October 2024
Hello –
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which was created in 1945 to educate the general public on the issues that workers with disabilities face and how employers can be more inclusive. This year’s theme is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” I like that the theme includes the word 'good,' because that's what we all want, right? We don't want education, housing, and jobs that are just okay - we want these things in our lives to be fulfilling and good. We want opportunities and we want choices, two things that have traditionally not been available to people with disabilities when it comes to employment. All too often people have been told that they should be happy with whatever is offered to them. They have not been asked what they want to do, where they want to work, and whether they even want to work! Things are definitely moving in the right direction - workplaces are becoming more inclusive and more welcoming of diversity - but we still have a long way to go.
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Meet the Newest Member of the NMTS Board
Mary Ann Jackson McCauley, ABC, IABC Fellow
Mary Ann is an independent consultant with broad experience in nonprofits as staff, on boards and as a consultant. Her experience involves working closely with senior management to help their organizations communicate and operate more effectively.
After moving to Reno in late 2014, Mary Ann served as chair on the Northern Nevada Literacy Council Board. She also chaired the AAUW Reno Board and Sierra Chapter of Audi Club North America Board. From 2017-2023 served as executive director of the Washoe County Medical Society. She's a volunteer at Reno Little Theater.
During her career, she has worked and/or volunteered with a wide range of nonprofits in Kansas City, St. Louis and Minneapolis/St. Paul. In Minnesota she was a volunteer and later chaired the Opporunity Partners Board, a nonprofit that has served persons with special needs since 1953 by providing job training, placement and support; plus independent and semi-independent housing.
She accredited by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and ws named an IABC Fellow in 2012, which is the highest honor awarded to members of the International Association of Business Communicators in recognition of contributions to their profession and communities.
A Midwest native, Mary Ann isn't all work. She's a 25+ year member of the Audi Club North America where she's participated in perfomance driving and driver safety schools. She also was an in-car instructor for the club's teen driving clinics. More gentler hobbies include travel, entertainment, gardening and wine tasting.
Out and About
September was a very busy month, and NMTS was EVERYWHERE!
From the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN)'s Buddy Walk, to making egg shakers for kids at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts with the Reno Phil for their free Family Concert, to The Note-Ables performance at the “Fiesta on Wells”, we had a very active month.
We also participated in outreach events at the 3rd Annual Washoe County Youth Mental Health Summit and the Parkinson Support Center of Northern Nevada’s 3rd Annual Movement and Wellness Fair.
Plus, we hosted our first “Country Western Dance” in the Jerry Smith Auditorium, held a Friday Fun Night Dance Party, and kicked off Phase One of our NMTS Courtyard Garden project. It was a busy month and we had a blast!
“Coffee Talks with Ace”
Our friends at Ace Studios and the Rotary Club of Sparks were kind enough to come visit for their latest edition of “Coffee Talks with Ace”, highlighting the ways NMTS is making a profound impact in our community by using the power of music to enhance the well-being of individuals of all ages and abilities.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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Grab your gardening gloves and join us Monday, October 7th from 9am - 12 noon for another yard clean up!
Help us prepare for the next phase in our outdoor development by helping us clean out the things we're not going to need!
In addition to general cleanup and weeding, we'll be removing some of the existing items on the east side of our building . . . and we can use all the help we can get!
If you can join us, please let Cony know at cony@nmtsreno.org
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Actor David DeSanctis is taking over the first night of the Lucky Few Fall Festival! Come dressed in your halloween costume or in disco gear and get ready for pizza and dancing.
Register here - https://bit.ly/4dnaxhw
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5:30 - 6:45 pm at NMTS
It’s time to shine!
Join us for Open Mic Friday Fun Night where you get the chance to sing, dance, or play an instrument to your heart's content!
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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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!
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4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
An afternoon of performances by NMTS music and movement classes, the Note-Ables band, dancing, and more!
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10:00 - 11:00am 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.
We hope to see you there!
See the full Calendar of Events by clicking below:
Staff Playlist
October 2024
Since October is Country Music Month, we asked the NMTS staff to share some of their Country & Western favorites!
Elizabeth’s Country Song - This is a tough one . . . mostly because there are too many great songs to choose from! I’ve selected Angela Autumn’s song because she is a burgeoning artist and I think people should be familiar with her work.
Nate’s Country Song - My favorite country song right now would be “Wildfire” by Mandolin Orange. I love this song because it sends such a poignant message in such a simple and powerful way. It was written following a conversation about racism in small town in North Carolina but extends much beyond the South. The repeating line "It should have been different, it could have been easy" boils down so much frustration into a simple sentence. What gets in the way? Pride, and "it burns like wildfire." The guitarist and vocalist, Emily Frantz, describes her relationship with the song, "I have felt before that this is the most intense time we will play this tune...sadly this song feels like it becomes more and more relevant.”
Wendy’s Country Song - While I am not the biggest country music fan, there are some country songs that just touch my heart. Jolene is one of those songs. The lyrics alone are enough to make me feel the feels. While I love the original Dolly Parton version, there is something particularly poignant about this version with Dolly and Miley singing together.
Dolly Parton & Miley Cyrus - Jolene
Jon’s Country Song - Country music has such a rich history, and so many styles and sub-genres, it’s hard to choose just one song to represent it. So, after much thought and consideration, I picked a song that makes me laugh.
Sharon’s Country Song - This song is both sad and touching. It just makes me think about the people we really love.
"If you get there before I do,
don't give up on meI'll meet you when my chores are through
I don't know how long I'll be
But I'm not gonna let you down, darling wait and see
And between now and then, 'til I see you again
I'll be loving you. Love, me”
Dena’s Country Song - There's a fun, childlike quality about this song. Love for your people and your hometown. I get that.
Loretta Lynn - High On a Mountain Top
Sam’s Country Song - This song makes me feel like I can do anything and take on the world. Even run through a brick wall!
Shania Twain - Man I Feel Like a Woman
Manal’s Country Song - I love all of John Prine’s music. He was a phenomenal songwriter who brilliantly combined satire, social commentary, and politics. He wrote this song in 1969. It’s a catchy and almost silly tune with a message just as relevant today as it was 55 years ago.
September Thank Yous
Thank you to our September donors:
Bella Voce, Kendra Bertschy, City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission, Cynthia Lake Charitable Trust, Sarah Deardorff, Wendy Firestone, Kay Ellen Kephart, Deborah Loesch-Griffin, Sophie Moeller, Nevada Arts Council, Renown Health, Chuck & Kate Sweeney
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Barb Anderson, Susan Boner, Susan Boskoff, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, MaryLee Fulkerson, CeCe Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Jo Gieseke, Karen Golonka, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox and Jennifer Tibben, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob and Mel Minarik, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Brad Lund and Trudy Miller, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Lynda Mahorter, Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Pauline and Jeanine Mooers, Sallie Moore, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Rikki Powers, Lisa A Rizzoli, Pam Miller Russell, Cindy Sabatini, Jake and Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Julie Sulahria, Sarah Toney, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Lori and Don Welsh, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young and Jodie Barker
Thank you volunteers:
Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Bev Carpenter, Cheryl Eckert, Sierra Foos, Mark Geeson, Mike Hix, Andy Hughes, Jamie Jepson, Kailin “K.K.” Kelderman, Breanne Knight, Michael Lahnala, Tony Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, Greg McNie, Olga Mesina, Rafael Mojica, Whitney Pomi, Pat Ragains, Patti Rodriguez, Veruka Saiki, Becca Shipley, Jake Steinman, Dave Stockman, Grace Tibben-Lembke, Ken Vogel, and Tembra Wright
