June 2026
WHERE IS SHE NOW?
Foundation Continues to Offer Support, Solace and Safety for Women and Girls Throughout India
Elca Grobler
Founder & Director of My Choices Foundation Photo Courtesy: Elca Grobler About Elca:
Elca Grobler is the Founder and Director of My Choices Foundation. With a background in finance and investment banking, she holds both a CFA and an MBA. While completing her MBA in Sydney in 2006, Elca realized her calling extended beyond the corporate world and felt compelled to dedicate her life to serving vulnerable women and children. In 2011, Elca and her husband, Roger, moved to India with their three young children, Gabrielle, Joshua, and Zoë, and founded My Choices Foundation. Fourteen years later, the organization has grown into a nationally recognized movement working to end domestic violence and sex trafficking, impacting millions of women, children and families across India.
Known for her strategic vision and compassionate leadership, Elca is passionate about building strong teams, cultivating partnerships, and creating sustainable solutions that address the root causes of violence and exploitation. Elca dedicates all of her time and energy to My Choices Foundation. |
Have communities stepped up in a bigger way because of the Foundation's initiatives and programs?
The shifts we are witnessing are extraordinary. Communities that once remained silent are beginning to intervene. Men who once accepted violence as normal are becoming allies and advocates. Women are finding their voice and recognizing their own power. It is one of the most hopeful transformations I have witnessed in my career. Most importantly, we are investing in the next generation. Through our Shakti Girls program, young girls learn a simple but life-changing truth: “I matter. I have value.” Through our Smart Boys and Asli Boys programs, boys are taught that true strength is not control, dominance, or silence. True strength is respect, empathy, courage, and equality. So, without question, the answer is yes. In fact, one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed over the past fourteen years is that communities are no longer waiting for someone else to solve these problems. They are stepping forward themselves. When I first came to India, I believed that change would come through programs, training sessions, and awareness campaigns. While those things matter, what I have learned is that real transformation happens when an ordinary person decides that the safety of another human being is their responsibility, too. Today, I see that everywhere. From your perspective, are women and young girls safer in their homes and communities since we last spoke? The reality is that violence against women and girls remains one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time. Across India, nearly half of married women report experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Every 20 minutes, a woman or girl is raped. Millions of women and children remain vulnerable to trafficking and sexual exploitation. I have learned that real change is rarely instant. Most of the transformation we see happens generationally. It begins with a girl who discovers her worth, a boy who learns that respect is strength, a mother who chooses knowledge over harmful tradition, or a father who decides to protect rather than control. Trafficking and domestic violence has not disappeared, but women and girls are safer in many of the communities where they work. They are safer because more girls know their rights. More women know where to seek help. More fathers are choosing protection over harmful tradition. More boys are challenging harmful norms. More neighbors are willing to intervene. And more communities are refusing to stay silent. That, to me, is what lasting prevention looks like. It is not one dramatic moment. It is thousands of small, courageous decisions that gradually reshape a family, a community, and ultimately a generation. About My Choices Foundation
Founded in 2012, My Choices Foundation aims to see the transformation of India into a safe, peaceful, and nourishing place for all women and girls, by empowering them with the awareness, education, and support they need to become change agents. My Choices Foundation focuses on two main issues: prevention of sex trafficking through Operation Red Alert and stopping domestic violence through Operation PeaceMaker.
Slideshow Courtesy: My Choices Foundation
|
ASK THE AUTHOR
Author Discovers an Open Heart and Full Voice After Years of Navigating Trauma
Lena Fein
Photo Courtesy: Lena Fein Follow Lena on:
About Lena:
Lena Fein is an author, retired engineer, and philanthropist based in San Francisco. A graduate of Engineering at UC Berkeley, Lena spent decades as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at a successful high-tech company. When Lena was 51, her mother died which propelled Lena on a path of healing from childhood abuse and trauma. Her debut memoir, Shattering the Mirror, explores her transformative journey to wholeness. Lena believes it is never too late to reclaim your freedom and truth. Now in her late 60s, Lena can often be found taking long walks by the San Francisco Bay and hugging her grandchildren.
|
You began coming to terms with the abuse you suffered as a child when your mother died (you experienced dissociation for years). Was this sudden? What emotions did it bring up? From the time I was a young child, I hid the tender feelings of my heart under the shield of achieving — first by being an excellent student and then achieving success in my career. When I was 51 years old, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, and she died within two weeks of her diagnosis. As she was dying, I saw light and compassion glow from her eyes for the first time. This singular moment was visceral, and I felt the opening of my heart. So began my ten-year-plus journey to remove the armor from my heart and learn to live and love more fully and authentically. The journey was priceless! What strategies helped you gain a sense of safety and self-worth again? As my mother was dying, the experience of seeing love pour from her eyes began the opening of my heart. It was a journey to learn to live from my full heart, with full expression and love. It was a priceless, healing journey and one I’m so thankful I did not bypass. It’s never too late to live with an open heart and full voice. It’s precious! All my relationships are better for it today. |
OUT & ABOUT
Birdland Isn't For the Birds, It's for You!
|
Birdland Then & Now
Birdland 315 W 44th Street New York, NY |
"There are places that have a special pull on your senses. You don’t have to explain it, you just have to trust the feeling. For theater goers, it might be Sardi’s for a post-show drink; for baseball fans, a ninth inning home run at Yankee Stadium. For me, the plinking of piano keys at Birdland, New York City’s home sweet home of Jazz, will do it every time.
