Kenneth M Terry's children's book 'Percy's Dream' is a delightful and beautifully illustrated story of a leaf named Percy; whose view of the sky is blocked by the other leaves on the tree above him. At night his dreams are about being on top of a tree and seeing the sky. As time passes, Percy stays steadfast to hope and determination that he will one day get a glimpse of the sky, he so longs to see. The book does have a happy ending that children will enjoy and they will want to read it over and over again. Mr Terry believes the lessons that your children can learn by reading this story are to pursue one’s dreams, hold fast to hope and be determined to see what they desire come true.
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Maredith Ryan lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area. She is a middle school English teacher and enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as staying consistently involved in athletics. She coaches basketball with both the middle school she teaches at and her alma mater, Welch College. Ryan’s self-care includes slow Saturday mornings with coffee, time spent in activity, and doing puzzles. Her faith is very important to her and she knows any talent in writing is only because The Lord has graciously blessed her with it. Ryan knew she wanted to be a writer at an early age and, taking the advice of her high school English teacher, has “Never stopped creating.” It is largely because of the countless worlds she’s experienced, adventures she’s embarked on, and individuals she’s met through the incredible act of reading, that she now creates worlds of her own. Ryan now encourages fellow writers with that very same mantra from her early years of writing: Never stop creating.
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Surprisingly, 18-24-year-olds have, on average, a lower outstanding balance of £199 on buy now, pay later (BNPL) products than their elders (compared with £224 for Gen X).
55% of Gen Z believe they are seen by older generations as being “financially irresponsible”, and that there is a lack of understanding about how expensive it is to live these days (51%). However, although many are in the early stages of their careers, 18-24-year-olds on average have an impressive £4,935 in savings, just behind Millennials with £6,053 and Generation X at £6,701.
Gen Z are also surprisingly savvy spenders – they are trying to buy things that are responsibly sourced, second hand or more environmentally friendly (43% 18-24 vs 34% 55+), implying they are not as into throwaway fast fashion as many assume.
The research also found that the majority of Gen Z don’t use credit cards (68%), which unfortunately means they could be missing out on developing credit scores that will help with their future financial goals. This could also cause a generational credit score slump, as young people battle the cost-of-living crisis to build savings. Gen Z are the least aware of their credit score (29%), 18% are unclear about how credit cards work and a further 16% have been advised to avoid credit altogether.
Of those who do have a credit card, 20% still do not know the effects that BNPL schemes have on their credit score, compared to just 10% of those over 55’s. A further 17% of Gen Z have missed a payment too, which leads to credit scores being damaged and potentially hinders this generation’s short-and long-term financial goals.
To help Gen Z manage their buy now, pay later spending with one easy payment while building their credit score, Virgin Money has created Slyce, a way to buy now, and pay better. It combines the flexibility of a BNPL product with the benefits of a regulated credit card and allows customers to manage their money in a way that works for them.
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Legendary singer P.P. Arnold returns with the sensational festive tune ‘It Won’t Be Christmas Without You’, an instant classic for the holiday season produced by Mark Taylor & Patrick Mascall for Metrophonic Production Ltd.
Living legend and queen of soul Pat ‘P.P.’ Arnold needs no introduction, having accumulated a lifetime of show-stopping performances in the studio and on stage, whether through her successful solo work with ’60s hits like ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’ & ‘Angel Of The Morning’ and her critically acclaimed 2019 solo album ‘The New Adventures Of…’ or as the go-to voice for rock and soul legends like Ike & Tina Turner, Small Faces, Stevie Wonder, Roger Waters and Nick Drake amongst others.
Following the release this year of her best-selling autobiography ‘Soul Survivor’, the next chapter in P.P. Arnold’s story is her glorious first-time Christmas single ‘It Won’t Be Christmas Without You’. Produced by Mark Taylor & Patrick Mascall from Metrophonic Productions Ltd. who also share writing credits alongside Paul Barry, the opportunity to record the track was a joy for Arnold after the isolation of lockdown. “I wasn’t thinking ‘Christmas’ originally I just wanted to be in the studio recording and being able to do that. I went to meet Mark and Patrick and they were so cool, and I hadn’t been in a studio since 2019 because of Covid. It was nice being in the studio with really good producers who know what they wanted.”
