GroundReport.com

No Socks To Work Day

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:59:51 -0600

Go sockless on 12/12/12 and donate a pair of socks to support Denver's homeless during this holiday season!

Donations of socks for the Sock-it-to-'em Sock Campaign can be made to:

Sock-it-to-em Socks Campaign

Attn: Dean Rotbart

Extra Space Storage

7581 E. Academy Blvd. -#D455

Denver, CO 80230

To learn more about No Socks to Work Day, and learn about additional dropoff locations, please visit our Facebook page: www.fb.com/NoSocksToWorkDay

The drive will be in full effect through December 31, 2012.

New Miranda Cosgrove Video Supports Light The Night Walks to Fund Blood Cancer Research

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:31:09 -0500

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Light The Night Walk recently named Miranda Cosgrove as the National Ambassador for the Light The Night Walks that will take place across North America this fall. View a video featuring Miranda Cosgrove here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBxJE7Ule4A

Cosgrove, known for her singing and acting in roles in television and movies such as iCarly, Drake & Josh and School of Rock, represents the teenage population heavily impacted by leukemia, the most common cancer in teens her age. Miranda is also stepping up to honor her own grandmother.

“Join me in celebration of my grandmother, a cancer survivor, and the hundreds of thousands of walkers who support Light The Night Walks,” says Miranda.

The annual LLS Light The Night Walk raises funds for lifesaving research and support for people battling cancer. Walks will take place in more than two hundred communities across the United States and Canada.

Teams of families, friends, co-workers and local and national corporations come together to raise funds for LLS and bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers.

Light The Night Walk events are evenings filled with inspiration. During the leisurely walk, thousands of walkers carry illuminated balloons - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer.

“I really like that we walk at night, under the stars,” muses Miranda in the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBxJE7Ule4A “Like we’re saying that even in the dark, every one of us can shine a light.”

Funds raised by teams and individual walkers provide:

Lifesaving blood cancer research
Free educational materials and events for patients and their families
Local programs such as Family Support Groups and First Connection, a peer-to-peer counseling program
Comprehensive, personalized assistance through the LLS Information Resource Center

Participants can register to walk individually or as part of a team, create their own team or join another local group, make a donation online, or become a volunteer or sponsor/partner. Learn more at http://www.lightthenight.org/.

In addition, many retailers throughout the North America are inviting customers to purchase a paper balloon for a donation of $1 or more to help LLS find cures for blood cancers. Retailers are encouraged to learn more about providing paper balloons to customers and support the cause.

Companies, local businesses and individuals can also become sponsors or partners and receive local exposure. Sponsorship is a great way for a company to share with the community their commitment to being a good corporate citizen.

Watch the video today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBxJE7Ule4A and join Miranda and thousands of walkers as they collectively bring light to patients, families and friends.

“We walk because someone’s life depends on it,” adds Miranda. “So close your eyes and imagine a world without blood cancer. Open your eyes and walk into it.”

For more information on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to fighting blood cancers, visit www.lls.org or on Facebook at www.fb.com/LLSforacure.

New Belgium Brewing’s “Tour de Fat” Announces National Schedule, Including First-time Festival

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:10:58 -0500

New Belgium Brewing today announced the much-anticipated Tour de Fat 2012 schedule. Now in its 13th season, Tour de Fat brings together passionate bike lovers for a day of two-wheeled revelry while raising money for local nonprofits. Tour de Fat is a thrilling rite of passage that includes an unparalleled costumed bicycle parade, New Belgium beer, dazzling entertainment, local food, unusual bike contests and much more. Coming to 15 cities across the country, New Belgium has added Atlanta and Washington, DC to this year’s lineup.

In 2012, Tour de Fat, which is a free event, will exceed the $2 million mark for money raised for local nonprofits through beer and merchandise purchases. Funds generally go to organizations in the world of bike advocacy, with money spent in a wide variety of ways, including trail maintenance, safety education, lobbying for better bicycle communities and a wide variety of other impactful initiatives.

The pinnacle of Tour de Fat is the ceremonious car-for-bike trade. At each Tour de Fat, one person becomes the center of the show as he or she gets up on stage, hands over car keys, and pledges to live one year car-free. Tour de Fat is now seeking volunteers to accept the swapper challenge. Each car-for-bike swapper will choose a local bike shop to help them turn their $2,250.00 budget into their ultimate car-replacement commuter bike. The cars will be auctioned by Vehicles for Charity, with proceeds to benefit local cycling organizations.

Swappers are chosen after submitting an application that describes why they are willing to trade in their vehicle for a shiny new bicycle. To submit an entry, go to the New Belgium Tour de Fat Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat), click on events and your city of choice, and upload your application video. Applications may also be written and sent to: trademycarforabike@newbelgium.com.

