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Wednesday, April 2, 2025
House & Home - Homeowner Pet Peeves
Music Minute - The Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond
The Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond will return to the Norwegian Pearl as it embarks from Miami, Florida, on February 23, 2026, for its 5-day voyage headed to Montego Bay and Grand Cayman. Filled with non-stop music entertainment that includes KC and The Sunshine Band, The Jacksons, WAR, The Ohio Players, Kid Creole and The Coconuts, Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary, Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Sugarhill Gang, The Hues Corporation, The Fatback Band, Boogie Wonder Band, Urban Guerilla Orchestra, and Miami Sound Revue in a special tribute to Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, this 6th sailing is destined to bring back all your disco dreams!
“This cruise is a chance to go back and relive an era that gave us some of the greatest music of our lives and memories we can never forget,” says Alan Rubens, Executive Producer of the Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond.
Music lovers of 70’s and ‘80s great dance music will take a journey back in time with the most fun-loving songs that everyone sings along to all while the Norwegian Pearl comes to life with sparkling mirror balls, glitter, and a late-night dance club experience at Studio 55, the hottest nightclub at sea. All in all, the fun at sea will showcase over 40 live performances and countless themed events and parties.
The 2025 Disco Cruise and Beyond sold out, so don’t miss your chance to dawn your bell bottoms, platform shoes, and jiggy accessories. Cabins available include Club Balcony Suites, Balcony, Oceanview and Interior cabins with prices per person ranging from $2,299 to $4,199 per person, which includes all applicable taxes, fees, and gratuities. Monthly payment plans are available through StarVista LIVE. To book your cabin, visit ultimatediscocruise.com.
About StarVista LIVE:
StarVista LIVE creates unique entertainment experiences that bring fans together to relive their favorite moments, create new memories, and enjoy unparalleled access to the superstars they love. StarVista LIVE cruise events include the Malt Shop Memories Cruise, the Soul Train Cruise, The Country Music Cruise, The Flower Power Cruise, the ‘70s Rock and Romance Cruise, Sandy Beaches Cruise, Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond, The Big Easy Cruise and Abbey Road on the River festival. Additional information about StarVista LIVE can be found at StarVistaLIVE.com.
Enriching Education - New course in addiction counseling tackles bias
Chatham University’s graduate programs in Psychology now offer an elective class in Addiction Counseling that includes an element of film study that allows students to refine technical skills.
Addictions Counseling is an elective available to students in all three of Chatham's graduate psychology programs. The learning objectives are based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Addictions Counseling Competencies, which are unique in that they emphasize not just skills but also attitudes. Accordingly, a major aim of the course is to help students scrutinize their conceptions of addictions, as well as their biases toward people with addictions, recognizing that technical skills alone do not ensure quality care.
To help students challenge these biases, John Dimoff, Ph.D., assistant professor of Graduate Psychology who teaches the class, turns to a surprising source: social psychology.
“Although there have been efforts to integrate counseling with social psychology over the years, these efforts have typically been short-lived. However, some of the most brilliant articles on the topic of addiction have been written by social psychologists with one of the most personally impactful articles that I have read making the argument that addictive behaviors are a form of self-regulation. While we may think of ‘self-regulation’ as another term for ‘self-control,’ social psychologists define it as anything we do in an effort to achieve important goals,” Dimoff says.
According to Dimoff, thinking about addictive behaviors in this way has been incredibly helpful, and it is very much in keeping with Chatham’s graduate programs’ emphasis on strength-based counseling approaches.
“After all, it gives clients credit by acknowledging that they usually know the risks associated with addictive behaviors, and that they are willing to take those risks if the behaviors bring them momentary relief,” he adds. “By thinking of addiction in this way, we can then help clients explore other healthier ways of achieving their goals, such as going for a walk when they’re feeling stressed out, rather than taking a smoke break, rather than assuming that the addictive behavior was simply the byproduct of low self-control, willpower, and more.”
