Links of the Week: 12/26/06

Monday, December 25: CrossWalk America

Change the Face of Christianity in America

Tuesday, December 26: Catalogue for Philanthropy

The Catalogue for Philanthropy introduces you to the wide world of smaller, local charities – with budgets below $2 million.

Tuesday, December 26: ASHOKA

Social entrepreneurs are transforming the lives of millions. In this exciting 16-program DVD series, some of the world’s greatest social entrepreneurs share their inspiring stories and strategies – in their own words.

Rewind: Week of 12/18 - 12/22

Monday, December 18: Toast to Awareness

Tell those you love what you care about.

Tuesday, December 19: Digital Donations

Recycling is like refurbishing, but better.

Wednesday, December 20: Decline the Extras

You don't need what you already have.

Thursday, December 21: Wear Something

Offer up some shirt space for a good cause.

Friday, December 22: Cook Twice

Give the surprise gift of food this Christmas.

Jingle Balls

If you're trolling the Internet on this, the Friday before the Tuesday after Christmas, biding your time till the boss finally caves and sends you home early, and looking for some quality reading, check this out.

An excerpt...

PETA would like to offer a lifetime supply of cruelty-free hand cream to any NBA siss … excuse me, superstar who’d be willing to give the composite ball another shot. Recreational players and NCAA athletes have been using composite balls for years without experiencing scratches or scrapes—but we understand that the delicate hands of pampered NBA superstars are far more sensitive than those of your average Joe who actually has to work for a living. The hand cream comes in a variety of scents, including “Filthy Rich Organic” (perfect for any overpaid millionaire) and “Peaceful Patchouli”—Nash, we have a whole case of that set aside for you. Maybe by taking care of your own skin a bit better, you can allow cows who would otherwise meet their end in the slaughterhouse to keep theirs.

In reading the entire letter you'll discover the reason behind the biting sarcasm, but the long and short of it is the NBA (National Basketball Association) switched to composite (read non-leather) balls this year and lots of people complalined. So, them that make the decisions regarding ball choice gave up the ghost and switched BACK to leather balls.

PETA was none to happy.

Despite, PETA showed some serious balls in their response regarding the ball debacle by not only penning the letter, but making it oh-so public.

Oh to live and work in a world where people ACTUALLY say what they're really thinking, the bottom line be damned.

I don't know anyone personally working for PETA, but they strike me as pretty smart and savvy individuals.

Plus, they've got a good sense of humor, made me laugh, care about animals, and aren't afraid of ANYONE (even seven-foot tall giants.)

Jingle balls, jingle balls, jingle all the way...

We're "All the Rage"

Local weekly newspaper supplement "All the Rage" featured CoolPeopleCare in today's issue. Be sure to pick up a copy. You can also read the article online.

I'm particularly enamored by their description of me, with a "sage, bearded visage and charitable demeanor." I'll take it.

Thanks to Will Ayers for his interest in us.

Forbes Thinks About the Environment

I have mentioned before that one of the best ways to stay current on why things happen is to read business magazines. Picking up a copy of Fortune or Forbes or Inc. will go a long way to helping you understand the ins and outs of everyday life, like why you pay what you do for bananas, or what your neighborhood might look like in 10 years.

This month's issue of Forbes magazine has two intriguing articles regarding the environment. The first is by Myron Ebell and he discusses why he loves global warming. He argument mainly consists of his belief that people enjoy milder winters. In terms of the perceived negative effects, he writes:

More people die from blizzards and cold spells than from heat waves. Increased death rates usually persist for weeks after the unusually cold temperatures have passed, which suggests that the cold is killing people who would otherwise live into another season at least. Mortality rates during heat waves are just the reverse. The increase ends and often the rate drops below normal as soon as temperatures cool, which suggests that the higher temperatures are killing people who are likely to die soon anyway.

Well, if they're going to die anyway, then let's keep burning our fossil fuels as much as we can! Maybe Darwin was right.

The second article makes much more sense, and is even questioning the effectiveness of current programs designed to offset carbon dioxide use. Ian Ayres and Gary Nalebuff make you think twice about what you're doing to offset your personal pollution. They wisely point out that 'tit for tat' mentality with waste doesn't work:

We'd be squeamish about throwing an ice-cream-sodden napkin out the car window for convenience's sake, even if we had volunteered for a park cleanup the day before. And our squeamishness isn't just because littering is a crime. Two rights don't justify an intentional wrong. A paramedic who saves three lives doesn't get a license to commit one murder.

Links of the Week: 12/19/06

Monday, December 18: Groovy Green

Through this website, we hope to get others involved–not just in community events–but also in national and international discussions or organizations that directly effect the 'green movement'.

Monday, December 18: Human Rights First

We believe that building respect for human rights and the rule of law will help ensure the dignity to which every individual is entitled and will stem tyranny, extremism, intolerance, and violence.

Tuesday, December 19: UncommonGoods

UncommonGoods strives to offer products which do not harm the world around us.

Still Sending Out Holiday Cards?

