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The city of Philadelphia has been known for several years as the “Athens of America”. The city comprises a rich tapestry of cultural ground – art, music, theater, dance etc. Today Philadelphia has stretched its wings and with the expansion of Broad Street’s Avenue of the Arts, one can see that the artistic aspects of the city are continuing to flourish. However, artistic organizations and non-profit societies struggle with the challenge of capitalizing on these prospects, remain competitive and maintain a close relationship with the city as a whole. The following essay details research conducted by the Regional Arts and the Cultural Economy. The author will first define the business research and the purpose, she will then explain the business problem under investigation, identify all parties involved in conducting this research and describe the methods used to conduct this project.

The Arts bring wonders to the community and the city of Philadelphia. Firstly it provides a tourist attraction which gives the city impressive revenue. For example, “The Salvador Dali exhibit generated a total economic impact of $54.9 million within the Philadelphia region, with a total direct economic impact of $30.7 million and a total indirect economic impact of $24.2 million” (GPTMC, pg 5, 2005). The Arts provide a service to those who reside in the region, with education and multi-cultural organizations that topic all interests and branch out to all demographics from the Asian- American Alliance to the India Music and Dance Society.

The city is still growing but the fact remains that though the Arts are such a large part of Philadelphia society, it is still fragile and could be eliminated at any given time if organizations do not remain competitive, active in the community, and contributive to the city’s revenue. The purpose of researching this topic is to define and assess cultural organizations’ contributions to the city’s economy, example; jobs, spending and tax revenues. For Non-profit arts to remain competitive, researchers must look beyond obvious inputting and outputting costs. “Understanding how this region’s nonprofit cultural community contributes to our economy and its economic is a vital tool in building our economic future.” (PEL, pg. 3, 1998). In order to understand the purpose of this research, one must recognize the
challenge.

The challenge is to capitalize on emerging opportunity, remaining competitive and increase revenue base. Nonprofit arts societies have a disadvantage of fragility as was mentioned earlier, in comparison to say, a local brewery or a bookstore that works independently, generating revenue for their own use. Nonprofit arts must focus on, tourism, restaurant sales, economic spending, jobs, creativity, political leanings, attracting talented people, to name just a few bullets on the agenda. All of those factors make it difficult for a mere handful of people to coordinate and facilitate these efforts. Many local nonprofit organizations must be involved.

Several organizations are involved to conduct research on economy – nonprofit arts and culture in Philadelphia. Three prominent organizations that stand out in his research are Pennsylvania council on the arts (PCA), Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL) and the National Endowment for the Arts. Pennsylvania Council on the arts or the PCA is “governed by a Council of 19 members – 15 private citizens and four members of the General Assembly. Citizen members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Council sets the mission and goals for the agency, evaluates the PCA’s progress toward these goals, formulates policy, and makes final decisions on the use of funds” (PACouncilontheArts.org). The PCA has funded hundreds of art and community projects which makes them a key role in this research project and their role in this project is to provide data that includes – income trends, spending comparisons and non-profit cultural revenues. The Pennsylvania Economy League’s role in this research project is similar to that of the PCA in that their research reflects financial aspects of nonprofit arts. PEL is a research organization who’s mission is to provide information for all nonprofits in Southeastern Pennsylvania. PEL works directly with government officials to execute programs. PEL’s role in this research project is generally to collect massive amounts of information, conduct surveys to inevitably find solutions. In order to expand research to areas throughout the country, the National Endowment for the Arts or the NEA is crucial to this project in relationship to national art and culture. The NEA, based in Washington DC is by far the most important contribution to this research. Two advantages, being a
national organization and sharing close ties with the US government and also has accessibility to global artistic relations. With these prominent organizations backing research on Philadelphia non-profit arts and the economy, several methods were used to calculate economic impact.

Three methods that stand out are: the IMPLAN model, surveying, and data mining. Pennsylvania Economic League chose to use IMPLAN to conduct research.

IMPLAN stands for Impact analysis for Planning. With the use of this model, PEL was able to “build a customized model of the arts and culture sector within the Philadelphia region”. (PEL, pg 49, 1998) Using results from surveys conducted, the IMPLAN team collaborates to create charts and bar graphs that indicate everything from – Sources of contributed nonprofit cultural income to total spending impact, which includes tourist spending, audience spending and organization spending. PEL mails out detailed surveys to cultural centers, museums, galleries and theaters that ask questions relating to facilities, souvenir sales, and money spent on marketing and promotion, maintenance etc. PEL’s surveys ask about number of attendees for performances, lectures, and workshops. Once this
information is sent back PEL, PCA collaborates to come up with defined theories. Pennsylvania Council on the Arts collects the data – figures, expense reports, government documents and works with PEL for the IMPLAN model to go into effect.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Nonprofit CEOs didn't feel the economic pinch in 2008 despite charitable giving having declined for the first time since 1987.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on Monday that the median compensation for chief executives at the nation's biggest nonprofit organizations climbed 7% to $361,538. It also found that two-thirds of nonprofits maintained or increased compensations for their top executives.

"A large number of nonprofit executives still feel that their pay is a lot lower than it would be at businesses," said Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy. "They think their salaries are set appropriately and more of a pay cut isn't needed,"

In fact, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation decided to institute a salary for its CEO for the very first time. When Jeffery S. Raikes came on as the chief
executive, they established a $990,000-per-year salary even though Raikes had not sought to be paid.

The foundation, according to the Chronicle, did not want to establish a precedent of not paying its chief executives, and it wanted "to compensate that position accordingly."

The nation's highest earning nonprofit CEO is J. Mongan, chief executive of Partners HealthCare Systems in Boston. He got a 99% pay bump in 2008, meaning he took home $2.7 million, including nearly $1.3 million in deferred compensation. He also received nearly $700,000 in benefits, which pushed his total compensation above $3 million. Nonprofit hospitals have the highest median CEO pay at more than $830,000.

Museum of Modern Art director Glenn D. Lowry will take a 15% pay cut this year, but in 2008 he more than doubled what he earned in 2007. He banked $2.1 million, counting deferred compensation, on top of a $336,000 housing allowance that subsidizes his residence in a high-rise condo complex that sits above the museum.

"In a lot of cases, the CEO is doing the job of a whole other person now," Palmer said. "A lot of nonprofits have consolidated their executive teams to fewer positions. So since some executives are working more than before, they say they don't need a pay cut."

But there is a flip side. Nearly 30% of organizations told The Chronicle that their top executives took pay cuts, refused raises or bonuses, or froze their
compensations in 2008 due to the recession.

"Charity officials have had to make a lot of cuts on their staffs and pay cuts all around, so they want to make sure they're taking the same or even bigger cuts to boost staff morale," Palmer said.

While the median cut was 10%, the chief executive at Guidestar USA, an organization that makes data about charities accessible to the public, slashed his compensation by 27%. By not accepting a bonus, retirement match or salary increase, he kept his compensation to $328,832.

The chief executive of the American Red Cross, Gail J. McGovern, earned $467,252 in 2008, turned down a merit raise and bonus opportunity for 2009. 0:00 /02:08More companies reverse pay cuts

As the public and government scrutinize pay packages earned by leaders at failing financial companies, there could be a spillover into nonprofits. (See the 5 most overpaid CEOs.)

"Nonprofits are very affected by corporate America. There will definitely be pressure to lower pays" Palmer said. "More executives may choose to take pay cuts especially if they see a number of their colleagues doing the same."

CHARLOTTE - Neighbors describe 12-year-old Keara Hess and 11-year-old Sierra Hess as good girls: quiet and now, missing from their Mooresville home since Thursday morning. One neighbor, who watches the girls after school, says "They're nice respectful children and the parents seemed good."

