'Love Shouldn't Hurt NY, Inc.' is a Domestic Violence Awareness and Support Group. LSH is comprised of victims, survivors and supporters.  After surviving two abusive relationships, I, Melissa Holmes, started LSH as a secret group on the social networking site, Facebook. I was looking for an arena to vent, post and provide support for people who have also suffered abuse. LSH started with about 30 members, we now have well over 1000 members worldwide.

LSH is giving a sense of purpose through daily prayers and supportive posts, motivating people to leave abusive situations and helping victims heal after abuse. There have also been occasions where LSH has assisted victims escape from their abusers.  For 4 years LSH has encouraged, enhanced, empowered and elevated Domestic Violence awareness.  Now we are campaigning against Domestic Violence in communities by paying forward what we receive inside LSH with combined acts of service and support.

I AM A SURVIVOR - and you can be too!

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is when one person does a variety of things to control another person in an intimate relationship. The shift in power can happen very slowly, over a period of time, so that the other person cannot even remember when it happened. Or it can happen very quickly after there is some sort of commitment or some change in the level of intimacy.

Many people wonder if what is happening to them is domestic violence because their partner has never hit them. Physical abuse is probably what most people think of when they think about domestic violence, but it is just one of the many ways that your partner might try to gain power and control in your relationship.

Ways a person might try to gain power and control over their partner include:

Isolation - making it hard for you to see your friends and family; telling you that your friends and family cause problems in the relationship or are trying to "come between you."

Economic abuse - having complete control over the money; making you account for every penny you spend; taking your money from you.

Verbal, emotional, psychological abuse - calling you names; putting you down or embarrassing you in front of other people; criticizing your abilities as a partner or parent.

Intimidation - making you afraid with a look, action, or gesture; getting you to do something by reminding you about "what happened last time."

Coercion and threats - showing you a weapon and threatening to use it on you; threatening to "out" you to family, friends, or employers if you are gay or lesbian; threatening to harm your family, friends, or anyone you might go to for help.

Physical abuse - pushing, grabbing, hitting, slapping, punching, or kicking you.

Sexual abuse - forcing you to have sex when you don't want to; making you engage in sexual acts that make you uncomfortable; forcing you to engage in prostitution.

Using children - undermining your authority with your children; threatening to take the children away from you by kidnapping or getting custody of them; "pumping" your children for information about you.

Minimizing, denying, blaming - making you think the abuse is your fault; saying the abuse was caused by stress, alcohol, or problems at work; denying that the abuse happened at all.

Abuse is not always physical.

These are some of the most common ways that abusers try to control their partners, but certainly not the only ones. If your partner does things that restrict your personal freedom or that make you afraid, you may be a victim of domestic violence.

You are not alone. Millions of people are abused by their partners every year. But it is important to know that more resources are available now than ever before to help women and their children be safe.

Why do Abused Women Feel Trapped?

Many people who are abused by their intimate partner just want the violence and abuse to stop, but they don't want the relationship to end. But even when they do want to get out of the relationship with the abuser, it's hard.

Under the best of circumstances, it is not easy to end a relationship with an intimate partner. Love, family, shared memories, and commitment are bonds that are hard to break. Cultural or religious beliefs may be barriers to ending a marriage. Immigration status may be another obstacle. While ending a relationship is hard for everyone, women who are abused face the added risks of physical, emotional and psychological harm. There are risks that come with every decision an abused woman makes.

Donations can go to:

Melissa Holmes

c/o Love Shouldn't Hurt

949 Ogden Ave #1D

Bronx, NY 10452

GRETA BERLIN (France/USA), Board Secretary Greta Berlin is one of the founders of the Free Gaza Movement. She has been an advocate for justice for the Palestinians since the early 60s. She is the mother of two Palestinian/American children whose father was born and raised in Safad, Palestine and is a 1948 refugee. She has a masters degree in Theatre and journalism and a bachelor’s in English and theatre.

She was on the first voyage in August, 2008 and helped run the next four voyages, all successful in entering Gaza in 2008. She was one of the major spokespersons for Freedom Flotilla I and has continued as the media contact for Free Gaza. She is the co-editor and co-author of the book, Freedom Sailors, the story of the first voyage to Gaza and how we succeeded in spite of ourselves.

