Rhyann Crosby Takes Center Stage as a Beauty Queen, Advocates for Victim-Survivors of Domestic Violence

For years, beauty pageants have received widespread criticisms for catering to the male gaze and allegedly making room for sexism and objectification. Its bad rap often extends to the women who consider pageants as an opportunity to advance a cause or raise awareness about a certain issue. Rhyann Crosby, a highly inspirational personality armed with a story that resonates with countless others, is among today’s empowered advocates out to demonstrate how pageants can be utilized to drive change. 

A firm believer that everyone has the power to make a difference, Rhyann has long since considered beauty pageants as another platform that women can use to not only pursue personal dreams but also leave a mark in the lives of others. Above anything else, they can be treated as a space where people from all walks of life can come together to celebrate individuality, recognize diversity, and acknowledge every person’s ability to relate and be compassionate. 

“We are all humans and have struggles and failures, but we are also capable of compassion, understanding, and the ability to reach out to someone who is having a hard time and help them,” shared the stay-at-home mom, business school student, and couture model. 

For Rhyann, helping others is central to her identity, and she continues to operate under the overarching goal of extending a hand to those who need it. Right now, she is using her voice to educate people about trauma and empower women suffering from intimate partner violence. 

Domestic violence remains a global issue, and Rhyann is no stranger to it. Born into a household defined by violence, the model was not able to break the cycle until she had her daughter. Now, she is going all-out to highlight the gravity of this problem, steer women away from the abusive situations they are trapped in, and encourage positive bystanders to support survivors.

“If you are fortunate enough never to have experienced it, please do not judge those struggling,” advised Rhyann. “Domestic violence is a complex issue whose ties are difficult to break. If you know someone living with it, be there for them. Let them know that they deserve all the good in the world and that you will always be a person they can turn to. Please don’t give up on them.”

On top of dedicating her time to causes, Ryann is also currently expending effort toward carving a path toward the limelight of the modeling industry and impressing audiences with her beauty and brains at pageants. Passionate about meeting like-minded women and thriving amid friendly competition, she plans to participate in more pageants in the future. 

Fueled by a mission, Rhyann doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. The pageant queen, who competed for Mrs. Texas America and made it to the top 15, will remain steadfast in her goal to maneuver victims of domestic violence in the direction of help and recovery. At the same time, she aims to cement her name in the beauty and modeling industries in the years to come.

Michael Q. Trucks, an Actor-Turned-Musician, on Becoming the “Amazon of Songwriting”

The purest form of self-expression is art. Art enables people to express their complicated emotions in original ways. In fact, psychologists think that using creativity to channel emotions is a great way to deal with emotional states. Music gives artists an ideal platform for creative self-expression. During the production process, each musical note and text has a very special meaning for the artist. Michael Q. Trucks, a US Navy man, is hoping to become the “Amazon of songwriting.”

Michael Q. Trucks is now carving up a reputation for himself in the music industry. His distinctive talent, immaculate songwriting, and awe-inspiring discography attracts new fans every day. Listeners from all around the world have taken notice of his impressive tracks and phenomenal voice. There is more to this up-and-coming musician than first meets the eye, despite the fact that his abilities already speak volumes about his skill in the music business.

Michael Q. Trucks was born and raised in Michigan. Growing up, Michael had to move often. But he found a way to cope by dancing and listening to music by Otis Redding, Frankie Lymon, The Temptations, and Prince. “Growing up was not always simple,” he said.

He was a drummer in the band “Now or Never” in high school and subsequently participated in dance contests and taught kids how to dance. Since he was 14, Michael has composed, sang, rapped, and created music. He used a Guitar Hero Mic to record his first song in a closet. He calls Prince, The Weeknd, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and his family his major influences.

In 2010, Michael had the amazing opportunity to work as an extra/production assistant for the drama film What If… directed by Dallas Jenkins and as a production assistant in Johnny directed by D. David Morin. In 2013, he played Forward in Silver Bells, a movie directed by Harold Cronk.

Seeking a change of pace, Michael joined the US Navy in 2015. He writes songs and makes music while he travels, sharing both his happy and sad experiences.

He likes making concept EPs and album covers in his leisure time. When he’s not working on his own music, he offers SoundBetter users feedback and suggestions for improving their music.

In 2018, Michael released his first three songs, “Stay,” “Lost,” and “No Love.” The following year, Michael released an EP that included his most recent song, “Mine,” as well as an official music video. Previously, Michael went under the stage moniker “Q The Music.” Michael’s most recent single, while still performing under the name Q The Music, was released in 2022 and is titled “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” In 2020, he released three singles: “Empty,” “Enough,” with ThaWavee and accompanied by an official music video, and “Lust & Pain.” In 2021, he also released the single “Pray for Me.” 

