VenusNews

September 2003 . contents
    workshops
    store events
    all you ever wanted to know about lube
    new toys
    upcoming art
    new fall hours

 

Workshops

All workshops are held at the store, located at 1598 Barrington Street in Halifax. Please register by calling 422 0004. Payment must be received to hold your spot: you can either pay by credit card over the phone, or come by the store and pay in person. The workshop fee is $10 (+tax) per person, and you will receive 10% off any purchases made after the workshop.

 

Monday August 25
6:15 pm
Sex For One For Women
For women
In this hands-off workshop we will talk about some reasons for masturbating, breathing and other techniques for better orgasms, toys for playing alone, lube and other slippery stuff, anatomy, and books about masturbation as well as good one-handed reads.
One hour, plus time for questions.

 

Monday September 8
6:15 pm
Sex Toys 101 - More fun than Lego
For everyone
“What is it? What do I do with it? Where do I put it?” Anatomy, vibrators, dildos, lube and other slippery stuff: this workshop will give toy novices a chance to learn about different toys in a relaxed atmosphere.

 

Saturday September 13
6:15 pm
FULL! (sorry)
Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio
For everyone
If you’re interested in licking boys’ bits, but aren’t sure where to start or what to do once you get going, this is the workshop for you. From basic anatomy to tips for the advanced, this workshop will cover a wide range of information about giving head.

 

Tuesday September 30
6:15 pm
G marks the Spot
For everyone
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We will cover history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips. One hour, plus time for questions and discussion.

 

Monday October 6
6:15 pm
Cheap Thrills: Do it Yourself Toys for Power Play
For everyone
You may never see your house, the hardware store or grocery store the same way again. Kinky sex doesn't have to be expensive - this workshop will show you how to transform everyday mundane items into sex toys.

 

Tuesday October 7
6:15 pm
Erotic Talk - Getting What you Want By Asking For It
For women
Know what you want, but not sure how to get it? Whether you're not sure what words to use, or how to start spilling them out of your mouth, this workshop will give you ideas on how to make talking about sex just as great as doing it.

 

Monday November 3
6:15 pm
The Art of Cunnilingus
For everyone
This workshop will cover anatomy, technique, communication skills and tricks to please your lady with your lips. And tongue, and teeth, and.... One hour, plus time for questions.

 

Tuesday November 4
6:15 pm
Toys For Boys
For everyone
Join us for an introduction to sex toys for men. We will be covering basic male anatomy as well as discussing the joys of masturbators, cock rings, anal play, lube and more!

 

Monday December 1
6:15 pm
Holiday Special - Sex Toys 101 for Men
For men
So you thought you might like to surprise your favorite gal with a little something extra this holiday season but you don't where to start. This workshop is meant to give you an overview of toys, what's available, how they work and how they're made. This introduction will include information about vibrators, dildos, ben wa balls, edible body products, and books for couples.

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Store Events

Sept 28 Word on the Street
Join us at Word on the Street for lots of fabulous of book deals. You can find us at booth 33 where we will be hosting author signings all day long. Free

Reading schedule:

12pm - Beth Ryan
1pm - Helen Humphreys
2pm - Jeanette Lynes
3pm - Kathy Mac
4pm - Tara Manuel

Oct 3 Phallic Avengerz (and other aunty heroes)
Art opening: works by Leah Sadles. Free

Nov 6 My Breasts, My Choice
Art opening: works about transformative surgery. Free

Nov 27 Shopping Under the Stars
Many of the stores on and around Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road will be open late this night offering their customers tax-free shopping. Join us from 7-11pm to start your holiday shopping with carollers, hot chocolate, and other festivities.
7-11pm. Free

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All you ever wanted to know about lube

Discovering lube as a grown-up is like discovering what your clit does as a kid. "Who," you think, "was the brilliant mind behind this idea? And why did I not know about this sooner? Why did I memorize the quadratic equation in high school, but not hear a word about this vastly more life-improving substance?" Below you will find an introduction to this lovely stuff.

Why use it?

Because without changing any other single thing that you do in your sex life, you will completely change the feel of most of the things you're already doing. Ever had a hard time coming because the friction of your hand on your clit left you less than excited? Ever been enjoying a nice long round of intercourse only to be stopped short by irritation? Ever ended up with a raw penis after a vigorous jerk-off session? **Ever had a condom break?** Lube, lube, lube, lube.

But not every lube is ideal for every person or every situation. Each lube has a main ingredient, and each has pros and cons. Some lubes are better for anal penetration and some are better for jerking her or him off. Some have chemicals that may be hard on sensitive skin, others are more natural.

What's the main ingredient?

The main ingredient of a lube, or its base, determines several things about how it will act in different situations.

Oil Based (e.g. hand lotion, vegetable oil, Stroke It!): This is probably one of the oldest lubes around, since oil based lubes can come from lots of different natural sources. They tend to be found hanging around the house in kitchen and bathroom cupboards, which makes them pretty handy and convenient. They last for a long, long time, and are excellent for giving hand jobs to boys. They're bad for a couple of really important reasons, however. Oil and the vaginal microcosm do not go well together. Oil doesn't easily flush out of the body, and so can upset the delicate balance of the cunt's flora. Also, oil eats microscopic holes through latex, so if you're using any kind of safer sex barrier that isn't non-latex, you can end up with an STI or a pregnancy.

