Step Outside of your World ... Global Lives

Back in the day of email forwards, I received a very memorable one from a friend containing a selection of photos and text from the 2007 book "Hungry Planet: What the World Eats."



Likely you've received the same forward, or you've seen the photos in TIME.


photo: Global Lives production

I just discovered a video installation that immediately reminded me of that email forward. Check out the Global Lives Project - this video explains it all:



I was excited to learn that the Global Lives Project is on display through June 20, 2010 at the Yerba Center Garden for the Arts, located on Mission between 3rd and 4th Streets in San Francisco. Yay! Details here.


photo: Global Lives exhibit at YBCA

PS - if you're a Yerba Buena Center fan, then check out the 2010 Yerba Buena Gardens Summer 2010 Festival schedule for a listing of very cool (and entirely free!) events, like this May 15, 2010 performance highlighting Balinese performing arts:

The 65-performer Gamelan Sekar Jaya led by two master artists from Bali Ni Ketut Arini and I Gede Oka Artha Negara, features three large percussion orchestras: the bronze gamelan gong kebyar, the four-tone orchestra gamelan angklung, and the rare ensemble of bamboo marimbas, gamelan jegog.


photo: Gamelan Sekar Jaya 2008 performance


photo: Gamelan Sekar Jaya 2008 performance

I bleed Brown & White.

BEST video I've seen in a LONG, long time:) My smile does not get any bigger than this!



Presenting Lehigh University's Lipdub! The Lipdub was taped April 10, 2010 and included over 200 students. They sang a medley of three songs: Don't Stop Believin', Don't Stop Me Now, and Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

Created by Fiona Lee (producer) and Zach Carter (director)

You can help save Uganda's Child Soldiers by sending an Email. Come on ... you know you have a minute!

Received this message from Resolve Uganda tonight. PLEASE take action. They are so close to a big victory, but need our help!



Nicole --



Yesterday, your continued support for legislation in Congress seeking to address LRA violence helped overcome yet another major hurdle on the bill's path to President Obama's desk.

After disagreements among members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs threatened to delay the bill's consideration for months, more than 5,000 people signed a petition to Committee leaders. As a result, it was added last-minute to the agenda of yesterday's Committee meeting, where it was approved unanimously. (We also hear the Coburn campaign was fresh in the minds of several Members of Congress…)

Now it is on to a vote in the full House of Representatives, which we expect in the next two weeks. If we act quickly, we have one last chance to convince Members of Congress to speak out and make sure the bill passes.

Click here to e-mail your Representative to request that they issue a "floor statement" when the bill comes up for a vote.

These statements from Members of Congress are crucial to securing the votes needed for the bill's passage. They also send a clear message to President Obama that Congress and activists across the country expect serious new action toward peace.



The importance of sending this message is simple. Last time we e-mailed you, it was with news of a devastating LRA massacre in northeastern Congo. Such a tragedy can be prevented from happening again if our leaders take the steps called for in this legislation.

Passage in the House of Representatives is the last step before the bill gets sent to the President. If we succeed in achieving this final milestone, we look forward to joining all of you in celebration as he puts his pen to paper and signs this legislation into law.

Sincerely,

Paul Ronan
Director of Advocacy, Resolve Uganda

June 8, baby ... California Primary Election Day

On June 8 California voters will get to decide who will represent each political party in the November 2, 2010 elections - for California Governor, US Senate, etc.

You might overlook June 8, but don't - if the majority of Democratic voters hadn't voted for Obama in the the 2008 primary elections, then we might have been voting for an entirely different Democratic candidate on November 4, 2008, and who knows who would be our president right now. June 8 is a significant election day!

Most importantly to me, on June 8 California voters will get to decide if Barbara Boxer will be listed on the November 2, 2010 ballot as our Democratic candidate for US Senate.

I want to vote for Barbara Boxer for US Senate on November 2 ... please help me by voting for her in the June 8 Primary Election! Re-elect Senator Barbara Boxer:)




I received this Progressive Voters Guide from CREDO Action Mobile. I haven't gone through it to see if I agree with all of the recommendations, but on a quick glance it looks very helpful.

If you need to register to vote in California, or if you have changed your legal name or address since the last time that you voted, then you must complete and postmark a new voter registration card by Monday, May 24.

If you did not select a political party when you registered to vote in California, then you are known as a "Decline to State" or "Non-Partisan" voter. "Decline to State/Non-Partisan" voters who at the time of registration indicated that they wanted to vote by mail (and not in person at their local polling place on election day) should hear from their county's board of elections office before June 8, so that the board of elections office can find out if you would like to receive:
a.) "Non-Partisan" ballot (which will not let you vote for any candidates for office - just ballot measures),
b.) The Republican Party ballot, which will allow you to vote for the ballot measures and Republican candidates, or
c.) The Democratic Party ballot, which will allow you to vote for the ballot measures and Democratic candidates.

