Bank on Humankind

My friend Pauline Brinkerhoff sent me this article and it was a nice reminder of what it is all about. I am reminded that life is really made up from all the connections between people. Article: Bank on Humankind

The Story of Stuff

My friend Rich Young sent me this link. I was very impressed with the work done. My son Will (age 9) watched the entire 20 minute video and he really gets it. I wish more Americans would get it. I am trying to figure out how to link this into the ExtremeStandardaization.org project.

Ecospot Winners Announced

Reciently the Alliance for Climate Protection announced there Ecospot winners. These are short spots (suitable for advertising) that were solicited in a contest. There were quite a few entries.

First Place: The Sky is Falling

Second Place: Are You Game

Third Place: I did Noth'n

Thinking about a living Christmas tree for next year

So for the past 12 years, Margaret and I have had a artificial Chirstmas tree. I always thought that this is the best way to go. Rather than cut trees use them and then chip them up. I just can't get into the disposable pattern of a cut tree.

I do miss the feeling of the real tree though and a friend of ours did a living Christmas tree this year in their home. But the question of "What do you do with it?" always comes up. Well I have been reading at www.LivingChristmasTrees.org about living Christmas trees. They suggest just giving it to the local park department or landscaper and letting them have it to plant.

It occured that this is a great gift for the environment. I pay for the nursery to grow a tree and then by giving the tree away will likely add another tree to the earth to help combat climate change. I plan to establish the recipient before I purchase the tree.

Bic Crystal ballpoint pen

It was brought to my attention by my friend Rob Gardner that the Bic Crystal ballpoint pen is a superior product. If you do not believe me, read the reviews yourself.

What have I been up to.

Those who are following my activities will notice a lack of blog postings lately.  So here is a quick summary of what I have been up to.

 

1)       Worked as a judge for the First LEGO League.  I thought that this might help with networking local support for www.SystemBigPlay.org but it did not amount to much.  It did make me better understand the challenge and I was thinking of running a team for www.RiverRock.org for next year.

2)       I am not working much on www.SystemBigPlay.org web site.  I am lobbying the project supporters to change the name to Extreme Standardization, Interconnect, and Integration.  People seem to get that name better.  So I intend an entire web site rework and re-launch of the project at the beginning of the year.

3)       I have been spending much of my free time working on the Ultimate Resource for Leaders which is the new www.thecall.biz web site.  This project is to launch at the start of next year.  I am hoping to leverage this community to help me in re-launching the www.SystemBigPlay.org concept.

4)       Christmas is near and that means more projects with for presents.  Can’t describe them here, someone might get a clue as to what will be coming under the tree this year.

Sears is a good citizen for supporting our military

Lauren Spangler-Young sent me this one. It appears to be a chain letter.

 

The letter reads:

 

I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

 

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up.

 

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.

 

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

 

Adrienne Espinosa wrote:

Decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:

 

I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.

 

 

This is their answer to my e-mail:

 

Dear Customer:

 

Thank you for contacting Sears. The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.

 

Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

 

Bill Thorn

Sears Customer Care

Webcenter[at]sears.com

1-800-349-4358

 

Adrienne Espinosa also wrote:

 

It's verified! By Snopes.com at:

 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp