Enriching Education - National Wildlife Federation and Reolink Launch Color Me Wild! Campaign Celebrating National Wildlife Week

 The National Wildlife Federation and Reolink's Color Me Wild! campaign inspires people to learn how wildlife across America use color to enhance their survival and well-being, and how to help protect them.

The campaign debuts during National Wildlife Week taking place April 6-12 and features a dedicated website with interactive content like entertaining wildlife videos, kid's crafts and games, and a pledge to sign that helps protect wildlife habitat with a chance to win a Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam package.

"Wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes, and their beautiful array and display of color is visible across America," says Krista Newberry, head of licensing and partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation. "This year's Color Me Wild! campaign will engage people through fun, educational content showing 'nature's true colors' from painted bunting birds to tangerine darter fish and inspire them to take conservation action to protect wildlife habitats across the country. We're thrilled to team up with Reolink and celebrate wildlife in living color."

"Reolink customers are constantly discovering wildlife moments happening right outside their doors," said Annie Potter, head of marketing at Reolink North America. "We're excited to partner with the National Wildlife Federation to help people capture and celebrate everyday wildlife moments while encouraging greater awareness about the habitats that surround them. By combining Reolink's smart camera technology with NWF's conservation mission, we hope to inspire more people to connect with nature and play a role in protecting it." 

Viewers can learn more about National Wildlife Week, the incredibly colorful wildlife across America and how we can help protect them and their habitats by visiting NationalWildlifeWeek.nwf.org.

About Reolink 
Reolink offers smart security solutions for homes and businesses, aiming for a seamless security experience with its wide range of products. Serving millions globally, it provides video surveillance and protection, standing out for its commitment to security technology innovation. For more information about Reolink, please visit www.Reolink.com. 

Visit the National Wildlife Federation Media Center at NWF.org/News.

Money Matters - Student Loan Overhaul

Beginning July 1st, millions of student loan borrowers will see costs and repayment plans change dramatically. A new survey from Credible finds 71% of Americans are unaware of upcoming changes, even though 44% report having federal student loans.

Here’s how loan balances are impacting borrowers’ wallets:  

• With a median loan balance of $23k, 73% are stressed by their current monthly payments
• 47% of borrowers say their student debt delays savings goals
• Over 1 in 3 (39%) say it delays paying off credit cards or other debt

As the rollout approaches, many are rethinking their next steps: 42% say they are reconsidering their repayment strategy in light of the new RAP plan, which extends the forgiveness timeline to 30 years. 30% say the changes make them less likely to borrow if federal loans no longer cover the full cost of college attendance. Still, the majority (63%) are less likely to refinance with a private loan than federal.

Smart Safety - Teen Aegis

 TeenAegis (https://teenaegis.com) just launched an intelligence-led platform built to confront a systemic failure in how technology companies protect children online—including across social media, gaming, and emerging AI-driven platforms.

As incidents of exploitation, grooming, and algorithm-driven harm continue to rise, TeenAegis is not another parental control tool. It introduces a new category: intelligence for digital childhood risk—focused on identifying patterns, exposing platform design vulnerabilities, and forcing accountability at scale.

"Let's be clear—these are not edge cases. These are predictable outcomes of product design," said Siobhan MacDermott, Founder and CEO of TeenAegis and former Vice Chairman at Bank of America. "As AI accelerates interaction and scale, these risks don't diminish—they compound. TeenAegis exists to surface that reality and make it impossible to ignore."

The platform launches with three core components:

• Intelligence Hub (https://teenaegis.com/intelligence) — Tracks behavioral patterns across platforms, including grooming pathways and off-platform migration.
• Command Center (https://teenaegis.com/intelligence/command-center) — A real-time intelligence layer surfacing systemic risk signals for proactive oversight.
• TeenAegis Sentinel (https://play.teenaegis.com) — An interactive, game-based experience that teaches families how threats unfold—without surveilling children.

Unlike traditional solutions, TeenAegis does not monitor children or rely on invasive surveillance. Its model applies intelligence methodologies used in cybersecurity and financial systems to digital child safety.

TeenAegis also supports litigation and regulatory action by providing intelligence insights for investigations and duty-of-care analysis, while introducing a public accountability layer ranking major technology and AI platforms based on reported harms and regulatory data.