ABOUT FREEDOM SAILORS by Greta Berlin

FREEDOM SAILORS is a much-needed account of how a small group of ordinary people conceived and executed what seemed like a grandiose and audacious plan to break Israel’s illegal military blockade of the Gaza Strip, a blockade that keeps more than 1.5 million people in an open-air prison. Knowing what we know now – that Israel Defense Forces would later murder nine people, including an unarmed American citizen, Furkan Dogan, executed at point-blank range during a later Freedom Flotilla – our chutzpah is astonishing.

In a little over two years, we raised the money to purchase two dilapidated fishing boats stored in secret ports in Greece, collected 44 passengers, crew and journalists, aged 22 to 81 and chose Cyprus as our embarkation point.

People who weren't there or weren't close to us may not realize just how isolated we were once we finally set sail to Gaza on the late morning of August 22, 2008; over 33 hours on the sea, no internet, and only a couple of satellite phones which were blocked by the Israelis after night set in.

That first voyage in 2008 achieved exactly what we hoped it would. We opened the door just a bit, proving it could be done. None of the later actions, by land or by sea, would have been possible or even attempted if we hadn't climbed into two ramshackle boats with nothing but our determination and our naiveté holding us together.

Our story of how we came together, raised the necessary money, and pulled off the successful voyage, despite the prying eyes of Israel’s intelligence service, the Mossad, is often riveting.

More to the point, it helps us understand the importance of taking a stand when you see an injustice rather than becoming complicit through silence.

"Freedom Sailors is a powerful record of the political and humanitarian activity of some of the best humans we are ever likely to meet, or learn about. These women and men leave us with the most wonderful of questions: Is human courage and sacrifice the same as love? And is it this love for ourselves collectively, as humans, that has a chance of saving us and our planet? To read this book is to see what we can be like, in the face of imminent danger."

~ Alice Walker, Earthling poet, writer and activist

Canadian powerhouse drummer Corky Laing is essentially associated with rock and roll folklore and as one of the elite drummers in the world. Laing is a longtime member for hard rock/heavy metal giant’s Mountain and the blues-rock power trio of West, Bruce & Laing. But Laing’s musical collaborations are seemingly endless. A list that includes alliances with John Lennon, Jack Bruce, Meat Loaf, Noel Redding, Mahogany Rush, Ten Years After, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Bo Diddley and Gov’t Mule …to  name a few. Laing is also a producer and composer.

Corky Laing has recently added a brand new chapter to his illustrious musical career. Laing’s most recent project is a fascinating collaboration with two internationally acclaimed professors (Prof. Matti Häyry and Dr. Tuija Takala) intermingling the decree of genetic engineering with a rock opera music scheme. The concept album entitled … Playing God is performed by the Perfect Child, an incredible ensemble of musicians and singers. At the core of the rock opera is Corky Laing who astounds instrumentally, lyrically and vocally. The album concept is brilliant and the music is colossal. It’s an awe-inspiring rock musical production and a cross between … Welcome to my Nightmare, The Wall and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Corky Laing also records and performs live with his band Corky Lang & The Memory Thieves featuring Bonnie Parker & Denny Colt. Both bandmates also performed magnificently on the Perfect Child rock opera. The Memory Thieves released the album House of Thieves in 2012. 

Corky Laing studio and live albums with Mountain … Climbing! (1970), Nantucket Sleighride (1971), Flowers of Evil (1971), Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On (1972).  Avalanche (1974), Go for Your Life (1985), Man’s World (1996), Mystic Fire (2002), Masters of War (2004).

Corky Laing studio and live albums with West, Bruce & Laing … Why Dontcha (1972), Whatever Turns You On (1973), Live ‘n’ Kickin’ (1974).

Other studio releases featuring Corky Laing … Corky Laing- Makin’ It on the Street (1977), The Secret Sessions (1999), Cork- Speed of Thought (1999), Cork- Out There (2003), Jason Hartless Jr. –First Division (2004), Stick It! (2004). 

Most Recently 'CORKY LAING PLAYS MOUNTAIN' is touring worldwide

Sitting in with K2 (Peter Baron, Ken Sidotti & Joe Venti), a band saluting Mountain’s music, for a couple of gigs during 2014 and 2015 reminded Corky how much he liked playing Mountain songs the way they were originally written. Now he is looking at touring both Europe and the US celebrating the Mountain legacy. On the European tours Corky is joined by Joe Venti (formerly e.g. Leslie West Band) on bass and vocals, and Phil Baker (e.g. Uriah Heep Legends & Pulse Echoes of Floyd) on guitar and vocals. In November 2015 they tour the UK and in February 2016 Germany, playing the immortal Mountain classics and throwing in some West, Bruce & Laing and Cream for good measure.

