Change Begins Within

Yes, We Can

Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world, with over 100 countries participating. It is run by Youth Service America (YSA). GYSD highlights and celebrates young peoples volunteer contributions to their communities. This years is on April 24-26. Examples of past projects include: aid for the homeless, reading tutorials, and presentations on the environment and healthy eating habits. Some projects may be eligible for financial grants. YSA also encourages youth to get involved in helping to formulate public policy. Your voice is important for a secure happy future.

Change Begins Within

Forty lucky teens sang back-up for rock musician Moby at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall concert in NYC. Former Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr headlined the event, along with Sheryl Crow, Jerry Seinfeld, folksinger Donovan, and other top performers. The Hartford, Connecticut, students were part of over 500 inner-city students and teachers who recently learned TM through the David Lynch Foundation (DLF). Hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simons is one major donor to the DLF, which sponsored the concert to raise funds to take the stress-reduction technique to one million at-risk teens. Simmons meditates twice a day and avows it has changed his life dramatically for the better. To date, DLF has aided over 60,000 students in the U.S., Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. An upcoming PBS television special will feature the teens and concert.

BITS AND PIECES

Our Critters Will Thank You

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. This year the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) invites everyone to Go Orange for Animals. Events across the country bake sales, pet parades, and celebrations will use the color orange to raise awareness to end animal cruelty and find permanent, loving homes for all adoptable pets. Businesses, schools, and organizations will feature orange posters. These will inform people how to identify abused animals and alert the authorities. Last year, New York City, Chicago, and even Niagara Falls went orange.

Oprahs' TV Network Will Work

Oprah Winfreys' new cable television network recently introduced its plans to New York advertisers, to get them on board for support. The OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), owned by Winfrey and Discovery Networks, will inform, entertain, and inspire people to live their highest potential. Several of Winfreys regular talk-show guests will be on the new network. The shows will encourage audiences to reach out for more enriching experiences in life. OWN will debut to 70 million homes later this year.

Thanks, But No More Money for Me

Refusing pay raises is patriotic for some public officials, who are turning them down or giving them back. As one mayor remarked, we have to set the example. These officials show a sense of responsibility, especially when their staffers may be losing their jobs. A non-partisan budget watchdog group terms such actions a demonstration of leadership. Some taxpayers, employees, or peers pressure specific officials into declining any raises for now. A bill that would suspend automatic cost-of-living raises for the next two years for legislators and judges was introduced into the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives. The state faces a $2.3 billion deficit.

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