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During the next several days, a UN Conference on Climate Change will be taking place in Bali. Nations in attendance are hoping for agreement on the successor to the Kyoto Protocol - of which the US has not taken part. Al Gore will be there in front of representatives from the World’s Countries speaking of the need for a new treaty to be brought into effect by 2010.

In order to avoid catastrophe to Human Life due to Global Warming and Climate Change, drastic reduction of carbon emissions needs to happen. A major concern for leaders is the effect this reduction in emissions would have on their countries’ economies. Leaders have the opportunity to meet and discuss at this summit (click here for UN website updates on the conference).

No matter what your political inclination, help to save human life on the earth by signing this petition which will be presented by Al Gore at the Conference.

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.”

~Dorothy Thompson

If you or a loved one lives in the state of North Dakota and are being victimized, please contact the facilities below.

• Resource Center For Women P.O. Box 41 Aberdeen SD 57402 Business #: 605-226-1212 Hotline/Crisis: 605-226-1212
• The Women’s Circle Old Agency Box 689 Agency Village SD 57262 Business #: 605-698-4129 Hotline/Crisis: 605-698-4129
• Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter P.O. Box 36 Brookings SD 57006 Business #: 605-692-7233 Hotline/Crisis: 605-692-SAFE
• W.E.A.V.E. P.O. Box 729 Custer SD 57730 Business #: 605-673-4357
• .Sacred Heart Women’s Shelter P.O. Box 2000 Eagle Butte SD 57625 Business #: 605-964-6062 Hotline/Crisis: 605-964-7233
• The Wholeness Center 218 East 2nd Flandreau SD 57028 Hotline/Crisis: 605-997-3535
• Project “SAFE” P.O. Box 49 Fort Thompson SD 57339 Business #: 605-245-2471 Hotline/Crisis: 605-245-2471
• Gregory Shelter P.O. Box 408 Gregory SD 57533 Toll Free #: (800)658-3486
• Fall River Crisis Intervention Team, Inc. P.O. Box 995 Hot Springs SD 57747 Business #: 605-745-5859 Hotline/Crisis: 605-745-6070 Toll Free #: (800)745-6070
• Huron YWCA Family Violence Program 17 5th Ave. S.W. Huron SD 57350 Business #: 605-352-2793 Hotline/Crisis: 605-352-9433
• Native American Women’s Health Education Resource P.O. Box 572 Lake Andes SD 57356 Business #: 605-487-7072 Hotline/Crisis: 605-487-7130
• Communities Against Violence & Abuse (CAVA) P.O. Box 245 Lemmon SD 57638 Business #: 605-374-5823 Hotline/Crisis: 605-244-SAFE
• Madison Area Help Line RR 4 Box 13 115 North Chicago Madison SD 57042 Hotline/Crisis: 605-256-3336
• PAVES P.O. Box 903 Martin SD 57551 Business #: 605-685-6206
• White Buffalo Calf Women’s Society, Inc. Box 227 Mission SD 57555 Business #: 605-856-2317 Hotline/Crisis: 605-856-2317
• Mitchell Area Safehouse 219 West 3rd Mitchell SD 57301 Business #: 605-996-5694 Hotline/Crisis: 605-996-4440
• Bridges Against Domestic Violence 211 13th Street East Mobridge SD 57601 Business #: 605-845-2110
• Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center 104 E. Capitol Pierre SD 57501 Business #: 605-224-0256 Hotline/Crisis: 605-224-7187 Toll Free #: (800)696-7187
• Project Medicine Wheel P.O. Box 260 Porcipine SD 57772 Business #: 605-867-1035
• Women Against Violence P.O. Box 3042 Rapid City SD 57709 Business #: 605-341-3292 Hotline/Crisis: 605-341-4808
• Family Crisis Center, Inc. P.O. Box 347 Redfield SD 57469 Hotline/Crisis: 605-472-3097
• Children’s Inn 409 North Western Avenue Sioux Falls SD 57104 Business #: 605-338-0116 Hotline/Crisis: 605-338-4880
• Crisis & Transition Shelter/YWCA 300 West 11th Sioux Falls SD 57102 Business #: 605-336-3660 Hotline/Crisis: 605-336-3660
• Vicims of Violence Intervention Program Box 486 Spearfish SD 57783 Business #: 605-642-9841 Hotline/Crisis: 605-642-7825 Toll Free #: (800)999-2348
• Owl Feather War Bonnet Women’s Center P.O. Box 319 St. Francis SD 57572 Business #: 605-747-2464
• Crisis Intervention Shelter Service P.O. Box 842 Sturgis SD 57785 Business #: 605-347-0050 Hotline/Crisis: 605-347-0050 Toll Free #: (800)755-8432
• Vermillion Coalition P.O. Box 144 Vermillion SD 57069 Business #: 605-624-5311
• Women’s Resource Center Box 781 Watertown SD 57201 Business #: 605-886-4300 Hotline/Crisis: 605-886-4300
• Women’s Shelter 510 Broadway Yankton SD 57078 Business #: 605-665-4811 Hotline/Crisis: 605-665-1448

Peace and Safety My Friends,

The year was 1982.