Matthew Hess may have the girls; he's their adoptive father and has legal custody of them. Police are worried, though, that 12-year-old Keara, due to deliver a baby any day now, isn't getting the medical attention she needs. She's already missed one doctor's appointment.

"Apparently there are some other complications with her pregnancy. And we don't know if he (Matthew Hess) realizes that, if he realizes that she needs
immediate medical attention, maybe he doesn't realize that,” says Lt. Julie Gibson of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

FOX Charlotte is told 12-year-old Keara intended to keep the baby she may have already delivered. Investigators say inside the home where she lived with her father, there are plenty of baby supplies and equipment.

Police say there is no sign of financial trouble in the home and while Keara has not named the father of her baby, there's no indication that it's Matthew Hess. A few tips have come in from places as far away as Pennsylvania and as nearby as Stokes County, located in the northern part of North Carolina.

"They're going to have to surface at some point in time, they're gonna need food, Keara's gonna go into labor, they're obviously gonna need baby supplies, so I feel at this point that we'll find them and they're gonna be hopefully OK," says Gibson.

Neighbors are also hopeful but very concerned about Keara's health, one woman wondering, "Is she gonna be healthy enough to do what she has to do for this child?" Another says, "All I know is I hope the children show up safe and everything's good and get back together."

Hess's estranged wife - and mother of the two girls - first described his SUV as a tan or brown 1993 Ford Explorer. Now, she says it's dark green. It has a North Carolina tag YTE-8014.

Silicone bracelets have become quite a craze nowadays as a promotion or charity tool; fashion accessory or party gifts etc. people from all age groups are seen wearing a silicone bracelet with a message or design showcasing some cause or particular event.

But what are these silicone bracelets or wristbands really made of? These bracelets are made from 100 percent silicone.

Silicone is a man made industrial polymer from the silicon which is an element discovered by Jons Jacob Bezelins in 1824(makes up 25% of the earth’s crust by weight).

So, the manufacturers prefer to use silicone over other materials like leather or metal which are much more expensive and are not as durable and resistant to water/heat etc. like silicone is.

The various characteristics which make it a good product to make accessories like silicone wristbands or bracelets are listed below:

Durable: Silicone is a very tough and durable material. It is heat resistant, scratch resistant and if it’s of good quality will retain their original shape even if they are stored for quite some time.

Waterproof: Silicone is used for waterproofing the various items around our house like windows etc. So, using silicone to make the bracelets will make them water resistant and if the messages are actually engrave/ debossed then the message or the design will be retained in water for long and will not fade off.

Flexible: The elasticity of the silicone material is good .This means that the silicone bracelets won’t easily snap-off. People don’t want their silicone bracelets where they place either their names, or other messages for a cause to break off that easily. Normal silicone bracelets are elastic like rubber due to which they are also known as rubber bracelets. But the bracelets which are not elastic and easily snap off are of poor quality and these are the “factory cuts” on the bracelet, due to which they snap off when the silicone bracelet is stretched.

Smooth Texture: The surface of the wristbands made from silicone is smooth to the touch making it very comfortable to wear. Some bracelets have poor quality texture i.e. the surface of the bracelet is either too sticky or the texture is too rough or maybe some lumps etc.We should ensure that the texture of the silicone bracelet is smooth by using good quality of silicone.

Stable Material: Silicone does not react or melt if its colored or certain customizations are done on it. Hence it’s quite an inert material making it quite safe and open to experimentations by the manufacturers to come up with more and more unique and innovative silicone wristbands or bracelets.

Wrist bands today are very much in demand and have become very popular among all the age groups. Earlier people didn't prefer much as year passed the demand went on increasing at its peak. It became famous by lance Armstrong who fought opposition to cancer diseases. Armstrong used to wear yellow color rubber wristband. Today for every activity wristband is the first thing which come in peoples mind. This is the most loved way because it is very reasonably priced and a very attractive tool used by smart business people. Custom silicone bracelets come in different colors, sizes and design as wanted by the people on their bands.

These can be used for various purposes like fund raising, promotion , product launch, events, exhibitions, parties, for a cause, supporting infected people, as fashion, as a entry band for a concert, schools, hospitals and offices for their staff members, religious band, and many more uses can be list down, above listed are just a few.

People now a days order in bulk for there own purpose and companies today are so advanced and with all new technology makes the task of making bracelets a very easy and deliver the bands in a time gap 5 to 7 days all depends on the design and style selected by them. For each style of bracelets there are professional person appointed to get the best they can out of them. There are different styles available like embossed, debossed, screen-printed, laser cut, photo bands, pinnacle bands, and many more. Each wristband has their uniqueness each has to go through a special process of making. Some bands are of engraved, in some words are raised, some are printed, and some are also molded.


People today select or wear a band according to their outfit or apparel they wear a band of same color as their outfit, people are very particular about the trend today. It adds an extra accessory for them, and they are also available in multi color or two colors mixed up. Not only the ordinary people these bands are also much loved by the celebrities, sports stars and politicians. Sports stars wear it as a fashion or even to support a charity or an association, for a promotion of a company also during their matches. These bands are gaining a very increasing popularity among all the people are in any profession.


The competition today has increased a lot among the entire wristband making companies. Every company puts in all effort for their best client service they can provide to their customer satisfaction. They provide customers a good discount for their bulk orders and this will make customers attracted toward the company.

Custom silicone bracelets are made up of 100% silicone.

In these times persons sport bracelets as way to show that they are interested in aiding to solve specific problems. As a responsible person you need to support some cause or the other, because we need to make this world a finer place for all beings. So who actually began this bracelet trend? What was its first cause?

What was the color of the first bracelet? The Livestrong bracelet was the first bracelet to be created as a fundraiser for the cancer foundation called ‘Lance Armstrong Foundation’ founded by Lance Armstrong, who was a cancer survivor and a star cyclist.

The color of the first Livestrong bracelet was yellow, which helped to raise nearly $5 million for this cancer foundation. There have been sold over 70 million of rubber bracelets, which are made of 100% silicone material. These days the wristbands came turned into fashion statements and can be obtained in a whole

assortment of colors. Now you can create your own customized bracelets as a fundraiser for you non-profit group or club to raise finances or create awareness about an issue.

If you are a part of the city committee, then you can make such bracelets for military support, city festival or urging the residents to keep the city clean. If you are involved in a business you can use silicone bracelets to promote your products or company. You can also use it as an entry admission for your recital or meetings. If you or your friends have a club or a group, you may suggest them to use silicon bracelets like a membership card. The club’s name can be stamped into the bracelets and they can be distributed among the group’s members.

They just need to wear or show the bracelet when entering the event. It is also a great idea to use bracelets for sporting events or for the participants for a particular event. The silicone bracelets come in spectacular colors and there exist several ways of making the finishing touches. They come in very eye-catching colors starting from dark to light colors; it also comes with different combination of colors. There are also florescent colors and glow in the dark bracelets.

Essentially these bracelets are made only of silicone material which will last for many years.

Some bracelets come in ordinary rubber, which doesn’t last longer. These bracelets can actually be turned into cute key chains with beautiful messages! When the time of a special occasion or a worthy movement arrives you should instantly think of silicone wristbands cause they fit perfectly your interests.

Custom silicone bracelets are a profitable and fast way to raise funds for different purposes. Many organizations and foundations are ordering these bracelets for their own causes. These bracelets have become an important fashion accessory for many people. You can see many people everywhere wearing these custom bracelets in all colors and messages. These bracelets can be ordered for less than $ 1 each, so that the companies and organizations get good profits from the sales of these bracelets. In comparison to other promotional items such as mugs, pens, pins, T-shirts, silicone bracelets are the most profitable and effective accessory to fundraise money.

