• Join Kristen Bell: Go One Day Without Shoes for Children

  Better World, Heroes 08.04.2010 1 Comment

  Join Kristen Bell Today: Go Barefoot Today for Children Without Shoes

  Kristen Bell goes barefoot today, 8 April 2010, to help TOMS help millions of children worldwide who go without shoes. In fact, for One Day Without Shoes, thousands (millions?) will participate, in an effort to increase –in a small way- our awareness of a life without shoes.

  

  When I was a kid –well, now, still, actually- I knew lots of people who constantly ran about without shoes. I was never one of them, unless swimming or bathing. Those kids –and adults- though, have that choice. In our world, though, there are many children without access to shoes, for whom walking about barefoot is dangerous. Simple debris, volcanic soil, and soil-borne pathogens contribute to numerous health issues for these children.

  

  Read more …

  

  Tags: Better World, causes, kristen-bell, one-day-without-shoes, shoes, toms

• Madahooping: Saint Louis Musicians and Hoopers to Raise Funds for Local Musician’s Medical Bills

  Better World, Friends, Heroes 12.05.2009 No Comments

  

  I just ran across this on Myspace. It begins with the horrific story of how Saint Louis musician Dan Hamm lost his leg in a complicated series of vehicle events in January 2009. After losing control of his car in icy conditions, Dan got out of his car to check the damage. As he was stepping out of his car, it was struck by another car. Still okay, he went to look at the damage to his front end. Then, another car rear-ended his, pinning him between the car and a tractor-trailer. In the aftermath, he lost his leg.

  Dan, 23 years old, is very active, and enjoys the outdoors. So, he needs to purchase a prosthetic leg capable of handling his activities. He plans to become a physical therapist to help others who face similar circumstances.

  Now, Saint Louis band Madahoochi has joined forces with the Saint Louis Hoop Club to help Dan raise $30,000 to buy a prosthetic leg. 31 May 2009 they will host an event at Off Broadway Saint Louis with musicians Vitamin A and DJ Thumpasaurus. Saint Louis Hoop Club will perform, and there will be a pot luck dinner at 6pm. Attendees should bring hula hoops to hoop in the courtyard, and bring musical instruments to jam!

  More info at the Madahooping For Hamm Myspace page.

  

  Tags: amputation, benefit, hula hoops, leg, Music, musician, prosthetic, Saint Louis

• This is Awesome, Molière! Portia De Rossi Apologizes for Her Gay Marriage

  Better World, Heroes 25.03.2009 No Comments

  Yes. That’s right, folks. Neocons everywhere can rejoice at the late-but-apt apology that Portia De Rossi delivered on Jimmy Kimmel. They no longer must live in fear and pain because of the horrors beset them by the erstwhile unapologized marriage of Portia De Rossi and Ellen Degeneres, and the many other gays and lesbians who we last year. It was a terrible blow to humanity that confused teens everywhere might find courage to be who they really are, all because a few free-thinking, high-profile gays decided that they needed to make life-long commitments to the ones they love. Shame on them.

  
  Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Portia De Rossi PSA

  Thanks to the kind people of California, and the protesters from other states who know best the biggest problems of our society, gays can continue to live their unfettered lives, knowing that our government continues to uphold only the ideals of the loudest religious voices. We’re all free to know that freedom means different things to different people.

  We can rest assured that marriage is kept out of the reckless hands of gays in lifelong relationships, and held proudly as the privilege and standard for the many God-fearing, heterosexual couples that Sarah Palin’s conservativism upholds. God bless Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston. Long may they…

  

  Tags: california, conservatives, ellen degeneres, gay marriage, liberals, portia de rossi, portia di rossi, proposition 8, protesters

• National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day

  Heroes 15.05.2008 No Comments

  

  Today, Americans honor those whose lives were spent keeping the peace on our streets. Think of the people who put their lives in danger for the sake of the rest of us.

  There are organizations that help the families of public safety professionals who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty. There are many ways that you can contribute, including simple donations, and purchasing tickets to events, or buying special promotional items. Consider helping those who lost a loved one.

  • BackStoppers helps families of Saint Louis area public safety professionals –police, firefighters, emergency medical services- who have given their lives in the line of duty.
  • S.A.F.E. – Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund helps families of Kansas City area public safety professionals –police, firefighters, emergency medical services- who have given their lives in the line of duty.
  • National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund.

  

  Tags: backstoppers, families, Heroes, life, memorial, memorial fund, national peace officers' memorial day, sacrifice

• St Louis and Missouri Join ONE Campaign Against Extreme Poverty

  Heroes, Saint Louis 03.09.2007 No Comments

  

  Thursday, 6 September at 10AM, Governor Matt Blunt and Mayor Francis Slay meet meet with ONE.org as St Louis and Missouri make joint declarations to become the 9th state and the 120th city of ONE. These declarations state the state and city’s support for the worldwide campaign against poverty. In essence, these declarations tell other politicians that our citizens support policy that will help to end poverty across the globe.

  Visit the ONE Missouri page to find out about attending the joint declaration, this Thursday.

  one.org one campaign end poverty missouri st louis saint louis

  

• Cool Down St Louis Needs You and Air Conditioners

  Heroes, Saint Louis 18.07.2007 No Comments

  As Midwest temperatures begin their mid-summer climb into sweltering, you can help by donating fans, air conditioners, money, or your time. Cool Down St Louis delivers these units to elderly and disabled residents who might have difficulty in the heat.

