MOMSthatROCK!

TOMORROW!

2010-12-02T14:45:00.000-08:00

Hey friends, just a reminder about the big TG Holiday show this Friday, Dec 3rd, at FitzGerald's in Berwyn. With special guests Matt Spiegel and Scott Ligon & Casey McDonough. And my very own mommy's home cooking will be tempting your tastebuds–as long as you get there early, only while it lasts. Doors at 7pm, show starts at 9pm. See you there!

Andon Davis, a native Springfield musician formerly of Cats on Holiday will be playing with Trigger Gospel as well.

Click on Anna's name to link to her FaceBook fan page and join to follow her status.

Wish Anna a happy 4-0 at the gig tomorrow!

Anna Fermin featured in newly released book- join her Monday

2010-11-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

NBC cameraman points lens at musicians in new book

BOOKS | NBC’s Azzato goes from ‘Today’ to still photos in three-year labor of love

November 20, 2010

BY DAVE HOEKSTRA dhoekstra@suntimes.com

For Stephen Azzato’s beautiful book Their Love of Music, the 117 color photographs were shot in a portable studio instead of concerts, fancy hotels and the back seats of limousines. So Dave Alvin, Luther Dickinson, Buddy Guy and other distinctive musicians appear in relaxed settings, giving the coffee-table book a sense of accessibility.
A book release party is set for 6-10 p.m. Monday at SPACE, 1275 Chicago in Evanston. SPACE co-owner and fine blues guitarist Dave Specter also is featured in the 252-page book ($65, Quiet Light Publishing; quietlightpublishing.com). Some of the subjects of the book, including Anna Fermin and Nora O’Connor, will be on hand.
Azzato comes at the music with a different perspective than better-known music photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Chicago’s Paul Natkin and the late Jim Marshall.
A Libertyville resident, Azzato is an NBC cameraman for the “Today” show and “NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams.”
“I’m not an established photographer,” said Azzato, 52. “This project started three years ago as a passion to see where it would go. I knew people in the music industry doing interviews for NBC, but not [at] the level of these people. It wasn’t until I got people like Aaron Neville and Steve Miller involved in the book that other people jumped on board. But then I didn’t want the book to be filled with famous people. I wanted people who were out there every night, giving the audience everything, but not filling huge stadiums.”
Azzato carried his muslin backdrop to venues such as FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, the House of Blues (where blues pianist Pine top Perkins, who appears on the book’s cover, was photographed), SPACE and others. He shot digitally with a Canon high-resolution camera. Each photo is accompanied by a few lines of text in the artist’s own words.
For one photo, Azzato grabbed singer-songwriter Alice Peacock before a show at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Sitting down for a portrait is the last thing most artists want to do before a gig.
“You’re in a head space to perform,” Peacock said. “He went snap, snap, snap and that was that. He didn’t want you to pose or get stressed out. He wanted to take people as real people, and looking through the book, that’s what I was struck by. They are candid portraits.”

Mark Your Calendars: December 3, 2010

2010-11-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

HEY CHICAGO (or those wanting an excuse to visit Chicago):

Join Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel at Fitzgerald's Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, Illinois for an evening of holiday cheer and amazing Roots Rock.

Fitzgerald's is an awesome nightclub and has hosted many greats, including AFTG (Anna Fermin- "One of Chicago's most treasured voices." Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune).

The kicker? Anna's turning 40 and this is her Birthday Gig. Get there early and you will enjoy some exquisite Filipino food made by the amazing woman that birthed this amazing woman!

Come see Chicago lit up for the holidays and the magic of Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel light up the stage at Fitzgerald's. ("This Chicago country-rock band evokes the emotions and honesty of classic country while keeping its sound fresh and original. And Fermin's voice is just phenomenal.” Rob Thomas, CapitalTimes/Wisconsin State Journal)

As always Anna will be advocating for CARE International so bring a little Change For Change!

Get your tickets now at http://www.ticketweb.com/ .

See you there!

The Contender- Anna Fermin | Music Reviews

2010-08-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Check out a preview of Anna Fermin's upcoming album.

And check out chic mom magazine. They did a great spread on MOMSthatROCK! in their inaugural print magazine (summer 2010). We are extremely impressed with the relevant articles for wise and compassionate parenting.

The Contender | Music Reviews

World Humanitarian Day 2010

2010-08-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

Today is World Humanitarian Day

2010-08-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to see a message and video from CARE regarding World Humanitarian Day.

Anna opening for Steve Forbert this weekend

2010-08-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey Chicagoland!

Come out this Friday, August 20th to SPACE in Evanston, Illinois to see Anna open for the great Steve Forbert.

See you there!

Anna previewed in Chicago Tribune

2010-08-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Read a Chicago Tribune story about a show Anna was in HERE

Anna Fermin's LIVING ROOM featuring HAYSEED

2010-07-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

	Saturday, July 10, 2010
	8:00pm - 10:00pm
	The Fulton Street Collective
	2000 W Fulton
	Chicago, IL "Hayseed's music is roots music. Not from just one tree but a whole grove: bluegrass, old-time, country, gospel, folk, rock, soul..." - Miller Williams (Presidential Inaugural Poet, father of Lucinda Williams) www.hayseedsings.com for more on Hayseed. $15 suggested donation. Once again, ten percent of the proceeds will benefit CARE International, a humanitarian organization with programs in over 60 countries world wide, fighting poverty and defending dignity by empowering marginalized women and girls, as well as on-going, long term Haiti relief and rebuilding. Folks are also encouraged to bring any food or drink to pass around. My chocolate chip cookies were such a hit at the last show, I think I might have to whip some more up for this one...See you there!

Join Anna this Saturday

2010-06-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

(if this is small press command and + to zoom in for better reading)

It's Navy Pier time again.

2010-05-28T05:42:00.001-07:00

Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel will be playing a free show at Chicago's Navy Pier Beer Garden on Sunday, May 30th. Come join us! It's always a good time.

See you there!

Love and Peace,
Anna

Don't forget: this SATURDAY

2010-05-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Join Anna and kick off her Living Room Concert Series. Enjoy this intimate setting and great music with Anna Fermin of Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel.

The show takes place in the gallery space of The Fulton Street Collective at 2000 W. Fulton, Chicago. She'll be joined on keyboards by her friend and accomplished music man, Alton Smith.

See more details on the blog entry below.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday, May 15th at 8:00 pm. Give us a shout at momsthatrock@me.com if you know you are coming!

See you Saturday!

A letter from Anna~

2010-04-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

It’s been a busy winter for me. During the cold months I’ve been writing new songs, recording with Doug McBride at Gravity Studios, and taking care of a houseful of boys! It’s been fun, albeit exhausting at times. But now that spring is finally here and the sun is hanging in the sky a bit longer, I am drawn to do some of what I love to do best: sing for you.

I’m inviting you to join me for a small and intimate “living room” concert on Saturday, May 15 at 8pm. I will be performing many of my tried and true Trigger Gospel songs (some of which I haven’t visited in a while) as well as a handful of new originals (which incidentally are featured on both of my forthcoming solo CD’s.) I might even try out a couple that I’m working on right now, to see how you like em.

The show takes place in the gallery space of The Fulton Street Collective at 2000 W. Fulton, Chicago. I’ll be joined on keyboards by my friend and accomplished music man, Alton Smith. My hope is to capture the intimacy of a true living room or house concert, so space is limited, and there may not be enough couches to go around. So let me know if you’re coming so I can get a good idea of how much room we’ve got left.

There is a suggested donation of $15 at the door and if you’d like to bring along some food or beverage to share, that would be very nice. I’ll have some treats to pass around as well. Also, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to CARE International, a humanitarian organization with programs in 60 countries around the world, including on-going, long-term Haiti relief & rebuilding. For more on CARE, please visit www.care.org. You can also read more on the movement I started with one of my BFF’s Becky Aud- Jennison at www.momsthatrock.com.

It’s also my hope that you’ll return to my living room, as I feature local and regional acts on a monthly basis. Next month, singer/songwriter Mark Anderson, and soon to come: country songstress Joy Lynn White, the indie musings of The Astronomer, and my friend, folk singer, Hayseed...

And for your visual pleasure, some of the talented resident artists at the collective will have their work featured on the walls of the gallery. So, you see, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in my living room. Music, art, food & conversation. What could be better?

I do hope you’ll join me...

All ways...Anna

www.triggergospel.com

Team Zumani makes their Goal!

2010-04-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

We just want to say a BIG thank you to all of you who participated in the Join My Village project. Team Zumani-- our village-- was the first to reach their team goal. YAY!!!

Now, they can still use help unlocking funds so feel free to continue with this for Malawi women and girls, but from our competition stand point: YOU ROCKED IT!!!!

Big kudos to you all and to General Mills for coming up with this innovative project that combines increasing awareness about Malawi and CARE's plight to improve the global economy by empowering girls and women in impoverished countries.

Women and girls ARE the answer. If you need a reminder of WHY then click HERE.

Join My Village: Team Zumani on home stretch-- help us bring it home

2010-04-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Team ZUMANI has almost reached our team goal of $35,000.

As of this moment we are at $34,413.

We need to unlock a final $852 to reach our goal.

We are only $300 away from recapturing the lead.

If just 85 of our 679 team members unlocked their funds today we would be finished!

Remember, you are unlocking funds that General Mills has already donated to CARE's projects in Malawi.

What you can do:

Log on to JOIN MY VILLAGE today

If you are already a member unlock your $10 today and every day until we reach goal.

If you aren't a member, join our Team Zumani:

It's free, you can opt out of getting any emails-- it's hassle free but you are greatly helping women and girls of Malawi.

Here is a video overview of the program if you need to learn more about it or need a reminder:

www.joinmyvillage.com

Please spread the word. . .

Learn how to CARE effectively: join us.

2010-04-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

From Here to Uncertainty

2010-02-21T11:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a little winter-itis escape. Becky first wrote this for www.thevoiceofmom.com. Check out this Mom-Rocker and her family adventures:

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to quit your job, sell everything, put your finger on the globe and take off for a year seeing where the wind might carry you? Throw a family of four in the mix with two school-age children and you have the Redpath family.