If you are a "Non-Partisan" voter, and do not respond to your county's board of elections office when they contact you to ask which ballot you want, then you will be automatically send the "Non-Partisan" ballot. If you receive the "Non-Partisan" ballot in the mail in error, then you can still vote for the candidates from the Republican or Democratic Party. Just take your blank "Non-Partisan" voter registration form that you recieved in the mail to your local polling place on June 8, turn it over to the staff at the polling place, and ask for the Democratic or Republican Party ballot. Fill it out at the polling place, and turn it in to vote.

If you are a "Non-Partisan" voter, and are not registered to vote by mail, then when you show up at your local polling place on June 8, you can request the "Non-Partisan", Democratic, or Republican ballot, fill it out at the polling place, and turn it in to have your vote counted.

If you are registered as a Democrat, Republican, or a member of another registered political party in California, then you will automatically be given your party's ballot. If you want to receive a different party's ballot then you must re-register to vote, and select your new political party on your new voter registration form. You must postmark your new voter registration card by Monday, May 24.

If you have any questions then call the California Board of Elections Office at 916.653.6814. You'll get a recording. If your questions are not answered in the recording, then select "0" and then "8" to reach the Elections Office, and then from there follow the instructions to reach an Elections Official that you can speak with directly.

Who Wants To Tour with State Radio & Volunteer in Local Communities with the Band? UHHH ...

LOVE State Radio and Calling All Crows!


photo: State Radio

I did a community service project with members of State Radio, Calling All Crows, and the band's fans as a representative of the HeadCount San Francisco Team earlier this year, and then set up a HeadCount outreach table at the band's Fillmore Auditorium show that night.


photo: Rachel and I at the HeadCount outreach table

Then I got to work with them again on behalf of Surfrider, regarding a stream cleanup with the Washington, DC Surfrider Chapter.


photo: State Radio, Calling All Crows, fans and Surfrider volunteers

Then when the band was in DC again for the Save My Oceans Tour they again joined Surfrider DC for a cleanup, and Surfrider had an outreach booth at the concert.

The latest is that they are joining the Surfrider San Francisco Chapter for a beach cleanup on May 23. LOVE THEM!

So I am very excited about the band's newest announcement - Alternative Break Tour II: Northeast Corridor! - saw it on Facebook this AM. Sounds like this will be a really good time:)

From Calling All Crows:



When we decided to host Calling All Crows' first ever Alternative Break Tour this past March, we weren't really sure what to expect. But with an incredible crew of volunteers, awesome service partners, delicious food, local flavor, some great rock shows in truly historic venues, and an unforgettable experience for all involved, we decided we just had to do it again!

But why wait until next spring?!

We don't want to wait either, which is why it is our pleasure to announce...



Alternative Break Tour II: Northeast Corridor!

Over June 14-20, 2010, a dozen service-minded State Radio fans will have the opportunity to devote a week of summer vacation to volunteer with environmental service organizations up and down the Northeast Corridor, experience the region’s Revolutionary history, make new friends from across the country, and enjoy some of State Radio's largest shows of the year!

Mon., 6/14 - Arrive in Boston, meet up with tour bus
Tue. 6/15 - Service project and show in New York City
Wed. 6/16 - Service project and show in Vienna
Thu. 6/17 - Service project and show in Philadelphia
Fri. 6/18 - Service training, field trip and show in Boston
Sat. 6/19 - Massive, tour-ending service day in Boston
Sun. 6/20 - Depart Boston

A typical day on Alternative Break Tour II looks a little something like this:
9:00am - Breakfast
10:00am - Team Meeting
11:00am - Service Project
4:00pm - Upload Photos and Video, Blog
7:00pm - Dinner
8:00pm - State Radio
1:00am - Sweet Dreams

For the rest of the info (including app details) go here.

Campus Consciousness Tour Video Update from the Road

More info about the Campus Consciousness Tour and Reverb in this previous blog post.

In addition to the tour dates mentioned in that blog post, here are the additional Campus Consciousness Tour dates. Ben Harper did the previous shows; these new dates are with Drake.

April 26 - University of Missouri
April 27 - University of Kentucky (Lexington)
April 29 - University of Massachusetts (Lowell) (postponed)
April 30 - Syracuse University
May 4 - College of the Holy Cross
May 5 - Towson University
May 7 - Cornell University
May 8 - Plymouth State University

The Surfrider Foundation's Washington, DC Chapter had an outreach booth at the Pier 6 show. Check out their review here.



It's not mentioned in the above video, but HeadCount also has a rep traveling with the Campus Consciousness Tour - Liz O'Donnell.

To stay up to date on the Campus Consciousness Tour (and view more photos) check out the tour's (awesome) Facebook page.

Mario Savio Young Activist Award :: Nominations due June 30

A friend forwarded this announcement to me today:


photo: Mario Savio

Mario Savio (1942 - 1996) came to public notice as a spokesman for the Free Speech Movement at the University of California in 1964.

The Mario Savio Young Activist Award, which carries a cash prize of $6000, is presented each year to a young person (or persons) with a deep commitment to human rights and social justice and a proven ability to transform this commitment into effective action. The cash award is divided equally between the individual recipient and an organization of his/her choosing.

