bUneke Magazine Issue 24 by bUnekeMagazine

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Artist, Mentor, Amazing Human

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This issue is AUDIBLE!

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Vol 5 • No.2 • Issue 24

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Editor in Chief Mary Brotherton mary@buneke.org

Creative Director Jennifer East jennifer@buneke.org

Editors Grace Pitney Matthew Alamillo Marian Haggard Michael Messicci Noelle Wamsley

Contributors Ariane Resnick, USA Okeke Chidi Chinwendu, NG Graydon Lawson, CA Jim Denzler, USA Maiko Anzai, JP Manish Arora Kumar, IN Marcetta Davis-Linton, USA Marion Verweij, NL Martin Strain, USA Matt Kirby, USA Ran, JP Rita Milios , USA Sayandeep Biswas, IN Sharon Black, USA Tim Foxx, USA Tony Taylor, USA Trinity James Mathison, USA

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Happy Summer! If this is your first time reading bUneke Magazine, welcome! Even if this is your 24th time reading bUneke, won’t you take a moment to text or email me to tell us what we’re doing right and where you think we can improve? This is your nonprofit and we are here to help you learn about the many wonderful organizations and individuals working to make our world better. Like all our issues, this is the result of dedicated teamwork from volunteers around the world. Our scouts tell us about people and businesses they want to share with the world. Writers help bring their stories to life. Editors, including our phenomenal interns, help polish those stories. Photographers take you beyond the written stories. Jennifer and her graphic interns bring it all together with artistic flair and precision. Our copyeditors work to catch any typos and glitches before we finally release the issues. If you find any, we’d love to have you join our team and help with the next issue. This type of teamwork is at play, not only in every issue of bUneke Magazine, but in our award-winning films and highly acclaimed podcasts. We’re currently working to present two in-person events in Central Florida. As with everything else bUneke has done, we’ll start small, but you can be sure this baby is going to grow! If you can’t join us in person, please join us in spirit and spread the news! Be sure to contact me with your thoughts. 321-417-4309 mary@buneke.org Stay hydrated this summer!

Mary Don’t have time to read? We HEAR you! bUneke Magazine is now audible! Click the icon now or visit buneke.org to hear more!

Live Your Dream

Cover | Tysen Knight ••• TABLE OF CONTENTS •••

FLOW is Inspired by Passion

Everyday Hero Tysen Knight

The Gentle Barn

It Ain’t Right

Ask the Right Questions

Freshen Reusable Water Bottles

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

Teens Can Save Earth Discusses Blue Whales

Free Education for Nigerian Children

Reading Friends

Find Your Purpose

Learning in the Great Outdoors

Trust the Journey

Do you Know how to Fish?

Finding Peace in Passing #3 Mechanics

Book Reviews

Why I love bUneke

Product Reviews

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Zero Waste Japan Swab Swap

Zodiac

, This digital issue is interactive! Have fun exploring! Live links everywhere! Just try it! Click the play symbol to view the featured videos! Click the listen symbol to HEAR the stories!

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FLOW FILM FESTIVAL Features 4

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Films

FLOW Film Festival & Market promoting women in the film industry in non-traditional senior and leadership roles, and the films that employ them. Their mission is simple: to encourage the growth of opportunities for women in important and male-dominated positions in the film industry, to fight gender bias and pave

the way for an aspiring new generation of female film makers, through highlighting both their significant and high quality contributions and the films and film industry stakeholders who employ them. We all know that Hollywood and other film centers around the globe are not exactly very female friendly - especially for women aspiring to senior film making positions that are traditionally and largely frequented by men. Given that women represent more than half the film going audience - and the majority of financial decisions including where entertainment budgets are spent - it is high time this changes, and women are helping shape the character of film to satisfy both the male and female gaze, in addition to having equal opportunity for those producing competitive quality outcomes.

It is an honor and a privileged that four bUneke documentaries were featured in the FLOW Film Festival and Film Market in Miami Florida!

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FLOW is

Inspired by Passion By Mary Brotherton

Syble Gwendolyn Douglas was a Guyanese journalist, teacher, published poet, visual artist, storyteller and advocate and contributor to the Arts in Guyana. One of her pieces found a home in the National Collection of Guyana. Initiating the founding of the Malcara Gallery, Syble was deeply involved in the Guyana Women Artists Association, a newspaper columnist, and a published poet. Her passion for self-expression is the inspiration behind the FLOW Film Festival and Market’s Syble G. Award. FLOW, which stands for Florida Leaders Opening Worlds, encourages growth and opportunities for women in the film industry and highlights women’s significance and contributions in a male-dominated arena. FLOW was the brainchild of two women, including Syble’s granddaughter, Kimberly Douglas. Kimberly met kindred spirit, Tiffany Porter, while working for a Miami film festival. They teamed up to address the barriers and discrimination faced by women in the film industry. Tiffany is an Australian film leader and Kimberly is a film veteran from Hollywood, California. They’ve pooled resources to create a nonprofit that provides outstanding opportunities for a fun and informative week-long festival where filmmakers and the public are able to meet other film professionals, screen specially-selected films and music videos, experience red-carpet photo ops, and learn from esteemed colleagues.

Representatives from bUneke Productions attended the 2022 FLOW Film Festival and met worldwide filmmakers, virtually and in person. Four bUneke films were screened at the event and streamed globally. Daisy, the five-minute, micro documentary that has already earned several accolades, was awarded the prestigious 2022 Syble G. Award for Lifetime Documentary. Learn more! FLOWFFM.com

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Tysen Knight, an Everyday Hero

Moxie Hero By Mary Brotherton

Pop urban artist, Tysen

and taught me so much. My passion is street art. Some of my influencers, like Andy Warhol and Picasso, have the essence of street art. Like them, I cross genres with an eclectic style. I hope to add to their legacy if I’m blessed to do so.”

Knight, is this quarter’s

MoxieBox Everyday Hero, nominated by Louisa Higgins, who has known him and

worked with him for several years.

Louisa said, “He was referred to me by the American Documentary Festival, because of the film he created about a homeless artist. At the time, I was recruiting artists for a brand-new program called Boys Art Mentoring, which was focused on reducing suspension and expulsion rates for young men of color.” Tysen was later hired for the program, though he had never taught art before. Soon after, he was hired by other schools to do auxiliary art programming and

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he continues to be an incredibly effective teacher and mentor.

Breakout

Born in Florida, raised in New Jersey, the California artist said he was influenced by the art he saw on trains. “My parents encouraged me to take private art lessons. They still have all my earlier works hanging on their walls. I call my art pop urban art with a twist of fine art, because my art teacher was a fine artist

In 2021, Tysen and Louisa started working on the Riverside County’s Arts Now launch, creating advocacy around arts for all students. “He has committed to working with me over the next three years to bring attention to funding sources and parent advocacy in the arts,” Louisa said. Tysen met Theodore “Teddy” Grouya, the founder of the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival, who then introduced him to Louisa.

continued...

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Hero

nomination!

Do you know a real-live hero?

Our Thanks To:

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A Call for Artists Be Featured on a Card in the New Version of the Art2Art GAME!

