Daily Archives: July 27, 2017

Paula Caucutt opened Natural Connection at 1012 Superior Ave., Tomah, 12 years ago. She describes the store as an alternative health emporium that sells vitamins, supplements and essential oils. She also carries beauty aids and organic foodstuffs. A very popular feature of the store is the old-fashioned soda fountain, where customers can get a good cup of coffee, mango smoothie or glass of Wisconsin wine.

Sandy LeCoursiere is a familiar local artist who has been on the Tomah art scene since 2002. While her art work is for sale, she is probably more well-recognized for the charities and organizations to which she contributes her creations. To name a few?

I donate a painting to the Hospital Foundation Golf Outings silent auction each year, she said. She is also a major supporter of the annual Wine into Water event, part of the Jesse Parker Foundation program, and she does the artwork for the Jesse Run theme each year.

For the last few Aprils, Paula has held an art show and sale as a fund raiser to support her daughters Chileda school in La Crosse. (The Chileda Institute provides progressive education and personal empowerment to children with developmental challenges.)

Sandy has been a major contributor to Paulas spring art shows. This year, however, she was unable to exhibit.

I felt bad that I couldnt participate, Sandy recalled.

So, over smoothies a few weeks ago, the long-time friends discussed ideas for selling Sandys art, while supporting local, area and national charities and bringing business into Natural Connection.

Im excited that Sandy came up with a unique idea, Paula said.

Beginning in August and continuing throughout the year, a piece of Sandys art will be on display each month at Natural Connection, with a chance to bid on it by patrons and visitors to the store. Fifty per cent of the final bid will be donated to a different charity each month.

The charities earmarked for the year are: Chileda School; Chasing Daylight; Family Promise; Families First; St. Clares Mission in Sparta; the Jesse Parker Foundation; Boys & Girls Club; Remedy Event, a La Crosse HIV/Aids Awareness group; Americana Music in the Park in Tomah; Feed My Starving Children; Last Paw Rescue, a national organization to save pets; and ACT, Tomahs theater group.

The first painting is on display now, and Paula said someone has already put a bid on it.

Asked whether the paintings will have seasonal themes, Sandy laughed.

I wont be painting a picture of Santa Claus for the December sale, she said.

How do the women see this project play out? Paula thinks bidding will be done by people enamored of Sandys artistry. Sandy, more modestly, believes that people who might have a special place in their hearts for the mission of Chasing Daylight, for instance, will bid on the picture highlighted the month that charity is featured. Either way, the program hopefully will bring people into the store to enjoy its friendly atmosphere over a morning Joe, indulge their interest in original artwork and contribute to worthy charities.

For more information, go to the Natural Connection Facebook page.

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Art auction to support local charities - La Crosse Tribune

Susan Lake (left) and Laura Meeks, life coaches, each with distinctive and compelling personal stories, speak at the Idyllwild Library on Saturday, Aug. 5. Photo by Marshall Smith

Susan Lake and Laura Meeks, both life coaches who focus on living ones dream and personal empowerment, tell their stories at the Idyllwild Library.

Lake is small and energetic, using her career as a writer/designer artist as a platform to coach her audiences about how to use their creative energies to find personal fulfillment.

Meeks, a Minnesota native, is tall, laid back and folksy, telling her story of change with gentle humor, humility and total absence of ego.

Lake began her career as a music educator, with a degree in Music Education from the University of Bridgeport. She fashioned a successful career as a performer, teacher, educator, director, producer and designer.

Meeks dreamed as a kid in rural Minnesota of flying planes, because, as she remembered, If you can fly planes, you can get out of Minnesota. That dream would lead Meeks to becoming one of only 25 people in the U.S. certified to occupy all four seats on a B-52 bomber pilot, copilot, navigator and bombardier.

But that was when Laura was Laurence and that is the story shell be telling of how she realized a truth about herself, and, with the help of her wife Annie, was able to authentically embrace that truth.

When I met Annie, we were both in the Air Force, said Meeks. But early on in our marriage, I started to recognize this fantasy of being a woman. Annie and I talked. I remember this specific discussion. Annie asked, Do you want to live as a woman? I answered I didnt know. Then, Annie said, Heres the deal. I will continue step by step forward and giving it my best. Then I said, Ill slow this down so that we have time to adjust. Weve been married for 31 years.

Both Lake and Meeks counsel on finding the courage and support structures to dream and become ones most creative and authentic self. Lake and Meeks have their own takes on how to do that. Both are published authors and have built successful careers as life coaches.

