Latest news with #Roxie
IOL News
20-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Confidence reimagined: My Journey with Roxie Nafousi
Confidence is your roadmap to knowing your worth and living unapologetically. Patterns kept repeating. Old ways of thinking, self-doubt, and that nagging voice of low self-esteem seemed stuck on a loop in my mind. I had just put down The Next Day by Melinda French Gates – a book full of inspiration and forward momentum – when I picked up Roxie Nafousi's Confidence. The title itself felt like a play on words, almost a gentle nudge: confidence isn't a destination, but a continuous process, a daily choice to rise. From the very first pages, Confidence felt less like a book and more like a coaching session with a wise, compassionate friend who truly understands the struggle of feeling 'not enough.' Roxie's approach is refreshingly grounded. She shatters the myth that confidence must be loud or flashy, instead inviting us to cultivate a steady, inner knowing rooted in self-respect – not external validation. As she writes, 'True confidence is not about being the loudest in the room; it's about being the most comfortable in your own skin.' Three powerful takeaways stood out for me: the emphasis on confidence being quiet and grounded, the necessity of breaking the comparison cycle, and the realisation that confidence is a daily practice. These aren't just nice ideas; they're actionable principles that transform your mindset. Roxie's framework is built around eight practical steps that guide you through this transformation: Master Your Thoughts – Become aware of and shift negative self-talk. Act with Intention – Make choices aligned with your values, not fear. Stop Trying to Be Liked by Everybody – Release the need for external approval. Break Free from Comparison – Celebrate your unique journey. Celebrate Yourself – Practice self-appreciation and accept compliments. Do Hard Things – Build resilience by stepping outside your comfort zone. Be of Service to Others – Connect and find value through helping. Show Up as Your Best Self – Commit to consistent growth and authenticity. What struck me most was how she addresses the toxic cycle of comparison, especially in our social media-saturated world. Roxie doesn't just tell you to stop comparing; she offers practical exercises that feel doable, like gentle daily rituals to retrain your brain. This aligns beautifully with the neuroscience insights of Tara Swart, whom Roxie references, showing how our brains can literally be rewired through intention and practice. Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, feeling a pang of envy, and then spiralling into self-doubt? Roxie gets it, and she provides real tools to disrupt that pattern. 'Comparison is the thief of joy,' she reminds us, 'but it's also a habit we can unlearn.' I also appreciated the integration of trauma-informed perspectives, echoing the work of Gabor Maté. Roxie acknowledges that many of us carry deep wounds that fuel low self-esteem and people-pleasing behaviours. Her emphasis on self-compassion and breaking free from these patterns feels both healing and empowering. I remember her sharing her vulnerability regarding low self-esteem stemming from childhood insecurities and feeling like an outsider. Have you found yourself feeling that way? It made her advice feel so authentic. 'Healing begins when we stop fighting ourselves and start embracing our stories with kindness,' she writes. One of the most refreshing aspects is Roxie's reminder that confidence grows not just from within but through connection and service to others. She highlights that 'being of service to others' can surprisingly boost your own confidence by reminding you of your value in meaningful ways. This outward focus adds richness and depth to the journey, countering the common notion that confidence is purely self-focused. The book was a reminder for me, as I've delved into this work before, and I appreciated revisiting these concepts with fresh eyes. It reinforced the importance of daily intentionality and self-compassion in building confidence. Roxie's practical exercises and compassionate tone make this more than just a read-it-once book – it's a guide to return to whenever those old patterns threaten to resurface. Even so, I won't pretend the journey is easy. There were moments when old doubts crept back in, reminding me that confidence is a lifelong practice, not a quick fix. Roxie's openness about her own struggles made me feel less alone in those moments and encouraged me to keep showing up for myself. 'Confidence is not the absence of fear,' she says, 'but the courage to move forward despite it.' I found myself resonating deeply with her call to 'celebrate yourself' - something I had long neglected. Learning to accept compliments without deflecting them felt revolutionary. It's a simple but profound step toward honouring your worth. For me, Roxie's insights were the perfect companions to Melinda French Gates' call to action—deeply personal invitations to rise, every day, in my own quiet power. This book wasn't just about confidence; it was about honoring my own path and showing up fully, even when no one is watching. Thank you, Roxie, for this gift * Confidence by Roxie Nafousi can be obtained at Exclusive Books.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second Chance says economic squeeze is pushing pets out of homes, into shelters
