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Mind, Body And Soul Health Fair
ReadOut 2020 Event Explores ‘Why Our Stories Matter’
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Of Service – A Day On, Not A Day Off
Around this time each year, we all reflect on the last twelve months and how we did on our resolutions.
Nowthatweareinanew decade, what are you going to do different that would make changes for your life in the fu- ture? Typical resolutions each year are, saving money, going to church or starting a new ex- ercise routine or diet. Well, here’s encouragement to go deeper in this New Year, 2020.
Whatever you decide to do or work on this year, take it to the next level so that it changes your future for the better.
When reflecting, consider a holistic view that encompasses your Mind, Body and Soul. Here is an example:
For the mind maybe you might want to learn de-stress- ing techniques that lower your blood pressure; for the body consider eating snacks that in- crease your metabolism that reduces the circumference of your waist; and for the soul, seek like-minded people, who share your spiritual beliefs and invest quality time in studying the Word or do a community service activity that is fulfilling for both you and the people re-
ceiving it.
In doing a service activity
you demonstrate love that has benefits for your Mind, Body and Soul.
Every year there are many organizations around the Tampa Bay area, that will be conducting Martin Luther King activities that benefit communities in their sur- rounding area.
For the second year, Bethel A. M. E. Church will be hosting a Mind, Body and Soul Health Fair, which is a Martin Luther King Day of Service event. The purpose of the Health Fair is to educate the community on cre- ating healthy meals on a budget, incorporating fruit and vegetables into their lives daily for better health and how to eat nutritious meals and ex- ercise to manage existing health issues, such as diabetes, blood pressure and heart dis- ease, to name a few.
“I want to invite the com- munity of Tampa Bay to join us on January 18, 2020, 10 A. M.to1P.M.,foratimeoffun, learning and education on how to take care of ourselves so that we can live longer,” states Ms. Cornelia Daux, Coordi- nator.
Bethel A. M. E. Church is located at 5001 Cumberland Dr., Tampa.
Tampa Author Sheree L. Greer to Keynote and Lead Writer’s Workshop
If you missed the first two ReadOuts, another chance to attend this unique festival of lesbian literature comes again Friday, January 31st - Sunday, February 2nd, at the Gulfport Library, in Gulfport.
This year, ReadOut is big- ger than ever, with 23 featured authors scheduled to read from their works and engage with an audience of readers and writers.
Acclaimed author, and Tampa resident, Sheree L. Greer will deliver the keynote, “Why Our Stories Matter.” Among her many achieve- ments, Greer, who teaches writing at St. Petersburg Col- lege, is the author of two nov- els, Let the Lover Be (a Rainbow Award Finalist) and A Return to Arms. She also penned a short story collec- tion, Once and Future Lovers.
Greer’s work has been featured in literary journals, magazines, and anthologies, and her most recent work, “Bars,” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Greer is a Yaddo and Ragdale Rubin Fel- low and an Astraea Lesbian Foundation grantee.
When asked about her hopes and goals for the week- end, Greer shared, “My biggest hope is that we see a really diverse collection of writers and readers come out. I’m hoping to see a really in- clusive weekend where we cre- ate space and hold space for each other’s stories.”
Addressing the subject of
“Why Our Stories Matter,”
Greer offered, “If I could put it in a tag line, I’d say ‘Queer people do more than Pride pa- rades.’ You know, we get cov- erage that one day of the year when we fill the street, but we also do a lot of important things that contribute to the community. We are every facet of the community. We are in every industry, working along- side you, everyday, and we do more than just fill up the streets in parades. This is a chance to see another side of our talents and our strengths that we bring to the commu- nity.”
SHEREE L. GREER ...Keynote Speaker, Lead Workshop Presenter
The festivities kick off Fri- day, Jan. 31st, at 3 PM, with Romance authors reading from their works until 5 PM. From 7 PM - 8:30 PM, Greer and other featured authors and readers will mingle at a Wine and Cheese Meet and Greet, along with Nia and Ness, who will offer a brief preview of their work. Books willbesoldfrom10AM-5 PM, Saturday, in the Author Vendor Room.
Greer’s keynote goes from 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM, Satur- day. Authors will read from their works and answer ques- tions from the audience, from 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, and then again from 1:30 PM-4 PM.
Lunch for attendees will be provided at the library. Greer’s workshop, “You Are the Protagonist: Using Your Experiences to Create Com- pelling Fiction and Non-Fic- tion,” takes place Sunday, from 9 AM - Noon. Registration and a $25 donation is suggested for workshop participants.
To see the full schedule of ReadOut 2020 events, go to gulfportreadout2020.brown- papertickets.com.
Registration for the free events is not required, but you must register for the ReadOut writer’s workshop with Sheree L. Greer.
A limited number of schol- arships are available by writing to gulfportreadout@gmail. com.
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