Hey - if you checked the blog below yesterday and had trouble with the link, please try it again.  The link I had posted yesterday was incorrect.  I've changed it below.  She's amazing!

Jessica

Black History Month - the great Odetta Holmes

In honor of both Black History Month and of an amazingly beautiful musician/music, I wanted to dedicate today's blog to Ms. Odetta Holmes. 

My Uncle Alan, one of the great influences on my life and my music, sent me an email recently with YouTube links that lead me to Odetta's gorgeously (a new word just for blogging ;) haunting rendition of "House of the Rising Sun". 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aaya8jYZBO8&feature=related
You aren't able to see it in this clip, but Odetta was an amazing guitarist as well.

Excerpt from Wiki on Odetta Holmes:


Her first professional experience was in musical theatre and was in the national touring company of Finian's Rainbow.

While touring, she was bitted by the early folk music bug in California. She played in the major/developing folk clubs/night clubs in Calif (hungry i) and NYC (Blue Angel) then performed/recorded with Woody Guthrie, Harry Bellafonte, etc. In addition to folk/blues recording and concerts, involvement in 60s civil rights, she also acted in several films including film of William Faulkner's Sanctuary (1961) and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974).
 
Jessica

Charleston Oyster Roast for autism

17th Annual Charleston Oyster Roast

Saturday, February 20 7:00pm



Event: 17th Annual Charleston Oyster Roast

What: Fundraiser to benefit CAROLINA AUTISM

Date/Time: Saturday, February 20 at 7:00pm

Where: Visitors Center Bus Shed

http://www.charitablesocietyofcharleston.org/news/events.html

Music Therapy and Mental Health

What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. It is an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy and consists of using music therapeutically to address physical, psychological, cognitive and/or social functioning for patients of all ages. Because music therapy is a powerful and non-invasive medium, unique outcomes are possible. In addition to its applications in mental health, music therapy is used successfully in a variety of additional healthcare and educational settings.

How Does Music Therapy Make a Difference for Persons with Mental Health Needs?

Music therapy is an efficacious and valid treatment for persons who have psychosocial, affective, cognitive and communicative needs. Research results and clinical experiences attest to the viability of music therapy even in those who are resistive to other treatment approaches. Music is a form of sensory stimulation that provokes responses due to the familiarity, predictability and feelings of security associated with it. Music therapy for clients with mental health concerns uses musical interaction as a means of communication and expression. The aim of therapy is to help individuals develop relationships and address issues they may not be able to address using words alone. Music therapy sessions include the use of active music making, music listening, and discussion.
 
Click on the links below to view full (4 page) summary on MT and Mental Health.  This includes general goal areas, treatment outcomes, and references to resources for extended research.

Music Therapy and Mental Health

Here's another great link (this is a great one that goes into a little more detail) :

Music Therapy in Mental Health— Evidence-Based Practice Support 

Jessica

Putumayo Haitian Relief AND new Cd release

HAITIAN RELIEF

In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Putumayo is re-releasing French Caribbean and our children’s CD Caribbean Playground and will be donating 100% of our proceeds from the sale of each CD

to The Red Cross.

French Caribbean

Caribbean Playground

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CONGRATULATIONS NEW ORLEANS!

The city and Putumayo's New Orleans office is celebrating the almost implausible story of a team and a community rising above their problems.

___________________________________________________________
 

Putamayo RHYTHM & BLUES
(click above link to listen)

Classic rhythm & blues performed by first generation legends and rising stars of today’s retro R&B revival

 
 





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I love Putumayo!
Jessica

Upcoming Vday FREE Event for Families of Special Needs Children

Hello Friends,


I just wanted to pass this along for anyone who is interested. Seacoast Church is hosting a very special evening for families of children with special needs. They will be providing dinner (catered by Sticky Fingers) and fun on Sunday, February 14, and it's FREE! See below for more information or you may visit the website page at http://www.seacoast.org/Story.asp?storyid=1734
Jessica

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The Luke 14 Banquet

Sunday, February 14th, 5:00 until 7:00

Seacoast Church in the Warehouse

750 Long Point Rd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

In the Luke 14 story, while sitting at a dinner table in Jerusalem
and conversing with His host, Jesus said,

"when you give a banquet, invite the

poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
and you will be blessed. Go out to

the roads and country lanes and make them come in,
so that my house will be full. When one of those at the table
with Him heard this, he said to

Jesus, "Blessed are those who will eat at the feast
in the Kingdom of

God." Luke 14:13-23 NIV

In response, Seacoast Church and Healing Farm Ministries
will be partnering to host a Luke 14 Banquet
for families touched by a disability.

Please join us for free dinner and entertainment
to delight the whole family.