“This is a big year for Tour De Fat as we added two terrific cities to the roster and look to surpass $2 million in funds raised for organizations that do great things for bicyclists and beyond,” said Matt Kowal, Tour De Fat Impresario.“In addition, our community of car-for-bike swappers is about to grow, which is a highlight of our whole year. Bike advocacy should always be this much fun.”

A few tidbits about Tour de Fat:

•Start sewing, collecting and dreaming up something to wear as Tour de Fat encourages embracing your inner costume-loving self. Come dressed up to help put on the most colorful, respectful and creative bike parade ever witnessed in each city.

•Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible and composts and recycles waste. Bring only what you need and watch for proper receptacles. We’ll do the rest!

•All performers grab your attention from alternatively empowered stages decked out in recycled materials; trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils; and all vendors operate off the grid.

•This is a pro-bike celebration, not an anti-car rally. Non-cyclists are more than welcome to join the festivities.

In 2011, Tour de Fat traveled to 13 cities, attracting a total of 69,550 festival attendees and 41,150 parade cyclists. In addition, the festival raised $331,428 and boasted an impressive 90 percent diversion of waste from landfills.

See https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat for the Tour de Fat credo, schedules, videos and to submit your entry to swap your gas guzzler for a fancy new bike.

Tour de Fat 2012 will cycle through each of the following cities:

Nashville, TN – June 2 – Centennial Park

Washington, DC – June 16 – Yards Park

Durham, NC – June 23 – Diamond View Park on the American Tobacco Campus

Atlanta, GA – June 30 – Historic 4th Ward Park

Milwaukee, WI – July 14 – Coast Guard Event Area, McKinley Park

Chicago, IL – July 21 – Palmer Square

Minneapolis, MN – July 28 – Loring Park

Boise, ID – August 18 – Ann Morrison Park

Fort Collins, CO – September 1 – Civic Center Park Area

Denver, CO – September 8 – City Park

Los Angeles, CA – September 15 – Los Angeles State Historic Park

San Francisco, CA – September 22 – Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate Park

San Diego, CA – September 29 – Golden Hill Park

Tempe, AZ – October 6 – Tempe Town Lake

Austin, TX – October 20 – Fiesta Gardens

Destination Colorado’s Dallas Showcase to Take Place on Wed, March 21 at The Belo Mansion

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:58:13 -0600

Destination Colorado, a member-based association that caters to meeting planners and incentive buyers by bringing group business to Colorado, is pleased to announce that it is hosting its Dallas Showcase on Wed., March 21 at The Belo Mansion & Pavilion.

Destination Colorado’s Dallas Showcase is an event that brings meeting planners, event planners and incentive buyers throughout the Dallas area to a fun trade show featuring exhibiting Destination Colorado members. To assist in producing this show this year, Destination Colorado has teamed up with its partners, Colorado Meetings + Events/Texas Meetings + Events, MPI, Plan Your Meetings and Successful Meetings.

This is Colorado’s opportunity to bring in approximately 100 meeting planners to mingle with 21 exhibitors from various parts of Colorado. Guests can mingle with such Colorado regions as Aspen, Beaver Creek, Boulder, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Denver, Durango, Estes Park, Granby, Grand Junction, Keystone, Snowmass, Steamboat Springs and Winter Park. Planners will learn all about what’s new for meetings in Colorado and enjoy great food, drinks and prizes.

With just two weeks remaining before the show, meeting planner attendees can RSVP by visiting http://destinationcolorado.wufoo.com/forms/destination-colorado-dallas-showcaseor by contacting Amber Broughton with Destination Colorado at amber.broughton@destinationcolorado.com or at 303-652-7704 .

Meeting planners will find everything they need at www.destinationcolorado.com, Colorado’s only statewide resource for group business. Connect with us on the Destination Colorado blog, “Like” our Facebook page or join the Destination Colorado LinkedIn group.

The ACORN Investigation Unveiled, The US Government Releases its Findings, By Robert Paisola

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:10:25 -0500

The ACORN situation has Matt Drudge so excited, he's goin' to Disneyworld! Drudge's top headline today is "ACORN REGISTERS 'MICKEY MOUSE'" referring to the revelation that some of ACORN's canvassers were turning in applications with fake names and information in order to meet their daily quota. Drudge and the GOP are screaming "voter fraud" to anyone who'll listen, but as far as we can tell, nothing happened except a bunch of lazy ACORN canvassers tried to pull a fast one so they started registering "Mickey Mouse" and the entire Dallas Cowboys starting lineup in order to get their 8 bucks an hour without having to walk around all day.

