Community members will be able to eat steak, dance and participate in a live auction this Saturday while supporting animal welfare.

The Monroe County Humane Associations annual Tails on the Town fundraiser will take place Saturday at the Bloomington Country Club. The event, which includes dinner, music, dancing and auctions, will bring in 200 attendees and raise more than 20 percent of the associations annual budget.

The event is vital in funding the associations many programs, including a low-income veterinary clinic, a pet food pantry, mobile vaccine clinics, animal education initiatives and an animal therapy team.

Its a fun evening to get together and relax and have fun supporting animal welfare in our community, event coordinator Kimberly Goy said.

Planning the event has been anything but relaxing, Goy said.

Goy and her team started planning for the event last December. They coordinated with the donors, the hosts at the country club, the auctioneers and the attendees to make sure the event runs smoothly.

If anything does go wrong, she said they will just have to roll with the punches.

Theres always something that goes wrong, but you just deal with it and put a smile on your face and remember why youre doing all this, she said.

Goy also said planning the event would have been impossible without the support of her committee, interns, volunteers and donors.

Almost everything from the centerpieces to the wine and beer was donated, she said. The wine came from Oliver Winery. The beer was from Upland Brewery. The desserts were donated by Kroger, and the dinner of crab cakes, grilled sirloin and vegetable strudels came from the country club.

I could sit at my desk all day, and I still wouldnt be able to do this myself, she said. It takes a community.

After all the planning, Goy said the best feeling in the world is to see the event come together. The end product makes all the work worth it, she said.

Theres just a huge sigh of relief, and then you look around the room and see the attendees smiling and laughing and having fun and just being happy to support the cause, Goy said.

One of Goys favorite parts of the evening is the auction, which includes smaller items such as yoga classes, golf instruction, and local food and restaurant vouchers.

The live auction comes next. Professional auctioneers present items such as a private airplane ride over Monroe County, a hot air balloon ride and an experience playing and painting with walruses at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Goy said attendees can be competitive during the live auctions, and it can fun to see them dress up in fancy cocktail dress, then throw up their bid cards while yelling at the auctioneers.

After the auctions, attendees will dance and listen to music by a Bloomington-based folk and rock band called Five Spoke Wheel. They will also hear representatives from the humane association speak about the changes they have undergone and the things they have accomplished in the past year.

While Tails on the Town is almost sold out for this year, Goy said there are plenty of opportunities for people to help out during the rest of the year. Volunteers can help plan events, help at the veterinary clinic and work with animal ambassadors at schools after filling out an online application.

Goy said the humane association is here to serve the community but it cannot do that without the support of that community. As a result, she said she is grateful to everyone who helps organize the event and keeps the association running every day.

We cant do this on our own, she said. We need all of you. We need the community.

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Tails on the Town to offer night of dinner, music and auctions to support animal welfare - Indiana Daily Student

Folk musician Gregory Alan Isakovperformed a 90-minute set including a yet-to-be-released song off an upcoming album in front of a lively audience at Liberty Hall Wednesday night. Lawrence was the first stop on Isakovs tour to promote his 2016 album Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony." The album is a collection of songs from Isakovs previous five albums, but reimagined with the accompaniment of a full orchestra.

Opening musician Sera Cahoone started the show with a brief set of fun, thoughtful American roots songs about love and the Colorado landscape. Cahoone and her violinist told the audience that theyd misplaced the money made from merchandise sales.

They werent kidding.

I feel like were going to find it because you guys bring a good energy, Cahoone said.

A constant chatter came from the audience for most of Cahoones set mostly from the bar area but the conversation wasnt rude or apathetic. Cahoone and Isakovs music created a relaxing, no-rules atmosphere.

At the beginning of the night, the line for the show was out the door at the scheduled 8 p.m. start time, with the performances running late. Free State High School seniors Mariah Houston and Kahler Weibe attended the show together at Wiebes request, who has been listening to Isakovs music for years. She said when she found out Isakov was coming to town, she immediately made plans to attend.