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Tysen Knight Louisa’s nomination led to MoxieBox Art donating $500 to the Tysen Knight Scholarship Fund. MoxieBox CEO Jim Warner said, “Nominations are not reserved for teachers. They can be for anyone in any field. It’s okay to nominate yourself, too.” Tysen said, “What I’m doing has an impact, so it’s found its purpose.”

continued from page 6... “Thank God for Teddy and Louisa,” Tysen said. “I didn’t know how my art could mentor children. I related to children, not as an artist, but as a decent, relatable human being. Art is secondary to the relationship. Thank God the art is there after we build the rapport.”

bUneke’s creative director, Jennifer East had the opportunity to interview Tysen when she was last in California. Watch her video now. Click the live button below or visit https://vimeo.com/711686949

Tysen’s work is very colorful. He admits he is fascinated with all the shades and hues of blue. “I choose them the most, but would use every color of the world if I could.” A portion of all the proceeds from his artwork sold online helps fund the Tysen Knight Scholarship, which supports the next generation of artists and creators.

Nominate your Everyday Hero, who doesn’t need to be a teacher or an artist, at MoxieBoxArt.com and learn more about Tysen Knight at tysenknight.com. ,

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Meet the Artist

POP Urban Artist

Mary Brotherton, the founding president of bUneke.org, is editor-in-chief of bUneke Magazine, directs bUneke Radio, and is finalizing her first non-fiction book.

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The Gentle Barn

By Sharon Black

Inspired by a childhood dream, Ellie Laks created a sanctuary called The Gentle Barn. Founded in 1999, this nonprofit is a refuge and place of recovery for severely abused animals. The Gentle Barn currently has locations in California, Missouri, and Tennessee. However, Ellie and her husband, Jay Weiner, hope to one day have a Gentle Barn in every state. The Gentle Barn houses a variety of animals at its current locations. From dogs, to peacocks, to donkeys, countless animals call The Gentle Barn their home.

Cow Hug Therapy Gentle Barn animals are not only well-cared for, but they also provide valuable therapy to surrounding communities. For example, The Gentle Barn hosts Cow Hug Therapy and Animal-Assisted Therapy for visitors of any age and mobility. The organization’s Peace Enhancement Program volunteers to assist those struggling with substance abuse, homelessness, domestic abuse,

and much more, through animal therapy. The Literacy Program encourages visitors of all ages to improve their reading skills by reading aloud to animals. The organization also takes great interest in the development and support of children. The Gentle Barn assists youngsters in foster care, patients at the children’s hospitals, and inner-city children in need of guidance. While The Gentle Barn has established itself as a crown jewel for community development, the process of saving and transforming abandoned animals is anything but effortless. The organization leans on the generous help of a volunteering animal lab to safely integrate animals into the community. In a recent case, The Gentle Barn in California received 21 female Angora rabbits from a nearby laboratory. When asked to describe this experience, Ellie said, “The process of rescuing these bunnies has been emotionally fraught, but ultimately uplifting.” As these rabbits were treated and healing, Ellie said that it

was fulfilling to see immense progress in the rabbits’ health and demeanor. “We love to see them starting to cuddle, hop, play, and eat veggies for the first time in their lives.” Once The Gentle Barn feels that the rabbits are fully rehabilitated, the organization will send them off to live with loving families.

Cruelty-free supporters External companies also assist charitably to this process. The Gentle Barn approached MyChelle Dermaceuticals and Crystal Deodorant, two crueltyfree companies, for support of the rabbits and their care. “MyChelle and Crystal, the caring companies that they are, stepped up to support us” Ellie said. These rabbits are spayed females between six to 12 months old and

Sharon Black lives in Smith Center, Kansas, center of the USA. She has written short stories and co-wrote a movie, ‘Home on the Range.’ Between promoting the movie and volunteering for the Kanza House Library & Museum, hours are spent on a full time job. Sharon is distantly related to Mississippi writer Eudora Welty.

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will live up to 10 years. They must be indoor pets, can use a litter box, and get along with other gentle animals. They are available for adoption at the California location. Learn more and schedule your visit at gentlebarn.org. ,

Partner with us to reach students and schools in disadvantaged settings.

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It Ain't Right By Matt Kirby

Have you had a cold, or worse, a flu? In today’s fear-driven world, that concept takes on new and profound consequences. In 1914 Europe, where the powder of Nationalism met the Keg of European delusion, and imperial myopic arrogance had reached its zenith, it started. A War to End All Wars extinguished 40 million souls using technologies never before experienced - machine guns, chemical gas, airplanes, and tanks. Fragile and precarious humans, naked and vulnerable, stood no chance in that game. Those technologies rendered scores of brave men into mats of twisted, violated corpses. WWI birthed modernism. World War I was the fulcrum of the modern world. It birthed modernism in many guises; abstract and conceptual art, surrealism, modern literature, modern outrage and satire, modern economies with their subsequent consumer-classes and materialism. The Treaty of Versailles, forged from layers of scar tissues of hate and recrimination, accomplished nothing, save the creation of a rapidly oncoming second world war and rewriting the world’s maps. Communism would also be birthed, with its tidal wave of consequences near and far, then and now. Ignorant and uncaring European diplomats capriciously and randomly drew lines on maps, ignoring the actual people who resided therein. These lines would create such troubles that would persist perpetually and metastasize into new and disturbing scenarios. Boogeyman Virus The Great Influenza of 1918, also known as the Spanish Flu, was forged in the furnaces of the War to End All Wars. The germ started in a pig farm in Kansas. From there, it was able to course through the arteries of civilization from its contact in the extreme dense packing of soldiers in those WWI trenches, where it gained a foothold and unknowing hosts, spreading unchecked for three years. We never killed it, you know; it circulates today as one of several species of virus that we deal with every year. Perhaps it contributed to the creation of today’s Boogeyman Virus. Would today’s new scourge exist without a contribution from a relative of the Spanish Flu? Did the selfish and rotted hearts of European stupidity and arrogance directly lead to that cold or flu you had, or worse yet, did you get that New Thing, last year? ,

Matt Kirby has always been fascinated by the truth of the world expressed through the two poles of reality: art and physics. He started out as a mechanical engineer, then Apples to Apples happened.

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Ask the Right Questions By Rita Milios

What do you want? Lately I have found myself asking that question to both myself and my clients. As we go through life, we often think we know what we want and then pursue it with a vengeance. But when obstacles crop up, we may find ourselves frustrated, confused, and even angry. It is not supposed to be this way, we think to ourselves. If we focus on what we want - what we truly desire and go after it - we are supposed to be able to manifest it. But why does that not always happen? I think it is because sometimes we have not truly identified, after all, what it is that we really want. When we think we know what we want, we are only connecting with the surface level of our minds. Deeper inside, we may have a variety of conflicting and opposing desires. Unless we identify and evaluate them, we will never truly know our real intentions. We will have lost the opportunity to communicate with our inner, intuitive selves.

Ask for deeper awareness. I know from hard-won experience that my inner, intuitive self has a better grasp of what I really want than my outer, conscious self does. So when I come upon obstacles or delays in my efforts to manifest my goals, I step back, revisit the situation, and ask for a fuller, deeper awareness. I look at the long-range view of my goal. Is there some part of it that I really want, but perhaps not all of it? What outcomes or consequences will emerge once I have attained my goal? Most importantly, what will I have to give up for it? What opportunities will I miss because I am pursuing this goal? When I ask and reflect on these questions, I often come to understand that I am unconsciously pulling myself in one direction at the same time that I am pushing forth in another. But coming to terms with what I really want is only half the battle. The next step is to decide, do I really want to manifest a particular outcome, or do I want to follow a path? Is it my will or Divine Will that I wish to seek guidance from for this situation? I can choose either one, but I know from experience that the universe probably has a better plan. So nowadays, I know what I want. I ask for a clear, obvious sign of the universe’s intentions for me and the wisdom to recognize it when it comes. ,

Rita Milios, your spiritual sherpa and holistic wellness coach, is retired from clinical psychotherapy practice and now focuses on her main passion: helping people navigate their spiritual path journeys. Listen to her podcast on bUneke Radio: Walking the Path! Email her at ritamilios@gmail.com

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Freshen Reusable Water Bottles First published on https://reducewastenow.com/blogs/

So how do you fix a smelly reusable bottle? There are a few methods you can try to clean your bottle and get rid of that smell. Remember, you should be cleaning your reusable water bottle every day.

