Save Darfur

Did you know that 2.5 million people have been driven from their homes in Darfur, Sudan? Each day, they face threats that are hard for us to even imagine including rape, disease, and starvation.

These people need our help to put an end to the genocide and they need it NOW.

Please join me in taking the first step to stopping the violence.

Sign the Save Darfur Coalition's petition urging President Bush and the UN Secretary-General to take immediate steps to stop the killing.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of people in the region who desperately need outside help.

We Are What We Do

It's made of cream canvas, costs a fiver, and is just fine for those little shopping trips. We Are What We Do has published two books since its birth in 2004. The first, Change the World for a Fiver, has sold 750,000 copies. The second, Change the World 9 to 5, released in September, is also recording huge sales. They list "actions" to improve our environmental, community and personal behaviour, such as "Smile and smile back"; "Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth"; and "decline plastic bags wherever possible". And now comes the bag.

A similar idea comes from the UN's World Food Program, where the purchase of one burlap sack = 1 child fed for 1 school year. The bag is available in April from Amazon.

PlantLove™ Botanical Lipstick

What it is:
A lipstick tube made entirely out of corn - a renewable and abundant resource. This environmentally-friendly innovation also emits less greenhouse gases, which many scientists believe to be the major cause of global warming. The outer carton is made of flower paper embedded with real flower seeds. Simply moisten, plant, and wait for a bouquet of wild flowers to grow!

World Press Photo

Their mission is to encourage high professional standards in photojournalism and to promote a free and unrestricted exchange of information.

Puppy Bowl III - 2007

I can't believe I forgot to watch this.

From the American Counselor Association

In honor of "National School Counseling Week," February 5-9, 2007, the ACA Office of Public Policy and Legislation wants to remind you about the following resources on our web site for school counselors:

* What is a School Counselor: A Resource Guide for Parents and Students. This online brochure provides a quick overview of the role and value of school counselors.
* Effectiveness of School Counseling (2006)
* NAPSO Principles for the Reauthorization of ESEA (1/07)
* Loan Forgiveness/Repayment/Cancellation for Mental Health Counselors and School Counselors (09/06)
* Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) Grant Awardees 2004-2006 (6/06)
*
An Overview of School Based Mental Services (3/06)
* Facts about School Mental Health Services (3-06)
* The Importance of School-Based Mental Health Services (3-06)
* Student-to-Counselor Ratios by State (U.S. Schools Overall) (10/06)
* Student-to-Counselor Ratios by State (U.S. Elementary Schools) (10/06)
* Student-to-Counselor Ratios by State (U.S. Secondary Schools) (10/06)
* School Counselor: Making a Difference in the Lives of Students with Special Needs. This online brochure, from the National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education, provides an overview of the role of school counselors in special education.
* Review and Analysis of Current Outcome Research in School Counseling. From the Center for School Counseling Outcome Research, This paper reviews some of the issues in school counseling outcome research and how these issues relate to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Legislation.
* Forum Guide to Protecting the Privacy of Student Information: State and Local Education Agencies (NCES) (2004)
* Forum Guide to Protecting the Privacy of Student Information: A Resource for Schools (NCES) (2006)
* School Mental Health Services in the United States, 2002-2003 (SAMHSA) (2005)
* Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid 2006-2007 (U.S. Department of Education)
* Tips for Helping Students Recovering from Traumatic Events (U.S. Department of Education) (9/05)
* About Bullying (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

My Favorite Superbowl Ad

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Gemotion

Here’s a groovy display for people looking to add that extra dimension to their viewing material…


Gemotion is a soft, ‘living’ display that bulges and collapses in sync with the graphics on the screen, creating visuals that literally pop out at the viewer.

"If used with games, TV or cinema, the screen could give images an element of power never seen before. It could lead to completely new forms of media,” says Gemotion creator, Yoichiro Kawaguchi, a well-known computer graphics artist and University of Tokyo professor.

The Eagle's Nest

You've just stumbled upon the best gift shop ever.

Crazy Photography/Art

Mr. Toledano will see you now.

Vacation Close to Home

AAA magazine inspired me to take a closer look at my own state for travel ideas. About an hour north from Roanoke on I-81, there's the Theater at Lime Kiln, "where entertainment comes naturally." If you decide to stay the night, there are cabins for rent and bed & breakfast resorts nearby in Lexington.

For a closer look at the area, the Lexington Carriage Company offers narrated tours through the business district, the adjacent college campuses, and a portion of the historic residential area. Natural Bridge and the Virginia Safari Park are on the way to your next stop: the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory. It's about an hour north of Lexington on I-81 in Middleton, VA.


When you've had enough of the spudmasters, turn the corner past Front Royal via I-66 and Route 340 to access Skyline Drive. At Shenandoah National Park, you can hike, bike, fish, camp, or just relax and enjoy nature's beauty. Sounds like a plan to me, and you're never more than 3 hours from home.

Lifelong Learner

No time for these free classes right now, but maybe in the future.

Pale Force

This cartoon has been around for awhile on the Conan show but I don't stay up that late. Especially funny for a white girl like me! Next new episode airs January 17.

If I Could Change the World

Worldchanging, the blog, is now available in book form. Worldchanging: A Users Guide for the 21st Century is a groundbreaking compendium of the most innovative solutions, ideas and inventions emerging today for building a sustainable, livable, prosperous future.

The Hug Shirt

The Hug Shirt is a shirt that makes people send hugs over distance! Embedded in the shirt there are sensors that feel the strength of the touch, the skin warmth and the heartbeat rate of the sender and actuators that recreate the sensation of touch, warmth and emotion of the hug to the shirt of the distant loved one.

Pamelina H.

It's too bad someone else already has my domain name. The good news is, she's a fantastic artist.

The Cool Hunter

The Cool Hunter puts all the cool stuff on the web in one place. Much like the blog you're reading now (smug grin).

How to Save Your Summer Bounty

Whenever I get around to growing an edible garden, I might need this book.

Jack's Wish List

For Christmas, Jack wants the dog-friendly CD, "Songs to Make Dogs Happy," created for and approved by dogs. He'd really like the puppy pedometer too, but "Santa" got him a new coat from Land's End instead. Good thing he can't read (yet).

Steal Their Style

You probably already have a favorite concert tee from your favorite band or singer. What could be better? : This.