Out of the Darkness

I will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Community Walk. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, advocacy, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. Robin Willliams along with more than 38,000 lives are lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide to suicide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.

I hope you will consider supporting my participation in this event. Any contribution will help the work of AFSP, and all donations are 100% tax deductible. Donating online is safe and easy! To make an online donation click the "Donate Now" button on my fundraising page. If you would rather donate by check please make the check payable to AFSP and mail it in with the offline donation form.

AFSP holds hundreds of events nationwide throughout the year, including the Out of the Darkness Community Walk.  I am joining my friend Paula Fields-Nicols’ team, Our Sons. Paula lost her son Stephen in 2010 and we will be walking in his memory. If you live in the area and would like to join us October 12^th in the Northwest New Jersey Walk, Stanhope, NJ, click on the link. We would love to have you walk with us. Thank you for considering this request for your support. If you have any questions about the Out of the Darkness Community Walks or AFSP do not hesitate to contact me or visit www.afsp.org 

Epic Snow & Ice Storm NOT, just another NJ snow storm

The trees got the worst of this storm.
Picture by Amanda Donner

This past week, the news was all a buzz about the snow and ice storm crossing the country. Dire forecasts scared the bejesus out of most of us on the east coast. A snow storm is one thing, but an ice storm is quiet another animal. Reports coming from the Midwest on conditions there only heightened our concern. The parking lot at the supermarket earlier this week was packed. Long lines at the checkout counter and empty shelves were the norm.

In northern NJ, the storm started Monday night with snow into Tuesday morning. Undeterred, I ventured out early in the morning to clear my patio of the couple inches of ice had accumulated in advance of the ice portion of the storm. While I was at it, I cleaned the car & topped off the gas tank in case of the pending ice brought down power. Luckily I didn’t lose power as the ice never really accumulated. For all the doom, gloom and dire warnings of the weather people the storm in my area, was pretty lame. Even so, I along with most of my neighbors was housebound for the better part of two days. In order to keep from going stir crazy I scrubbed the bathroom down (is there another room that’s more yucky to clean?), sorted my paperwork for 2010 (my accountant will be thrilled) and sent valentines to friends. Ever since my friend Gen introduced me to Send Out Cards, I’ve been having fun sending cards for all kinds of events that I never would have before. 

While the storm didn’t live up to the hype in my area, it was a productive for me. Even so, I’ve very happy to be able to get out and about again. I’m off to breakfast with a friend, have a great day!

NJ Libraries Vying for Pepsi Refresh Grant

NJ Libraries are trying to win a $250k grant from Pepsi Refresh to create Technology Catch-up Centers at libraries throughout the state. Pepsi accepts 1000 proposals every month from groups that have ideas that can create a positive impact on their society. The public then votes and the top 2 vote getting ideas will receive $250k grants.

The New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) and the NJ State Library have joined together in this proposal to bring the latest technologies to New Jersey Libraries. The “catch-up” centers will contain e-readers and a flip-camcorder which will allow patrons access new technologies. These centers will help parents “catch-up” with their digital native children. They will help the unemployed or under-employed to “catch-up” with their full-time employed counterparts.

The grant provides money for not only the hardware, but training, and downloadable books. Each center’s kit will contain an Ipad, nook, kindle, and flip ultra camcorder. The centers will open up a world of possibilities for all patrons and further NJLA’s goal of libraries being community centers where library patrons become lifelong learners.

I would love to use a Technology Catch-up Center in my library. Please vote EVERY day from now through January 31, 2011.