The recipients should have demonstrated leadership abiliy, creativity, and integrity. (Go here for a listing of past winners.)

Nominees should be:
* Between ages 16-26 by 9/1/2010;
* Engaged in activism for social change, promoting the values of peace, human rights, economic or social justice, or freedom of expression (this year preference will be given to activism for economic justice, broadly interpreted);
* Acting not alone but within the context of an organization, social movement, or larger community effort;
* Considered by others within that context as an inspirational leader or motivating force;
* Work is centered in the United States;
* Willing to attend award ceremony in Berkeley, California (expenses paid)

Preference will be given to candidates who have not been widely recognized and do not have personal privilege or a strong institutional base of support.


Nominations for the Young Activist Award are due June 30, 2010. See app here. Finalists will be asked to submit further supporting documents (letters of recommendation, articles by or about the candidate, etc.) Anyone may nominate a candidate, including members of the general public. All material should be submitted by e-mail to savio at sonic dot net.


photo: Cal campus

Nonprofit & Cause Film Festival now accepting Submissions :: Due June 30

Lights. Camera. Help. is a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging other nonprofit and cause-driven organizations to use film and video to tell their stories. The org does this through education and volunteer match programs, screenings and an annual film festival.


Now in its second year, the festival brings together filmmakers and nonprofits to share their stories and promote their causes.

Last year’s festival brought in over 140 submissions of documentaries, PSAs and short films focusing on cause-driven issues.

Submissions will be open until June 30. App details on the Lights. Camera. Help. website.

The festival will be held July 29 - August 1, 2010 in Austin, Texas.

2010 Echoing Green Finalists. SO inspiring.

To learn more about the finalists go here.

RemakeCamp journalism unconference :: USF Campus - San Francisco, CA. Sun May 2.

This Online Media Unconference organized by MediaRemake.com looks great!

Intended audience is editors, journalists, engineers, designers and managers of online media as well as service providers for them.

RemakeCamp
Sunday, May 2
1-6pm
USF Campus - San Francisco, CA


Topics of Discussion:
* Content creation. Crowdsourcing, citizen journalism, freelance journalism, content farming, user contributed content, expert contributed content, collaborative publishing, the future of investigative journalism.

* The role of editor. Curation, link journalism, news filtering, tastemaking and trendsetting, social news filtering, freelance and crowdsouring management, reputation systems for contributors, community management.

* Tools. Apps and plugins for publishers, tools for reporters and writers, analytics for online media.

* User experience. Optimizing content consumption for mobile devices, personalized news, attention profiles, reader interfaces, interactive articles, data visualization, social media integration.

* Business. Monetization models, attracting traffic, partner programs, content exchange, creating job boards and marketplaces, paid content and paywalls.


Preliminary list of speakers:
* David Weekly (PBWorks)
* Michael Stoll (SF Public Press)
* Alexey Maykov (Facebook)
* Jason Shen (Stanford Daily)
* Siobhan Quinn (Blogger / Google)
* Michele Gates (SFGate.com / Examiner.com)
* Drake Martinet (AllThingsD / Stanford)
* Edward Ortiz (Sacramento Bee)
* Tim Schigel (ShareThis)
* Todd Beaupre (Yahoo!)
* Maxim Grinev / Maria Grineva (TwitterTim.es) // skype-in talk
* Mark Albertson (Tech Closeup TV / Examiner.com)
* Nicholas Aster (TriplePundit.com)
* Alex Gronke (OakBook.com)
* Aimee Allison (OaklandSeen.com)
* Erik Sundelof (Spot.Us)
* Kara Andrade (Fulbright fellow, independent reporter)
* Anu (Anirag) Nigam (Buzzbox.com)
* Mia Lobel (B-Side Radio, Freelance Cafe) // skyp-in talk
* Andrew Stelzer (National Radio Project)
* Mark Burdett (Indybay.org)
* Jeff Pester (SocialMedia411 / Uniquevisitor)
* Xavier Damman (Publitweet)
* Anna Hennings (Bitchbuzz.com)
* Devin Banerjee (Stanford Daily)
* Josh Sprague (Mediactive.com)
* Brian Pobuda (Brian Pobuda Photography)
* Paul Biggar (NewsLabs/NewsTilt) // skype-in talk
* Matt Baume (SF Appeal, Stop8.org)
* Chia Hwu (TheSubtleInfluence.com)
* Crystal C. Yan (Torque Media Group)
* Victor Grishchenko (TU Delft)
* Yury Lifshits (Yahoo!)


Program Overview:
* 1pm-2pm - Talks
* 2pm-3pm - "Brain Dump" panel discussion
* 3pm-4pm - Networking
* 4pm-6pm - Talks

Full program schedule here.

There are about 25 free unconference passes left - reserve one here.

Attendees encouraged to bring their laptops.

Chris & Keith Malloy on Surfing & Plastic

Take the pledge here.

