Bluffton Self Help handed out hundreds of meals Thursday to families who need them but because of an increase in demand due to COVID-19 they are now asking for community support. This is part of WJCL's Project Community: Giving Thursdays.For more than 33 years, Bluffton Self Help has served the Bluffton community and now they are seeing more people in need of food. We are seeing folks come in that have never needed help before that are really finding themselves in a situation that they never thought they would," said Kimberly Hall, executive director of Bluffton Self Help.People in the Bluffton community said they are very thankful for all the donations and community support during the pandemic."There is a need and anything they can donate is much appreciated," said Carol Hurst, who lives in Bluffton.Organizers said the need for supplies is even greater now."Right now we are serving around 320 families a week, which equates to over a thousand neighbors in Bluffton. That is about 12,000 pounds of food a week," said Hall.Organizers said the pandemic isn't going to stop them from making a difference. A lot of moderate income families are really struggling to make ends meet and putting that extra bowl of cereal and peanut butter on the table really makes a difference for them, said Hall.The coronavirus has caused big food drives to be canceled which is a major income of supplies for Bluffton Self Help. Now organizers are encouraging local neighborhoods to get involved. We would love if they would hold community food drives and have a central drop of point and deliver it here or we can come pick it up," said Hall. Organizers say your donations, whether financial or through a food drive, are making all the difference. It means a great deal to me because this will be whether I eat or starve. Because I am on disability and I dont have enough income to support going to the grocery store," said Hurst.Hall said for every $250 they can help feed a family of four for a year.Bluffton Self Help is offering free meals on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They have a drive through style pickup at their location in Bluffton. For more information on how you can donate items or moneyyou can go to Bluffton Self Help's website.

Bluffton Self Help handed out hundreds of meals Thursday to families who need them but because of an increase in demand due to COVID-19 they are now asking for community support.

This is part of WJCL's Project Community: Giving Thursdays.

For more than 33 years, Bluffton Self Help has served the Bluffton community and now they are seeing more people in need of food.

We are seeing folks come in that have never needed help before that are really finding themselves in a situation that they never thought they would," said Kimberly Hall, executive director of Bluffton Self Help.

People in the Bluffton community said they are very thankful for all the donations and community support during the pandemic.

"There is a need and anything they can donate is much appreciated," said Carol Hurst, who lives in Bluffton.

Organizers said the need for supplies is even greater now.

"Right now we are serving around 320 families a week, which equates to over a thousand neighbors in Bluffton. That is about 12,000 pounds of food a week," said Hall.

Organizers said the pandemic isn't going to stop them from making a difference.

A lot of moderate income families are really struggling to make ends meet and putting that extra bowl of cereal and peanut butter on the table really makes a difference for them, said Hall.

The coronavirus has caused big food drives to be canceled which is a major income of supplies for Bluffton Self Help. Now organizers are encouraging local neighborhoods to get involved.

We would love if they would hold community food drives and have a central drop of point and deliver it here or we can come pick it up," said Hall.

Organizers say your donations, whether financial or through a food drive, are making all the difference.

It means a great deal to me because this will be whether I eat or starve. Because I am on disability and I dont have enough income to support going to the grocery store," said Hurst.

Hall said for every $250 they can help feed a family of four for a year.

Bluffton Self Help is offering free meals on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They have a drive through style pickup at their location in Bluffton.

For more information on how you can donate items or moneyyou can go to Bluffton Self Help's website.

More:
Giving Thursday: Bluffton Self Help is asking for community donations as demand increases - WJCL News

Self-care is my jam.

You can find me doing it multiple times a day with yoga classes, self-help books, and the good old fashion bubble bath.

I consider it a hobby finding ways to treat myself, love myself more, and fill my days focusing inward instead of outward.

When I think back to when I first got into self-care though, it did not always come naturally to me.

When I first discovered it, I was in a toxic relationship, filled to the brim with anxiety, and I was seeking something to help me process the turmoil inside of me.

Self-care was a tool that helped me change my entire life, but I had to master it.

It started as a simple bath. I would fill it up with bubbles, read a poetry book on love, and listen to overly emotional music to melt the night away.

I would sit in that bath and feel, letting go of all the walls of strength I was holding up with the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Over time, self-care taught me how to nurture and love myself. And it has become a necessary part of my daily routine.

The answer, simply stated, is my attitude towards it.

When my attitude changes to one of scarcity instead of abundance, self-care becomes challenging to stick my mind to.

When I am tired, worn out, and lack motivation in general, taking that extra step to show myself love and affection becomes overwhelming.

Instead, it is easier to have an attitude of apathy. So, I turn my back on myself.

When youre mad at someone, do you jump at showing up for them? Probably not. Likewise, it is harder to show up for yourself when you are down in the dumps.

Foolishly, we get upset with ourselves for feeling feelings other than happiness. We become bummed at ourselves for not having a good day.

So when we feel anxious, depressed, tired, and in pain, it is easier to pull away, kick some dirt at ourselves, and scoff off into a world of shame and emptiness.

And that is why we must pull through and do the opposite.

Love ourselves harder when we feel our lowest. Give ourselves care, compassion, and grace when we feel like we dont deserve it. Force love on ourselves, as we would someone whom we believe in but who doesnt believe in themselves.

There is healing in that, power we do not fully understand. So take a bath and read sappy poetry. Put on a face mask and give yourself a manicure. Force yourself through a yoga class or go on the run.

Whatever self-care means for you, do it every single day including the days where you do not feel like doing it at all.

Show up for yourself when you need it most because that is where the power of self-care truly lies.

That is how self-care becomes the greatest act of unconditional love.

This post was previously published on Change Becomes You and is republished here with permission from the author.