EAST BROOKFIELD — Roxie, an 8-year-old German shepherd and husky mixed-breed dog, spent two years and six days at Second Chance Animal Services in East Brookfield before someone adopted her. It took a while to find her a home because of the way she 'greeted' people, said Mike Byrnes, her new owner. 'She's very timid and a little scared. She'll show you her teeth and growl,' he told The Republican. Byrnes, 52, is a kitchen and bathroom salesman who volunteers two days a week at Second Chance. He helps care for and walk the dogs. That's how he met Roxie. 'From the day I met her, she was barking and yelling at me, and I was just trying to feed her peanut butter,' he said. 'Once you understand what she's all about and start speaking her language, you bond with her.' Byrnes lived in a 'no-pets-allowed' apartment. He then bought a house in Monson so he could adopt Roxie and bring her home. He chokes up talking about it. 'I've put a lot of time and effort into giving her the life she deserves. This is a big day for her and me,' he said, on the morning when he recently brought her home to his two cats. 'I literally bought this house for her.' While it is unusual, it is not unheard of for larger dogs to spend a long time at a shelter. The East Brookfield adoption center has two others like Roxie that have been waiting many months for a permanent home. Second Chance founder and President Sheryl Blancato said it is tough to place these 'rare gems.' 'People come in, and they're looking for the perfect pet,' she said. 'They're looking for something that's already housebroken and going to have zero issues. That's not reality. We've become a very instantaneous society, and if an animal doesn't work out in the first 24 hours, they bring it back.' Experts say the animal care industry is facing an immense challenge — while kittens and small dogs are more adoptable because it can be easier to care for them, it is taking longer to find homes for medium to large canines. Second Chance has space for just over a dozen large dogs, and it is always at capacity. Years ago, there was usually room for one or two more big pups — now there is a two-week wait to get in, because owners are surrendering so many of them. Authorities say many animals go unadopted or are given up because families cannot afford the rising cost of pet care, including food and veterinary bills. 'I also see housing as a problem. There are a lot of great adopters out there that can't find housing because landlords don't allow pets. I shake my head, because I was a landlord, and people are more likely to cause problems than their animals,' said Blancato. Shelters are finding various ways to handle what some in the industry are calling a crisis. To encourage adoption, it has become fairly common for some to waive fees, which can average at least $400. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals drops the fee several times a year. 'Surrenders are up, and adoptions are down everywhere, which is creating a backlog and a capacity crisis in shelters across the country and in Massachusetts,' said Jamie Garabedian, project manager for the MSPCA's Animal Protection Division. 'Economic instability is at the heart of it, and there's a lack of affordable, pet-friendly housing. There is also a lack of affordable veterinary care and a staffing crisis in veterinarian world,' she continued. Dakin Humane Society in Springfield is seeing an increase in the number of owners surrendering their pets, a 5% increase from 2023 to 2024 — from 3,827 to 4,008, according to Lee Chambers, Dakin's media relations specialist. She also indicated, however, that adoptions are up 10% from 2,780 in 2023 to 3,031 in 2024. Dakin also is seeing an increase in the number of families fostering pets until the animals can be adopted into permanent homes. 'We have a lot of people who serve as fosters, and that makes an enormous difference. They take pets into their homes if our shelter is a little tight on space or if the animal is stressed from being in a shelter and needs quiet time,' she said. Second Chance Animal Services has grown its presence in Massachusetts, becoming one of the commonwealth's largest pet care organizations. The nonprofit business is operating on an $8 million budget this year, derived from public and private grants and donations, as well as revenue from fundraisers. The shelter receives no government assistance, according to Blancato. The business has a staff of 100 including veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The organization also has 275 volunteers that help run its hospitals in Springfield, Worcester, Southbridge and North Brookfield. The shelter also has an adoption center, primarily for dogs and cats, in East Brookfield. There is a warehouse in Southbridge, where Second Chance stores food it buys and collects before delivering it to pantries where people in need pick up free groceries for themselves and their pets. The organization distributed 32 tons of pet food last year, with a goal of doubling that to 64 tons this year, according the Blancato. The operation is amid a capital campaign to raise $225,000, so it can more than triple the size of its warehouse from 300 to 1,000 square feet. Blancato reports that Second Chance helped 57,000 animals last year but only a minority of them — around 1,500 — were through adoption. The mission is to keep pets and their families together by offering donated food and low cost veterinary services. 'We don't want people surrendering their pets. If the animals are in a loving home, we want them to stay there,' said Blancato. The nonprofit chief claims the four hospitals offer dramatically reduced prices for everything from vaccinations, exams and small procedures, to major surgery, spaying and neutering. There are even deeper discounts for people who meet income qualifications, she added. Second Chance pays its veterinarians above market-rate salaries, said Blancato, up to $200,000 a year, depending on a doctor's skill set. She said she has little trouble hiring vets and now has 25 after hiring 14 so far this year. The East Brookfield facility is facing rising costs like other veterinary hospitals; however, managers say they are keeping expenses down through a business practice called Lean Six Sigma. The laser-focused approach is said to eliminate waste and streamline processes, increasing efficiency, reducing costs and in Second Chance's case, helping keep people and their pets together. 'The joke here is we can't throw away that pencil because there's still lead in it. We're very careful about our money. Our buildings are very humble, not huge and palatial,' said Blancato. 'We have turned animal welfare upside down.' Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive.
