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Separation of church and school? Justices will weigh Maine’s ban on funds for religious education – SCOTUSblog
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Case Preview ByAmy Howe on Dec 7, 2021 at 4:01 pm
On Wednesday the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in a challenge to a Maine program that pays for some students to attend private schools. Two families that want to send their children to Christian schools in the state argue that the states exclusion of schools that provide religious instruction from the program violates the Constitution. Although the justices ruling will directly affect fewer than 5,000 students in Maine, the courts eventual decision could have a significant impact on public funding for religious education well beyond the states border.
The dispute, Carson v. Makin, centers on the system that Maine uses to ensure that all school-aged children in the state have an opportunity to receive a free public education. With fewer than 180,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, distributed over 260 school districts, not all school districts operate their own secondary schools. Instead, some districts make arrangements with specific private schools or other public schools to take their students. And other school districts allow their students to choose their own public or private school and pay their tuition. However, the Maine program only allows tuition payments to go to private schools that are nonsectarian that is, schools that do not provide religious instruction.
The plaintiffs in the case are two sets of parents who live in districts that do not operate their own secondary schools. As a result, their children were eligible to receive tuition assistance to attend private schools approved by the state. David and Amy Carson sent their daughter to Bangor Christian, in the city of Bangor, because the schools Christian worldview aligns with their sincerely held religious beliefs. Troy and Angela Nelson would like to send their son to Temple Academy, a Christian school in Waterville, but cant afford it without tuition-assistance payments.
After the Supreme Courts 2017 ruling in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, holding that the Constitutions free exercise clause barred the government from denying the church a benefit that is otherwise available to the public just because of the churchs religious status, the Carsons and the Nelsons went to federal court. They argued that the exclusion of religious schools from Maines tuition-assistance program likewise violates the free exercise clause.
While the parents case was pending, the Supreme Court issued its decision in another school-funding case, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. By a vote of 5-4, the justices ruled in June 2020 that although states are not required to subsidize private education, they cannot exclude families or schools from participating in programs to provide public funding for private schools because of a schools religious status. The court left open the question whether the state could exclude families or schools from the program because the money would be used for religious purposes at school.
In a decision in October 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit (with a panel that included retired Justice David Souter) rejected the parents challenge to the Maine program. It held that unlike the religious exclusions in Trinity Lutheran and Espinoza, the Maine law does not bar schools from receiving funding simply based on their religious identity. Instead, the court of appeals explained, the exclusion examines what the school teaches through its curriculum and related activities, and the law prohibits schools from receiving funding because of the religious use to which they would put the funds. The law, the court of appeals concluded, merely reflects Maines refusal to subsidize religious exercise.
The parents went to the Supreme Court, which agreed last summer to weigh in.
In their brief on the merits, the parents contend that Maines exclusion of sectarian options from its tuition-assistance program violates the Constitution because it is not neutral toward religion nor generally applicable, the test used in free exercise clause cases. It isnt neutral, the parents say, because the program only allows private schools to participate if they are nonsectarian. And it isnt generally applicable, they argue, because it requires state officials to make judgment calls based on the degree of a religious schools religiosity. Therefore, they conclude, it is subject to the most stringent constitutional test, known as strict scrutiny, which it fails.
More broadly, the parents tell the justices, there is no basis for the 1st Circuits effort to distinguish between religious status and religious use. Indeed, they suggest, the framers of the Constitution opted to protect religious exercise, rather than mere belief or conscience, to ensure that Americans would be free to live out their faith. And for these parents and others who would use the tuition-assistance program, they explain, ensuring that their children receive a religious education is a religious obligation; barring them from participating in the tuition-assistance program because the funds would be used for religious purposes discriminates not only against that religious use, but also against the religious status that impels it.
The parents stress that the Supreme Court has never endorsed a distinction between religious status and use as grounds for eluding strict scrutiny of laws that discriminate based on religion. If the justices suggested such a distinction in Locke v. Davey, a 2004 ruling in which the court upheld the constitutionality of a publicly funded scholarship program that excluded students from pursuing a degree in devotional theology, the parents write, it was wrongly decided and should be overruled.
However, the parents continue, the justices can strike down the exclusion of sectarian schools from Maines tuition-assistance program without overruling Locke. Among other things, they note, the exclusion is significantly broader than the one at issue in Locke, which focused on training ministers to lead congregations. Here, they point out, Maines program bars any assistance to schools that teach religion. And neither of Maines justifications for the exclusion is the kind of historic and substantial interest envisioned in Locke, they say. The exclusion stems from an opinion by the states attorney general indicating that the state should carve out sectarian options to avoid violating the Constitutions establishment clause, they observe. Maines argument that it only wants to pay tuition at private schools that provide educations similar to what students would receive in public school also came after it had already created the exclusion, the parents contend, and in any event it is neither compelling not historic and substantial: Indeed, in this countrys early years, governments often provided religious schools with public funding to pay, for example, to educate the poor, Native Americans, and residents of the District of Columbia.
For its part, Maine portrays its tuition-assistance program (and the decision to exclude sectarian schools from the program) as a unique one, intended to provide students who live in school districts without their own secondary schools with the equivalent of the education that they would have received in a public school. Emphasizing the important role of public education in fostering democracy and good citizenship, the state explains that it has concluded that a public education should be a nonsectarian one that exposes children to diverse viewpoints, promotes tolerance and acceptance, teaches academic subjects in a religiously neutral manner, and does not promote a particular faith or belief system. That determination to make a public education nonsectarian, the state continues, is at the heart of its decision to limit the tuition-assistance program to nonsectarian schools, because it wants to ensure that every child has access to a free public education i.e., a religiously-neutral education where subject matter is not taught through the lens of any particular faith.