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Aspiring writer of all things codependency, relationship, and healing related plus all the life that happens around it. Instagram: @ali_ringer

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Why Self-Care Is Harder When You Need It Most - The Good Men Project

Editor's Note: This is a preview of USA TODAY's newsletter Staying Apart, Together, a guide to helpus all cope with a world changed by coronavirus. If you would like it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Saturdays, subscribe here.

We got it this week. We're ready.

It's USA TODAY TV Critic Kelly Lawler, and Iam back after a few refreshing days off. Mostly I baked things, with the help of this amazing bread cookbook. I know flour and yeast are scarce right now, but I've never felt more prepared to make artisan bread loaves, the shortest recipe of which takes, oh, eight hours.

"Flour Water Salt Yeast" by Ken Forkish(Photo: Kelly Lawler/USA TODAY)

I might never have attempted it pre-coronavirus.It's not for everyone, but man did I love doing it. When the finished product starts to look better, maybe I'll share some pictures with you guys. (Some less-involved bread recipes here.)

Getting unplugged, spending some time outside (six feet apart from anyone else) and enjoying my fresh-baked breadhas been incredibly restorative for me. I'm not saying that I was as rested and raring to go on Monday as I would have been on a normal day in the office, but I felt pretty close. I will ride this wave of energy and determination as long as it lasts. Maybe through, oh, I don't know, Wednesday? Hey, in a pandemic, I'll take what I can get.

Subscribe to Staying Apart, Together for a little joy every Tuesday and Saturday

Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in CBS's 'Elementary.'(Photo: Michael Parmelee, CBS)

In addition to continuing my questto watch all of the James Bond movies (we just got through "Live and Let Die," and the Paul McCartney theme song is still stuck in my head, I'm not mad) I spent some of my time off revisiting "Elementary" (streaming on Hulu right now). The CBS cop show take on Sherlock Holmes offers simple escapist fare. In this Holmes story,Sherlock (Johnny Lee Miller) moves to New York for rehab, Dr. JoanWatson (Lucy Liu)is a surgeon-turned-sobriety-counselor-turned-investigator,and the deductive genius of Holmes catches killers and saves lives. There isa beautiful simplicity to it, and it has more levity and downright humor than other cop shows like "Law & Order: SVU." Plus, it has more than 150 episodes, so you'll go for awhile without needing to find a new series.

Last week we published a story I wrote in which I talked to psychologists and other experts about the fact that we don't have to be super productive during this time. It's sort of an official OK to just take it easy, focus on your health and your family. We couldn't publish everything the experts told me, so I wanted to share some tidbits from myinterview withneuroscientist Richard J. Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.He had more great thoughts on staying calm and centered in quarantine than could fit in my story.

Q: Why do you think there is increased pressure to be productive in quarantine?

Davidson: I think we can be so focused on the immediate needs at work that we fail to adequately consider the context in which the work is occurring.

Q: What is your response to people feeling stress from this pressure?

Davidson: I think we need to pay attention to what they are saying! They are naming something real and important that we must recognize.

Q: If people do find themselves with extra times, how can they practice relaxation and take care of their mental health?

Davidson: It actually does not require any extra time. It simply requires some intentional focus. We can practice relaxing as we are walking, cleaning our house, doing the laundry etc. We can also practice a little self compassion at these times, recognizing that no one is perfect and not being too hard on ourselves for failing to accomplish something in the time we had originally planned, for example. We can also practice appreciation. So much of our lives, particularly in this challenging time, depend upon others. We need others to help us get our food, to pick up the garbage, and of course, to care for our health if that should be needed. Intentionally cultivating appreciation for these many people who are serving others in this challenging time can be enormously helpful in promoting our own well-being.

If you are struggling to explain our new reality to your kids (or grandkids or nieces and nephews), here's a free, downloadablecoloring book fromTender Press Books and Zero to Thrive at the University of Michigan that makes it all a little easier.

Do you like choir music? This will completely blow you away.

We received so many pictures of adorable pets (dogs, cats and even a bunny!), so thank you all for sending them. It makes me so happy to have a little fluffy joy in my inbox. Putting two pets in today's newsletter so you can see as much cuteness as possible.

First up, Mac. His owner says, "Hes a therapy dog and is missing his buddies at the hospital. He cant wait to see them all again and wants them to know they are amazingly awesome!"

"Max"(Photo: Courtesy of Paula Zechman)

Next is three-year-old Boo, who understands the value of shelf-stable foods right now.

"Boo was rescued from a terrible hoarding situation in Northern Iowa and brought into the Northern Illinois Samoyed Assistance rescue (NISA)," says her owner."She was skittish of most people and terrified by loud noises. She stayed with her foster family for over a year before she was finally ready for adoption. We were fortunate to become her Forever Family in August 2019 and love her very much!"

"Boo"(Photo: Courtesy Leslie Allison Seei)

Thank you Mac and Boo. You are very good dogs.

Thats it for this Tuesday. Stay safe, stay well, and I'll be back with more tips and furry friends on Saturday.

All my very best,

Kelly Lawler

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2020/04/21/staying-apart-together-newsletter-elementary-bread-self-care-coping-coronavirus/2999090001/

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Staying Apart, Together: A cop show, bread and self-care to help you cope with the pandemic - USA TODAY

Over50,300Americans have lost their lives to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This pandemic is also causing widespread confusion, social disruption and significant economic consequences. Many health care systems, associated personnel, and other essential services are stretched beyond the capacity to address the physical health care needs of their citizens.

Equally important are the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on individuals, their families, and communities. As a psychologist, I'd like to encourage folks, now several weeks into quarantine, to be courageous give yourself a mental healthcheck-inand seek support if you need it. Here are some assessment tools and resources that can help you.

