Eat, drink, and reflect

Changing the Story: YES!
It’s time to shop, reflect, give thanks, eat! During the upcoming feasting and holiday celebrations, may we celebrate in particular the individuals who are changing the world’s story with the strength of their commitment; a story in which currently every other child lives in poverty, almost half of all war casualties are children, and global warming threatens every child’s future.

Let’s take time to honor mothers like the late Dame Anita Roddick who said, “I want to connect with people who share my outrage … But I also want to tell — and hear…stories that lift our spirits, that celebrate how glorious our planet is. Outrage and celebration — let's run this gamut together.” Inspired leaders like Greg Mortenson who says, “When I look into the eyes of the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan, I see the eyes of my own children full of wonder. I hope that we each do our part to leave them a legacy of peace.” Mamas and community builders like Tiffany Bellah, who says, “Having a baby changes everything. Since that wonder-filled day 6 years ago when Grace entered this world, I have been reaching out of my comfort zone. She has made of me a responsible revolutionary, and my role as her mentor and mother has propelled me to take an active part in forming the world she will be inheriting.”
People who, when our common family is threatened, find the courage and strength to change the story. This holiday season, Mothers Acting Up* cheers, stomps, whistles and in every other way honors the individuals around the world who are taking action on behalf of our future generations. YES!!!!
Purchase the 2008 MAU Handbooks for tales of story-changing individuals,
information and actions: www.mothersactingup.org
*mothers and others, on stilts or off, who exercise protective care over someone smaller

business of being born

Hey everybody, I am so excited to share that a localorganization, "The Better Birth Coalition," will bebringing the new documentary by Ricki Lake, "TheBusiness of Being Born" to Bend on January 25th. Themovie will be shown in the Hitchcock auditorium atCOCC(Central Oregon Community College). Doors open at6:30pm, and the movie starts at 7pm. This is such anexciting event to come to bend . This movie documentsRicki Lake's homebirth along with others. It alsotakes a candid look a birth in this country. If youwant to see the trailer please go to:http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/There is a small group of women working really hard tobring this film to bend. They are still looking forsponsors and volunteers to help distribute advertisingwhen the time comes. If you can help with either ofthose please let Annie Synder know.Also, if anyone has any contacts with any of the mediagroups in the area, it would be very helpful if youcould share that with Annie. If any of you run localbusiness and want to sponsor or merely hang-up a flyerat your place of work please let Annie know. Annie isaccepting all donations (no matter how big or small).Ticket sales will not cover the price of the venue orrental of the movie.Annie's email is:anniesnyder@bendbroadband.comOr you can call her at:541-325-2214 OR 541-504-1696Thanks so much for hearing about the cause. Hope tosee you at the film on January 25th.Love Janette GyeskyLicensed and Certified Professional MidwifeBend Birth center

GOOD magazine

A friend recently turned me on to GOOD magazine. They are fantastic. Check out this group called bikes to Rwanda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPReMcBTF2M
Boycott Starbucks and support "patient capital."
What is "patient capital"? Jacqueline Novogratz
Founder and CEO of Acumen Fund says, it is "Capital whose purpose is to generate social and financial value that can be invested for long-term benefits; capital that is available to courageous entrepreneurs taking bigger risks on new ideas who cannot promise large short-term profits, but can offer the possibility of breakthrough business models that make our world more sustainable."

Holiday giving

Looking for some alternatives to giving more stuff to people who already have a bunch? Check out these great non-profits, or go to the MAU web page for many more!

protect our global family:

RESULTS (http://www.results.org/) – creates the political will to end hunger and poverty by teaching citizens to become powerful advocates (MAU founders’ first teacher).
Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.org/) - creates real and lasting change in the lives of children in need in the US and in over 43 countries.

preserve our planet:
Environmental Defense (http://www.environmentaldefense.org/) - innovative, practical ways to solve the most urgent environmental problems.

true cost of war:
Action for Children in Conflict (AfCiC) (www.actionchildren.org) - works to break cycles of violence, hatred and despair by providing psychological, emotional and educational support to the survivors of conflict.
Code Pink for Peace (www.codepink4peace.org) - is a women-initiated, fuchsia-wearing, grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education and other life-affirming activities.

Center for a New Dream (http://www.newdream.org/) - works to conserve natural resources, counter the commercialization of our culture and promote positive changes in the way goods are produced and consumed.

YES! The 2008 MAU handbook is here

Changing the Story: YES!
It's time to shop, reflect, give thanks, eat! During the upcoming feasting and holiday celebrations, may we celebrate in particular the individuals who are changing the world's story with the strength of their commitment; a story in which currently every other child lives in poverty, almost half of all war casualties are children, and global warming threatens every child's future.Let's take time to honor mothers like the late Dame Anita Roddick who said, "I want to connect with people who share my outrage…But I also want to tell — and hear…stories that lift our spirits, that celebrate how glorious our planet is. Outrage and celebration — let's run this gamut together." Inspired leaders like Greg Mortenson who says, "When I look into the eyes of the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan, I see the eyes of my own children full of wonder. I hope that we each do our part to leave them a legacy of peace." Mamas and community builders like Tiffany Bellah, who says, "Having a baby changes everything. Since that wonder-filled day 6 years ago when Grace entered this world, I have been reaching out of my comfort zone. She has made of me a responsible revolutionary, and my role as her mentor and mother has propelled me to take an active part in forming the world she will be inheriting."
People who, when our common family is threatened, find the courage and strength to change the story. This holiday season, Mothers Acting Up* cheers, stomps, whistles and in every other way honors the individuals around the world who are taking action on behalf of our future generations. YES!!!!

Purchase the 2008 MAU Handbooks for story-changing individuals,information and actions: www.mothersactingup.org
*mothers and others, on stilts or off, who exercise protective care over someone smaller

It's time mamas

In support of wind energy we signed our household up with the Blue Sky program. The windfarm is connected to us by our energy carrier, Pacific Power. For about an extra $5-$10 we contribute to wind sources of power instead of coal! Contact your local power carrier to find out if they have any alternative energy programs. If they currently don't have alternative options, let them know they could increase your happiness with their services if they offered a more sustainable option.

Hey there Bend,
My family has just relocated here within the last month. We are enjoying the beautiful weather, landscape, and all the amazingly positive things that are happening here. Formerly, I was a community organizer for MAU in Charleston, SC. We had yoga playdates with weekly MAU actions, organized events such as sidewalk chalk for peace, and held a Mother's Day Parade on the Folly Beach Pier. We have fun with building a MAU community, we hang with our kids, and we support global partnership through our actions.
So, as I am realizing there are loads of opportunity to get involved already in Bend. I am jazzed and will get out and about to support our many vibrant organizations! I'll keep ya posted on what I am up to as well.
First, I want to give a shout out to Susan Taylor up on Awbrey Butte for her vivacious attempt to diminish her carbon footprint via her outlawed clothesline. Susan is contesting her subdivision rules that will not allow the desert air to dry her families clothes and has been on NPR. Right on!
Be sure to check out the links below to mothersactingup.org and the MAU blog to find more info. My vision here in Bend is to connect with other families who want to share activism with there children. Mine are all teensy folks and I am geering myself up for toddler art mornings MAU style. More on that...
In spirited partnership,
K8