LIVE Dates ...More to come

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CORKY LAING plays MOUNTAIN – German Tour 2016 

2/9/2016 Meisenfrei, Bremen

2/10/2016 Markthalle, Hamburg

2/11/2016 Roxy, Flensburg

2/12/2016 Kulturwerksta, Melle-Buer

2/13/2016 Beavers, Miltenberg

2/14/2016 Rock Jungfer, Arnstadt

2/15/2016 Kofferfabrik, Fürth

2/16/2016 venue tbc, Bernau

2/17/2016 Harmonie, Bonn 

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CORKY LAING AND THE PERFCT CHILD – PLAYING GOD: THE ROCK OPERA

4/8/2016 Cultural Arena Gloria, Helsinki, Finland

4/9/2016 Cultural Arena Gloria, Helsinki, Finland

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Here’s my interview with legendary drummer, composer, producer, singer, and member of classic rock legend’s Mountain and West, Bruce & Laing … CORKY LAING.  

“There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own Soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. » Carl Jung“Whatever is rejected from the self, appears in the world as an event.”

― C.G. Jung

Hello, I am a child of earth, and I have spent the last 5 years going through a radical personal healing.  Throughout my journey, I have fallen into a few traps since my full on awakening.  It happened one morning when i immediately and profoundly knew we were all ONE.  From that moment, my experiences took on new dimensions...

I am here to help others through the earthly maze, to assist in the discovery of the Self, residing underneath the many layers.  My intention is to spread truth, to empower others to unplug from artificial timelines, and to help in connecting to the authentic, organic essence.  

It's a necessary aspect of awakening to see through the lies, and for each and every one of us to find our authentic, full bodied, inner child.  Once found and awakened, our natural connection to Mother earth-Spirit is instantaneous.  We automatically gain access to all of her/our inner truth...  a vast, wordless "knowingness".

Victoria's blog: https://victoriacottonblog.wordpress.com

Victoria's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRpJI3f0AW4QG77oiwZTGQ

David Lewis on ‘Living a Soulful Life’ (book cover below)

The just-printed book, ‘Living a Soulful Life’, arrived 3 days before this show. There was a celebration at the Hearts Center Community – a worldwide Internet-streaming network – with a 17 minute ‘heartstream’ from the Maha Chohan honoring the Great Soul of Afra

David C. Lewis is the messenger of the Ascended Masters at the Hearts Center, and shares with us his intriguing story of the decade-long evolution of this book about Afra, the divine patron of Africa.

Afra exemplifies universal brotherhood/sisterhood and embodies the flame of freedom. In this book, he reveals how to connect fully to the light and fabric of our souls. Master Afra, whose name means “brother’, models the essence of soulfulness, kindness, and brotherly love. His stories, revelations and insights – from past civilizations to modern times – show us how to reconnect with the Divine for personal and planetary unity and enlightenment.

“The teachings in this book present keys to co-creating a brighter future for this planet by embracing a unity consciousness that sees all men and women as brothers and sisters, equal in intrinsic soul value regardless of race, religion or differing beliefs.” ~ Joan Holman, creator & producer of the award-winning Legacy of Achievement, PBS television

Embrace Your Soul’s Essence – Love, Brotherhood and Freedom

Maureen McGill, MA, ( Theatre, Western Washington University)  BFA, ( University of Utah Dance) Author, is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington for over thirty-eight years. She directed the University Dance Ensemble and taught courses in Dance, Movement, Choreography, and continues now teaching in the area of Healing Arts of Mind and Body at the university.

Maureen’s keen interest in the intuitive arts has expanded her curiosity to the spiritual side of life. Maureen is a featured reader of tarot in the Pacific Northwest, appears at Intuitive Arts Fairs in the Seattle region and is a frequent guest on local and international radio networks. Her work has opened doors using symbols and metaphors to help those find light in the midst of loss and grief.  It is a positive experience to share in the healing messages of the tarot.

Maureen is the author of the non-fiction book; Baby It’s You, Messages from Deceased Heroes, released by Ozark Mountain Publishing. This compelling, inspirational collection of true life messages from the other side, shared by widows, family members and friends of military, open our hearts to the unending love connections that never die!  The book is available on Ozarkmt.com, Amazon and Kindle.

Maureen is the co-author with Nola Davis of Live From the Other Side, a non-fiction book, published by Ozark Mt. Publishing. It is a collection of real life stories of communication from the other side.