Bob and Brenna Redpath and their children Owen and Eleanor are seven months into their globetrotting adventure and have been documenting their journey on their most delightful blog, From Here to Uncertainty.

Bob is an Emmy-nominated sound guy who left Warner Bros. and turned down a season's worth of work for the trip. Brenna is a singer-songwriter who homeschools their kids. Owen is an 11-year-old card-carrying member of Green Peace and RPG fan. And, last but not least, Eleanor is a seven-year-old who loves to bake and create "special things." Together, this family is on a most extraordinary adventure. (Learn more about them on their About page.)

The easy to navigate blog shares their journey with the world. You can see where they've been, and learn what they are experiencing, thinking and planning ... One wintry day when my five-and-a-half-year-old was home sick we read through the entire blog and looked at all of photos; he was simultaneously educated and exquisitely entertained.

Whether you are a parent, teacher or just someone with wanderlust, check out this blog. It's an amazing story of bravery, travel and experience. And don't worry: your envy won't poison you . . . the Redpaths and their adventures are far too wonder-full to hate.
Photos courtesy of the Redpath family.

Climate Cycle . . . solar-warming Chicago- one school at a time.

2010-02-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

Last night Anna and Becky along with their DADSthatROCK! went to a fundraising event for an organization called "Climate Cycle" in Chicago. A great time was had by all! (thanks for the invite!)

Congratulations to Joey Feinstein who had a vision and has seen it to fruition. We wish you much success on this meaningful mission.

You must check their website out and learn more about the good work they are doing. Here is a brief description from their website:

Climate Cycle is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers youth to be leaders in the clean energy movement and the new green economy. We have installed solar panels on one local public school and have plans for five more solar installations in the coming year. Every solar system is accompanied by dynamic supportive curriculum to maximize hand-on learning. The selected schools share a vision of climate solutions and energy independence from the students, faculty, administration, and beyond.

Volunteers and community alliances are at the heart of our organization-- our partnerships include Motorola Foundation, the Chicago Public Schools, local schools, government, green businesses and individuals. Our inaugural bike-a-thon last May raised $67,000 and shows the impact we can have when working together for just one year.

Joey Feinstein founded Climate Cycle in 2008 out of a concern that youth didn't have the tools necessary to respond to global warming or benefit from the emerging green economy. Climate Cycle utilizes renewable energy because it is an available technology that provides tangible learning opportunities, while saving taxpayer money. Joey found that many share his passion and he now works with a dedicated team.

Here's information about the ride in May:

Climate Cycle's May 15th, 2010 Solar Schools Ride is a family and fan friendly fundraiser in which riders garner pledges in advance of the ride. Proceeds go to install solar energy systems in local public schools.

Cyclists select from a 4, 10, 20 or 62-mile course along picturesque Lake Michigan. All starting and end points are in downtown Chicago, with the exception of the 62-mile "metric century" course, which begins at the Indiana Dunes and ends in downtown Chicago.

A post ride celebration follows the ride. This festive event includes music, free lunches for all riders, sustainability showcases, goody bags, a raffle and kid friendly activities.

To register PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Hmmmm, maybe we should get a MOMSthatROCK! team together for this ride. Drop us a line at momsthatrock@me.com if you are interested!

www.climatecycle.org

Thanks Kenosha and Sommelier Wine Shop

2010-01-24T18:38:00.000-08:00

In the fall Anna hosted a wine-tasting at a great wine shop in Kenosha, WI called Sommelier. It was a fun event with a nice turnout as well as a great opportunity for folks to learn more about MOMSthatROCK! Special thanks to Anna's cousin, Leah Blough, for creating the wonderful MTHR! display at the event. And a big thanks to all who came out and donated to our Change for Change campaign!

http://sommelierwineshop.com

Partying with a twist of Philanthropy-- Dig It

2010-01-20T06:58:00.000-08:00

We had two great events last November that helped boost our Change for Change fund for the A rc Orphanage in Thika, Kenya.

The first was a really special 50th birthday party that was hosted by Chicago restauranteur Kathie Romines and Chicago-based landscape designer Will Spiegelberg. Together with their guests they raised over $350 at this small but lively party which featured Anna Fermin and Trigger Gospel as musical guests.

THANK YOU, Kathy and Will, and to all your friends, for making meaningful activism so much fun!!!

The next event was a concert by Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel at SPACE in Evanston, IL. Anna and her crew collected over $60 in the Change for Change canister on the merch table. Way to go guys!

Please visit the websites of the fine folks and business owners who support MOMSthatROCK!

Will Spiegelberg, Landscape Design, www.landscapechicago.com

RPlace Eatery
21 Romines Drive
Morris, Illinois 60450
Phone: (815) 942-5690
Fax: (815) 942-4371
www.rplaceeatery.com
Email: info@rplaceeatery.com

Talk to MOMSthatROCK! if you'd like to combine "THE 2 P's":

Philanthropy and Partying

Contact us at momsthatrock@me.com for more information

Hey Kenosha:

2010-01-19T04:43:00.001-08:00

Come see Anna Fermin's solo acoustic performance at the Winter Market (indoor farmer's market) this Saturday, January 23rd from 9am - 12:30pm in the lobby of the Rhode's Lakeside Player Theater (514 56th St) in Kenosha, WI.

And bring some Change for Change!

The Aftermath

2010-01-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

This is this week's article Becky wrote for a website she contributes to- The Voice of Mom:

Today I’m having a difficult time writing a review or waxing lyrical about my latest ah-hah moment.

My mind keeps going to Haiti.

I’m an advocate for the global humanitarian organization CARE that has been around since the 1940’s and coined the term “care packages” providing aid in World War 2, press HERE for that history. CARE has been in Haiti since 1954 and most of the staff workers that live in Port-au-Prince lost their homes. So in the midst of being traumatized, themselves, they are lining up aide for those in need: read a first hand observation HERE.

Since I follow CARE on Face Book and get e-updates from them I, like most of you, have been inundated with the ongoing news. I have a friend that has gone to Haiti on mission trips 11 times and had been set to fly out to Port-au-Prince Saturday for another mission trip, but with the aftermath of the earthquake, ironically, the journey to provide aid has been delayed until January 25th..

There is a local organization, The Haitian Development Fund that has been doing some phenomenal work in Haiti for several years. I am so pleased to see that members of our community have such amazing global projects going on, but very sad that I had to learn about it under these circumstances.

So my message to you this week is to take a moment and send positive and healing energy to all the families in Haiti whose lives have been disrupted and may never be the same. As difficult as it is, take a moment to imagine what it would be like to have your family, friends, neighbors buried alive and wondering and hoping about their survival, and if they did not, praying that they did not anguish for hours and die an agonizing death.

My work with a project a musician mom-friend and I started MOMSthatROCK!, among other things, reaches out to a small orphanage of girls in Thika, Kenya where my daughter spent a month this past summer. There is a very strong commonality between them and the folks in Haiti: one dollar goes a very long way.

This is a time that giving even a very little will mean so much. Haiti will have years of rebuilding in their future– including buildings and emotions and families and lives. I implore you to find a reputable organization such as CARE that is known for not just throwing dollars at problems but developing culturally based programs that grow into self sustaining projects.

The last thing Haiti needs for the long haul is financial aid that comes in a burst to band-aid then disappears leaving a nation more dependent on outside help– and even more helpless.

Press HERE to learn more about CARE and make a donation.

No matter how large or small: just do it.

It will feel good knowing that you have done one of the only things you can do in the aftermath of such devastation– besides sending hope and positive energy and prayers.

And do that too.

(one way to know that you are not letting Haiti and it's future struggles be forgotten after the initial influx of interest and support would be to set up an affordable ongoing donation to CARE. check their track record: CARE isn't going anywhere and they have a strong history of successful intervention)

Washington Post reporter on travel to Haiti with some CARE workers

2010-01-16T15:25:00.001-08:00

Message from CARE about HAITI

2010-01-16T15:08:00.001-08:00

photo: Reuters/Reuters TV,
courtesy www.alertnet.org

Dear becky,

I'd like to share with you an update on Haiti from CARE workers on the ground.

"Roads are blocked, and fuel will be hard to come by. Electricity is a real problem. Reports are that there is no water or food in Port-au-Prince. That will be CARE's first priority for the emergency response," says Hauke Hoops, CARE's regional emergency coordinator.

The immediate needs for survivors of the Haiti earthquake include first-aid supplies, clean water, body bags and emergency food rations — and we need your help to rush lifesaving aid to Haiti now. Even a small gift can make a big difference. For example:

$10 can provide 1,000 people with clean water for a day
$35 can provide a high energy meal for a family of five

Your donation of $10, $35 or more can help CARE deliver emergency aid as soon as possible.

CARE has been working in Haiti since 1954, when we helped survivors recover from Hurricane Hazel. After the earthquake struck, CARE was among the first to respond.

Remember, clean water and emergency food rations are urgently needed. Please give now to help CARE deliver emergency aid to the people of Haiti as soon as possible.

Thank you for your compassion at this dire time.

Sincerely,

Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH
President and CEO, CARE

Our Post Holiday Wish for Your

2010-01-10T21:56:00.000-08:00

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among others,

To make music in the heart.

-Howard Thurman

Giving with meaning . . . and it costs you nothing

2009-12-16T07:14:00.000-08:00

Are you tired of the commercialism of the holiday season? Want to make a meaningful difference in one of the world's poorest countries . . . without having to spend a cent or move from in front of your computer?

Join us at the Join My Village project and for no investment except a few minutes of your time, you can unlock $5/day to go to micro-financing projects for the poorest of the poor in Malawi.

Click HERE to see our original post about this project and view a great short video clip that explains more.

Check out our village, Zumani's, progress here at the link below. We've been steadily in first place bringing those funds in but our second place village is closing in on us.
Progress Overview

This is Zumani's village Mzati on this project-- 14 year old Agnes. Help us show her we care.

Join us at Zumani today. Please. Go to Join My Village now.