Silicone bracelets are ideal for those who want to support certain causes such as the protection of animals, breast cancer awareness, good citizenship, safe driving, etc. In addition, people can customize their own silicone wristbands in such a way that many people can read and understand the message you intend to promote. The bracelets can also be used to promote upcoming events or fundraising campaigns. They are perfect to promote new products or services. Things like values, beliefs, love, membership, can be reflected on a simple silicone bracelet. Silicone bracelets have a great influence on people’s lives as they are intended to reflect many emotions and ideals.


Anyone can order these rubber bracelets because they can be manufactured according to any type of budget. Anyone can order some of these bracelets for a birthday party, bloc parties, weddings, graduations, etc. These bracelets are flexible and durable so that they can be stored for many years. They do not easily break or lose their shape even if they are stretched hard. In this respect, customers can rely on the excellent properties of silicone bracelets for multiple purposes.


These silicone bracelets are available for less than a dollar each especially if they are ordered in bulk. In this way, many customers and large organizations can benefit from the low cost of production in order to reach great profit margins from the sales or distribution of these bracelets. Consider this! Have you ever seen such profit margins in similar promotional items? If your answer is no, then you must create your own silicone bracelet and start receiving all the benefits.

It’s no secret that in society today one of the best items for promotional purposes on the market today is a silicone rubber bracelet. These are a special type of bracelets that can have different words or phrases embossed or printed on them.

Many different places offer these silicone bracelets for purchasing and also have great offers for the product as well. Some can be purchased in department stores and yet others can be purchased via the Internet. When you buy them via the Internet there are web sites that offer to sell them in bulk packages too.

Silicone bracelets are used for several different reasons, for promotional reasons, charity, and other important awareness groups. Some individuals just like to wear them to show his or her support for a group or event. And yet, silicone rubber bracelets are available in virtually any colour with words on them. Some companies purchase them with his or her company name.

It’s very easy to purchase these silicone bracelets and in many different colours. These items have been on the market for some time however in recent months they have literally been in high demand as campaigns like Lance Armstrong’s Live Strong campaign to aid Cancer research with his famous yellow wristbands.

Many people speculate that the reason for this is due to the fact that they are so popular. So many different uses are also a contribution to their popularity.

Businesses believe that during special sales events if these bracelets are given away instead of business cards people are more apt to get involved with the event that is taking place.

For the most part, the overall popularity for the silicone rubber bracelets is phenomenal and the pricing for them are extremely affordable and reasonable.

Especially if you purchase them on a web site on the Internet; they can say almost anything you would want to put on them. In fact, some new parents get blue or pink bracelets when a child is born with the words it’s a boy or it’s a girl embossed on them. So as you can see they are used for several different reasons and have many different purposes.

For more information about the silicone bracelets you can do a search via the Internet and you will essentially get several results pertaining to them. How to get them, where to buy them, how many to buy for a certain cost, and so much more; and some are delivered within 24 hours.

Silicone rubber bracelets are a good item to have in society today not only because they are popular but also because they do come in so many colours you can choose whatever colour or design you want. You even have the ability of some web sites to create your own design or logo for them and then they will duplicate the design and place them on the silicone bracelets for you. Some times this does cost extra however not on all of the web sites. This also depends on what web site you are choosing to purchase them from and the type of logo you want to be placed on them.

When I grew up I had a lot of uncles, seven and one missing. I knew I had an abundance of uncles, but I had a high opinion of my own worth and felt that I deserved all those uncles. It was like a collection -- except for the missing uncle, number eight, and that bothered me.

We'll start at the beginning on my mother's side. Uncle Ted's real name was Ambrose Cuny. He had an enormous nose. Otherwise he was boring. He was my Mom's oldest brother, which earned him a certain amount of respect, and he only lived a few miles from our house, on Prairie Avenue in Evanston. But we didn't visit very often -- because he was boring, I guess.

Uncle Ted was a high-flying stock investor until the crash of 1929 -- as the family story went. After the crash, he still had a few dollars left and figured the market was at the bottom, so he doubled down and lost every penny. After that he was a defeated man and took a back office job somewhere in downtown Chicago.

The next uncle was Uncle Chuck. He was cool, tall and bony and robust. Uncle Chuck had six kids and they lived on the South Side of Chicago and we lived on the North Side. It was a long drive to see them and we didn't go too often, but between their six kids and our five, we could raise a riot and we loved going there. Uncle Chuck had a job at United Airlines in the credit department. He worked at Midway Field, the older, smaller South Side airport.

Years later he was transferred to O'Hare Airport on the northside of Chicago, so the family moved to Arlington Heights, a kind of meaningless suburban place full of tract homes. It was a nicer neighborhood, but Uncle Chuck's new house wasn't as cool as going to the South Side.

Uncle Jerry was a high school teacher. He was earnest and congenial, but, unfortunately, he was married to Aunt Grace. One year Aunt Grace gave me a very nice ballpoint pen for Christmas -- that's how lame she was -- you give kids toys for Christmas, for Pete's sake.

But it wasn't Uncle Jerry's fault, and many years later, after Aunt Grace died and when it no longer mattered, he told me about his younger days and the love of his life, the woman he wanted to marry, but could not. It was a sweet story, and I thought better of him after that.

Uncle Ralph was the youngest of four brothers and lived very near to us. He was close to my Mom and always coming over to the house. Relatives didn't knock when they came, they just opened the door and peaked their heads and said hi that was our custom. Uncle Ralph would peak his head in -- his nose was almost as big as Uncle Ted's, but he always smiled and we liked him the best. My dog would go crazy whenever Uncle Ralph came over -- dogs, small children, everybody liked Uncle Ralph.

He was a milkman. He didn't finish high school or have a white collar job like my other uncles. My Mom would say he's just a milkman. Even when I was seven years old, I heard that dismissal "just a milkman," and I thought Mom was mean to say it that way. We all loved Uncle Ralph. He never married. He drank a lot and he died in his mid-fifties.

On my father's side, I had Uncle Earl. If you didn't have an Uncle Earl when you grew up, then you missed out. Uncle Earl had a good job at Sears and a pencil mustache. He smoked cigars and he liked to frighten small children in the most delicious way.

My folks would have Uncle Earl and Aunt Mary over to play cards sometimes, and Uncle Earl would get mad if he lost and start cussing, and stink the house up with his cigar. He was really cool.

My next three uncles, all on my father's side, were down in St. Louis, where my Dad grew up.

First was Uncle Dick. Uncle Dick was detached from the family mayhem, like a silent partner to my full-busomed Aunt Florence. As a child, I felt that Uncle Dick might possibly be interesting -- his aloof character had some appeal.

In any event, Uncle Dick could not stand out like Uncle Bob -- absolutely the most fun of all my uncles. He had a nickname for everybody and he called me Uncle Fud.

And he drank Pepsi-Cola for breakfast.

That was so wicked. I mean, my Mom let me have one Coke per week and no more, and there was Uncle Bob having a Pepsi every morning just because he wanted to.

He also kept a pitcher of Manhattans in the frig and he lived to be 93 -- a loud and boisterous man who embarrassed his children.

We should all embarrass our children and be more like Uncle Bob. A child is lucky to have an uncle like that.

That adds up to seven uncles, but there was still one missing -- Uncle Skip. When our family drove down to St. Louis to see our relatives, we didn't go over to Uncle Skip's house. He was my Dad's older brother.

They never explained that me, but I didn't like it, and I felt, as a reasonably self-centered child, that I had EIGHT uncles and I was entitled to every single one of them.