During previous pandemics, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003,affectedpersons experienced intense levels of fear, loneliness, boredom, anger and worry over the impacts of the virus, including the quarantine and the health of their family members. As scientists, governors, and economists try to balance the costs of social distancing and stay-in-place orders with the desire to re-open businesses, a lot of us are feeling a roller coaster of intense emotions ranging from fear, loneliness and boredom to anger and grief.

First, it's essential to know that you are not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented public health challenge with reverberating physical, mental, financial, occupational and social stress on individuals and communities around the globe. You are not alone to be afraid that you or a loved one will contract COVID.

If you're feeling bored, lonely, or irritable because you areadheringto social distancing guidelines, you are not alone. If you're frequently checking in to your national news sources and drop to your knees and cry or want to puke upon hearing the total number of deaths nation and worldwide, you are not alone. If you're trying to manage your work and homeschooling and find yourself wanting to scream at the top of your lungs, you are not alone. Being depressed and anxious when you are unemployed may seem expectable; however, it is essential to work to manage and overcome the everydaythoughtsthat come with depression/anxiety so you can be more able to seek and realize job opportunities and engage with future employers.

Second, it's essential for us not to minimize the stress we experience from large health or financial hardships to small inconveniences. This is hard and I don't support putting on a fake happy face and telling people you are coping well when you're not. It's essential to recognize that struggling in the face of this pandemic is normal.

As a psychologist, I like to tell the people I work with (as well as myself) that it's important, to be honest with ourselves and courageous in examining our emotions. There are plenty of good free online assessments folks can take to help them better understand how they're doing when it comes todepression,anxiety,alcohol misuse, andsleep difficulties.

Third, there is no need we have to struggle on your own. If we currently aren't connected socially or spiritually, and we need additional assistance, there are many good opportunities to engage in mental health self-care. For instance, some of us may only need a few reminders or some encouragement to engage in positive stress coping strategies. There are lists of ways we can take goodcareof ourselves by maintaining a routine, going to bed around the same time every night to get better sleep and not engaging in the excessive use of alcohol and other substances.

E-mentalhealth applications are particularly promising because of their accessibility, anonymity, and low cost. E-health apps typically can be grouped into four broad domains psychoeducation, screening, assessment, and monitoring of symptoms, interventions, and social support (discussion groups, chat rooms).

Most of these are Internet-delivered self-help apps involve minimal e-mail or telephone contact with a coach or mental health counselor. One major issue for the public is how to sort out which of these apps are evidence-based and which are unsubstantiated hype.

The followingsourcecan help people access a list of evidence-informed mental health technologies. One fantastic Internet-delivered intervention that has good evidence to help people prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety isMoodGYM.

Not only is this interactive self-help book free to the public, but it has also been translated into several languages. Other programs, which are evidence-based but cost a fee and thus may require you to check with your health plan or provider are,Beating the BluesandCALM Tools for Living.

There are additional mental health resources and apps which are easily accessible and self-paced. One group of very engaging evidence-informed mental health apps are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and are free to the public.

For example,COVID Coachwhich helps individuals cope with stress related to the pandemic;CBT-i Coach, which provides proven strategies to help improve sleep and help alleviate symptoms of insomnia; and finally,Mindfulness Coach, which provides tools to help people find emotional balance.

Moreover, many good mental health providers engage in tele-mental health. Often these are provided through clinical video teleconferencing or telephone sessions, but sometimes even use texting. These allow a therapist and a person in separate locations to see each other and engage in real-time two-way interaction. I know some people don't find this option ideal and to be honest, I also prefer sitting across from an individual, couple, or group and delivering face-to-face care services. Unfortunately, due to shelter in place orders, this can't easily happen for many of us right now. Not being able to leave our homes, however, should not prohibit individuals from seeking or engaging in mental health treatment.

Numerous organizations offer directories for mental health providers who deliver services online. These include discipline-specific associations like the AmericanPsychologicalAssociation and the AmericanPsychiatricAssociation as well as anxiety and depression groups, listed by state and their specialty areas, that haveclinicianswho provide tele-mental health services. There's even agroupof mental health providers offering short-term, free and reduced tele-health sessions for healthcare professionals, first responders, grocery store employees, and other essential front line workers.

Finally, self-help books that focus on mental health difficulties are also widely available. Unfortunately, there is relatively little research on how strongly these books are grounded in evidence-based behavioral science. In apaperpublished in 2008, a small group of psychologists identified 50 top-selling self-help books for anxiety, depression and trauma.

They then rated each book on overall utility; it's grounding in science, the extent to which it offered specific guidance for implementing the self-help techniques and whether it offered potentially harmful advice.

This PDF version of that paper, with a list of all 50 books, isavailablefor a small fee. Some of my favorite, newer work produced since 2008 include: "The 10-Step Depression Relief Workbook: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Approach" and "Show Your Anxiety Who's Boss: A Three-Step CBT Program to Help You Reduce Anxious Thoughts and Worry."

Staying physically healthy and safe during the current pandemic requires good management of our mental health. As all of us continue to cope with intense emotions associated with COVID-19, please know you are not alone and good mental health is available.

Joan M. Cook, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and associate professor at Yale University who researches traumatic stress and clinically works with combat veterans and men and women who have experienced physical and sexual abuse across their lifespan.

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Suggestions for tele-mental health resources for coping with COVID-19 | TheHill - The Hill

Cadillac Custom Tattoo & Piercing owner Bryan Michael stands outside his empty shop on Market Street in Wilmington, three weeks into to state-mandated closure of tattoo shops. (Port City Daily photo/Johanna F. Still)

WILMINGTON Since closing his doors, Cadillac Custom Tattoo & Piercing owner Bryan Michael has received a few late-night texts asking for appointments.