Trail of DREAMs from Miami to DC :: Week of Events in DC underway

The Trail of DREAMs is a group of four brave students who are currently walking from Miami, FL to Washington, DC to raise awareness about the impacts of immigration laws on undocumented young people that have grown up in the United States, and the impact on the families that have been torn apart by immigration detention and deportation.



Along the way they have held events and met with different communities, and bravely confronted anti-immigrant sheriffs and even the KKK. They have played a major role in reinvigorating the movement for immigration reform, which has been called one of the most important civil rights issue of our generation.

They are finally arriving in DC on May 1st for a major rally in support of students that would benefit from the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, a bi-partisan piece of legislation that would allow qualifying youth access to higher education. The rally begins at 9am at the Tenants and Workers United Offices at 3801 Mt. Vernon Ave in Alexandria, VA and concludes with a 2pm Rally for Immigrant Rights at Lafayette Park in front of the White House.

The Rally wraps up a week full of related events, which started today. Check out the listing of all of the events here.

Young people are invited to participate in Lobby Day on Capitol Hill this Thursday. To register go here.

Food, Inc available free online. Ends Thursday April 29.

It's online here.



Extra special - join the live chat with director, Robert Kenner on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 2pm ET!


photo: Robert Kenner

6 High Schools Compete for Obama Graduation Speech :: Voting ends Wednesday!

photo: Jordan Howard, ECHS student and Green Ambassador.

The Environmental Charter High School - a school that has started the Surfrider Foundation's Rise Above Plastic Program - has been selected by the White House to compete with 5 other schools in Commencement Challenge to have President Obama give their graduation speech this year.

The school was selected to compete in Commencement Challenge based on this video submission:



The Environmental Charter High School with the support of Surfrider Foundation’s West LA/Malibu Chapter has delivered the Rise Above Plastics message to more than 8,000 people in Los Angeles as well as trained another group of youth in Pasadena to do the same.

After being one of 6 schools selected, it is now up to the public to vote on the top 3 schools - from which Obama will select one. Voting starts today and ends this Wednesday, April 29 at 9pm PST. Please vote. The Environmental Charter HS is on page 4.

NOAA Marine Debris Art Contest for Youth :: Apps Due June 1

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program would like to know how marine debris impacts you and what you are doing about it.

The winning artwork will be showcased in a 2011 planner that will help in raising awareness about the global problem of marine debris. Additionally, the winners will be featured on the Program’s website and in their newsletter, reaching over 200,000 people each month!

All students in grades K-4 and 5-8 from all U.S. states and territories–recognized public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate. Rest of details and application info here.

It's back! Bay Area National Dance Week! :: Fri April 23 - Sun May 2.

photo: I didn't get there, but I had wanted to see Little Mermaid at the San Francisco Ballet.

YAY! It's back!!

The Bay Area has one of the largest, most active and thriving dance communities in the country. During Bay Area National Dance Week, participants and volunteers reaffirm our region’s commitment to dance, offering hundreds of free events.

This year's festival once again will offer a diverse roster of programs—including free classes, performances, rehearsals, lecture demonstrations and studio open houses—giving a wide-angle view of the many and varied styles of dance practiced in the region. Ranging from established company programs to one-time events, Bay Area National Dance Week is an opportunity for dance-lovers of all ages and experiences to take a grand tour of the many movement styles, including Argentine tango, classical Indian, jazz, hip hop, ballet, traditional hula, fire dance, Samba, modern, Chinese classical, belly dance, aerial dance, West African, contact improvisation and more!


Check out the listing of free classes here.


photo: my favorite dance instructor, Mark Battershall, of London's Pineapple Studios.

Yeah! I just discovered that my old London dance studio, Pineapple is the subject of a new reality TV show. Love the headline of the press release - Pineapple Dance Studio – Where careers are made, dreams are broken, bitching is an Olympic sport and everyone is fabulous. The biggest West End shows, the most famous pop acts, the highest level auditionees, and some of the world’s most successful dance teachers all pass through Covent Garden’s Pineapple Dance Studio on a daily basis.

Check the show out here, including Mark's profile - he's one of the characters:) Can't wait to watch the archived episodes online:)

Free The Children - California : Open Mic for Young Change Makers :: Palo Alto, CA. Sat May 15.

Just learned about Free The Children today ... Winner of the 2007 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, amongst other awards ...


photo: founder Craig Kielburger

Founded by a group of twelve 12-year-olds, Free The Children has since grown to become the largest network of children helping children through education. Today, Free The Children is a network of young people over one million strong.


photo: Craig in the blue shirt, in Kenya

Through the voices and actions of youth, Free The Children continues to create change both at home and abroad. We have built over 500 schools in developing countries, providing daily education to over 50,000 kids in the developing world.

Together, we are still achieving the same goal we set out with over 14 years ago - to free children from poverty and exploitation, and to free young people from the idea that they are powerless to make a difference.

For more about what they do, go here.

Check out this video summary about the California program.



