lives in black and white and our senses dulled by the “fluff” of what the media would tell us is art. Where are the good stories? Yes – What is the first step to cultivating the space where good stories grow? Good stories are everywhere! But like a seed needing soil, warmth and water, so too our young artists need space to create, space to fail and encouragement from community to keep telling their stories. Part of our calling is to celebrate the stories already being told.
I hope to one day see a vibrant arts community - an arts centre/school where what’s left of my kids young hearts and minds will be cultivated to become men and woman who “come alive! That’s what this world needs – more people doing what makes them come alive.
We were humbled to see our name presented to the awards committee and we were actually nominated in five categories. This morning was the Press Conference where they announced the finalists. We finaled in two categories. The Creative Space is a finalist for the NEW BUSINESS AWARD presented by the Strategic and Economic Development Office of The City of Barrie. We share this nomination with former Creative Space member Andrew and Emily Sorlie with Honey and Dear Productions. Bring it on Sorlie! ;o)
The big surprise was at the end of the announcements when they opened the second envelope to reveal the finalist for the Arch Brown Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This is a prestigious award, one that all business leaders covet. Debbie DeCaire, from the Chamber (and owner Skipwith and Associates, one of Rhubarb Media’s clients was the presenter). She opened it up and said “the finalists are in alphabetical order… (killer pause…) “Chad Ballantyne, of The Creative Space…” !
Here’s the list of all the nominees
http://barriechamber.com/barrie-business-awards
We’ll let y’all know on Nov 30th when the Awards Gala happens.
Wow! – Thanks to those who nominated and to the committee who had to choose. I’m humbled.
Thanks to all current and former members of The Creative Space – if we win, these awards will be shared with you all as your participation in this vision of coworking in Barrie is part of the success.
Our Location – 12 Dunlop St E (89 Dunlop St E available for rental still) 705-252-2423
The Creative Space (TCS) is a new generation coworking environment that gives freelancers, startups and micro-businesses the opportunity to work and collaborate in a creative community focused atmosphere. View Larger Map
The Creative Space has great boardrooms and meeting spaces. They’re perfect for all sorts of meetings, sessions, workshops, etc. If you’re a member, the 
We were humbled to see our name presented to the awards committee and we were actually nominated in five categories. This morning was the Press Conference where they announced the finalists. We finaled in two categories. The Creative Space is a finalist for the NEW BUSINESS AWARD presented by the Strategic and Economic Development Office of The City of Barrie. We share this nomination with former Creative Space member Andrew and Emily Sorlie with Honey and Dear Productions. Bring it on Sorlie! ;o)