They arent frivolous, I need new ink messages. Rather, its If I dont get new ink soon, I may hurt myself.

That might sound extreme but Michael says his shop frequently works with people that struggle with self-harm who turn to tattoos as a safe alternative to hurting themselves.

Normally, the 3 a.m. conversation would lead to a same-day appointment. Hey, Im stuck at home, Im going through this, when can you get me in?' Michael said these clients ask him. I try not to say no. I try to say, the second that were open, those people are our priorities.

Professionals employed in the personal care industry do improve or alter surface-level appearances, but frequently, their work is more than skin, hair, or nails.

Forced to stop work on March 25, a majority of personal care professionals have had little to no way to earn a living. In an industry propped up by small businesses and independent contractors, public assistance for these roles has been scarce. Unemployment claims became available to independent contractors for the first time Friday, a full month after Governor Roy Coopers Executive Order 120.

With federal stimulus checks spotty, and forgivable loans dried up, many of these workers have had no income, and no way to work, for four weeks. Its worth noting that these workers didnt reach out to Port City Daily to bemoan their circumstances instead, Port City Daily reached out to them and asked if they would share their experiences navigating the new normal.

Authors note: This is part two of a two-part series. Catch up on part one, which features a nail artist and two hairstylists.

The inability to book clients struggling with self-harm has been the most difficult part of quarantine orders, Michael said.

So we have people that are stuck at home, that are dealing with those mental health issues in a more intense way, Micheal said. Thats what hurts me the most because I know that those people have come to rely on us. And not just people that deal with self-harm but people that are going through the loss of a loved one or a pet. This is the way they come in and deal with their pain.

Being cast as a non-essential worker doesnt make him salty, he said. But he said he thinks policymakers probably dont realize how his profession can function as a part of some peoples self-care routines.

I understand where theyre coming from. They look at tattoos as a luxury. And its not for everybody. For some people, its the thing thats keeping them safe and mentally well, he said. Even for myself, I find the process of tattooing to be very therapeutic. Its my happy place. Its my meditation.

Despite repeated attempts to get on the line with the states Division of Employment Security or get through to the Small Business Association about whether or not his application for assistance will suffice, Michael said hes received nothing financially and no communication back. Ive tried. You get hung up on. Itll feel like its going through and then youll click and itll be off. Or youll get, Were experiencing higher than normal call volume, please try again later. Click.

Now, hes living on credit cards and a loan from his sister since revenue dried up. He worries about his 19-year-old piercer, who had just moved on from an apprenticeship at the shop to serve clients independently. Luckily, Micheal said his landlord was willing to work with him on the building rent. I almost didnt say anything and just tried to scrape it together and use a credit card or something, she said.

A self-described optimist, Michael said the ongoing wishy-washy uncertainty around reopening makes it harder for him to hold onto the silver lining hes used to finding.Thats how I get through negative situations. Every bad thing comes to an end.

Tim Joyner didnt pierce half a dozen holes in his face to have to one day start over in a different profession.

I cant go find another job. Its hard for people that look like us to go get jobs. We look like our industry. We do not look like customer service necessarily to a lot of people, he said.

A piercer at Port City Tattoo in Wilmington, Joyner said his livelihood also reflects his lifestyle. Weve already made our lives, weve already put in years of work and sacrifices to get there, he said. This is our lifeline. This is what we do. This is the way we live. Were dedicated because this is what we have. For some of us, this is all we have.

Neither Joyner or his colleagues in the industry have been able to access public assistance since the closures. Were all 1099, he said of their status as independent contractors.

As the clock inched nearer to closing time March 25, Joyner said there was a strange feeling in the shop. It was a little more bittersweet. Every customer, youre getting closer to the deadline, getting closer to 5 p.m, he said.

Tax season is typically the tattoo industrys busiest time of year, he said. When people get a few extra bucks on their returns, they tend to spend some on body modifications before they run out and it gets harder to justify the expenditure. After this, who knows what money they may have, he said of his prospective clients.

As far as government assistance or reopening, Joyner said he hopes services like hair and nail salons are able to open before tattoo shops. Tattooing and piercing fall at the top of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, Joyner said.

I have always said that I was privileged to do the job I do. Having earrings and piercings is not a need. For me to be able to make it something that people want and consistently want is a privilege, he said.

Still, Joyner said seeing certain establishments deemed essential has been suspect. He feels the designation is less about the actual essential nature of the business and more about the individuals served by that business.

As far as golf courses, a few places, Im a little iffy about. But then again. I guess the clientele that they bring in make it easier for them to be essential. It has less to do with the job. It has more to do with the clientele, he said.

Looking ahead, Joyner is worried about how hell be able to make rent. How his shop will be able to make rent. He doesnt want anyone spending money they dont have.

This is a working-class industry. Therefore, anything that happens to the working class happens to us. If they cant make rent, we cant make rent. Were not getting funding, were not getting the big grants, were not going to get bailouts, he said.

As the states first hemp-based spa owner, Taylor Jameson of Treatments by Taylor at the Wilmington Hemp Spa attracts clients drawn to CBDs antioxidant properties. All treatments and products at the spa incorporate hemp products in some way.

Shes been able to offset some of the losses from being closed through product orders, but it doesnt compare to a typical week. When you do the amount of volume that we do every month, and then it is completely stopped, and not because of our choosing, its huge, for sure, Jameson said.

The licensed esthetician differentiates herself by offering CBD-infused products and treatments. After first turning to the cannabinoid when recovering from an injury, Jameson said her clients keep returning because of its calming and healing effects on the skin.

I have clients with psoriasis and eczema who arent able to get both reduced because of what were able to in the treatment room, she said. Clients with lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes extreme sensitivity to the sun, enjoy weekly spray tans. The CBD-infused tans give them a glow and also reduce the sensitivity in their skin, Jameson said.

