WILLIE AND ME

Willie and I got our picture taken for a newspaper article that should be out soon.

The photo was taken by John Stormzand

A MESSAGE FROM EARTH ANGELS FOUNDER KAREN SCHWOBO

As we strive at Earth Angels Relief to make an impact on the homeless community I can't help but think of the words of a man who touched everyone's heart in some way and broke down the barriers of what is different among us and brought us closer to being one. Through his own suffering he found a way to make a difference with the power of his words and the gift of his talent. These lyrics speak so directly to the difference we are looking to acheive for the homeless community, I felt strongly to share them. It is our mission to be able to provide a back pack to every homeless person that needs one. It is our goal to have 1,000 back packs by July 24th. Together we can do this!

As you read these lyrics, please look into your own heart and your closet, talk to your freinds, your neighbors, your church, your co-workers, your children's school. And above all, please, look in the mirror, together we can make a difference.

As a fifteen year old teenager, I myself followed the wind with no where to go. I was one of the lucky ones.
Let us all start with the "Man (or women!) in the Mirror" and together we can make a change.

"Man In The Mirror"

I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go
That's Why I Want You To
Know

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah)

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish
Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not
Alone?

A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of
The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place
To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With
Me
(Starting With Me!)

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Ooh!)
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)

BACKPACKS FOR HUMANITY

Teri, Karen and I went to SOCH today. (South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless) We dropped off 20 backpacks this week. Last year they only got 15 backpacks all year. Our goal, so that every person that need one will get one, is 80. Please go to www.earthangelsrelief.com and find out how you can help!

I'm looking forward to my interview today with Chef Michael Smith, Host of Food Network's Chef Abroad and Chef at Home, about a few quick and savory meal ideas for the family dinner menu this summer. Many of the dishes were inspired by Chef Michael's home in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada where he also serves as a culinary ambassador.

A few summers ago my family vacationed on PEI. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world!

PARTY FOR GILDA

It's no secret that Gilda's Club is one of my favorite places on earth. I think it is an unwritten rule that only COOL people can hang out at the clubhouse because EVERYONE I have ever come in contact with has always been positive and a pleasure to be around. That's why I am so honored they asked ME to design a brochure for them.

Here's the scoop:

Gilda's Club Metro Detroit is a non-profit cancer support community for men, women and children living with cancer, along with their families and friends. Their innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities.

One of the many ways to support Gilda's Club Metro Detroit is by planning and/or sponsoring an event, promotion or sale to raise funds for the organization. This type of activity is called a “third party” fundraiser.


Why support Gilda's Club Metro Detroit?
Their social and emotional support program is entirely free to men, women, teens and children in the metro Detroit area impacted by any type of cancer. Whether they join a support group, attend a workshop or participate in a potluck, there is no charge to them. Instead, Gilda’s Club relies on the generosity of individuals, companies, schools, community groups and other organizations to help finance its extensive program.

All donations stay in the metro Detroit area, supporting people in our communities impacted by cancer.

Please consider having a Third Party for this great organization. Visit www.gildasclubdetroit.org.

IT'S COOL TO BE HOT!

Thank you everyone who came out to see the Mydols perform at the West Bloomfield Twp. Library last night. It was so hot. Yikes! I was sweating up a storm. Someone told us their car thermometer read 97!

I had a super great time and learned I can play guitar while being attacked by a mosquito. I didn't know I was that good. Ha!

MY MY MY-- MY NOKIA

I LOVE my Nokia E71x mobile phone. It's the perfect Mother's Helper.

It really came in handy this weekend at a soccer tournament. I was able to use it to check my email, use the Internet in the wilderness of Northern Michigan, check the scoreboard standings, keep track of my kids when they weren't with me, use it for directions and take clear soccer highlight video. And, unfortunately, I had to use it as a alarm clock. We had a 7:30 AM game. ARGH!

Best of all it's so light. I easily carried it in my pocket, but it's so sturdy. I dropped it. OUCH! And it didn't fall apart or even get a scratch.

How the heck did my mom raise three kids without a E71x?