In addition, according to Dimoff, another of its unique features is a round of “film study” that students undertake to refine their technical skills.
“Along with peer-reviewed articles and classic addictions counseling training videos, students review a brilliant 7-part series on Brief Therapy for Addictions, which we then study like an NFL team might study game footage,” Dr. Dimoff says.
In addition, Dr. Dimoff believes students sharpen their general counseling skills through the film study portions of class because the videos involve standard counseling interventions that work for more than just addiction.
“In fact, one of the first ‘big reveal’ moments in the class is revealing that addictions counseling skills are not a mysterious set of skills that are totally separate from standard counseling skills, and that the most supported treatments for addictions are standard techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Therefore, even though we focus on how we would use those skills in an addictions’ context, we also focus on the general ideas underlying those treatments.”
Music Minute - Laura Sawosko: Take My Hand
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Music Minute - Kelli Welli: Sweet Dreams
Kelli Welli, award-winning Children’s songwriter, recently recognized by the International Songwriting Competition and the John Lennon Song Contest, releases a genuine, heartwarming, and uplifting song about exploration in dreams. Written for one of her twins, who struggled with bad dreams when he was a little guy, in this song, we ask, “Where shall we go tonight in our dreams?” imagining the best adventures we can together, and we try to take charge of our dreams when they turn dark. Kelli draws on real, proven techniques she and her son learned to prepare for and try to change the course of bad dreams.
To have this special song produced, Kelli reached out to the uber talented Johnny Clay of kindie band Ants Ants Ants and folk pop band The Dimes — and he agreed to bring this lovely song to life, infused with the loving approach he takes with all of his own children’s music, knowing how precious and important it is to mark these moments with our children and support them through all of their journeys.
“I was so grateful when Johnny agreed to make this song for me. It’s such a meaningful one and I love the harmonies and wonderful energy I’ve heard in his work over the years” says Kelli Welli. “I also appreciated his leadership and patience, encouraging me to finger pick on acoustic guitar for my son’s song, a new step for me in recording.”
For the cover art, Kelli is so pleased to showcase the incredible paper art talent of Shelley Hanmo of Junonia Arts, an artist whose textured and innovative work Kelli has admired for some time. Shelley is a self-taught freelance illustrator and paper artist based in Indianapolis, who specializes in creating children’s book illustrations and editorial designs.
ABOUT KELLI WELLI: Kelli Welli (aka Kelli Caldwell) has been called “The Pixar of Children’s songwriters” for her award-winning work and commitment to keeping even the silliest of songs super smart, with full respect for kids’ brains. Recently named the Grand Prize Winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and Top 3 in the International Songwriting Competition, Kelli draws upon her unique upbringing to create songs that often defy categorization. Kelli’s wide-ranging songwriting is clever, fun, often hilarious, sometimes reflective and deeply sweet. Always genuine. Kelli’s released four full albums in the last four years and can be heard on SiriusXM Kids Place Live. Her newest endeavors also include short film making, with inclusion in over 30 film festivals world-wide, including the Sonoma Film Festival, San Diego Comic Con, Children’s Film Festival of Seattle, and Portland’s one-of-a-kind gem, the Hollywood Theatre at PDX Airport. KELLIWELLI.COM
ABOUT JOHNNY CLAY: Leader of the folk pop band The Dimes, Johnny Clay has enjoyed a run of buzz fueled by his unique ability to craft catchy pop songs framed around fascinating historical themes and lyrics, as best demonstrated on the band’s 2009 release, “The King Can Drink the Harbour Dry.” In 2018, Clay formed the kindie band Ants Ants Ants with fellow singer/songwriters Dave Gulick and Nat Johnson from the indie rock band Derby. Ants Ants Ants has gone on to release 4 critically acclaimed albums and EPs and has become a staple of the Pacific Northwest summer festival circuit. JOHNNYCLAYMUSIC.COM
ABOUT SHELLEY HANMO: Shelley Hanmo is a self-taught illustrator specializing in cut paper collage. As a paper artist, Shelley loves exploring different possibilities of colors, shapes, layers, and textures in pieces of paper. And her artistic inspirations often come from her life experience as a woman of color, immigrant, professional musician, as well as her love for nature and conservation. Since her art studio launched in 2020, Shelley has worked with clients across the country, creating children's books, editorial art, brand illustrations, and teaching art workshops. JUNONIAARTS.COM
Healthy Habits - Elev8 Health Launches Its National 2025 Thrive Tour to Address Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
Elev8 Health, Inc., announces its 2025 THRIVE Maternal Health Tour and Community Baby Showers for families and expecting parents to access mental health professionals, medical providers, birthing workers and more. The THRIVE Tour is Elev8 Health's dynamic, community-centered initiative dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes, particularly among African American and American Indian/Alaska Native women—communities disproportionately affected by high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. The THRIVE Tour is led by Dr. Que English, president and chief executive officer, Elev8 Health, Inc., and former director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The 2025 THRIVE Tour is sponsored in part by Walmart, The American Psychiatric Association Foundation, Pfizer and COGIC Urban Initiatives.
