Nashville Religion Communicators Council Discusses Election Results

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council holds bi-monthly meetings to discuss hot topics and have deep discussions on what is happening in the world today.

An interfaith communications organization, the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), has chapters across the United States. In Nashville, the group meets every other month for its series “Building Bridges Over Bagels.” Organizers say this concept is all about strengthening ties between people of different faiths and breaking bread together.

In November, the group met for breakfast at United Methodist Communications on 12^th Avenue South. Members discussed the recent presidential election results and how to bring people together following such a tumultuous election season which left many people reeling.

RCC members agreed that it will take time for many people to adjust, and that one way to help those who are very torn up about the results is to listen to them.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. For more information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World Americas Chapter Honors Red Ribbon Week with Series of Events

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World (FDFW) holds a variety of events throughout the year to benefit the community through drug education, prevention and awareness.

According to a WhiteHouse.gov drug control update, from 2009-2010, New York was one of the top ten states for drug-use rates. Approximately 9.82 percent of New York residents reported past-month use of illicit drugs whereas the national average was 8.82 percent.

“This must change,” says Pamela Vilinsky, Regional Coordinator for the Foundation for a Drug-Free World (FDFW) Americas Chapter based in New York, “To prevent even more of an epidemic, we are working twice as hard to spread the truth about drugs.”

During the final week of October, the FDFW presented drug education seminars to several schools, community centers, and to the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey in partnership with the DEA. Not only that, the chapter held several awareness events such as "Meet a Cop" where people were also invited to grab a free copy of the Truth About Drugs booklets.  The Founder of the Americas Chapter of FDFW, Ben Fialkoff, also presented Drug Education Certificates to Law Enforcement Officers as well as held an event with NYPD Explorers Club.

The series of events was to honor Red Ribbon Week, which occurs during the last week of October each year and is a time to educate people and prevent drug abuse. The Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a Drug-Free America, according to redribbon.org.

“We are always proud to participate in Red Ribbon Week, as part of a unified voice that says ‘we are not going to let drugs continue to ruin lives across the world,’” says Vilinsky.

The FDFW Americas Chapter is part of the worldwide effort to end drug abuse through education, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. To learn about the work done in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, and Latin America, visit DrugFreeWorldAmericas.org.

Artlightenment 8th Annual Festival Brilliantly Illuminates Nashville Talent

Eighth Annual multi-media art and film festival, Artlightenment, was a smash success in highlighting local as well as International artists.

Artlightenment, the annual multi-media art show and film festival, has recently come to an end. This year, more than thirty visual artists, painters and photographers, and more than forty filmmakers, were showcased at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville. The festival was created by painter, sculptor and film producer, Robyn Morshead in 2009, and has only grown over the years to include workshops, live music and a fashion show, making it a vital force in Nashville’s creative community.

Beginning with an artists’ tea and workshop by Morshead and fashion designer Elisabeth Donaldson on the subject “How to Sell Your Art,” the festival went on to delight the hundreds of people who passed through.   

The theme of this year’s festival was “America-Its Cultures and Influences” and featured the work of legendary painter Jim Warren, one of the most versatile and successful artists living today. The whimsically surreal and amazingly unique creations he paints have inspired artists from around the world. Winning a Grammy Award for his cover art of Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind” album, Warren has also painted portraits of such notable figures as Brooke Shields, the Beach Boys and Kelsey Grammar for the Fame-Wall project in New York and continues to collaborate with Disney Studios on various projects.  Just before the Artlightenment awards ceremony, he spoke about his legendary career, which has spanned four decades.

In addition to Mr. Warren’s work, over 30 visual artists displayed their artwork, including featured artists Christopher Gatelock, Raeanne Rubenstein, and Samantha Ornellas. The 2016 Film Festival included short films created by both Nashville filmmakers and filmmakers from 35 countries around the world.  Artlightenment was also proud to feature professors and student filmmakers from Middle Tennessee State University, including well-known Documentary Filmmaker Tom Neff who showcased some of his photography.

For more information on the Artlightenment Art and Film Festival, and to stay in touch for the 2017 show, visit artlightenment.com.  

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee Spreading Calm in Nashville

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee has been distributing booklets to households in the heart of Nashville.  

According to website NeighborhoodScout.com, which provides crime statistics and other data for people looking to buy a home, the neighborhood they refer to as Eighth Avenue South/Wedgewood Avenue is the 18th most dangerous neighborhood in America. The website claims that a resident of the neighborhood has a 1 in 14 chance of being a victim of a crime over the period of a year.

So The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee began its efforts to halt crime in this area, by distributing the Way to Happiness booklets, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s. These books sparked a movement and have been reprinted and passed hand to hand to a wide variety of cultures and peoples. In Tennessee, The Way to Happiness Association has been spreading its message even further in recent years, and has no plans to stop anytime soon. Why? Organizers for the group say where it is distributed crime rates plummet, as proven by statistics.

"This book is based on common sense principles and acts as a moral compass,” says Judy Young, Director of The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, “when people read it, they are able to easily put the concepts in it into practice to live a better life.” Recently, a group of volunteers distributed more than 300 booklets to households in the community.

According to thewaytohappiness.org, “This code of conduct can be followed by anyone, of any race, color or creed and works to restore the bonds that unite humankind.” In the three decades since it was authored, 100 million copies of the book passed hand to hand. For more information, visit twthtn.org.

Tennessee Human Rights Day to Have Public Conversation on Child Trafficking

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place in Nashville at the First Amendment Center on December 6th, 5pm – 7pm.  

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place in Nashville at the First Amendment Center on December 6th, from 5pm – 7pm.  The celebration centers around the presentation of awards to human rights champions, but also maintains educational pieces to help those attending understand the sate of human rights, and human rights abuses across the state. This year, the planning committee has chosen to address child trafficking and is bringing in experts for a public conversation on the topic.

