Bethany Byrd started 5 Stones Open Door after seeing five of her friends die as a result of abuse. That abuse took several forms over the years, each of which is addressed by the non-profit organization she founded several years ago. They became the five stones of an outreach to people whose lives have been touched by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
There are many benefits of living a natural life. We are talking about eating what is fresh and organic and living a more balanced lifestyle. That includes getting enough sleep, exercising, and using natural products. Take care of yourself with a healthy diet. Most people would agree that a natural lifestyle is easier to live and does not put as much stress on the body. So if you have ever thought of changing your life to go along with the "natural" path, here are the top five benefits of living a natural lifestyle.
Back in March, when I wrote my last article, I was much younger and excitedly expecting our new administration to snap its fingers or wave a magic wand, and instantly materialize a new immigration system that would be fair and compassionate for all. At first, the immigration changes (especially those concerning asylum seekers) appeared to be all unicorns and rainbows. But reality raised its ugly head, and my illusions and hopes were flung to the ground. It is funny how disappointment can age you.
Our world is like a lakebed being filled with excess carbon dioxide. At first the lake filled very slowly, but as we industrialized it filled more quickly. Between England, Germany, and the United States the lake became one-quarter full by 1950. Since then the lake has again doubled in depth, much of it a result of the United States, but more recently from new countries like China and India. Within a few decades, our world will be drowning in one trillion tons of excess carbon dioxide.
The owner of Shell Island’s Holloway Catering, River Holloway Merrick is thrilled to have been hired to cater the Nature Coalition’s special event dinner. She’s especially honored to be serving veterinarian Jasmine Garr as they name her their Volunteer of the Year, which makes hearing the news of her death two days later all the more shocking. Found shot in the back in her yard, Jasmine’s quirky Chicken Lady neighbor becomes one of the first suspects for the shooting.
In honor of Earth Day, which is coming up on April 22, it seemed a perfect time to interview a new business involving plants that sprung up during the pandemic, Let It Grow Fresno. We interviewed one of the owners Kelly Brianne, who is also a local actor and is looking forward to getting back on stage once the pandemic is over. Her partner in the business, and in life, is Daniel Karkoska.
The refugee camp for asylum-seekers is no more. Two weeks ago, the first busload of refugees legally crossed the bridge that spans the Rio Grande River between Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas. When they arrived at the Brownsville bus station, a crowd greeted them with applause, cheers, tears, hugs, handshakes, and exuberant joy expressing the start of the end of two long years of suffering in the camp. I was not able to greet that bus, but have been able to greet several since then. Yesterday, the last bus from the camp crossed into Brownsville. Today, the few people left in the camp were taken to a shelter in Mexico and the camp is now empty.
When Alicia, a single mom of two exuberant boys, found herself in need of some basic items for her new apartment, she didn’t know where to turn. Alicia, because of some family issues, needed to strike out on her own with her boys. She was eventually able to get an apartment, but had exhausted her financial resources doing so. While they had a roof over their heads, they didn’t have much else.
Thanksgiving Thursday, eating turkey, watching football, thankful for all of my blessings, many of which I take for granted. Among my greatest blessings, and greatest heartaches, are the immigrants in the refugee camp on the Mexican side of the border at Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico.
The Von Tresslers were not normal members of the small Pennsylvanian community. With their wealth and attitude, they essentially kept themselves separated from the townspeople shunning invitations to join in, participate, or patronize local businesses along with poaching all the contractors in the area to build their mansion on the hill no matter to what projects they had already committed.
