November 2024
Hello –
November is National Family Caregiver's Month, which is a time for us to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. As I was looking up this year’s theme, I learned that more than half of people providing care to family members do not recognize themselves as caregivers. This means that they do not access tools and resources that can help their own physical and mental health. This year's theme highlights the importance of self-recognition and self-identity, which can open the door to resources, information, and support. Family caregivers are at risk for anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, lowered immunity, and a host of other mental and physical health issues. It is important for them to recognize their role as a caregiver and learn to take care of themselves. This month we are offering several opportunities that can help in your self-care journey, including weekly caregiver support groups, a sound bath, country dance, movie singalong, and a community drum circle. There are many options to explore for both caregivers and their loved ones! Please make sure to check out our calendar for these events and more. Remember, if you are a caregiver you are not alone. With the proper support, you can take care of your own needs while also continuing to care for your loved ones.
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
The NMTS Fall Showcase was a Big Hit
NMTS held our Fall Showcase on Thursday, October 24 in the Jerry Smith Auditorium. The fun-filled afternoon featured performances by NMTS music and movement classes and a dance party with music by The Note-Ables! Below are photos and a video link with some highlights . . .
Thanks to Renown Health, the City of Reno, and Q & D Construction for helping to make this event possible.
Art Comes to Visit
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” - Pablo Picasso
Many thanks to our friends at UnchARTed Waters Art and Sierra Arts Foundation for allowing us to display some of your incredible work over the next few weeks.
UnchARTed Waters Art is a Sierra Arts Foundation program serving artists with developmental disabilities and their families through inclusion, engagement, expression and opportunity. We're honored to display your work in our building.
We Received This E-Mail from Michael Braun, and wanted to share it with you
Hi NMTS It's Michael and I'm excited about this outdoor space and the courtyard it's going to be amazing and I'm thankful I'm in NMTS And I'm thankful you guys in our community and I love doing music therapy at NMTS And I love Jared and I'm thankful he's the maintenance guy and I'm thankful you guys have a new building because McKinley is old and run down and nobody liked McKinley . . .
Out and About
In October, NTMS had a lot going on, in fact, you could say it was “scary busy” (see what we did there?)
We started the renovation of our outdoor spaces with a yard cleanup (thanks to K7 Construction and Trashco for the donation of a dumpster), and the official groundbreaking of our Courtyard Garden project (with thanks to Anthem Medicaid, Waste Management, and Western Turf and Hardscapes for helping us to get started).
We also were fortunate to host David’s Disco Dance Party with the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada, featuring actor Actor David DeSanctis (“Where Hope Grows”, “Color My World with Love”, “These Stones”). We followed that up with a Fun Friday Open Mic Night, and, of course, our annual Fall Showcase, featuring the best that NMTS has to offer.
The Note-Ables band had a busy month, including an appearance at United Cerebral Palsy of Nevada’s Concert in the Parking Lot and performing at the Fall Showcase.
We also had a visit from Luna the therapy dog, thanks to Paws4Love.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at NMTS
Come join your fellow music lovers in an informal jam session! All levels are welcome. Feel free to bring your own instruments or borrow one of ours. Open to all ages and ability levels!
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5:30 pm at NMTS - FREE
All caregivers welcome at this FREE music therapy group. And you can bring your loved one! NMTS will provide fun music activities for them while you focus on YOU for an hour.
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9am - 11am in the Jerry Smith Auditorium at NMTS
Presented by the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra, the TMT team will discuss what critical stories the numbers are telling regarding residents and trends in the area.
Additionally, guest panelists will share how they leverage data like these to augment funding asks, guide policy decisions and cater solutions to the issues we face right here in our community.
Hear from representatives of TMT’s Data Advisory Group and ask questions that impact your world through the lens funders and policymakers truly care about: the numbers.
Get your tickets here.
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4:30 - 5:30 pm at NMTS
Led by NAMI Northern Nevada Director, Nichole Schembre.
Enjoy a meditative experience that bathes you in sound waves produced by instruments such as crystal singing bowls, percussion and chimes.
FREE EVENT. Ages 12+
Comfy dress code. Blankets and mat encouraged.
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4:00 - 5:00 pm in the Jerry Smith Auditorium at NMTS
We’re doing it again!
Put on your boots and hat and join us for a Country Dance Party! We have a live caller coming to teach line, square, circle and contra dancing. No previous dance experience needed… boots and hats optional!
This is a free event with a suggested $5 donation per person.
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12:00 - 1:00pm NMTS is always looking for people who enjoy spending time giving back to their community. If you are interested in learning more about our programs and volunteer opportunities, please register for our next Volunteer Orientation by contacting cony@nmtsreno.org or calling 775.324.5521.
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5:30 - 6:45 pm at NMTS
Come sing along to your favorite film for this Friday Fun Night event!
Holiday traditions collide as one man seeks to understand the meaning of Christmas.
