Jonathan Ramsey

Thursday, 6 September at 10AM, Governor Matt Blunt and Mayor Francis Slay meet meet with ONE.org as St Louis and Missouri make joint declarations to become the 9th state and the 120th city of ONE. These declarations state the state and city’s support for the worldwide campaign against poverty. In essence, these declarations tell other politicians that our citizens support policy that will help to end poverty across the globe.

Visit the ONE Missouri page to find out about attending the joint declaration, this Thursday.

one.org one campaign end poverty missouri st louis saint louis

As Midwest temperatures begin their mid-summer climb into sweltering, you can help by donating fans, air conditioners, money, or your time. Cool Down St Louis delivers these units to elderly and disabled residents who might have difficulty in the heat.

If you have an air conditioner, less than two years old, and in working condition, please consider donating it to help a fellow Saint Louisan, this summer.

To help Cool Down St. Louis, go to cooldownstlouis.org/Donations, call 241-7668 or send a check to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, Mo. 63188

Tags: cool+down+st+louis volunteer local+heroes air+conditioner donation neighbors mayor+slay francis+slay

Every five years, the United States Congress examines and makes major modifications to the nation’s farm policy. This is the time when congress modifies subsidies, loan policies, and the like. 2007 is one of those years.

Most of us have heard of the subsidies, and have been taught that they help farmers, and control prices. What we never hear on the telly is that most farmers don’t receive subsidies. They actually help impoverish small farmers.

From Kenneth Galloway, of ONE.org:

The Farm Bill has been around for decades, and there is a widely held misconception that it is beneficial to farmers like myself. The truth is that the top 8% of big business farms receive over half of the subsidies, and more than half of all farmers receive nothing. As a result, small farmers aren’t able to compete. If we can change this, millions of small farmers around the world can have an opportunity to work their way out of extreme poverty.

But to overcome an entrenched law like this, we are going to need to spread awareness, pressure the media to pay attention to it, and let our elected leaders know that we want it to change.

The best way to do all of these is by writing a letter to the editor.

You can help by writing to your local newspapers. Please visit ONE.org, and use their guide to writing a letter to the editor.

Visit ONE.org for more information.

Tags: small+farmer farm+bill farm+subsidies poverty

Last Tuesday, Cool Down St. Louis announced that they need donations of 250 air conditioners and $50,000. With the hottest part of summer coming up, St. Louis citizens over 70 and with various ailments are vulnerable to the heat. Many such people make due without air conditioners, and Cool Down St. Louis’ mission is to identify and aid those who need help, this time of year. Citizens, civic leaders, religious leaders, and local celebrities volunteer to deliver air conditioners to people who need them.

If you need assistance, and are over 70 years old or have an illness which makes you susceptible to the heat, you can call (314) 241-7668 to speak to a volunteer.

If you have an air conditioner, no more than three years old, you can also call (314) 241-7668 and arrange to drop off the unit, or to have it picked up.

Tags: cool+down+st+louis elderly air+conditioner donations

Today, I’ve uploaded the MP3 for “Stitch in Time”. This song is ripped from the headlines, and set to music by Mike Waterson, Martin Carthy, and friends. In my experience, it has brought on a number of after-show comments from women who, in one way or another, identify with the heroine. Some have escaped similar situations. One woman had taken matters into her own hands, much like in this song, only she used duct tape. 

At Westport Flea Market, I met a woman who works at a Kansas City shelter for women. She asked if I had recorded this song. Well, I have now.

While this song amuses many, at best it’s rarely –but probably it’s never- wise to follow its example.

Women who suffer from any kind of abuse should know that real help is a phone call away. My friend Lynn, at Reality Exploits, has provided the number for Women’s Support and Community Services, serving Saint Louis city and county in Missouri. Call (314) 531-2003 if you, or someone you know, could use support and help. They provide services and referrals for women dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, relationship issues, legal issues, and shelter information.

Nationwide, in the United States, you can call:

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TDD)

Other cities, nationwide, and throughout much of the world, have people who can help. Please, if you are hurting, find the people in your community who can help you get back on your feet, and feel safe.

Note: Computer use can be monitored. Please use a safe computer –at the library, school, etc.- to find resources. You can look in places like the Google Domestic Violence Directory or the Support Network for Battered Women.

So, this is for my new friend in Kansas City, and the women she works with:

Stitch in Time click the play button to listen

Watch my mp3 page for an updated version of Stitch in Time.

Tags: free+mp3 domestic+violence women’s+shelters live+recording indie+music

I know I sometimes rage against the machine’s idea that using “reality” television to build a schedule is good television. Truth be told, though, there are reality shows that I enjoy. One of those is Work Out.

I was sad to find out that Doug had died, following a prolonged series of illnesses. Doug seemed like a very caring guy, and so joins a fraternity of great people who left a positive mark in this world, then had to leave it too soon. He had genuine concern for his clients’ well being.

Doug, as some know, had lymphoma, and was undergoing chemotherapy. According to Peeler, he had contracted salmonella, leading to his kidneys’ shutting down. In the hospital, he developed a staph infection, precipitating the shutdown of his liver.

Read more on Brian Peeler’s blog.

Also, check out Douglas Blasdell Outreach Program for student scholarships, gay and lesbian awareness, HIV education and more.

Tags: doug+blasdell work+out reality+tv bravo+channel personal+trainer

Throughout the 2006-2007 NBA season, Stephon Marbury, of the New York Knicks, has been wearing his own branded basketball shoes on court. If you hadn’t heard, last year, Starbury released a new line of shoes and clothing with Steve and Barry’s. The whole line of shoes sell for $14.98 a pair. No lie. These fine shoes, that compare with the $150 ones that kids are getting killed for, sell for FIFTEEN BUCKS! If you’re not a hightop wearer, he also has trainers.

This is the future, boys. A sports hero creating a quality footwear and clothing line that moms everywhere can reasonably afford. Marbury also pledged to give shoes to every New York City high school basketball player.

Check them out at http://www.steveandbarrys.com and at http://www.starbury.com.

Go Knicks!

Tags: new+york+knicks nba sports affordable+shoes quality+shoes basketball basketball+shoes stephon+marbury

The world has lost three great voices, in the last month.

9 March, Brad Delp, the original singer for Boston, died of an apparent heroine overdose, [carbon monoxide poisoning from burning charcoal in his garage] just months before a summer tour and a wedding with his long-time girlfriend. Many Americans probably didn’t know his name, but it would be hard to say you never heard his voice.

Tuesday, we lost Kurt Vonnegut, one of the 20th century’s great literary voices.

Wednesday, we lost Roscoe Lee Browne, known for his profound speaking voice, and broad acting experience -from Shakespeare to Soap to Babe. He was also prized for books on CD/tape, because of the tone and clarity of his voice.

Tags: deaths brad+delp boston rock+singer kurt+vonnegut roscoe+lee+browne author baritone speaker actor