"Fines have not worked. PR statements have not worked," MacDermott added. "What has been missing is independent, intelligence-driven visibility into how these systems operate—and who is responsible when they fail."

Book Nook - A Change of Karma

 “A Change of Karma” takes readers on a powerful emotional journey, as Dóra Lohonyai navigates a brave and unconventional path forward after life-changing diagnoses for her young children.

How does a mother accept the “incurable” while doing everything in her power to transform her children’s future? How do you leave comfort behind and step toward an unknown — possibly better — life? What does real faith look like when the world offers no answers and no guarantees?

This true story follows a courageous mother who travels alone with her three children to South India in search of hope. Guided by a renowned guru who had never worked with foreigners, she dares to believe in the possibility of karmic change in the face of diagnoses deemed unchangeable: autism, Tourette syndrome, intellectual disability, and ADD.

Told with honesty, humour, and deep vulnerability, this memoir gives readers a rare look into daily life with autism and the extraordinary reality of being a woman navigating India on her own. Colourful scenes, unexpected challenges, and touching moments fill these pages — sometimes bringing tears, sometimes laughter, always resonance.

A powerful, inspiring journey for anyone who has ever loved deeply, hoped fiercely, or believed that impossible things might — just might — be possible.

In “A Change of Karma”, Dóra Lohonyai courageously embarks on a transformative journey to South India with her three children, two of whom are living with complex diagnoses, including autism, Tourette syndrome, and attention deficit disorder (ADD). This book is a deeply personal account of a mother’s unyielding hope, faith, and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The story begins with Dóra’s decision to step outside her comfort zone, driven by the promise of a better future for her children. This decision leads her to a well-known South Indian guru, renowned for his spiritual guidance but never before having attempted to heal foreigners. Despite the odds, the guru promises Dóra a change of karma, a potential breakthrough for her children’s conditions.

Through the narrative, Dóra reveals the emotional and physical trials of her journey, navigating the complexities of caring for her children in a foreign land while grappling with her own doubts and fears. She details the challenges of cohabitating with autism in an unfamiliar cultural context and how she finds strength through humour, love, and faith.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of South India, the book paints a vivid picture of life in a country filled with colour, spirituality, and contradictions. The struggles of autism are juxtaposed with the beauty and chaos of Indian life, creating a tapestry of experiences that evoke both laughter and tears.

Throughout the story, Dóra’s unwavering resolve shines through, providing hope and inspiration not only to parents in similar situations but to anyone facing difficult, uncertain times. Her journey is a testament to the power of faith and determination, even when facing hopelessness. Through her honest storytelling, Dóra invites readers into her world, offering them a glimpse into the hardships and joys of her family’s time in India and the profound impact it had on their lives.

This heartfelt memoir is not just about a physical journey to India but also a spiritual one, reflecting on the dimensions of faith, hope, and resilience in the face of life’s most difficult challenges. Dóra’s story encourages readers to look for the sunny side of the street, no matter how dark the road may seem, and serves as a reminder that change, no matter how improbable, is always possible.

 

 

“A Change of Karma” is available now in Kindle and Paperback editions: click here to purchase: https://tinyurl.com/mfs8n22y

 

About the Author:

Author of “A Change of Karma”, Dóra Lohonyai is a mother, autism activist, author, businesswoman, and has given TED talks as well as created courses to help other parents navigating the same challenges she herself faced. After her children were born, she sold the company she had built from scratch – and which had been their livelihood for 17 years, to devote herself to finding the best way forward for her young boys. On her return from India, she founded an autism support association in her native Hungary (known as “Autism Happily Amongst Us” in English). Dora has now completed a second book and continues her campaigning and consciousness raising. Find out more at:  https://lohonyaidora.hu/en/home/

Movie Minute - PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie

After their ship gets caught in a mysterious storm, the PAW Patrol pups crash land on an uncharted tropical island filled with dinosaurs. They meet Rex, a pup who has been stranded on the island for years and has become an expert in all things dino-related. When the PAW Patrol's archrival, Mayor Humdinger, begins recklessly mining in hopes of exploiting the island for its natural resources, he inadvertently causes a huge, dormant volcano to erupt. The PAW Patrol pups are thrown into a series of high-stakes, dino-sized rescues bigger than anything they've done before, as they must stop Humdinger before everything on the island goes extinct.

