Artist Spotlight: Ingrid Michaelson

With simple melodies, quirky lyrics and a lovely voice, Ingrid Michaelson might just be the best "new" artist that I have heard in a while.

I heard her song "The Way I Am" online the other day. Instantly impressed, I downloaded the rest of her album "Girls & Boys".

Site Spotlight: stopglobalwarming.org

The existence of a global warming becomes more undeniable with every day that passes. Greenhouse gases have reached unimaginable levels. Glaciers are melting. Significant weather events have increased in frequency and in intensity. Species are becoming endangered or extinct because of changes in climate. Droughts are rampant all over the Earth. A global problem requires a global solution.

Humans can make a difference by awareness and commitment to change.

The Stop Global Warming Virtual March leads the way in both regards. SGW works hard to spread the word about global warming and what we can do to counteract the damage done to the environment every day.

Activist Laurie David and singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow kicked off a tour of college campuses across the United States this year to send the message and urge college students to become a part of the movement.

For more information, go here.

Site Spotlight: Forest Ethics

"Motivating people to reform corporations. Motivating corporations to protect forests." These are the objectives of ForestEthics, a nonprofit organization committed to protecting endangered forests.

ForestEthics initiates change by calling out the corporations who produce and/or utilize products that contribute to the destruction of our valuable, endangered forests. The groups uses protests, websites, email campaigns, national advertisements and more to send the conservation message across to the corporations and to consumers.

This tactic works. A great example of this is the "Victoria's Dirty Secret" campaign. This campaign catapulted environmental responsibility to the forefront and called the Limited Brands corporation to action.

Visit the website for more information.

Recycle

Recycling is one of the easiest actions that you can take to make a difference. Visit your local government's website to find information on the "what", "where", and "when" for your area.

The policies for Raleigh are located here.

Site Spotlight: del.icio.us

Welcome to the world of social bookmarking.

5 reasons you should use del.icio.us:
1. You will have access to your "favorites" no matter where you are, just as long as you can get online
2. You can share your bookmarks with friends
3. Friends can share bookmarks with you
4. You can easily organize your links into multiple categories that are meaningful to you via tagging (no more drilling down into folders or even shifting through a long list of links if you don't use folders)
5. Metrics. del.icio.us keeps records. You can see how many other people share a favorite with you, or you can just go to the main page and see what's hot (websites lots of people have bookmarked).

People Against Dirty

Looking for a greener way to clean your home? So am I.

It's refreshing to see the trend in so many companies working to market greener products. As a result, there is a wider selection, and the products themselves are more effective.

One company that I have been impressed with in my research is Method. Their products are biodegradable, innovative, effective, non-toxic, true clean smelling (like green tea, lavender, cucumber, grapefruit, magnolia or smell-free) and contained in recylclable packaging. Method's goal is to provide "A Cleaner Way of Cleaning".

When visiting their website, be sure to check out the People Against Dirty Blog.

To find more information about environmentally friendly cleaners, go here.

Site Spotlight: treehugger.com

Here is your ultimate guide to living the green life - treehugger.com.

The slogan: "We care about the environment. There. We said it."

The method: treehugger.com is a leading media outlet. They create newsletters, blogs, video segments, and even have a radio show available. High profile magazines and television shows find their information right here.

The Site: Find News, Suggestions, Solutions, Information on Environmentally Friendly Products and much, much more.

Artist Spotlight: Darren Holden

I recently had the opportunity to catch "Movin' Out" in Raleigh (Broadway Series South). My favorite part of this exciting show was definitely the band, with Darren Holden at the front as the "Piano Man".

Darren could be considered the stand in for Billy Joel himself, but he has a vocal quality and piano talent all of his own. He gives all the songs his own edge, and he definitely makes the piano rock (especially at the "rapid-fire" opening of "Angry Young Man").

The touring production of "Movin' Out" closes this month, so be sure to check it out if you can.

You can find out more about Darren at his official website.

Nancy Pelosi Makes History

Today, Nancy Pelosi made history as the first woman to be Speaker of the House. This makes her the most powerful female in Washington - only second in line to the presidency after the Vice President.

In her speech Pelosi encouraged action for all members of the Congress, saying "Let us stand together to move our country forward, seeking common ground for the common good. We have made history; now let us make progress for the American people. May God bless our work, and may God bless America."

A copy of her speeches and more information can be found at the official website.

Resolution

New year, new resolution. Mine?

This year I decided to take a long look at ways that I can help our environment. There are so many little things that can help us protect our planet.

So, 2007 is the year to be green!