mikalee.byerman_243's blog

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a place on the internet to read all of the happy, positive, celebratory thoughts about COVID vaccines? 

Turns out: You’re here! 

Today we're catching up with longtime contributor Marie Baxter, who frequently shares stories with Just the Positive about the incredible community service performed every day at Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada.

We all know people in Northern Nevada who are spending their days saving lives, going out of their way to protect their families and contributing to the safety of our community. A local medical spa, M Spa, wants to turn the tables by helping five deserving locals feel pampered. And they need your help. 

We're starting a new series on Just the Positive called "4 Fast Fun Facts," where you learn a little about the fabulous contirbutors to our boucing baby website. For our first edition, we're spotlighting Don Butterfield -- one of our very first contributors and the Director of Business Development for Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital. 

I get it: Quarantine fatigue is a thing, and it’s REAL. 

If I'm being honest, I'm tired of it all, too. But considering I'm an editor for Just the Positive (emphasis on “Positive,”), I thought I'd dig deep and offer some much-needed happy talk about my favorite new fashion accessory: face masks!  

I know, I know: They’re uncomfortable. They’re hot. They make your glasses fog up. They ALWAYS need washing. They’re hard to find when you need them.

Editor's Note: Beginning the day after the riot in downtown Reno that destroyed property and rocked our community, Diaz Dixon, CEO of the Eddy House and community advocate, took to Facebook Live. 

And every morning since then, he has posted a Facebook Live video with powerful words about racism, the struggles faced daily by people of color and the power of positivity. 

When someone shares their talents with the world in order to put a smile on people’s faces, we think that’s an action worth celebrating. That’s why we decided to reach out to photographer and UNR student Isaac Hoops, who has been documenting the Silver Legacy’s messages of community support. He shared his work with the world — and even allowed us to use his image as our cover photo on Facebook. Here’s our conversation with Isaac about his art, his background and how he stays positive in the face of a global pandemic. 

My mom has created the world’s most magical backyard. 

I honestly have no idea how she does it. Even during quarantine, she manages to have fairy lights twinkling, hanging baskets overflowing with cascading flowers and an emerald green lawn. My 7-year-old daughter is 100 percent convinced fairies make their home there, and her 46-year-old mom (yes, I’m talking about myself in the third person) just about believes it, too. 

Many Northern Nevadans are developing newfound skills in the art of sewing face masks as a result of the current pandemic. And while healthcare workers, grocery store employees and neighbors are often the recipients, one population is particularly vulnerable when it comes to falling through the cracks for receiving these potentially live-saving tools: families in need. 

To address this important population, iCelerate - High Sierra Industries (HSI) went to work.