Enriching Education - Better Decisions Event (Nashville, 4/10)

 Better Decisions is celebrating 40 years of transforming lives with a special community event in Nashville sharing a meaningful and uplifting experience. Moving beyond a traditional gala, this anniversary gathering offers a welcoming space to connect, learn and be inspired, while showcasing the organization’s proven Five Step Decision Making Process, grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as a practical and empowering tool for everyday life.

Throughout the evening, guests will see firsthand how this life changing framework is making a difference for women at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC, formerly the Tennessee Prison for Women (TPW), and through programs connected to Thistle Farms. More than a celebration, the event extends an open invitation to the community to engage, discover and be part of a mission that continues to create lasting impact.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 10, 2026, at Thistle Farms in Nashville and tickets can be reserved here.

Better Decisions Founder and lifelong education advocate Candy Markman will serve as the keynote speaker, bringing decades of leadership and insight to the event’s central message of empowerment through education and informed decision making. The panel will feature a distinguished group of voices, including Allie Colleen, country music artist and mental health advocate; Kathy Masulis, the longest serving executive director of Better Decisions from 1997 to 2015; Damian Chandler, marriage and family therapist and lead pastor of Living Room Nashville; Karen Thompson, Assistant Vice President of Community Impact at HCA Healthcare, sought-after speaker, and creator of leadership framework Reimagining Method; Rashad Rayford, keynote speaker, poet and corporate trainer who focuses on supporting mental health and behavior change through storytelling and Lisa Waddle, Better Decisions Board Member, volunteer teacher, mentor and security advisor.

Entertainment for the evening will feature performances that reflect both artistry and personal transformation, including a live set from Allie Colleen, whose music and advocacy continue to resonate with audiences nationwide. Spoken word artist Rashad Rayford, founder of Elevate Your Vibe, will deliver a powerful performance rooted in storytelling and emotional connection. The program will also highlight Amalia Gawlikowski, a job readiness program assistant and trainer at Thistle Farms, as well as a Better Decisions graduate and accomplished singer songwriter, whose journey embodies the mission and impact of the organization.

For four decades, Better Decisions has provided prison mentoring at the DJRC and formerly TPW, adding collaboration with Thistle Farms in 2006. The organization operates primarily through dedicated volunteers and maintains a lean structure with paid roles limited to an executive director and a part-time program director. Founder Candy Markman brought together a group of women dedicated to restoring lives of women often invisible to society and developed the curriculum in collaboration with experts from Vanderbilt University. Rooted in principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Better Decisions' program provides participants with practical strategies to recognize patterns of thinking, evaluate choices, and make more constructive decisions.

Eliza Cheng, Executive Director, Better Decisions shared, "For decades, Better Decisions has had the profound privilege of walking alongside women who society had forgotten,  and witnessing them rediscover their own power. What we've seen in those rooms has moved us deeply, and this event is our way of sharing that with Nashville. The tools that have transformed lives in our program - self-awareness, confidence, intentional living - have a way of touching anyone who encounters them. We would love for you to experience that firsthand. Come as you are. Leave with something that stays with you."

"I am so proud to be a part of the 40-year legacy of Better Decisions. Since 1985, Better Decisions has been helping at-risk women learn decision-making skills to shape their futures. This celebration will bring these practical insights to all women in the Nashville community, and we hope everyone leaves feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to take on whatever life brings," added Caity Craddock, Board of Directors President, Education Consultant at Vanderbilt University.

Due to confidentiality requirements within the correctional system, the organization is often limited in its ability to publicly share testimonials and success stories from program participants. As a result, the upcoming anniversary event will focus on sharing the organization’s educational framework and the impact of its work through dialogue, expert insight, and community engagement.

Better Decisions has long maintained a values alignment with Thistle Farms, the Nashville based nonprofit known for its mission of radical hospitality and unconditional love. Hosting the anniversary event at Thistle Farms highlights a shared commitment to transformation, dignity, and second chances.

“Ever since I began mentoring with Better Decisions at Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center and Thistle Farms ten years ago, I’ve used the Five-Step Decision-Making Process in my own life. I taught it to my children and shared it with friends because it truly works. When the Board began discussing a 40th anniversary event, we immediately thought the best way to celebrate is to offer our expert-built curriculum to the wider community. I’ve always seen it as one of Nashville’s best-kept secrets, and it feels like the right time to share it,” expressed Tatiana 'Tajci' Cameron, Event Producer, Board Member and Mentor, and internationally awarded musician.