According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. However, over 80% of these deaths were determined to be preventable. Recognizing the early warning signs, getting an accurate and timely diagnosis, and having access to quality care can save lives. This national tour aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly among African American and American Indian/Alaska Native women in communities with high maternal and morbidity rates.
Recognizing that the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with over 80% of these deaths being preventable, the THRIVE Tour brings together mental health professionals, birth workers, medical providers, families, and community members to serve as the "village" of support for pregnant and postpartum women, dads and families. This collaborative care model is established in each city through education, engaging events, expert-led panels, and powerful storytelling. Critical issues that are addressed include maternal health disparities, self-advocacy, postpartum depression, and the importance of essential support systems such as doula and midwifery services.
"They say raising a family takes a village, and we are bringing the village to families, expected parents and postpartum women in need of vital services, mental health support, birth coaching, resources and more," says Dr. English. "While ongoing efforts to improve maternal health outcomes are evident, persistent disparities highlight the need for continued focus on equitable healthcare practices and addressing systemic issues contributing to these inequities. The THRIVE Tour, along with our key sponsors, are providing essential support the families and expecting parents desperately need."
During the THRIVE Tour, dads and dads-to-be will also receive support through meaningful, private discussions about their needs and challenges. They are also provided with tools to enhance their mental health and maximize their potential as fathers. The goal of the THRIVE Tour is to empower communities with practical tools, resources, and knowledge, nurturing a supportive village that dismantles systemic barriers and ensures healthier, thriving futures for mothers, fathers, children, and entire families.
THRIVE TOUR will be stopping in 20 cities across the U.S. from March through November 2025. These markets include:
- Brooklyn, NY
- Staten Island, NY
- Houston, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Miami, FL
- Boston, MA
- Charleston, WV
- Lexington, KY
- Fairbanks, AK
- Rapid City, SD
- Nashville, TN
- Savannah, GA
- Greenville, MS
- Mobile, AL
- Dallas, TX
- Philadelphia, PA
- New Orleans, LA
The 2025 THRIVE Tour is a partnership supported by A Chance to Learn, Dear Fathers, Daddy University and Irth App. For more information, visit www.elev8health.org.
PHOTO/INTERVIEW/B-ROLL OPPORTUNITIES:
The following spokespeople are available for pre-event and/or onsite interviews:
- Rev. Dr. Que English, President and Chief Executive Officer, Elev8 Health, Inc.
SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES
Follow via social: @Elev8HealthInc
SOURCE Elev8 Health, Inc.
Parenting Pointers - Wiggle Talk: Adoption
Simon Pryce (Red Wiggle) and Lachy Gillespie (Purple Wiggle) have three special guests on their latest episode of “Wiggle Talk,” and it’s all in the family! Debuting on Monday, March 31, the podcast takes a deep dive into the adoption process, specifically for the Hawkin’s family – The Wiggles' very own Yellow Wiggle – Tsehay Hawkins.