Also check out this Bay Area event:

Join Free The Children in celebrating the powerful voices and actions of California youth making a change in their local and global communities! The afternoon will include a presentation from guest speaker/magician Scott Hammell; a Youth In Action recognition ceremony; and a social justice-themed Open Mic for youth.

Saturday, May 15, 2010
1pm
Mitchell Park Bowl (600 East Meadow Drive), Palo Alto.

Free admission, food available for purchase.

RSVP by May 3: california(@)freethechildren.com or (650) 617-3276.

To register as an open mic performer, go here.


Not in California? Here's an awesome way to get involved with the organization - open to grades 7 - 12. If you are not able to attend We Day 2010 in person then you can participate via webcast.

Young Professionals Party to Celebrate Social Enterprise :: San Francisco. Wed April 28.

Psyched about this one ... found out about it yesterday from Sparkseed via Twitter.

Wed, April 28, 2010
7pm
Temple Night Club - San Francisco, CA

Come party with students and young professionals à la Social Enterprise.

DJ Hey Man! will be spinning at Temple Nightclub on April 28th starting at 7pm in the context of the Third Social Enterprise World Forum – we will be celebrating the winners of the Next Generation Awards. The San Francisco Chapter of the SEA in partnership with Sparkseed invite you to join the movers and shakers of Social Enterprise in this energetic and inspirational experience.

This event is open to all. Please RSVP mindfully, space is limited.


About the hosts:

As DJ Hey Man!, Darian Rodriguez Heyman (former E.D. of the Craigslist Foundation) spins conscious R&B, hip hop, and downtempo grooves from around the world. Darian works with Michael Franti & Spearhead on their annual Power to the Peaceful festival and his efforts on the dance floor and off connect inspiration to action through music.

Don’t miss the Third Social Enterprise World Forum advocating for increased social impact through social enterprise. Join over 600 social entrepreneurs in San Francisco from Tuesday, April 27 - Saturday, May 1 to learn, grow, be inspired, make new connections from around the globe and become part of this expanding movement.

The Social Enterprise Alliance is a membership-based organization that serves as North America's leading association for the social enterprise field. Established in 2009, the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter helps to accelerate social innovation and spur the emergence of a robust support system for social enterprise in the San Francisco Bay Area. The chapter offers public programs on social enterprise topics, and provide local SEA members with opportunities to connect with each other in person and online throughout the year. Contact the chapter at seasfbay(@)gmail.com.

Sparkseed is a nonprofit organization that supports the next generation of social entrepreneurs by harnessing the passion, innovation, and talent of college students in order to increase the impact of their social ventures. Over the past two years, Sparkseed has provided mentoring, seed money, pro-bono consulting, and web tools to over 50 social innovators across the country.

Temple Nightclub is an eco-concious "edu-tainment" complex that works synergistically with all of the entities of the Zen Compound to inspire and work with the community to take on the most challenging issues facing San Francisco and our planet... and have a good time doing it!

Prana aims serve its patrons and the community by providing all organic ingredients sourced locally where possible.

How far can a dollar go? Symposium on Smart Philanthropy :: UC Berkeley Campus. Today.

UPDATE: Premal can't make it tonight. Ocean Robbins, the founder of Yes! will be speaking instead.

-------------

I should have posted this sooner, but oh well! Wish I could get there in time to hear Premal speak. Well, maybe I'll try ... this would be my 3rd time on Cal's campus in less than a week:)

Today - Friday, April 23
5-8 p.m.
UC Berkeley Campus - International House, Chevron Auditorium
Open to the Public


photo: Premal Shah

Featured Speaker: Premal Shah, President, Kiva.org
Sponsor: Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership

The students from “The Economics of Philanthropy” class (UGBA 196) and the Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership invite you to join us at a FREE event to learn about becoming effective philanthropists, hear from the President of Kiva, Premal Shah, watch live artistic performances (spoken word, hip hop, and Brazilian drumming), and enjoy free food and drinks. Local nonprofits will also table at the event, providing attendees with the opportunity to get connected and learn about a wide array of local service opportunities and programs.

About Economics of Philanthropy (UGBA 196): This Haas School of Business undergraduate class is the fruition of Eric Rodriguez’ (recently featured at TedxBerkeley) winning proposal to UC Berkeley’s Bears Breaking Boundaries Curricular Innovation Contest. The class is centered on teaching its students how to become effective philanthropists and was given a $10,000 contribution from Doris Buffett, president of the Sunshine Lady Foundation, to do so. We have selected two nonprofits, Spark and Swords to Plowshares, to receive the grant and both nonprofits will also be presenting at the symposium.

RSVP on Facebook here.

A message from Invisible Children :: Wanted: Roadies and Textbooks

Got this in an email yesterday from Invisible Children. In addition to the below, check out my January 26th post that recaps Invisible Children and talks about their previous Roadie opportunities.



With the Senate passing legislation mandating President Obama to lead the efforts to stop Joseph Kony, this fall’s Schools for Schools tour will be packed with the most potential yet for long-term, effective change in northern Uganda.