But nothing was said. My Dad and Uncle Skip just didn't get along. There wasn't a feud or bad blood or anything like that, and they did speak to each other -- but rarely.

Years later, after Dad and Uncle Skip were both dead, my Aunt Mary gave me the background about how things were when they were growing up, but mainly, she said, the two brothers were just so different from each other.

So there was really no breach to heal, it was just the way two brothers worked things out.

Anyway, when my son was born, I named him Eugene -- which was Uncle Skip's real name. I did that just so I could get the missing uncle back in my life.

Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Revere Police Chief Terence Reardon announced a $5,000 reward Tuesday in connection with the 1974 disappearance of 10-year-old Leigh Savoie.

Savoie, who would now be 45 years-old, went missing on April 7, 1974 after leaving his State Road home to shine his shoes and buy an Easter present for his mother. Savoie, 36 years ago, was last seen wearing blue pants, a blue sweater, brown shoes, and a white shirt reading, “Try it, you’ll like it.” He had blue eyes and brown hair and stood at about 4’ tall.

On the day of his disappearance, Savoie left home with a shoe shine kit that was returned to his mother later that afternoon by the owner of a Revere restaurant. The owner told Savoie’s mother that the boy had left it there before heading to Revere Beach.

Reardon told media he believes the case is still very much alive and the prospect of finding Savoie is still “worthy of our best efforts.”

Conley shares Reardon’s sentiment. “As long as there’s hope – hope of finding Leigh or hope of finding justice for him – we will not rest. With law enforcement resources bolstered by the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation, and with the public’s assistance, we have a chance to write this story’s final chapter.”

The Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation, a private organization that funds rewards for missing persons cases, posted the $5,000 reward.

Savoie is currently listed as missing, however if evidence is discovered that renders the case a homicide, State police will overtake the matter.

Anyone with any information regarding Savoie’s disappearance, no matter how trivial, is urged to contact Revere Police at 781-286-8203 or State Police at 617-727-8817. Those who had relations with the boy or family in the early 1970s are also asked to call.

TEMECULA, Calif., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OUTD), America's leader in outdoor TV, today announced that, along with Cox Communications and Child Focus, the Company will sponsor the "Ultimate Catch" - 4th Annual Child Focus Sibling Preservation Fishing Event, a fundraising event to benefit children living in foster care in the Las Vegas area. Forty local foster children will be reunited with their siblings to enjoy an evening of fishing and create a lifetime of memories.

Does getting to know and possibly collaborating with other organizations interest you? If the answer is yes, consider participating in this event. I’ll be there!

The Coalition for Working Families Annual Social Service Networking Breakfast will take place on Wednesday, October 21st from 9-11am at the Goodwill Southwestern PA Workforce Development Center 2600 East Carson Street in Pittsburgh’s Southside.


Meet with representatives from nearly 100 local social service programs.

Get the information you need to help direct those folks that your agency is unable to serve.

This one stop resource fair is an ideal way to learn about the services that other agencies provide.

Case Managers, Intake and Admissions Staff, Referral Staff and Reception Staff will all benefit from this networking opportunity.

GREAT FOR NEW AGENCY STAFF

To register your agency for a table at this year’s event email jay.poliziani@goodwillswpa.org include agency name, address, phone, contact person and email.

Each agency will be provided a 3 foot table space, 2 chairs and continental breakfast for a fee of $10 per agency.(paid in advance to Goodwill of Southwestern PA mailed to the attention of Jay Poliziani at Goodwill - 2600 East Carson St. Pittsburgh., Pa 15203) Please plan to bring a minimum of 2 staff per agency- the event is a networking fair and thus it requires that staff take turns supervising the table and networking.

GREAT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW AGENCY STAFF!

We are limited to 100 tables & they will be assigned on a first come first served basis.

Boy dead, 6 missing in Cavite flashflood

MANILA, Philippines -- Rescue teams of the Philippine Coast Guard are now searching for six children who have been swept away by a flash flood that also killed a 12-year-old boy yesterday (Sept. 21) in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Initial report said Socito and six others were catching crablets in Pansol River around 2 p.m. yesterday when the current suddenly grew strong and swept them away.

Rescuers on Tuesday morning recovered the bodies of two of the five missing children who were swept away by rampaging waters in a creek in Cavite last Monday.

First to be recovered was the body of nine-year-old Daryl Revilla, who was found at about 10 a.m. in Barangay Salawag, around three kilometers from the part of the creek where he and his 10 other friends were playing in Barangay Paliparan.

The boy had fractured skull, cuts, and bruises. Rescuers found his body stuck beneath a rock, with his legs sticking out of the water, according to a report by GMA News' Jun Veneracion.

A separate radio report said that the body of another boy - 12-year-old Jerry Millaluz - was recovered at about 2 p.m. some five kilometers from Paliparan village.

Authorities said 11 kids were playing and catching small crabs in the village's Pasong Buwaya Creek in Dasmariñas town when the water swelled and raged, weeping away the children.

Six of the children were earlier rescued and only three of their companions remain missing, including Revilla's two other siblings: Kent Bryan, 11, and Kobe Mel, 6. The last missing boy is Fernando Socito Jr., 12.

As of this posting, search and rescue operations by members of the local police and the Philippine Navy are ongoing.


Rescuers on Tuesday morning recovered the bodies of two of the five missing children who were swept away by rampaging waters in a creek in Cavite last Monday.

First to be recovered was the body of nine-year-old Daryl Revilla, who was found at about 10 a.m. in Barangay Salawag, around three kilometers from the part of the creek where he and his 10 other friends were playing in Barangay Paliparan.

The boy had fractured skull, cuts, and bruises. Rescuers found his body stuck beneath a rock, with his legs sticking out of the water, according to a report by GMA News' Jun Veneracion.

A separate radio report said that the body of another boy - 12-year-old Jerry Millaluz - was recovered at about 2 p.m. some five kilometers from Paliparan village.

Authorities said 11 kids were playing and catching small crabs in the village's Pasong Buwaya Creek in Dasmariñas town when the water swelled and raged, sweeping away the children.

Six of the children were earlier rescued and only three of their companions remain missing, including Revilla's two other siblings: Kent Bryan, 11, and Kobe Mel, 6. The last missing boy is Fernando Socito Jr., 12.

As of this posting, search and rescue operations by members of the local police and the Philippine Navy are ongoing.


Villagers are still wondering why the water in the creek suddenly swelled when there was no heavy downpour at the time.

“Ilang taon na po kami sa Paliparan, ngayon lang po nangyari ang ganyan. Wala namang ulan, eh. Bakit bigla na lang lumaki ang tubig. Akala mo may bagyo.

Hindi mo maintindihan, napakalakas," one of the relatives of the victims told GMA News.

The father of one of the rescued boys recounted how his son was fortunate to have been pulled out just before the raging water sucked the boys into the stream.

“Pagtumba ng mga bata sa lakas ng agos, ang isang anak ko, dahil sa ang ikot ng tubig ay papatabi, nadampot ng isa sa pamangkin ko. Ang magkakapatid prang hinigop papagitna," said the father who was not identified in the report.

(The water movement was toward the bank, and so one of my children was still able to pull out one of my nephews. Unfortunately, the Revilla brothers were swept toward the middle of the creek) – GMANews.TV

Brooke Wilberger, a 19-year-old college student, was last seen in May 2004 at an apartment complex near Oregon State University.

According to her poster at the NCMEC, Brooke was discovered missing shortly after 10:00 a.m. from her job at an apartment complex in Corvallis, Oregon.