WEEKEND UPDATE

We spent the weekend in Petoskey at a soccer tournament. The boys had a blast, and with them so busy doing things on their own I had plenty of time to work. That may not seem like fun, but when you LOVE what you do and have cool clients--well I enjoyed every minute designing TWO websites. One is for singer Tracy Kash Thomas and the other is for MetroChickRadio.

We got home Sunday and couldn't wait to get the dogs at the kennel. It was Barney's first time and he seemed to like it. Our lab LOVES going to dog camp. It was fun to pick them up and see their tails wagging like crazy!

We also saw Year One. Loved it. But then I have a crush on both Jack Black and Micahel Cera, so I knew going in, I was gonna like it.

FRESH AIR FUND

Right now any gift you make to The Fresh Air Fund will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of generous donors! If you can give $25 that means $50 for inner-city children. $50 becomes $100!

But you must make your donation by June 30th to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

To learn more about the Freah Air Fund click here! 

EARTH ANGELS: A DREAM COME TRUE

Teri Williams and I are lucky. We connected last February. We wanted to help homeless people. We hooked up with the South Oakland Citiizens for the Homeless. We decided to help them with a backpack drive. We wound up with a great sponsor-- Moosejaw. The the Little Caesar Love Kitchen contacted us next. Now we have our own 501 c 3 non-profit organization.

Check out http://www.earthangelsrelief.com/.

NEW WEB WORK

Yet another fun website I get to work on. www.cheapdivorcetherapy.com.

The owner, Patsy Canine, just happens to be one of my FAVORITE people in the world too.

I have the best job in the world!

ecostore USA CONTEST: WIN A $500 GIFT CARD

Hey all you groovy creative types. Ecostore USA is running a video contest. Make a 30 second clip of you using lemon cream cleanser, showing the effectiveness and how it is healthy and eco-friendly, and you could win a $500 Visa gift card.

The cleanser is available at Mejiers. I use it in my house. It's fantastic. Visit http://blog.ecostoreusa.com for all the details.

Good luck!

WILLIE GRADUATES

Willie graduated from middle school today. He received the President's Award of Excellence from Barack Obama. He's off at the big eight grade dance tonight and I finally got a chance to scan the two newspapers he was in last week. His music teacher emailed me today and said another paper is interested in doing a story too.

Way to go Willie.

SUPER BULLDOG BASH

I've been following around a middle school band for a couple of weeks and having a ball. These kids are AMAZING--full of energy and talent. The video isn't finished, but it's been so much fun to work on, I couldn't wait to post it.

BIZDOM

Today I met with Ross Sanders at Bizdom U. We went over all the paperwork required for me to sign to be part of the program, which starts September 7. I am so excited. Just the thought of going to Wayne State 3 days a week makes me happy. I loved every minute of undergraduate school there, and am a proud grad. This time around, instead of art school, it's business school for me.

TIMI and LESLIE CONVERTIBLE DIAPER BAG

Check out my new handbag, er diaper bag!

Okay, it's been awhile since I've needed a diaper bag. (Willie is 13.) When I did they were pretty lame. They were gaudy. They easily got dirty. And when your baby was finally potty trained, you couldn't wait to throw it away.

Well yesterday I received a Timi and Leslie diaper bag. (Pictured. Seriously that's a diaper bag!) It is so beautiful and well made, I nearly cried when I saw it. It wasn't until I looked inside that I truly believed it was meant to tote bottles and diapers. Inside was a bottle tote, changing pad and lots of other miscellaneous goods. The whole thing is waterproof too!

When I was asked to check it out, I figured I would give it to one of my friends with a little one but honestly, I can't part with it. I immediately turned it into a gig bag to keep all my guitar stuff in--chords, picks, strings, tuner and miscellaneous swag. It's so sturdy. I am convinced it can handle being tossed around at a gig as easily as it can endure the playground.

Need a diaper bag? Have a baby shower to attend? I am sure any new mom would LOVE this gift. Or for that matter, any woman.

For more info go to http://www.timiandleslie.com/ .

Rock Star Mommy gives this product 5 stars!!

FABULOUS DYLAN

Dylan's been invited to attend a showcase soccer camp at Washington University in St. Louis this summer.

He'll train with the head coach and meet the current soccer team.

In addition all the details of a campus visit will occur as part of the camp itinerary. He will meet the director of admissions, be able to arrange an on admissions interview, enjoy a campus tour, and eat campus food.