Maureen is a member of the International Association of Near Death Studies where she has presented at conferences, in Seattle, Newport Beach, and Denver. She is a board member of the Seattle IANDS organization.  She is also a member of the Military Writers Society of America.  

RACHEL REENSTRA

Rachel Reenstra is the host of the fun, EMMY NOMINATED ABC weekend animal series “The Wildlife Docs”. Because of her skill at entertaining, and passion for animals and adventure, she previously starred in her own series on Animal Planet in a show called “Ms. Adventure” where she traveled the world comparing animal and human behavior.

Although finding animals to be the smarter of the species, she also has extensive experience with humans. She has a masters in Psychology, she hosted the number one design show on HGTV “Designed to Sell”, and in her extensive career she continues to appear in sitcoms, films, national commercials, and many, many voice-overs.

If there remains any time left over, you will find her performing stand-up comedy, inspiring audiences and emceeing large events all over the country.

Growing up in Michigan, Rachel Reenstra had no idea what to do with her life other than make people laugh and make life an adventure. After 10 years of plugging away at acting in Los Angeles, she landed her own series on Animal Planet called Ms. Adventure, where she traveled the world comparing animal and human behavior. Reenstra has been active in almost every kind of acting, including starring in dozens of sitcoms, commercials, voice-overs, hosting shows and performing stand-up comedy. When she wasn’t busy acting or traveling the world, she went back to school and earned a master’s degree in spiritual psychology. In addition, she spent her spare time as a life coach and relationship consultant. She plays guitar, banjo and counts among her special skills her ability to laugh at anything, especially herself.

Follow Her at: https://twitter.com/Rachelreenstra

BEN MAURO

On November 3rd, 2015 singer, guitarist and songwriter Ben Mauro released his debut EP as a solo artist entitled “To L.A.” He also just finished a European tour with pop/funk icon Lionel Richie that included Europe’s biggest summer festivals.  Ben’s extraordinary musical skills and dynamic stage presence has been the reason that he has remained a core member of Lionel Richie’s band for over fifteen years.  Ben has also worked with many other artists including Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Don Felder from the Eagles, John Fogerty, Christina Aquilera, Toni Braxton and also worked on projects produced by Peter Frampton and Prince.

Ben’s first single was released to rave reviews.  Daniel Spears, Vice President of Industry Relations at BMI said:

‘Love this song… It’s got a great vibe to it with a lot of diversity…poppy, bluesy and country…Solid songwriting and some pretty nifty guitar work too!

I really like “Take Your Time.”  It’s a very catchy tune that I know will be in my head when I wake up tomorrow morning.’

Ben’s second single “This Crazy Love” was released on July 14th, 2015.  This is a catchy New Orleans style song that Ben also shot a music video for.  The music video depicts the story of a girl trying to find love on the West Coast.

Ben’s EP was recorded with an all star cast of musicians including Oscar Seaton from Lionel Richie/George Benson on drums, Monet Owens from Boz Scaggs/Lenny Kravitz on Background Vocals, Ramon Yslas on Percussion from Stevie Nicks/Carlos Santana and Grammy award winner producer/mixer Ted Greenberg.  Ben is already getting a reputation as an exciting solo performer.  His single has an upbeat California vibe and you can hear influences from Jack Johnson, Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen throughout this up and coming artist’s music.

Ben is endorsed by: Gibson Guitars, Taylor Guitars, Mesa Boogie Amps, D’addario Guitar Strings, Hercules Guitar Stands and Dunlop Guitar Picks.

But with Ben it’s not just about the music, it’s also about giving back.  On every trip to Syracuse he goes to his old high school (West Genesee  HS) and college (Onondaga Community College where he studied classical guitar) to talk with students.  Ben gives them advice on how to have longevity in the music business and gives clinics to teach them the basics of music theory.  In 2014 he started the Ben Mauro Endowment for Music Education at West Genesee; over the next four years he will make a donation to the school’s music department.  He wants every kid to have every advantage to be able to play if that is their passion.  Ben grew up playing the clubs of Syracuse then eventually moved to NYC where he landed the gig with Lionel Richie.  Ben now lives in Los Angeles, California.

And if all that isn’t enough to keep him busy, Ben is also the host of his own travel music show called “Let’s Go! with Ben Mauro.”  During his downtime on tour, Ben explores the cities he’s in and takes the viewer behind-the-scenes of the touring musician’s life.