For more information on attending

this event or how you can serve the

families at this banquet, please

contact wandagilbert@seacoast.org

or click HERE to register

by February 7th

Our Sponsors:

The Tutterow Agency

The Kickin' Chicken/RPM Management

Kat's Famous

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Listen to Music Therapy from around the world

Are you interested to hear how music therapy sounds around the world?

I recently received an email from MT ENews about WFMT (World Federation of Music Therapy).   On the WFMT site is a section entitled "Sound Board", and I just had to share this wonderful resource with you!!!

The WFMT Sound Board allows you to listen to "how music therapy sounds around the world" (WFMT, MT ENews).  Various Music Therapists around the world have uploaded sound files (via WFMT), capturing therapeutic moments of music therapist's clinical work.  So, you are able to listen to samples from actual music therapy sessions in various regions of the world. It was really amazing to hear similarities and differences of different regions.  I just love this! I encourage you to visit http://www.wfmt.info/WFMT/Sound_Board.html to experience this!


The World Federation of Music Therapy, Incorporated (WFMT) is the only international organization dedicated to the development and promotion of music therapy world wide and was established at the 5th World Congress of Music Therapy in Genoa Italy, in 1985. The principal objective of the WFMT is to act as the International Organization for the profession of music therapy and to:

• Promote the exchange of information on music therapy.
• Hold international congresses.
• Identify similarities and distinguishing features of the theory and practice of music therapy throughout the world.
• Establish and maintain guidelines for:
• the practice of music therapy. the education and training of music therapists.
• the ethical conduct of music therapists.
• professional registration.
• research in music therapy.
• Promote international cooperation among music therapy associations, music therapists and other related professional groups.
• Promote the official recognition of music therapy as a profession with various governmental legislative and/or regulatory bodies.
• Promote, establish, and maintain professional publications in music therapy.
• Promote all aspects of research in music therapy.    

                                                                                            - WFMT


Enjoy!
Jessica

Oh Monday ...

WHAT IF MONDAYS COULD GO FROM

<<  THIS .................................... TO THIS >>

Most people feel like this about Mondays ...

Monday Morning

I wake up
and it starts again.
I get up
then I fall back in.
I'm just
not ready for another a week this Monday morning!
I get ready
for a boring day.
I head out
to school on my way.
I just
want it to be over soon this Monday morning!
It's first period
and it's draggin on.
I can't wait
for the bell to ring, I'm gone.
I just
hope there isn't too much of this Monday morning!


The bell rings
fifth period has begun.
I can't believe
the morning's still not done.
I just
need afternoon to drive away this Monday morning!


I get home
finally I'm back.
But there's homework
my, it's such a stack.
I just
wish this day hadn't started off with Monday morning!
-Jane Meyer

I have found something that works to ease the jolt of the things that I dread facing but have to.  It's all about associations, really.  I've blogged on this idea before, but thought that "Monday" would be a great thing to apply it to.  After all, no one can get out of a Monday, and it happens every time every week.

Come up with something that you relish, and a build a Monday ritual around it.  The key is to only allow yourself to do that thing on Monday.  Obviously, it has to be something that you can fit into a Monday easily, and will be able to include EVERY Monday.  "Going to the park" may be something you are able to do this Monday, but may not be something that you know that you'll be able to do every Monday (or it may be depending on your particular location and schedule).  "Grabbing a donut and certain drink (that you only allow yourself on Mondays) on the way to work" may be a good one.  Or, eating at a certain restaurant on Monday for LUNCH may be another good one.  For those of use by the beach, establishing a tradition or grabbing a cup of coffee/treat, and sitting in our car looking out at the ocean for a few minutes b/f work may be a great new tradition (that would go far for me, personally!)

There are many, many possibilities, but make sure it's something that you can really really get excited about.  It has to be catered to you.  If you are trying to come up with this for your child, either think of something that they will look forward to (catered around them) or just simply ask them and let them come up with it. 

NOTE:  Do not put your new Monday tradition in the evening time because by that time, the worst part of Monday is practically over, and you are already close to relaxation and looking forward to Monday's close.  Put this tradition "within reach" during the day (morning or noontime, I would say).  You will then hopefully spend the first part of your day (the typical "hard-to-get-of-bed dread") by looking forward to your Monday tradition, and you will spend the rest of the day feeling refreshed from your Monday moment.  Hey, you may find that you want to include 2 special Monday traditions (one for the morning and one for the afternoon) ... I guess that depends on your degree of typical Monday loathing! ;)

I would love to know your new Monday traditions! They may be ones others would like to adopt as well :)

May the dread of your Monday be softened by the relish of at least one good Monday moment,
Jessica