By Graydon Lawson

I bring my reusable water bottle everywhere with me, like a part of my wardrobe. One day I was at university sitting in class, and raised my water bottle up to my mouth for a sip of water, when I noticed how bad it smelled! Why do reusable water bottles stink? I couldn’t think of the answer. After all, I only put water in it! I was curious, so I did a little searching around and found exactly why my reusable bottle smelled so bad. Reusable water bottles collect odor-causing bacteria from backwash, sweat, and saliva. The odor can smell bad faster if reusable water bottles are stored in a wet area, or left with the lid sealed for long periods of time with liquid in the bottle.

Bacteria doesn’t just build up in reusable plastic water bottles, it also accumulates in metal water bottles. It’s definitely worth it to keep a reusable water bottle over single use bottles, which are terrible for the environment.

Fill the bottle half-way with warm, soapy water, seal the lid, then shake for 20 seconds. Remove lid, scrub interior and exterior of the mouth as well as the lid of the bottle with a brush or cloth. If your reusable bottle is dishwasher-safe, place it on the top rack of the dishwasher, mouth-side facing down. If the first two methods don’t remove the odor from your bottle, try using white, distilled vinegar. Fill your reusable water bottle with two tablespoons of white, distilled vinegar and fill the rest of the bottle up with water. Next, seal the lid and let the bottle rest upside down overnight. The next morning, pour out the vinegar and proceed to clean your water bottle with warm, soapy water. Now your water bottle is fully clean and ready to go! Just make sure you remain consistent with cleaning your bottle to avoid bacteria build up. ,

Graydon Lawson owns Reduce Waste Now and loves helping people achieve their zero-waste goals. While Reduce Waste Now is his primary job function, Graydon also enjoys spending time with his friends, family, and dogs. Say hi to Graydon on Instagram! @ReduceWasteNow b Uneke.org M

This backpack enhances your child’s

creativity, empathy, self esteem, Self Expression, and social-emotional development.

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When he was 11 years old, he had an idea about an erasable backpack. Seeing creative kids drawing on their canvas backpacks with Sharpies, Hien commented, “Dad, that’s really cool art. Too bad it’s permanent. Wouldn’t it be awesome if it were erasable?” What a great idea! So, they experimented and created ChalkWild, writable and erasable backpacks because there was nothing like it. Now, kids are free to customize them with their own art, anytime, anywhere, and as often as they wish.

Christie Hendricks, Assistant Superintendent Early Education Department Merced County Office of Education: The Early Education Department is extremely impressed with the quality of the backpacks we purchased. The children enjoyed the write on/wipe off surface and having their own personal backpack to showcase their creativity, which builds their self-confidence!

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Vegan By Ariane Resnick, C.N.C.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This article is not meant to diagnose or provide medical advice.

Prep: 10 mins Cook: 15 mins Total: 25 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 4 cups

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 cup milk 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

Spinach artichoke dip is a luscious wonder nearly everyone loves. However, if you’re a plantbased eater, it’s a no-go. There are the eggs in the mayo, the dairy in the cream cheese and sour cream, not to mention the gooey melted cheese we like to pile on top. What if spinach artichoke dip could be remade for vegans? What if it were filled with healthful, whole-food ingredients? We’ve swapped out the usual dip ingredients with plant-based options, like soaked cashews and nutritional yeast, turning this delicious dip into a heart-healthy treat that tastes rich and creamy. Bonus: It won’t lose anything texture-wise if served cold. That makes it a viable grab-and-go snack.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 cup baby spinach leaves 2 cups raw cashews, soaked for one hour in warm water to yield 2 1/4 cups 3 cups cooked artichoke hearts, quartered and drained if canned 1/4 cup nutritional yeast 1 1/4 teaspoons salt

Gather your ingredients. In a small sauce pot or pan over medium heat, add your olive oil. Once warmed, add the minced garlic and sauté for one minute, stirring frequently. Add the spinach and sauté for two minutes further, until spinach is fully wilted. Remove from heat. Drain and rinse the cashews. Place the garlic/spinach mixture into a blender and add all remaining ingredients, from cashews to pepper. Blend on low until all ingredients are incorporated and mixture is fairly smooth, but still has large flecks of green from the spinach. This will take about 15 seconds in a high powered blender, or 45 in a standard one. This can be served as is for a chilled dip. To serve it as a hot dip, preheat your oven to 400 F, pour the dip into a baking dish, and heat in the oven until gently bubbling, 12-15 minutes.

Tips Cashews should be soaked in a bowl in three or more cups of warm water. If you’re pressed for time, they can be soaked for 30 minutes in very hot water, instead. Be sure to drain and rinse them well before adding them to the blender. Soaking nuts removes the antinutrient

saponins from the skins; failure to rinse them well will lessen the improved digestibility that soaking provides. If available, precooked fresh artichoke hearts are ideal. If unavailable, next-best would be frozen artichoke hearts, which can be thawed under running water. Canned artichoke hearts work just fine in a pinch. For any preparation, trim off any hard edges on top of the heart. If you can’t easily tear it with your hands, it won’t blend well.

Variations: For a colorful roasted pepper artichoke dip, add 1/2 cup prepared roasted red bell peppers and blend with other ingredients. For additional cheesy flavor, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese to the blender. Or, if serving hot, sprinkle the cheese over the dip before placing it in the oven. To deepen the garlic flavor, squeeze 2 to 3 cloves roasted garlic from a roasted bulb, and blend with other ingredients. For a spicy dip, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of pickled jalapeño slices, and omit black pepper. Jalapeño slices can be blended with other ingredients, or minced and sprinkled atop the dip.

Originally published in https://www.thespruceeats.com/vegan-spinach-artichoke-dip-5184764

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Ariane Resnick, special-diet chef to celebrities and certified nutritionist, is also a best-selling author. Now, Ariane shares her secrets with bUneke readers. arianeresnick.com

By Sayandeep Biswas

Teens Can Save Earth Discuss

Blue Whales

Blue whales are the largest animals that have ever existed on Earth. They are incredibly huge and weigh as much as 150,000 kg, which is almost equivalent to the weight of 30 elephants! Blue whales are found worldwide. Larger whales grow up to 33.5 meters in length. Typically, they have long mottled, graycolored patterns that appear to be light blue when seen through water.

Krill, a kind of small crustacean, form the major diet of blue whales. These marine animals can eat about four tonnes, or 1,000 kg of krill every day. There are numerous other interesting facts about blue whales, but the saddest one is that they are endangered. The animals were almost extinct at one point, when the International Whaling Commission declared them a protected species in 1966. The main threat then was commercial whaling, but today, it is climate change. The changes in the marine environment have

badly affected krill, and this in turn has led to a fall in the blue whale population, too. The presence of toxic substances in sea waters is another factor contributing to this.