San Francisco Chronicle
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Fraenkel Film Festival returns to Roxie as theater campaigns to purchase historic building
After a well-received first run in 2024, the Fraenkel Gallery's Fraenkel Film Festival will return to the Roxie Theater this summer. The news of the festival's second year comes as the nonprofit seeks to to raise $2 million to purchase the historic Mission District building it has occupied for the last 112 years. This includes the main, 234-seat Roxie Theater at 3117 16th St., the 50-seat Little Roxie theater, the office two doors down and the adjacent Dalva cocktail bar. All proceeds from the Fraenkel Film Festival will go to the Roxie. 'Last year's Fraenkel Film Festival at the Roxie was a heartwarming and wildly successful collaboration that brought an entirely new, deeply engaged audience to the theater,' Roxie Executive Director Lex Sloan told the Chronicle. 'We're extraordinarily thankful for this ongoing partnership with Jeffrey Fraenkel and Fraenkel Gallery, which also acts as a meaningful fundraiser for our cinema. It's been especially well timed as we begin a capital campaign to invest in our future.' From July 9-19, the Roxie plans to screen 21 films curated by the 21 living artists Fraenkel represents, including international art stars like Nan Goldin, Carrie Mae Weems, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Sophie Calle. Founder Jeffrey Frankel, whose Union Square gallery is among the most important in the world specializing in photography, said the inaugural festival started as an experiment, tied to the 45th anniversary of the Fraenkel Gallery. 'The Roxie was the unquestionable best choice for an event like this,' he said. 'Our sensibilities seem to align in certain ways, but we were so surprised and happy with the response. … At least half the films had to have multiple screenings to accommodate the interest.' This year, the festival will open with Peter Bogdanovich's 'The Last Picture Show' (1971). Berkeley artist Richard Misrach said in a statement that he chose the Academy Award-winning melodrama because of how it 'speaks to the importance of film and the death of small towns all over America.' 'The film is also a harbinger of things to come decades later — in fact, at our particular historical moment — when screens began to disappear along with the communal experience of watching together in the dark.' The screening will include a pre-recorded conversation with Misrach and the film's star, Jeff Bridges. 'There couldn't be a better choice for an opening night movie,' Fraenkel noted. Oakland artist Kota Ezawa's selection is George Miller's 2015 sci-fi action movie 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' scheduled for the festival's second night. It's paired with Goldin's pick, the 1932 pre-code classic 'Merrily We Go to Hell,' directed by pioneering female director Dorothy Arzner. 'When I read The New Yorker review of 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' which compared the experience of watching this film to someone pressing their thumbs onto your eyes for two hours, I couldn't resist,' said Ezawa, who also noted the movie's themes of disability and female empowerment. 'The film doesn't disappoint.' Other films span the gamut from Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 thriller 'The Conversation' selected by Canadian artists Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller; Jonathan Demme's Oscar-winning 1991 psychological horror 'The Silence of the Lambs,' selected by New York artist Wadell Milan; and Francois Truffaut's 1959 French coming-of-age classic 'The 400 Blows.' Victor Fleming's 1939 musical favorite 'The Wizard of Oz,' selected by San Francisco artist Elisheva Biernoff; Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 suspense masterpiece 'Rear Window,' chosen by New York photographer Lee Friedlander; and Sofia Coppola's 2003 comedy-drama 'Lost in Translation' closes out the 11-day showcase. General admission is $16 for all films, except for the opening night screening of 'The Last Picture Show,' which will be $20. A six-film pass is $72, while all other festival passes are $200. Tickets and passes are on sale now at 'There's a palpable difference in seeing a movie on a big screen in a theater and sharing the experience with other people,' said Fraenkel. 'It's better than just watching a movie at home — I don't care how big one's monitor is. 'And don't forget, a lot of the films in the film festival will be screened in 35 millimeter.'