Silicone Based (e.g. Eros, Eros Woman): Like oil based lubes, silicone based lubes last forever and a day. They can also be used in water, and so are great for those who like to play in the shower or tub. They're scentless and tasteless, and are great to massage with, since they let you rub a good long time There's no problem in using them with latex, so you can go right from massage to safer sex. One draw-back is that you can't use silicone lube with silicone toys; the other downside is that they last forever and a day, which can make your vagina prone to infection. Eros Woman is a lighter formulation, which may mitigate that problem for women who aren't using it with silicone toys.

Water Based (e.g. Slippery Stuff, O'My, ID Glide, Probe): This is the best type of lube for women. Because water evaporates, lube with water as the first or second ingredient don't stick around to upset the cunt. Because of that and their latex compatibility, water based lubes are the most common and popular kind. They come in a wide variety of viscosity and sensations, anywhere from creamy to oily. You can also get flavoured water based lubes if you're looking for something a little different.

Viscosity

Once you've decided on what the base of your lube will be, the next step is to pick what kind of viscosity you're looking for. Lubes range from incredibly thick (e.g. Maximus) to super thin (e.g. Astroglide); one isn't inherently better than the other. Thicker lubes tend to stay put a lot better than thinner lubes, which makes them a better candidate for anal play, fisting, or any kind of slow penetration

Glycerine

This is another caution for women: if you're particularly prone to yeast infections, avoid any lube with glycerine listed as an ingredient. Yeast loves glycerine, and will multiply happily in its presence. Two lubes that do not contain glycerine are Slippery Stuff and Liquid Silk. If you're not particularly prone to yeast overgrowth, then a lube that contains grapefruit seed extract (GSE) may be the ticket. The GSE balances the pH of the vagina, and creates an environment inhospitable to yeast. Lubes containing GSE include Probe and O'My. An aside to vegans: unless the ingredients list specifies vegetable glycerine, it's probably from an animal source.

Other Ingredients

There are a few other things to watch out for. For example, methelparaben is used as a preservative in almost all lubes, and those with sensitive skin should avoid it. Look instead for grapefruit seed extract. Some of our lubes only have a few ingredients in them, but most have a very long list, so look carefully and check to see if it contains something to which you know you're sensitive.

Have Fun!

If you're a little overwhelmed by all the choices, and don't know whether you'd like thick, thin, oily, slick or creamy, get a bunch of travel sizes ($1), and have a personal lubefest.

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New Toys

Clitz and Titz - Vibe Pump
A vibrating pump for your clit or nipples. Use lube to create a seal between the latex opening and your skin, then pump the bulb to draw blood into your clit or nipples. Once you've become more sensitive, turn the vibe on and away you go.
plastic & latex  |   colour: pink  |   $39.95

Nexus Jr.
Like the Nexus we already carry, but slightly smaller. This double dildo has one end with a sharp curve that gives good g-spot stimulation to the wearer, while the other end has a gentle up curve and nicely pronounced head.
1¼" x 5 1/8" and 1 13/16" x 4 5/8"   |   silicone  |   colour: blue/white swirl  |   $119.95

Pro-Touch
The "come hither" toy! Crooked like a finger drawing you near, this toy is designed to hit the prostate or g-spot with ease. Made of non-porous silicone, it comes with a Micro Mini vibrator that tucks neatly into the base for added stimulation.
1¼" x 5"   |   silicone  |   colours: black, wine  |   $49.95

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Upcoming Art

September Angela Davies
"One Pair of Breasts" is the most recent project from photographer Angela Davies. Approaching "one pair of breasts" from the standpoint of documenting the movement and form of a single pair of breasts, she has applied her personal style of simplicity, elegance and honesty to create soothingly powerful imagery. As Angela explains, "'one pair of breasts' is an appreciation of one pair of breasts. Not perfect, not perking, just breasts doing what breasts do."

October Leah Sandles
Phallic Avengerz (and other aunty-heroes, color prints of characters with of all kinds of powerful phalli.
Opening: Friday, October 3 at 7pm

November "My Breasts, My Choice"
A sensitive and thought-provoking look at how breast and chest surgery can redefine a person's body, health, and sense of self. The exhibit presents the experiences of six participants, their words framed by artistic black and white photography that detail the changes wrought by the procedures. Breast cancer survivors, those undergoing gender transformation surgeries, and others generously share their insight and their often hard-won wisdom in this fascinating exhibit.
Join Barbara Brown for the opening on November 6th at 7:30pm.

December t.b.a.
We are looking for an artist to exhibit in December. Please call Shelley at 422-6584.

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New Fall Hours

Our business hours are shortening with the daylight hours:

Monday 10-6
Tuesday 10-6
Wednesday 10-6
Thursday 10-7
Friday 10-7
Saturday 10-6
Sunday 12-5

We will be open extended hours for the month of December to accommodate holiday shopping.

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