As of April 2022, he officially rebranded as “Michael Q Trucks” in the hopes that more people would become aware of his music and be able to find him through proper search results for all of his professional endeavors.

Laughing Planet: Healthy and Delicious Vegetarian Options

The Laughing Planet has been a destination spot for vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike since 1995. We offer daily specials with tofu, tempeh, and Seitan, serve fried plantains like nobody’s business, and make some of the best guacamole in town. Join us at our vegan-friendly all-day restaurant for world-class cuisine, an extensive beer and wine list, or the most fantastic Sunday brunch in the city. We like to think we are not only one of the most innovative restaurants in Vancouver but a fun place to hang out while you’re here.

It is one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants in downtown Vancouver. We had the pleasure of dining here twice and were very impressed. Firstly the food was great. Secondly, the staff was excellent, and thirdly we loved the atmosphere. The restaurant has a perfect atmosphere. All the staff was amiable and personable. We had a big group of 10 people, and they did an excellent job making us all feel comfortable, taken care of, and happy throughout our visit.

Our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu as she could explain and describe every item we had questions about. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable. They have some vegetarian/vegan dishes but meat-based items that are equally good. The menu has different words, so there is something for everyone. We were stuffed after the meal and had some to take home. They have beer, wine, appetizers, and desserts on their menu to suit every taste. Overall we liked this place; you will not be disappointed if you visit here. We highly recommended it!

Seitan Sandwiches

It is a vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver with a deli-style menu. They have many sandwiches on fresh bread made with the Seitan, a wheat gluten-based meat substitute that is “meatier” than tofu.

Laughing Planet Cafe and Bookstore

 It is located in the city’s heart; this café has world-class cuisine and an extensive wine list. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, along with an extensive deli-style menu from their take-out counter that features vegetarian sandwiches and salads. This place is in the bookstore as well. So if you’re into that kind of thing, you can buy books and some of their food.

Laughing Planet Cafes & Take-Out Counter

The menus feature a single item from different regions and cultures. They also serve their food in various ways, from sandwiches to salads, wraps, and burritos. Also, it has plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes too.

The Laughing Planet: Healthy, Fresh, and Delicious (vegetarian)

Description: A vegetarian restaurant in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Their philosophy is “Recognizing that a healthy planet is respectful of all life forms, including humans.” They are a fast-food restaurant with much organic produce and a menu that features the Seitan, a wheat gluten-based meat substitute that is “meatier” than tofu.

Vegetarian And Vegan Restaurant – SANTA FE, NM

The Open Gate Cafe and Restaurant is a 100% vegetarian, a vegan restaurant in Santa Fe. I’ve been going there for years since I came to Santa Fe 20 years ago. It has been that long! I was 18 when I came here and had no idea about all this vegetarian stuff! The Open Gate Cafe and Restaurant is an excellent place in Santa Fe. It is 100% organic and has an old house on a corner lot.

I always sit in the front room, which has a cute little fountain that cascades water into a big fish pond with koi fish. Little white lights hang from the ceiling and twinkle during the evening hours to make it really romantic and beautiful. Besides the beautiful decor, their food is fabulous. I’ve always loved the Open Gate Cafe and Restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

First, it’s all healthy foods and fruit you don’t find in many restaurants or bakeries. They use organic produce to make great salads, soups, desserts, and homemade jams. I’ve been so happy there that I try to make it my regular lunch place. My favorite is the sandwich with either a spinach salad – which is so beautiful with the spinach and whole wheat bread or tomato and onion salad. It is not any ordinary tomato salad. They use fresh tomatoes that are crisp, delicious, and full of flavor. I am always stuffy when I leave! Sometimes I go for dinner too because the Open Gate Cafe and Restaurant has a great variety of “vegetarian” entrees on their menu.

Global Flavors, Local Ingredients: Bio-Dynamic, Organic and Sustainable

Joseph and Ariane von Geldern founded the restaurant in the winter of 2004. Their extensive experience in international cuisine created a unique menu with global flavors influenced by local ingredients and organic and bio-dynamic produce from their garden. Since then, they have inspired each other to create new dishes.

The farmers’ market is an integral part of our business. Chefs cook daily using fresh seasonal ingredients directly from the farmers’ market. They are from the South Valley, farm-raised and delivered to the restaurant by the farmers.

The Open Gate Cafe is unique. It combines excellent, creative cuisine and an environmentally sound way of life. We strive for sustainability in every aspect of our business.

Conclusion

Hygiene is another consideration. The Laughing Planet uses only the highest quality ingredients, including organic tofu and Seitan, for their “chicken” dishes. They make their bread and use only whole grains. Dishware is either reused or compostable, and although we didn’t notice it when we were there, every establishment, from a Chinese restaurant to a French bistro, has recycling bins in their parking lots.