Dear Friends,
You're invited to join Melissa Irish, Alison Williams and Shel Saxon for a fun and meaningful charity Stop Drop and Dance class this Thursday, September 25th at 9:30am @UUMarin (240 Channing Way, San Rafael) in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a leader in the fight against breast cancer.
A few words from our hosts...
"Breast cancer has touched all of our lives in some way—whether through a friend, family member, or personal journey—and this is a chance to come together, move for a cause, and make a difference. All proceeds from the class will go directly to help fund research, support services, and advocacy through Susan G. Komen. Let’s dance with purpose and show our strength in unity—every step counts!
Our 3 Day Walk takes place this November 14-16 in San Diego and the training has already begun! While it's a 3 day event, Ali is walking all 3 days while Shel and Melissa are committing to one day of walking and a day of volunteering. Feel free to reach out for a walk. We have lots of miles to get under our belts and it helps to have the company!"
We look forward to dancing with you all on Thursday September 25th. The theme, as you might imagine, is PINK!
Support our Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Fundraiser class here!
"Multicolored MONONO" By Nicole Todd Bailey
We had such a colorful Stop Drop and Dance book launch celebrating one of our members’ debut as a children’s author: Nicole Todd Bailey!
We danced to Nicole’s favorite songs, Nicole shared her personal story and inspiration, and at the end Nicole even surprised us all with a shaved ice truck by Kona Ice! Thank you Erin Meyers for setting up a rainbow backdrop to match our multicolored theme!
Here is a bit of what Nicole shared with us:
“As a multiracial adoptive family, my children have experienced a wide range of reactions, comments and behavior in response to how different we seem to others. Sometimes it comes through with kindness and genuine interest, but most times it is cloaked with confusion and discomfort. At its worst, society shows up with judgement and exclusion.
Like many children who live in the margins of our society, my children have had to work extra hard to manage how they are defined by others, to be seen for qualities that all children share, and to make lasting connections.
Multicolored Monono was written to reflect that path — a lonely lane in life that makes extraordinarily strong people. Our story ends with hope, but not an easy or perfect resolution because that is reality. My kids insisted on this.
We believe that our book can be a mirror for the lived experience of any child who is struggling to find a place in the world or is working extra hard to be seen. All children deserve kindness and inclusion, and our world needs more books that show them it is possible.”
We hope you will support Nicole and purchase her book on Amazon, or visit her website at www.laneofourown.com
Congratulations on becoming an author, Nicole!
Every Dollar Counts!
Thank you to all the dancers who came to Stop Drop and Dance class Thursday morning and helped to raise $320 to buy school supplies and essentials for the children of an anonymous local family in need. Every dollar counts and we are grateful for your support!
We also had a wonderful celebration of movement, expression, positivity, joy and health on Saturday for National Dance Day! You are all wonderful, kind, loving human beings!
Thank you for constantly showing Higher Love to one another and making a difference in our community.
$34,000 and Counting!
Congratulations to Saint Isabella School for working as a whole community to raise money for last Friday's 4th Annual Dance-a-thon! Over the past 3 years, they have raised over $50,000 dancing together, but this year, they set a new record: $34,315 with still one day left!!! Incredible!
Thank you to the mastermind Parent Association leaders Nancy Knievel, who organized the event the first 2 years, and Kara King, who organized last year and this year!
In addition, this fundraiser is a success each year only because of the commitment of all the teachers, staff, parents, and students to participate during the school day, get out of their comfort zone and sweat together on the blacktop as a school community!
A special shout out goes to my loyal backup dancer, Leslie Dinham, as well as 8th grader Logan and 7th grader Betty, who stood up front and led all the dances!
Congratulations Saint Isabella School!
Glow Up
People are so creative. I absolutely love new ideas, new inventions, and even new words.
My favorite go-to jewelry is the Mantraband collection where you can wear multiple positive mantras as bangles on your wrist. My favorite non-essential house item is a towel warmer my sister-in-law gifted us a long time ago that treats you to a warm towel and robe as soon as you step out of the shower. My favorite cooking tool is this one-egg non-stick frying pan that makes my over-medium eggs into a perfect circle.
Simple pleasures.
Well, this past week, I discovered my new favorite term, "Glow Up" (even though I'm sure it's been around a long time already). I love it. Let's not just grow up - getting older, smarter, and wiser - but let's GLOW UP - becoming an older, smarter, and wiser person that also is passionate, joyful, and healthy (among other things). Yes please!
"She's cleaning up her whole life.
Her habits, beliefs, space & circle.
She's taking a moment to appreciate how far she's already come.
She's showing up as the woman she wants to be until she becomes her.
She's prioritizing things that make her feel good and give her energy.
She's stepping out of her comfort zone and taking action towards her goals everyday."
- @herinnerglo
To glowing up together, friends!
Love,
Grace
Dancers in the Wild!
Top Left: Emilie Rohrback and Karin Conn at a music festival.
Top Middle: Tanya Burdick's PWG hat mistaken for a crocodile!?!
Top Right: Grace & Leslie Dinham getting ready for St. Isabella's Dance-a-thon.
Bottom Left: Nicole Bailey and Karin Conn ready to promote Multicolored MONONO!
Middle Right: My daughters with a surprise new puppy guest, Luca!
Bottom Right: Seran Kim, Grace and Neha Nissen at National Dance Day!