Because the tuition-assistance program is simply intended to replicate a public education, Maine continues, it is different from other school-choice programs that provide public funds to families who for academic, religious, athletic, or other reasons want to opt out of the public education system, and send their children to private schools. Instead, the state stresses, the tuition-assistance program is only available to the limited subset of families who live in school districts that dont operate their own secondary schools and dont make arrangements for their students to attend specific schools.
Therefore, the state tells the justices, the Carsons and the Nelsons are not being denied a generally available public benefit because they cannot attend Christian schools at state expense. The benefit that Maine is offering, the state explains, is a free public education. If Maine only provided a public education through its public schools, the state notes, the Carsons and Nelsons children would not have a constitutional right to attend sectarian schools at public expense. The result should be no different, the state writes, simply because Maine sometimes makes use of privately-owned schools to provide a public education.
Maine assures the justices that the exclusion of sectarian schools from its tuition-assistance program is not motivated by hostility to religion, but instead by the belief that a public education is both defined by inclusion and tolerance, and reflective of the diversity of our students and our community. In this case, it observes, Bangor Christian and Temple Academy will only hire born-again Christians as teachers, and the schools acknowledge that they will not hire LGBTQ teachers or admit LGBTQ students. Although the schools have a right to maintain these policies, the state concedes, Maine is not required to fund their educational program as the substantive equivalent of a public education.
Appearing as a friend of the court supporting Maine, the federal government focuses on an argument that Maine also makes: The Nelsons and the Carsons do not have a legal right, known as standing, to bring this lawsuit in the first place. The parents could only send their children to Temple Academy and Bangor Christian if those schools decide to accept public funds, and both sides in the case agree that it is uncertain whether the schools would do so if the law were struck down. Moreover, the government adds, the Nelsons daughter has graduated, and their son now attends another school, so their only injury is that they cant send their son to Temple Academy using public funds. And, the government continues, the Carsons claims are moot that is, no longer a live controversy because their daughter has recently graduated from high school.
Friend-of-the-court briefs filed on both sides of the issue warn the justices that sweeping consequences are likely to flow from the courts ruling. Supporting the parents, the Liberty Justice Center tells the justices that the ability to use public funding to attend private schools is a lifeboat for a wide range of children not only children from low-income and urban families but also students with special physical or intellectual needs, victims of bullying, religious minorities, tribal students, and children of military families. Because roughly two-thirds of all private schools in the United States are religious, the group explains, excluding faith-based schools from public-funding programs would severely curtail[] the educational options available to families.
The National Association of School Boards, which filed a brief supporting Maine, counters that a ruling for the families could create significant damage to public education by eliminating the distinction between religious status and religious use and therefore opening the gate for widespread public funding of private schools. Faced with a scenario in which they are required to fund religious education, the association predicts, states would likely expand their voucher and school-choice programs dramatically or shut them completely.
This article was originally published at Howe on the Court.
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Athletico Physical Therapy Opens in Arlington West – PRNewswire
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Athletico is committed to keeping employees and patients safe during COVID-19 and has taken several measures, including additional screening procedures, enhanced cleaning practices and appropriate distancing of patients during treatment sessions. In addition to in-clinic treatment at the Arlington West clinic, Athletico is also offering telehealth virtual treatment options where patients can connect with a physical therapist through a secure online video chat.
"As a physical therapist, I have the opportunity to work with and help so many different people move better and feel better," said Stephanie Boyce, PT, DPT and Clinic Manager of Athletico Arlington West. "I'm incredibly excited to be working in Arlington and cannot wait to make an impact on the local community."
Services available at Athletico Arlington West include:
Additionally, Athletico Arlington West:
Athletico Arlington West4407 Little Road, Suite 690Arlington, TX 76016Phone: 682-282-4682www.athletico.com/ArlingtonWest[emailprotected]
About Athletico Physical TherapyAthletico Physical Therapy provides the highest quality orthopedic rehabilitation services to communities, employers and athletes in over 560 locations throughout 13 states with more than 5,000 employees. Athletico is committed to our patients and referring physicians through our patient-centric focus, positive work environment, attention to quality and high standard of care. Athletico measures patient outcomes and satisfaction and is dedicated to continuous improvement. Athletico was named #1 Workplace in Chicago, "Best Physical Therapy Practice in the Nation" by ADVANCE magazine, Top Workplace in the Nation and has been recognized as a leader in employee volunteering and charitable giving. Our services include physical and occupational/hand therapy, workers' compensation, women's health therapy, concussion management and athletic training. For more information, or to schedule a free assessment in clinic or now online with our virtual free assessments, visit http://www.athletico.com and follow us on Twitter at @athletico.
Media Contact: Dana Andreoli[emailprotected]630-259-5156
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Athletico Physical Therapy Opens in Arlington West - PRNewswire
Compete: Global Virtual Fitness Market to Hit $59,650.3 Million by 2027, Growing at a CAGR of 33.5% from 2020 to 2027 – Informative [251 pages] Report…
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The global virtual fitness market is expected to witness a noteworthy growth during the forecast period, owing to the increasing prevalence of indoor fitness activities among people across the globe. The live sub-segment is expected to be most profitable. The North America region is expected to dominate the global market in the analysis period.