She has a scar on her right arm from her wrist to her elbow. She was wearing small hoop earrings and a ring inscribed with the letters “CTR.” Brooke was last seen wearing blue jeans, a grey BYU soccer T-shirt, and may have been wearing an indigo “Fresh Jive” sweatshirt.

Brooke Wilberger Family, friends express relief Wilberger’s body is finally found Brooke Wilberger’s memory has faded on the BYU campus, but former roommates of the BYU sophomore who vanished five years ago in Corvallis, Ore., embraced with a sense of release Monday the news that her body had been found.

“It has felt like an eternity to every person involved in this,” said Brittany Bennion, one of Wilberger’s Deseret Towers roommates.

“I’m happy that there is closure and I’m happy that they found her body. I know that this is what Brooke’s family was hoping for.”

The search for Wilberger, who disappeared from an apartment building near the Oregon State University campus in May 2004 shortly after finishing her freshman year at BYU, ended Monday when a man pleaded guilty to her murder after leading police to her body near the rugged Oregon coast.

Defendant Joel Courtney’s confession concluded one of the most publicized murder investigations in Oregon history.

The Irish Times reports on a recent conference at the Law Society at which serious criticism was directed at the provisions of the Civil Partnership Bill 2009.

In particular, speakers noted that the Bill was problematic from the perspective of children’s rights.

Geoffrey Shannon argued that: Children had been airbrushed out of the proposed legislation…

Although a person could acquire rights as a cohabitee after two years by having a child, no further provision for the child was made in the legislation.

Muriel Walls also criticised the marginal position afforded to children in the Bill Giving as an example a lesbian couple where one of them had a child from a brief previous relationship and where most of the care duties were performed by the other partner because of the mother’s work commitments, she pointed out that if the relationship broke up this woman would have no right to seek any contact with the child.

If the roles were reversed and the earning partner was not the biological parent, the child would have no right to maintenance under the Bill.

However, they would have some relief under the 1964 Guardianship of Infants Act, she pointed out, as it allowed for any person who had acted in loco parentis to a child to apply to the court for an order giving access to the child. The court had first to give leave for the making of such an application, so the process was cumbersome.

WWJD Wristbands, or what would Jesus do wristbands. The phrase what would Jesus do often abbreviated WWJD became popular in the United States in the 1980s and again in the 1990s as a personal mode to for thousands of Christians who used a phrase as a reminder of their belief that Jesus is an example to be followed in daily life, and to act in a manner of which Jesus would approve. WWJD, could also spell walk with Jesus daily.

The phrase is still used today and is very popular.

Though variations of this phrase have been used by Christians for centuries as a form of imitatio dei, the imitation of God, it gained much greater currency following Charles Sheldon’s 1896 book, In His Steps which was subtitled “What Would Jesus Do?”. Sheldon’s novel grew out of a series of sermons he delivered in his Congregationalist church in Topeka, Kansas. Unlike the previous nuances mentioned above, Sheldon’s theology was shaped by a commitment to Christian Socialism. The ethos of Sheldon’s approach to the Christian life was expressed in this phrase “What Would Jesus Do”, with Jesus being a moral example rather than a Saviour figure. Sheldon’s ideas coalesced with those that formed into the Social Gospel espoused by Walter Rauschenbusch. Indeed Rauschenbusch acknowledged that his Social Gospel owed its inspiration directly to Sheldon’s novel, and Sheldon himself identified his own theology with the Social Gospel.

In this popular novel (it had been translated into 21 languages by 1935), Rev. Henry Maxwell encounters a homeless man who challenges him to take seriously the imitation of Christ. The homeless man has difficulty understanding why, in his view, so many Christians ignore the poor:

“I heard some people singing at a church prayer meeting the other night,

‘All for Jesus, all for Jesus,
All my being’s ransomed powers,
All my thoughts, and all my doings,
All my days, and all my hours.’

“and I kept wondering as I sat on the steps outside just what they meant by it. It seems to me there’s an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn’t exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out. I suppose I don’t understand. But what would Jesus do? Is that what you mean by following His steps? It seems to me sometimes as if the people in the big churches had good clothes and nice houses to live in, and money to spend for luxuries, and could go away on summer vacations and all that, while the people outside the churches, thousands of them, I mean, die in tenements, and walk the streets for jobs, and never have a piano or a picture in the house, and grow up in misery and drunkenness and sin.”

This leads to many of the novel’s characters asking, “What would Jesus do?” when faced with decisions of some importance. This has the effect of making the characters embrace more seriously Christianity and to focus on what they see as its core—the life of Christ. And the other thing is that Jesus loves you so even if you screw up and aren’t like him he will still love you the same.

In the novel men and women respond in different ways: in contrast to the men who vow never to act without asking what Jesus would do, the women’s task is self sacrificial, for example a singer gives up her voice, both in the sense of yielding her singing to the cause and in the sense of silencing the individual expression of her personality.

New York, Sep 22, (THAINDIAN NEWS) What will the celebrities not put themselves in the name of charity fund raising. From auctioning expensive garments, jewelery items to other such personal stuffs, now the trend is slowing shifting to a more and more personalized territory. The popular American actress and fashion model, Angie Harmon, is planing to launch an auction event, where celebrity shoes will be on the focus. Also in the pipeline is another charity event that involves babies and vigorous military like physical routines.

Harmon is reportedly going to host the celebrity shoe auction event in New York City and it is has already being speculated to be an extremely glamorous affair.

She is also reportedly putting her 9 month old baby daughter Emery Hope through a rigorous routine, in order to raise money for charity.

Baby Emery is going to among some other babies, who will be made to go through an crawling mountain trekking spree, which will see them make their way through mock mountains and ski slopes, to complete the crawling dash. Alongside, the moms of the babes would be involved in the auction, bidding for their preferred choice of celebrity shoes.

The list of celebrities who have contributed to the line of shoes for the charity auction, include the likes of Melissa Joan Hart, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Tori spelling and others. The shoes are reported to be from the Big Movers collection and it is the line that has been designed for those parents, who are on the move most of the times. The non profit organization called the KABOOM! is supposedly going to be benefiting from the turnouts of the fund raising events.

It's that time of year again. The 35th annual Polyarts is a free event and is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Hopkinton Town Common with crafts, music by the groups, Alter Ego, and The New Mood Ensemble, food, and a real sense of community spirit that is welcoming for the entire family.

Although the economic crunch has affected many, Polyarts is still going strong this year with about seventy booths, plus non profits - which total about another twenty - along with food vendors. There is also a children's area, said Kathy Curry, one of the committee members and a craftsperson.
"Polyarts is one of the least expensive booth fees around and it is full as usual," said Curry. "I do about forty shows a year including the top shows in
Massachusetts., Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, and for me Polyarts has the largest return on investment."

There will be a large variety of crafts to choose from this year. Jewelry, honey, chocolate, hand-painted bells, knitting, fine art watercolors and oils, handbags, caricatures, pottery, leather, paper quilting, wood working, handmade toys, photography, dolls, doll clothing,, soaps, stained glass, pillows and stuffed animals, are some of the things to be found as visitors walk around the Common enjoying the perennial favorite treat-- apple crisp, provided by volunteers and served up by the Friends of the Library.

Polyarts is and remains a lovely annual New England festival, but it really is a non-profit event that raises money to give back to the community in the form of a $2,000 high school arts scholarship, donations to the senior center, and the renovation of the Town Common. It also caters to the non-profit groups in Hopkinton, said Curry.

The gathering of craftspeople to sell their wares is a time honored tradition that is seen at many New England fairs. Some of the crafters are local residents who work hard at their craft and the pride taken to create their wares shows in the end product.

