Give local, also during Christmas

Now, this is a rare heart-warming Christmas story

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/17/bank.gift.ap/index.html

A $25,000 idea?

What? Essay for grant
When? Dec 17
Where? Logrono, Spain

Dear readers, I need to you proofread and offer criticism about the following 200-word essay (any comment would be most appreciated).

The main goal of the Burning Book Community Resource Center is to provide a physical space to foster synergy among numerous existing social and environmental activist groups in the New River Valley, Southwest VA. These small-size activist groups are usually episodic, and have much narrower impact than they could if there was a local activist center to support them. Formed by an eclectic group of local workers, business owners, academicians, and students, the Burning Book strives to unite the currently disseminated human and intellectual activist power in the New River Valley by catalyzing cross-fertilization of ideas and community growth. The Community Center will be located in downtown Blacksburg, VA and counts with the support and enthusiasm of the Town Council and members of local activist groups.

On-going efforts of our members in the area of sustainability and environmental justice include the dissemination of awareness about senselessness of coal energy and the devastating effects of the mountaintop removal in our very own Appalachia, the year-long maintenance of a 30-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, or the management of Blacksburg’s bicycle cooperative. Keen’s STAND FOR funds will enable a critical milestone in Burning Book’s pioneer efforts: securing a physical space in downtown Blacksburg that is poised to revolutionize environmental activism in Southwest Virginia.

Benjamin and me. The story of the most meaningful one-night stand.

What? Dog fostering
When? Saturday night, December 09
Where? The Cedar

I volunteered to overnight Benjamin, a 9-month-old Basset Hound in his way from a sure death in a kill shelter in Tennessee to a non-kill shelter in New Hampshire. Benjamin is a sweet creature. He loves affection, and is very affectionate himself. He is not reluctant to car travel. However, he does not like to travel in an empty seat. Instead, he prefers to snuggle up with anybody available, be it driver or passenger. His legs are too short, and his center of gravity too low, so he still does not master jumping into and out of cars. He is just a puppy, though, so with some exercise he will be as agile as any old German shorthair pointer.







Our walk in the neighborhood was a sensory explosion to him. "Here is the bush that Boof visits each morning; and that's Barley's", I pointed out to his delight. "That's Harley's place, but wait until I take you to Shebly's, she's a real bitch"

Benjamin was tired, and fell asleep with his back aligned to my upper body. I did not sleep much, overcome with joy. Next morning, when I handed him to the next link in the chain that has put him today in New Hampshire, he looked back to thank me. But he did not know that I was more thankful that he could ever imagine.

More pupplers

What? Dog Transport
When? Sat afternoon, December 1st
Where? Between Wytheville and Roanoke

I had the incredible luck to share my saturday afternoon with

1. Larratta, female, Basset Hound, 6 yrs. old, 45 lbs.
2. Sebastian, male, Basset Hound, 1 yrs. old, 40 lbs.
3. Velvet, female, Pit bull terrier, 4 mos. old, 30 lbs.
4. Duke, male, Wheaton Terrier/Lab mix, 1 yr. old, 56 lbs.

and participate in the transport to their forever homes. Good luck to you, puplers!