Everyone can work together to save endangered animals. Educate yourself. Awareness is important. We should be mindful of what happens when endangered animals become extinct. Social media is one of the greatest places to spread awareness. Never purchase goods made from endangered species. Before buying souvenirs, know what you are buying. Products might

be made from animals that are protected or endangered. This includes artifacts made from ivory, tortoiseshell, and coral. Some products may be made from the fur of endangered animals such as tigers or otters. Medicinal products can contain animal parts. It is not uncommon to be offered animals for sale, such as monkeys, tortoises, snakes, or lizards. A number of plants are also endangered or protected, such as cycads. Do not pick wildflowers. When it comes to nature, leave only footprints, and take only pictures. Learn more! https://www. treehugger.com/facts-aboutblue-whales-largest-animals-everknown-earth-4858813

Sayandeep Biswas, from India, founded Teenscansaveearth, inspired by younger people who work to save our planet. He aspires to be an environmentalist and a neurosurgeon.

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Free Education for Indigent Nigerian Children By Okeke Chidi Chinwendu

A charity organization, Helpers Social Development Foundation (HSDF), has launched Helpers Foundation Schools in Oji River, Enugu State in Nigeria to provide free, quality education to orphans and less-privileged

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children. Considering the importance of education, the organization deemed it necessary to enroll 200 children, annually, to help them secure a better future. As co-founder and chairman of the foundation, I officially opened the nursery/primary school at Oji in January 2022.

Children will benefit. More than 200 less-privileged children will benefit from the foundation’s free education program and will receive school uniforms, textbooks, and meals. The organization established free education for children to help them realize their vision and mission of reaching out to less privileged and unreached

orphans and impacting them with knowledge for a better future and peaceful society. Because of Covid-19, lingering financial challenges grew even worse. Based on the economic condition in Nigeria, dilapidated conditions of public schools, and the growing number of school dropouts, HSDF established this school to offer free education to less privileged children to help have a peaceful society and a better future. HSDF started in 2016 and registered as a nonprofit organization in 2019.

Interventions impact thousands. We impact the lives of more than 5,000 individuals through

our different interventions in communities and cities across the country. We have distributed school supplies to many schools, offer a scholarship to indigent students, and conduct health outreaches. We’ve built sanitary facilities for public schools in rural communities that did not have them. HSDF decided to establish Helpers Foundation Schools to impact knowledge and visions for underprivileged children and reach out to society’s vulnerable ones. We chose Oji-River to impact more lives in rural areas through free education.

Royal commendation.

While commissioning the school, the traditional ruler of Oji River Urban, His Royal Highness Igwe Sunday Okefi Oliver commended the foundation for giving indigent children the opportunity to free education to better their future. Igwe Okefi, who noted that education is key to success and a better future, disclosed that this is the opportunity for the lessprivileged children to learn and harness their potential. He said that this is the first time such an institution has been established in Oji-River and charged the less privileged in the community to use the opportunity given to them to better their future and make society crime-free.

sustainability of the program, we appeal to well-meaning individuals, organizations, and government to support us financially, materially, and otherwise to allow us to provide school supplies to the children, build classroom blocks to enroll more pupils in school, and pay our teachers to make our society a better place. Contact partners@ helpersfoundation.org to support any of the HSDF initiatives and visit www.worldremit.com to donate to support a child’s education.

For achievement of our aims and

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Okeke Chidi is the co-founder and chairman of Helpers Social Development Foundation and CEO of Host Link Global Services Ltd. Haer future for underprivileged Nigerians. Helpers Social Development Foundation

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Reading Friends By Marion Verweij

Hilary Cox has worked for 40 years in public libraries. Most of that time has been on the frontline, but the last few years have been behind the scenes working to reach people who either physically can’t get to a library or don’t think of using the library because they feel reading is not for them. “I love helping people,” Hilary explains. “Children learning to read, students studying, people looking for a good book to read. It’s a love of people rather than books – although the latter does help.” In 2017, a national libraries charity in the UK started a project called Reading Friends for people who have dementia. Couples met in their local library where time was created for small reading moments and chatting with a friend, bringing their love of reading back to life.

Befrienders reach out. Then COVID arrived and new ways needed to be found for people to meet and chat. Hilary applied for a small pilot project, designed for anyone who felt isolated, vulnerable, or lonely. The project is to pair a participant with a volunteer, or befriender, by phone or virtually to chat about bite-size reading, a short story, a poem, or blog. In December 2020, Hilary got the green light. Then, in January of 2022, the project was given a huge cash injection from the British government to help alleviate the growing mental health problems aggravated during the pandemic.

authorities in the pilot, there are 175 and so many more people are being reached.” Pairing befrienders with the participants takes time. All befrienders are checked for safeguarding, then using the completed matching questionnaires, Hilary pairs participant and befriender. Sometimes the chemistry doesn’t work, but volunteers are happy to try again with someone else. Occasionally a participant doesn’t really want to talk about reading. They are usually lonely and simply want someone to have a chat with, so Hilary refers them to another agency better suited to their needs. One elderly participant’s family didn’t live near her and she didn’t see any of them for more than a year. She loved the weekly reading chats because it gave her something to think about and she looked forward to sharing with her family.

Somebody cares. “It is lovely to know that somebody cares,” she said. Now that lock-down is being lifted, there are other projects Hilary is busy with to develop Reading Friends. One is to set up small book chat groups in the libraries, another is to assist adults who lack the confidence to read. “The idea of being at home on my own with no mental stimulus fills me with horror,” explains Hilary. “If I can alleviate that for someone, even for a few

Reaching more people.

hours a month, I’m doing something useful. The power of reading and how it can fulfill a person is

“This was a unique situation,” explained Hilary. “Recognizing the power of how reading helps health and wellbeing. Now, instead of only six local

amazing.”

Marion Verweij is a writer, poet, researcher, speaker, and workshop facilitator on themes related to change. She is Director of an NGO working for human rights in Africa and National Chair of the Security & Defence wing of the G100.

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“Recognizing the power of how reading helps health and wellbeing."

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Find Your PURPOSE By Mary Brotherton up beached starfish and threw them back into the sea, these humans have found their quiet purpose.

If you think finding your life purpose involves a career that impacts billions, it doesn’t need to. You may not even notice the moment you find your purpose.

The child’s father pointed out that the shoreline was covered with dying starfish and told him that he couldn’t possibly make a difference because there were so many, but the child continued picking up the creatures and tossing them back into their home. “I made a difference to this one,” he said. One path to finding your purpose in life starts with making a difference in someone else’s life. Smile more. Engage in random acts of kindness, expecting nothing in return. Turn off your phone while having a conversation or meal.

Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks lived their lives in poverty, yet they are celebrated worldwide. Their fame is the result of living the purpose for which they were born. All three were quiet activists and proponents of peace. For each of them, kindness was the road to that purpose. Many others who sought peaceful resolutions, rather than riches, have become household names. But for every Harry and Harriette Moore, every John Lennon, Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King Jr, Anne Frank, and Marie Curie, there are thousands more who, without riches or celebrity status, are living their own purpose-filled lives. When you open bUneke Magazine or bUneke Brevard, you’ll find men, women, teens, and children who live their life’s purpose while going to school, running a business, or managing a family. Like the child who picked

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Your purpose in life might require extra education, travel, or something else. It might also require nothing more than tossing a starfish into the ocean or planting a seed of hope. Your purpose may be to provide inspiration and motivation to others, simply by being yourself. ,

Mary Brotherton, the founding president of bUneke.org, is editor-in-chief of bUneke Magazine, directs bUneke Radio, and is finalizing her first non-fiction book.