As a craftsperson making hand-painted metal bells called Bellagrams, Curry is original in her idea. It is created to make someone happy, she said.

"The bells came in a ten different sizes and can be used for adult safety, animal safety, call bells, cheering bells for sports, child safety, a dinner bell, fishing pole alert, stocking stuffers, wedding favors and much more," she said.

Costume jewelry designer Trish Kozub, of iDazz Custom Designs, will be making her ninth appearance at Polyarts this year selling her original jewelry designs.

"I do about sixty shows a year, but this festival is by far my favorite show," said Kozub. "It is here that I unveil a portion of my Fall/Holiday Collection and it is a great way for me to see how my new pieces will be received by my customer base."

Another craftsperson exhibiting her wares is Pat Doucette from Fluid Notes, who is also making her debut appearance this year with her handmade greeting cards. "I have abstract watercolors, scrapbooking style cards, and pen and ink types of cards. I also have designed a pocketbook or laptop bag greeting card. it is a card made out of beautiful card stocks with embellishments that make the cards look like pocketbooks for the ladies or laptops for the gentlemen," she said.

"You can open the card to write your message and there is a vellum pocket to put a gift card or money for your present."

She adds, "I also make insulated lunch bags for women and children and fabric bowls. We are hoping for a beautiful, sunny fall day for our festival."
If you like lovely hand knitted children's sweaters, then check out Nancy "Punky" Drawe's booth for sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, and hoodies in sizes 6-12 months to 4 years. "But if there is a sweater someone would like to order in a different size or color, I can certainly do that," she said.."The best part of Polyarts for me is seeing and talking to all the people who I know; it's a great day for everyone to just come down to the Common and have fun."

TORONTO -- As Toronto police expanded the search Saturday for a missing teenager, who speaks very little English and has only been in Canada for three months, authorities made an online appeal to the girl and to the public.

Mariam Makhniashvili, 17, who moved to Toronto from the Republic of Georgia in June, had no money or passport when she disappeared from Forest Hill Collegiate school on Monday, and police believe she had no reason to run away.

Police said the search has now been dubbed a Level 3, which means investigators can seek help from outside police units.

Crime Stoppers has posted a video on YouTube as well as messages on Twitter and Facebook.

"To the best of our knowledge, she has no friends and her only relatives in Canada, or North America are her parents and her brother, so that was the reason we stepped it up," said Staff Insp. Larry Sinclair in a video posted on YouTube.

"Mariam, all we are asking for is for you to contact your parents or the police or somebody you know that we don't just to let us know you are safe."

Police have set up a command centre near the girl's school that is open 24 hours a day staffed with officers who have information and photos of the teen.

Meanwhile, children at the school Makhniashvili attended say they are eager to help in the search for the straightlaced student.

Student Miriam Olajos, 18, has made posters with Mariam's photo. Though she did not know her, she said, "It's important for me to do this because I'm in the same situation as her. I'm an 18-year-old girl. I live in this area, which is normally a very safe area. I would just like a good conclusion from this."

Principal Peggy Aitchison said she has received e-mails from parents asking for photos of Mariam to post in their workplaces. They've offered to help search the area, an idea she passed onto police, who are looking to organize a public search this weekend.

"The parents are sitting and waiting for a call," she said.

"They're all parents and I'm sure every parent has said to himself or herself, 'What if it were my child?' We're all compassionate people and when someone calls for our help if we can give our help we do."

Makhniashvili had just reunited with her parents three months ago for the first time in five years after living with family members in Georgia. Police have said the disappearance is out of character.

On Thursday, the girl's parents, Lela and Vakhtang Makhniashvili pleaded for her safe return and asked her to remember the number 911.

Makhniashvili was last seen Monday by her brother. They walked together to Forest Hill Collegiate, where they are students.

They separated before entering the school because Miriam, pictured, told her brother it was easier for her to go in a different door.

She never arrived in class.

Mariam and her brother moved to Toronto from the Republic of Georgia in June. The siblings had been living with their grandmother while their father was doing research in Los Angeles.

Farrington High School sweethearts Ken Chun, 89, and his wife Alice, 87, volunteered for Hawaii Meals on Wheels when it began in 1979 and they've been delivering meals ever since to homebound, disabled and frail elderly residents. They have taken their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with them, they said. "It seems so routine volunteering," Ken Chun said. "It seems like only yesterday that I started. Time goes by so fast."

The nonprofit organization will celebrate its 30th anniversary with "Meals from the Heart 2009: The Roaring '20s," a gala fundraising event Thursday night at the Willows Restaurant.

Executive Director Claire Shimabukuro said the "Roaring '20s" theme was chosen "because it was a time of great optimism. In the midst of our economic recession, we want to show others that there are those who care and want to reach out to others who are homebound and need nutritious meals."


The organization has grown from six clients, six volunteers and two routes to 300 volunteers, 350 clients and 43 routes, from Hawaii Kai to Kailua and Kapolei. Volunteers over the years have delivered 1 million hot meals to 8,000 people. Irmgard Hormann, former state librarian and daughter of a Lutheran minister, saw the need 30 years ago and formed a committee representing different churches to find a solution. The result was Hawaii Meals on Wheels. "I remember that we started on a Monday, 30 years ago," the 91-year-old woman said in a speech at a recent anniversary volunteer luncheon. "We were so resolute and felt we were starting something important. There were only six clients then and now, look, we have hundreds of volunteers and hundreds of clients."

The oldest volunteer was 99 in July. "He has a driver's license but no longer drives," Shimabukuro said. "He rides along and puts meals together for deliveries. "What drives this organization is the fact that it was founded by volunteers and continues to be driven by volunteers who have amazed us with longevity and dedication to doing this work. It's the heart of what we do."


Says Ken Chun: "Volunteers without patience and compassion would not last long. ... Another thing, 'volunteers' means just that. There's no compensation." But, he said, it's "an ideal way of helping those who are less fortunate." "The issue of food and security is still around," Shimabukuro said, noting 47 people are on the organization's wait list for hot meals. Andrew Nomura, president of the board of directors, said a route was added in June for Salt Lake and Red Hill area clients and by the end of the year, routes will be added in Kaneohe and upper Kalihi and in the University of Hawaii and Waipahu/Ewa areas.

"In keeping with our 30-year tradition, wherever there is a need, that's where we want to be," he said. But more volunteers and funding are needed, Shimabukuro said, explaining that five to 10 volunteers are recruited to start a new route and funding is necessary to buy nutritious and therapeutic meals from 10 care home and hospital kitchens.

The program has diversified private funding and a little federal money under the Older Americans Act, but it receives no state support, she said. Clients are asked to make a contribution, which isn't required but helps them feel they are contributing, she said, noting one client contributes $1 a week.

"We try to have relationships with our clients ,and personal interaction goes a long way in terms of their well-being," she said. "It's not only the meal people are looking forward to but the ability to have a friendly neighborhood visit and to chat with us on the phone."

I applaud President Obama for his efforts. I too believe that everyone deserves proper healthcare and that access to healthcare must be a right for all. But I think Washington is barking up the wrong tree. They're busy arguing about what amounts to health insurance reform, while what this country needs is true health care reform.

Interestingly, what is happening in Washington mirrors much of what we do in Western Medicine. We suppress symptoms instead of dealing with the root causes of the problem. All the options on the table now only address how we pay for healthcare, rather than why we are unhealthy and how we change that. If we don't change why we are unhealthy, not only are we unlikely to secure better medical outcomes, but it will probably bankrupt us too. In terms of getting better health care or becoming a healthier nation we have to make serious changes. We will only flourish if we address the root causes of the problem.