Report Finds Girls' Schools in Afghanistan Face Highest Risk of Violence; Suggests Steps for Preventing Attacks

2009-11-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Report Finds Girls' Schools in Afghanistan Face Highest Risk of Violence; Suggests Steps for Preventing Attacks

Festive Social Action: Living Room Concerts

2009-11-20T10:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to host a

private music concert in your very own home for all your

friends and family, and at the same time raise awareness

for a great cause?

MOMSthatROCK! is currently looking for people interested in hosting

house concerts for a cause. This season, make your holiday event even more

special with this one of a kind experience!

For more information please contact Anna Fermin or Becky Aud-Jennison

at momsthatrock@me.com

Shopping this weekend? Support CARE at the same time!

2009-11-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to get your coupon.

Springfield, Illinois 350 International Climate Day's Activities

2009-10-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

BIKE! : Biking into Clean Energy

On 10/24, the International Day of Climate Action, there were thousands public events throughout the world. Springfield held two of events: a faith focused program with activities for children at Jubilee Farm; and BIKE!350: Biking into Clean Energy, a bike ride and rally at the Old State Capitol. Around twenty bikers circled the downtown area to illustrate the joy of sharing a communal bike ride while emitting zero carbon gas. Afterwards, over fifty people gathered to hear rally speakers UIS Professor Stefano Longo emphasize the importance of social movements in making significant change in the world and the potential of the voice of the people in calling for strong environmental positions from their leaders; union activist Al Pieper relate the importance and power of green jobs; and Wes King address the reality of 350: the amount of carbon emissions in parts per million that is compatible with human life (currently that level is at an incompatible 389 ppm), and individual and community ways to get involved in reducing our carbon footprint.

Voices are still needed to apprise our leaders of the public urgency for more dramatic policies, including those that put a high price on carbon emissions while ensuring that poor countries have an opportunity for development.

You can still join with thousands calling on leaders for a clean energy future!

Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3 1 2 1
Ask for your Senators' and Representative's offices.
Tell them to represent you by contacting
President Obama & supporting policies
that will lower carbon emissions to 350 ppm or below

Call the President's comment hotline at 202-456-1 1 1 1
Say that you want him to represent you
at the December UN Climate Conference
in Copenhagen with proposals that
reduce carbon emissions below 350 ppm.

Here are Some Tips to take you to the next level in reducing your C02footprint…
To idle or not to idle: Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting. Parking or in line for more than 30 seconds? Turn off the engine! www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html

A room with a (warmer) view: Window films can cut energy costs up to 10%. See www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/buildings/homes/windows/films.htm

Decisions, decisions: Uninformed? Read The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice - Union of Concerned Scientists, Brower & Leon (copy soon to be available at Lincoln Library)

Hold the C02: Contact the CWLP Energy Services Office for info on local carbon credit purchasing: www.cwlp.com or 789-2070; and for general info on carbon offsets: http://www.co2offsetresearch.org/ consumer/index.html

Thanks to Diane Lopez-Hughes for the 350 update and photos. Way to ROCK it Springfield!

Should you CARE about climate issues?

2009-10-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

Climate change is not only about melting ice caps and polar bears. Climate change is about people.

Swinging weather patterns are creating disasters on a scale that human civilization has never before witnessed. For the world’s poorest people – the ones least equipped to deal with its effects – climate change is devastating their crops, livelihoods and communities.

"Climate change is worsening the plight of those hundreds of millions of men, women and children who already live in extreme poverty – and it threatens to push hundreds of millions more people into similar destitution," says CARE International’s Secretary General Robert Glasser. "A concerted international response to this unprecedented challenge is required if we are to avoid catastrophic human suffering."

CARE is working toward a world where poor people can create opportunity out of crises like climate change. But the current reality is that climate change makes poor people even more vulnerable.

For instance, agricultural production will likely decline in the poorest countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Less reliable rainfall will likely affect planting seasons, crop growth and livestock health – and lead to increased malnutrition. In other parts of the developing world, flooding will likely further diminish the quality of already-marginal soil and could cause outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
Climate change also is hurling many poor families into “Catch-22” situations. For example, they may select crops that are less sensitive to rainfall variation, but also less profitable. As incomes decline and people are not able to eke out a living, children are forced to leave school, assets are sold off to afford essentials, malnutrition rates increase and large-scale migration ensues. The end result? Deepening poverty for tens of millions of people around the world.

What Must Be Done?

At the international level, negotiations to develop a new treaty to guide global efforts to address climate change will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark in just a couple weeks. The United States must help lead those efforts, and forge a strong agreement that caps emissions, stops global warming and responds to the effects already in motion. We must do this for the sake of all of humanity.

What can I do to help?

First, you can make a tax-deductible donation to CARE to help poor families access the tools and education they need to adapt to the effects of climate change, make efficient use of their existing resources and overcome poverty for good.
Second, if you live in the Unites States, you can write your senators and urge them to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a critical step toward U.S. leadership in tackling climate change. U.S. leadership is critical to making the Copenhagen negotiations a success.

Third, you can join the CARE mailing list to be kept up to date on CARE’s activities and other ways you can take action in the days counting down to Copenhagen.
To donate, take action and join our e-mail list, please visit www.care.org/climate

Thanks to CARE for guest blogging for MOMSthatROCK! today. We'd like to remind you that if you have any doubt about CARE's track record about them putting money where the issues is-- check their Better Business Bureau rating which is linked on their website. Their track record speaks for itself.

Today's entry is part of Blog Action Day '09: www.blogactionday.org

Blog Action Day 2009

2009-10-14T07:50:00.001-07:00

Join bloggers around the world to speak out tomorrow about urging action on climate change in preparation for the Copenhagen meetings.

It's painless. It's free. Come on Bloggers. Speak your minds.

Where will you be on October 24th?

2009-10-13T12:41:00.001-07:00

Get with it.

Join the rest of the world on October 24th to take a stand.

See post below for what we're doing in Springfield.

Go to www.350.org to see what other cities are doing . . . around the world.

Springfield: let's live up to our "green" reputation on October 24

2009-10-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

BIKE! 350 - Biking into Clean Energy

A ride around Springfield's downtown to advocate for individual and community solutions to address global climate change by bringing carbon emissions down to 350 parts per million: a level that is considered by scientists to be compatible with human life on Earth.*

11:00 am to Noon, Saturday, 10/24/09

11:00 - 11:30 Ride around and through downtown Springfield - With 350 photo op

11:30 Rally at Old State Capitol Mall South

This Springfield, IL action is being held in solidarity with www.350.org and

the International Day of Climate Action, with over 111 countries and 1427 individual actions across the planet

Sponsoring organizations in formation: Avrom Systems; Illinois Native Plant Society, MomsthatRock! (www.momsthatrock.com) Pax Christi Springfield (www.paxchristispfld.org) ; Sangamon Valley Group Sierra Club (www.illinois.sierraclub.org/sangamon); SCORCH, St. Joseph Parish Environmental Justice Committee;

Sustainable Springfield Inc (www.sustainablespringfield.org)

For more information, contact Diane at 217 544-3997, dianelopezhughes@gmail.com

*Currently at 385 parts per million, which renders human life unsustainable over the long haul.

The Fight Against Terrorism

2009-10-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

What is the most effective way to fight terrorism?

Empower girls and women in marginalized countries.

Historically, the countries that oppress, abuse and dehumanize girls and women are the countries that home-grow and harbor terrorists.

So . . .

Not only can we improve the global economy (which includes your economy and my economy) by empowering women and girls in marginalized countries we can FIGHT terrorism.

For an amazing read and quick understanding of this issue read the recently released book that the Huffington Post has just declared "The Most Important Book of the Year."

To go to the website for Half the Sky and the movement it spawned click HERE.

For a glimpse of how issues go viral when Oprah gets a hold of them click HERE. (She had the authors, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn on her show last week devoted to these issues)

To visit CARE, the leading humanitarian organization that has been leading this exact movement and has been around since WWII and find out about the amazing work they do and how you can help go HERE .

To take 3 minutes to do something NOW that will have a great economic and quality of life impact on marginalized women in Malawi and costs NOTHING click HERE .

Join Becky's village, Zumani, and you can unlock $3/day by answering quiz questions and inviting others to join. It is simple. It is effective. It can be done NOW.

Women Changing the World, One Village at a Time. Join Us.

2009-09-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a bit more about the Join My Village project and OUR village Zumani. Check it out!!!

OVERVIEW. Join My Village channels the power of online communities to help real communities in Malawi ignite hope, inspire action, and create lasting change. General Mills is ready to donate up to $500,000 to empower women and girls through CARE’s work – and your actions and donations will make it happen. $200,000 is already working hard in approximately 75 villages in the Kasungu region of Malawi. The remaining $300,000 is waiting to be unlocked by you!

By taking part in a variety of simple online activities, you can help ensure that the full investment is made. Joining a village team, answering a quiz question, and inviting friends to be part of Join My Village are all ways that you can unlock General Mills donation dollars, up to a total of $15,000 per village team (or $150,000 across all ten village teams). You can also make a direct donation and double your impact because General Mills will match personal donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to another $15,000 per village team (or $150,000 in total). Match ceiling of $50 per donor.

All funds raised go straight to Malawi to support CARE’s proven approaches to fighting poverty, including the establishment of village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) and increasing access to education for girls.

Join My Village features 10 different Malawi villages on its web site. Basic facts, from population to key challenges and goals, are displayed to provide a snapshot of what life is like in each village. You have the opportunity to align with one of the featured Malawi villages and track its progress by joining a village team.

Each village team has a Contribution Goal of $30,000. Of that, up to $15,000 may be “unlocked” by engaging in simple online activities, such as:

Answering a quiz question $1
Joining a village team $1
Inviting friends to join $1

Up to $3 per person, per day can be unlocked, and you can return each day to unlock more dollars until your village team’s Contribution Goal is reached.

The remaining $15,000 available to each village team takes the form of matching donations. General Mills will double the impact of your personal donation through a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $15,000 per village team ($150,000 in total). Donations must be at least $10 and are processed via credit card at CARE.org (a secure site). Match ceiling of $50 per donor.

Zumani

VILLAGE MZATI: Agnes Ntenje

“I want to be highly educated. So that I'll become a teacher or the president of this country.”