New York, USA, Dec. 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Research Dive, the global virtual fitness market is expected to generate a revenue of $59,650.3 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 33.5% during the forecast period from 2020-2027. The inclusive report provides a brief overview of the current scenario of the market including significant aspects of the market such as growth factors, challenges, restraints and various opportunities during the forecast period. The report also provides all the market figures making it easier and helpful for the new participants to understand the market.
Download FREE Sample Report of the Global Virtual Fitness: https://www.researchdive.com/download-sample/8338
Dynamics of the Virtual Fitness Market
Drivers: Growing cases of obesity among school students across the globe is expected to drive the growth of the market. In addition, rapid inclination towards indoor fitness activities and virtual fitness solutions is further expected to bolster the growth of the virtual fitness market during the forecast period.
Restraints: Lack of knowledge about online fitness programs among people is expected to hinder the growth of the market during the forecast period.
Opportunities:Increasing prevalence of exergaming platforms across the globe is expected to create ample opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period.
COVID-19 Impact on the Virtual Fitness Market
The outbreak of coronavirus has had a positive impact on the growth of the global virtual fitness market, owing to the prevalence of lockdowns in numerous countries across the globe. People increasingly became more engaged in fitness activities during the pandemic so as to maintain their physical fitness and enhance their immunity. Thus, the health-conscious people and fitness freaks inclined towards innovative video exercise platforms.
Story continues
Check out How COVID-19 impacts the Global Virtual Fitness Market: https://www.researchdive.com/connect-to-analyst/8338
Segments of the Virtual Fitness Market
The report has divided the virtual fitness market into various segments based on streaming type, session type, device type, revenue model, end-user and region.
Streaming Type: Live-Sub-segment to Have the Fastest Growth Rate
The live sub-segment is expected to generate a revenue of $25,725.7 million during the forecast period, exponentially growing from $2,468.6 million back in 2019. The live sub-segment of global virtual fitness market is significantly driven by its prime features including extensive variety of workouts, enhanced convenience, and a great deal of comfort. Live streaming is capable of providing virtual classes on a wide variety of productive workouts including yoga, Pilates, dance classes, and others, which are already on high demand. It not only helps the people performing workouts in virtual classes but also appreciably expands the customer reach for the companies carrying these out. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the virtual fitness market sub-segment during the forecast period.
Check out all Information and communication technology & media Industry Reports: https://www.researchdive.com/information-and-communication-technology-and-media
Session Type: Group Session Sub-segment to Be Most Profitable
The group session sub-segment is expected to generate a revenue of $39,264.5 million during the forecast period. Increasing prevalence of group session workouts is mainly driven by the effective, illuminating instructions given in group sessions on postural alignment, balance of movements, importance of functional fitness, and many more. This factor is expected to bolster the growth of the sub-segment during the forecast period.
Access Varied Market Reports Bearing Extensive Analysis of the Market Situation, Updated With The Impact of COVID-19: https://www.researchdive.com/covid-19-insights
Device Type: Smartphone Sub-segment to Have the Most Promising Growth rate
The smartphone sub-segment is expected to generate a revenue of $18,996.9 million during the forecast period. Increasing availability of innovative fitness apps on smartphones across the globe is expected to accelerate the growth of the virtual fitness market during the forecast period.
Revenue Model: Hybrid Sub-segment to Have the Highest Growth Rate
The hybrid sub-segment is expected to generate a revenue of $10,007.9 million by 2027, rapidly growing at a CAGR of 33.8% during the forecast period. The hybrid revenue model is expected to experience a notable growth during the analysis period, owing to its ability to reach a tremendous number of clients, including people who wish to access the virtual fitness programs that are free of cost along with the ones who want an enhanced experience on fitness routines that would be available in the subscription plan. Thus, numerous players of the market strategically collaborated with other companies to offer creative hybrid models for customer in order to maximize their customer reach. These factors are expected to accelerate the growth of the global virtual fitness market sub-segment during the forecast period.
End-User: Individual End-user Sub-segment to be Most Lucrative
The individual end-user sub-segment is expected to generate a revenue of $15,290.7 million during the forecast period. Increasing health concerns among individuals across the globe is expected to drive the growth of the sub-segment during the forecast period.
Region: North America Region Expected to Dominate the Market
The North America region is expected to generate a revenue of $20,173.7 million during the forecast period. Rising cases of chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, obesity, arthritis, and others are expected to stimulate the growth of the market in this region. In addition, increasing prevalence of creative fitness platforms coupled with health awareness programs in this region is further expected to accelerate the growth of the virtual fitness market during the forecast period.
Key Players of the Virtual Fitness Market
1. Fitbit, Inc2. FitnessOnDemand3. Wellbeats, Inc4. REH-FIT5. Sworkit6. ClassPass, Inc7. Peloton8. ZWISFT, Inc9. Les Mills International, Ltd10. Navigate Wellbeing Solutions.
These players are working on developing strategies such as product development, merger and acquisition, partnerships and collaborations to sustain the market growth.
For instance, in October 2021, Mindbody, a platform for booking and managing fitness classes and other wellness services, acquired ClassPass Inc., an innovative online fitness membership company, in an all-stock deal in order to expand Mindbodys presence in the global virtual fitness market.
The report also summarizes many important aspects including financial performance of the key players, SWOT analysis, product portfolio, and latest strategic developments. Click Here to Get Absolute Top Companies Development Strategies Summary Report.
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Compete: Global Virtual Fitness Market to Hit $59,650.3 Million by 2027, Growing at a CAGR of 33.5% from 2020 to 2027 - Informative [251 pages] Report...