Skincare treatments like facials can help clients treat acne and other inflammatory issues that can improve self-esteem, she said. Definitely confidence, feeling good about yourself, feeling normal. Feeling put together and looking like you care. People really appreciate that feeling.

Or, brow-tints and brow waxes can tame quarantine caterpillars. And then, of course, no one feels great with crazy brows. Good brows can really change a girl, Im serious.

One-year-old salon Casa PRANA shut its doors one week ahead of the governors orders.

I would never put money before health. so it wasnt even a question if we were going to stay open or not, owner Rebecca Oazem told the salons Instagram followers in a video March 21 after already being closed for a week. Oazem was urging policymakers to order the closure of stores in the industry to protect employees from violating social distancing requirements as cases of coronavirus increased in the state. Days later, the orders came through.

Just by watching how things were developing, we saw no need to cooperate in spreading this virus. What surprised me is that even though our industry generates over $56 billion yearly in the U.S. alone, we are still left behind and theres nothing in place protecting us when something like this hits, she said. Hopefully this will change in the future.

Five weeks into closing, Oazem is hoping some sort of financial support or forgiveness program comes through. We have applied to every loan category we fall under, I believe that now its only a matter of sitting tight and waiting, she said. We as a whole also need to understand this is impacting the entire world and wont happen overnight.

The sustainable salon prides itself on repurposing and recycling 95% of all waste. During the closure, Oazem said the salon is working on diverting even more waste away from landfills, with plans to go completely paperless once it reopens.

Current or prospective clients hoping to help the business stay afloat can simply leave reviews online, she said. Google and Facebook reviews and referrals are key to keep a business such as ours thriving, also following us on all of our social media channels. These things dont cost anything but if you are willing to help us financially, you can do so by shopping on our website.

Oazem is working on developing new products for the salons line and the whole team is taking classing, looking to improve their skills during the downtime. Im proud to say that my second family at the Casa has been working really hard over the last few weeks by taking online classes, video conferences with one another, polishing our skills, and making sure our clientshave the best visit possible whenever we reopen.

Send tips and comments to Johanna Ferebee Still at johanna@localvoicemedia.com

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'Non-essential' Part II: Covid-19 hit them early, but help lagged behind [Free read] - Port City Daily

Cloud stocks have been some of the biggest winners on the market in recent years, and few have done as well asAlteryx(NYSE:AYX), a provider of a self-service data analytics platform that allows businesses to break down and analyze data quickly and seamlessly.

Shares of the SaaS (software-as-a-service) stock have soared since its 2017 IPO, up more than 600% since then, as you can see from the chart below.

^SPX data by YCharts

Given the stock's breakout growth, investors may be wondering if it's too late to get in on this high-flying millionaire-maker. Though Alteryx has clearly rewarded early investors, there are a number of reasons to believe that it can still be a multi-bagger from here on out. Let's take a closer look.

Image source: Getty Images.

It's hard to deliver mammoth returns without strong top-line growth, and Alteryx does not disappoint here. The company's revenue jumped 65% to $417.9 million as it continues to grow its customer base and executes its "land and expand" business model, finding new customers and growing relationships with them over time. Total customers increased 30% last year to 6,087.

Not only did Alteryx's 2019 revenue soar, but top-line growth actually accelerated in each quarter, going from 51% in the first quarter to 75% in the fourth quarter. Management explained on the earnings call that fourth-quarter growth was driven by a record increase in large contracts and an uptick in contract duration. The overall acceleration of its revenue growth and those tailwinds in the fourth quarter bode well for growth in 2020 and beyond. High-growth companies generally see growth decelerate as they mature, not the opposite, so that acceleration is a sign Alteryx is executing particularly well and its product portfolio is in high demand.

Like other cloud software companies, Alteryx operates through a subscription model, which helps create sticky relationships with customers as they are billed at regular intervals, and it drives operating leverage as fixed costs are relatively stable. Revenue from incremental subscribers essentially goes to growth drivers like research and development and sales and marketing, or straight to the bottom line.

Last year, its gross margin was 91%, meaning that only a small portion of its revenue is used to cover direct costs like data centers and employees in customer support and professional services like consulting. That high gross margin should help the company grow profits over time.

Additionally, Alteryx's products are sticky with its customer base, with the help of switching costs and network effects through Alteryx Community. Once customers have integrated its tools, they are highly likely to continue using them. According to the company's 10-K report, "Over time, many of our customers find that the use of our platform is strategic and collaborative in nature and our platform becomes a fundamental element of their operational, analytical and business processes." The key word there is "fundamental." Even in tough times like today's, Alteryx's customers, including titans of industry like Chevron,Netflix, andToyota, aren't going to ditch the software to cut costs. It's become an essential tool to them for measuring and improving their business.

Alteryx's net dollar-based expansion rate has been at least 125% in each of the last 12 quarters, meaning that existing customers on average have increased their spending on the platform by at least 25% each year.

Alteryx competes against a broad range of tech companies both big and small, but the data analytics specialist is benefiting from tailwinds in the industry that are driving a shift to the kind of self-service analytics that Alteryx provides. A number of its competitors are "manual, spreadsheet-driven processes and custom-built approaches in which potential customers have made significant investments," creating ample opportunities for industry disruption.

Alteryx CEO Dean Stoecker estimates there is a $24 billion addressable market in data analytics, giving the company a long runway for growth as it generated $417.9 million in revenue last year.