The leap from teacher to president seems a small one in the world of Agnes, who is still in awe of “Madam teacher,” who taught her last year.

“We were listening to whatever she was saying. She was inspiring me. She is the one who made me want to be a teacher.”

The daughter of Zumani's charismatic headman, Agnes Ntenje could be something of a local princess. But the quiet, gangly girl with a mischievous twinkle in her eye has the same heavy load of chores as most girls in town: she sweeps the family compound, helps bathe her younger brothers, cooks, carries water from the well several miles away and helps in the fields. And Agnes and her little sister walk an hour and a half to school every day, just like other kids in Zumani.

It is Agnes' super-sized ambitions that really set her apart. And her persistence.

Agnes has repeated just about every grade. Some twice. At 14, she is still in fourth grade.

“She is too playful!” shouts her little sister, Angelina.

“I play on the days when there is no teacher,” Agnes murmurs, looking down at her hands.

There are three teachers to teach the 590 students in grades one through seven of Agnes' and Angelina's primary school. They simply don't have time to teach everything in the curriculum. More often than not, come exam time, Agnes fails. She dreads this. “It is painful because they give us what we did not learn.”

Asked how it would be if more female teachers came to teach in Zumani with the support of Join My Village, Agnes thinks for a moment about how she ought to put it.

“We will be better children. We will be admired. It can be a beautiful school... and we would be the happiest students.”

ABOUT ZUMANI

“In the past the government had built a fence to keep people from hunting animals in the forest but, in Zumani, they felt this was a prohibition and they kept hunting.” – David Ntenje, group village headman, Zumani

Some 60 kilometers along the dusty track that leads from the nearest paved road, the vista of yellow-dry rolling fields suddenly closes in and turns green. Gnarled acacia throng the road. You have finally arrived in Zumani.

In the aftermath of a drought-driven famine that killed thousands of Malawians in 2002, while other agricultural communities relied on luck, prayer and aid to avert further disaster, the people of Zumani took matters into their own hands. Three acres out of each villager's eight acre plot would be planted with trees to nourish Zumani's soil and counteract destruction of Malawi's forests.

“We wanted our children to know the natural forest,” says David. “The children who are born here will find these trees and call them by their names.”

It wasn't always like this. In the 1980s and '90s, elephants from a nearby national park trampled crops and poked their trunks through thatched roofs to devour the year's harvest. People struck back, poaching animals and stealing trees for kindling.

Since the famine all of that has changed. A sturdy new fence surrounds the area. People keep bees in the trees outside the park.

Now, in spite of its distance from paved roads and trading centers, Zumani is a coveted place to live. Many here share the feelings of Mercy Chifundo, a farmer who has shifted several times across hundreds of miles in search of a good place to raise her two boys. As secretary of the School Management Committee, Mercy has helped mold bricks and carry water and sand for the construction of a new school block.

Mercy for one, wants to spend the rest of her life in Zumani.

“I like this place very much,” Mercy said. “This is the place where I will die.”

Join My Village Video

2009-09-23T20:43:00.001-07:00

I am honored to be the Village Leader of Zumani for this project. Please help me and my 14 year old Village Mzata, Agnes, and join team Zumani.

I implore you to spread the word to your friends and also ask them to join our team.

Click right HERE right now to join; it's effortless and costs you nothing but 5 minutes of your time.

"Women are changing the world, village by village. Join Us.”

Join My Village Press Release

2009-09-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

Becky is honored to have been chosen to be one of the 10 Village Leaders for this innovative project, that was announced at the Clinton Global Initiative today.

Please join the village Zumani and please help spread the word to your friends. This innovative plan requires you to only give a minute of your time to affect some very positive change. Below is the press release. You can click HERE to see the press release it in original form with graphics.

Please press HERE to Join me at Village Zumani NOW!

Innovative Online Community Launched at Clinton Global Initiative Will Fight Poverty in Africa

Join My Village (www.JoinMyVillage.com) -- a partnership between General Mills and the humanitarian organization CARE -- is an innovative, online community that enables Americans to release up to $500,000* to increase economic and educational opportunities for women and girls in approximately 75 villages in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa.
We believe women and girls everywhere are a powerful force for change
We're hopeful that through our partnership with CARE, this initiative will demonstrate how small actions can make a real difference for women, families and communities in Malawi.
Nearly four decades of global microfinance experience have shown us that when poor people - primarily women - have access to basic financial services, they can change their lives and build stronger communities. When women make an income, they typically spend it improving the education, nutrition and health of their families.
Join My Village builds on the strengths of these initiatives and will help us do even more to nourish lives in these communities

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) September 23, 2009 -- Today, at the Clinton Global Initiative Fifth Annual Meeting, President Clinton introduced a unique commitment between General Mills and CARE called 'Join My Village,' an innovative online community that is fighting poverty in Malawi through the empowerment of women and girls.
Naomi Chibwe, 39, is the Mzati (m-ZAH-tee) for the village Kaisi. Visitors to Join My Village can join Naomi's village, or select from nine others, and track their progress. These women are setting out on a path of change and they are hoping you will follow them on their journey.
Naomi Chibwe, 39, is the Mzati (m-ZAH-tee) for the village Kaisi. Visitors to Join My Village can join Naomi's village, or select from nine others, and track their progress. These women are setting out on a path of change and they are hoping you will follow them on their journey.

General Mills is ready to donate up to $500,000* to increase economic and educational opportunities for women and girls in approximately 75 villages in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa. Through simple and fun online activities - answering a quiz question, telling a friend about Join My Village, or joining a village team - $1 will be unlocked by General Mills and will go to CARE's poverty fighting programs in the Malawi villages (limit of 3 activities per person per day, and unlocking up to $15,000 per online village team or $150,000 in total). Additionally, General Mills will match personal contributions dollar-for-dollar for up to $50 per donor, $15,000 per village or $150,000 in total.

"We believe women and girls everywhere are a powerful force for change," said Chris Shea, senior vice president of External Relations and president of the General Mills Foundation. "We're hopeful that through our partnership with CARE, this initiative will demonstrate how small actions can make a real difference for women, families and communities in Malawi."

Visitors to Join My Village will be invited to join one of ten villages on the site that represent the approximately 75 villages in Malawi supported through Join My Village. Village team members will get to know the women and families in Malawi through frequent updates, photos and stories. They also can track how dollars are creating change and improving lives in Malawi.

CARE will distribute all funds raised directly to Malawi to provide economic opportunities for women and increase access to quality education for girls. Join My Village is setting out to drive measurable and long-term positive impact with women and families in Africa by tapping into the inherent power of women to connect with, and provide strength for, other women.

According to Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO of CARE, "Nearly four decades of global microfinance experience have shown us that when poor people - primarily women - have access to basic financial services, they can change their lives and build stronger communities. When women make an income, they typically spend it improving the education, nutrition and health of their families."

Join My Village has its roots in General Mills' One Million Meals for Malawi initiative that began in 2007. That effort to export meals to school children in Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries, quickly evolved into much more.

In 2008, the General Mills Foundation allocated $3 million to the African Women and Children's Hunger project in Malawi and Tanzania to fund a variety of economic development initiatives. Then, the company's technical community began volunteering its skills to lend a hand. And this year, General Mills formed a partnership with COMACO, a Zambia-based food company whose mission is to curb the illegal poaching of animals and destruction of forests by creating an alternative way for people to earn a living. "Join My Village builds on the strengths of these initiatives and will help us do even more to nourish lives in these communities," said Shea.

Listen to what Ken Powell, CEO of General Mills has to say about Join My Village.

To learn more about Join My Village, log onto www.JoinMyVillage.com and help unlock funds to empower women and girls in Malawi.

(*$500,000 maximum donation, $200,000 minimum donation)

About General Mills

One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had fiscal 2009 global net sales of US$15.9 billion, including the company's $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.

About CARE

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Working side by side with poor people in more than 65 countries, CARE helps empower communities to address the greatest threats to their survival. Women are at the heart of CARE's efforts to improve health, education and economic development because experience shows that a woman's achievements yield dramatic benefits for her entire family. CARE is also committed to providing lifesaving assistance during times of crisis, and helping rebuild safer, stronger communities afterward. We advocate for policies that defend the dignity of all people and promote the eradication of poverty.

MOMSthatROCK! News

2009-09-05T06:45:00.001-07:00

Click on the newsletter to enlarge . . .

Thank You Michael Franti-- for everything you do!

2009-08-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

What a great night.

Earlier in the week we got a call from CARE-Chicago folks inviting us to a reception with Michael Franti before his performance at Ravinia and to his concert (which happened to have G. Love and Special Sauce and Joseph Israel sidelining).

This was a good news/bad news scenario. Anna was on the road in Seattle so she couldn't attend, but we had some teenage boys that were more than willing to stand in and sacrifice themselves by taking the tickets.

I cannot even express what a wonderful human Michael Franti is in the way he gives himself to individuals, causes and his audience. Michael serves as a CARE Ambassador and an excellent one at that.

Michael is reaching a massive multigenerational audience that listens to his message and sends thunderous applause in response to his appeals for world peace, spreading the love and the empowerment of girls and women in marginalized countries.

This trip was such an educational and, I believe, life-altering experience for our boys. We had Luke who is a musician heading off to college in Chicago next week and not positive about the direction his life will take but loves music, art and social justice and has currently claimed marketing as his major.

Then there is Keegan, our fifteen year old that is hanging in that cusp where it feels like ions until your adult life will start and prime time to see the example of how an adult can follow his art and passion while making a positive impact on the world's brothers and sisters. And our twelve year old birthday boy who is glowing from the entire experience.

Michael took an individual interest in each of our children and then took them down to the stage sans parents and even had Luke play his guitar. The band also popped in and kindly interacted with the group.

It was a rainy night and it wasn't looking like there would be a big crowd. By the time Michael and Spearhead got on stage the place was absolutely packed, inside and out, and this man who was fighting for his life a mere 4 weeks ago, having walked around with a ruptured appendix for a week, kept the audience dancing and jumping and waving and clapping and dropping their jaws at his moon walk. It was clear that a shining star was in the house, albeit a humble one that would rather highlight the audience--pulling them on stage, or talk about his band members or social causes than shine the spotlight on himself.