So, it came as no surprise to my out-of-town friends that I insisted on an evening in May with Bill Charlap and his trio. We were quickly bedazzled by standards like All the Things You Are, Where or When, That Rainy Day, and an exquisite rendering of Summer Song by Dave Brubeck. After a while, all the riffs meld into one, and you can be forgiven for forgetting the name of that tune and just letting the notes wash you away. The inimitable club was named for none other than saxophonist Charlie Parker, dubbed the “Bird” by fans and fellow musicians alike. First opened in December of 1949, Count Basie and his Smokin’ Big Band recorded George Shearing’s “Lullaby of Birdland” live at the club, and Ella Fitzgerald sang it. The sounds that emanated from its walls were heaven sent: Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bud Powell, and Stan Getz to name just a few. The regulars who filled their ears with such immortal tunes included Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Joe Louis, Marlene Dietrich, Ava Gardner, and Sammy Davis, Jr. You can make your own list, and you probably wouldn’t be wrong. Time moves on and its hallowed doors on Broadway and 52nd closed when Rock ‘n Roll blasted its way in with no apology. When Birdland resurfaced in 1986 (on the Upper West Side), no time was wasted. More than 2,000 emerging artists made musical history: Diana Krall, Michel Legrand, Dave Brubeck, Freddie Hubbard, Marian McPartland, McCoy Tyner, and Pheobe Snow…shall I go on? Maybe I’m a bit obsessed. Blame it on my dad who sang Stardust to me when I was twelve and we cleaned the dinner dishes together. Speaking of mealtimes, Birdland features a complete menu with a Cajun twist. If you arrive at 5:30 pm you’ll have plenty of time to eat, drink and chat amiably before the show begins. There’s a $20 eat and drink minimum. Reservations are strongly suggested. Perfection comes at a price, but you won’t regret it." ~ Sandra Bertrand, Travel & Culture Editor, Reports
|
1955 Handbill Advertises Live Shows & Jam Sessions
Photo: Tad Hershorn ~ Archive Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies Interesting Tidbits About Birdland
|
A Music Wonderland at the Intersection of Florida and Alabama
|
Slideshow Photos: Myrna and Kirk Haskell
|
"I had read about Flora-Bama (a.k.a. "America's Last Great Roadhouse"), a venue with several eateries and five stages for live music, when I was looking up places to check out in the Perdido Key area. I wasn't sure if I was going to find a tourist trap or local gem, but I'm pleased to report, although many tourists flock here, the locals haven't abandoned the place because the music is top-notch and the vibe settles on relaxed beach meets big-city talent. So, we went twice...which is saying something!
The first night my husband and I listened to the Cedric Brooks Project at the Tent Stage. This group played everything from Stevie Wonder and Earth Wind & Fire to early 80s/90s hip-hop and Michael Jackson. We were up dancing almost the entire time. This band knows how to read an audience! The second time, our friends Debbie and Gonzalo joined us for the late show after dinner at Cobalt (on the Alabama side!). We listened to a country singer-songwriter, Ryan Dyer. His latest single “Stupid Dreams” (2023) is a song about an artist’s struggles to “make it” and not giving up. Ryan played a host of country greats as well. We stopped by the Dome Stage for just a bit to hear Bruce Smelly Band, a sought-after coast band whose leader has opened for some of country's biggest stars. Debbie and I were fascinated by the bra line in this stage area. We found out later that this was the result of a long-standing tradition of enthusiastic patrons tossing their undergarments onto the ceiling ropes that criss-cross the venue. The interesting paraphernalia doesn't end there. Patrons are encouraged to bring permanent markers to sign their names, dates, or messages across almost every wooden surface, wall, and pillar in the building, and there is a massive, hand-cut license plate mural. You could spend hours looking at the walls! ~ Myrna Beth Haskell, Executive Editor, Reports
|
Flora-Bama Wasn't Always the "Most Famous Beach Bar in the Country"
In 1962, the State of Florida gave the State of Alabama two miles of beach front land in return for the construction of the Perdido Pass Bridge. The Tampary family decided to build a small bar and package store on the new State Line. The Flora-Bama was originally constructed in 1964, two years after the road was completed. In the early days of the Flora-Bama, the lounge was practically the only thing in the area. As business grew in the area, the lounge grew to match it with new construction added piecemeal to accommodate the larger crowds. Joseph Gilchrist purchased the tiny lounge and package store in 1978 and made live music a daily staple. Pat McClellan became a partner in 1986, and together they created events like the “Interstate Mullet Toss” and the “Frank Brown Songwriter’s Festival,” named after the early, imposing night watchman. In 2009, John McInnis and Cameron Price became co-owners of the Flora-Bama, along with Joe and Pat, to carry it into the next 50 years. Today the live music at the Flora-Bama consists of local favorites to platinum-selling recording artists, and it is widely known as the "most famous beach bar in the country." The events range from chili cookoffs and fishing rodeos to the Annual Mullet Toss and big beach front concerts. There is always something different going on at the Flora-Bama every day!
