Youth Speaks

 behance

For the past three years I have had the amazing opportunity to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr's birthday with a group of young writers, at an event called Bringing the Noise. This event is put on by an organization called Youth Speaks. It showcases young people from all over the Bay Area who have written inspirational poems, stories and songs that embody the demand for justice that Dr. King so passionately fought for. It is one of my favorite events and I look forward to it with each new year. 

Rainforest Action Network

BankruptingAmerica

Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is at it again! Last night activists turned all 85 Bank of America ATM's in San Francisco into Automated Truth Machines. RAN placed non-adhesive stickers designed to look like BofA's interface on every screen the city. Instead of the checking or savings account menu, the stickers listed everything customer's money is being used for, including investment in coal-fired power plants, foreclosure on Americans’ homes, bankrolling of climate change, and paying for fat executive bonuses. The stickers also asked customers to stop doing business with Bank of America until they start acting responsibly.

I have a special place in my heart for RAN and the work that they do. I was an intern for them in 1998 and actively participated in their Don't Buy Old Growth campaign. Their mission is to campaign for the forests, their inhabitants and the natural systems that sustain life by transforming the global marketplace through education, grassroots organizing and non-violent direct action.

Red Wine

Another great post from A CUP OF JOE. These are great little cards to attach to those bottles of wine that you bring to dinner at a friends or to parties. What I want to know is why do people always bring red instead of white? For anyone who has the desire to learn more about wine (red or white as well as champagne) the Robert Parker website has tons of great information including maturity dates, wine values and tasting notes.
I listen to public radio religiously and since I don't have enough money to donate what I think would equal all of the value that they actually bring to my life, I decided to join The KQED Wine Club. It's great. Every other month 6 bottles of wine - usually two white and four reds are delivered to our doorstep along with tasting notes and recipes to pair them with. The proceeds from the wine club go to help support KQED. It's a win win!