The planning committee is composed of human rights organizations and nonprofits, including the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, United Nations Association, UNICEF, Tennessee Board of Regents, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology, Muslim Women’s Council and others.

The theme chosen by the committee is “Hidden in Our Midst: Child Trafficking in Tennessee,” and it is under this theme the public conversation will operate. Those speaking to this topic are Jerry Redman, Co-Founder & CEO of Second Life of Chattanooga; Margie Quin, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations; Susan Watson, an attorney for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid; and Shelia Simpkins Mcclain, Director of Survivor Services for End Slavery Tennessee.

International Human Rights Day occurs every year to commemorate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on Dec 10, 1948. The event this year is ticketed at $10, with proceeds going to a Tennessee non-profit dedicated to human rights. For more information or to reserve a seat, visit www.nashvillehumanrights.org.  

Artlightenment Festival Hosts Artists’ Tea

Eighth Annual Multi-media Art and Film Festival, Artlightenment, held its annual artists’ tea and pre-show workshop.

Artlightenment, the annual multi-media art show and film festival, which this year will showcase more than thirty visual artists, painters and photographers, and more than forty filmmakers, will run November 10-12 at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville, 1130 8^th Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37203. Created by painter, sculptor and film producer, Robyn Morshead in 2009, this three day event also features workshops, live music and a fashion show, making it a vital force in Nashville’s creative community.

This past weekend, the festival held its annual artists’ tea, with all visual artists invited to meet one another before the show. They were also treated to a workshop by Morshead and fashion designer Elisabeth Donaldson on the subject “How to Sell Your Art.”

The theme of this year’s festival is “America-Its Cultures and Influences” and will feature the work of legendary painter Jim Warren, one of the most versatile and successful artists living today. Ticketholders will enjoy a rare opportunity, not only to see Mr. Warren’s work, but to meet him in person during a brief reception, on Saturday, November 12 at 6:30pm. He will then speak about his legendary career, which has spanned four decades.

In addition to Mr. Warren’s work, over 30 visual artists will have their art on display beginning at 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 10. The 2016 Film Festival will include short films created by both Nashville filmmakers and filmmakers from 35 countries around the world. These films will be screened nightly throughout the Festival.

Artlightenment is also proud to feature professors and student filmmakers from MTSU, including well-known Documentary Filmmaker Tom Neff who will showcase some of his photography. These works will be shown throughout the Festival’s three day run.

Tickets for this revolutionary event are $10 for three days. Ticketholders have access to all exhibits and workshops as well as the Film Festival and closing-night awards and fashion shows. For more information on the Artlightenment 2016 Art and Film Festival, to see the schedule of events, or to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.artlightenment.com.  Enjoy a sneak-peek of Artlightenment’s Art Show, (no ticket required) on November 5, which will dovetail with the WEHO Art Crawl, beginning at 6:00 pm at 1130 8^th Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37203.

Drug-Free Tennessee Holds Events to Honor Red Ribbon Week for 2016

Drug-Free Tennessee holds a variety of events throughout the year to benefit the community through education and awareness.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, 80% of crimes in the state have some drug-related nexus. Additionally, Tennessee's uninsured coupled with a high rate of prescribed painkillers are contributing factors behind the state's rise in heroin addiction and overdoses, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

To protect people from the disastrous effects of drugs, Drug-Free Tennessee had meetings with community leaders and events to educate people and provide resources during Red Ribbon Week.  Volunteers distributed Truth About Drugs booklets, which helps people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user,  to residents of Edgehill and 12 South neighborhoods, as well as met with government officials interested in health and wellness.

Red Ribbon Week occurs during the last week of October each year and is a time to educate people and help prevent drug abuse. The Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a Drug-Free America, according to redribbon.org.

Drug-Free Tennessee is a chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered. For more information on Drug-Free Tennessee, visit drugfreetn.org.

Artlightenment Festival Releases 2016 Schedule

Organizers have just released the schedule for Artlightenment, an annual film and art festival which takes place at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville.

Nashville is a city for the arts. While it goes by the name Music City, there is a wide variety of art beyond music that residents partake in: film, design, photography, fashion, sculpting, painting, and more. And for the past seven years, these art forms have all come to light in one explosive event: the annual Artlightenment film and art festival.

Artlightenment 2016 will see its eighth year of the festival which continues to grow and change while inviting even greater participation from the community. Organizers of the event have just released the schedule for this year, beginning with a pre-show workshop for artists titled “Selling your Art with Social Media and Traditional Methods,” on October 30 from 1-3pm.

The opening for the art show is November 5 from 6-10pm, and will have over 35 artists displaying their artwork. Among them will be featured artist and legendary painter Jim Warren, one of the most versatile and successful artists living today. The whimsically surreal and amazingly unique creations he paints have inspired artists from around the world. Winning a Grammy Award for his cover art of Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind” album, Warren has also painted portraits of such notable figures as Brooke Shields, the Beach Boys and Kelsey Grammar for the Fame-Wall project in New York and continues to collaborate with Disney Studios on various projects.  

November 10-12 is the film festival, which will feature over 40 films created by filmmakers locally and internationally.  November 12 is the final day of the art show and film festival and will include a meet and greet with featured artist Jim Warren at 6:30pm, followed by the Artlightenment Awards at 7:30pm, then concludes with a fashion show by Monarch Clothing designed by Elisabeth Donaldson at 8:30pm.

According to the Artlightenment website, the festival was created from founder Robyn Morshead’s dream to help artists by giving them a festival dedicated to no other cause than the art itself. “This is a festival about them, the artists, and what they have to say,” says Morshead. The festival takes place at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville, 1130 8^th Avenue South. For more information, visit artlightenment.com.