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The grand opening of Sedona Story Coffee House & Gathering Place, 1st floor, and re-opening of Mago Café, Korean and American cuisine, 2nd floor, was celebrated with VIP speeches, ribbon cutting ceremony, and traditional Korean performances, and Korean lunch for the more than 100 guests, at the 207 North Highway 89A building, Sedona, Arizona, December 7, 2007. With Sedona's very large annual number of sunshine days, the rain and wind visible outside Mago Café's wall of windows was deemed a lucky sign, given Sedona's great need for rain.
In the heart of Uptown Sedona, Sedona Story was established to play starring role and Mago Café a supporting role in sharing the substance and style of the vision of HSP (Health, Smile/Happiness and Peace) with Sedona. Ten-year Sedona resident, Ilchi Lee, articulated this vision, and encouraged others to create these two businesses to reach out to Sedona's 11,000 residents and 4 million tourists.
In addition, five other independent businesses in the Sedona area are closely aligned with Sedona Story and Mago Café regarding the HSP vision. They include BR Clinic, Dahn Yoga Center, and Institute of Human Technology – all in the SUN Building, at Jordan and Apple Roads; and Sedona Ilchi Meditation Center and Sedona Ki Meditation Tours – on Bill Gray Road inside Coconino National Forest.
Sedona Story intends to become the friendliest Coffee Shop in Uptown Sedona. It is also called a Gathering Place, with a unique combination of refreshments, gifts, art works, hands-on healing, Internet-access, and heartful Sedona information – all meant to cultivate an inviting, interactive and inspirational experience for its customers.
Mago Café re-opened to offer more value – serving Dinner as well as Lunch, remodeled to be larger in dining and kitchen space, and with an expanded menu of exciting Korean and creative American foods and drinks.
The master of ceremonies was Larry Rosenberg (Chun Eum), BR Consulting, who welcomed the guests and guided them through the next 90 minutes of the opening celebration. He reports, “The energy of the people in the room was extraordinary, from start to finish, feeling the celebration activities with their hearts and responding with great enthusiasm.”
Two speakers from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, with its 1,000 members, addressed the guests. Jennifer Wesselhoff, executive director, spoke about the importance of Sedona Story and Mago Café to the business, cultural and international ingredients for a successful Sedona.
Mel Wienges, president of Sedona Broadcasting Company and Sedona Chamber’s board of directors’ chairperson, acknowledged the importance of the two businesses for Sedona. He read a message from Pud Colquitt, Mayor of Sedona, saying that Sedona Story and Mago Café were welcomed additions to the unique character and economic prosperity of Sedona.
Sedona Story and Mago Café are part of Sedona and the world. Through its stores, merchandise and restaurants, Sedona has become home to various cultures, and attracts many thousands of international tourists annually. In particular, Sedona Story and Mago Café have warm ties to the Korean culture, people and nation.
The traditional Korean cultural entertainment – of drumming and martial arts – was sponsored by the Sedona Korean Association, and encouraged by the Republic of Korea Government.
Seongjin Kim, Deputy Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles, addressed the guests. He congratulated Sedona Story and Mago Café on their openings, praised the special beauty and vortex energy of Sedona, and expressed his pleasure in seeing Korea’s traditional culture shared on this occasion. He introduced Byeong Cheol Min, Consul with the Korean Consulate General, Los Angeles, who is responsible for Sedona.
To recognize the sponsorship of the Korean cultural entertainment by the Sedona Korean Association, its president, Amy Ko, was asked to stand up. Dana Giles, manager of Sedona Story and Mago Café, was introduced.
At 11:45 AM, to loud cheers from the guests, eight dignitaries cut the ribbon to officially open Sedona Story and Mago Café.
The traditional Korean cultural entertainment, sponsored by the Sedona Korean Association, consisted of three performances: Modumbuk drumming by the Chun-Ji-Mu-Joong (Heaven-Earth-Nothingness-Center) team made up of four American members from Sedona Dahn Center; double-sided Jang-go drum duet by Arang Park and Healing Park; and three forms of DahnMuDo self-empowerment martial art, with Chung-Suk, senior instructor at Sedona Ilchi Meditation Center, and American, Korean and Japanese Meditation Center volunteers and Sedona Dahn Center members.
The lavish buffet lunch featured Korean food created by Mago Café and beverages by Sedona Story. Sedona Ilchi Meditation Center gave all guests a key-ring gift.
From the glowing faces and words of the guests as they left the building, it was clear that the Sedona Story and Mago Café openings had been a joyous and successful event.
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it was great & exciting opening
Wow, it is really great news 