Rhyl Journal
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Janette Manrara dazzles as Roxie Hart in Chicago
On Tuesday, Chicago The Musical had it's opening night for its run at the Llandudno theatre. Headlining as Roxie Hart was Strictly star Janette Manrara. Her skills as a dancer were brought to the fore, elevating the routines and physical comedy the role demands - but can she sing? The answer, simply, is yes. (Image: Chicago The Musical/Venue Cymru) Manrara's vocals were on point, particularly in the dualling duets with Velma Kelly in an equally stunning performance from Djalenga Scott. When experiencing Chicago, you are suddenly struck with how many of the iconic musical numbers are ingrained in your memory. Show opener All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Roxie, and my personal favourite Cell Block Tango (He Had it Coming) are delivered perfectly, carrying the sordid tale of crime and stardom along the most entertaining way. Members of the audience couldn't help but sing along to the well known hits such as All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango, We Both Reached for the Gun, and Razzle Dazzle. Set in the 1920s, we see Roxie Hart end up in Cook County Jail after murdering her lover on-the-side in a fit of rage, after he threatened to walk out on her. In attempts to avoid conviction, Roxie teams up with the slickest criminal lawyer in Chicago who turns her crime into fame, much to the horror of her cellmate and rival Velma. Scott and Manrara are excellent as Velma and Roxie, serving sass and emotion with breath-taking physicality and top-notch vocals. Alongside the jailbirds, the talented ensemble deliver an incredible display of Bob Fosse's iconic work. There was real love from the audience for Joshua Lloyd's portrayal of Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine, Dan Burton as Billy Flynn, and Victoria Anderson as Mama Morton, were equally excellent and note perfect. Fosse's choreography shines throughout, reaching perfection with Cell Block Tango, I Can't Do it Alone, and We Both Reached for the Gun. The stark black set and stark spotlights are used expertly to conjure the environments of the county jail, jazz clubs, and the courthouse. The show's themes are dark and serious, with a whole heap of cynicism, but due to the show's high energy and wit, the fun and excitement never let up for a second. The extremely talented live orchestra are also more than worthy of note, their belting performances setting pulses racing and transporting the audience to the seedy world of jazz clubs. It was so refreshing to witness the orchestra on stage throughout the whole show, adding that extra feeling that we were looking into a jazz club. Chicago The Musical razzles and dazzles from the opening note to the final curtain, and will be running at Llandudno's Venue Cymru until May 3.
North Wales Chronicle
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Janette Manrara dazzles as Roxie Hart in Chicago
On Tuesday, Chicago The Musical had it's opening night for its run at the Llandudno theatre. Headlining as Roxie Hart was Strictly star Janette Manrara. Her skills as a dancer were brought to the fore, elevating the routines and physical comedy the role demands - but can she sing? The answer, simply, is yes. (Image: Chicago The Musical/Venue Cymru) Manrara's vocals were on point, particularly in the dualling duets with Velma Kelly in an equally stunning performance from Djalenga Scott. When experiencing Chicago, you are suddenly struck with how many of the iconic musical numbers are ingrained in your memory. Show opener All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Roxie, and my personal favourite Cell Block Tango (He Had it Coming) are delivered perfectly, carrying the sordid tale of crime and stardom along the most entertaining way. Members of the audience couldn't help but sing along to the well known hits such as All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango, We Both Reached for the Gun, and Razzle Dazzle. Set in the 1920s, we see Roxie Hart end up in Cook County Jail after murdering her lover on-the-side in a fit of rage, after he threatened to walk out on her. In attempts to avoid conviction, Roxie teams up with the slickest criminal lawyer in Chicago who turns her crime into fame, much to the horror of her cellmate and rival Velma. Scott and Manrara are excellent as Velma and Roxie, serving sass and emotion with breath-taking physicality and top-notch vocals. Alongside the jailbirds, the talented ensemble deliver an incredible display of Bob Fosse's iconic work. There was real love from the audience for Joshua Lloyd's portrayal of Amos Hart, and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine, Dan Burton as Billy Flynn, and Victoria Anderson as Mama Morton, were equally excellent and note perfect. Fosse's choreography shines throughout, reaching perfection with Cell Block Tango, I Can't Do it Alone, and We Both Reached for the Gun. The stark black set and stark spotlights are used expertly to conjure the environments of the county jail, jazz clubs, and the courthouse. The show's themes are dark and serious, with a whole heap of cynicism, but due to the show's high energy and wit, the fun and excitement never let up for a second. The extremely talented live orchestra are also more than worthy of note, their belting performances setting pulses racing and transporting the audience to the seedy world of jazz clubs. It was so refreshing to witness the orchestra on stage throughout the whole show, adding that extra feeling that we were looking into a jazz club. Chicago The Musical razzles and dazzles from the opening note to the final curtain, and will be running at Llandudno's Venue Cymru until May 3.
