Yosemite: From Farm to Table

During the Clinton Administration there was a move to green up the national parks.  One of the mandates was to source food locally.  Today one of the most successful examples of this is Yosemite National Park.  All the concessions are run by Delaware North and it has chosen not to go with commodities but rather to buy the produce, meats, eggs and dairy from local … Continue reading Yosemite: From Farm to Table

Africans on Obama

NOTE: THIS IS A REPRINT OF A BLOG FROM 11/27/2008 FOLLOWING BARACK OBAMA’S ELECTION.  IT STILL RINGS TRUE AS HE PAYS HIS FIRST POST-PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO ACCRA, GHANA IN WEST AFRICA WITH FIRST LADY MICHELLE AND DAUGHTERS SASHA AND MALIA OBAMA. Our Ugandan driver picked us up from the airport in Entebbe on November 9.  We were barely down the road before he asked us who we … Continue reading Africans on Obama

United Breaks Guitars Encore

As of this morning at 9 a.m. MT, Canadian Dave Carroll’s video “United Breaks Guitars” has had over 1.3 million hits on YouTube and the singer/songwriter says “it’s been a whirlwind.”  He has received a deluge of emails, a flood of Facebook friends, requests for gigs and interviews, and even a call from Oprah’s people to be a guest on the show.  “Every musician wants to get … Continue reading United Breaks Guitars Encore

Vacation in Afghanistan

One year ago I was in Beijing, China for a three month gig working at the Olympics.  In November 2008 I headed to Kampala, Uganda again to do more television production work for BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org) then immediately after a quick trip to Delhi, India for a wedding.  No exotic destinations this summer but I’m hungry for an overseas trip.  I’m already thinking about what to do … Continue reading Vacation in Afghanistan

Fighting for Neda

Blessings to Iranian human rights lawyer and Nobel Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, who has courageously offered to represent the family of Neda, the young woman shot by snipers during a protest on the streets of Tehran.  Perhaps she will also represent the parents of Kaveh Alipour who were told they must pay the Iranian government a $3000 bullet fee to retrieve their slain son’s body.  I am gratified … Continue reading Fighting for Neda

New Focus on the Family

Time will tell but this sure seems like a refreshing shift at Focus on the Family.  Jim Daly, who has risen from a hellish past, replaces Dr. James Dobson at the helm of the conservative Christian organization based in Colorado Springs and vows to be a different kind of leader.  Instead of being dogmatic “it’s more about having a conversation with people.”  He admires Barack Obama, wants to focus … Continue reading New Focus on the Family

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

How David Beats Goliath

Malcolm Gladwell, author of “The Tipping Point,” “Outliers” and “Blink” has an article out this month in The New Yorker.  It’s called “How David Beats Goliath” and with his deft storytelling and character development Gladwell makes the case for effort over ability.  He tells about Vivek Ranadive and his basketball team of 12 year old girls in Redwood City, California.  To overcome a lack of talent they … Continue reading How David Beats Goliath

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