As a nation, we're highly skilled in crisis care and the treatment of life- threatening diseases. But we're rank amateurs when it comes to the equally important issues of preventative care and the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and many cancers. True healthcare reform needs to provide greater support to these areas as at least 75% of our medical costs are spent on treating these chronic diseases.

Recently on Huffington Post, four physician colleagues of mine Andrew Weil, Dean Ornish, Deepak Chopra, and Mark Hyman all eloquently articulated the problems we face. I won't repeat their arguments, instead I will present some facts about our system and will offer some recommendations many of which complement their thoughts.

1. We have an outrageously expensive medical system. Our costs are more than double that of any other country.
2. In spite of the expense, over 45 million of our citizens have no coverage, whereas most other developed countries insure everyone.
3. Our system doesn't work well for preventing and treating the chronic diseases that are causing our costs to skyrocket.
4. According to the World Health Organization's rankings, the U.S. (health-care system) is 37th in overall performance.
5. Our system is not particularly safe. Millions of people are hospitalized annually or suffer from serious side effects of properly prescribed drugs or medical errors.

I don't claim to have all the answers and some of these suggestions may seem unrealistic given our current system, but to fix health care in this country we need radical change.

In addition to my strong belief that any civilized society should guarantee healthcare for all its citizens without exception, here are 10 recommendations that I feel should be an essential part of any health care reform.

1) Invest in educating the public in self care Ultimately the most effective way to increase the health of the nation and to cut healthcare costs in the long term is if we all take responsibility for our own health and learn prevention. It has been repeatedly shown that what we eat, how we respond to stress, how much exercise we get, our exposure to chemicals and the quality of our relationships and social support systems is powerful medicine. Unfortunately most of us don't know how to do this, so training health coaches to go out and educate the public would help.

2) Motivate people by rewarding lifestyle changes that foster health.

We should encourage and reward people who take responsibility for their own health. Help pay for or give tax deductions for gym memberships, yoga classes, cooking classes, instruction in relaxation techniques, and appropriate doses of certain supplements like Vitamin D, fish oils and probiotics. Visits to Healthcare Professionals for lifestyle counseling and disease prevention should be encouraged and covered.

3) Educate Doctors and other Healthcare Practitioners in nutrition, exercise, stress reduction techniques and natural remedies. Hundreds of billions of dollars are wasted by doctors when they request unnecessary tests, over prescribe drugs (often with harmful effects), and perform unnecessary surgeries. Many of these services are reimbursed because of lobbyists and clinical practice guidelines established through industry influence or custom, not because the reasons for doing them are scientifically sound. Educating doctors to start with the least expensive, least harmful and least invasive treatments, while having a backup of the "big guns" when needed, would prevent a lot of unnecessary expense. The Institute of Functional Medicine, has a clinical model that is extremely effective for the prevention, assessment and management of chronic diseases. It has already trained over 10,000 doctors and should become part of every doctor's training.

4) Reimburse doctors for their time in preventing and managing chronic diseases. In the current model, the reimbursement structure financially rewards crisis care and disease care, but not prevention, early intervention and effective long-term management. But we now understand that chronic diseases develop over many years because of an individual's genetic makeup combined with their lifestyle, environment and social network. The effectiveness of a Functional Medicine approach to chronic disease has been demonstrated, so the tools we need to reduce the burden of chronic disease are available. But it requires more than just a 10 minute consultation. To encourage doctors to practice preventative care, they need to be paid not only for expensive procedures, but for the time they spend with patients supporting them through these changes. In addition, we need to train health coaches or other health care practitioners to provide this personalized, preventive and participatory medicine.


5) Practice the Precautionary Principle. In brief, the Precautionary Principle states that: "When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically." Before chemicals or other engineered substances that may impair body functions and cause diseases are put into our food, water, soil, air, cosmetics and home products, they need to be proven safe. At the moment, our attitude to
these chemicals is that they are innocent until proven guilty. They should be assumed guilty until proven innocent.
6) Protect our food supply and encourage healthy eating The Health and Agriculture departments should work together and apply the Precautionary Principle to our food production. Harmful pesticides, additives and ther chemicals should not be used in our food production until proven safe. Food labeling should be honest, for instance, irradiated and GMO foods should be labeled as such. Local farmers and farmers markets and the consumption of fresh and seasonal foods should be actively supported and encouraged.

7) Feed our children healthily and educate them responsibly. Serve fresh unprocessed food for school lunches, food that's nutritious instead of just cheap and convenient. Eliminate junk food and soda vending machines from all schools (and while we are at it, from all public buildings and airports). Put organic vegetable gardens in schools especially in low-income areas. This not only provide kids with nutritious food to eat, but it also teaches them about the importance of nutrition in general and how to grow their own food. Ban the advertising and marketing of junk food, sodas and fast food to children...$13 billion is spent annually on it. We should not be convincing children--or adults--to buy products that harm them. Don't eliminate physical education programs from the schools as is happening now with budget cuts.

8) Subsidize healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Most of the billions of dollars in subsidies go to huge agribusinesses that produce feed crops, such as corn and soy. By funding these crops, the government supports the production of factory farmed meats and dairy products. Corn is also made into high fructose corn syrup. All of these contribute to our growing rates
of obesity and chronic disease. Fruit and vegetable farmers, on the other hand, receive less than 1 percent of government subsidies. Switch these subsidies around.

9) Remove corporate influence from healthcare. Corporate influence should not be what drives the system. According to The Washington Post, 1.4 million dollars a day is being spent by healthcare interests to get what they want in the new health bill. There are 4 lobbyists for every Congressman on Capitol Hill. They should be banned. Unfortunately the self interest of these parties often works against outcomes that would better serve our collective and societal good. Stop direct-to-consumer drug advertising and radically limit the more than $30 billion that is spent by the pharmaceutical industry on marketing drugs to physicians.

10) Give everyone freedom of choice Lastly, people should have the freedom to choose what method of treatment they want to follow, whether conventional or alternative, western or non western, traditional or non traditional. Focusing only on how people can get access to costly disease treatment, without having the more important discussion about how lifestyle changes can be implemented to prevent these diseases in the first place, is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. We will simply be perpetuating a flawed and costly healthcare model. For the sake of not only our personal health, but also for the financial health of the nation, we must address the causes that underlie the prevalence of chronic disease that we are experiencing. Unless we address why people are getting sick or the underlying mechanisms of their illnesses, our system will lack a solid foundation. Unless we change our disease care model to a true health care system, we are bound to both overpay and underachieve in the long run.

EverythingLongBeach.com recently spoke with Eric Leocadio, Executive Director/Founder of Catalyst Community, via email. They talked about the inspirations and challenges of running a nonprofit organization in Long Beach. How long has Catalyst Community been around? We incorporated in April 2006 here in Long Beach. After investing a year in 2008 for team building and organizational development, we became active and public with our current mission in January 2009. Describe Catalyst Community. Tell us a little about your nonprofit, your mission, the people you serve or your goals. Catalyst Community is a grassroots non-profit organization with a vision to see every area and region inspired with a greater sense of community, collaboration and citizenship through meaningful relationships. Our mission is to empower both individuals and organizations with tools that enable them to accomplish their own passions for the broader community.

We are a community of catalysts.

Often times, organizations will host an event that brings people together but few stay meaningfully connected after the event. We believe that effective and long lasting partnership can’t occur without trust; we can’t have trust without relationships.

So that’s where we start.

Our campaign is to “Connect and Affect” – to catalyze collaborative communities to build relationships, establish partnerships, encourage contribution, and inspire growth. Our Catalyst Community is where we connect, give back, promote events, and mobilize on common ground. It’s a place where we all hold a stake; a community that we all help shape.

