Today: Developmental Disabilities (DD) Advocacy and Education Day
There are promising signs that the House members are developing revenue packages to restore funding to some of the proposed budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Significant budget cuts are being considered by the North Carolina Legislature that will dramatically affect services being provided to some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, especially those with mental illness and developmental disabilities.
A Developmental Disabilities (DD) Advocacy and Education Day will be hosted TODAY from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the State Legislative Building (16 W. Jones St., Court 1300, Raleigh NC 27601) in an effort to educate state legislators and the public on the negative impact that the proposed state budget cuts will have on advocates, families, professionals and organizations in the DD community.
Members of the DD community are encouraged to join in an effort to tell their stories to legislators as the budget process moves forward.
Additional details are as follows:
• The emphasis for this day is on providing educational information and meeting with legislators about developmental disabilities and the current budget issues being faced.
• ASNC and DD advocacy organization representatives will be on-site to provide orientation and talking points to participants.
• DD Advocacy and Education Day is not a rally. There will be no speakers, food, music or a confirmed agenda.
• Signs and placards can be carried outside of the building but will not be allowed inside the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
Your audience could benefit from learning more about the devastating impact that these budget cuts will have on agencies that help those living with autism as well as other developmental disabilities.
Wake Up! Do something useful today. Support NC’s Film Industry
What is 25 TO SURVIVE?
My friend and former UNC-W classmate, Richard, called me today to tell me that he will be one of hundreds expected to assemble in Raleigh at the NC Legislature on tomorrow morning, JUNE 11.
Richard, a Johnston County native is joining the cause while back home on break from his full time gig as A.D. of Desperate Housewives. He plans to gather in Raleigh on HALIFAX MALL behind the NC Legislative Building at 9 am to celebrate North Carolina’s motion picture industry legacy and will also rally for the cause 25 TO SURVIVE to show support for an 25% film tax incentive.
The event is being organized by 25 TO SURVIVE in an effort to let lawmakers who they are: a group of families and people from all over the state who own property and pay taxes and who want to live and work in North Carolina. It is crucial to make this movement a statewide initiative and they hope to that the entire state is represented in Raleigh tomorrow.
The Cucalorus Film Foundation is the beneficiary for 25 TO SURVIVE. The Cucalorus Film Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is assisting with the planning of this massive event. They will also carry the permit for the location and the liability insurance in order to have a well orchestrated, high profile event.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made directly to Cucalorus Film Foundation at:
http://www.cucalorus.org/donations.asp
Or via the 25 TO SURVIVE page on Facebook:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/261650
If you are interested in this movement, this is your chance to show the lawmakers who you are.
1. Bring bottled water. It’s going to be HOT.
2. Got a FilmNC shirt? Crew shirt from a film you worked on? WEAR IT!
Ready for a knockout workout to kick start your summer?
I’ve been taking cardio kickboxing classes for over 5 years and never get tired of them. It’s always a great workout, but I’m always willing to challenge my endurance further.
My friend Regina invited me to what she called an “intense” cardio kickboxing class at a somewhat mysterious gym close to the Angus Bard in Raleigh, yesterday. Since I have been going to the gym much less than my body is used to during the past 6 months, I decided to accept the invitation to try to catch up on time lost.
As soon as we got there, I was intimidated…this was serious business…
I thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”
One of the friendly owners, Rick, took us into an office, had us sign a waver, hand over our keys and take a nice set of boxing gloves into the boxing gym to wait for our instructor, Mike, to read us our rights.
We ran, we jumped, we did knuckle push ups, squats and none of this kicking and punching the air stuff that I had been used to…we actually punched nice sturdy and heavy bags that somehow seemed to be fighting right back.
No loud techno beats, no blondes in full makeup, dangling earrings, and daisy dukes, no interruptions, no air conditioning, no hardwood floors. Just a no frills, high- energy workout meant to deliver results. Instead of feeling like a chore, feeling like work, it’s exhilarating, it’s exhausting, it’s fun.
Boxing was once seen as sport for men, but the folks over at Box-2B-Fit said that the majority of their members are women.
I was really impressed with my experience. It was a real boxing gym, welcoming real people. They didn’t pressure us into buying anything. They just wanted us to make sure that we were happy.
I went home gritty and can feel the slight burn in my muscles today to know that it worked.
If you’re ready to knock out those winter love handles, I would recommend taking one of the free, no pressure classes that they offer every day of the week.
As they say “pound for pound, round for round, the toughest workout in town…”
Scenes from Raleigh Fashion Week & Strut ‘09
Congratulations to all of the Raleigh Fashion Week contributors (organizers, entertainers, designers, hair and makeup artists, sponsors, civic organizations and volunteers). Events like these keep Raleigh and the surrounding areas on the map and contribute to the success and positive growth of local talent and businesses.
If you didn’t make it this year, you’re in luck! I shot some video and talked to some of the folks who make this event a success!
Please check out some of the scenes that I shot during Raleigh Fashion Week 2009.
Enjoy video at: Raleigh Fashion Week Video
RFW not on CNN…yet…
NC is the fashion industry’s next boomtown! Textiles are important to North Carolina residents, where the textile industry is 3x the size of the apparel industry. North Carolina ranks fourth in the nation in apparel employment, and remains the largest textile employer in the United States. For fashion merchandising and marketing students, North Carolina’s textile industry provides a healthy background for the state’s export business.
This is why NC Resident’s support of Raleigh Fashion Week is so important.
Last night was emerging artists night which featured NC State’s School of Design and Textiles students.
Today’s fashion expo at the Raleigh Convention Center will give you an inside look at makeup, hair, and fashion in the area…
Tonight’s fashion show will feature Women’s and Men’s formal wear with CELEBRITY models that you don’t want to miss!!
For more information stop into the Convention Center today or visit www.strut09.com
Easy Way to Sharpen Your Window Shopping Technique
The recession has many of us buying a lot less lately, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look at all of the pretty things…How else are we going to prepare ourselves to shop once the economy starts to turns upward again?
I recommend sharpening that shopping eye by dropping in on some of the fabulous fashion week events set to begin this Thursday in downtown Raleigh!
Today, I met with Tracie Fitch at TheShoppingMemo.com this morning. While we both agree that saving money is “chic” these days, we wouldn’t think to miss the chance to check out the latest in Raleigh fashion while supporting local designers and beauty industry talent during Raleigh Fashion Week.
We’ve decided to divide our time shooting video, taking pictures and providing up to the minute twitter and blog updates on Raleigh’s fashion scene.
If you’re anything like us then you won’t want to miss the events which begin at The Plaza Condominiums at 2 p.m. this Thursday, May 14.
Runway shows start each night at 9:00pm, but there are plenty of activities taking place even before the models hit the catwalk. You can:
Visit the Raleigh Fashion Week Expo, where fashion-forward businesses will share their health, fashion and beauty talents…
Bid on silent auction items to benefit Interact and Susan G. Komen for the Cure NC Triangle Affiliate…
Stop by The Plaza Condominiums booth to register to win a night at the most fashionable place to live in the Triangle!
Think of it this way…if you want to stay recessionista chic there are a ton of great reasons to pop into Raleigh Fashion Week to meet local designers and beauty professionals who can hook you up on a budget.
It’s more convenient since you don’t have to travel very far.
It cost less to you (for gas in your car) and the environment (pollution in the environment from all that shipping).
And buying local allows you to support local folks, which helps build up your community stay connected.
More info? For a full schedule of events and to order fashion show tickets visit www.strut09.com
Food, frocks and fun-taking Raleigh by storm
There will be no dull moment in Raleigh this May. Thousands are expected to flock to downtown Raleigh to celebrate the best in local dining, fashion, talent and living.
The second annual Triangle Restaurant Week will kicks off on Monday, May 11. Later in the week and into the weekend, area restaurateurs will share center stage with three other events: Artsplosure, Raleigh Fashion Week, and the Downtown Raleigh Home Tour.