Meeks, after retiring as a major in the Air Force, formed a multi-million-dollar consulting firm ThinkQ Inc. with wife Annie. Meeks now uses that corporate expertise and management experience as part of her life-coaching presentations.

Lakes transformational and self-empowerment discussions are driven by her artists point of view. She teaches creativity as a keystone to living a life that matters to the individual, and contributes to the wider community and the world. We are all artists and its accessing our creativity that helps us manifest who we are from the inside out, said Lake.

Meeks talks of how freeing it was to have the support of Annie as she made her transition from Laurence to Laura. Do you know how hard it is for most men to keep a secret like that? she asked. Its like holding a brick at arms length for 24 hours a day. Annies an incredibly powerful woman and together we were able to choose a path that was worth living. We grew up together in our marriage.

Two women talk empowerment techniques and tell their life stories Living Bold and Laurence to Laura at the library from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 5. There is no charge to attend these talks and all are invited.

Marshall Smith has been writing for the Town Crier since 2005. His favorite quote is: '"Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not." Robert Kennedy quoting George Bernard Shaw

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Susan Lake and Laura Meeks, life coaches, to speak - Idyllwild Town Cier

Jamaican-born educator and leadership coach Dr Karren Dunkley, who was in 2016 named among the seven best principals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, will share her strategic life plan when she addresses women at A New You Empowerment Boot Camp in Mandeville, Manchester, on Saturday.

Known for her leadership skills, which have led to places being oversubscribed at Parkway Centre High School in Philadelphia, for which she is principal, Dr Dunkley was the only Jamaican among the seven principals who were named for the principal's award from the Christian R and Mary F Lindback Foundation in the United States last year.

A release from the organisers of the seminar said the award is given in recognition of principals in the district who have made significant leadership and humanitarian contributions to his/her students, staff and community.

An international speaker, Dr Dunkley is expected to address women at the Empowerment Boot Camp/Seminar, on 'How to Develop a Life Plan How to Get What You Want in Life.

The event, which is being staged by SUPHER (Sisters United for Prayer, Healing, Empowerment & Restoration) at the Lester & Mavis Reid Hall at Mandeville New Testament Church, is sponsored by the Jamaica Observer and aims to transform the inner and outer woman.

Founder of SUPHER Marie Berbick and Image Consultant/Essence Cover Girl Althea Laing will facilitate the event, with presentations from Dr Dunkley, anti-ageing physician Dr Sandra Knight, former CEO of the Child Development Agency Carla Francis Edie, and Bishop Romeon Facey.

We are aiming to achieve complete renewal for women who want to achieve their goals but are being hampered by personal or professional setback. The event will encompass presentations and exercises aimed at dealing with the inner and outer woman, getting women to discover their gifts, refocus, build confidence, re-energise, and bounce back from setback, Berbick explained.

While Dr Dunkley will focus on developing a life plan, the release said Berbick's presentation will focus on helping women to identify their gifts, and rebranding themselves. Dr Knight will look at health and wellness, skincare and body aesthetics while Francis Edie is expected to present on building self-esteem and belief in self, and Bishop Facey will teach women how to 'Bounce back from Setback Breaking Spiritual Barriers'.

There are many hurting women who need more than regular counselling and physical help to get back on their feet. Bishop Facey has an anointing for working with hurting women.

We have brought Bishop Facey on-board to provide guidance to participants who may be struggling to bounce back from any kind of setback. He will bring a different, but very important, perspective that is often ignored in the rebuilding process. Sometimes the struggles we face have spiritual aspects that are often ignored and thus the cycle keeps being repeated in our lives. Many people are not aware of this, so bishop will open the eyes of the participants to that reality and prophesy to them as the Lord leads, Berbick said.

Co-facilitator Laing said the day's activities will be geared towards helping women to take charge of their lives and get past issues that have damaged their confidence, and distracted and weighed them down, including unhealthy relationships.

In addition, we will focus on the importance of image and its role in building confidence, she said. Many women are able to feel empowered when they choose an assortment of colours or outfits which enhance their God-given beauty, allowing them to glow and accept who they are amidst the negative situations of life. We will focus on building a wardrobe on a small budget by identifying wardrobe essentials and accessories.

According to the release, participants will be treated to makeovers and a fashion show.

This event will be an eye-opener to many who participate, Berbick said.