Fighting back the tears from this heartfelt and emotional discussion, Simon and Lachy discuss with Tsehay’s adoptive parents Robyn and Reg Hawkins why they decided to become adoptive parents, why they chose to adopt internationally, why Ethiopia was their country of choice, and a step-by-step description of how their adoption process took place – ultimately bringing home their bundle of love!
Tsehay Hawkins comments "Getting a chance to share my story, our family's story, on the Wiggle Talk Podcast felt truly special! We were able to delve quite deep into my upbringing and family life & getting the opportunity to have such a genuine discussion with my fellow wiggles - Simon & Lachy made it a truly memorable experience."
They also discuss their positive experience and further explain their process of adopting Tsehay’s little brother – Kendly. Tsehay expresses her thoughts and feelings about becoming a big sister at the age of 6 and how excited she was to meet her “bestie” from Kendly’s birth country, Colombia.
Since Tsehay and Kendly were adopted as babies, they both are curious to learn more about their birth parents. Simon and Lachy discuss with Robyn and Reg their thoughtful and supportive parenting techniques, not only encouraging their children to follow their curiosity but also supporting them with trips to their birth countries and digging through files of paperwork to track down valuable information about their ancestry.
The episode is a touching, loving, supportive, and informative discussion on not only adoptive parenting but parenting itself. One that any mom, dad, and/or adoptive child will surely embrace.
The Wiggles’ podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and others.
About Wiggle Talk
Wiggle Talk: A Podcast for Parents is an engaging and insightful offering that gives parents unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Wiggles family, combining expert parenting advice and a glimpse into the lives of The Wiggles parents, hosted by the warm, familiar voices of Red Wiggle Simon Pryce and Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie, and special guest Blue Wiggle Anthony Field.
In each 30-minute episode of Wiggle Talk, listeners are invited to join Simon and Lachy as they openly share their personal experiences and learnings as fathers and call upon their expert friends to help guide all parents – and themselves - through this journey.
About The Wiggles
For over three decades, The Wiggles, the world's most popular children’s entertainment group, have educated, entertained and enriched the lives of millions of preschoolers (and their parents) all over the globe. Today, generations of fans who grew up watching The Wiggles are sharing their love of them with their own children.
With over three billion music streams and four billion views on YouTube and selling over 30 million albums and DVDs and eight million books globally, The Wiggles continue to dominate the preschool entertainment scene. Their live shows annually sell out to audiences on three continents, and their videos are seen in over 190 countries worldwide.
For more information, visit www.thewiggles.com, subscribe to their YouTube channel, follow them on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, or listen on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. The Wiggles content can be found on the stand-alone Wiggles App and on the following streaming platforms: Peacock, Happy Kids, Ketchup TV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi, Sensical, KidStream, Prime Video, Pluto TV, Kidoodle TV, and many, many others.
Book Nook - Some Bunnies: A Layered View Board Book
An ode to the cute and hippity-hop characteristics of bunnies, the colorful, chunky board book Some Bunnies is a work of art meant to be displayed face-out on nursery bookshelves.
No matter where they live or what they look like, to those who love them, all bunnies are just right. The bunnies in this bright, playful board book come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, and while each is special in their own way, they all have things in common like cute wiggly noses and feet that hippity hop.
Every page turn reveals a new layer to Lydia Nichol’s adorable depiction of bunnies in their various homes of fields, barns, and houses. Perfect for bunny lovers of all ages, this rhyming story is a celebration of our long-eared hopping friends.
LYDIA NICHOLS is an illustrator who has worked with a number of clients, including Google, Girl Scouts, MoMA, Cricket magazine, Hasbro/Playskool, and more. She is the author of numerous children’s books, including Halloween Trick or Treat: A Colors Book by RP Kids. She lives near San Francisco.