And we want you to be a part of it. We want you to be a roadie. Three months on the road, sharing the stories of Invisible Children, will help transform the lives of an entire country affected by Africa’s longest running war.

The May 10th application deadline is right around the corner. Visit our website and apply today.


Now, a message for our college friends:

This spring, don’t get stuck waiting in line to sell your books back at the bookstore. There’s a better way. A much better way. Go here and click the button that says “Get $$ For Your Textbooks”. You’ll get a fair price and IC will benefit at the same time. Every book you sell raises funds for our programs, plus you can choose to donate a little something extra at checkout.

Help us by sharing this link with others on your campus and making it your Facebook status before finals.

Thank you,
Invisible Children

P.S. - Booking for the Schools for School Fall 2010 Tour has commenced. If you would like to bring the tour to your town give us a call at 619.562.2799

Center for Progressive Leadership Fellowship for Youth :: Washington, DC. Apps Due April 26

The Center for Progressive Leadership's Washington, DC New Leaders Fellowship Program connects talented young people of color, women and people from the LGBTQ community to full-time jobs at leading progressive organizations in Washington DC. Over the course of 5 months, the program provides training, mentorship, coaching and networking to help jump start life-long careers in progressive politics.

CPL New Leaders Fellows work at a variety of progressive political and policy organizations. CPL secures a number of spots for people who have recently started jobs, but also supports leaders in identifying full-time, paid positions at leading progressive organizations in D.C.

Past placements have included Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, the DC Project, and the National Hispana Leadership Institute.

Now accepting apps from young people (with less than 2 years of nonprofit experience) who are committed to progressive political change and have demonstrated leadership experience. Apps are due Monday, April 26th.

A little Grease on the Beach

I was in the Suffern Junior High performance of "Grease" when I was in 7th grade ... this commercial currently airing on San Diego TV stations reminds me of it:)



While we're on this subject, thirsty people have replaced smokers as the top litterers on New Jersey’s beaches, according to a report released on April 15th by a coalition of environmental organizations.

Plastic bottle caps and lids accounted for 11% of the trash volunteers collected along the Jersey shoreline during two beach sweeps last year, overtaking cigarette butts as the leading type of litter collected at previous cleanups.

The Spring California Student Sustainability Coalition Convergence is here!

April 30 - May 2
UC San Diego Campus

Join hundreds of students, activists, young professionals and alumni from across California to discuss the decisive social and environmental issues of the 21st century, share best practices and resources, and plan action toward solutions that will transform our educational institutions, communities, and governments into just and sustainable systems.

A Sample of Convergence Workshops
* What Every Environmentalist Needs to Know About Capitalism
* Sewing the seeds: Beginning an on campus urban agricultural learning center
* Converging Storms: The Crises of Energy, Capitalism, and the Environment
* Carrotmob, A Unique Way of Greening Your Business
* Campaign to Legalize Democracy: Abolish Corporate Personhood
* What is Food Justice?
* What it takes to found and run a non-profit while still in college EENG style...
* Investing with Social & Environmental Responsibility and the Role of Institutional Investors
* Composting at Home
* CoFed: How to Put a Student-Run Sustainable Food Co-op on Your Campus
* How to become a citzen lobbyist

Students - register by tonight to get the early bird registration rate of $15. This includes 6 local organic meals, housing for 2 nights, and access to the entire convergence. The non-student early bird rate is $20.

You can also apply to receive a scholarship to attend.

Chill Out : Campus Solutions to Global Warming :: Video Highlights

On April 21, National Wildlife Federation will feature the winners of this year's Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming competition, the nation's premier competition showcasing campus-based climate action, in a 30 minute webcast.

Join Alisa Reyes (of Nickelodeon's show All That) and David Mizejewski (the host of Animal Planet's BACKYARD HABITAT), the hosts of Chill Out, to find out how award-winning students and staff are creating real solutions to global warming on campuses across the country and see the best examples of campus climate action.

To register to watch the webcast on April 21, or anytime after that at your own convenience, go here. NWF is encouraging people to host screenings of the webcast on their college campuses or in their homes.

Climate Change Video Contest for College Clubs :: Apps Due May 30

Got this from the Environmental Defense Action Fund -

Upload to YouTube as many videos as possible of people declaring their support for a climate and clean energy bill. The university groups that upload the most videos to YouTube by May 30th will win grants to support future activism. They may also have a chance to meet with their Senator’s office to state their appeal in person!

The grants are as follows:
* The group with the most videos will receive $3,000
* The group with the 2nd most videos will receive $1,500
* The next five groups with the most videos will receive $500

Details here and on their Facebook fan page.

