TEA PARTY HOLDS RALLY IN WALTHAM from Tamara Starr on Vimeo.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Big Breaks Can Lead to Heartbreaks: Eric Hutchinson shares the struggles of being a musician By Tamara Starr
Everyone has dreams. Everyone hopes. But no one is more hopeful or even more of a dreamer than a musician.
Eric Hutchinson is an up-and-coming acoustic singer who not only hopes, he not only dreams, but he wants to make sure that his hopes and dreams become a reality.
But so far his journey hasn't been easy.
Hutchinson was once signed by Maverick Records in 2006. But when the company started to lose money, he was dropped from the label.
"I felt like sushi in a taco shell," he said. He had no idea that the company that was owned by Madonna, would ever lose money. But he knew that he couldn't just give up.
During tough times, Hutchinson likes to think about great musicians who needed to overcome obstacles to get where they are.
“It’s definitely been hard,” he said. “But I just think of people like Stevie Wonder and The Beatles, and I think about the impact they brought...and that inspires me to keep going.”
Hutchinson grew up in Takoma Park, Md. He wouldn't say that his parents were supportive. He felt that they were more "realistic."
"They always wanted to make sure that I had a back up," he said. "For them, music is something that I am just trying out."
Hutchinson first picked up the guitar around 1995, when he was 15. But it wasn't until he was going to school at Emerson College in Boston, where he would start exploring his passion for songwriting.
After he graduated that's when he decided to be a full-time musician.
“I’ve been writing songs for so long,” he said. “It started out as a hobby and I just kept loving it more and more. I knew that I had to do this.”
And his determination has been paying off. Even though he was picked up by Maverick Records in 2006, and then dropped in 2007. He kept on going by distributing his records on his own.
In 2007 he released an independent album which would catch the attention of Warner Bros. Records. But even when the record company offered the deal, it didn't seem like a guarantee.
For months after being offered the deal, he had to endure with hearing “don’t worry it’s coming, we just have to wait for some things to pull through.”
“We live in such an ‘American Idol’ way of life,” he said. “We just want things to happen so fast-we want things to happen now.”
But all he can think about was how lucky he was to be given the opportunity. And this whole experience also taught him a little lesson about the music industry.
“I never knew that it took so long to have a record deal-to be a set deal,” he said.
Warner Bros. Records first offered him the deal in October of 2007. Hutchinson wouldn’t sign anything until February 2008.
“I mean, it sucked that I had to wait so long,” he said. “But once again I just had to realize that I’m pretty lucky to be given this chance, and I’m grateful.”
He is now on tour with Missy Higgins, an award-winning Australian singer and songwriter, and he is loving every minute of it.
He is also promoting his new album entitled "Sounds Like This." And the first single "Rock &Roll" was featured on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" soundtrack. And he has already sold thousands of copies of his single via iTunes.
When asked how is parents are feeling about this, he says that they are happy for him, but they still want him to come up with back-up plans. For Hutchinson, he just wants to enjoy every minute of every moment that's coming to him.
“It’s tough when you try to think about your future,” he said. “But in the end, I just want to be happy and spend my time in an effective way.”
Mommy and Me Classes
Getting the Most from Mommy and Me
by Tamara Starr
Being an expecting mom can not only be exciting, but it can also be one of the most nerve-wrecking experiences a woman can go through. From the morning sickness, to the unpredictable mood swings, it’s no wonder why we are so desperate to know what the heck is going on with our bodies.
Whether it’s your first child or your first multiple birth, the amount of information out there can be mind boggling. Will my child be born healthy? Can this one cup of coffee really hurt? Should I deliver in a hospital or in the comfort of my home? How long should I wait until I bring the baby outside? (Because God forbid they die from pneumonia right?)
Believe it or not, Mommy and Me centers can be the best place for moms to go, even if it’s your fourth child. You will not only get some good advice, but you will also receive the confidence that’s needed for parenting.
“You don’t want to just hear the research of good parenting,” says Marena Burnett, Program Manager for Early Parenting, Isis in Boston, MA.
For Burnett it is very important that a Mommy and Me class provide an environment with no judgment.
“The last thing you want to hear is someone telling you what ‘good parenting’ is,” Burnett said. “We all have that maternal instinct within us and we need to learn how to trust that- you get to determine what’s right for the baby.”
It’s easy to assume that Mommy and Me classes are just for moms and their tots. However, classes can start as young as 2 weeks.
The goal goes beyond creating a bond with the baby; the goal is to create a trust that you know what you are doing.
“This maybe the first time they will leave the house alone with the baby,” Burnett said. “And the goal will be to create confidence with the newborn.”
As the baby gets a little older, it’s never too early to start socializing. Jill Lemberg is the director for one of the My Gym locations in Boston and she was very excited to bring her own daughter to a Mommy and Me class. For Lemberg it’s just seeing the development of these young tikes that inspire her.
“You see them when they first come in as a tike, and then all of sudden they are recognizing sounds or even learning to do tumbles... It’s exciting!” Lemberg said.
Especially during the winter, Mommy and Me classes can be very beneficial in unleashing that extra energy from your child.
Jenny Crowly has been bringing her 18-month-old daughter, Piper, to Mommy and Me classes and agrees that it has been the best thing for both of them.
“It’s great when they are playing around with the other kids, and it’s nice to see how the moms are doing,” Crowly said. “It helps them build confidence in doing other activities in a safe environment.”
According to Women’s Health Works, a local gym, Mommy and Me classes are a good place for new moms to bring a good amount of fitness into their daily routine while parenting. Unfortunately, only non-crawling babies are allowed in their yoga class. So if you’re looking for a good workout that involves your child- the park is going to be your best bet, but if you are more focused on getting your child active, then any center with a Gymboree will help release that extra energy.
If you would like to know more about Mommy and Me classes, you can visit your local maternity store for more information. Another resourceful guide is TheBump.com. There are links to Gymborees in your area along with useful tips for moms-to-be.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
In the Moment
Written and Produced by Tamara Starr, Shuyi Wang, and Alexandria Burris
Save 10% off at Sseko by using coupon code: fellow-sp http://ssekodesigns.com
Save 10% off at Sseko by using coupon code: fellow-sp http://ssekodesigns.com
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