Information Session Set for Graduate Programs at U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation – University of Arkansas Newswire
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Cari Humphry
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. University of Arkansas graduate studentsinterested in entrepreneurshipare invited to attend an information session at noon Wednesday, Dec. 15, to learn more about theGraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurshipand theGraduate Entrepreneurial Fellowsprogramoffered through the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Available to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking graduate students from any discipline, the 12-credit-hour Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship provides a hands-on, team-based environment that allowsstudents to develop the skills to evaluate andpursuenew business ideas.Theintensive, incubator-likeNew Venture Development course sequence at the heart of the certificatehelpsstudents develop the knowledge and skills tobring new innovations to society whetherbycreating their own company, working for a startup, taking a greater role in an established company, or founding a non-profit.
Prospective students must have completed an accredited undergraduate degree and meet all other Graduate School of Business admissions requirementsto be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship.
Launched in 2021 with generous support from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, the Graduate Entrepreneurial Fellowsprogram is intended to support promising graduate students from all disciplines in the pursuit of intensive entrepreneurial training, including mentoring, seed funding and business plan coaching. The program provides a graduate assistantship, if needed, and a $10,000 stipend for master's students or a $12,000 stipend for doctoral students.Three exceptional Ph.D. students each year arealsoawarded the Kaneaster and Ruth Lindley Hodges Entrepreneurial Fellowship Award, which brings their stipend to $22,000 per year.
Fellowsare expected todevote at least 20 hours per week to their entrepreneurialcoursework andpursuits.Applications for the Fellows program are open until Dec. 31 viathe OEI website.
The information session, led by OEI Executive Director Sarah Goforth, will include information about both programs. Interested students shouldregister herefor the virtual session, which will be recorded and sent via email to registered guests who are not able to join the session live.
Luis Rodriguez, a master's engineering student who was awarded aGraduate EntrepreneurialFellowship in the fall of 2021, said the program has been exciting and it motivated him to learn more about the startup process.
"Trying to develop an entire model and plan for a business in just ayearhas been challenging but I'm grateful for having a solid team and excited about getting closer to a real venture," Rodriguez said.
"Customer discovery and presentations have been fun. It's been a great exercise for somebody like me who gets too deep in the weeds about technical things."
In October, teamsincludingtwo fellowssecured$2,000ata seed funding pitchcompetitionhosted byOEI.
Kaneaster and Ruth Lindley Hodges Entrepreneurial FellowJuliaLoshelder, a Ph.D. candidate incivilengineering,ison aNew Venture Developmentteam conducting market research around a technology that will help poultrybetter absorb nutrients during feeding.The team says this process willimprove efficiency forpoultry producers and reduce the environmental impact as less nutrients are expelled in the form of phosphorus.
Braden Bateman, a master's candidate inagriculturaleconomics,is also on a New VentureDevelopment team; his is working ona clinical test fora novel feline herpesvirus affecting more than 32 percent of cats worldwide.His team,GammaVet,plans to use its funding to develop a prototype for a commercial diagnostic device.
About the U ofAOffice of Entrepreneurship and Innovation:The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio,Startup Village, and Greenhouse at the Bentonville Collaborative, OEI provides free workshops and programs including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. A unit of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and Division of Economic Development, OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.
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Virtual reality therapy? New arcade in South Bend hopes to offer more than games – South Bend Tribune
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SOUTH BEND Adell Badgett has always been a tinkerer.
Even as a child, he was one of those people who had to know how something worked, even if that meant opening that thing up to get a look at the gears or the wires. Even if that meant making the adults in his life mad.
Somebody was always yelling at me for taking stuff apart," he said. "But that has always been a passion of mine."
Badgett is now the owner of the virtual reality gaming arcade businessDellstarVR, which opened recently in the 200 block of West Colfax Street in downtown South Bend.
More: Bethel University gamers on 'pioneering edge,' bring esports to collegiate competition
Badgetts willingness to search for possibilities that exist beneath the surface extends to his business, which he runs with the help of his niece, Belinda Page.
Like most children of the 1990s, Badgett grew up playing video games.
But the interest for me was not about playing games, he said. It was getting behind the games and to the technology.
Badgett, 41, bought his son a VR headset for Christmas in 2019, and that offered a chance to learn more about thetechnology anditspotential.
"You know how the internet is, they send you all this related stuff because they have your information," Badgett said.
Soon, he was receiving updates about games, but more importantly about advances in VR technology.
"I was seeing all this information popping up on my feed, so I am seeing how it is progressing and how it is becoming more affordable," he recalled.
Badgett was also reading about the growing VR arcade industry, mostly in big cities, although there are some arcades in Michiana. He and his son visited an arcade in Chicago and he was convinced he could start his own business.
Badgett worked a variety of jobs over the years, including in construction. He was working as a delivery man in early 2020 but was laid off when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Soon after, he decided to open the VR arcade.
I had built a computer and I already had a headset, sothe only problem was how to get the computer to send information to that headset wirelessly, he said.
Once Badgett figured that out, he used money that he saved and pulled funds from his investment account to start the arcade.
Page said the business is growing at a slow but steady pace.
We want to keep it steady, but the people who have come have had a really good time, she said. We are trying to focus on hosting birthday parties, where people rent the space for two hours and we order pizza ... and they get a whole cooler of drinks. We are trying to offer an experience.
Beyond gaming, Badgett now wants to take another step. After opening the arcade, he soon realized that VR could be a way to connect people in communities with a dearth of mental health services to providers of those services.