Here's a sample video:

International Youth Leadership Council accepting Apps :: Due Tuesday

This sounds like a great opportunity if you live in Washington, DC and can get your app in by Tuesday! :)

The International Youth Leadership Council (IYLC) is made up of college students living in the Washington, DC, area with family ties to and/or interest in the developing world. These youth leaders work to improve US foreign policy regarding global HIV prevention and international family planning.


photo: 2009 - 2010 Leadership Council

Council members serve as youth educators, advocates, and spokespeople on issues of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Council members develop media outreach campaigns, conduct policy forums, plan and run press conferences, participate in advocacy visits to policy makers, and attend conferences to further the goals of the International Youth Leadership Council.

Download the 2010 IYLC application from the IYLC website. Apps are due April 20, 2010)

Climate Rally with Musicians & Speakers - Washington, DC National Mall. Sun, April 25

On Sunday, April 25, from 11am - 7pm, Earth Day Network and partner organizations will be holding a massive Climate Rally on the National Mall to demand that Congress enacts comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation in 2010.

The list of performers includes Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Jimmy Cliff, Passion Pit, Bob Weir, Willie Colón, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph, Patrick Stump, Mavis Staples, Booker T, Honor Society, and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger.


photo: Passion Pit

The list of speakers includes Reverend Jesse Jackson, film director, James Cameron, AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka, Olympic gold medalist, Billy Demong, producer, Trudie Styler, author, Margaret Atwood, NFL player and television personality, Dhani Jones, and environmental photographer Sebastian Copeland.

Free bus rides to the Climate Rally are available to persons living in WV, VA, PA, NY, MD and OH. Buses will depart from those cities on April 25 and return Sunday evening after the Rally. Sign up here for a ride. If you are not in one of those states, you can contact our Field Organizer to arrange a special deal by emailing cernansky(@)earthday.net. Earth Day Network is also arranging for free vans to transport K-12 or college students from across the country. Contact our Campus Manager to schedule a van by emailing rozas(@)earthday.net.

Or, check it out on the live stream - Earth Day Network will live stream the event here.

OneClimate Live Video Coverage from Bolivia People's Climate Change Summit :: April 19 - 22

If you were following my blog during the international climate change negotiations that took place in Copenhagen in December 2009, then you might have come across my posts about the OneClimate live webcast. OneClimate provided internet viewers with live programming pretty much around the clock, from their location in the Bella Center, where the official actions were taking place. It was absolutely amazing.


photo: Chacaltaya, Bolivia 350.org 2009 day of action, from 350.org on Flickr.


In reaction to the outcome of COP15, a people's summit is taking place in Bolivia from April 19 - 22. (Official details here.) OneClimate will be covering the event live, again through an interactive live webcast. All viewers will be able to put their questions to delegates attending the summit and engage with others watching around the world.

Here's a short video preview:

Cochabamba Summit trail from Peter Armstrong on Vimeo.

Please re-visit this post from April 19 - 22 to catch the live stream, below.

Take the Green Music Group Challenge :: Grand Prize - 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid LX

I'd mentioned Reverb's newer initiative, Green Music Group, in a previous blog post. Here's a recap.

Green Music Group is a coalition of musicians, industry leaders, and music fans using our collective power to bring about widespread environmental change within the music industry and around the globe.

I love that HeadCount is a GMG non-profit partner:) Check out this video to learn more about GMG:



If you're new to GMG, then maybe this is a good time to check it out ... :)

Every two weeks, a GMG Artist will challenge YOU to make an eco-friendly change in your life. We'll be taking these challenges along with you, and we'll all be learning as we go. There are lots of cool prizes in the mix, so join us!



To get started, you must first create a GMG Challenge Profile. Then, look for instructions on how to participate under each challenge video! Your first challenge begins on April 10th.

We're giving one lucky challenge participant a grand prize: the chance to drive away in a 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid LX! All you have to do is take one of our nine challenges. Good luck!

Check out this awesome video from the GMG launch event, featuring an interview with Brett Dennen:)

Health Care & Student Loan Reform Highlights for Young Americans

Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office released this great summary today. Click on the word "Fullscreen" below for a better view of the doc.

04.08.2010 Young Americans Hcrhe

White House & Huffington Post host “Open for Questions” Live Chat on Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act - Tomorrow, Fri April 9

Tomorrow (Friday April 9) at 9:15 AM EST, US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Melody Barnes, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council will participate in a Live Online Chat to discuss the Student Aid and Fiscal Relief Act. Also participating in the chat will be Jose Antonio Vargas of the Huffington Post and Amanda Litman of Northwestern University.

You can join the chat on the White House website and the Huffington Post website.

Questions for the chat were solicited from students across the country -- from public and private schools of all sizes -- via the Huffington Post’s college newspaper network. The Huffington Post published questions to its website for a public vote and, 150,000 votes later, an editor of one of the participating college newspapers and a representative from the Huffington Post will present the final video questions to be answered at the White House.

Free One-Day Campaign Training for Young Progressive Dems - Washington, DC April 18

Do you want progressive candidates to win? Are you interested in working on campaigns?

Join PAC (political action committee) 21st Democrats of America in Washington, DC on Sunday, April 18 from 9am - 5pm for their free “Gearing up for the 2010 Elections” Campaign Training. Location TBD.