Once Arnold heard the track she knew she could bring her own distinctive vocal sound to the festive party, “I loved the track when they played it to me! I thought this is cool, it has that whole soulful sixties vibe and everything that a Christmas record should have!”
Taking its cue from the fabled sound of Phil Spector’s ‘A Christmas Gift For You…’ album, ‘It Won’t Be Christmas Without You’ is a stunning ‘wall of sound’ production that’s set to become an instant seasonal classic. Opening with a flourish of sleigh bells before giving way to a sky-scraping euphoric chorus, it’s shot through with a lyrical melancholy that immediately puts it amongst the pantheon of great Xmas songs. Throw in some saxophone that recalls E-Street band legend Clarence Clemons and you have a timeless classic to light up people’s hearts and minds during the holiday season.
It also proves that time hasn’t diminished the power and resonance of P.P. Arnold’s voice, which soars and touches the soul with the same power that it did years ago when she first burst onto the global music scene. “It stretched me because I’m singing like I’m seventeen again in that key, I gotta be working to sing in that key to keep all that stuff going, so I’m giving thanks and praise that I can still do that. When they played the track back in the studio I was like ‘oh yeah!’”
Arnold’s skill with her vocal delivery is something which many other vocalists would find hard to match, a talent fine-tuned over decades of professional singing work, but true to her loving spirit she understands the significance of connecting with the hearts and minds of people at one of the most important times of the year “I started stretching out but not too much, it’s Christmas, everybody wants to be able to sing it! It’s not just about me, I sang it for everybody.”
“Mariah please, give somebody else a break!” jokes Arnold, but this festive chapter in the continuing adventures of a soul survivor proves that P.P. Arnold continues to hold her own alongside her contemporaries, and reminds us all to cherish her beautiful talents as she forges her own unique path into a bright future.
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With joyful pictures and words, Welcome To Happy Town helps kids (and adults) understand that being kind to ourselves and others feels good. As you read this book with your children, or as they read it themselves, they will become more aware of their own and other people's individual specialness.
The Happy Town series offers simple, fun activities that invite children to pay closer attention to nature. Kids will gain a greater connection to their world as they directly experience the everyday miracles surrounding them.
Thoughts are powerful; they can make us happy, sad, compassionate, or mad. Many children and adults do not realize that they often have the power to choose their thoughts. And thoughts impact our feelings and experiences. Realizing this and knowing how to stop and choose what we are thinking can help all of us to live happy, peaceful lives that are filled with love and gratitude.
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The Mental State swept the Awards at The Catalina Film Festival this weekend, taking home the Best U.S. Feature Film, Best Director and Best Lead Male Actor awards. Based on the play, The Mental State tells the story of a high school senior from rural Kentucky suffering from a mental health crisis and the lack of community resources his family has to help him. The film touches on school shootings and gun violence whilst also exploring the painful reality of the mental health crisis plaguing our society. 
The Catalina Film Festival celebrated its 12th year returning to the mainland of Long Beach in the Scottish Rite Cultural Center on September 21st & 22nd, then sailed to its namesake on Catalina Island for the weekend for its classical screening and red-carpet premieres at the historic Avalon Casino Theatre from September 23rd through the 25th.
James Camali, the director, was accompanied by his filmmaking partner and cinematographer Ronnee Swenton. Matthew Einstein of Tradition Pictures and Glen Trotiner produced the film and guided every part of the process from the script to the finished movie.
The performances given by the cast were outstanding. The film stars newcomer Jance Enslin, who won Best Male Lead for his role as Andy Cady and includes veterans such as Carly Pope (Elysium), Alyssa Sutherland (Vikings), and Bryan Greenberg (How to Make it In America).
Casting for The Mental State was led by casting directors Patricia McCorkle and her then-associate Katja Zarolinkski. “After about six seconds into his audition, it was obvious that he was the right choice for Andy,” said Camali of Enslin. Camali also remarked that “each actor was ready to come on this project to act their butts off, which they did. I’m very thankful for this cast.” 