And then I realized as I watched Michael's hand pumping in rhythm towards the sky-- bless his heart, he was wearing the MOMSthatROCK! All. Ways. Peace. bracelet I had given him at our meeting. Sweet.

yep, there's the bracelet. All. Ways. Peace. Michael!

This is a man that once decided to buy a plane ticket to Iraq, guitar in hand, and play music on the streets so he could get a feel for the people as just that: People.

This is a man who hasn't worn shoes for 9 years after an experiment to see what it would be like if he, like many others around the world, didn't have access to shoes. Nine years later he continues to walk in solidarity with the world's neediest and actively advocates for justice and a healthier planet for our children, all the while, barefoot.

Follow Michael. He's doing amazing things.

Check out Power to the Peaceful-- a peace-loving music festival produced by Michael in September that you don't want to miss if at all possible. We need one in every state, every month.

Check out his website.

Follow him on FaceBook.

Follow him on MySpace.

Follow him on Twitter.

LISTEN to him. (he has a song skyrocketing on the top 40: Say Hey! try not to be happy while you listen- impossible)

THANK him for making a difference to so many lives throughout the world.

Passing out CARE literature before the meeting with Michael

CARE-Chicago staffers: Bonnie Welch and Kathy Lane

MTHR! Becky and son, Luke (re)connecting with Michael

the MTHR! bracelet giving ceremony : )

Michael sharing information with the group

Michael- across the table from CARE advocate and Becky's husband and boys

our birthday boy

Luke, a huge Michael Franti fan

Michael went along with shouting out to the member of our family that turned everyone on to Michael Franti but is already off at college

this was an extremely multi-generational crowd and Michael had EVERYONE in the house rockin!

Joseph Israel

G. Love and Special Sauce

Please check out the Colbert Report interview-- hilarious as usual!

2009-08-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

photo by Kelly Martin
Please peruse the below emails from the movement 350 which is described in detail below in the order these emails were sent out. This is important information regarding our planet's future so please, share the information. You can Twitter and FaceBook from the links. The Colbert Report link is in the middle email. Enjoy!

Be the Change we Need to See . . .

Anna and Becky

Dear Friends,

I'm back home with my family for a few days, after the third long organizing trip of the past few months.

In a way, this trip was the most extraordinary, because it took me to places where you wouldn't necessarily expect climate organizing to be going full force. But it is--people everywhere are figuring out that 350 is the most important number on earth, that October 24 is going to be the most widespread day of climate action ever, and that six weeks before the big UN talks in Copenhagen we'll stand together to change the debate on climate change.

The biggest lesson from my trip? That this movement is building in the most unlikely of places. India, for instance--whose people are not, by and large, big emitters of CO2, and whose leaders have so far been reluctant to even consider taking on international commitments to fight against warming. But from the Rotary Clubs of Mumbai to the temples of Varanasi to the lawn of Delhi's Nehru Museum and Library (where thousands of schoolkids formed a giant 350 and a gorgeous Bengal tiger), I found people gearing up for October 24, and determined to play their part in helping prevent the melt of Himalayan glaciers or the drying of the Ganges.

And in the oil-rich states of the Persian Gulf, I had no idea what to expect. But our friends at IndyAct, the Arab world's climate leaders, connected us with amazing organizers in places like Abu Dhabi and Oman. Some were in chadors or flowing dishdasha; all were eager to spread the word.

And on and on, in every corner of the globe. It's sort of hard to believe until you see it--which is why I hope you'll stay plugged into the campaign in every way the web now allows. First of all, if you're not yet connected to us on Facebook, now's the time--not only does our Facebook page kelp keep track of this global movement, but also lets you connect directly to other 350 advocates and activists all over the world: http://www.facebook.com/350.org

And Twitter--I've only just gotten around to joining up myself. I was deeply skeptical at first, but I'm now starting to understand that Twitter's micro-messages allow a new and interesting kind of conversation. You can follow me at www.twitter.com/billmckibben and the official campaign at www.twitter.com/350

We hope you enjoy watching the movement build online--but moreover we hope that these online channels inspire you to organize an offline action of your own. If your community isn't yet on the map, sign up here: www.350.org/oct24

One of the messages I kept hearing as I traveled was: "we're eager to be heard!" In the developing world, especially, people are excited at the thought that the rest of the planet will be paying attention to them on October 24--that by taking action, photographing their local event, and spreading it online, they'll be collaborating with people spreading exactly the same message no matter where they are on this planet.

It's a beautiful vision--Kansas and Cancun, New York and New Delhi, Boston and Beirut, connecting and collaborating across borders. It's exactly what we need to do with this most global of all problems--thanks for playing your part!

Onwards,

Bill McKibben

Dear Friends,

It's rare that public humiliation and movement building come in one package, but my appearance on The Colbert Report last night was a bit of both.

The interview lasted all of four minutes, but I managed to make my pitch and survive the interview with at least 40% of my dignity intact. If you have friends who aren't necessarily inclined to earnest environmental preaching, this might be a good clip to send them as you try to recruit new activists for the big day of Climate Action on Oct. 24.

You can see my interview with Colbert--and pass it on to your networks--by using the link below:

http://www.350.org/billoncolbert

In the span of just a few years, Stephen Colbert and his Colbert Report have become institutions in the American media landscape. But interesting institutions--the show is comedy, and it's also slightly anarchic. Colbert is brilliant, and more than a little wild: it's not like going on normal, predictable television. That's the drama, and it's why people tune in.

It's also why I was a little more nervous than usual as my evening in the guest's chair approached. i can usually predict the questions I'll be asked--I've heard most of them before. But last night they were coming fast and furious, and out of left field. "What if I start 349.org?"

With a lot of help from friends who'd coached me and psyched me up, I got through just fine--and even made Colbert laugh when I inquired if his self-styled Nation wanted to join the 80 other governments that are backing our target. Best of all, it worked--our servers hummed with thousands of new colleagues.

We're enormously grateful to Stephen and his crew for helping us spread the word-now let's keep this movement moving!

Onwards,

Bill McKibben

P.S. My younger and more technologically adept colleagues assure me that if you click the links below you'll be able to share the video on Facebook and Twitter-give it a whirl:

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Dear friends,

For once, this email isn't asking you to do anything at all. It's merely sharing the news--the amazing news--that arrived about 45 minutes ago at 350 headquarters.

Rajendra Pachauri is the U.N.'s top climate scientist. He leads the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which every five years produces the authoritative assessment of climate science. Their last report, in 2007, helped set the target of 450 ppm (parts per million of CO2) that many environmental groups and national governments have adopted as their goal for Copenhagen.

As you all know, that number is out of date. When Jim Hansen and other scientists looked at phenomenon like the Arctic ice melt of the last two summers, they produced new data demonstrating that 350 is the bottom line for the planet.

But it's been hard to get that news out to the powers that be.

So today it comes as enormous and welcome news that Dr. Pachauri, from his New Delhi office, said that 350 was the number.

"As chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) I cannot take a position because we do not make recommendations," said Rajendra Pachauri when asked if he supported calls to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations below 350 parts per million (ppm).

"But as a human being I am fully supportive of that goal. What is happening, and what is likely to happen, convinces me that the world must be really ambitious and very determined at moving toward a 350 target," he told Agence France Presse in an interview.

It's your work that has made this breakthrough possible. In fact, Pachauri specifically cited the last big piece of news for 350: the decision of 80+ small island nations and less developed countries to endorse the 350 target.

"I think this is a good development," said Pachauri. "Now people -- including some scientists -- see the seriousness of the impacts of climate change, and the fact that things are going to get substantially worse than what we had anticipated."

This news makes it much easier for all of us to push hard leading up to the International Day of Climate Action on the 24th of October (signup to start or attend an event at www.350.org) , and the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen this December.

It's clear now that science is powerfully on the side of the 350 target. Now we need the political world to follow suit. You will make that happen in the next two months. Oct. 24 is officially 60 days away, and we're building just the momentum we need to make it count.

Thanks for all you do,

Bill McKibben

P.S. Once you've spread this news around your networks (click here to share it on twitter or here to share it on facebook), please go celebrate. And speaking of celebrations, our friends at The Age of Stupid report that the Global Premier of their new epic climate change film takes place on September 21--you can find details on local screenings here: www.ageofstupid.net

Mourning the loss of a great advocate . . .

2009-08-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

We could wax on lyrical about the contributions of Senator Ed Kennedy throughout the years and the bipartisan respect he received, but we'll share the words from the email President Barack Obama sent out mourning this great loss:

photo: Reuters

MOMS --

Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me.

In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.

I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives.

For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.

Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still.

Sincerely,
President Barack Obama

Give Peace A Chance: Don't miss this FREE Webinar on Peace Day

2009-08-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

Click on following text to enroll

Co-creating a Peaceful World Webinar

Free Webinar Global Coherence Initiative
Co-creating a Peaceful World Webinar
Monday, September 21, 2009. Time: 11 a.m. – 12 noon and 6 – 7 p.m. (PDT)

Sign up Today for the Co-creating a Peaceful World: A Synchronized GCI Event with Steering Committee members Deborah Rozman, Howard Martin and Rollin McCraty

Peace among nations begins in each individual’s heart and spreads outward with heart care focus to our families, communities, all the world’s people and Planet Earth itself. As the global community celebrates the International Day of Peace† this year, the Global Coherence Initiative will sponsor a special event devoted to working with one another to create a more peaceful, caring world.

Mark Sept. 21 on your calendar for Peace Day and join GCI Steering Committee members Deborah Rozman, Ph.D., Howard Martin and Rollin McCraty, Ph.D., for GCI’s Co-creating a Peaceful World.

