February - A month of giving to our furry friends

Helen Woodward Animal Center...Creating a Humane World for Animals and People.

YES PLEASE!!!

Vallie and I took a tour of the Helen Woodward Animal Center on January 20th. It was a special day for me being that it would have been my mother's 89th birthday and knowing how much she loved animals (cats in particular) it just seemed like the perfect thing to do on her day.

We met with 2 amazing women of the center...Renee and Nedra. I was super nervous because I tend to tear up around cute animal faces. However, what they do at the Helen Woodward Animal Center is much more than I had anticipated. I did some research on them...but actually BEING there and seeing all the different programs...wow!!! I was speechless...and yes I cried...but more so tears of happiness for all the positive things they do for our furry friends.

At the center, located in the hills of Rancho Sante Fe, children and adults with special needs can take part in the therapeutic horseback-riding program...people from animal centers all around the world come to their conferences, and the center hosts camps for children to learn compassion and kindness through animals. (Apparently now-a-days children are desensitized to these feelings...wow!) These are just a few of the programs there...my personal favorite AniMeals.

The AniMeals program provides free pet food for dogs and cats of the elderly and disabled. This was started by a clever lady a while back who saw that the elderly who participate in the Meals on Wheels program would rather feed their hungry pets the food before feeding themselves. THAT is how much we love our pets! It's so great that the center has paired up with Meals on Wheels to give both the elderly and their pets a full belly. Sometimes pets are all the elderly have and they bring them so much joy, companionship and a responsibility. I know this because my 91 year old father has a kitty named Thomas...and they are the best of friends. :)

Soooo after our wonderful tour of cats, dogs, horses (large and mini), tortoises, and goats we were inspired to have a portion of our February events go to the Helen Woodward Animal Center. We're also donating 50% of our CDs sales for February to them as well. Annnnd...if you come to a show, please bring a can (or 10) of Whiskas, Friskies and Pedigree food for both dogs and cats for their AniMeals program. We will have a bin all month long at Jitters...so stop in and get a treat...while leaving a treat for the AniMeals.

When I asked where the money will go Renee replied "To the adoptions." The center takes in any animal that is without a home and sometimes that includes nursing them back to their perfection. Monies are always needed in the adoption program.

There are beautiful cats, kittens, pups and dogs there that would love a home so please spread the word of this amazing center and join us in February as we contribute to the Helen Woodward Animal Center and our furry faced friends.

2/5 - Parker Ainsworth & Jessie Payo at Jitters
2/12 - Carlos Olmeda & Jessica Bell at Jitters
2/26 - Alysse Fischer & Kellen Malloy at Jitters

Thank you to Nedra & Renee for the work they do!
Thank you to Parker, Jessie, Carlos, Jessica, Alysee & Kellen for sharing their talent to help contribute to our animal friends
Thank YOU for being a part of our journey in creative generosity!
In love & contribution,
Melissa

Uplifting the dignity of those we serve

As I climb into bed tonight I am reminded how grateful I am for my partner Clayton. He is my best friend, lover, boyfriend, coworker and coconspirator in life.  As he sleeps next to our very small faced 18 pound cat Bella, breathing rhythmically all warm and dreamy I smile and am aware again how truly blessed we are. In knowing this we live a life of service to our families our community and customers. It’s been 14 transformational years and it only gets better as we get older. I feel like we have an advantage because of the model my parents have been to us.

Tomorrow is my parents 50 wedding anniversary. I am amazed at life and how we need to choose all of it, the good the bad and everything in between. My mother and father have had an incredible run at it, successful in all aspects. They have the family, home, careers, travel, love, passion, growth, loss, laughter, anger, challenges, peace and happiness. I believe this is called marriage you know for better or worse, richer or poorer in sickness and in health. I think it goes something like that.

Their roles changed when my mother was diagnosed two years ago with Lewy Bodies Dementia, their lives altering forever. But falling off the horse they both rallied and got back in the saddle together and carried on.  She let him take care of her knowing what the conclusion would be surrendering to have help, support and assistance at all times. My dad yielding to the idea that for once in his life he can’t make something better of fix it. With no regrets and resentment they live day to day. My mother’s disease progresses and she has lost all use of her body and speech they still continue to uplift each other by really cherishing the time they get to share everyday. My mother if asked would never of course want to be in this situation, there is no dignity one might say in being feed, changed, bathed and cared for. But that’s not true not even a little. To be of services is the most gratifying form of love. And being witness to this has made my life miraculous.