Alteryx shares aren't cheap, but compared to other high-flying cloud stocks, they look reasonably priced. The stock is down nearly a third from its all-time high due to the coronavirus-fueled sell-off and is cheaper than high-growth SaaS peers likeOktaandShopify, both of which have slower revenue growth than Alteryx. On a price-to-sales ratio, the most common way of measuring SaaS stock valuations as many are operating at a loss, Shopify trades at 46 times sales, Okta is valued at 31 times sales, and Alteryx is worth 19 times sales.

Additionally, Alteryx is profitable and has been cash flow positive for the last three years. Last year, the company finished with $38 million in operating income on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.94, giving the company a P/E ratio of 120, which is high but not astronomical given its growth potential.

Alteryx is valued at about $7 billion, making the company small enough that the stock could easily double or triple from here if it continues to put up strong growth.

Though Alteryx may have already made millionaires out of early investors, the recent pullback offers a good opportunity for new investors to catch a ride on this growth machine.

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Is It Too Late to Get In On This Millionaire-Maker Stock? - The Motley Fool

Gangtok: The Department of Horticulture, Government of Sikkim distributed Four Refrigerated Vans to the Self Help Groups (SHGs) of identified Model Village and SIMFED for the transportation of Farmers Produce in the State of Sikkim. The Honble Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture Shri Lok Nath Sharma flagged off the well equipped Refrigerated Vans from Krishi Bhawan, Gangtok, this morning. Out of the four vehicles, Minister Sharma handedover one each vehicle to the Tundong Self Help Group from Ringhim Nampatam, North District; Lower Kamrang Labour Cooperative Society from Mamley Kamrang, South District, Sikkim Vegetables Growers Association from Bermiok Berthang, West District and Sikkim State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federations Ltd. ( SIMFED), Gangtok. While interacting with the Media Persons, Minister Sharma congratulated the SHGs & SIMFED and urged SHGs to collect farmers produce from their Model Village and clusters of their peripheries in coordination of concerned Farmer Producers Organization ( FPOs) and to carry out marketing in their respective districts. Minister Sharma informed that the Refrigerated Vans are well equipped with technical facilities to sustain life of perishable vegetables after collecting from the farmers. The state government has handedover refrigerated light weight fabricated vehicle of Rs. 17 ( Seventeen) Lakhs to each SHG, which has storage capacity of thirteen hundred kilograms with external AC system that works even when the vehicle is not running or started . He also urged SHGs to utilise vehicles only for the transportation and Marketing of Farmers Produce and not to misuse against its dedicated purpose. He also said that, already more than thirty vehicles are in the field with FPOs and this additional refrigerated van will strengthen the marketing of farmers produce at large as envisioned by the Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri P S Tamang to benefit the farmers in all districts. Later, the Minister interacted with the senior officials who have been working for packaging of flowers and selling through online delivery system aap Mitho which receives online order from the customers. Minister congratulated and appreciated Senior officers and staff for coming forward and setting a historic record for grading and packaging of the flowers in the office during lockdown period to ensure marketing of the flowers of the local growers from different parts of the state

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Sikkim Department of Horticulture distributed Four Refrigerated Vans to the Self Help Groups - India Education Diary

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many of us to upend nearly every aspect of our daily routines.

For some, the confusion and fear could lead to an increase in stress or anxiety. Experts have consistently recommended meditation as a way to cope with stress. It's a practice I've never dedicated time to before these past couple of weeks.

My sleep quality has become dismal since I started working remotely. It's harder to get in and out of work mode. So, I decided to try some meditation apps to see how much they help.

Here's a few I've tested and what I like about them.

Headspace is my favorite meditation app. it's also likely the most recognized meditation app offered today, for good reason. It offers simple, guided meditations and workouts for everyday use, no matter the time of day or mood you're in.

Headspace is free with a few meditations, but access to its full library will cost you $69.99 per year, with a free two-week trial, or $12.99 per month, with a one-week trial. Healthcare professionals working in public health settings in the United States get free access to Headspace Plus through 2020.Coming in at $70 per year, it's pricey and not accessible for everyone.

What's good?

The thing that first struck me was the app's simplicity. The screen doesn't feel cluttered with content. I like the variety of the sessions, which makes it easy to pick a practice that fits the time of day and my mood. I also like that the app has "SOS" meditations, so if I'm feeling overwhelmed or panicking I can do a three minute session and reset.

I wouldn't enjoy the app as much without its full features, so it's an all-or-nothing platform for me. I started its restlessness course, did a guided 9-minute walk, a couple of SOS meditations and used the goodnight wind down (and slept well!)

All of that bundled together is worth the price to me, since it's all good content and I seem to be sleeping better. I also think that, as I continue learning from the courses and getting better sleep, I'll have to do fewer of the SOS meditations.

What's bad?

The meditations are silent when the instructor isn't talking, so there were several times I thought my app shut off and I had to snap out of meditation and check. There needs to be a way to add background noise to the app, and if there is then it's not easily accessible.

Download on iOS or Android

Calm app screens on an iPhone

Source: Calm

Calm is another popular app. The company says it will help you sleep better, stress less and live better through its guided meditations, soothing music and sleep settings.

It's free, but the company charges for access to the bulk of its content. Calm Premium has a seven-day trial period and then costs $69.99 per year. You can also pay $399.99 upfront to have service for life.

What's good?

I like Calm because of its daily check-ins, which allow me to track my mood over time. The voices are soothing and the instructions are clear, so it is a simple experience once you find what you need.

The biggest draw to Calm is its bedtime stories, which knocked me out, and its celebrity partnerships. As far as I know, it's the only app you can choose to have Bob Ross or Matthew McConaughey lull you to sleep.Calm also has a free resources page on its website, with calming music, meditation and mindfulness resources to help get you through the pandemic.

What's bad?

It's a bit hard to navigate through the meditations, so I spent more time than I wanted to finding a practice based on my emotion and what was needed at the time. I was also a little annoyed by how loud the default background noises play on the home screen.

