Jonathan Ramsey

I just ran across this on Myspace. It begins with the horrific story of how Saint Louis musician Dan Hamm lost his leg in a complicated series of vehicle events in January 2009. After losing control of his car in icy conditions, Dan got out of his car to check the damage. As he was stepping out of his car, it was struck by another car. Still okay, he went to look at the damage to his front end. Then, another car rear-ended his, pinning him between the car and a tractor-trailer. In the aftermath, he lost his leg.

Dan, 23 years old, is very active, and enjoys the outdoors. So, he needs to purchase a prosthetic leg capable of handling his activities. He plans to become a physical therapist to help others who face similar circumstances.

Now, Saint Louis band Madahoochi has joined forces with the Saint Louis Hoop Club to help Dan raise $30,000 to buy a prosthetic leg. 31 May 2009 they will host an event at Off Broadway Saint Louis with musicians Vitamin A and DJ Thumpasaurus. Saint Louis Hoop Club will perform, and there will be a pot luck dinner at 6pm. Attendees should bring hula hoops to hoop in the courtyard, and bring musical instruments to jam!

More info at the Madahooping For Hamm Myspace page.

Yes. That’s right, folks. Neocons everywhere can rejoice at the late-but-apt apology that Portia De Rossi delivered on Jimmy Kimmel. They no longer must live in fear and pain because of the horrors beset them by the erstwhile unapologized marriage of Portia De Rossi and Ellen Degeneres, and the many other gays and lesbians who we last year. It was a terrible blow to humanity that confused teens everywhere might find courage to be who they really are, all because a few free-thinking, high-profile gays decided that they needed to make life-long commitments to the ones they love. Shame on them.

Thanks to the kind people of California, and the protesters from other states who know best the biggest problems of our society, gays can continue to live their unfettered lives, knowing that our government continues to uphold only the ideals of the loudest religious voices. We’re all free to know that freedom means different things to different people.

We can rest assured that marriage is kept out of the reckless hands of gays in lifelong relationships, and held proudly as the privilege and standard for the many God-fearing, heterosexual couples that Sarah Palin’s conservativism upholds. God bless Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston. Long may they…

Today, Americans honor those whose lives were spent keeping the peace on our streets. Think of the people who put their lives in danger for the sake of the rest of us.

There are organizations that help the families of public safety professionals who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty. There are many ways that you can contribute, including simple donations, and purchasing tickets to events, or buying special promotional items. Consider helping those who lost a loved one.

• BackStoppers helps families of Saint Louis area public safety professionals –police, firefighters, emergency medical services- who have given their lives in the line of duty.
• S.A.F.E. – Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund helps families of Kansas City area public safety professionals –police, firefighters, emergency medical services- who have given their lives in the line of duty.
• National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund.

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