Of course, we'll never know what really happened until the investigation is completed. Which is why we're very excited to have a sneak peak into the ACORN hearing currently underway! Let's see what they've found out...

Check out the latest News on The ACORN INVESTIGATION on our International Blog

Direct from NEWSY PUBLISHER!

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Global Financial Crisis Takes Center Stage at Socially Responsible Investment Industry Conference

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:57:51 -0500

Socially responsible investment industry leaders will focus considerable attention on the global financial crisis at the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference October 26-28, 2008.

A record 720 participants are expected to converge on The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, in Whistler, British Columbia. Several of the scheduled conference sessions will feature experts discussing how socially conscious investors can help to reshape the future of the global financial system around the principles of transparency, fairness, good governance, and long-term thinking, including:

· A CEO Roundtable on Industry Trends;

· A Banking Sector panel focused on Sustainable Global Finance;

· A session on Philanthropy and Mission-Related Investing;

· An expert panel on the Sub-Prime Mortgage Situation;

· A roundtable discussion with International SRI Industry Leaders;

· A discussion about how wise management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues can reduce risk and position companies to excel over the long term; and

· A Special Session that will focus specifically on the global financial crisis.

“This is a unique opportunity for SRI leaders to strategize on integrating the principles of socially and environmentally responsible investing – such as responsible corporate governance – into the nation’s financial infrastructure moving forward,” said Lisa Woll, Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Forum (SIF).

SRI in the Rockies, a collaboration between First Affirmative Financial Network and the Social Investment Forum, is the premier annual conference for the sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry in North America.

“The financial crisis has put a spotlight on some of the worst practices on Wall Street, many of which socially conscious investors have worked to remedy over the years,” said George R. Gay, CEO of First Affirmative Financial Network and a Director of the Social Investment Forum. “We believe that a more socially responsible approach to investing can—and should—play a role in helping to transform the investing world.”

SRI in the Rockies takes place against the backdrop of an industry that continues to expand rapidly. According to the SIF’s “2007 Trends Report,” nearly one out of every nine dollars under professional management in the U.S. in 2007 was involved in SRI. From 2005-2007, SRI assets increased more than 18 percent while the broader universe of professionally managed assets expanded less than 3 percent.

SRI in the Rockies to Honor Community Investors

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:45:54 -0500

Investors who earmark at least one percent of their capital for community investment will be honored at the 2008 SRI in the Rockies Conference, the premier annual conference for the sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry in North America.

“Community investing, a core SRI strategy, has successfully served the same populations currently reeling from bad loans made by predatory lenders,” said Lisa Woll, chief executive officer of the Social Investment Forum (SIF). “Continuing to expand the pool of funds available for community investing is more important now than ever before.”

SRI in the Rockies is collaboration between the Social Investment Forum and First Affirmative Financial Network. More than 700 participants are expected to gather in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, October 26–28, 2008 for the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference.

Community investors’ direct capital to communities underserved by traditional financial services, providing access to credit, equity, capital and basic banking products that economically distressed communities and lower-income borrowers otherwise would not have.

Community investing is the fastest growing component of SRI. Investment in the field has increased from $5.4 billion in 1999 to more than $25 billion in 2007. The goal of the “1% or More in Community Campaign” is for SIF members to help push community investment in the United States to $30 billion by 2010.

"The ‘1% or More for Community Campaign’ has the potential to impact wide-scale investor action across the investment community, positively impacting the economically disadvantaged communities of the hurricane-torn gulf coast, other low-income communities across the United States, and in developing countries around the world," said William Bynum, executive director, Enterprise Corporation of the Delta.

SIF and Co-op America co-founded the “1% or More in Community Campaign” in 2001 to advance community investing among Social Investment Forum members by encouraging them to shift one percent or more of their investment dollars into community investing, thus making financing available to economically distressed communities and lower income families.

SIF members who have met the campaign challenge will be honored during a breakfast at SRI in the Rockies on October 27th. More information about the Social Investment Forum along with a current list of SIF members who have achieved the “1% or More in Community Investing Campaign” goal is available at www.communityinvest.org.

About the Social Investment Forum (SIF)

SIF is the U.S. membership association dedicated to advancing the concept, practice, and growth of socially and environmentally responsible investing. SIF members integrate economic, environmental, social, and governance factors into their investment decisions. SIF membership includes more than 500 social investment practitioners and institutions, including financial professionals, analysts, portfolio managers, banks, mutual funds, researchers, foundations, community development organizations, and public educators. More information about the Forum, including the 2007 Report on Socially Responsible Investing Trends in the United States, is available at www.socialinvest.org.