Matthew Einstein discussed Camali’s work on the project, “James was so connected to the material and was dogged in his determination to make a meaningful statement with this film. James is a thorough filmmaker and worked so well with the actors. He would be awake until the wee hours of the morning after long shoot days to make sure everything was just right before the next day. It was a pleasure to work alongside him throughout the process and to support his efforts.”Camali stated what sets this movie apart from others is that it “brings a lot of empathy to everyone involved in a school shooting. It’s not meant to generalize every scenario like this or our main character’s experience with his mental illness. We worked extraordinarily hard to express the perspectives of the shooter, the family, other students, faculty, and the surrounding community with utmost respect and compassion.” 
The film’s success at The Catalina Film Festival offers a glimpse at the impact the film will surely make as it screens at more film festivals around the country and the world. The film also won Best Feature at the New Jersey International Film Festival. The film will screen at the Newport Beach Film Festival, Portland Film Festival, Louisville’s International Film Festival, and Syracuse International Film Festival. The film is seeking sales representation and distribution.
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Dr Helen Lawal is a Portfolio GP and works in the NHS for OneMedical Group as the Lead GP for Lifestyle Medicine. Alongside this, she works as a Health Coach in a private wellness centre helping men and women lose weight and create healthy lifestyle habits. She also has 3 years experience of working in a Sexual Health and Contraception clinic.
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Patti Boulaye is a singer, author, actress, public speaker, lecturer, painter, show producer, wife, proud mother of two children and grandmother to a cherished grandson and granddaughter. In January 2016 Patti was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire) in Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday Honours List for her charity work in the UK & Sub-Saharan Africa. 2017 marked the 46th Anniversary of Patti’s West End debut in the musical “Hair”. 2017 also saw Patti awarded a Visiting Teaching Fellowship at Middlesex University Business School Faculty of Professional & Social Sciences.
Patti is famous for her singing and stage appearances, but little is known about her charitable work. For over 30 years she has supported many charities in the UK. Her philanthropic experience came in handy when she launched her charity Support For Africa (SFA) at the Royal Albert Hall with 3000 Gospel Singers and Stars of stage and screen. SFA has built 5 healthcare clinics and a school in Africa. Patti was on HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee Creative Committee, for which she organised and lead her 5000 Gospel Singers down The Mall.
In October 2018 Patti was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree for services to The Arts and Education by the Joint Council of Churches. In the same month, she appeared in the BBCTV series “Celebrity Master Chef”.
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Dr Martin Patrick was born in London. His education includes BA Hons, Masters, PGCHE and PhD. He has written five plays, including Where To Now, which won him the London Playwright’s Co-op 1988 Best New Playwright Award. His third play, Give It Up Mum, was selected by The Independent Newspaper for the Second Phase prize. He was Professor in Drama, Film and Cultural Studies. In the 1990s Martin performed his Vignettes at Open Mic readings and Performance Arts spaces such as the prestigious ICA, Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam and New York City. From 2000 to the present, he has written more than one hundred short stories and published four novels. Love Both Ways earned him the UK Polari first British novel 2017 Longlist distinction.
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Jason Fox often referred to by his nickname 'Foxy' is a television presenter, adventurer and former British soldier. He is best known as the longest-serving directing staff on the popular Channel 4 television series SAS: Who Dares Wins, and the presenter of the investigative documentary series Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos.
Fox joined the Royal Marines Commandos in 1992 at the age of 16. In 2001, he joined the Special Boat Service and reached the rank of Sergeant. After 20 years of military service, Fox was medically discharged on 5 April 2012 having been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Fox is one of the original presenters and directing staff on SAS: Who Dares Wins, a reality television programme where contestants experience a gruelling training course loosely based on a condensed version of the special forces selection process. Fox stars alongside former special forces soldiers Ant Middleton, Matthew ‘Ollie’ Ollerton, Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham, and Jay Morton. The programme first broadcast in 2015 is produced by Channel 4, and aired its fifth season in February 2020. In 2019, the first season of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins aired which also stars Fox.
In 2018, Fox presented a 3 part docuseries, Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the real Narcos. The series positioned Fox in his first investigative journalism role, spending time within drug cartels in Mexico, Columbia and Peru, meeting and talking to people living and working in those communities. Fox's interviews in the series included Popeye (Jhon Jairo Velásquez) – known as one of Pablo Escobars’ hitmen in Columbia.
In 2019, Fox presented the documentary The Final Mission: Foxy's War which saw him return to Afghanistan where he had served in the military.
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