The event will start off with two short presentations by Rozman and McCraty, followed by a Peace Day observance and Care Focus Heart Lock-In led by Martin:
Deborah Rozman, Ph.D. Rozman will discuss planetary peace and envisioning and creating the world you desire. Rozman is president and co-CEO of HeartMath firm Quantum Intech Inc., is a psychologist, educator, author and researcher in the psychology of consciousness.
Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. McCraty will discuss "field environments," the energetic fields each individual and everything around us possesses, and the constant influence on them by our thoughts, attitudes and emotions. McCraty is the Institute of HeartMath’s executive vice president and director of research and project coordinator for the GCI’s Global Coherence Monitoring System.
Howard Martin Martin, executive vice president of HeartMath LLC and an international spokesman for the HeartMath System of tools, techniques and technology, will lead participants through a Care Focus Heart Lock-In.
With care and peace,

The Global Coherence Steering Committee

† The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 and first celebrated in September the following year, when the 21st day of the month was designated as the official date of the annual observance.
Global Coherence Initiative
Co-creating a Peaceful World: A Synchronized GCI Event
Join us for a Webinar on Monday, September 21, 2009.
Space is limited, so reserve your Webinar seat now.
Two times for GCI Webinars: The following Web site is a time conversion site for determining the number of hours’ difference between your local time and PDT – Pacific Daylight Time – which is observed, for example, in San Francisco and the rest of California in the U.S.A.: www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc.
Presented by: Deborah Rozman Ph.D., Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. and Howard Martin
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009
Time: 11 a.m. – 12 noon PDT
Register Now
Presented by: Deborah Rozman Ph.D., Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. and Howard Martin
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009
Time: 6 – 7 p.m. PDT
Register Now
System Requirements
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Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.3.9 (Tiger®) or newer

Look for reminder e-mails.

Global Coherence Initiative 14700 West Park Ave., Boulder Creek, CA 95006 | tel (831) 706-2981 | fax (831) 338-8504 | info@glcoherence.org

© 2009 Global Coherence Initiative. All rights reserved. www.glcoherence.org

Don't Miss Tomorrow's New York Times

2009-08-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

Everything we have been talking about regarding the need for improving the lives of women and girls in impoverished nations to improve the state of the world will be covered in tomorrow's New York Times Magazine. Don't miss it. Here are some words from Helene Gayle of CARE:

The New York Times Magazine this Sunday is dedicated to international women's issues, and places CARE's mission at the center of a national dialogue on solutions to global poverty. The issue's feature article, "The Women's Crusade," highlights CARE's focus on women and girls. Goretti Nyabenda, a participant in one of our village savings and loan programs in Burundi, is featured on the magazine's cover, and her story is told in the audio slide show, "A Powerful Truth."

We are thrilled that The New York Times Magazine is shedding light on the pivotal role that women and girls play in fighting global poverty. As the magazine notes, "The world is awakening to a powerful truth: Women and girls aren't the problem; they're the solution." At CARE, we couldn't agree more. We encourage you to read this issue of The New York Times Magazine, and share it with your friends and family.

A catalyst for the magazine's focus this weekend is the release of Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," which will be available on September 8, 2009. This moving book shares poignant tales of women's struggles and triumphs in the face of poverty and discrimination. You'll meet inspiring women in the developing world and even learn more about our friend in Burundi in the book's chapter, "A CARE Package for Goretti." Through these compelling stories, the authors brilliantly illustrate the connections between women's empowerment and social and economic progress.

We're inviting you to read "Half the Sky" with your book club, women's group, alumni chapter or family and friends. Then, start a conversation about the challenges and opportunities women and girls face, and what you can do to help, such as joining CARE in the global movement to end poverty by empowering women and girls.

Click here to pre-order "Half the Sky" through Amazon. CARE will receive at least 4 percent of revenue when purchases are made through this link.
Click here to sign up for special updates on "Half the Sky," opportunities to interact with the authors, CARE's "Half the Sky" discussion guide, and creative ideas to help you take action.
Together, we have the power to help women around the world build a better future for all.
Sincerely,
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH
President and CEO, CARE

A Powerful Noise is now available to YOU!

2009-08-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

Now you can own your own copy of the moving and award winning documentary that was life-altering for us and the inspiration for the MOMSthatROCK! movement.

Click HERE for more details.

Host your own screenings.

Share the inspiration.

All. Ways. Peace.

Anna and Becky

Springfield Business Journal article on MOMSthatROCK!

2009-08-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to read an article on MOMSthatROCK in the August edition of Springfield Business Journal!

Great article! Thanks SBJ!

WICS News Channel 20 reports on MOMSthatROCK!

2009-08-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

A big THANKS to Kelly Larson for such great news coverage!

when so little means so much

2009-08-03T12:55:00.001-07:00

At our MOMSthatROCK inaugural events we had some change cans sitting around asking for "change for change" for the Thika, Kenya orphanage where Becky's daughter, Rachel, was away volunteering for the month of June; their first international volunteers.

What we didn't realize when we took this "love offering" was how literal the term "change for change" was. Our collection came to $200. Little did we know that it would pay for almost 2 month's rent for these little girls.

Rachel was immediately struck with how happy these girls were when she met them. In America, when we think of orphanages the emotional response is usually sadness. In this situation, these girls were taken from such difficult living situations they were gleeful to be wearing clothes (even if they didn't fit) and to be fed (even if there was not a lot of variety in their food) and most of all to be loved by their care takers, the volunteers and each other.

Rachel is home safe and sound now but her heart is still with these little girls. Many of the girls had been orphaned by AIDS and she and another volunteer were instrumental in getting all the girls tested during her stay; she was ecstatic that they were all HIV negative!

This is a place where a little assistance goes a very long way. The orphanage, led by their devoted minister and Powerful Noise-Maker, Caroline, is run on an annual budget of only $19,900.

Yes, that's right. An amount under what many of you pay for your automobiles will clothe and feed and educate these 21 amazing little girls for an entire year.

Stay tuned. We've fallen in love with the sweet spirits of these girls and their fearless leader and we hope to find more ways to help them.

If you can't wait-- please feel free to make a donation through the PayPal link in the right hand column and/or contact us at momsthatrock@me.com with the words "Ark Children's Home" in the memo line.

(one negative was that it costs $27 to Western Union the money to Kenya so if any of you have a lead on a more cost effective ways to transfer funds, please share your expertise with us).

Abay by Phil Borges

2009-07-17T15:50:00.001-07:00

PEACE. Begins. Here. Now.

2009-07-17T15:36:00.000-07:00

Please support Springfield's annual Peace Camp offered for KIDS annually FREE of charge. They can use your tax deductible donation. If you cannot attend this fun-raiser please call 217-622-6541 for details on how you can help!

All. Ways. Peace.

Women Empowered

2009-07-17T09:01:00.001-07:00

Click HERE

Springfield MOMSthatROCK

2009-06-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Great Illinois Times article regarding tomorrow's event

2009-06-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

POSTED ON JUNE 25, 2009:

Rockin’ moms unite for a cause

By Tom Irwin

Anna Fermin

When Anna Fermin and Becky Aud-Jennison decided it was time to act upon their humanitarian and philanthropic desires, everything just fell into place. Fermin, a popular singer-songwriter in Chicago and Aud-Jennison, a psychotherapist living in Springfield, describe the formation of MomsthatRock Productions, a homespun charitable organization, as a nearly spiritual convergence, bound to happen as sure as the two fellow moms and activists met.

According to information at www.momsthatrock.com, Fermin and Aud-Jennison felt that coming together on this project seemed almost inevitable and predestined, a slow simmer of four years of friendship that resulted in a burst of energetic organization last spring to develop the program of MomsthatRock and Concerts for a Cause.

Last Saturday in Chicago they held the group’s first event at the Fulton Street Collective, featuring a combination of live music listening with opportunities for participants to make charitable donations and learn about helping decrease the effects of poverty at home and around the world. The fledgling group received a huge boost early on when CARE (www.care.org), one of the foremost humanitarian groups on the planet, came on board to help in fundraising and, more importantly, in distributing the raised funds in a planned and needed direction.

MomsthatRock presents the Springfield inaugural event of Rock for a Cause on Saturday, June 27, from 3 to 8 p.m., at 1402 West Lake Shore Drive on Lake Springfield. Tickets, available at the group’s Web site, are $10 in advance or $15 at the door with all proceeds going to CARE. Kids 12 and under are admitted free with an adult. Folks are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for relaxing and picnic food for munching. Young people can participate in an art project intended to be sent as an inspiration to children in other parts of the world. Featured guests include performers Suzy and the Smokers, Brandon Carnes, and Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel, with local musician and author Dave Cain reading from his new book, Who Stole My Illusion.

The whole event in geared toward families having a good time listening to live music while helping to support CARE so others around the world may share in the bounty we enjoy. You can also donate to Change for Change, an international group aiding in poverty-stricken areas of the world, as another way of offering a helping hand. Aud-Jennison’s daughter, Rachel, is currently in Kenya involved with an orphanage and village as a participant of the humanitarian organization and your donations can directly aid her work.

As they as say on the MomsthatRock Web site, “What could be better than meaningful activism with righteous rocking out! Join us. We dare you.” Who could pass up a dare like that?

In other international relations, The Sangwegians a combination of Sangamon Valley and Norwegian musicians, perform Wednesday, July 1, at Bar None starting around 9 p.m. The quartet features John Brillhart on guitar and vocals and Josh Parr on fiddle and mandolin as the Sangamon representatives, and Paul Kirby on banjo and Frank-Runar Gansmo on acoustic bass holding up the Norwegian contingency. Kirby grew up around Williamsville and during his annual visit to the homeland plans a musical performance with friends to demonstrate the universal appeal of music and to just have a blast. Kirby and Gansmo are both professional opera singers in Norway and rather boldly make the claim of being the “only two motorcycle riding, opera singing, bluegrass pickers in Norway. Probably.”

The pair of musicians are part of an Oslo-based, bluegrass-folk group known as Moving Day!, concerning themselves with standards of the genre and adaptations from all styles of music. Last year the visiting players got together on a Sunday at the Brewhaus and did some mighty fine picking and grinning. They’ll stop by on July 5 for a return Brewhaus engagement as our guests on a Sunday night as The Sangwegians.

URL for this story is: http://illinoistimes.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A10436

p.s. Change 4 Change is actually a MOMSthatROCK! grassroots concept and NOT an international group.