I was like, I am going to this concert, Wiebe said.

Houston, who plays the French horn in the Free State High School marching band, said she was looking forward to seeing Isakovs numerous instrumentalists perform.

After Cahoone's performance, Isakov came out alone, holding his guitar on a stage decorated with lamps painted to look like globes. The rest of his band joined him after the first song. Five musicians, each of whom played multiple instruments throughout the night, enthusiastically accompanied Isakovs songs. The violinist danced around stage during the more upbeat numbers, leaning over to jam with the guitarist or play along with the drummer.

The lights were turned completely off when Isakov played Big Black Car, off of his 2009 album This Empty Northern Hemisphere.The songs somber tone is much like most of Isakovs other music. He apologized to the audience for writing such sad music.

I realized recently that we dont have any happy songs, Isakov said.

Despite a slower tempo, the audience loved Isakov. The applause was thunderous after he played the final notes of Saint Valentine.

Isakovs band went on and off stage during the concert, leaving the frontman alone for a few tracks in the middle of the set. Theyd return and form an arc around Isakov, huddling and singing backup, as if they were a band of old musicians in the Appalachian Mountains.

Its like barbershop mixed with, Where are these guys from anyway? Isakov joked.

Isakov was warm and charming to the crowd. He felt comfortable enough to debut a song from an as yet unannounced seventh album.

He issued a disclaimer, saying that the song might not ever be performed again if the audience didnt like it.

They all deserve the chance to be played once before I kill them, he said.

The song title not given was in Isakov's regular sweet style and employed full use of his excellent guitar playing and soothing vocals.

Last night was not only the first stop of Isakovs American tour, but it was also his first time in Lawrence. He seemed to like being there as much as his audience did.

I think this one was the best first shows ever, Isakov said.

Edited by Ashley Hocking

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Folk musician Gregory Alan Isakov puts on fun, soulful show at Liberty Hall - The University Daily Kansan

Sun-News Reports , . 12:04 p.m. MT April 20, 2017

Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society will hold its fourth annual Red, White & Blues Festival at St. Clair Winery. The outdoor festival will feature six-hours of live music.(Photo: Ansaharju, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Enjoy a relaxing evening of blues and jazz during Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Societys fourth annual Red, White & Blues Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at St. Clair Winery & Bistro.

Three bands are booked for the six-hours of live entertainment, beginning with CW Ayon Trio from 4 to 6 p.m. CW has added two more players to his act, creating a new sound with Felipe Calavera on bass and Chris Smith vocals and guitar. CW has long been a local favorite one-man band with an amazing blues repertoire and is set to show off his new group.

The Muddy Hands Blues Band and Friends will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. The band has been on hiatus for a while, but will be cranking up the tunes with Ben Altamirano on harp/vocals, Bill Godby on lead guitar, John Hyndman on bass, Bill Haeker drums and Kenny Arroyos on keyboards. There will also be a guest horn section with Dwight Goetz and Josh Carter and backup vocals featuring Pam Rossi. Sage Gentle Wing promises to put in an appearance. This band has lots of local talent and has a wonderful feel playing Chicago Blues, Texas Shuffle and Memphis Blues. This has the making of a monster set so be there for a great sunset performance.

The third band set to play the festival is the Todd Tijerina Trio from Albuquerque from 8 to 10 p.m. Recipient of four New Mexico Music Award nominations in 2011, winning Blues Song of the Year for Nothin Like the Blues. Todd Tijerina is featured on guitar/vocals, Dave Heidt on bass/vocals and Mo Roberts on drums.

A hot time in Mesilla will be assured. The setting is idyllic as the St. Clair Winery & Bistro front lawn has a magnificent views of the Organ Mountains, the perfect backdrop for fine bands, drinks and food.

Tickets are $15 in advance with online sales at mvjazzblues.net or at purchase tickets at the following locations: St. Clair Winery & Bistro, Hubbards Music-N-More and Whites Music Box. Tickets at the door will also be sold at the door for $20. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, small sun umbrellas and sunscreen. No outside food or drinks are allowed.