I found Headspace easier to use for daily, basic meditations and courses than the other apps listed here. If you're looking for sleep stories and music, Calm is a great app.

Download on iOS or Android

Simple Habit app

Simple Habit

If Headspace and Calm had a baby app that grew up in Silicon Valley, it would be Simple Habit. It's a 5-minute meditation app for people who want to meditate but are also extremely busy.

It also offers longer sessions, if you want to expand your classes. I would try the free version of this one out to see if you prefer it over Headspace, but I found it best for people who just want a quick meditation each day.

Simple Habit offers many sessions for free, though you'll have to upgrade if you want to download sessions and access all of its meditations. Premium accesscosts $89.99 per year, $11.99 per month or $299.99 for lifetime access. The company said it will provide free premium content to "all people who are financially impacted by this difficult time and can no longer afford to pay," but you'll need to email them first.

What's good?

Similar to Headspace, Simple Habit has SOS meditations, which I liked when I was panicking and needed to calm down. I'm a huge fan of the option to turn on and off background noises, so I know the session is still going even if the instructor is silent.

I think the selling point is that it has meditations for several specific activities like preparing for a date or a difficult conversation. I tried these and I felt more present and prepared waiting for an important call.

What's bad?

Because of the quick nature of the app, some of the meditations feel rushed. If you upgrade, it's also very pricey for what you get. If you have specific activities you want to meditate during (doing the dishes, getting ready for a date), it's good for that. But, I found the other apps more valuable.

Download on iOS or Android

Insight Timer app homepage

Insight Timer has a slew of free meditations, talks and its own meditation timer, which lets you customize your experience.

It comes with a free 30-day trial and thencosts$60 per year for its premium content.But you should be fine without the upgrade, unless you want to download content or access courses.

What's good?

At first I thought the large amount of content was going to be a mess, but It's surprisingly easy to sift through Insight Timer's 40,000 meditations, since you can search by things like benefit (sleep, stress, health, etc.), time, narrator and popularity under the "Guided" tab at the very top.

Those filters are necessary to fill in, but simple and easy to do so, which is good. I also like that each class has an outline for what will be covered, so you can see if it's something that would benefit you.

You also can't beat the fact that it's free, so it's an app I may return to in the future or would recommend anyone who isn't able to pay for content.Overall, it's a great, economic-friendly app if you want to get into meditation.

What's bad?

You'll need to find which instructors and types of meditations you like, since its content is not as tailored as other apps. That'll take some trial and error.

Download on iOS or Android

Aura is an app designed to manage emotions and improve sleep through meditations, coaching, stories and more.

What's good?

Aura immediately asks you to set your sound preferences that play while the app is open, so you're not bugged by whatever the default is. Aura has a couple of options for picking content, and the standout feature is one that it gives you a meditation based on how you're feeling. That's great if you really can't be bothered by choosing a meditation but know what specific mood you're in.

Aura has a free 7-day trial then costs $59.99 per year. Aura is giving away 3 months of premium access due to the coronavirus, though it asks people to pay for the content if they're financially able to.

What's bad?

Aura reminds me more of a radio with channels rather than an app with specific programs.

Once you find an instructor you like, you could probably stick with them, but there's no clear set of courses like with the other apps. It's also hard to jump in and out of meditations as you search for one and read the descriptions.I could see it being a good self-help/motivation app, rather than one to ease my anxiety over time. If you're willing to give up that control over your meditation, it's a fine app but my least favorite of these reviewed since it's hard to sift through content.

Download on iOS or Android

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I tested a bunch of meditation apps, heres the one that helped me stay calm and focused - CNBC

Women of self-help groups of Assam are exploring the true concept of self-help.

From finding markets for perishable vegetables to making gamosas masks and contributing to Assam Arogya Nidhi, these women have managed to earn praise from the chief minister.

The women were able to find a market for vegetables with the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM). Most of the rural women (SHG members) grow a lot of vegetables and fruits besides paddy cultivation. They also have poultry, piggery and dairy farms. In view of the lockdown, the farm produce of these women came handy.

Under the initiative of ARSLM, a link was established with the district administrations and supply agencies so that the agricultural produce of the SHGs finds a selling outlet. The district administrations readily welcomed the initiative and directed the departments and supply counters to procure the items and also give the SHGs their profit, ASRLM state project manager (livelihoods and marketing) Dhrubajyoti Gogoi said.

As many as 2,500 to 2,700 SHG members have sold perishable commodities worth more than Rs 2.5 crore during the lockdown.

Various SHGs came up with mask-making initiatives as masks available in market in pharmacies were limited and not within the financial reach of many. The SHG members made gamosas in abundance which they traditionally do so during Bohag Bihu. This year the gamosas failed to find the desired market but that did not deter the women to be creative. They made trendy masks out of them. People across Assam are seen donning gamosas masks. The masks made by the SHGs are now branded as Asomi.

Till date more than 4,43,245 masks been made by 2,269 SHG members across the state and 49,069 have been distributed for free and 2,88,292 were sold to different organisations. Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal lauded the initiative of the SHGs and ASRLM.

ASRLM officials said SHG members and village organisations donated to Assam Arogya Nidhi Fund, Chief Ministers Relief Fund and PM Cares Fund.

With contribution ranging from Rs 2,000-20,000, more than Rs 12 lakh has been donated by 450 community-based organisations under ASRLM.

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Self-help groups live upto their name in Assam - Telegraph India

At the University of Wisconsin-Superior, Mickey Fitch-Collins, the interim executive director of student success, has overseen that transition for seven of the university's departments, three of which are federal government TRIO programs that serve students who have been disadvantaged, including low-income students.