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Leadership coach Dr Karren Dunkley for A New You Empowerment ... - Jamaica Observer

From the website, we aim to unify our strengths by honoring ancestral traditions while creating new ones. Each month we will gather with an array of Goddess Healers who will offer their sacred unique gifts and lead in varieties of Yoga, Meditation, Shamanic Drumming, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Massage, Dream Journeying, Healing Dance, and more. We gather to release, to celebrate, and to truly connect.

This particular Green Lodge included womb meditation and movement for sexual empowerment facilitated by Ashley Asatu, Reiki healing and Light Work Healing from Reiki Master Lauren Unger, a vulva confidence workshop and vulva gazing experience led by me, and finally a create your own ritual experience with Shannon from Jambo Superfoods. Mama Sailene hosted the dab bar with delicious flower rosin and the ladies from Quim Rock had a table showcasing their cannabis-infused pleasure topical. Each lodge has its own specific metaphysical medicine for the evening with a specific animal, crystal, goddess, and plant. For the LA lodge, the plant was Red Raspberry, the animal energy was Dolphin, the crystal was Garnet, and the goddess was Hathor. These were chosen to reflect the theme of love and sexual confidence.

Each activity was carefully curated and intentionally crafted to deepen connection both between the attendees and healers and within each woman in the circle. We were called to tune into our knowing and personal wisdom and to reflect that light back around the circle. It was powerful. I loved watching Ashley Asatu lead the movement exercises while sharing her experiences growing up in a sex-shaming family and the power she has found as she has reclaimed her body and voice. At one point she looked up, slightly sheepish, and said I know that vulvas are your thing, Ashley, so I dont want to go too far into this subject and I just smiled and said vulvas are ALL of our thing as I looked around the circle. Everyone laughed. I think its wonderful when other educators and practitioners talk about sexuality, bodies, and empowerment. Anyone who tries to claim that something is their thing is living in a mentality of scarcity. I prefer to live in a mentality of abundance theres room for all of us.

When it came time for my portion of the evening, I had no script. No outline, nothing specific prepared other than wanting to cover some general pleasure based anatomy and then set the stage for our vulva gazing activity. I spoke from the heart, which felt appropriate given the surroundings. I shared about my trauma history and how that shaped the way I moved through the world sexually. I explained that mindful cannabis use has helped me get back into my body, to counteract the symptoms of PTSD that I live with daily, and to help me feel empowered to center my pleasure and experience rather than just being a vehicle for someone elses pleasure. We talked about the messages people with vulvas constantly receive that there is a specific look, smell, taste, or hair aesthetic thats normal while variants are not and how those messages are complete nonsense. I encouraged everyone to meditate on the affirmation, my pussy is fucking awesome! and Mama Sailene actually recorded herself saying it for her Instagram story! I passed around a few books with photographs of vulvas in them so that everyone could see the beauty in the differences. As my portion came to its climax (so to speak,) I was honored to have Corinne Loperfido, an educator and collaborator on Pussy Powerhouse events, act as my demo model for a vulva gazing exercise. Youve heard of eye gazing this is similar in theory. The model is naked from the waist down and spreads their legs so that the vulva is fully visible. Attendees are encouraged to gaze at the vulva and notice what comes up for them. Anxiety? Shame? Excitement? Wonder? Bliss? There was no touching, but questions were welcomed and encouraged. I saw a few women shed tears. Many shared that this was the first time theyd seen a vulva in this context as opposed to in porn or in the locker room or when someone was giving birth.

I asked Maggie if she had any parting thoughts on the Green Lodge LA edition. She responded, I am always blown away by the women that attend because they are literally answering a calling. Thats the intention I put out with each lodge. My favorite moment was when Lauren Unger thanked everyone for showing up for themselves and experiencing each woman feeling they deserve to do that. The energy of the SoCal event was so vibrant and I know the autumn will bring me back to California with some powerful Raven and Rhiannon medicine.

Hope to see you at the next one!

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A NIGHT OF EXPLORATION AND EMPOWERMENT: Green Lodge Goddess Gathering Debuts in LA - Dope Magazine

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN OROURKETony Seaforth founded No Ceilings, a non-profit organization that provides academic advising, advocacy, tutoring, and support for middle and high school athletes.

By MARRIANNE SALZA

LYNN When Tony Seaforth attended Lynn Classical High School, his mother went to all of his football and basketball games, and track tournaments; but looking at his report card and holding him accountable for his actions were not always her priorities.

