“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Remember when you dread Mondays? You know, that dark time before there were Monday Ripples? Here are a few Ripples for you that I hope help you into the week with a smile, looking for little things you can do to make the world a better place. Enjoy and I’ll see you on the other side of Monday!
Whaddya Want to Give
Glam America’s Classrooms
I totally adore Adam Lambert. The season he took second in American Idol is the only season I’ve watched completely, the only time I participated in voting (rabidly, I might add, calling repeatedly with my cell phone and landline). You can’t argue the guy’s talent, of course, but I like his style, too, which appeals to my inner glam rocker who resides somewhere in my pelvic region. Adam has a charity through DonorsChoose.org that helps schools. One thing I find particularly appealing is that you can look at different projects and see where you’d like your money to go — that’s where the “choose” part comes in. If you donate to Adam’s cause before midnight on Friday, August 20, you’ll have the chance to win a meet and greet with the ruler of the Glam Nation himself!
Inconvenient Truth Made Convenient
Repower America: Climate Town Hall
So this is kind of trippy to me. Periodically The Alliance for Climate Change has virtual town hall meetings with Al Gore over the phone. You’re on the phone while Al leads the discussion on where the climate movement is going next. The link I’ve given you hear gives highlights; I’m impressed with the determination and optimism in his voice – this guy has been fighting for climate change legislation before any of us were aware there was a problem.
This Old House
Nehrling Gardens
If you live in the Central Florida area, you may have heard about the Nehrling Gardens, also known as the Palm Cottage Gardens, in Gotha. A group of dedicated individuals saved the former home of botanist Henry Nehrling from the clutches of developers and they are now in the process of refurbishing it. Dr. Nehrling lived in the house on the shores of Lake Nally from 1885 to 1897 and in that time developed rare plants, and conducted studies for the government. I’ll let you poke around the site to learn more about him and The Henry Nehrling Society.
Along with fellow writer Jim Crescitelli, I spent a day a few months ago helping to clean the Palm Cottage and, let me tell you, there’s a lot of work to be done. If you have the time to volunteer, get on their e-mail list and they’ll contact you for clean-up days. Another way to help is to donate items on their wish list:
push lawnmower
blower
weed wacker
safety goggles/glasses
garden Gloves, all sizes and variety
conference/Dining Room Table- (approx. 4′ x 8′) with chairs
trash Cans
cleaning buckets
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Help arts in the Central Florida area and get a bargain on a half-page, full-color ad in Watermark. Bid today on the Scottie Saves the World IKEA Red Chair benefiting the Red Chair Project.