This month the Feeding The Soul Foundation is sponsoring Brother Benno’s Soup Kitchen. They are a true example of service and their motto is uplifting the dignity of those they serve. An all volunteer based organization raising awareness and feeding the hungry each and every day. Brother Benno’s is the reminder that there is no shame in needing help ever. It takes you and I to make community so a portion of January tickets for all FTSF concerts, CD’s and merchandise sales will benefit and provide for those in need.  Thank you for being of service………

Soup, Soap, Hugs, Hope = Unconditional Love

In service, love and gratitude,

Vallie

A Thank you to our sponsors...from Vallie

Hi Friends,

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, love in my heart and gratitude for my life. I started thinking about sponsorship and life and community and well…

Sponsorship means many things, simply it’s a form of backing, funding, aid, finance protection and support and as I reflect on the holidays and our CD release event I realize how sponsorship shows up for Feeding The Soul Foundation. Our mission is creative generosity and a lot of people ask us what this means well here is an example. 

I personally can’t write a check for $5000.00 or even $500.00 dollars to a good cause. I’m sure some of you could but for me abundance shows up differently. I or we still write the checks to organizations but out of a communal contribution. We have a concert with a cause, a party for a purpose or a night of acknowledgement and everyone gains. You get to be part of a great show or event and with your dollars we contribute to the musicians to support the arts and the lucky recipient with our dollars. We all win!  

Together we feed the hungry, empower young musicians, race for the cure, free slaves, create safe homes, fight disease, support others, help Haiti, acknowledge love, supply kids for school and feed souls.

Another example was December 18^th CD release, Feeding the Soul couldn’t pay for a venue or 23 musicians, production, sound, lights, pay for permits and insurance, buy food, alcohol, supplies, buy a tent 30 x 60 make that two tents because of rain or serve hot coffee and chai, take photos and promote this event and produce a CD by myself or even with the three ladies behind Feeding the Soul Foundation. But as a community and a community of enrolled drivers we can. The end result is an amazing, magical, life changing for some of us evening, full of joy, hope, love, music food, spirits and laughter.

SO THANK YOU……

The Performing Arts At The Neuroscience Center

Redfearn & Associates

Olive PR

All the Musicians

Authentic Flavors

Twisted Oak Winery

Pedro’s Tacos

The Fish Joint

Chuao

Dragon Organics

David Rio

West Coast Coffee Roasters

Jitters Coffee Pub

Nika Water

The Rogers Group

Oceanside Ale Works

ENGEL & VÖLKERS

Breakway Spirits

The Cravory

Optimal Nutrition Inc

(HA) organic Clothing

Ashley’s Party Rental

Sambazon

Whole Foods

Photography By Natalie Warr

Keep a Breast

All Volunteers 

All Ticket purchasers past, present and future

We are so blessed to be in a community with you and together we can be the change we want to see in the world. As a mater of fact we already are. Happy 2011

In gratitude and love~

Vallie

A BIG Recipe for Creating and Donating‏

Whoa.
Our biggest recipe yet! The Feeding the Soul Foundation CD Release Party! Seconds please!!!!

For the last 5 months myself, Vallie Gilley & Cat Bramhall have been meeting, eating and creating for a day that has quickly become my favorite of all times....December 18th, 2010. I had an image what that day would look like....my favorite people on stage, my favorite people in the audience and my favorite music being played loud and clear. Apparently all you have to do is think it and BOOM...be ready for it. Often when I plan a big event I create my own recipe of details. Then on the day of the event the recipe gets wet and you get to create it even BETTER then the recipe you started with. I love that!

11 musicians
Over 30 songs played
400 guests
8 creative craftsmen
5 tables of amazing food
Over 20 volunteers
5 amazing sound and light Gods
1 venue with 2 helpful Goddesses
Thousands of dollars raised for 2 worthy beneficiaries
and
my cute daddy

Kept warm and toasty...perfect...THAT is exactly what I ordered.
I used to say I couldn't cook. I guess my recipe and creation just looks different is all. :)

When I think of that special night I get goosebumps. The images that flash into my head are those of musicians rehearsing in the back, hugging, my best friends greeting our guests, arts being shared and the most beautiful music I have ever heard being played for a inspired crowd. My musician friends are the most talented in the world. And it makes me so proud and honored to share them with new and old fans. My life has been forever brightened by these beautiful souls and I will continue to create events to make sure the world is listening to them and their greatness. I love them so.

Speaking of loving souls...Vallie Gilley, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, to the top of my mel-lon...YOU, my friend, are a gift from the heavens and I am honored to be your co-chef in this kitchen of contribution.

Cat, your gift of balancing the crazy in me is beyond appreciated. I thank you for every coin you count and process you create. THANK YOU FRIEND!

