This film is not out yet, but look for it to be released this fall. It’s one of those really “important” films, like Food, Inc. and an Inconvenient Truth (same filmmaker Davis Guggenheim) “Waiting for Superman” is one of those must-see movies. Through real-life children’s stories, this documentary tells us how the U.S. school system, once the best in the world, is now utterly failing our kids – to the point of calling the schools “drop-out factories” and “academic sinkholes”. Still, it seems that the documentary offers hope as Guggenheim explores alternative, innovative approaches that could revive the system.
The current [...]

What’s your most, most favorite boutique, shop, restaurant? I bet that it’s locally owned by an individual, not a corporation (if you are here, reading us, I’m confident that this is a correct assumption and that you are not about to answer Ann Taylor or Olive Garden!).
Think about what makes shopping or dining in that favorite place so special. The service? The atmosphere? The unique selections? That they know your name or will order something especially for you?
When I lived in Orange County and Las Vegas, shopping independent small stores was really difficult. The large shopping mall and strip mall [...]

A simple text will donate $5 to help the crisis in Haiti. Text HAITI to number 25383 to give $5.

Or go to the International Rescue Committee’s website to donate a tax-deductible gift in whichever amount you like. Either way, it shouldn’t take you more than a minute. And, if you have an extra minute, please spread the word on Facebook. Update your status to say:  “I am donating my status update to rescue lives in Haiti.  Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to help the International Rescue Committee rescue lives.  COPY & PASS THIS ON AS YOUR [...]

There are so many charities and causes that are worth our attention and donations. And, they all become more visible at this time of year. Or, are we simply paying more attention?
The Share Your Soles Foundation is one that I learned about as I literally ran into Mona Purdy, its founder and Executive Director. I was leaving a meeting in downtown Chicago when I saw her and an assistant roll out huge bins from their trucks. The brightly labeled barrels were being delivered to collect new or gently used shoes at this particular drop site.
I’m new to Chicago, so had [...]

Financial institutions in the US has been battered and vilified. Better banking practices in Canada have prevented a meltdown over there. Even so, one institution up North, Servus, is still looking to build good will… and feel good ripples.
Indeed, this great campaign for Feel Good banking by Servus, a Canadian credit union “was developed to inspire everyone to make a positive impact in their community – today and into the future.  It’s the credit union way of creating harmonious communities and sharing our cooperative beliefs.”

They’re too modest. They are not mentioning anywhere on their website that, to get this process [...]

I’m married to a lawyer. When people ask what kind of lawyer, he answers “a good one”. I say “a nice one”. Which is probably why he is no longer really practicing as a lawyer. You can’t be a nice lawyer for long without it coming back to bite you in the derriere and that just gets really aggravating. But I’m only mentioning all this because, as a corporate attorney, he’s always, constantly had clients looking for funding. I’ve heard all the ugly financing stories, the rapacious VCs, etc. And the small companies, or individuals whose projects could really change [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Contributing Editor
Living in Southern California, I am quite familiar with the Barefoot wines and bubblies and especially with their distinct label, the purple one with a footprint on it. But when the company contacted me in the context of their social networking marketing efforts, I realized I knew nothing about them.  So, I did a bit of research and found out that these are my kind of people. Not just because they are a wine company (personal weakness revealed) but because the Barefoot Wine company is doing great work cleaning up our beaches in partnership with [...]

What a cool idea for our times… The Uniform Project, started in May 2009 by Sheena Matheiken, is one where she pledges to wear ONE dress for one whole year as an exercise (and creative challenge!) in sustainable fashion. She styles the dress in a barely recognizable manner every day, reinventing it with an impressive trunk-ful of vintage and otherwise donated accessories and jewelry.

I know wait, every morning, with bated breath, to see what quirky concoction Sheena has devised. All are delightful and all based on the uniform dress designed by Eliza Starbuck.
The mastermind behind the uniform dress is my [...]

Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation (2001) book really got me started in 2001 (read excerpts here). Hardly walked into a McD again unless under extreme duress (when there were NO better choices. It happens). It was the eye-opener that I needed. I’m afraid that Food, Inc. might just push me over the edge and I’ll become a fanatical activist. Still, we should all be informed about a product that determines our survival, don’t you think?
Food, Inc. is now showing in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco with wider release starting next week. I’ll get to see it in a [...]

It’s all relative. In some countries, for some entrepreneurs, $25 can change their life. I’ve lived in Africa (Congo/Zaïre/Congo) and have seen firsthand how so little money can have such a big impact.
You’ve undoubtedly heard about Kiva.org by now, the organization that facilitates micro loans to small entrepreneurs in 184 different underprivileged countries. You and I are the ones providing the loans, starting with as little as $25 towards average total loans sizes of $420.59.
More than 80% of Kiva’s loans go to women entrepreneur. Which is why I thought that this would be the perfect time to mention this as [...]