If you're still sending out those holiday cards, send your extras here:

Army Reserve Family Programs

A Recovering American Soldier

I'm sure many of you are currently writing cards to friends and family. If you can, please send an extra one (or 10, or 20) to our American military heroes who are recuperating from wounds this Christmas season. Please enclose a short note thanking them for their service and personal sacrifice. They are the protectors of our freedom, and we must let them know how much they are appreciated. The address for this is:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

Rewind: Week of 12/11 - 12/15

Try these ideas out in between your trips to the mall:

Monday, December 11: Decorate Wisely

Follow these simple steps for a happy home and planet.

Tuesday, December 12: All Those Leaves

'Leave' your leaves out of landfills and streams this time of year.

Wednesday, December 13: Shower Quicker

Save time. Save the planet.

Thursday, December 14: How To Give

Giving can be easy AND meaningful.

Friday, December 15: Travel Smarter

Save gas and money as you roadtrip to grandma's.

Links of the Week: 12/12/06

Tuesday, December 12: WorldChanging.com

WorldChanging.com works from a simple premise: that the tools, models and ideas for building a better future lie all around us. That plenty of people are working on tools for change, but the fields in which they work remain unconnected. That the motive, means and opportunity for profound positive change are already present. That another world is not just possible, it's here. We only need to put the pieces together.

Tuesday, December 12: Saving the World, One Purchase at a Time

How would you like to buy a jacket and help save the planet? From Patagonia to Starbucks to a would-be Google-killer, forward-thinking companies are making philanthropy a part of their business models -- and using it as a competitive advantage.

Tuesday, December 12: Are Americans Cheap? Or Charitable?

Fighting the 'stingy' stereotype.

Introducing...Scarritt-Bennett Center

I've had the good fortune to work with folks from the Scarritt-Bennett Center for several years in a variety of different capacities. I'm happy this evening to introduce Scarritt-Bennett as the latest CoolPeopleCare.org partner.

Just a bit about the Center:

A conference, retreat, and education center complete with meeting space and overnight accommodations. The Center is committed to empowerment through cross-cultural understanding, education, creativity and spiritual renewal; offering programs that challenge us to eradicate racism, work for justice and reconciliation, and do what we do from a global perspective.

Scarritt-Bennett is instrumental each year in the Celebration of Cultures celebration in Nashville. Make sure to keep an eye out for it next fall.

Welcome Scarritt-Bennett!

Rewind: Week of 12/4 - 12/8

Here's 25 minutes of caring goodness, in case you need to catch up:

Monday, December 4: Dump Your Change

Those pennies add up.

Tuesday, December 5: Skip the Drive-Thru

Going inside could save you about $10 a year.

Wednesday, December 6: Give Without Getting Up

It's never been easier to help others.

Thursday, December 7: Collect Your Grease

Keep fats and oils out of our waterways.

Friday, December 8: Donate Your Stuff

Don't just toss it or box it – give it to someone in need.

Old Friends Become New Friends

We're very excited to blog about our friends at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Both GivingMatters.com and The Tomorrow Fund (web site and fund brought to you by the aforementioned Community Foundation) are on board as Partners through 2007.

They continue to do good work in the community in the form of informing the public about issues related to health care, education and the environment. While also getting involved with hands on service projects and social events to bring young adults together to make a difference.

We look forward to a continued fruitful partnership next year, and are grateful for their support.

Introducing NAMI

We'd like to take a minute (or five) of your time and introduce our second partner for 2007: NAMI Tennessee.

NAMI is a grassroots, self-help organization dedicated to improving quality of life for individuals with mental illness, their families and communities. They have affiliates throughout the state offering free support groups and education classes.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental illness, NAMI wants you to know that you are not alone. If you need help, call 1.800.467.3589.

Check out their site and support this fine agency that does some great work.

Rewind: Week of 11/27 - 12/1

For those struggling with miles of tangled Christmas lights and oversized Santa snowglobes, we've made it easy for you:

Monday, November 27: Explore Another Holiday

Spend some time learning about another tradition.

Tuesday, November 28: Don't Laugh

What makes us laugh says a lot about who we are.

Wednesday, November 29: Recycle Your Batteries

Make your recycling program one that is batteries included.

Thursday, November 30: Get Your Ribbon

Wear a red ribbon tomorrow for World AIDS Day.

Friday, December 1: World AIDS Day

Do something in honor of World AIDS Day.

CPC on Ethics Daily

Ethics Daily has covered our Christmas is Not Your Birthday campaign.

Click here for the full article.

Links of the Week: 12/5/06

Here's who we're plugging this week. Check them out for some holiday shopping and decorating ideas:

• Asha Imports: This site empowers women formerly in the sex trade. You can buy their items on eBay and make the recipient and the maker happy this time of year. Thanks to Lynnette Davidson for the heads up.

• Paporganics: Be smart about how you're wrapping presents by getting recycled and organic wrapping paper. The good folks at Ideal Bite showed us this one.

• Off-Grid.net. I stumbled upon this site full of articles to getting your lifestyle to a place where gridlessness is bliss.