Hosting the annual event is the Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promote the appreciation of Jazz and Blues art forms. The group also works to create opportunities for established and aspiring musicians. All proceeds for the festival go to the societys scholarship funds for NMSU music students. These funds are the Bob Burns Music Scholarship and the Helen Sachs-Helder Vocal Jazz Scholarship. The society will be having a raffle where the proceeds will go to their scholarship fund.

This years prizes include a Fender DG-8S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Pack which includes: acoustic guitar, gig bag, instructional material, strings, strap tuner and picks value $200, donated by Hubbards Music N More. St. Clair is donating a wine basket worth over $200 and there will also be CDs from the performing bands. Tickets will be $5 each or 3 for $10 with advance sales at Hubbards.

What: Fourth annual Red, White & Blues Festival

When: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 22

Where: St. Clair Winery & Bistro, 1720 Avenida de Mesilla

Cost: $15 in advance or $20 at the door

Info: mvjazzblues.net

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Annual blues festival highlights jazz talent - Las Cruces Sun-News

He could light up a room, said Cyndy Clark, a Gold Star mother, as she talked about her son, Sgt. Richard Giordano, to the other Gold Star Families at her table. I miss him every day and even though I didnt get to spend many years with him, I appreciate every second I did have with him.

Clark and three other Gold Star Families united with Soldiers from the 101st Special Troops Battalion, Sustainers, 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, 101st Abn. Div., April 13 to honor their fallen Soldiers during the Fallen Sustainers Remembrance Ceremony.

Clark, who lost her son in 2012 in an accidental drowning on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This is the third time Clark and her husband have attended the ceremony, and although Giordano was never part of the unit, the Sustainers have made her feel like part of the Family.

The unit has really adopted us into their Family here and its been great so far, Clark said. The respect they show us and our son every year is just truly amazing.

The ceremony honored 18 fallen Soldiers, 14 of whom were from the 101st STB, 101st Abn. Div. Sust. Bde, with the remaining four Soldiers from different units and duty stations ranging from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Abn. Div. to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Lieutenant Col. Wally Vives-Ocasio, commander of the 101st STB, 101st Abn. Div. Sust. Bde., said that although the ceremony was initially held to honor those who died during the attack on Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Afghanistan, on April 16, 2011, it was important to honor all the fallen Soldiers from the battalion and those Soldiers from the battalions extended Family.

We wanted to keep the ceremony close to the date of the attack because in one single attack we lost five Soldiers, said Vives-Ocasio. The unit has really adopted us into their Family here and its been great so far, Clark said. The respect they show us and our son every year is just truly amazing.

The ceremony honored 18 fallen Soldiers, 14 of whom were from the 101st STB, 101st Abn. Div. Sust. Bde, with the remaining four Soldiers from different units and duty stations ranging from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Abn. Div. to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Lieutenant Col. Wally Vives-Ocasio, commander of the 101st STB, 101st Abn. Div. Sust. Bde., said that although the ceremony was initially held to honor those who died during the attack on Forward Operating Base Gamberi, Afghanistan, on April 16, 2011, it was important to honor all the fallen Soldiers from the battalion and those Soldiers from the battalions extended Family.

We wanted to keep the ceremony close to the date of the attack because in one single attack we lost five Soldiers, said Vives-Ocasio. It was also important for us hold the ceremony because although some of the Soldiers were not from our unit, they are still our brothers and sisters in arms, and providing this ceremony for their Families is the least we could do for them.

The battalion and the Gold Star Families honored their fallen Soldiers by displaying the Soldiers photographs in front of a battalion formation and unveiling each picture one by one, then conducting a 1-mile remembrance run.

Clark, who walked the mile with two other Gold Star Family members, said she and her husband enjoy attending ceremonies like this because it helps honor the memory of their son.