More: Pandemic doesn't stop esports complex from moving forward in South Bend
That realization came from Badgetts personal struggles with anxiety and depression, which he has dealt with since childhood.Badgett said he has also struggled to find Blacktherapists who could provide culturally sensitive treatment but was eventually able to locate one in South Bend.
His sessions started in early 2020 andmoved to Zoombecause of the pandemic.
Badgett started using virtual realityexerciseprograms as a way to deal with stress. His therapist decided to buy a VRheadset, andthe two started conducting counseling sessions via virtual reality.
They created avatars for themselves and held sessions in arelaxing virtual space.
The environment that we went into was like a loft space with afireplace and sectional couch, he said. The lighting was dimmed down and it was a Zen type of environment.
Studies on the potential of virtual reality to treat anxiety and other disorders date to the 1990s, according to a recent article in the New York Times, with VR therapy slowly growing across the country as technology improves and headsets become cheaper.
Badgett's ultimate aspiration forDellstarVR is for the business to connect people fromunder-servedcommunities with therapists, and to useVR as an alternative way to provide counseling services.
It's only an idea for now, but one that Badgett says he's willing to take the necessary steps to make happen. He is convinced VR therapy can help a range of children and adults.
It can be hard to get kids to open up," he said. "But if you put them in a different kind of environment, like out in space or sitting on a trainor doing something that they like to do, now you have a chance to get them to open up."
Email South Bend Tribune reporter Howard Dukes at hdukes@gannett.com
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Virtual reality therapy? New arcade in South Bend hopes to offer more than games - South Bend Tribune
We Are Santa Monica Fund to Accept Donations for Broader Uses to Support Local Recovery, Equity and Vulnerable Residents – santamonica.gov
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December 8, 2021 10:11 AM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. At its meeting last night, the Santa Monica City Council approved through a consent item the expansion of donation categories for the We Are Santa Monica Fund, a donor-advised fund managed by the California Community Foundation. The Fund was established in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support vulnerable residents and businesses, and to enhance equity through the Black Agenda for Santa Monica. Since September 2021, the fund has raised $1,176,521.
In June 2021, the We Are Santa Monica Advisory Board was created to build on the success of the Fund. In keeping with the initial goals of the advisory body, an expanded set of donation categories was recommended to City Council to both meet the emerging needs of the pandemic and community-wide recovery as well as to create a strong framework for the long-term vitality of the Fund.
One of the bright spots of the pandemic was the open-hearted way donors came forward to support their fellow community members by donating to the We Are Santa Monica Fund, said Mayor Sue Himmelrich. The Fund has the potential to continue to do a tremendous amount of good in our recovery and in the longer-term future to offer a helpful boost to those who need it.
The expanded categories now are:
Vibrant Local Economy
Anyone who is looking to make charitable contributions before the year ends is encouraged to give to theWeAreSanta MonicaFund. Show your local love by bolstering community members in need this season! said the Citys Chief Communications Officer Debbie Lee.
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Constance Farrell Public Information Officer Constance.Farrell@SMGOV.NET
Get Involved, Your City Hall
City Manager's Office
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I overcame fibroids through family, resilience and faith | Opinion – Commercial Appeal
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The biggest lesson I learned through my journey with fibroids and through my career in Memphis is that you have to keep going no matter what storms come your way.
Siobhan Riley| Guest Columnist
Are Memphis' Big River Bakehouse peanut butter cups better than Reeses?
Jennifer Chandler tries Memphis' Big River Bakehouse peanut butter cups to see if the healthier option taste better than Reece's.
Edited by Ray Padilla, Filmed by Brandon Dahlberg
Theres a story behind this picture.
This is the picture my best friend Yvette Whiteside took of me at my going away party after 7amazing years in Memphis.As many of you know, my last day at Fox 13 was Nov. 30.
Im relocating to another state for a new anchor and reporter role but before I embark on my next chapter, I wanted to share my testimony about overcoming fibroids because I know fibroids impacts so many women in the Memphis community outreach who may be suffering silently like I was.
2021 was one of the most trying years of my 13 year broadcast year but somehow I managed to overcome major obstacles that would made some wonder, how do you keep standing in the midst of a storm that doesnt seem like it will ever end.
Let me start by telling women who are silently suffering from fibroids, you are not alone.For the past year I was feeling exhausted to the point where I did not have any energy.
I noticed my stomach was getting larger but I thought it was just me gaining weight.It got to the point where I started telling my photographers at Fox 13 to aim the camera a certain way so that viewers could not see my stomach on live TV.
Fast forward to July of this year. Thats when I flew to Florida to meet my parents for our annual family reunion.My mom said to me Oh my gosh Siobhan, Ive never seen your stomach look like that.
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When I returned to Memphis to head back to work after my family reunion, a woman said to me while I was covering a story congratulations are in order.I responded by saying Im not pregnant.I was not offended but I did realize something was not right because I was exercising daily and I could not understand why I was losing weight everywhere but my stomach.
A few weeks later, I went on a spiritual fast in July.During that fast, I cut out certain foods in my diet.I prayed that God would bless me with new job opportunitiesand that he would remove anything hindering my growth.At the end of the fast I lost 10 pounds but I still wasnt losing weight in my stomach.
When I called my mother who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina to tell her about my fast, she asked me did you lose weight in your stomach? I said no.She said take a picture and send it to me.My mon said, oh my gosh, I think you have fibroids.Go to the bed and lay on your stomach.If your stomach hurts, you probably have fibroids. I laid on my stomach and I told my mom my stomach did in fact hurt.My mom said you need to go to the doctor.