"When this is all said and done ... I don't want to say we didn't try everything," Fitch-Collins said. "And I know I'm not the only that feels that way. I want to try whatever it is whenever it is to be as helpful as I can."

At UWS, where about half of the student body consists of first-generation college students, Fitch-Collins said she hears from students who have moved home, often to rural Wisconsin or Minnesota, where they are competing for resources in households of up to three or four generations of family members. On top of that, internet connections aren't always reliable and responsibilities can build for some students helping care for family members and younger siblings who are not in school.

While Fitch-Collins recognized there are some problems a university simply can't do anything about, they are trying to get as creative as possible in helping where they can. At many schools, including UWS, that includes setting up an emergency fund to funnel to students who need it most.

To keep tabs on how students are doing in their new distance-learning situations, UWS began using additional alert features offered through a student success-focused software program all UW campuses already used.

The early intervention program allows campus employees to put an alert on students for a variety of reasons, including low grades and poor attendance. Since the pandemic, UWS has since added internet and technology access issues as an alert. Faculty can also put an alert on students who aren't logging into their classes within the campuses online learning-management system.

"That (way) we could get back in touch with a student and say, 'Hey, you're not participating in your class. What's going on there?'" Fitch-Collins said.

Executive director of student services at UWS Mickey Fitch-Collins on a Zoom call Thursday. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com)

UWS might see between 40 and 75 alerts come in a week. The early intervention alert approach, Fitch-Collins said, is one way to break down barriers for students while connecting them to campus resources and has shown to improve students' academic persistence.

Since the university has always had a large population of online students, Fitch-Collins said they're fairly used to offering student services remotely.

Prior to the pandemic, tutors could work with students remotely with the help of a tablet that allowed the tutor to write out things like math and science equations while the student watches. With more students unable to meet with their tutors, UWS has purchased a tablet for every student tutor to use.

"This whole situation is giving us insight into what it means to be an online student," Fitch-Collins said.

Social Distancing signs hang in the Yellowjacket Union on the UW-Superior campus as Annette Tracy waits for students to pick up breakfast Wednesday morning, April 22. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)

Currently, UWS has 10 undergraduate majors fully online, which include design-your-own majors and minors. Nine graduate degrees are also fully online.

Elijah Currie, a first-year criminal justice student who moved out of his dorm room and back home to Hinckley, Minn., is part of the university's Bridge program for first-year students who would benefit from additional academic support.

"There's more contact, more checking up since it's not in person," Currie said of how the program has evolved with distance learning. "There are more emails from people helping out with Bridge. They are more on you, but you kind of have to be more on yourself and on top of things."

For Currie, finishing up the semester from home has meant home-cooked meals and fewer distractions.

"Obviously it's not ideal, being face-to-face is kind of like one of the main reasons you go to college on campus," Currie said. "But at this point you kind of got to work with what you have."

Sarah Tapper is a third-year student studying visual arts with an art therapy concentration. She flew back home to Oklahoma for spring break, at which point she did not yet know she wouldn't return to campus. UWS has allowed her to keep her belongings in her dorm room until she can return.

Now she's figuring out how to make due in her classes without her usual art supplies.

"My professors are really understanding about it and we've just kind of worked it out where I can use whatever paints I have at home," Tapper said. "Luckily I had some."

Tapper is one of five siblings in the household. Four of them are current college students, all studying a range of disciplines. Being able to do her schoolwork alongside siblings is one of the silver linings to Tapper's distance-learning experience.

"It's kind of interesting to be able to see each other work because we never get that opportunity," Tapper said, referencing, for example, hearing her brother play the French horn. "We kind of help each other out with more creative projects. ... I really enjoy it."

University of Wisconsin-Superior student Sarah Tapper, who studies visual art with a concentration in art therapy seen during a recent Zoom call. (Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com)

Like many higher-education institutions, UWS is getting creative with how it's continuing to offer tours to prospective students.

Physical distancing announcements started affecting campuses during what would normally be the university's busiest time for tours, said Executive Director of Admissions Jeremy Nere, who oversees a variety of operations including undergraduate admissions, recruitment and financial aid.

"So we ended up having to cancel a lot of those, our spring preview event. So that's been challenging," Nere said. "To combat that we've been working with our marketing department to develop as much of a virtual tour experience as we can."

Tailored Zoom and phone calls with prospective students as well as videos from students, faculty and staff have replaced the on-campus tour experience.

One of the first things the university's counseling services department did was begin conducting phone consultations with all existing clients, said Randy Barker, interim director of counseling services.

"Because many of them were moving home we wanted to make sure they were settled, they were safe," Barker said. "And the biggest role for us was making sure we were connecting them as much as we could with community resources and referrals."

UW-Superior senior Emma Duchrow, from Milwaukee, works at the information desk in the Yellowjacket Union Wednesday morning, April 22. The student is finishing up her internship before graduating in May. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)

Counseling services is also working toward offering telecounseling services soon, something Barker said he foresees UWS continuing to offer even after pandemic-related restrictions have lifted.

"We wanted to make sure that this wasn't something that we were just going to react to without really making sure that we went through the proper steps," Barker said.

In addition to counseling services, Barker also oversees the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-being meant to promote the science and practice of mindfulness.

Through the Pruitt Center students, faculty and staff as well as community members. On a daily basis, people can Zoom in at 3:30 for a mindfulness session where people can practice proactive self care approaches that Barker said are more important than ever.

Students, faculty and staff can also to partake in yoga sessions via Zoom offered through the Pruitt Center.

"It's been challenging, yet valuable," Barker said of all the transitions. "We've learned a lot of different ways of doing this work. It may not always be ideal, but the reality is we've had to adjust."

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How UW-Superior is tailoring its student services during the pandemic - Superior Telegram