21st Century Democrats focuses on recruiting, training, and hiring field organizers to organize grassroots campaigns on behalf of candidates for local offices, statewide office, and even targeted presidential swing states.

The org's early US Senate endorsements include Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold, and Kirsten Gillibrand.

In this April 18th training participants will get an introduction to field organizing and grassroots campaigning from Washington, DC area professionals.

Network and make connections with other progressive activists and political professionals.

To participate on April 18th RSVP to training(@)21stdems.org

You & Your Heart shouldn't feel so far Apart

I've found myself humming the chorus to this song a lot this week. And I don't even have the single yet:) So yeah ... it's a little catchy:)



Pre-order Jack's new album "To The Sea" for $11.99 on iTunes and immediately get the "You and your Heart" single. The album track names are intriguing ... can't wait for its June 1st release:)

Check out Jack's 2010 tour dates here - North America dates are July, August, and October. Tix go on sale to the public on April 10th. Openers for the tour include G Love, ALO, and Zee Avi. 100% of the proceeds from the tour will be donated to non-profit organizations.

DIRT! the Movie on PBS

Yay! The film DIRT! is coming to PBS in celebration of Earth Day!

I got to see it in a San Francisco theater last month, and can't wait to re-watch it on PBS.

If you're in SF, then it's airing on KQED at 10pm on Tuesday, April 20th and at 9pm on April 21. If you're not in SF, then check your local listings here.

Here's the trailer -

Brett Dennen covers Citizen Cope for The Voice Project

From an April 6th Paste Magazine article that I came across today, thanks to Mick Management's Facebook page:

... Soldiers who escape from the LRA [Lords Resistance Army in Uganda aka child soldiers] often take cover in the bush, too ashamed of what they’ve done to return to their homes. In an effort to bring home the men living in self-imposed exile, the women of Northern Uganda have begun singing songs of peace, welcoming and forgiveness, which are passed by radio and word of mouth out to the bush. And, as a result, the soldiers are finally beginning to come home.

The Voice Project “is an attempt to support these incredible women and the peace movement in Uganda, and an effort to see how far a voice can carry.”

It seeks to amplify the voices of the women of Northern Uganda by joining them, asking artists to cover one of their favorite songs by someone else to pass the message of peace and solidarity along.

Paste is proud to premiere The Voice Project’s first video, in which Brett Dennen covers Citizen Cope’s “Healing Hands.”

Watch the video here.

Newest HeadCount E-Newsletter :: Signs of Life for Climate Legislation

Another issue of the HeadCount Sustainability & Climate Change e-newsletter came out today. Wooohooo! Read it online here.

"Organic" vs "Natural" :: NBC Today Show & Organic Consumers Association answers your Questions

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Pull our your Planner - Democratic National Convention 2012 scheduled

photo: Obama and Kaine


DNC Chairman Tim Kaine posted this message today -

I am excited to announce that the Democratic Party will gather for our 46th National Convention during the week of September 3, 2012. At the convention, we will re-nominate President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, and re-affirm our party’s values of equality, inclusion, diversity, and respect.

At the Democratic National Committee and across the country, we are looking forward to showcasing our principles on a world stage, and continuing our proud history of fighting for justice and equal opportunities and representing the interests of working Americans.

Wherever you are during the week of September 3, 2012, I hope you’ll join with us in promoting our Democratic agenda and re-nominating President Obama and Vice President Biden.

YouTube partners with Al Gore :: Submit your Earth Day Video

More info here.

Surfrider DC helps the City "Rise Above Plastics"

photo: 2010 Surfrider Foundation Wavemaker Awards - Jim Moriarty (Surfrider CEO), Julie Lawson (Surfrider DC), Belinda Smith (Surfrider San Diego), Galen Lawson (Surfrider DC)

My good friend Julie Lawson, the Chair (President) of the Washington, DC Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, has been deeply involved with the effort to reduce the number of paper and plastic bags used in the Washington, DC area and improve the health of DC's Anacostia River and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.


photo: The Lawsons created this logo for use by the coalition that helped pass the DC bag bill.

As a result of all Surfrider DC's work, Washington, DC businesses that sell food items must now charge consumers 5 cents for each plastic or paper bag that a consumer accepts at the check-out counter, thereby encouraging consumers to use re-usable bags.

Check out this great interview that Julie did recently:


Find more videos like this on Planet Forward

John Mayer - Good Love is on the Way :: San Jose, CA - March 26th

This doesn't have anything to do with the usual subject matter of my blog, other than that John Mayer inspires me to follow my heart.



I purchased a ticket to see John Mayer during the fan pre-sale, over 4 months before the actual date of the show. Finally got to see him last Friday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA, for the first time since Summer 2008.

This was my favorite sequence from the show. It followed on the heels of one of my standard Mayer favorites, "Vultures." Thanks to the fan who recorded this!



Hopefully next time I see him, he'll play this (new) one, and the also unrecorded "Taking On Water." The video below was recorded in February ... so he's still playing it!