My coworker recommended me to OBGYN Dr. Jessica Ruffin.Dr. Ruffin gave me an ultrasound and saidto me yes in fact you have several fibroids and how are you still standing, you should be exhausted because your fibroids are large and could impact your kidneys.
Thats when she told me I had uterine fibroids and would have to have a Myomectomy.I proceeded to ask Dr. Ruffin will I be able to have children?Dr. Ruffin paused and said thats why I want you to talk to a fertility specialist.I sat in her office and cried because the first thing that came to my mind was what if I cant have children?Another healthcare worker told me it would be a gamble but I told her I was leaning on my faith because Ive always wanted one child.
A few days before my surgery, I drove to Nashville to talk with a fertility specialist at Center for Reproductive Health.As soon as I walked into the office, I saw picture frames with the words faith and hope written on them.That was my confirmation that everything was going to be ok.The doctor I spoke with said based on my medical records that I should be able to have kids.I went from being teary eyed to smiling because those picture frames with the words faith and hope gave me the reassurance that everything was going to be ok.
Sept. 27 was the big day for my surgery.I was scared because of the size of my fibroids.Thank God for a praying mother.The day of surgery I told my mom, Minnie Riley I just needed to hear a word from God so she pulled out her phone and played a TD Jakes sermon entitled God Knows When.
Bishop Jakes read Revelation 2:10 which reads in part You will be tried.Be thy faithful unto deathand I will give you the crown of life. After hearing that sermon, I knew that God was going to take care of me and all my worries and fears went away.
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After having my surgery, the burdens that had been holding me down for so long were removed.I had 6 massive fibroids removed.When my mother showed me pictures of the size of the fibroids, my jaw dropped because I could not believe how large they were.I was also thanking God that I did not suffer any other health issues.
When I went back for my check up two weeks later, Dr. Ruffin said my fibroids weighed 3300 grams.My google search showed me that 3300 grams is equivalent to 7.2 pounds.Dr. Ruffin told me its like you were carrying a baby.
Now some people may wonder, how did I not know that I had fibroids.Honestly, I just thought maybe my body needed rest but I was never able to get the rest I needed.Its important to note that in 2018 I went to the hospital when my stomach started hurting so bad to the point where it felt like someone punched me in my stomach and stabbed me with a knife.Doctors told me they could not figure out what was going onat that time so I just assumed I was ok.Now things are starting to make more sense.
My advice to women: headto the doctor for your annual checkups.The 1st mistake I made is that I was not going to the doctor as regularly as I should have for my checkups.I only went when something was wrong but if I had been going like I was supposed to, a doctor could have caught it earlier.
The second mistake I made was that I was too busy trying to be Wonder Woman.Ive always been serious about my craft but I realized that I was not putting myself first.I made up my mind after my surgery that I would never ever put anything else before myself.My new motto is put yourself and your health first.
I just want to remind women reading this that stress triggers fibroids which is what was happening to me.I also had heavy menstrual cycles which is one of the symptoms of fibroids.
Studies show that 80% of African American women will have fibroids by the age of 50.One thing that helped me get through my journey was my faith.Ill be honest, I was scared because I did not know what was going on with my body and often times I would wear dresses on air to camouflage my stomach so that no one would ask me if I was pregnant.
I thank God for healing and now I feel that I can walk into the next chapter of my life more relaxed and vibrant.As I mentioned earlier, that spiritual fast was Gods way of lifting the burdens that were hindering me and needed to be removed.Those fibroids were becoming burdens but I thank God that the burdens have been removed.
I can rejoice knowing that God gave me the healing I desperately needed.
I want to close by saying thank you Memphis for your support over the past 7 1/2 years.I started my Memphis career at WREG as a reporter, then took a break from broadcasting and worked in marketing and communications while doing community outreach.I ended my Memphis career at Fox 13.These past seven years have taught me that if you keep your faith, even the possible will become possible.Never let your obstacles cause you to give up.
The biggest lesson I learned through my journey with fibroids and through my career in Memphis is that you have to keep going no matter what storms come your way.Mountains are hard to climb but never impossible, keep climbing.If theres anyone reading this whose battling fibroids, remember this.
No fear, no stress, just faith.
Siobhan Riley was a reporter at WREG Fox 13 Memphis for more than seven years. Her last day was Nov. 30.
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I overcame fibroids through family, resilience and faith | Opinion - Commercial Appeal
What Is the Mediterranean Diet? We Asked a Nutritionist for the Facts – PureWow
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You can eat an endless number of foods on this meal plan, and you have the Mediterraneans diverse culinary landscape to thank for it. Think vegetables, grains, breads, rice, bulgur, freekeh, couscous, pasta, cheese, lentils, beans, fruit (fresh or dried), fish (fresh or canned), yogurt, lots of spices and herbs, olives and nuts.
While you can eat just about anything, the diet will work best if you prioritize fresh produce, whole grains and lean proteins. (And if you love seafood or dont really like poultry, the pesco Mediterranean diet might be perfect for you.)
Stoler says there are absolutely no risks to trying the Mediterranean dietonly perks. In fact, its always listed in the top ten diets every year by U.S. News & World Report when they do their diet review each January, she explains. Its great for weight loss, heart health and longevity. (Thats no surprise, since interest in the Mediterranean diet began in the 1950s, once research found that heart disease wasnt nearly as common in the Mediterranean as it was in the U.S.)