This may not be New York’s restaurant or fashion week, but local models aren’t taking the catwalk to get noticed by Vogue, and designers aren’t auditioning for Heidi Klum.
The purpose of this string of events is to provide an outlet for local businesses, talent and artists to showcase their work and present an opportunity for residents to come together and celebrate the entertainment, culinary treasures, and talent right in our backyard.
These events are promoting harmony between the community and local businesses, allowing talent to gain feedback and more experience.
Itching for a sneak peak of the festivities?
I’ve just received word that Raleigh Fashion Week organizers will be stopping traffic at the Plaza Condominiums between the Oxford Gastropub and the Courthouse on Fayetteville St. in downtown Raleigh tomorrow (Friday, May 1st) at NOON (Sharp!).
Fashion is in BLOOM in Cary
So, stop putting off your spring cleaning and get to clearing out that closet full of the so-last-year spring fashions and get ready for one of the best seasons in spring stylehistory.
This Friday, I’ll be participating in The Shopping Memo’s “Launch Party” with the help of event planning guru, Lola32, and hosted by Cute Buttons Gift & Paper Boutique, in conjunction with: Martin and Mary’s, Rik’kel Hair Studio, The Royal Secret Boutique & Havana Grill in Cary.
The Launch Party take place from 4 - 8 p.m. at 312. W. Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511, Chocolate Smiles Village in Cary and YOU’RE INVITED!
Sound fabulously yummy?
That’s because it is!
The event will be complete with Fashion Shows, Trunk Shows, Sweets and Treats, Food, Music, Champagne, Mini Manicures, Make-Up Demonstrations, Complimentary Chair Massages, Spectacular Giveaways, Shopping, Fun and much more!
Additionally, thanks to my friend Allison Leggett (fellow Peace College graduate) and her boutique’s (The Pink Alli) mission to support breast cancer efforts, donations will be accepted and a portion of all donations received will benefit The Pretty in Pink Foundation - a local charity that provides financial resources for uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients with limited financial means. Penny Lauricella, executive director of The Pretty in Pink Foundation, will be there working with The Shopping Memo to help create breast cancer awareness.
So what are you waiting for?
Mark your clean those closets, mark your calendars, grab your “spring sisters” and hop on over to this FREE spring soiree.
You can R.S.V.P via email at info@theshoppingmemo.com or you can contact Tracie at 919.278.8715 or Alison at 919.462.9618 or just come out and enjoy a girls nite out!
See you there!
Get Pink for Paws: Look good while doing good
This Friday night, join me for “PINK FOR PAWS,” an evening of beauty and refreshment hosted by Blades Studio and The Mosquito Nightclub to benefit the Wake SPCA.
Enjoy your favorite music and beverages, while receiving free consultations with the area’s top hair stylist and make up artist, Alex Blades. The evening will feature beauty, fashion, swag, raffle prizes and more!
Not only will you see the latest in high fashion and beauty but you will be able to learn more about the Wake SPCA’s mission to protect,shelter and promote adoption of homeless animals; to provide education about responsible pet ownership; and to reduce pet overpopulation through spay/neuter programs. From 9-11 p.m. 100% of the proceeds from the door will go to the Wake SPCA.
PINK FOR PAWS
For more information please contact:
Blades Studio- Hair make up at 910-381-6908 or alecksblades@yahoo.com
Additional Details:
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 9:00pm
End Time:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 2:00am
Location:
The Mosquito Nightclub
311 S Harrington St.
Raleigh, NC
Lost Boys of Southern Sudan inspire hope for the future
Today, I attended a moving lecture given by Sudanese “Lost Boys” Samuel Anei (Co-Founder of the Lost Boys Rebuilding Southern Sudan Foundation) and Joseph Akoon at Meredith College in Raleigh.
Meredith students have been studying the country of Sudan and viewed a film depicting the Lost Boys’ escape from civil war and their difficult journey to freedom.
I had the chance to chat with the professor leading Global Studies efforts at Meredith College, Dr. Deborah Tippett. I also got to talk with 3 Meredith College Seniors: Kate Jones, Paige Whitfield and Nina Chandra.
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