I was seven years old when our church sponsored a family of refugees from Laos. At my young age I really had no concept of what a huge act this was. I had no idea of the conflict that they came from. I new that they were different from myself. From the way that they spoke to the things that they ate.

That made no difference to me.

One of the little girls, Maya, became my friend from day one. We were the same age and she spent a lot of time with my family. Years past and they moved to Wisconsin. I thought of them often. Just a few years ago I got a phone call from my dear friend that I had lost contact with through the years. We spoke like we had never lost touch. Her sweet spirit and memories that were vivid in her mind touched my heart. She remembered so much more than I did. But she brought it all rushing to the forefront of my mind.

I know this was the first seed of compassion that was planted in my soul.

Among the number of things that we instill in our children, I feel that this should be on the top of our list….Compassion. With the holiday season in the air, there is no better time to start. It may be having your children go through their toys to give to those less fortunate or visiting the elderly in a local nursing home. Such simple acts will be tiny seeds planted in their hearts.

And a compassionate heart will help to change the world.

I’ve been researching and brainstorming ideas for a more sustainable way of celebrating the holidays and I’m going to share them with you on this last day of November. Consider incorporating one or all of these ideas into your holidays.

Lighting:

If you don’t already have a fortune invested in outdoor lights, or you’re willing to make the change - try LED Christmas lights. Easily found at most of the big-name hardware stores, they are 80% more efficient and last up to 20 years. Best of all, their vivid colors and shapes can be more fun than traditional lights. At the very least, use a timer to keep your lights from staying on past peak “cheer” hours.

Trees:

This is a hard one - is it better to cut down a live tree or buy a plastic tree? My research has informed me that most Christmas tree farmers plant 2 trees for every 1 cut down. And without Christmas tree farmers, would the millions of trees planted for their farms exist? No. Their existence is good and the trees spend about 7 to 15 years in the ground keeping hillsides from eroding and sucking carbon from the air before they adorn a home for the holidays. Also, most cities offer special disposal of live trees, they are made into mulch or compost and returned to nature. Plastic trees on the other hand, are not biodegradable and they are made from petroleum. If you do have a fake tree, use it for years and years and when you tire of it, please donate it to Goodwill, that is a great way to recycle unwanted items back into society instead of to a dump. Another option would be using a potted live tree and returning it outdoors after the holiday - although you risk killing it if you don’t take proper care.

Ornaments:

I found one website offering green “baubles” for Christmas decorations, although they don’t explain how these items are sustainable and they looked like glass balls. Common sense tells me that natural materials are better than plastics, so stick to them. Also, if you keep the same beautiful ornaments on your tree year after year, isn’t that recycling enough? And if you tire of your ornaments and want a new look, please donate them to Goodwill instead of throwing them in the garbage.

Wrapping Paper:

Be creative as you wrap gifts this year. I invested in a set of decorated boxes about 5 years ago, and they get re-used each year. If you are giving a gift outside of your immediate family, use a gift bag (which can be re-used) and put a note on it, letting people know that you’d appreciate if they saved the bag and used it again. I save all gift bags that come into my house and each gets re-used. Other ideas include wrapping gifts with newspaper or magazines. I saw an article that suggested wrapping gifts in scarves, which I thought was cute since scarves can be found in a variety of price ranges. Here’s another idea, put the gift in a re-usable bag (They often sell at grocery stores for $.99 each) and place a note on the bag requesting the person use the bag when shopping.

Shopping:

It seems such a waste to collect all the paper and plastic bags as you shop for that endless list of gifts. This year, bring re-usable bags with you to the mall. Use a different set for groceries. I find mine easier to use since the handles are longer, I can slip it over my shoulder for easy carrying.

Cards:

This is a difficult one. I’m not ready to give up my paper cards. I’m an old-fashioned gal that loves sending and receiving mail. If you’re up for it, send email cards or use a website where friends and family can visit a short photo album with a few notes from you describing your family’s achievements for the year.