A few photos from Chicago MTHR! event~

2009-06-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Anna Fermin brought the house down!

MOMthatROCKS! extraordinaire

Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans

rocked the house as you can see

from the children below

The bubble wrap continued to be a hit long after the song it was used for!

Making some art

Good ole concessions-- A Powerful Noise played ongoing

as well as some of CARE's short videos

Anne Harris ROCKED the house!!!!

Anne Harris is a MOM that ROCKS!!!!

Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel were on fire!!!

You have to catch them in Springfield!

Springfield: Saturday June 27th is a DO NOT MISS event.

1402 West Lake Shore Drive

Springfield, Illinois

3pm - 8pm

$15 donation at the door

Still time to preorder for $10 at www.momsthatrock.com under the events tab

This will be an AWESOME show!!!

Check out Trigger Gospels sound by pressing HERE.

Check out Suzy and the Smokers by pressing HERE

and Brandon Carnes by pressing HERE

(Suzy of the Smokers just happens to be the Rockin Mother of Brandon Carnes)

A HUGE thank you goes out to Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans, Anne Harris and her band, and Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel for a great show and to all of you that attended!!!!

Chicago Inaugural Event: THIS SATURDAY!!!

2009-06-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

We look forward to seeing you!

Click on flier to enlarge:

CHANGE for CHANGE and CARE

2009-06-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

At our two upcoming events, you will have the opportunity to give in two distinct ways.

CARE representatives will be on hand so that you can make your tax deductible donation directly to CARE to support their noble work.

We will also have canisters to collect CHANGE for CHANGE that will go directly to the orphanage below.

MOMSthatROCK! wouldn't have come to fruition at this point in time if it hadn't been for Becky's daughter Rachel heading to Kenya to volunteer for the month of June, 2009--Anna and Becky would not have seen A Powerful Noise, as you have previously read from our story.

To honor the web of intention and serendipity that has spawned our MTHR! work, we'd like to send a "love offering" directly to this orphanage in Thika, Kenya:

These are some programs Rachel's host mom is working with:

www.exoduscommunity.org

Letter #2 from Rachel's host mom in Kenya

2009-06-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

addendum: as you read this contemplate how privileged we are to have the resources we do and send some positive energy to this woman who gives so freely of herself so that girls and women in Kenya can live better lives.

we are so thrilled to see, first hand, that the women in A Powerful Noise clearly have many global "sisters."

Oh, how I feel humbled to receive such a kind letter from you.

You sound great and very kind. How I wish the whole world would appreciateeach other.

I am just from church and I decided to check on whether I have any mail
before I move on to Nairobi.

Every 2 Sundays of the month I have committed myself to give service to a
group of vulnerable Domestic workers whom I empower on Family life skills
so that they can raise their Self Esteem and avoid being exploited.
Today's group is in Nairobi an estate called Bahati and we meet for
2-3hrs.

I also have a patient whom I want to visit in the hospital before I meet
the girls and that is why I had to attend the very early Church service.

I left Reachel preparing to go for the last service which they will go
with my daughters.

Please relax about her going back to the airport. I have never allowed any
volunteer to go by her own because she might loose her way or even loose
her things.

God has given me small car which I always use to take them back.It is very
old but it assists the family very much.

Yesterday they had a great day cooking for the orphans and playing with
them.I admire her very much together with another one who has a very sad
past of having being s street child when he was young. It is just amazing
to have the volunteers. They touch my heart very much and I always pray
for them and their families who support them to come all this far to
assist our people.

On Saturday I have requested them to join us in raising funds for the
children to another primary school where I am a Chairlady of the Most
vulnerable Children. I wish you were able to assist also.

I will no doubt give her a warm hug when I get back home in the evening
both for you and mine.My first born daughter was very excited last
night to receive a message from you and she made everybody read it.

About the web, I will check tomorrow because I don't want to be late for
hospital.

May the Lord continue working in you as you assist where you can.

May He provide to all His people that the all mankind may live one love
and kindness for each other.

Pass my love to your family and your colleague Annah my namesake.I love
you and miss you already.

Regards.

Annah

An email from Rachel's host mom in Kenya~

2009-06-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

How are you mum

My name is Annah Waniga from Kenya. I am the present host mum to your niceand beautiful daughter Reachel. She is such a wonderful young lady.

I am a mother of three daughters, Lucy, Milka and Maggy. they are allteenagers and therefore I see Reachel as one of them.Already they are very good friends.

We have been sharing more on what I do and she has shared also about what you do. Among the many things that has impressed her is our program on the vulnerable young girls we train on different skill and family life education to spare them from abuse.

She told me that you are also working on uplifting the live of girl child and we both found it a good idea for us to know each other and find out how we can work together.

Maybe your organization can also start a volunteering program in which we can be your partner agent in Kenya and work on placements and hosting of the volunteers.

For more information on what we do, please visit our website exoduscommunity.org

I anticipate that we will continue knowing each other.Pass my love to the whole family.

Regards

Annah

Here's our latest e-letter update

2009-06-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Supporters of Global Peace, Love, and Rock n Roll!

Here are a few updates from MOMSthatROCK!

Anna played a great show the other night at a venue she loves: SPACE in Evanston. Her old friend and great Americana singer/songwriter, Hayseed, opened for Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel. There was a great turnout and a good time was had by all! Here's a quote from Miller Williams (Presidential Inaugural Poet, father of Lucinda Williams)-Hayseed's music is roots music. Not from just one tree but a whole grove: bluegrass, old-time, country, gospel, folk, rock, soul..." Lucinda and Emmy Lou Harris sing duets with him on his albums. We're working on Hayseed opening for Trigger Gospel for a MOMSthatROCK! show in Kenosha and Springfield this fall. STAY TUNED!!!

Attached you will find flyers for our June 20th Chicago Inaugural Concert for a Cause Event and our June 27th Springfield Concert for a Cause Event. Even if you cannot attend, please email it to your friends that might be interested. If you are coming to the Springfield event bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs and feel free to bring a picnic. We'll have some packaged snack bar items.

Don't forget, if you follow the links on our website www.momsthatrock.com you can order your tickets for these events on line and save money. Click on the Rockin' Events tab on our website.

And bring your loose change you've needed to get rid of-- we'll have kids collecting pennies for CARE.

If you haven't read our blog updates-- we had an amazing experience at the National CARE Conference in Washington, DC. We met some inspiring activists and we were SO impressed with CARE's organization and the good work they are doing on the front lines as well as the fact they have an excellent record of giving-- 91% of their revenue goes directly into programming for the poverty stricken. Go to www.momsthatrock.com and hit on the blog tab to read all about it and see some video of the event, including our LIVE from DC video diary update.

A big thank you goes out to St. John's Children's Hospital in Springfield for sponsoring our first Tshirt printing. You'll see them at the events!

And thanks to Deb at Graffiti Graphics for hand-holding us through purchasing our printed merchandise and giving us a much-appreciated discount.

Thanks to Springfieldmoms.org-- your go-to place to find fun-- for being our official media sponsor.

Thanks to Kim and Scott's Gourmet Pretzels of Chicago for donating a LARGE amount of their delicious chocolate dipped pretzels for our events.

Thanks to the SOHO Music Festival folks for lots of good information and a lead on some great PR tools-- don't miss the 2 day SOHO Music Festival in Springfield benefitting Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery this coming Friday and Saturday. It is sure to rock!

Thanks to all the folks at CARE and the Chicago office for your help! We bow to you all.

Thanks to Leslie for selflessly donating the momsthatrock.com domain.

And thanks to each and everyone of you that has offered expertise, volunteer time, support and spreading of the good word. The serendipitous meetings of such helpful and giving people is NO accident.

There's lots more room on this Karma-train so help us keep spreading the word while we all Rock for a Cause!

All. Ways. Peace.

Anna Fermin
Becky Aud-Jennison
MOMSthatROCK!
Concerts for a Cause
PO Box 11088
Springfield, Il 67291
217-414-3829

Sign up on our website and you'll get our updates in your email box.

from small acorns . . . mighty agents of change grow

2009-06-03T10:02:00.001-07:00

If you've followed the young life of MOMSthatROCK! you may remember that the impetus for deciding we have to make MTHR! happen NOW was when Becky and her 21 year old daughter Rachel Otwell went to see CARE's amazing documentary: A Powerful Noise .

When Becky and Rachel walked in to see that movie, the only thing they knew was that the theatre was having a one day event, this past March 5, Rachel was heading to Kenya to volunteer for the month of June and it looked like a great mother-daughter date night opportunity.

They did not realize the movie had anything to do with CARE.

They did not know that one of the women in the movie was an amazing African woman doing life-altering work in Mali.

They had no conception of how their lives and, in turn, Anna Fermin's life and the lives of our families and friends and . . . would be forever changed by that "date night."

Rachel has just arrived in Kenya.

And here is her first email. We thought you might like to hear the impression she already has after being at her guest home close to Thika for just one day:

Trying to conserve money- here is what I e-mailed KT. Need to talk to you soon- there is a great need for funds here, all for women's education. The mom I stay with takes vulnerable women from the slums (prostitutes) and works to give them a college education, for free. Anyway, text you when I have a moment and then you should call me.
Love- R

OK- here is all I can tell as quickly as I can tell it- as I am being charged heavily for a slooooow computer. I am in Thika- a town that is not as rural as where a lot of other volunteers got sent. It is an hour or two outside of Nairobi. There is running water and electricity and I am staying with a GREAT family, a mom and two of her three daughters, they are something like 22 and 24, and super super sweet, I am leaving for church choir with the mom shortly. There are clubs and waterfalls and it should be fun, I am super pumped. I am staying with a boy whose flight from Kansas City, where he goes to school, got in three hours before mine. We were both late and missed orientation which actually was a blessing in disguise as everyone else who stayed at the house we were at the first night complained about having to wait around. Anyway it is just us at our host home for now, there is a girl on holiday but she leaves this week. We are the first to work at a girl's orphanage in a very rural area where noone had ever seen a real live white person. We went to a school today with 1,500 children, mostly from the slums, who laughed and pointed and were happy, I think, to see us. There are only 22 girls in the orphanage we will work at and they are all sweet. It will be lots of fun, more later. Love from Kenya.
-R

Stay tuned. We hope for more updates to post.