Its comforting to know that the Army remembers their fallen Soldiers enough to take a day to honor and remember them, Clark said.

Clark added that organizations like the Tragedy Assistance Program, Army Community Service Survivor Outreach Services and the Gold Star Survivors program are what helped her and her husband after their sons death and encourages all Families who have lost a loved one to reach out to the different programs.

After the run, Families were invited to attend a breakfast in the battalions classroom while the 101st Abn. Div. band played for those in attendance.

Clark said she enjoyed everything from the unveiling of pictures to hearing the relaxing music the band played during the breakfast and cannot wait to see what the battalion has planned for next year.

Everything was truly wonderful this year, Clark said. Every year is different, but its always a wonderful experience and it means the world to us to see our sons picture displayed.

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Remembering those who gave all - The Fort Campbell Courier

We all experience anxiety differently, but the feeling can be crippling for anyone. Whether youre overwhelmed by work duties, a challenging relationship, financial struggles, or something else entirely, stress can come with some serious health consequences, from increased inflammation in the body, which has been linked to common diseases like depression and cancer, to digestive problems.

The main issue with stress is that most of us dont have the time to adequately address its source. So it piles up. And then we feel more stressed. Cue the vicious cycle. To rectify this, we wanted to find a way to beat stress fast. Thats why we asked Yoga Medicine founder Tiffany Cruikshank to lead us in a quickie meditation session that calms the mind without seriously impeding our day.

RELATED: The Best and Worst Ways to Cope With Stress

It all starts with your breath. Focusing on deep breathing can help you connect with the natural ebb and flow of your body patterns. Because youre probably not in tune with your inhalations and exhalations while you buckle down at your desk every day

As you settle into your breath, youll also feel your mind and body quiet. No micro-managing. No to-do lists. Just yourelaxedfor five minutes.

Ready to get rid of all that mental clutter? Us too. In this video, Tiffany will teach you how to get centered with a guided meditation that only takes five minutes to complete. Simply clear a space in a quiet place and start to inhale and exhale your way to a more mindful, less anxious you. And if you just cant get enough of Tiffany, visit YogaGlo for more of her classes.

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A 5-Minute Meditation to Help You Find Your Calm Now - Health.com

LETTER: 'Meditation Began My Life' Patch.com Letter submitted by Easton resident Casey DeLorenzo. To submit a letter to the editor of the Weston-Redding-Easton Patch, email joe.lipovich@patch.com. Allow me to preface this article by stating that I have no intentions of this article being an ...

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LETTER: 'Meditation Began My Life' - Patch.com

Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation was established in 1977, in memory of Jamnalal Bajaj, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. The Foundation aims to serve the ideals to which he had dedicated his life and promotes Gandhian constructive activities in which he was deeply involved during his lifetime.

Very few people are able to embodycore Gandhian principles throughout their lives. However, Jaywant Mathkarhas gone a step further beyond just embodying Gandhian valueshe has used them to set up organisations and initiatives that have improved the lives of hundreds across rural India.

Born on November 6, 1940, dedicated and selfless visionary are synonyms to Jaywant Mathkar. Since his teenage years, Mathkar got associated with and followed the well-known Konkan Gandhian Appasaheb Patwardhan. For more than six decades since then, Mathkar has been involved in Sarvoday movements. He brought development in his native Sindhudurg as well as in Maharashtra through many Gandhian organisations. At the all-India level, Mathkar helps in policy designing and bridging various social barriers.

Through the efforts of Mathkar and his associates, migration of peasants and landless people to cities outside Sindhudurg has stopped. As the Vice President of Gopuri Ashram, Mathkar strives to bring about overall development of the village community. Under his leadership, the organisation invented and installed smokeless chulhas in 2010 in 274 homes, conducted cleanliness drives in villages, and installed biogas plants in homes. It supports several Gram Panchayats that have won State and Central Governments Model Village awards.

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Gopuri Ashram has worked on sanitation initiatives since Patwardhans time. Mathkar has contributed significantly, with constant efforts to further strengthen the initiative. He has also helped set up several womens self-help groups. In 2010-11, Mathkar promoted 35 SHGs involving 350 women who have been empowered.

He addressed the issue of lack of livelihoods by creating food processing opportunities in Sindhudurg. In the 90s, he encouraged farmers to plant more of the traditionally grown cashew trees. The Ashram developed various 100 % natural cashew products, including the traditional barfi, modak, sharbat, etc. To set up these processing units, the Ashram provided loans to the farmers.

Employing 70-75 women in these units, these processors, through a cooperative, provided cashew trees to womens self-help groups. For that they have donated land too. The established farmers and the Ashrams team travel around the country to train farmers on cashew processing.

In addition, the activities of Gopuri Ashram include farming, banana/cashew plantation, nursery and natural medicine production, and sales of festive food items and Goseva. Gopuri Ashram has played a vital role in the areas of cleanliness, energy, water conservation, agricultural industry, education, and textile industry. The organization plays a very important role at the outset, giving a good start, soon after which the same work becomes the peoples work. As a result, people, on their own, encourage others for the fulfillment of objectives of the organization, and thus help it grow with their mind, soul, and resources.

Mathkar strongly believes in providing education to girls, which led to setting up a primary and secondary school for school dropout girls in 1979 in Kudal village of Sindhudurg. It is worth noting that the building was made utilizing donations received from the community and teachers. It now has 250 children of landless labourers, workers, etc. Many of these children receive scholarships that are raised by donations by teachers and the community. Emphasis is also laid on non-formal education.

Mathkar believes in peoples participation. This is conspicuous when you see involvement of each person at all levels associated with a particular activity. The team members and the beneficiaries are well-versed with the basic principles, values, and ethics of the Organization, i.e. Sarvoday.

The indefatigable Mathkar spends long hours traveling in public transport to reach and monitor several other Gandhian institutions and initiatives. Among the most successful of these is his khadi unit in Solapur. He set it up to make and sell khadi without the support and involvement of the government. It is among the few such large units today. From spinning, weaving, and dyeing to selling khadi, each activity is conducted independently, and several lakhs worth of khadi is sold every year.

An ardent Sarvodaya worker, Mathkar, in 1962, trained himself in Gramdan, Gram Swarajya, and Shanti Sena. Subsequently he joined Bhudan Gramdan movement with Vinoba Bhave. Mathkar vigorously worked in this movement, getting several thousand acres of land donation, and distributed it to the landless through Gramdan Nav Nirman Samitee. In the process, he registered about 20 villages for Gramdan, the most well-known of which is Vinobas birth place Gagode in Raigad.

Mathkar also worked hard for the Bhangi Mukti campaign under the leadership and guidance of Appasaheb Patwardhan.

Between 1982 to 1989, Mathkar served as the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Sarvodaya Mandal. He is the Joint Secretary and Trustee of Shantivan Ashram near Mumbai, running an old-age home and serving the disabled and Leprosy patients.

At the all-India level, the Sarvodaya fraternity knows Mathkar well.He works as an organiser of the Khadi Samitee of Sarva Sewa Sangh. Here, he organised Charkha Yagya, inviting 55 spinners from all the states of India to raise their voice and advocate for their genuine demands. Mathkar also successfully organized the Kargha Yagya (Weavers Congress), which addressed and tabled the concerns and difficulties of weavers on the floor of the Government.

With a khadi bag slung over his shoulder, Mathkar keeps going, ever ready to serve the needy. Bubbling with new ideas, he defies age in every way. Mathkar acts locally and thinks globally.

After receiving the Jamnalal Bajaj Award, Mathkar accepted chairmanship of the Sewagram Ashram Pratishthan, a trust founded by Mahatma Gandhi. Jamnalal Bajaj, whom Gandhi called his fifth son, was instrumental in establishing this Ashram.