As for me...I am completely proud and happy with the work this team is putting out there. I say "team" because at times it may seem like it's just 3 of us, however, it is a WHOLE community that creates this goodness, I am just so honored I am part of it.

Experience the magic....Feeding the Soul Vol. 1 - Family Dinner: Benefit CD & Cookbooklet

In love, music and creation,
Melissa

These are my friends. I love them.
"I wanna THANK YOU!"

A Christmas Miracle.

For a girl whose first sentence was “do self,” the work I do now is humbling.  Nights like last night can’t be done “self.” Indeed it takes hundreds of do-gooders, volunteers, sponsors, friends – cutting us a deal, pitching in, bending the rules, coming to our rescue.  Over and over again, until I finally understand that I’m not in charge.  That if we give as much as we can stand we’ll all come out ahead.

At Feeding the Soul, we call that creative generosity, and it’s an idea I am wholly committed to. 

·      I believe that people deserve an opportunity to vote for Good with their entertainment dollar, and will choose to do so gladly.

·      I believe that talented artists deserve to make a living making live music, and to be paid fairly. (Even if we can’t pay them what they’re actually WORTH). 

·      I believe that the problems of the world, and the organizations that do the hard work of grappling with them, deserve as much support as possible, from every available source.  They should be celebrated, rewarded.

·      I believe the best way to battle the degeneration of journalism into political advertising and entertainment trivia is by creating genuine good news to take its place.

For me, community is an act of faith.  Last night was a miracle. 

There should be a better word for “thank you.”  It doesn’t seem like enough.

Wishing the happiest of holidays to the multitudes that made last night happen, who will contribute to the same in the future, and who feed our souls.

~ Cat

Day Old Johnson - High Friend

Recipe for Day Old Johnson

Ingredients:

• ·      2 Day-Old Pastries
• ·      One steaming cup of Yerba Mate with a splash of almond milk
• ·      1 Cup of Poetry
• ·      ½ Cup of Music Notes
• ·      1¾ Cups of LOVE
• ·      2 Cups of Creativity
• ·      ¼ Cup of Humor
• ·      1 ½ Cups of Talent
• ·      Pinch of Emotion
• ·      Dash of Imagination
• ·      Endless Amounts of Amazing

Steps:

1.     First eat the yummy day old pastries and drink Mate to fill the belly, heart and soul.
2.     Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.
3.     Mix all other ingredients up to imagination in a big bowl till batter is smooth and velvety
4.     Take batter and scoop big heaping scoops on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5.     Bake till golden brown about 10 minutes.
6.     Let chill for 15 minutes then drizzle with amazing.
7.     Now enjoy.
 

Yields Endless Amounts of Coolness

What to say about Day Old……There is so much were should I start!

Day Old Johnson is the greatest songwriter in the universe. He has collaborated and performed with so many wonderful artists like PT Bruiser, The Natters, Harry Commando and Bushwalla. We are so very blessed to have worked with Day Old Johnson on this Feeding The Soul project.  With his musical talent and studio knowledge we were able to accomplish so much.  He is a true community partner and is always a yes for even the most unreasonable request. We have so much gratitude for him and are excited to have learned so much.

If you get a chance to see him in concert definitely check him out. His music will delight your ear fancy, fill your heart with love and make you dance all night long.

Thank you friend for everything!

Love~

Vallie

Jessie Payo – Mother

Jessie Payo’s heart is so huge it’s hard to believe there’s room for the rest of her in there – especially that big, gorgeous voice and warm smile. She is a generous, loving part of our musical community – and a bright light in any room she enters. You may recognize Jessie from the film Rising Stars, her first major role in a feature film. And you’re sure to be hearing her on the soundtrack with Leon Thomas III, star of Nickelodeon’s Victorious, and performing the theme song for the new show “Hubworld” on the Hub Network. We know Jessie as “jump-shot girl,” for her skill at leaping exactly on time for the camera.


Jessie is part singer, part songwriter, part actress, part dancer, and entirely fabulous. Every time I see her I’m left believing she could accomplish absolutely anything and make it look effortless. She has converted her success with Jupiter Rising into an exciting solo career. Do yourself the favor of hearing her bluesy crooning, full-out rock, and everything in between. Jessie is currently recording her first solo EP, set for release in February; this marks her first experiencing co-producing and writing her own work.


“Mother”, Jessie’s song for our CD, is a moving response to the triumph of Vallie and her mom over a debilitating disease. It’s also a tribute of love and respect to all mothers. We are thrilled by her generous offering.
~ Cat

http://www.jessiepayo.com/