What I Learned from Ex-Cons

They were sitting in the living room playing guitars and singing songs about justice and the lack of it.  They had taught themselves to play in prison and they were good.  Dave was in the slammer off and on for 15 years for dealing meth and assorted other felonies.  Ladd served 20 years for being an accessory to murder.  They met in prison and stayed … Continue reading What I Learned from Ex-Cons

Andrea Jaeger’s Silver Lining

Andrea Jaeger is a former tennis great turned nun who heard a higher calling. She now runs the Silver Lining Foundation which helps terminally ill children. One of the highlights of the experience has been camp for kids battling cancer which has been held during summer and winter months in Aspen, Colorado. She is now trying to sell her ranch to Chabad. The organization will … Continue reading Andrea Jaeger’s Silver Lining

A Dog Speaks Out On Michael Vick

My name is Ka$h (yes, that’s how it’s spelled) and I’m a chow shepard cross.  I’m a former pound puppy who was adopted from the Denver Humane Society in October by a wonderful family.  I was only a few months old when they got me and was already returned by someone else.  When I came to my new home I had issues.  I would pee when … Continue reading A Dog Speaks Out On Michael Vick

A Denver Death Examined

I was particularly moved by Denver Post reporter Karen Auge’s story about the death of one homeless man and the efforts to uncover his backstory.  What probably made people notice this death is the photo of a trio of maintenence workers on the 16th Street Mall who were trying to revive him.  To the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless each of these lives matter but how often … Continue reading A Denver Death Examined

Homeless Children

The plight of homeless children was the focus of two articles in the 5/18 edition of USA Today. One is about 11 year old Zach Bonner who is walking from Atlanta, Georgia to Washington, D.C. to raise money and awareness for homeless youngsters. He hopes to meet with President Obama when he arrives in July. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-17-wagon-boy_N.htm?csp=34 The other is by CBS anchor, Katie Couric, who … Continue reading Homeless Children

Showing Up

Who would you show up for? Who are the people in your life that you would be present for rain or shine? Who would you jump on a plane to see? My friend, Genevieve, and I were driving back from Beaver Creek after an overnight celebrating Nancy’s birthday with the ladies. We were talking about how your dearest friends were those you could count on … Continue reading Showing Up

BeadforLife on NBC’s Today Show

Thanks so much to my friend, Kerry Sanders, who recognized a good story when he saw one and featured BeadforLife on NBC’s Today Show.  Thanks also to Maryann Zoellner, Jim Bell, DeeDee Thomas and Meredith Vieira for their support.  Phones are ringing off the hook in Boulder today as more women join the bead circle and get involved in the fight against global poverty in Africa.  The women in … Continue reading BeadforLife on NBC’s Today Show

How People Live

During April I’ve had a photo exhibit running in Studio 13 Gallery in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District.  It’s called “How People Live” and is a collection of photographs from the streets and slums around the world that illuminate the diversity of people and the condition of the poor.  Photos were taken in Uganda, China, Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico, and various places in America.  Most of the … Continue reading How People Live

BeadforLife on The Newshour

Many thanks to PBS producer Patti Parson, Associate Producer Rebecca Jacobson and the folks at The Newshour with Jim Lehrer for the wonderful story they did on BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) on Thursday’s program.  Every time the NGO gets national exposure of this kind the phones ring off the hook and more and more people join the fight against global poverty.  Together we are making a difference and … Continue reading BeadforLife on The Newshour

Note to Allied Jewish Federation

Hi Julia, Allied Jewish Federation has been reminding me of my $50 pledge which I have yet to pay.  After doing a lot of soul searching I have decided not to honor the pledge.  During the recent Israeli/Palestinian crisis I felt Allied Jewish Federation was very strident.  What Hamas is doing is deplorable and as a Jew I grieve for Israel’s pain.  I know the country has endured a … Continue reading Note to Allied Jewish Federation