Mayan Apocalypse: 2012

Well, it looks like we're all still here.

...

Guess that means I'm not off the hook for my student loan debt. D'oh.

On the bright side, it's the only debt that I really have.

Time to plan more shenanigans and tomfoolery before the next semester begins!

Newtown, CT: An Addendum

As an addendum to my previous post about Emilie Parker, I wanted to mention that The United Way of Western Connecticut has created the Sandy Hook School Support Fund to provide support services to the families and community that has been affected. CNN has also posted a great article providing links to various resources for families, victims, and anyone who may have been affected by the tragedy.

Finally, Yahoo posted a really emotional article with background information on each of the victims of the shooting. Personally, I feel that it's "more" worth reading than the majority of the articles being posted on this tragedy simply because it focuses on the victims rather than the coward shooter.

I want to thank everyone who found my blog by searching for information on the shooting in Newtown, CT. My last blog post about Emilie received so many hits; I hope that I was able to generate some additional traffic for her memorial page, and that in doing so I have assisted her family in some way.

My heart truly aches for the children who will never return home to their families, and for the adults who courageously gave their lives trying to defend their students.

Emilie Parker: A Young Victim of the Newtown, CT Massacre

I'm working on a larger blog regarding the events that took place earlier today in Newtown, CT. However, I believe that this beautiful little girl deserves her very own blog post.

My wife went to school with Emilie's parents, Alyssa and Robbie. At some point, they moved to CT and settled down with their young family, which consisted of three beautiful little girls. The oldest, Emilie, was a student at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Unfortunately, Emilie is among the victims of today's shooting. This sweet little girl will never come home to her parents, thanks to the actions of one pathetic coward.

In Utah, KSL News will be covering this story on 12/14/12 at 10:00 p.m. Friends of Alyssa and Robbie have set up an account with America First Credit Union and are asking for any donations in order to assist the family in their time of need. The account number for donations is 9056862. A Facebook page (Emilie Parker Fund) has also been created to share information and condolences for the family.

I can't imagine being a parent and having my children in this situation. We plan on donating to the fund, and I encourage everyone else to do the same, if you are financially able to do so. As I'm writing this- at almost 10:00 p.m. MST- Alyssa and Robbie are still waiting to identify their beloved daughter's body. Nothing will bring their little girl back, but maybe we can show them that their family is being kept in our hearts during this difficult, troubling time.

"Aware" Businesses Help Families of Children with Autism

If you have any kind of experience with children on the autism spectrum, then you know that sometimes the "simple" things in life can become quite the challenge. Enjoying a meal at a restaurant can present its own unique challenges for an individual diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For example, a bustling restaurant environment can prove to be very overstimulating and bewildering; an individual with an ASD may also require special assistance when ordering their food.

Fortunately, there are some restaurant owners who recognize the difficulties that these individuals face and are willing to go the extra mile to make things a little more comfortable for them.

The article linked above also features a video report.

I think it's great that some people are willing to step up and work a little harder in order to promote an inclusive environment. Kudos! Maybe this will become the start of a new trend in the restaurant industry?

Fair Trade Coffee

These days, I'm sure that you've heard a lot about "fair trade" coffee. The term has become more common and is something that many coffee lovers are paying attention to when they select their coffee products. What are we paying attention to, though? What exactly does "fair trade" mean?

To begin with, there's no "university accepted" definition of "fair trade." Instead, fair trade labeling organizations rely on a definition supplied by FINE, an informal association of four international fair trade networks: Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Network of European Worldshops, and European Fair Trade Association (EFTA). According to their definition, the term "fair trade" refers to:

1. a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.
2. contributing to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers- especially in the South.
3. organizations, backed by consumers, that are actively engaged in supporting producers, in raising awareness, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

The term "fair trade" can also be applied to many other commodities, such as cocoa and textiles. Prior to fair trade, prices were regulated by the International Coffee Organization according to the regulations set forth by the International Coffee Agreement of 1962. This agreement set limits on the amount of coffee traded between countries so there would be no excess supply, and consequently a drop in price. The agreement has been modified several times since its creation.

So, what does it mean when modern day coffee vendors are advertising their product as being fair trade certified? The fair trade movement promotes sustainability, which has become more important to consumers over the last decade. It's also important to note that the majority of coffee producers/farm owners are located in developing nations; their products are bought and sold on a relatively volatile market. The fair trade movement also seeks to improve the financial health and profitability of these small producers and farm owners. In other words, buying coffee that is fair trade certified means that you are making a conscious decision to support sustainability and promote the financial well-being of those who produce the coffee beans.

Green Mountain Coffee is one company that is working to make a real difference in the world of fair trade coffee. Their products are carefully selected and cultivated in order to bring you the best possible flavors. Even better, they share their success with the rest of the world, by working hard to better their own communities. That cup of coffee tastes much better when you know that the farmers who grew those coffee beans received a fair price for their labor.

Since I'm a BzzAgent, I was able to sample some of Green Mountain Coffee's products. They were so good that I went out and purchased additional products. One of my personal favorites is their Wild Mountain Blueberry blend. Green Mountain Coffee is also available in K-Cups, for those of you who happen to own a Keurig (or similar device).

My friends and family really enjoyed Green Mountain Coffee. I think the only product that we didn't care for was the iced coffee. Trust me, there is more to iced coffee than simply pouring hot coffee over ice. Otherwise, I enjoyed each and every product that I sampled, and I've definitely converted a few friends as well. I highly recommend Green Mountain Coffee to my fellow coffee lovers: their products provide an ethical way to enjoy something that we all love. Namely, great coffee.