This is where we catalyze the shift from “my”space to “our”space. How is Catalyst Community different from similar nonprofits? We are a bridge building organization that simply casts vision towards four common community values: * Building Relationships – we believe that intentional connections that foster authenticity and understanding enhances the peaceful climate of our community.

* Establishing Partnerships – we believe that the strategic partnerships of individuals and organizations in collaboration towards a common interest make us more effective in our community.

* Encouraging Contribution – we believe that the strategic sharing of resources and the active participation of residents giving back to their community is the most effective way of addressing our practical and tangible needs.

* Inspiring Growth – we believe that experiencing a broader understanding of ourselves, the community, and our world enhances our potential. We provide a context that brings individuals and organizations together around a shared interest, but once they’ve come together, they make their own decisions about the projects and initiatives that they’d like to work towards. We help them organize and find resources but they shape their own collaborative effort. In this way, we form collaboratives that are truly community-member driven. In a nutshell, we cast vision for direction without dictating directions. How is Catalyst Community involved with the community? We have a “Catalyst Space” in the East Village. It is a community growth and learning center that provides people with a place to broaden their understanding of themselves, our community, and our world. It is a place that empowers catalysts, equips leaders, and resources neighbors and organizations with the means of advancing their goals. The Catalyst Space features computer work stations, classes and workshops, a resource library, and a place for traveling guests to connect. The Catalyst Space is also a place where people can be inspired to be catalytic in their group and community. It’s a place where people can connect with others with common interests and passions and collaborate together on projects and initiatives. It’s a place where fellow catalysts can support one another, be resourced and empowered, and rest. We also develop collaborative Communities. Collaborative Communities: coalitions of individuals from multiple organizations working together towards a broad common interest or cause. Each has a person that serves as the community catalyst that casts vision and works with team facilitators.

Collaborative Teams: groups of individuals from multiple organizations within a Collaborative Community working together towards a common project or initiative. Each team has a person that serves as the team facilitator that organizes the group.

So far, we have four Collaborative Communities each with several teams:

* Green Long Beach! Collaborative Community: individuals and organizations strategically working together to see a green Long Beach.
* Community Education Team – working to educate the community about environmental issues and sustainability.
* Community Gardens/ Green Spaces Team – working to create more community gardens, art parks, and monarch way-stations in green spaces throughout the city.
* Food Systems Team – working to educate people about healthy food systems, working to “green” local restaurants, and promote fresh and local produce.

This team has two sub-teams:
* Long Beach Food Buying Co-Op Team – working to educate and promote producers of food and create a buying network.
* Edible Long Beach Team – working to educate and connect consumers of food.
* Government Action Team – working to create innovative solutions to bridge the information gap between grassroots environmental actions/concerns in our community and what’s happening at a city policy level.
* Green Art Movement Team – working to promote green art that involves the use of sustainable materials and themes of sustainability.
* LBCreative! Collaborative Community: local artists and organizations working together to strengthen the arts and culture in our city.
* Creative Art Spaces Team – working to be a community resource for the Arts, Culture and Entertainment by providing multi-use spaces to enhance the art scene in Long Beach.
* Culture & Community Diversity Team – working to promote the diversity of cultures existing in our city.
* Art Education & Youth Team – working to create a program of multiple organizations offering arts related education to youth and the community.
* Festivals & Events Team – working to be a resource for both the community and other LBCreative teams, coordinating entertainment and staff for a variety of events in the Long Beach community.
* City Partnership Team – working to be a resource for the community on city policy, regulations & permitting, funding sources, marketing, and advocacy issues.
* Green Art Movement Team – working to promote green art that involves the use of sustainable materials and themes of sustainability.
* Teen Girls Collaborative Community: individuals and organizations working together to share resources and communication for the empowerment of teen girls.
* Biking & Cycling Collaborative Community: individuals and organizations working together to raise awareness about the benefits of biking and to create a safer city for the biking & cycling community.

What are some of the biggest successes Catalyst Community has had?

Before even having a physical location, Catalyst Community co-hosted the Green Long Beach! Festival on May 9, 2009 and in only two and a half months of planning helped bring together OVER 270 community groups, individuals, and businesses participating in making this all-day festival happen! These included 98 booths & vendors, 64 bands, musicians, performers, artists, speakers, and activity groups, 35 East Village businesses hosting an event or offering discounts to festival guests, 19 hosts and sponsors, and 60 festival team volunteers.

Once we secured a physical location, the Catalyst Space in the East Village, on June 1, 2009 we have connected with over 200 people from over 75 different community groups participating in 4 collaborative communities in 13 collaborative teams each shaping and strategically working towards their own projects and initiatives.

What is the most rewarding part of running Catalyst Community?

The most rewarding part of running this organization is empowering people to be catalysts.

I enjoy listening to individuals in the community talk passionately about something he or she cares about, then seeing the excitement that comes in realizing that he or she can make it happen. I enjoy sitting with people to develop strategic plans for their own vision and passion, coaching them through the process, and seeing them grow and succeed.

Many people just need to know that they don’t have to rely or wait on the city or well-established institutions to create change. They just need to be empowered.

What are the challenges you face — as a nonprofit, as an advocacy group, or in your industry?

Money.

Many of us are joyfully giving what ever we can to cover basic monthly expenses and volunteering our time in the evenings most of the week to the organization while also working a full-time day job elsewhere. We could be all the more effective if we could have the funding to support day-time staff.

Fund raising is a challenge because it often requires a significant investment of energy, focus, and time to do properly while we’d rather continuing investing in community building.

We realize, though, that it’s a necessary part of an organization. We are working towards developing an effective fund raising strategy. The good news is that many members of the community have become donors to the organization because they support, believe in, and own a piece of the vision for themselves.

What are the future plans for Catalyst Community?

We plan to further develop our two most recent collaborative communities: Teen Girls and Biking & Cycling. We’ll be connecting with relevant organizations and then work together to bring all of our groups together around those two communities.

We plan to become fiscal sponsors for two community groups. Women of Note is a choral group for women. Pedal Movement is an organization that connects bicyclists.

We plan to seek out other community catalysts that would like to spearhead new collaborative communities.

We plan to develop a functioning Growth & Learning Center at the Catalyst Space with a full schedule of practical classes and workshops.

We plan to host a fund raising event that involves the integration of dance, song, 2D and 3D art while featuring each of our collaborative communities and their teams.

We plan to host an interactive annual conference that brings together all of our various collaborative communities so that collectively, we can gain a better pulse & personality of our city.

Do you have any special events or fundraisers you’d like to tell us about?

We just had a successful Grand Opening event on September 12th.

We don’t yet have dates for special events or fundraisers, however, we will submit press releases for them as plans develop.

How can people get involved with Catalyst Community? What do you need — volunteers, donations, etc?

We would appreciate all the support towards advancing the vision.

People can join collaborative teams to help shape projects or initiatives that they are interested in.

People can join the Catalyst Team to spearhead the development of a new Collaborative Community they are passionate about.

People can join an Operations Team to volunteer for administrative, technical, creative, or maintenance tasks.

People can volunteer to teach a class or workshop.

People can make a tax-deductible financial contribution to help support the needs of our organization.

People can donate chairs, tables, pop-up canopies, PA sound system, LCD projector, and computers that we can use for events or in the Catalyst Space.

What is the most inspiring advice that you received and who did it come from?

President Barack Obama campaigned with the slogan “Yes We Can!”

It’s been too long since we’ve had an inspirational voice that empowered the individual.

At times, when we can sometimes get weary running an organization with limited resources, energy, and time, I am reminded by the encouragement that we can do more than we think.