7gen Bloc

This weekend Burlington had the privilege of hosting the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) national conference. There were almost 800 attendees including about 350 reporters. The SEJ is a wonderful group that I want to cover in a separate post. But for now, I’m just going to mention a couple of things while they’re fresh.

Do you have an incredible new idea that could change your community, your country, or your world? Are you an entrepreneur who won't rest until your idea has been brought to life? Or a leader who has recently started an organization to do just that? If so, apply for an Echoing Green Fellowship. You could receive up to $90,000 in seed funding and support to launch a new organization that turns your innovative idea for social change into action. Think about it... How often does an offer like this come along?

I’ve been reflecting on the new Greenpeace Greener Apple Campaign. I don’t own an Apple. (For reasons relating to the various universes in which I travel, I’ve had to suck it up and become a Microsoft man.) But I certainly own a computer. This is being written on a Dell 8400 that’s the repository for everything from the music I love to very nearly every word I’ve ever written. It’s not an Apple but it’s still fast, efficient, and just plain fun to use. Imagining life without it is like trying to picture life without an arm or a leg. Yeah, I could do it.

We're big fans of the people at GlobalGiving. We love the work they're doing and the results its producing for those in need around the world. So we’ve invited GlobalGiving's own John Heckinger to be a guest blogger. Welcome, John! Hi, everyone. I wanted to drop in and let everyone here know about our special GlobalGiving Olympics, an event that’s bringing people together to lend a hand to some people who could use the help.

Here's a photo from Saturday's anti-Tire Burn Rally on the Green in Middlebury, Vermont:

Cross-posted on Tampontification.com on 10.20.06: To have a vision is a true gift, a blessing. To have the perseverance to follow through with it, even half the time, is a miracle. We met some people today, who because of their sincere modesty would never own that they are miracle workers, but let’s fess up - - - they really are. Walking through the homey office space just upstairs from the local library, we met the over 100 faces and hearts behind the scenes of the Fremont Public Association.

Cross-posted on Tampontification.com on 10.20.06:

The International Paper Company’s plan to conduct a test tire burn in the boiler of its Ticonderoga, NY plant continues to lumber toward its scheduled November 6th start date. We Vermonters have just a few weeks left to preserve our inalienable commonwealth rights to clean air. The good news is that People for Less Pollution is holding a massive rally on the town green in Middlebury, Vermont this Saturday the 21st from Noon to 3:00pm.

Cross-posted on Tampontification.com on 10.18.06: Clearly, I knew it was coming. My body's been saying "all systems go" for about 4 days now. I've been just miserable with the bloating, sleeplessness, aching, and puffy eyes. So why on earth was I not prepared? And while on tour with tampons no less. Nevertheless, I wasn't prepared. While walking back to the hotel from Whole Foods today, the flood gates opened up. GRRRR!!! #$#@!!&#! When am I going to learn? I didn't bring enough clothes for this!

Cross-posted by Stacy on Tampontification.com on 10.17.06: 5:55 am and I can't sleep anymore. Not that I'm not ridiculously tired, but you know how it is. So, I get up and decide to go have breakfast and brainstorm some things to share with you. My server approaches- really nice lady. I say something about it being the butt crack of dawn and she and I begin to laugh. Both still chuckling, she walks away and I begin to peruse the menu. That's when it happened. (Queue the psycho music)