Tom's Shoes

Have you checked out Toms Shoes yet?

Toms Shoes was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie. Toms shoes sells lightweight shoes... and with every pair of shoes sold, Toms donates a new pair of shoes to a child in need.

Thank You

Local food production can best be thought of in concentric circles that start with growing food at home... then food grown in your community... then your state... then region... then country.

People who 'eat local' are referred to as 'locavores'. The term was coined by Jessica Prentice from the San Francisco Bay Area. She used the word during World Environment Day in 2005 to describe and promote the practice of eating food grown within a 100 mile radius of where you live.

Eating local has gained such momentum that the New Oxford American Dictionary chose 'Locavore' as its word of the year in 2007.

Thank you for eating local.

Thank you for providing local food.

Mila's Daydreams

As her maternity-leave hobby, a new mom tries to imagine her daughter's dreams and capture them in pictures.

Adorably creative!

Check out Adele's web site www.milasdaydreams.blogspot.com

Thank You

Memory Park, Ketchum, Idaho

The park was donated by Jim Cimino, dedicated in part to his late wife Barbara.

Located at Main and 6th street ... a gift of open space and beauty.

Thank you!

Julian Assange

Why the world needs WikiLeaks...
WikiLeaks is a controversial, volunteer-driven website that publishes and comments on leaked documents alleging government and corporate misconduct.
Julian Assange is the spokesperson for WikiLeaks and the world's most visible human-rights activist.

Round the World with Us

What happens when a single mom and her three kids decide to travel around the world volunteering? You get Round the World with Us

Their hope is to raise awareness of global issues, help people to gain greater understanding of other cultures, and encourage people (especially youth) to see that they have the power to make a real difference in the lives of others.

Fantastic!

Be sure to visit their wed site www.rtwwithus.org  -  they get 5 cents per visitor per day

"No one could make a greater mistake than he who

did nothing because he could do only a little."

-- Edmund Burke

Thank You

... dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

i wish your wish

Have you been to the New Museum in NYC?

On the ground floor there is an installation from Brazilian artist, Rivane Neuenschwander, called: a day like any other : i wish your wish . Visitors are invited to select ribbons printed with a wish to tie around their wrist. When the ribbon falls off, traditions says that your wish will come true.

What will you wish for? participate online

Thank You

Inspired by ThxThxThx, and as an exercise in gratitude...  I am starting a new edition to the Post-It series called:

 Thank You

There's always something to be thankful for...

be on the look-out for a Thank You Post-It near you.

Samaritan Experiment

Capitol Park, Boise, Idaho

Made by Survivors

Have you read the book Half the Sky yet? It's now out in paperback.

Sex trafficking is the systematic and organized capture and transport of women and children for the purpose of sex for profit. It's a multi-billion dollar business, and is the third most profitable business for organized crime, after drugs and arms dealing. Each year roughly 600,000 - 1 million women and young girls are trafficked and sold into forced prostitution. Over 50,000 women are trafficked INTO the United States each year, with New York, California and Florida having the most reported cases. It's difficult to think about modern-day slavery, exploitation, and grave abuse.
But check out Sarah Symons and her work with The Emancipation Network and MadebySurvivors.com
Everyone can do something. Host a Made by Survivors party, shop online at Made by Survivors... donate, sponsor, get educated.

Listen to Sarah on Rosie Radio

disposability consciousness

a little consciousness can go a long way...

creativity

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

- Albert Einstein

I just read the Newsweek article, The Creativity Crisis. It's a lengthy article, but well worth the read. According to Newsweek, US creativity scores are on the decline... the decline is "most serious" with younger children in America ages Kindergarten - 6th grade.

As America races toward standardized curriculum, rote memorization, and nationalized testing...  the rest of the world is embarking on idea generation, fact finding, and project-based learning.

As a parent, how do I digest this information?

I know what gives me the greatest joy when it comes to my children's education, and that is to see them mulling over different ideas and experiences... then making them into something new, adding their own spin - their own questions and insight - and coming up with their own connections.

Let's encourage our children to be active learners. Allow them to be makers, doers, creators, explorers, and thinkers.

The world needs dreamers

and the world needs doers.

But above all,

the world needs dreamers who do.

- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Dave Eggers

because I love Dave Eggers...


check out Once Upon a School
learn more about Dave Eggers and his wonderful writing...

...for more on What is the What, watch Nicholas Kristof's report, The Education of Valentino Achak Deng








...for more on Zeitoun, check out my previous post

our days

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

-- Annie Dillard

joy

Idaho Black History Museum

Mr. Lincoln

I just found this new statue of Abe Lincoln in the park yesterday.

He was donated in June of this year (last month)

Well, welcome aboard Mr. President!

sunny afternoon

50th Anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird

This Sunday, July 11, will be the 50th anniversary of the publication of To Kill A Mockingbird.
The story of racism, redemption, and the strength to do the right thing in a small southern town during the Depression. To me it is the Great American Novel.
Celebrate this Sunday by reading the book or watching the movie... either way, you can't go wrong.

check out this USA Today article on the anniversary.

Ellen Gustafson

Hunger and Obesity are two sides of the same coin?
so says Ellen Gustafson in a fabulous new TED talk (below).

Check out The 30 Project and The Feed Foundation and get yourself a Feed Bag.

Happy Birthday

Happy 75th Birthday to His Holiness the Dalai Lama!

The Dalai Lama turns 75