November 28, 2020  

brides.com – 11 Things Real Couples Learned About Their Relationship During the Pandemic

No matter how blissfully content you were in your relationship before March 2020, there’s no denying the global pandemic shook things up a bit. We were all thrust out of our comfort zones and faced with a scary, new reality with no return to normalcy in sight. While everyone experienced their own set of challenges, one of the biggest for most couples was how to co-exist together in this very strange and ever-present new normal.

Whether you were in the midst of planning your wedding or decades into a happy marriage, the experience of surviving a pandemic side-by-side was likely not one you ever prepared for—or thought you’d find yourself in, at the very least. Alas, so many couples have come out stronger, despite going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. The experience brought so many couples closer and taught valuable life lessons that so many of us will carry with us throughout our lives.

Here are some of the remarkable stories of lessons learned from real couples as they thrived through the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 27, 2020  

spectrumnews1.com – New Holiday Drive-Thru Event Delivers Socially Distanced Cheer

VENTURA, Calif. — This year could easily have been a bit less merry and bright, but Vincenzo Giammanco wouldn’t have it.

Giammanco is founder of CBF Productions and, just like the guy in red, has been busy putting together a new way for families to celebrate the season in a safe, socially distanced setting.

Holidays in Your Car is 1.5 miles of merry. Giammanco describes it as a kind of “lazy river” experience, with cars winding slowly through the fairgrounds and coming across different displays, as holiday music plays through their stereos. There are classic fairy tales, elves, reindeer, and an entire section of animated construction vehicles all made out of light.

Full article here: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/san-fernando-valley-ventura/entertainment/2020/11/26/new-holiday-drive-thru-event-delivers-cheer#

November 25, 2020  

medium.com/authority-magazine – Young Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Author Makaila Nichols Decided To Change Our World

As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Makaila Nichols.

At age 22, Makaila Nichols is a best-selling author of “Blatantly Honest: Normal Teen, Abnormal Life.” In her book, she shares her personal struggles with issues teens may encounter such as: bullying, body image, sexual assault, peer pressure and more. To meet the needs of her younger audience, she has also created two children’s coloring books focused on anti-bullying and positive body image: “Buddies Don’t Bully” and “Every Body is Beautiful.” Thanks to generous sponsors from Central Florida, Makaila and her sponsors have donated over 10,000 coloring books to over 18 elementary schools.

To reach an even larger audience, Makaila has developed a YouTube & podcast channel that focuses on changing the stigmas behind teen social issues. She is able to accomplish this by chatting with celebrities, influencers and experts about their own struggles and triumphs. Makaila also shares her story in person. She travels the country to speak to elementary, middle and high school students about bullying, body image, sexual assault, mental health and suicide prevention. Aside from working with the youth, she also hosts events to provide insight for parents, teachers, organizations and more.

Full article here: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/young-social-impact-heroes-why-and-how-author-makaila-nichols-decided-to-change-our-world-1aa83bacf950

November 25, 2020  

thriveglobal.com – Why and How Author Makaila Nichols Decided To Change Our World

As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Makaila Nichols.

At age 22, Makaila Nichols is a best-selling author of “Blatantly Honest: Normal Teen, Abnormal Life.” In her book, she shares her personal struggles with issues teens may encounter such as: bullying, body image, sexual assault, peer pressure and more. To meet the needs of her younger audience, she has also created two children’s coloring books focused on anti-bullying and positive body image: “Buddies Don’t Bully” and “Every Body is Beautiful.” Thanks to generous sponsors from Central Florida, Makaila and her sponsors have donated over 10,000 coloring books to over 18 elementary schools.

Full article here: https://thriveglobal.com/stories/why-and-how-author-makaila-nichols-decided-to-change-our-world/

November 25, 2020  

gratefulweb.com – 311 DOUBLED THE FUN WITH TWO LIVE SETS AT CONCERTS IN YOUR CAR SERIES IN VENTURA

Three-eleven brought their funk drenched rap infused rock sounds to the Ventura Fairgrounds for the Concerts In Your Car series on November 14th. The boys from Omaha played two distinctive back-to-back shows drawing material from their thirteen studio albums and more.  Since last June, when CBF Productions launched the first drive-in live music experience in California at the Ventura Fairgrounds, there has been a rebirth of live music events on the south coast.

Many diverse acts have taken the stage at the venue, including Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, Fitz, and The Tantrums, Los Lobos, Tower of Power, and Sublime. Three-eleven can now be added to the impressive list of seasoned performers. The band exploded onstage in a sound and lighting extravaganza for the first of two shows just after sunset. The band opened their 16 song setlist with one of their biggest hits, “Beautiful Disaster,” which inspired some in the car audience to honk their horns and others to dance on the hoods of their cars.

Full article here: https://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/311-doubled-fun-two-live-sets-concerts-your-car-series-ventura