  If you have an air conditioner, less than two years old, and in working condition, please consider donating it to help a fellow Saint Louisan, this summer.

  To help Cool Down St. Louis, go to cooldownstlouis.org/Donations, call 241-7668 or send a check to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, Mo. 63188

  Tags: cool+down+st+louis volunteer local+heroes air+conditioner donation neighbors mayor+slay francis+slay

  

• Help Reform U.S. Farm Policy and Help Small Farmers Worldwide

  Heroes 13.07.2007 No Comments

  Every five years, the United States Congress examines and makes major modifications to the nation’s farm policy. This is the time when congress modifies subsidies, loan policies, and the like. 2007 is one of those years.

  Most of us have heard of the subsidies, and have been taught that they help farmers, and control prices. What we never hear on the telly is that most farmers don’t receive subsidies. They actually help impoverish small farmers.

  From Kenneth Galloway, of ONE.org:

  The Farm Bill has been around for decades, and there is a widely held misconception that it is beneficial to farmers like myself. The truth is that the top 8% of big business farms receive over half of the subsidies, and more than half of all farmers receive nothing. As a result, small farmers aren’t able to compete. If we can change this, millions of small farmers around the world can have an opportunity to work their way out of extreme poverty.

  But to overcome an entrenched law like this, we are going to need to spread awareness, pressure the media to pay attention to it, and let our elected leaders know that we want it to change.

  The best way to do all of these is by writing a letter to the editor.

  You can help by writing to your local newspapers. Please visit ONE.org, and use their guide to writing a letter to the editor.

  Visit ONE.org for more information.

  Tags: small+farmer farm+bill farm+subsidies poverty

  

• Cool Down St. Louis Needs Your Help

  Heroes, Saint Louis 02.07.2007 No Comments

  Last Tuesday, Cool Down St. Louis announced that they need donations of 250 air conditioners and $50,000. With the hottest part of summer coming up, St. Louis citizens over 70 and with various ailments are vulnerable to the heat. Many such people make due without air conditioners, and Cool Down St. Louis’ mission is to identify and aid those who need help, this time of year. Citizens, civic leaders, religious leaders, and local celebrities volunteer to deliver air conditioners to people who need them.

  If you need assistance, and are over 70 years old or have an illness which makes you susceptible to the heat, you can call (314) 241-7668 to speak to a volunteer.

  If you have an air conditioner, no more than three years old, you can also call (314) 241-7668 and arrange to drop off the unit, or to have it picked up.

  Tags: cool+down+st+louis elderly air+conditioner donations

  

• Affront to Domestic Violence –of Sorts- “Stitch in Time” (Waterson) from 17 June Show

  Heroes, Kansas City, mp3 28.06.2007 No Comments

  Today, I’ve uploaded the MP3 for “Stitch in Time”. This song is ripped from the headlines, and set to music by Mike Waterson, Martin Carthy, and friends. In my experience, it has brought on a number of after-show comments from women who, in one way or another, identify with the heroine. Some have escaped similar situations. One woman had taken matters into her own hands, much like in this song, only she used duct tape. 

  At Westport Flea Market, I met a woman who works at a Kansas City shelter for women. She asked if I had recorded this song. Well, I have now.

  While this song amuses many, at best it’s rarely –but probably it’s never- wise to follow its example.

  Women who suffer from any kind of abuse should know that real help is a phone call away. My friend Lynn, at Reality Exploits, has provided the number for Women’s Support and Community Services, serving Saint Louis city and county in Missouri. Call (314) 531-2003 if you, or someone you know, could use support and help. They provide services and referrals for women dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, relationship issues, legal issues, and shelter information.

  Nationwide, in the United States, you can call:

  National Domestic Violence Hotline
  1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
  1-800-787-3224 (TDD)

  Other cities, nationwide, and throughout much of the world, have people who can help. Please, if you are hurting, find the people in your community who can help you get back on your feet, and feel safe.

  Note: Computer use can be monitored. Please use a safe computer –at the library, school, etc.- to find resources. You can look in places like the Google Domestic Violence Directory or the Support Network for Battered Women.

  So, this is for my new friend in Kansas City, and the women she works with:

  Stitch in Time click the play button to listen

  Watch my mp3 page for an updated version of Stitch in Time.

  Tags: free+mp3 domestic+violence women’s+shelters live+recording indie+music

  

• Doug Blasdell: You’ll Be Missed

  Heroes 24.04.2007 1 Comment

  I know I sometimes rage against the machine’s idea that using “reality” television to build a schedule is good television. Truth be told, though, there are reality shows that I enjoy. One of those is Work Out.

  I was sad to find out that Doug had died, following a prolonged series of illnesses. Doug seemed like a very caring guy, and so joins a fraternity of great people who left a positive mark in this world, then had to leave it too soon. He had genuine concern for his clients’ well being.

  Doug, as some know, had lymphoma, and was undergoing chemotherapy. According to Peeler, he had contracted salmonella, leading to his kidneys’ shutting down. In the hospital, he developed a staph infection, precipitating the shutdown of his liver.

  Read more on Brian Peeler’s blog.

  Also, check out Douglas Blasdell Outreach Program for student scholarships, gay and lesbian awareness, HIV education and more.

  Tags: doug+blasdell work+out reality+tv bravo+channel personal+trainer

  

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