Festivities:

Most of us have no choice but to entertain during the holidays and some of us actually enjoy it. Either way, forgo using throw-away plates and cups, get out the china, silverware and glasses. When it’s time for clean-up, don’t let the water run as you rinse. Either fill the sink and rinse there or let your energy efficient dishwasher do the work for you.

I hope that you have a very Merry and Green Holiday Season!

At the bus stop with Little One, age nine, a Kindergartner was hyper. She was running all over the place, making silly noises and generally just enjoying the heck out of herself.

Little One is a serious child and she was getting pretty frustrated. I leaned over and whispered to her, “She’s little, and it’s our job to take care of her and keep her safe. Be patient. Isn’t she cute?”

Little One’s face went blank, thinking mode.

The next time the little girl ran over to us, Little One looked up at me and smiled. I could hear her brain tell her, “Isn’t she cute?” and I couldn’t help but smile back.

We can change the way our kids think. That is scary and amazing all at once.

When we do it on purpose, it’s one of the best things ever. We can help them be the people they want to be. We can help them get over fears, deal with frustration or just realize what a great world this is when we take a minute to look around and lend a helping hand.

Ah, but the scary part is that we’re always doing it. Even when we don’t mean to. When I’m distracted, when I’m tired, when I’ve had enough and I want to quit – I’m still adjusting the way my kids think.

And I don’t get a do-over.

I want Little One to see that she can make changes that matter. They start with yourself. They spread to another. Then together you can create a change for the better in the world. Try it and see.

I’m a hairstylist. I know how important hair is to people. Believe me… I know.Back in cosmetology school, part of the definition of hair was to “adorn the head“. There was no other specific physiological purpose of hair, but as many of us already know… hair is part of our identity.

How we color it, cut it, style it, (or shave it all off!) has a mark on our identity and the image we are sending out in the world. Hair can be the first impression you have of someone; or the first impression you give.

Unfortunately, due to many medical reasons such as chemotherapy for cancer treatment, trichophagia, trichotillomania, and alopecia; many underprivileged children facing these conditions simply cannot afford to replace the hair they have lost, through artificial means.

In addition to battling various medical conditions, it is often made worse for children who face these situations without the comfort of looking like everyone else.

Locks of Love has been for as long as I have been a stylist. The unique opportunity they provide for low income families that have children with medically documented hair-loss, is priceless.

Over the years I have cut off many ponytails and sent them to Locks of Love. I know how hard it is to part with our hair…

In order for a donation to qualify for donation, the hair must be:

• at least 10 inches in length
• secured in a ponytail or braid before it is cut
• clean and completely dry before it is mailed in
• placed inside of a plastic bag and then inside of a padded plastic envelope

You will also have to fill out a donation form and mail it in to:

2925 10th Avenue N
Suite 102
Lake Worth, FL 33461-3099

I can say undeniably, the biggest show of support for this cause comes at the hands of other children!

100% of the donations that I have sent in to Locks of Love have all been donated by young children.

Imagine that.

Mothers Fighting For Others

Young people out there are making a huge difference in our world. One of the most amazing groups I have found is Invisible Children. We wrote about them back in March. They have grown so much since then. It started out as a movie, then a movement. Now they have made it their mission to help the children of Uganda.

One of their programs is called Schools For Schools. How can you help?

If you are a student, alumni, parent, friend, local business, or just a good person who is a fan of the program, sign up and read below to find ways to support the school of your choice. The challenge is to raise as much money as you can in one semester in order to provide the quality education and educational resources that the invisible children of Northern Uganda have lacked due to the twenty-year-long war.**

If you are mom or a teacher, or even better, both, get your kids school involved. This could be an amazing journey for all involved. One of the Local High Schools out here joined and they are raising funds for books and supplies for Sacred Heart Secondary School. Totally cool!

Here is a great video explaining the program. If you have any questions CLICK HERE for some FAQ.

I hope to be as successful as these young people. They are a true inspiration.

According to TechCrunch.com, 217 million people play online games. 217 MILLION people… that’s like nine times the population of Texas.

Now imagine what could be accomplished if those 217 million people took those finely-tuned gaming skills over to FreeRice.com.

FreeRice.com offers visitors a fun and surprisingly addictive word challenge that pays out in the best of online booty: Rice. For each word that you get right, Free Rice donates 10 grains of rice through the United Nations to help end world hunger.

Having Fun means:

• playing online games
• making a difference
• finally learning the real definition of yahoo
• all of the above

To start playing, head on over to FreeRice.com or to learn more about world hunger, be sure to check out their sister site at Poverty.com.