Event ends at 6:45 p.m. Pick up is no later than 7 p.m. This is an all ages event and individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Event is free but there is a suggested $5 donation to NMTS.
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Join NMTS, Spirit & Serve, LLC, and the Reno Drum Tribe Community Circle for a Drum Circle from 4pm - 7pm in the Jerry Smith Auditorium. This event is free with a $5 requested donation to help cover our costs!
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10:15 - 11:00 am
The Food bank of Northern Nevada brings its “Produce on Wheels” program to the east parking lot of NMTS from 10:15 - 11:00 am on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
If you’re age 60 or older, come by and get some free produce! You must be a Nevada resident, have a valid ID, and be willing to complete a brief Intake Form and Survey.
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NMTS will be closed on November 28th & 29th in observance of Thanksgiving.
Enjoy your holiday!
See the full Calendar of Events by clicking below:
Staff Playlist
November 2024
November is the month we give thanks, so we asked the staff to name a song they’re thankful for.
Elizabeth’s Song - Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O’Connor - “Druid Fluid”
I have always loved Mark O’Connor’s Appalachia Waltz album, performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O’Connor. This piece is called Druid Fluid and I appreciate its darkness and beauty. This album is one that makes me feel a cosmic peace and understanding of life. When I hear it, I think, “Oh, right. This is what life is.” Like those moments when you are caught up in a beam of light streaming through a window.
Eric’s Song - Tiny Habits - “Tiny Things”
I really love the layering of the instrumentals with the vocals in this song. However my favorite part of this song is how it reminds me to be grateful for the little moments in life that we can often miss because we are looking for something more.
Jon’s Song - Chuck Berry - “Big Boys”
The legendary Chuck Berry wrote and recorded this song when he was 90 years old! Think about that for a second. The man was 90 years old and still writing, playing and recording music. He also had the respect of later generations as Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave played on this track, with Nathaniel Rateliff providing backing vocals. This Chuck Berry song is proof that you’re never too old to rock and roll.
Sam’s Song - Barbara Streisand - “Funny Girl”
A song I’m thankful for is “Funny Girl” from the musical Funny Girl. This song really speaks to me on a personal level and always makes me feel seen and heard.
Nate’s Song - Charles the First - “Room to Breathe”
The artist was a friend of mine who passed away in 2021. I'm grateful because even though he is missed by many, his spirit still lives on through his music.
Sharon’s Song - Voces8 - “The Road Home”
I love the words and the beauty of the music. My sons all live a good distance away doing awesome things and I am very thankful for them and proud of them. It can be a little sad having them so far away. One of them, Nathan, sent me this song reminding me that home is still home.
Ian’s Song - aivi & surasshu - “Slice of Love”
I'm thankful for "Slice of Love" by aivi & surasshu because of its upbeat and relaxing energy that was perfect for my walks to school. It makes me feel more grounded and everything seems more vibrant while listening.
Wendy’s Song - Benny Goodman - “Sing, Sing, Sing”
First, this is just a great dance song. I love that floor tom at the beginning and the great horn section. Big bands were often made up of only white musicians, even though the music was highly influenced by black musicians. Benny Goodman was one of the first musicians to include black musicians in his lineup. In 1936, Goodman's trio became the first interracial band to perform in public with pianist Teddy Wilson. Music has been an important tool in moving racial injustice, slowly, in the right direction, and sometimes you just need to Sing, Sing, Sing!
October Thank Yous
Thank you to our October donors:
Kendra Bertschy, Estelle J Kelsey Foundation, Wendy and John Firestone, Nancy Grabill, Emily Hargreaves, Michael and Stephanie Hix, K7 Construction Inc., Jesse Lipson, Joe Macaluso & Chris Middleton, Lynda Mahorter, Sophie Moeller, Carolina Saldana, Manal Toppozada, Trashco, Western Turf & Hardscapes
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Susan Boner, Susan Boskoff, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, MaryLee Fulkerson, CeCelia Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Jo Gieseke, Karen Golonka, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox & Jennie Tibben, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Brad & Trudy Lund, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Lynda Mahorter, Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Pauline Mooers, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Rikki Powers, Lisa A Rizzoli, Pam Miller Russell, Cindy Sabatini, Jake & Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Julie Sulahria, Sarah Toney, Ken & Doreen Vogel, Lori & Don Welsh, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young & Jodie Barker
Thank you volunteers:
Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Christi Cakiroglu, Char Coate, Jacob Davis, Cheryl Eckert, Scott Faulkner, Mark Geeson, Mike Hix, Kate Kirkpatrick, Michael Lahnala, Shelby Lively, Tony Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, Greg McNie, Olga Mesina, Whitney Pomi, Pat Ragains, Lisa Rizzoli, Patti Rodriguez, Veruka Saiki, Joseph Schmitt, Rebecca Shipley, Ken Vogel
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Reminder:
The NMTS offices will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday the 28th and Friday the 29th of November.