Aside from my coaches and teachers, I didnt have anyone to help me with college applications, said the lifelong Lynn resident. Everything that I had done to graduate from high school, I did by myself.

After receiving a football scholarship to Bentley University, and studying business management and marketing, Seaforth graduated in 2005. The desire to support student athletes from low-income communities, like himself, was always a passion of his.

The most important thing for me is to give kids a positive adult figure in their lives, said Seaforth, 35. Sometimes thats all the motivation they need to get over a hump, get on the honor roll, or want to go to school every day.

In 2011, Seaforth founded No Ceilings, a non-profit organization that provides academic advising, advocacy, tutoring, and support for middle and high school athletes. Since then, he has served some 500 students, helping athletes with building character, integrity, conflict resolution skills, etiquette, and self-confidence.

I embody the demographic that I serve. I was one of those kids who were at high-risk, high need, and came from a low-income household. Ive been in their shoes, Seaforth said. I want to understand what theyre going through and how I can help. Its important because without this, a lot of kids would slip through the cracks.

For a year, Seaforth worked for free to ensure the success of his program, working as a substitute teacher, offering therapeutic mentoring, learning how the school system works, and consulting guidance counselors and principals.

Seaforth, who monitors students grades, is proud of the lasting relationships he has made through No Ceilings, and seeing students reach their fullest potential.

Its a great resource for students because they have an advocate, said Seaforth, who understands the responsibilities of a student athlete. A lot of kids I serve dont have parental support academically. Im like the liaison between coach, player, teacher, and administration.

Seaforth empowers students by giving them the resources to help them achieve personal greatness and fulfill their post-graduate aspirations.

The goal of the program is to instill academic and life goals, so when they graduate, they have the opportunity to be employed or have an opportunity at a college, Seaforth said. I try to bring their academics up to where their level of motivation for sports is.

No Ceilings is not a traditional after school program, but more of an extension of the school day, promoting literacy to teenagers, and encouraging peer leadership. Through workshops and group mentoring, No Ceilings gives student athletes the tools to advocate for themselves and make the right decisions when faced with academic, family, or emotional issues.

Its a 360-degree program, Seaforth said. Theyre getting the after school support, but in school theyre getting held accountable as well. Ive seen a reduction in discipline infractions. Im very excited because they are great kids and deserve to be recognized.

Seaforth hopes to receive more funding in the future to expand his programs services, hire student athlete coordinators for each school, and offer leadership summits, empowerment workshops, college visits, and group mentoring sessions.

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Seaforth empowers students to achieve personal greatness - Daily Item

By Yinka Kolawole

THE Federal Government has set aside N1.6 billion for women empowerment programme called the National Women Empowerment Fund, NAWEF, under its Social Investment Intervention Programme known as the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, disclosed this on Tuesday, at a town hall meeting with women groups in Dutse, Jigawa State. She said the programme was being implemented by the ministry in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BoI).

GEEP is a micro-credit programme for men and women, boys and girls; and out of the GEEP Fund, the sum of N1.6 billion has been set aside exclusively for women. Both NAWEF and GEEP are financial inclusion and microcredit programmes, she said in a statement.

Micro-credit facilities

Alhassan said the aims of NAWEF and GEEP were to provide micro-credit facilities for men and women; reduce poverty among rural dwellers and provide skills development, training and business support, especially for women and assist in rebuilding the economies of rural areas through financial inclusion.

The minister noted that the programmes were meant to build strong partnership between the federal and state ministries of women affairs, BoI and development partners. She added that the partners for the programme are World Bank, African Development Bank, UN Women and UNIDO, among others, to provide a solid platform for implementing the programmes.

According to her, there are 13 important features that every beneficiary needed to know about the scheme. NAWEF is exclusively for women, who engage in production enterprises while GEEP is for both men and women; artisans, farmers, market women or entrepreneurs, who engage in productive enterprise, she stated.According to her, each beneficiary can get between N10,000 and N100,000 as loan, which is payable within six months, with one-month grace after disbursement, before repayment starts. However, she noted that each beneficiary should belong to a registered association; cooperative society or any other trade organisation, which had a minimum of 10 members and a maximum of 20 members.

Application can be made in groups of 20 members from their different branches at State or Local Government levels, she explained, adding that the loans will be paid directly into beneficiaries personal accounts, not the group account. She added that each applicant must have his or her personal account, which must have BVN that could be used for verification.

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GEEP: FG sets aside N1.6bn for women entrepreneurs - Vanguard