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mary@bUneke.org Printing Policy bUneke Magazine releases a digital issue on the first of each quarter (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec). The Audio issue is released a few weeks later. It takes three weeks from the moment we order the printing for the job to be completed and shipped back to our office for mailing to our readers. We strive to order the print magazine within two months of the digital release, which allows readers time to pre-pay for their copies. This delay allows us time to engage the printer, each time, to request our nonprofit discount, so that we can be good stewards of readers' donations by cutting costs and to be good stewards of earth by printing only as many paper copies as necessary. We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you know someone who would like to be our printing sponsor, please let us know. We appreciate you and your support.

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Learning in the Great Outdoors Photo courtesy of The Ecology School By Marcetta Davis-Linton

Nature can teach us many things, and that is what The Ecology School is doing. Nestled on a farm in Maine, nature and education meet. However, COVID-19 changed a lot about the way we live. The Ecology School website said, “The ability to understand and make connections is the ability that we'll all need to make it through the 21st century." We are all shifting our routines to live in this pandemic and while people are spending more time outside, our awareness of nature is different. Many of our outdoor actions are destructive to nature. It's essential to know how everything connects so we can understand the impact of our efforts. The shift to outdoor classrooms is an opportunity to teach the next generation how we can be outside, while also being respectful to nature. There's a tremendous pressure to go green and transform our lifestyles to create impact. For most of us, a few small steps lead to more significant routines. The Ecology School encourages connection to the natural world through curiosity, fun, and whimsy. If you can start asking questions about how things connect, you'll begin to go green just by exploring how everything in our world is interwoven. The Ecology School is raising funds to build the most sustainable environmental learning center in the United States at River Bend Farm. The move will propel educational initiatives by increasing program capacity and providing opportunities for participants through hands-on exploration of Maine's ecosystems, sustainable living practices, direct connection to food systems, farming and conservation-in-action. The Ecology School works with experts in the field of outdoor learning and integrating the required curriculum into outdoor education. They’ve done this for 20 years and look forward to bringing students to learn at River Bend Farm. Learn more at TheEcologySchool.org

Marcetta Davis-Linton is an aspiring environmental journalist, with her Masters in NewsMedia and Journalism from Full Sail University. She created OneNatureOnePlanet.com and lives in Florida with her husband, Michael and three dogs Sadie, Fisher, and Beau. Facebook/onenatureoneplanet

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Trust the Journey

By Martin Strain

The phrase, “trust the journey” has been heavy on my mind lately. I’ve been leasing an electric scooter to take me to and from work because it saves me hundreds a month on Ubers. This past week, I was running behind, and I missed my window to take my scooter. I was aggravated and annoyed because I had to spend money on an Uber. On the ride to work, I noticed the path I usually take was blocked by workers and a service vehicle.

On the best path So, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It wasn’t what I initially wanted, and I was frustrated, but it turned out to be for the best. That’s when the phrase came to mind. The journey didn’t go the way I wanted, but I still reached my destination and the path I was on was the best.

small difference in someone’s life that night. The journey isn’t always about you and that’s okay. Sometimes we are in certain places at

A little later, I had been called in to help at my previous job. I didn’t necessarily want to be there. I was tired and wanted to rest. However, while there, I found a homeless man sleeping in the garage. Had someone else been working instead of me, they would have asked him to leave, called the cops, or both. Since it was me, I got money out of the ATM and laid it next to him while he was sleeping. Then I was offered two extra meals and a side dish that was leftover from the wedding I’d just worked.

certain times to help others on their journeys.

Making a small difference

needed peace of mind lately. May it also bring

The “journey” in this case took me somewhere I didn’t want to go, but I was able to make a

Sometimes, things seem bad, but the process of the journey could be helping your life or someone else’s, in small but significant ways. You may be having a bad day, or you may be somewhere you don’t want to be, but your presence might help someone on their journey. It might help you. This sentiment has brought me some muchyou peace.

Martin Strain is an activist and writer with a BA in creative writing and a minor in journalism. He is a published author, poet, journalist, and screenwriter, using his writings to highlight important issues and raise awareness.

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By Trinity James-Mathison

Do you Know how to

It’s not about our credit or our bank account. It’s all about our inner being: our soul and our direct paths to achieving what the good Lord has created us to be. It’s about our path to destiny and our future. When our Father created us, he created us with a plan. Each of us has our own unique platform, and God needs us to stay on that direct path. The blueprint he has laid out for our lives is imperative.

We must be confident. However, throughout the centuries, many of us have been misled, either by families, friends, or foes. We have been manipulated to go into directions that were not planned for our lives and our future. We must be confident in our inner beings to recognize and know when such misguidedness is being thrust upon us. People manipulate others in order to gain control over that person’s life. At the thought of the other person catching on to this misdirection, the manipulator becomes uneasy to no longer have control or power over that individual. Imagine if you were misguided from an early age. Think about if someone who was supposed to show you how to achieve a fulfilling life was really training you to become a footstool in theirs. This is unjust and selfish.

Fish?

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. - Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism.

An old Chinese’s proverb says, if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime, but giving a man a fish, you will only feed him for a day.

Some would rather see you fall than rise. Some believe that teaching others how to succeed may result in being left behind. What many fail to realize is that when we help each other achieve greatness, we’re helping that individual fulfill their destiny. In turn, this action strengthens our community. Selfishness and greed blind most of us, blocking the direct path to our future. When we learn to love and respect each other, the world will be a wonderful place. We must focus on why we are here and practice selfdiscipline. In every thought, let us breathe in peace, love, and humility. Thank you, my very special bUneke readers. Be blessed and always stay prayed up. ,

A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Trinity James-Mathison proclaimed naturalization in the United States in 2001. She published her first book in 2017 and is working on her second. She says she thanks the Lord for her gift of life and good health and would not be here otherwise. b Uneke.org M

Finding Peace in Passing – Part 3

Mechanics

By Tony Taylor

I’ve been talking about a lot of dark things. It makes sense. I’m in a dark place. You’re probably reading this because of that reason, and it’s that commonality that urges you to read on. But that commonality is an abnormality.

Although the overwhelming force thrust upon our lives with a lost loved one appears the same on the outside, where we’re going is the ultimate goal. How can you possibly know what my sister’s death has done to me? I am in pain. Jill’s passing, as you have learned, has been beyond traumatic for me. Your situation may look and feel the same. Like myself, you want to return to at least someplace that feels like it did before that loved one died. How are you going to do that?

The pain must end. My “band-aid” of sharing my experience may help your healing process, but you must do the honest work. The brain is powerful enough to make anything happen. We’re in pain. Trapped, enduring torture, the spirit knows only one thing, the pain must end. As much as relating my story may help, it won’t heal. You may see me on the side of a road trying to

fix a flat tire on my car. Knowing my mechanical expertise, you help me do what could help put on the doughnut. Still, I had to open the trunk and pull out that doughnut, the jack, and the right tools designed to fix the flat and get me on my way to where I needed to go. What tools are you using off to the side of your road? How easy is it to use them? Have you taken the time to learn what they are and do? Your answers may differ from mine.

Use the correct tools. I learned I’ve been using the wrong tools. When applied to the problem, those tools will never help. They will never correctly fix the problem. If we use the flat head screwdriver on the Philips screw, it may tighten the screw, but not correctly. It will become loose, and what it’s holding together will fall apart.

Your pain may be similar, but it’s not mine. Describing my pain, you can never know it. I know what you want, but only you have the keys to your car. I hope how I have described living with pain has provided a more robust light source for your darkness. We’ve all experienced car problems, and maybe that experience will give you pause to think. Visualization is a strong teacher. Our eyes, we’re told, are the pathways to the soul. I believe that. To quote author Philip K. Dick, “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.” What we see is what we think is our reality. What do you see? It’s still a long way off for me, but I see less pain on my way to healing.

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Tony Taylor is a writer/filmmaker who has been a member of the Florida film community since 1994. He writes for bUneke Magazine and hosts bUneke UnScripted as he continues creating groundbreaking films.

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Summer Book Reviews All Is One By Ren Koi While I found some parts of the book difficult to figure out, I came away with the feeling that Ren is a deeply spiritual man. His journey to self-recovery has only begun and with each successive book, he discovers a little more of himself. Find out more on bUneke.org/extrablog Blue Moon By Vane Hart This small book of short stories is the perfect size to keep in your pocket or purse for when you’re stuck in a line or waiting on an appointment. Some stories come with a twist and others have a built-in lesson. B.R.A.N.D. Before your Resume By Graciela Tiscareño-Sato This is a must-read for anyone, at any career stage.

Four Books by Bryan Blake • Barbers of San Joaquin Tales of the West • Blackwater Bridge • Bonnie Lou Baker Sheriff • Slim and Sly Fans of Louis L’Amour and Zane Gray will devour these books by Bryan Blake. Written in an innocent style, readers transport into the world of cowboys, saloons, and stern sheriffs.

Culture to Color By Bibi LeBlanc I’m a colorer and I have been for sixty+ years. I’m also a lover of history, so when I received the latest release by Bibi LeBlanc, I was completely enthralled.

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Feel Better in Five Minutes An Empowering Guide to Gain Control Over Your Emotions By Amanda Hainline The book helps readers explore their emotions, facilitates a shift, and provides accessible tools and instructions for their use. bUneke UnScripted talked with the author about emotional freedom. Listen to the conversation by visiting bUneke Radio on BlogTalkRadio and searching for Amanda Hainline. https://www.blogtalkradio.com/ bunekeradio/2021/09/03/buneke-unscripted-discussesemotional-freedom-with-amanda-hainline

From Pain to Love: Our Journey Outside the Rainbow By Naomi Scales and Marilyn Jordan Block out time for yourself when you’ll be undisturbed, because you will not want to put this book down. Funky Dan and the Pixie Dream Girl (The Boston Mountain Magic Series Book 1) By Courtney Lanning It takes readers into the personal world of a trans teen who meets some amazing magical creatures. I won’t give away the plot, but it’s cleverly written with lots of teen angst and the relationship between mother and child - and others. God’s Me, Myself, and I - Part1 By God’s Sheepdog I think many Biblical scholars and doctrinal explorers will find the contemporary deliberation well probed and firmly supported.

We offer the teasers here but for the full reviews always visit bUneke.org/Extra-blog Our Reviewers: Danielle Dilks and Mary Brotherton Gone to Dallas: The Storekeeper By Laurie Moore-Moore If you like reading colorful descriptions and honest dialogue that doesn’t feel contrived, by all means, get a copy of this book and spend some time with Sara, the widowed storekeeper. You won’t regret it. How to Avoid Being a Victim of the American Healthcare System: A Patient’s Handbook for Survival By Dr. David Wilcox If you can buy just one book this year, make this the one! How would you like a guide to help you take control of your own healthcare? This book helps not only take control but understand and navigate the confusing world of healthcare. Two Books by Martin Wells • No One Playing: The Essence of Mindfulness in Golf and Life. • Sitting in the Stillness: Freedom from the Personal Story Both are very short, but remarkable books. The first uses the game of golf to explore the deepest secrets of life. In the second, the author integrates his psychotherapy practice with the principles of mindfulness, stillness and presence. Move By Parag Khanna Thought provoking ideas and very well written. Where will you live in 2050? According to Dr. Parag Khanna, it probably won’t be where you are sitting right now. The book explores what the human species must do in order to survive.

Onboarding Champions - The Seven Recruiting Principles of Highly Effective Nonprofit Boards By James Mueller I recommend sharing the board self-assessment

exercise with members of your team as a way to start the discussion about how to turn your existing board members into champions. If you can gift a copy to each board member, you won’t regret it. Rosa By Lyndon Haynes Just in time for a good summer read, this novel is compelling to the end. It tells the story of a young girl who witnessed the tragic murder of both parents and was raised by cruel brothers after fleeing their homeland.

Schoolbooks & Sorcery By Michael M. Jones and Cecilia Tan This collection of YA short, fantasy stories, from a variety of authors, supports and embraces members of the LGBTQ+ community. The stories all carry the undertone of teenage angst and anger, sexual tension, and that need to fit in, all while bringing in elements of magic. Smokescreen By Chad T. Hanson Ecologist Chad T. Hanson engages the reader with an eye-opening look at the correlation between climate change, the logging industry and the wildfires that we see so frequently across this country. For those who are eco-friendly, it’s a good read. For those who are not, it is a must read. Spiritual Freedom in the Digital Age By Jason Gregory The author explains that while technological advances have done much to improve our lives, they have also caused much damage.

continued...

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But we are not lost. He states that we can reclaim our attitude of pure attention, our natural state of being present in our lives and provides us with a recipe to do just that.

with one poem per page, not all suitable for all ages, not all are in English. A variety of fonts lends an artistic flavor to the poems. She covers many topics and emotions.

The Prosperity Playbook: Planning for a Successful Family Business Succession By Mackey McNeill If your business needs financial assistance, this is your book! It walks entrepreneurs step-bystep through the confusion with chapters that build on each other, to help you build the required tools for an easy-to-use system that brings results. Take notes and honestly answer the questions offered.

Wealth & Privilege By Jeanette Watts While reading about this “Romeo and Juliet,” readers can learn about some of the most significant historical events that shaped Pittsburgh, including riots, assassinations, and devastating floods.

The TREE of FAITH: God Wants to Answer YOUR Prayer By C J Schat Written with honesty and authenticity, the author shares the truth about her journey and how trusting God led her to deepen her faith. Value to Man Collected Poems By Afua Serwah Osei-Bonsu The author takes a deliberate approach to value not only herself as a sacred work of art, but those around her. The pages are yellow,

Why An Afterlife Obviously Exists By Jens Amberts The author tells us that there are three ways to prove that there is life after death: near death experiences, scientific proof, and philosophical debate. While citing that some people will not consider the premise regardless of how thoroughly researched or academically presented, he concludes that the evidentiary support of the existence of an afterlife is definitive. ,

bUneke Magazine reviews books! Contact buneke.reviews@gmail.com to have YOUR book reviewed.

Why I Love bUneke ns, o i t a atul our r g n Co m on y gree! Ti rs de te mas

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By Timothy Foxx bUneke challenges me to be better than I was the day before and provides the people, tools, and resources to get there. We are perfectly imperfect, a work in progress, and still, a masterpiece in our own individual rights. Collectively, bUneke is changing the world as we each see it. Tell us, in 50 words or less, why you love bUneke and send us a photo of yourself if you’d like to be in the magazine. Email mary@buneke.org with Why I Love bUneke as your subject.

b Uneke Don’t discard me!