The event will feature a panel discussion centered on learning to see situations clearly by distinguishing facts from emotional reactions, gaining clarity about personal goals rather than avoiding difficult choices, expanding possibilities through an open mindset, evaluating options through practical tools and community support, and ultimately acting with accountability and purpose.

About Better Decisions
Better Decisions is a Nashville-based, volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to helping women make better choices and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Since 1985, the organization has empowered incarcerated and at-risk women through education, mentorship, and compassionate support. The program combines individualized mentoring with group classes to teach essential life-planning and problem-solving skills. The curriculum was developed with the guidance of Dr. Milton Burglass, the originator of the decision-making program, and with contributions from the Ecumenical Institute and the Schenectady Thresholds program. These foundations, along with years of feedback from students, mentors, and teachers, have created a living curriculum that continues to evolve to meet the needs of our participants. Better Decisions has been serving women at the Tennessee Prison for Women, now renamed the Debra Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC) and since 2006, and has also partnered with Thistle Farms to expand its reach and impact.

About Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms is a Nashville-based nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors of prostitution, human trafficking, addiction, and exploitation heal and reclaim their lives. Founded in 1997, the organization provides a safe place to live, comprehensive support services, trauma-informed care, and meaningful employment opportunities through its residential program and social enterprises. With a mission grounded in the belief that “love heals,” Thistle Farms offers two years of free housing, healthcare, counseling, and job readiness training, as well as opportunities to work within its social enterprises, including handcrafted products and community spaces, fostering dignity, financial independence, and lifelong community support for women on their healing journeys.

Freebies!

 Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's 4/14

Healthy Habits - Support your Wellbeing this Stress Awareness Month (April)

A little bit of stress is good for you, but too much can have severe consequences on both your physical and mental health. Negative stress is implicated in all major mental illnesses and all lifestyle related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, it is even implicated in autoimmune illness and cancer etc. Mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at how it’s essential to our health and wellbeing to learn ways to manage negative stress better.

How can you tell if you are feeling stressed? Ask yourself:

• Do you feel overwhelmed by daily demands or feel that you cannot control important things in your life?

• Do you feel tense, worried, or anxious often?

• Are you struggling to relax or unwind?

• Have you noticed physical signs like fatigue, headaches, or muscle tension?

• Are you losing your temper more easily or feeling moody?

• Are you neglecting self-care, such as not eating well or not sleeping enough?

If you’ve answered yes to several of the above then now is the time to learn how to manage these feelings more effectively on a daily basis and put healthy practices into place.

Noel comments: “Being aware of stress is the primary tool in stress management but one that is overlooked in favour of waiting until one is ill from the effects of stress related illnesses, many of which are preventable or can be reduced significantly in intensity and duration by stress management tools”. 

What is stress? Simply put, stress is how our body and mind reacts to actual or perceived external stressors. When a threat is perceived, hormones are released to encourage us to take immediate action. Crucial to understand is that a certain amount of these hormones and ’stress’ is pretty helpful. Not just in the usual understanding of fight, flight etc but in dealing with life tasks. The energy from adrenaline can get us moving and take action. We are then putting the stress hormone to good use. This active central nervous system is needed to accomplish anything in life. It also needs to be balanced by its opposite relaxed state. It’s often described as ‘sympathetic' nervous system, active, or ‘parasympathetic' nervous system, or relaxed. 

So how can we know we are activated or have stress hormones? Much of it is via the signs of anxiety but we can also use the term excitement. A bit like a rollercoaster we could call the activation excitement and fun or fear. That may vary from person to person so knowing yourself is important. 

Tips on managing stress:

• Learn relaxation tools 

• Maintain healthy living choices around food, alcohol, exercise and hydration with water

• Learn and implement good sleep hygiene 

• Have a broad based and supporting social network

• Get out in nature via your garden, local park or further afield every day

• Stroke furry animals as much as possible!

