Also, Have you ever asked your corporation about matching gifts? There are many local companies that leave it to their employees to decide where their goodwill goes for the year. Ask! It's a great way to maximize your giving!

Diversity
If you google diversity you can everything from anti-hate education to how to improve your work dynamic (through the benefits of the individual and specialized knowledge of a diverse work group). I become surprised often enough by the announcements of 'first timers' every now and again such as Lovie Smith, Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, Katherine Hughes, Muriel Siebert, and others. Perhaps this person is the first woman CEO or the first Japanese MVP, or whatever. I wonder if they even thing about that at all. Yet it is marked in the history books. Their mark. Their acheivement. That brings a smile. I cannot really imagine living in less than the open society we have today. Being told I cannot do something not due to lack of ability but because of a preference or superficial characteristic. I cannot imagine it.

I had the pleasure of hosting some friends the other night. Buckets of fabulously interesting stories filled the air. I intended to treat everyone to an art project. Who knows what could happen if one were to mix a little wine with mosaic making. Well, we never even got to it. I had to remind two young ladies to fill the plates they'd been holding for a good 20 minutes or so. You'd think their tummies would have rumbled at some point. But during the discussions I realized we had about 20 different countries represented in the room. At least.

The very next day a girl friend of mine came in who organizes and founded Seeds of Grace (yet other great opportunity for helping humanity!) and she suggested how interesting it might be to have some sort of geneology workshop. I thought of Jeffrey Bockman immediately. Currently his book can be found at Anderson's as well as here at the center. I never really checked it out - but thought it to be a good foundation for someone's search for their own history. How did we get to talking about that? Oh yea, identity. It is amazing how such a little thing can impact a person. Maybe not immediately - I'm certainly not saying it is a panacea - however - I have seen how knowing our personal histories have impacted our self esteem, our kindness, our relationship with others. Think about it. Some of us know our geneology very well - and others have had it hidden or stolen. For myself, the story goes that my grandmother was Irish, but adopted by a German family - the Rubens - who immigrated to America. The records were not kept and the history was lost.

There is another side to this arguement, however. It has to do with living in the present moment. Being Present. Awareness. But that never kept the questions or longing from popping up. I just curb them by remembering that, well, it isn't the mailman's fault the records were lost, and worrying about it isn't going to help me get my kids lunch made and ... well... it's in the past. Finally at 35 years old... I can let somethings remain in the past. I know. It takes me a long time! I've come to believe that this Identity thing must be one of those things that people either Really care about - or perhaps don't care about at all.

I think I've made up for my blogging silence for the past 4 months...

Volunteering
Volunteers are the backbone of any not-for-profit organization. It truly takes a community of support to provide the kind of enriching programs not-for-profit organizations have to offer. And the best part is there is something for everyone. You can support local agricultural efforts through Illinois Green Pastures. You can volunteer at the hospital, church, PADS, food pantry, pet shelter, symphony, or children's museum. And that is not to mention the programs at the schools. To be most effective as a volunteer, find something that suits what you are passionate about. This is something that can be done with your parent, or children or friends. Set goals and define timelines that you can stick to. Don't be unrealistic about the time you can commit. The organization you are volunteering for most likely would rather be able to trust your commitment than get excited about an over commitment that is unkept. Remember that stepping forward as a volunteer means you are there for them and that they will be reliant upon you. Volunteering is a fabulous way to meet new friends, be a part of the community and foster happiness. Just keep it simple.

The Grounded Theatre is currently looking for board members who are interested in marketing and fund raising. This board only meets a few times per year to discuss the two major performances they produce at the Comedy Shrine. Board members do get comps for shows. Cuurrently working on: Crimes of the Heart from March 8th to April 19. For more information contact Karen Rosenberg.

Downtown Parking
Please be aware, construction has started across the street from the Main Street Promenade on the corner of Main and Van Buren in the flat lot. Although it only held 51 parking spots, this can often be an interruption to our routines. Take extra time to get to where you want to get to around town. There are two other large flat lots, a parking deck, and street parking all around the Main, Van Buren and Benton Street area if you are headed to the Promenade or around the North side of downtown. 2 hour street parking is allowed across Benton on Main, on Benton, and on Webster. There are two other CBD parking decks also: one is on Chicago Ave., the other is at the municipal building.

Cheers~
M