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Amazing Human.

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Product Reviews U send them. We review! Each product is given a score based on the following criteria (one point for each):

The best score is 10 out of 10 Earth-friendly product Earth-friendly packaging Budget-friendly Uneke Lives up to the hype Stylish Useful Philanthropic outlook Easy to understand/use I would buy it. Contact us today at bUneke.reviews@gmail.com for information about where to send your product(s) or suggestions for places or products to review.

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Crepini

crepini.com/

Crepinis are a cross between a French crepe and a Ukrainian blini, without the carbs. They are dairyfree, kosher, Whole-30 compliant, keto, and paleo approved. Made with eggs, our vegan friends won’t be eating them. They are made with cauliflower, sweet potato, and gluten-free grains and seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices including turmeric for one and cinnamon for another. They arrived in a sustainable cardboard box, insulated with recycled denim to keep the box dry, yet cold from the two ice packs. This kind of shipping makes the Crepinis cost more than similar wraps. Each set of Crepinis is wrapped in plastic and you know how bUenek feels about that. The flavor is more bland than we expected, but that just lets out the flavor of our veggies. With the plastic wrap and no sign of philanthropy, we had to deduct two points. •

8,

Stardeck

lisastardust.com/

What a great gift idea for the astrology/ zodiac lover! The 70-card deck arrived in a beautiful box that’s sure to become a keepsake, though the user will need to be careful handling it. We know people can use an online research tool to find much of the information in the Stardeck, but we like to hold the cards and feel them while we learn how stars and planets play into our lives. Two of us reviewed this deck and we found it very useful, as we’re not astrologers. It’s a great tool for when you want to get away from the blue light of your electronic devices and explore this craft the old fashioned way. We like the size and simplicity of the Stardeck because we can carry it with us to study during those times we’re stuck in line somewhere. The birthchart was particularly fascinating and fun to use. The link takes you to the author’s page on Amazon where we were amazed to see the price has been slashed on the Stardeck. It might be time to stock up for the holidays! We deducted a point because we couldn’t find any indication that she has a charitable outreach. • 9,

Ice Cream Sunscreen

icecreamsunscreen.com

I am in love with Ice Cream Sunscreen and lip balm. My super-picky husband loves the sunscreen. It goes on cool (as it says) and isn’t greasy. It melts into your skin in seconds and you are ready to hit the beach or any outdoor activity! The original really doesn’t have a scent but the vanilla smells like, well you guessed it, vanilla ice cream! With an SPF of 30 I feel comfortable riding my bike and enjoying an afternoon in the sun. It is water-resistant, reeffriendly, cruelty free, sulfate and paraben free, made for all ages, and is light enough for the face, yet strong enough to protect the body. The lip balm is really nice as well with an SPF of 15. I wish it were in anything but plastic tubes so I have to bring down the score, unfortunately. Without a mention of a philanthropic outlook, we had to deduct another point • 8,

Fire Department Coffee

FireDeptCoffee.com

I had the fortunate opportunity to try a couple of spirit-infused coffees from the Fire Department Coffee (FDC) company. FDC has done a great job of infusing a couple of my favorite coffee additives, Vanilla Bean Bourbon and Irish Whiskey, with their fine medium roast coffee. The two different coffee blends make for a wonderful treat in the mornings, evenings, and desert occasions. That pretty much covers all the times that I drink coffee! The labeling on the FDC packaging indicates that they use an infusion process, which seems to appropriately describe the rich, but not overpowering, taste that these two coffees present. It is a welcome change from most flavored coffees that have an overpowering taste of the added flavor. I checked out the FDC website to see what else I could order, and they had a large selection of various spirits, blends, and an assortment of standard coffees to choose from, definitely something to satisfy everyone’s tastes. They are a veteran-owned business giving back by helping injured fire fighters. They roast high-quality coffee beans from around the world. Before they begin the roasting process, all of their beans go through a strict testing and evaluation process. This includes making sure the farms are environmentally and socially responsible. • 10,

Want free advertisement for your products? Let our team of reviewers sample them and we’ll tell the world how wonderful they are. We’ll be honest, so if you don’t think your product can pass our 10 point checklist, think twice before you send it to us. ,

Let bUneke’s reviewers tell the world how much they LOVE your product! Send an email to buneke.reviews@gmail.com Put your brand in front of millions.

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Japanese Tea Ceremony By Maiko Anzai

The traditional Japanese tea ceremony contains many sustainable elements. Many of the tools used when practicing the ceremony are precious and have been passed down from ancient times, so there is a spirit of using things carefully. Also, the tea ceremony values the sense of the season, and we prepare flowers and sweets according to the season. In addition, we value the word “Ichi-go Ichi-e,” which describes a cultural concept of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment so we have a feeling of compassion for the other party and tools, and how we will perform the ceremony.

Maiko Anzai is a high school student in Osaka Japan who is passionate about living a I believe that the tea ceremony provides a path to a simple, sustainable lifestyle. She reached out to bUneke on Instagram. polite, and sustainable living. , You can too!

A.D.D. in Poetry, One Family’s Journey with Attention Deficit Disorder, is a collection of uplifting and meaningful poetry paired with delightful color illustrations, that will warm the hearts of its readers and will remind them that there is life after the ADD/ADHD diagnosis. To learn more click here.

Review: “If you feel uncomfortable, frustrated, confused about ADD in yourself or a family member, this book offers a healing perspective.” -- Florida Today News Product Details: Paperback: 20 pages • Language: English ISBN-10: 1412037697 • ISBN-13: 978-1412037693 • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars

The Little Green Oasis Aromatherapy

Kathleen Price, Owner

for Personal, Household,

Medicinal & Pets

The Little Green Oasis.com b M

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The Little Green Oasis

Easy Zero Waste Swap No.9

By Ran

Before I used to throw away so many cotton ear swabs!

Now I always use a traditional Japanese wooden ear pick. It is sturdy and does the job. Plus the wood gives it a softer feeling than metal ones. , Ran lives a zero-waste lifestyle in Japan, trying to produce as little trash as possible. We can all do something to make the world a little greener. Let’s exchange ideas between countries and make a global change together! IG: zerowaste.japan

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zodiac PREDICTIONS By M a n i s h

June • July • August 2022 Aries (21 Mar – 19 Apr) An energetic period is in store for you. Set a new plan in motion, one that somehow goes against or countermands an older one. This is a time to seize the day or open doors, even if what you gain doesn’t quite fit at first with the profile you’d planned. You want to have fun, and you might find you’re pouring a lot of energy into your hobbies, children, and recreation. Unusual or non-traditional romantic situations or partners take your fancy. Favorable Dates: June 4, 5, 13, 14, 22, 23; July 3, 7, 12, 16, 21, 25; Aug 4, 7, 11, 15, 21, 24 Favorable Colors: Blue & White

finances by renewing or refreshing strategies, advisors, and associates on the sea of fiscal navigation. It’s definitely the time to make decisions about relationships, especially if you have been enjoying a passionate dalliance with a profoundly simpatico figure in the preceding periods. Flattery, charm, and a sense of humor will see pleasant relations with neighbors and siblings. You’ll find that some of your best social opportunities these days are right in your immediate environment. Favorable Dates: June 4, 5, 13, 14, 22, 23; July 3, 8, 12, 17, 21, 26; Aug 4, 8, 12, 15, 23, 27 Favorable Colors: Blue & Yellow