We went for the music, but there is plenty to choose from for those who plan to grab a bite.
FOOD: Oyster Bar Ole River Grill Yacht Club |
EVENT HOP
Artist's Work Speaks to How Gardens Inspire a Sense of Community
|
Photos: Myrna & Kirk Haskell
"My art bridges garden and gallery, inviting intimate observation of nature. Through my art, I embed hidden philosophies discovered in my garden’s contemplative spaces." ~ Mary Ahern |
"I attended the opening reception for Mary Ahern's solo exhibition at Locust Grove Historic Site titled "Portraits From My Garden." I hadn't viewed so many of Mary's works together in one space before, and it was a delight. The vibrant colors and attention to light and texture drew me in.
I asked Mary about her piece 'We Are Sisters.' She shares, 'All of my works tell a story. This painting is about two sisters, and it demonstrates how one outshines the other. An inspiration was Bette Midler's song 'Wind Beneath My Wings.' Who is the vocal one? Who shies away from attention? You'll notice that the warmer reds are used in the flower in the foreground, while the other is slightly faded.' (Mary is photographed with this piece in the accompanying slideshow.) With her knowledge as a horticulturist, Mary is inspired by her extensive gardens — how things grow, rejuvenate over winter, and cultivate through networks. 'My work is all about how gardens inspire a sense of community,' she explains. She believes the life cycles of plants parallel human communities. 'Humanity needs nurturing, and so does plant life. We care for our gardens like humans must care for one another.'" ~ Myrna Beth Haskell, Executive Editor, Reports
This exhibition is open to the public through September 15, 2026.
|
What's Next For Mary?
Mary has had a long and successful career. Her unique journey helped her develop skills as a graphic designer, marketing expert, business owner, fine artist, and community leader. Another passion of Mary's is horticulture, and as she looks to the future, she is focused on exploring the parallels between the intricate workings of the natural world and the grand, cosmic scales of the universe. Through layers of abstraction, realism and transparency, she aims to capture the essence of our shared quest for meaning and purpose. It is this fundamental pursuit that has driven Mary's artistic journey, and it continues to guide her creative vision.
Mary Writes About Her Inspirations and Journey:
|
SNEAK PEEK RECOMMENDATION
Arts Center Boasts Unique Classes and Community Events
|
This center is also available for weddings and business events.
|
Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach
Notable Activities and Events for Arts Lovers
If you're in the Orange Beach area in March, don't miss the Orange Beach Festival of Art, which was voted "Best Art Show in the Nation" by USA Today readers. This festival has been held more than 50 years and is a celebration of visual, literary, performing, musical and culinary arts. The show has won Best Art Show in Alabama three times in the past five years by the luxury magazine "ALABAMA" and is currently ranked in the top 100 of national fine art and design shows. Better yet, it is FREE with music and entertainment.
Art Classes for All Ages
Adult classes are often in glass blowing, pottery, and other scheduled visual arts. There is a student academy that offers art classes for children in third through sixth grade, and younger kids can attend with a parent chaperone.
The Gallery
Free and open to the public, this waterfront gallery features works from local artists in a variety of mediums. There is a gift shop with original artwork for purchase. Unless the property has been rented for an event, the waterfront grounds are accessible daily, and guests are welcome to bring a picnic or an easel if inspired to draw or paint the breathtaking surroundings!
|
About the Center
Until 2015, the Coastal Arts Center was located in the city's first hotel. Built in 1923, as a boarding-house style hotel for men who worked in the turpentine industry, it featured 11 bedrooms and a half bath upstairs. The family lived downstairs. The facility was only accessible by water until Canal Road was completed in the 1940s. Due to severe structural damage the building was torn down in spring 2015. Historical elements collected from the hotel (columns, wood flooring, doors and windows) are featured in the new gallery.
The multi-studio campus overlooks scenic Wolf Bay and offers many artistic experiences with a breathtaking view. The stunning 10,000 square foot fine art gallery features a spacious two-story building displaying works by Gulf Coast artists. |
|
ANNUAL COMMUNITY PROJECT
This is our 2026 Community Project. 
Our 2026 Community Project: We are looking for photos depicting your "sanctuary."
Click the image for instructions. |
READER RAMBLE
Shoutout a great bike trail in your area that boasts views and/or other inspirations. 
Click Image to find Local Hot Spots and Send Us Your Recommendations
|
Inspirations, Recommendations, and Personal Tidbits from Our Team
News and Educational Tidbits From Our Sponsors
A theme this month is "Relationships."