The Mediterranean diet can do so much more than help you fit into your favorite jeans, though. Research shows that it can potentially boost your mood, improve frequent headaches and migraines, and boost your heart and brain health. Magnesium-rich foods (like beans, nuts, seeds and leafy greens), riboflavin-rich foods (like broccoli, eggs and almonds) and omega-3 fatty acids (aka essential fats found in fish, walnuts, hemp, chia and more that can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke)all common on the dietcan work wonders for your body. Overall, the Mediterranean diet is thought to reduce cardiovascular risks and overall mortality.
Making fish a regular part of your diet alone can seriously improve your health, and its likely youll be eating a good amount of it on the Mediterranean diet. The American Heart Association says two three-ounce servings of fatty fish a week can reduce your risk of heart disease by 36 percent, while the Fisher Center for Alzheimers Research Foundation says eating baked or broiled fish at least once a week can significantly lower your risk of Alzheimers disease.
The Mayo Clinic also reports that fish can lower triglycerides and reduce blood clotting and stroke risk, plus aid with irregular heartbeats. Olive oil, the primary source of fat and go-to cooking oil on the Mediterranean diet (sorry, butter), also offers a bounty of benefits, thanks to its monounsaturated fat content, which is known to lower total and low-density lipoprotein (also known as bad) cholesterol.
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What Is the Mediterranean Diet? We Asked a Nutritionist for the Facts - PureWow
The benefits of starting a food diary – PhillyVoice.com
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Theres no question about it you are what you eat. Each day you consume thousands of calories, but what kind, when, and how much of them you eat can impact your energy levels, your success at work or school, how you feel about yourself, and of course, your weight.
Its difficult to keep track of what goes in your body on any given day and the effect it has on you: what did you eat that made you feel bloated? Why did you have a good nights sleep one day, but not the next? Its not uncommon for nutritionists to address this by asking people to keep a food diary, a written record of their intake each day.
Whether youre actively trying to manage your diet or not, there are five great reasons to start keeping a food diary now:
A food diary lays out all of the choices you make each day. Just seeing what goes into your body can be encouragement enough to make healthier decisions at meal time. If youre eating too many snacks, loading up on fast food over veggies, or drinking too much alcohol, tracking that in your food diary can show you that and makes it clear once you make changes!
When people do not track their diet, they tend to underestimate what theyre eating by about half. The amounts of food you track in your diary can identify overeating and become a powerful tool to cut calories and slim down, without resorting to fad diets or a points system.
Your diet can impact the way you feel. Research shows that dietary choices may affect your mood, and a healthy diet and weight can support strong self-esteem. Even if youre in the process of eating healthier, a food diary can serve as evidence of the progress youre making and encouragement to stay on the path.
Certain foods can make you gassy, whereas others may be more likely to cause heartburn, indigestion or other symptoms. When you keep a food diary, you can look back to see what you ate before experiencing discomfort and begin avoiding or modifying those foods in your diet.
Your doctor may ask you about your diet during a routine appointment, and understanding what youre eating can help with both preventive care and more quickly treating other issues.
Ready to start? Its pretty easy. In a notebook or on your smartphone, build a log with seven columns. Each time you eat something, make sure to track:
If youre specific when writing in your food diary each day, youll soon have a record of nutrition that you can use to improve your diet. You may be able to identify patterns, see opportunities for better choices, or even connect food intake with other symptoms you experience. A final reminder: dont cheat! Your food diary is only as effective as it is honest.
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What Is the Flexitarian Diet and What Are Its Benefits? – AskMen
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Everything to Know About the Flexitarian Diet, a Plant-Based Approach to Living
Study after study has pointed to the countless benefits of a plant-based eating approach, from reduced risk of heart disease and a longer life span to lowering your body weight and your LDL cholesterol levels. The only issue? Not everyone's ready to give up those egg and cheese sandwiches and occasional New York strip. As for the good news, you dont necessarily have to do anymore
That's where the flexitarian diet comes in, introducing itself asa mostly plant-based diet that, true to its name, still allows some flexibility to enjoy meat and dairy.
If theres one thing that can be said about todays trending diets, its that they can be a little too extreme for some (looking at you, keto, paleo and vegan). Fortunately, experts agree that you dont have to cut out entire food groups in order to improve your health or lose weight. The flexitarian diet serves as perfect proof by allowing you to enjoy a range of eats in moderation, all while simply prioritizing more health-promoting plant-based foods.
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This is a great diet for most people to follow. It incorporates the healthy components of the vegetarian diet while ensuring nutritional adequacy by permitting animal products, says Kristin Gillespie, MS, a registered dietitian and certified nutrition support clinician. Additionally, because it is less stringent, it is easier for most people to follow.
Heres what you need to know about this increasingly popular diet.
The flexitarian diet is a semi-vegetarian diet with one important distinction: youre allowed to have some chicken, steak, and salmon here and there.
It focuses on consuming mostly plant-based foods, while also permitting meat and animal products in moderation, says Gillespie.
There are no hard and fast rules with this diet, meaning you dont have to count macros or calories. A flexitarian diet could entail eating meat just once in a while, or a couple of times a week. The point is to replace a significant portion of your daily calories from animal products with foods like veggies, legumes, and whole grains.
Most of the benefits that come with a flexitarian diet have to do with the fact that this approach drastically increases your intake of nutritious plant-based foods.
Plant foods contain phytonutrients that act as antioxidants in the body, which help reduce free radical damage, toxins and chronic illness, explains Trista Best, a registered dietitian with Balance One Supplements.
Gillespie adds that plant-based foods tend to be rich in fiber and heart-healthy fats, as well as lower in artery-clogging saturated fat and added sugar. That helps to explain why a large 2013 study discovered that vegetarian diets, including flexitarianism, were associated with lower all-cause mortality (especially in men).