Taurus (20 Apr – 20 May) You would be focusing on professional relationships, dealings with authority or people of status. This period awakens the raft of organising skills required to fulfil your responsibilities, whether personal or professional. Luck or opportunity will play a hand in professional development. You should reach a landmark that others will acknowledge. Now is the time to make serious financial decisions, so be sure to manage your interests with care, especially where children are concerned, or where your financial investments and speculative ventures are involved. Favorable Dates: June 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20; July 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 24; Aug 2, 7, 11, 15, 21, 30 Favorable Colors: Red & White

Cancer (21 June – 22 July) This is a good time for sorting out anything which has been occupying your mind. There will be plenty of things for you to do in the way of physical exercise and work. The flow of physical energy can make you more aggressive or competitive concerning your career. A steamy love affair is in the wind which is likely to see you getting a complete makeover in everything that you value in life. Travel is in the stars, probably on business and you’ll feel the urge to experience some pampering. Favorable Dates: June 4, 8, 13, 17, 22, 26; July 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 24; Aug 3, 6, 11, 15, 22, 28 Favorable Colors: Purple & Red

Gemini (21 May – 20 June) In this period, the imperative is to regenerate the foundation of your

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Leo (23 July – 22 Aug) Home and family matters will tend to be overshadowed by the demands of public and career conditions, which will undergo significant changes, that you may not seek, but which will be forced

upon you by circumstance. This is a time when hard work, organization, and planning will stand you in good stead. Life may seem to be more sombre than usual. Circumstances will generate either the need or desire to take a more responsible attitude toward what you believe your direction should be in the future. Favorable Dates: June 4, 7, 13, 16, 22, 25; July 3, 6, 12, 15, 21, 24; Aug 5, 10, 14, 19, 24, 29 • Favorable Colors: Purple & Red Virgo (23 Aug – 22 Sept) You are setting your sights high, not afraid to go after what you want. Others are really taking note of you on the job, and relations are strong with co-workers. You may find yourself in disagreement with others over principles or value judgments. The potential for discord may cause strained relations over the period, but is unlikely to inspire major upsets. Those that forge the right partnership connection and those that strategically renew the one they have will find a new strength and firm foundations for the life ahead. Favorable Dates: June 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20; July 1, 8, 10, 17, 19, 26; Aug 4, 7, 12, 14, 23, 29 Favorable Colors: White & Yellow Libra (23 Sept – 22 Oct) You’ll seek promotion or you’ll deal with people of status in such a way as to advance your situation. Changes are in the wind in the domestic arena, where big developments with residential matters, real estate and family life are to be expected. Your social life and

Manish Kumar Arora is a renowned KP Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Reader & Vastu Consultant. He renders professional advice to clients with a reasonable degree of success. He has been conferred with the title of ‘Jyotish Varahamihir’ and ‘Jyotish Aryabhatt.’ He writes monthly astrological columns for 40 international magazines. For personalised predictions, contact manish@manishastrologer.com

people you mix with follow the same unpredictable path, with sudden phases of increased activity and interest. Flames of interest will spark up and you really engage and flourish through new interests or connections. There is the possibility of confinement due to over-indulgence of the passions after 21st April. Favorable Dates: June 2, 7, 11, 16, 20, 25;

stars. Higher education may appeal to the intellectuals among you, or the intensive study of a particular subject. Long distance travel is also favored, as is writing, publishing, or promotion. Balancing intimacy and friendship is the goal now, and you are likely to succeed. Friendships are especially rewarding and motivating. A balanced lifestyle is essential.

July 2, 4, 11, 13, 20, 22; Aug 4, 9, 13, 18, 23, 27

Favorable Dates: June 6, 9, 15, 18, 24, 27;

Favorable Colors: White & Blue

July 4, 7, 13, 25, 22, 25; Aug 2, 7, 11, 18, 23, 28

find much motivation to work behind the scenes or to work on projects in relative solitude. You are clearer about your goals and work matters are straightforward. Some of you will experience potent changes with status or wealth, either with money directly or in the value of assets or resources, such as the home. In time, your status, wealth and position through home and family will undergo transforming change.

Favorable Colors: Gray & Yellow

Favorable Dates: June 2, 6, 11, 14, 20, 24;

Scorpio (23 Oct – 21 Nov) You are feeling especially playful, energetic, and expressive during this period, and it’s time to have some fun. You have the energy now to improve your living conditions. Freedom to do as you please is a driving factor in all that you do now. A jealous love nature, intense passionate emotions, and a love of sensation, luxury and pleasures will be the flavor in this period. This period will present a powerful mating phase, but those already mated may find trouble with supposedly secret affairs coming out into the limelight. July 3, 4, 12, 13, 21, 22; Aug 1, 6, 10, 14, 21, 25

Capricorn (22 Dec – 19 Jan) This is a period when it pays to make an effort: the charm of your personality, willingness to cooperate with others, and sense of humor will make a big difference. It’s definitely time to take things to a new level, and you will greatly expand your personal, professional, and intellectual horizons. You’ll be reconsidering your role in life, your personal self-image, and your ability to influence others. Your mood in love is mostly adventurous and your charm is quite natural now. A more positive and forward-looking attitude wins you many admirers now.

Favorable Colors: Red & Yellow

Favorable Dates: June 5, 9, 14, 18, 23, 27;

Favorable Dates: June 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23;

July 2, 4, 11, 22, 20, 24; Aug 5,9, 13, 18, 23, 27 Sagittarius (22 Nov – 21 Dec) Whether you decide to start a business, or take on a new career, you’ll be learning new skills – and for those not likely to go on with more formal schooling, advanced training is in the

Favorable Colors: Red & Green Aquarius (20 Jan – 18 Feb) You will make a new start in life, and it will ultimately give you the personal growth and power you seek. You

July 3, 7, 12, 25, 21, 25; Aug 4, 9, 14, 18, 22, 27 Favorable Colors: Purple & Green Pisces (19 Feb – 20 Mar) A new start in your life is indicated, especially with regard to your financial situation and your emotional commitments. Joint efforts are favored, but try not to harbor resentment toward those who seem to be restricting your individuality and growth. The highest reward for correct actions will be your emergence as a more mature, productive individual with a definite idea of the directions your personal growth must take in the future. It’s a good time to find the energy to sort out finances, and especially debts, taxes, and shared property.

Favorable Dates: June 1, 3, 10, 12, 19, 21; July 3, 4, 12, 22, 21, 22; Aug 3, 8, 12, 17, 23, 31 Favorable Colors: White & Yellow

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Thanks for the inspiration, Syble G.

Thank you FLOW Film Festival and Market! See page 4 for the story!

Don’t discard me! Please, pass me along to another AMAZING human. b Uneke .org M

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bUneke Magazine Issue 24

Articles inside

Zodiac 3

Product Reviews

Trust the Journey

Learning in the Great Outdoors

Book Reviews

Do you Know how to Fish?

Finding Peace in Passing #3 Mechanics

Reading Friends

Ask the Right Questions

Free Education for Nigerian Children

The Gentle Barn

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

Teens Can Save Earth Discusses Blue Whales

It Ain’t Right

FLOW is Inspired by Passion

Freshen Reusable Water Bottles