All. Ways. Peace.

Rock On.

ps Just got off the phone with Rachel and she said the word "serendipitous" several times. She was struck by the commonality between the "A Powerful Noise" women and her host mom and the host's friend who has started the orphanage, that Rachel and her partner are the first ever volunteers for, from grass roots; while the host mom has outreach projects to get adult women off the street and educated.

"There are no coincidences, only life taking us where we need to go."

All. Ways. Peace.

2009-06-03T05:39:00.000-07:00

If one billion people in the world would Think PEACE - we're gonna get it.

-- Yoko Ono, yesterday on Twitter

We get it.

As our song says when you enter our website at www.momsthatrock.com :

Breathe In . . . Still Your Mind

Every morning before you get out of bed, before you begin your list of things to do, BEFORE

Regulate your breath.

Breathe nice even breaths, in and out.

And Think PEACE

Think COMPASSION

Choose LOVE

And send that energy and those thoughts out to to our GLOBAL COMMUNITY

All.

Ways.

Peace.

In your heart.

In your mind.

And out to the WORLD.

Take that action throughout your day.

Every Day.

Today. We choose LOVE.

All. Ways. Peace.

St. John's Children's Hospital in Springfield ROCKS!!!

2009-05-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Today we are sending out a HUGE thank you to St. John's Children's Hospital in Springfield for generously sponsoring our first T-shirt printing!

Be prepared to purchase one of the very first MOMSthatROCK! t-shirts at our June events in Springfield and Chicago!

Press HERE to learn more about St. John's Children's Hospital's fine work.

Live from the Field: CARE Afghanistan

2009-05-26T16:56:00.001-07:00

Here's the flier for our Inaugural Chicago Event-- click on it to enlarge

2009-05-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

Check out our Springfield June 27 event flyer! Click to enlarge.

2009-05-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

No More Trouble = All. Ways. Peace. = Rock On.

2009-05-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

Check it out: Playing for Change-- music IS the universal language

2009-05-22T21:42:00.001-07:00

Michael Franti and Spearhead : Say Hey Music Video

2009-05-13T19:47:00.001-07:00

ALMOST as good as the live version. ;-)

Choose. Love.

Living on the edge

2009-05-13T19:40:00.001-07:00

Dear President Obama, Please stand up for the world's children!

2009-05-12T11:13:00.001-07:00

Gwen Ifill, Plenary Speaker at the CARE National Conference 2009

2009-05-11T13:48:00.001-07:00

Sen. Tom Harkin Speaking at the CARE National Conference 2009

2009-05-11T06:25:00.001-07:00

CARE National Conference 2009 - Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

2009-05-11T06:16:00.001-07:00

Sen. Richard Lugar Speaking at the CARE National Conference 2009

2009-05-11T06:15:00.001-07:00

Sen. Johnny Isakson Speaking at the CARE National Conference 2009

2009-05-11T06:14:00.003-07:00

CARE National Conference 2009 - Rep. Betty McCollum

2009-05-11T06:14:00.001-07:00

CARE National Conference 2009 - Sen. Amy Klobuchar

2009-05-11T06:12:00.001-07:00

On Mothers Day-- remember Mothers around the world

2009-05-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day with our sweet families gives us cause to ponder that . . .

We at MOMSthatROCK! are blessed.

We have homes that are dry and safe and warm.

We have nutritious food.

We have healthy children that have an equal right to education.

We can choose to have more children OR not.

We can birth our children in safe environments.

We have more than adequate clothing.

We sleep off the ground in a bed.

We type on computers.

(We can listen to Michael Franti while we type on computers.)

We live sweet music~ listening to and creating it.

We have the ability to use our art and our passion to reach the masses.

We are able to get on multi-ton pieces of machinery and and fly IN THE AIR to visit other cultures.

We have partners that love us and stay with us and support our efforts and co-parent our children.

Clearly this list could go on and on and on, but even these basic things that we think of as necessities or rights, many Mothers in developing countries never experience.

This Mother's Day-- join us in getting outside of our comfort zone.

Check out CARE by clicking HERE.

Considering donating to CARE by kicking HERE .

Any doubts about where the money will go? Click on the BBB icon and look at their excellent rating that proves the funds go JUST where they are needed.

Oh yeh, and Happy Mothers Day!

MOMS ROCK!

Rockin for a cause,

Anna and Becky

CARE Conference-- Day 2 report: We laughed. We cried. We laughed again.

2009-05-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

We must do it.

We must try to give a synopsis of our experience at the 2009 National CARE Conference and Celebration before we move forward in the blogosphere.

As you are reading this, imagine that this is coming from 2 working mothers that left behind a total of 8 children at home-- ages 3 months to a graduating Senior in secondary school. We felt the support of our partners and our children in being able to go on without us with an understanding they are integral to MOMSthatROCK! and the work we are doing.

That said, we were just plain giddy.

Anna hasn't slept through the night in over 3 months. Becky is nursing a nasty sprain therefore a bit sleep deprived and we are both still riding the MOMSthatROCK! adrenaline wave; we haven't laughed as freely and uncontrollably since we were kids. It took a few takes to get our video diary up because one of the duo would spew uncontrollable laughter after the other got out, oh-- maybe 5 words.

During our presentations and learning devastating statistics we were moved to tears on more than one occasion during this CARE conference-- an experience felt by many.

On the way to our plane to go home we kept encountering the MOST sweet and kind and interactive people who would comment on our shirts and we continued to share the message of CARE while riding this love-wave.

By the time we were in our seats on the plane, which sat on the runway for 45 minutes before take-off, the true slap-happy-giggles got us in an even more severe way; as we attracted glances from our aisle-mate we struggled with regaining our composure. Memories of totally losing composure in a church setting came to mind and YES we were in full contact with our inner children.

We both agree that when you have an experience in which you repeatedly vacillate between the giddy and grim, a true cementing of the message and event takes place.

You can hear about our first day below in our youtube diary entry and read about it below on our blog on day 1.

Day 2 started at 7:30 am and went until 5:30 with little time off of our feet. Anna and Becky had been split up based on their Congressional Districts during our briefings the first day.

Yes, parting was a sweet sorrow, but we were both so impressed with our CARE staffers in our groups and in our break out sessions and we knew, the broader our experience, the broader our knowledge would be for the mission to follow. We would compare notes when we met up on breaks and at meals and as you can see from our video blog-- our enthusiasm cup runneth over.

On Wednesday morning we were bussed to Capitol Hill where we then followed our schedules to meet with Congress-people where appointments had been made for us. Out of four visits we saw a mixture of members and staffers. All of the meetings proved interesting, informative and a unique observation of group dynamics and communication skills.

Generally, our situation wasn't unique in that there were some members that we simply needed to thank for their hard work already done in these important global issues that CARE was supporting, as well as encountering some members less than receptive.

In our personal cases, the preventing childhood marriage legislation (HR 2103 and the Snow-Durbin Bill that was introduced that very day) seemed to get undeniable support.

Some members had a hard time fully supporting the mandatory reduction of emissions robust funding for international adaptation with the Waxman-Markey bill due to their fear of taking jobs away from Americans and citing India and China's need to do the same. We understand it is a difficult task when your constituents are already at risk of losing jobs but what if we could create more industry and jobs in transferring use of energy to greener alternatives and what if the US was the LEADER in the fight to stop pollution and preserve our planet, instead of eventually being a follower? We send positive intention for the US's role in December's Copenhagen meeting.

In some situations, it became clear that an argument of global warming vs. a belief of NO global warming wasn't going to be solved in this brief meeting and that respectfully moving on to the next topic can be an okay thing to do in meetings such as these.

The issue of globally addressing feeding the hungry and looking at reform and creativity in those areas with the Global Food Security Act (S. 384) and the future Roadmap to End Global Hunger Act was met with a general acknowledgment of the need, but again, a fear of what the bottom line would be regarding financial commitment.

Our CARE staffers were excellent in noting all of the member's concerns so that they would be able to impart that knowledge to CARE's legislative issues staff.

As you know by now, we are not often at a loss for words but it is extremely difficult to conjure the words to truly give you an adequate description of the impact this conference made to so many lives.

But this we know for sure: if you join MOMSthatROCK! at the CARE conference next year you will be forever changed. And that is what we want you to consider. Start saving your pennies today. This was a very affordable conference where we were physically nourished, politically and globally informed, artistically fed and our spirits were entertained. And if you hang with us you may just giggle like it's 1979.

Below are some pictures of our amazing second day. The text has gone on long enough so please peruse and know how honored we were to be a part of this amazing endeavor.

Bo Cutter, Chair of CARE USA Board

Gwen Ifill, Managing Editor & Moderator, PBS's Washington Week

Author, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama

David Lane, President & CEO, One

(check ONE out: www.one.org)

Anna getting her book signed

Anna and her group

Board Member Susan Crown debriefing after a member meeting

The lighter side: Janet Davies, ABC 7 Chicago

CARE President and CEO Helene Gale presenting award to Senator Lugar (R-IN)

Senator Tom Harkin! (D-Iowa)

"if you aren't at the table you're on the menu"

Representative Betty McCollum (D- MN)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar

(the lone Senator from Minnesota

Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Senator Jeanne Sheehan (D- NH)

David Ray, Director of Advocacy CARE USA

(yes, we twittered and facebooked throughout Mr. Ray)

JoDee Winterhof, Vice President, Policy & Advocacy CARE USA

(formerly Senator Harkin's nanny!!!-- we love you for that)

And one of the reasons to go home again . . .

to show his mom how much he missed her

he got up 3 times during the night after dad

had him practically sleeping through the night.

Rock on Mothers and lovers of Mothers and all who CARE.

"Ain't I a woman?"

2009-05-07T12:32:00.001-07:00

Sojourner Truth still ROCKS!

A perfect reminder of the power women have to change the world

Outstanding job by Cicely Tyson-- THANK YOU.

Live from D.C., it's MOMS that ROCK! video diary #2

2009-05-06T22:10:00.001-07:00