Every year, approximately 10 to 12 lakh people from around the world (from about 150 countries) visit the Ashram to get inspiration from Gandhian thoughts. The Ashram has 122 acres of agricultural land, which is only partially under cultivation. But over the last three years, it has brought almost all the land under cultivation through natural farming. The Ashram produces all the types of vegetables it requiresin the farm. The Ashram makes tooth powder, jams, squashes, turmeric powder (haldi), and other naturally processed products from agricultural produce. The Ashram has a cowshed (gaushala) with 34 cows of one of the best local breeds.

Recently, Mathkar created a centre for demonstrating the complete process of converting cotton to cloth in the Ashram. This prototype produces the cloth and demonstrates the process to visitors, and enlightens them about the potential of employment it generates, inspiring them to use hand-spun hand-woven cloth i.e. khadi. All these activities demonstrate to visitors some of the economic foundations of gram swaraj.

To explain the historical role of the Sewagram Ashram, and to demonstrate all the activities of Ashram, it has four female guides who inspire the visitors while taking them through this place.

The Ashram runs one khadi shop and a book stall to spread Gandhian thoughts. Combined sale of both these outlets is approx. 30 lakh annually.

Dr. Ram Jadhav, the secretary of the Ashram, is very dynamic. He takes care of all the activities of the Ashram round the clock. The Ashram has a team of 40 inmates working dedicatedly in different areas and functions.

Radha Bhatt andex-acting Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Chandrashekhar Dharmadhakari are the guides and philosophers for all the activities of the Ashram.

The Ashram does not take aid or grant from Indian or foreign governments, or any of their agencies. The Ashram generates its funds from donations from visitors and general people, in addition to various agricultural and dairy produce.

For more information about other past winners, visit the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards website.

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Appasaheb PatwardhanGandhianGopuri AshramJaywant MathkarMaharashtramahatma gandhirural indiaSarvodaya

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TBI Blogs: How a Gandhian's Ashram in Maharashtra Has Helped Local Farmers Earn Record Turnovers - The Better India (blog)

The Hindu

A climb wrapped in silence The Hindu Two essential volumes by Arthur Osborne combined to give me a wealth of honestly rendered perspective: Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge and My Life and Quest (the autobiography of the founding editor of the ashram's journal Mountain ...

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A climb wrapped in silence - The Hindu

We start this week's look back in time with some high energy routines.

The Reformer reported that there was an aerobics craze sweeping Burnhill in April 1993.

The sports centre hosted many youngsters who were eager to try step aerobics, and the event proved so popular that the classes were set to be held on a regular basis.

The day featured youngsters trying out pom-pom classes as well, aided by a techno music soundtrack.

Music of a different sort had featured at Stonelaw High 10 years previously.

A group of pupils there had been hitting the right notes in April 1983.

For three senior girls, Jane Brotherston (17), Wilma Henderson (16) and Helen Stewart (17) all from fifth year, sang Mozarts aria Say Ye Who Borrow, and attained extremely high marks at the Cambuslang Music Festival.

Wilma was first, Helen second and Jane third.

Second year Gillian Henry was first in the junior section of the singing contest.

Pictured are (from left) Wilma, Helen, Gillian and Jane

Lastly, we stay with 1983, where a group of local women had been in top flight.

The Bower Bar in Rutherglen had held a darts competition over the Christmas period.

Coming out on top was Kate Monahan (right), who won a trophy for her efforts.

Runner-up was Martha Friars (left), while pictured in the centre is Nan Brannigan, the manageress of the Bower bar.

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Rutherglen's Throwback Thursday: Aerobics in Burnhill, music prizes at Stonelaw and a night at the darts... - Scottish Daily Record

Florida Times-Union

Vegan cinnamon roll bakery plans to open three locations in ... Florida Times-Union Cinnaholic could be serving up its vegan cinnamon rolls in Jacksonville as early as this summer. (Courtesy Cinnaholic). Jacksonville, we're getting not one, but ... and more »

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Vegan cinnamon roll bakery plans to open three locations in ... - Florida Times-Union