• Get lots of hugs from those you love and give them to those you love as much as they will tolerate

• Talk to your friends and loved ones every day and share worries and concerns with them

Mental health expert Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years’ work within the health, social care, education, and criminal justice fields. His company Mental Health Works provides unique mental health services for the public and other organisations. Mental Health Works offers in situ health care and will source, identify and coordinate personalised teams to meet your needs – https://www.mentalhealthworks.net/

Music Minute - Jesse and Noah: On Again Off Again

 Jesse and Noah create a true country music legacy moment with Tess Frizzell on their new single and video, “On Again Off Again.” The track, the third release from their upcoming album on Usonia Records, distributed by Select-O-Hits, is available today along with its official video. The video premiered digitally by The Music Universe and will make its broadcast debut on American Country Network on April 13 at 6:17 a.m. ET, with a second airing at 11:38 a.m. ET.

To purchase/stream: https://JesseandNoah.com/ONAGAIN

 

“We met Tess when we did a Country Next Generations Show during CMA Fest a couple of years ago,” Jesse says. “We had this song for a while, and when we decided to record it for this album, it just made sense to ask Tess to be a part of it, especially coming from that lineage of country duets. Her grandmother Dottie West had those great records with Kenny Rogers “Every Time Two Fools Collide,” “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight”), and her mom Shelly West with David Frizzell (“You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma”)– she felt like the obvious choice.”

 

“It’s such an honor to have been asked to join Noah and Jesse on their project,” says Tess. “They’ve crafted a sound that feels authentic, soulful, and uniquely their own … fresh, yet rooted at the same time. Being part of something that ties back to the musical legacy between the Bellamy Brothers and my family’s Frizzell and West makes it incredibly special … it truly feels like a full-circle moment. We had so much fun recording ‘On Again, Off Again,’ and bringing it to life with a  music video.”

 

“The song is tongue in cheek and humorous, but also completely sentimental,” Jesse explains about the song that Noah penned. “I wanted to write a George and Tammy or Conway and Loretta–type duet, just with a modern twist,” Noah explains. The video for the tune was filmed at Hank Snow’s famous Rainbow Ranch. To make it even more authentic, Noah and Jesse wore Manuel jackets that belonged to George Jones and Bill Anderson, and Tess wore vintage attire to match.

 

“On Again Off Again” appears on the duo’s upcoming album ‘The Sunshine Shop,’ set for release on May 29th. Jesse & Noah penned eight of the album’s tracks, which also feature two standout covers: “Shame on the Moon,” written by Rodney Crowell, and “Me & Magdalena,” written by Ben Gibbard and recorded by The Monkees on their final studio album in 2016. Recorded at Wildfeathers Studio, the single is available now across all digital and streaming platforms.

To keep up with all things Jesse and Noah, visit their website, HERE.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube | TikTok

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About Jesse & Noah:

Brothers Jesse and Noah Bellamy, sons of The Bellamy Brothers’ David Bellamy, have built their own musical identity from their roots in Darby, Florida, to their home base in Nashville, where they’ve lived since 2002. Blending country, blues rock, pop, and Americana influences, their sound reflects a lifetime of musical inspiration shaped by family and tradition. The duo has released multiple projects, including Nowhere Revisited, Landfall, Driven Back, Brethren, and the 2024 EP Leave Love Alone, with their upcoming album The Sunshine Shop set for release this May. Their music has earned attention from CMT and recognition from the Country Music Association, which named them to its “Who To Watch” list, while their growing global fanbase continues to connect with their authentic, roots-driven sound.

Smart Safety - National Safe Digging Month

April is National Safe Digging Month, and Gopher State One Call (GSOC) reminds homeowners, contractors, farmers, and communities statewide to click or call 811 before starting any digging project.

Spring marks a significant increase in digging activity, from landscaping and fencing to home improvement, construction, and agricultural work. Striking underground utilities, such as natural gas, electric, communications, water, or sewer lines, can result in serious injuries, service disruptions, environmental damage, and costly repairs.

Under Minnesota law, anyone planning to dig is required to contact 811 at least two full working days before excavation begins, excluding weekends and holidays. The free service notifies utility operators, who then mark the approximate location of underground facilities, helping excavators dig safely and avoid damage.

Dig Smart This April: Five Ways to Keep Minnesota Safe During National Safe Digging Month

 

ABOUT GOPHER STATE ONE CALL

Minnesota’s 811, also known as Gopher State One Call, is the state’s official one call notification system. The organization promotes safe excavation practices and helps protect underground utilities by connecting excavators with utility operators before digging begins. Residents and professionals can submit a locate request by calling 811 or visiting Gopherstateonecall.org