Dear friends,
NPR caught me again. I lingered in my car while two authors discussed “mattering”—a concept I’d struggled with but hadn't fully named. While caring for elderly parents, writing songs, and entering new chapters, I wondered how to measure a life. It turns out that Jennifer Wallace has asked hundreds of people: Do you feel like you matter? Rebecca Goldstein has identified the categories of Transcenders, Socializers, Heroic Strivers, and Competitors. A deeper dive into mattering could bring clarity and solace to “our deepest longing.”
Multi Grammy award-nominated singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles & the late Olivier and Tony award-winning Gavin Creel perform “You Matter To Me” from the hit musical “Waitress”
Across the U.S., librarians face the impact of uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content. When lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians, directed by Kim A. Snyder, explores the broader implications for education and public life.
Unite Against Book Bans strives to stop the removal of reading materials from America’s libraries and schools, which has soared to record highs in recent years. Unite is working to defeat the vocal minority that seeks to impose their views on others by restricting the First Amendment right to read freely. With more than 200 partner organizations and tens of thousands of individual supporters, United Against Book Bans connects, equips, and mobilizes the public to advocate in their communities for the right to read and to defeat attempts at every level of government to censor reading material.
Unite Against Book Bans website
Watch Jackie and Shadow, a local bald eagle pair, and their two eaglets in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. A live cam video captures the action in their nest 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine tree.
The Greenwood Social Hall is the the perfect spot for the trio’s intricate magic! Alive with art and connection, Greenwood Social Hall is located in an historic building at 1750 Belleview Ave, 2nd floor. (Please note there is no ADA-accessible entrance.) Show at 7pm, doors at 6pm.
“Mattering is like gravity, unseen, but essential. It holds us in place, steadies us, and when we feel we matter, we feel anchored.” ~Jennifer Breheny Wallace
You matter to me! ~Joy
Joy Zimmerman is a folk and acoustic roots singer-songwriter creating community through music. A multi-instrumentalist with a rich, clear voice, Joy blends insightful songwriting, fiddle tunes, and storytelling into performances that leave a lasting impact. Her latest album, Where the Light Lives, debuted at #6 on the Folk Alliance International Chart. Dani Goodband of Lakeside Music calls her “a show any host would line up to present.” joyzimmermanmusic.com