With all of that in mind, here are just a few of the perks of going flexitarian:
Multiple studies have shown that people who follow a plant-based diet may lose more weight than those who dont. This is in part due to the fact that plant-based foods like beans and leafy greens tend to be lower in calories than meat, cheese, and processed snacks.
Because you are replacing high-calorie animal products with low-calorie and nutrient-dense plants you will naturally decrease the number of calories you take in on a daily basis, explains Best. This will ultimately lead to weight loss, lower blood pressure, and even reduced cholesterol.
With plant-based diets focusing on foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar and saturated fat, theyre an excellent lifestyle for those who have insulin resistance, issues with blood sugar control, or are otherwise at risk for diabetes.
A large 2009 study found that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was lower in semi-vegetarians (or flexitarians) than in non-vegetarians.
Switching to a flexitarian diet might also be beneficial for your bank account, too.
With the rising cost of meat and other staples, a plant-based diet can be followed relatively easily through affordable foods like rice, potatoes, and canned or frozen produce, says Best.
Let's say the average price per pound of chicken breast is $3.29. One can of black beans, on the other hand,boasts a whopping 25 grams of high-quality vegetarian proteinat the price ofabout $1. Over time, opting for plant-based protein sources over meat could save you some serious cash.
This diet reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and preserves natural resources such as land and water which are involved in meat production, explainsGillespie.
In fact, a 2016 review on plant-based diets and sustainability found that switching from the typical Western diet to a flexitarian eating pattern could decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 7%.
According to a 2010 study, semi-vegetarian diets can prevent the relapse of symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Given that high-fat foods are often a trigger for IBD plant-based foods, and they're often lower in fat than animal products, this makes total sense.
Youll be hard-pressed to find many cons to this diet, except the potential for nutritional deficiencies.
The flexitarian diet is safe for pretty much everyone, says Gillespie, although it may be insufficient in a few key nutrients that are present in animal products. People that have a known deficiency of iron, zinc, vitamin B12, calcium, or omega-3 fatty acids or have a malabsorptive disorder that impairs their absorption of nutrients should have their levels closely monitored and may require supplementation.
A 2007 study showed that rates of low iron, iron deficiency, and anemia were about 13% higher in semi-vegetarians (38.6%) than non-vegetarians (25.5%). For that reason, its important for flexitarians to eat plenty of iron-rich plant foods, like tofu, lentils, broccoli, whole-wheat bread, spinach, and potatoes. Note that vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron from plant-based foods, a reason why Life Timeregistered dietitian Samantha McKinney advises pairing iron sources with foods like bell peppers or citrus fruit.
Another possible deficiency to be mindful of is vitamin B12, somethingonly naturally found in animal products like beef, eggs, and cheese. However, its also added to some fortified plant-based milk, cereals, and other products.
Flexitarians might also have lower levels of zinc because this mineral is more easily absorbed via animal foods. Whole grains, legumes, and many nuts and seeds are high in zinc, but if youre still deficient despite adding these foods to your diet, you may need a supplement.
If youre limiting your dairy consumption on a flexitarian diet, youll also want to be careful to get adequate calcium. Calcium-rich plant foods include beans, dark leafy greens, tofu, and fortified almond, soy, and rice milk.
Reducing meat consumption can also make it more challenging to optimize protein intake, which is important for athletes and anyone who is looking to build muscle and strength, adds McKinney. Higher protein consumption is linked to more steady energy levels and can aid in balancing blood sugar levels, so it would be wise for anyone that struggles with those to exercise caution as well.
A flexitarian diet can work for almost anyone, whether youre looking to shed some pounds or reduce your risk of chronic disease.
This diet pattern is excellent for most people wanting to improve their health, enhance their energy, and decrease the amount of dietary fat in their diet, says Best. Replacing the majority of animal products in the diet by following a flexitarian diet pattern is especially ideal for those concerned with heart disease or high cholesterol.
The only group that might want to avoid a flexitarian diet, according to Best, are those who have a deficiency in choline, an important nutrient only found in animal products.
There are many different ways to interpret a flexitarian diet. No food is 100% off-limits, but as a general rule, you want to prioritize foods in their whole, unprocessed form (i.e., a baked potato instead of potato chips laden with additives). Its also important to aim for diversity when to ensure youre getting a wide variety of nutrients from different foods.
Here is a expert-recommended list of foods to focus on:
Foods to enjoy in moderation include:
Foods to limit severely or avoid include:
Not all meat and dairy are created equal. Whenever you can, always opt for free-range, organic products.
The animal products you integrate should be from high-quality and lean sources, says Best. Poultry, eggs, low-fat dairy, and lean cuts of beef should make up the majority of the animal products you choose to integrate.
When switching to this diet, experts advise easing in so your body can adapt to the changes and you can monitor any changes in your mood, energy levels, and physical health to find what works for you. For example, Best suggests going flexitarian two days a week, and Gillespie recommends cutting out one food at a time for a more gradual transition.
Additionally, McKinney strongly advises watching out for signs of blood-sugar issues such as feeling really energetic right after eating and then crashing an hour later.
If this is happening regularly, try to incorporate more healthy fat and protein at your meals, she says.
The bottom line? Flexitarianism is ideal for those that don't want to commit to a full-on vegan or vegetarian lifestyle but still want to reap the benefits of a plant-based diet. As it turns out, you can have your steak and eat it, too.
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What Is the Flexitarian Diet and What Are Its Benefits? - AskMen