Google is forging a hybrid approach to its philanthropy efforts to help create greater success than the traditional corporate giving approach.

Today's report of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination was an extremley sad moment for me on many levels. First and foremost, I remember "Pinky" as a classmate at Harvard in the '70's. She was warm, smart, and open to communication with everyone. That lovely energy will be lost. Second, I'm sad for her family and friends as their loss is significant.

...so many incandescent light bulbs burning when compact fluorescent bulbs have been made available at great prices like $0.99 each by their manufacturers and retailers.

A good friend who recently moved to New Zealand from Seattle just altered me to an interesting blog post about biofuels and how they may neutralize OPEC's pricing strength and give governments some relief from agricultural protectionism.

Joan Ifland's Cause, Refined Food Addiction (ReFA), gives us simple steps to take to immediately turn around the impact of unhealthy eating habits without stopping to eat great food and good portions too.
I've known Joan for many years and have a great respect for her robust research and applied methods.

There is an important bill in the House, H.R. 2304: Advanced Geothermal Energy and Research Development Act
In addition, the Senate is working through S.1543: National Geothermal Initiative Act of 2007.

Given the plethora of important issues and noble causes in our view today, how does one begin to approach making the world a better place? How does one effectively focus their energy and money?

Strategic philanthropy looks at the root causes to problems, and finds the highest leverage points in order to begin solving those problems - now and for the long term.

Propel Biofuels, a new biofuels retailer, opened its first "clean fueling point" in Seattle Washington today. Among those attending were Senator Maria Cantwell who expressed the importance of alternative energy and the efforts to make biodiesel more available and convenient to consumers.

It's really the issues that count and where the candidates stand on them that matter in one's selection of candidates. Here's a fun online tool that ranks the candidates according to how you feel about the issues and how strongly you feel about them. Enjoy the results...they might surprise you!
http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460

Broadway Bound Children's Theatre Group in the Seattle area is an inspiration to us all. Children go through a transforming experience from never talking or presenting to a group and being shy to an empowered feeling of "I can do this!" in a professional quality musical where they boom out their parts. Wow!