May has been dizzying!

As we sit here, awaiting the news conference that will announce that Winnipeg will once again have a hockey team, I am reflecting on how exciting this month has been overall.

Despite the horrible weather that we continue to endure this spring, Picante really can't complain at all.  We have been kept extremely busy by our regular clients and have had some exciting new business opportunities come our way as well.

We've developed a concept for Grant Park Shopping Centre to carry them through their fab new renovation.  And just last week it was announced that Target will take over the Zeller's at Grant Park in 2013.  I believe this is really great news for the retailers in the mall. 

Our MPAR project for the College of Physicians and Surgeons is nearly complete.  It is such a pleasure working with Judy and Louise from the College.  It's the kind of working relationship that makes me so glad to be in this business.

We're just about set with the Summer newsletter for Sunrise Credit Union.  It is loaded with interesting stories and information about an organization that is growing stronger every day.  I have to laugh when I think about the fact that I was lucky enough to win this client due to a conversation in a swim up bar in Cabo San Lucas!

We are doing some amazing work for Bothwell Cheese.  I will love to share it when it is approved.

The Winnipeg Police needed a hurry up solution to address a concern they were having.  Will post that here once it is approved as well.  In the meantime, we are working hard to prepare for our big crash shoot this August.  It is going to be something very special.

We've just begun working on two brand new pieces of business and once they are confirmed I will be excited to share the news.

As per usual, a shout out to Char who is simply doing a wonderful job on all her graphic design work.  I don't know what I'd do without her.  

In short, it's going to be a wild and crazy couple of months coming up.

Life is sooooo good.

Here it is, May already.

And my oldest son's birthday.  Happy Birthday Shaun!  I also think of this day as the 32nd anniversary of me becoming a Mom.

Laura and Shaun on Mother's Day.

Laura and one of the beautiful children of Alto Trujillo

As usual, things have been hopping at the Picanteria.  But the biggest news of late was our successful adventure in Peru.  My daughter Shea had invented a charitable project in which she solicited gently used shoes from school kids, took their photo and we travelled to Trujillo, Peru with the shoes to deliver them to children in poverty there.  It truly was a life changing experience and we can't wait to do it again.  It is quite addicting.

On the work front we are busy preparing for our new Winnipeg Police Commercial shoot which will be occurring in mid-July.  Once again, I must tribute the Winnipeg Police Service for caring so much about keeping us all safe.

We're getting close to going to print on our new materials for the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

On a tougher note, we're said to be saying goodbye to John and Jamie from Grant Park Shopping Centre who are leaving our fair city to go west.  We'll certainly miss our collaboration.  However, we're looking forward to working up all the new creative to manage the exciting  Grant Park renovations with new GM Sandra Haganaars. 

Enjoyed a magnificent Winnipeg Wine Festival Gala Dinner with our good friends Sue and Ron and the next day I taught a class on Advertising Fundamentals for Kathryne's University of Winnipeg class.  Good thing I didn't overdo it on the wine! 

Hope everyone is having a nice spring....don't worry - the warm weather will soon arrive!