Willie and I will travel with him for the 5 day camp.

Way to go Dylan!

INTERVIEW WITH DR. ANISH SHETH

Lately when I’m in the supermarket I see more and more products with the word “probiotic”. So I was really interested when I received a press release from Dr. Anish Sheth. I had an opportunity to interview to him by phone. Dr. Sheth is a probiotic expert.

We talked about a recent survey that states Americans spend a significant amount of time in the bathroom. According to a recent Yankelovich survey, many Americans spend more than 30 minutes each day in the bathroom – that adds up to nearly eight days each year - which is more than double that of the average vacation trip.

The amount of time we’re spending in the bathroom concerns Dr. Sheth, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine. He worries there are might be health reasons behind the lengthy trips.

“Millions of Americans experience digestive problems, but few know that key to digestive health is maintaining a balance between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the colon, a vital part of the digestive system. But there are things consumers can do such as taking a probiotic to address digestive symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, as well as overall colon health.”

Dr. Sheth explained how probiotics work, Probiotics are live microorganisms, similar to the good bacteria found inside the body. When taken on a daily basis, they support the digestive system and help restore the balance that is so important to good health. When factors like poor diet and stress affect digestion (diarrhea, constipation) probiotics may be especially helpful.

A large percentage of our immune system is found in the digestive track, so it make sense if you take care of your colon it’s going to have a significant health effect.

Dr. Sheth recommends Phillips’ Colon Health because it is formulated with three strains of the most common and studied bacteria, each supporting a different area of the digestive tract. Phillips’ Colon Health can be found nationwide in drug, grocery and mass retailers with other gastrointestinal products. For more information on the benefits of Phillips’ Colon Health, visit http://www.phillipsrelief.com/.

I really enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Sheth and I went out purchased Phillips' Colon Health. And you know what, I do feel better. (I’ve been a little stressed lately.) And I am spending less time in the bathroom. And that’s a good thing. I have so little free time!

GIRLZ GARAGE

I'm working at the Vans Warped tour. I'll be in the Girlz Garage.

MY NOKIA E71x ROCKS

I got a new phone. A Nokia E71x. And I love it. It's really thin and light and has an easy to use keyboard. A REAL keyboard--I have trouble with those screen keyboards!

I'm still getting used to all the functions. It's so much nicer than my old phone.

One thing I'm really enjoying is the "voice" announcement of who's calling. So I can be in one room, my phone rings and I can "hear" who's calling. No offense to anyone--but sometime when I'm busy--unless you're a client, I don't want to stop what I'm doing to "see" who's calling. (I work at home so my phone is usually on the dining room table and not on my person.)

I have to run Willie to school. More on my phone later...

BIZDOM U! YAHOO!

I found out today I've been accepted into Bizdom U. It's an entrepreneur boot camp. I start in the fall and I am so excited. I cannot tell you.

I went through a really rigorous interviewing and testing process to get in. Hours and hours--since January.

Check it out at http://bizdom.com.

WILLIE'S BIG SHOW!

Check out this video of my son Willie. He's amazing!

CATTAILS

Today was a day like no other--full of life's ups and downs.

I got up early to go to ROMS. I am doing a mini doc on the school's music program and have been following the band around for a couple of days. (On Friday I get to go to Cedar Point with the kids and film them marching and entertaining the crowd.)

From there, I met Alison. I was late. But we had a really great meeting and came up with a killer TV show idea. I don't want to share too much--but it's good. Really good.

After Alison, I met with Teri. I was late again but we had a really productive meeting. We have a retail partner for a project we are working on for the homeless of Oakland County. I can't wait to write about what we're up too, but until we have everything worked out I am reluctant. But a big piece of the puzzle was set in place today. We have a partner. A BIG partner.

Finally this evening, I worked a project for my dear friend Barb. I met her in a memoir writing class I taught at Gilda's Club. She was my star student. For the last couple of weeks I have been helping her put together a book of short stories about her cat of 19 years--Ollie. Barb is battling lung cancer. I went and visited her in the hospital yesterday. She looked so frail, but beautiful. She's having a hard time talking but not listening. I could tell she was aware of everything going on around her, but she didn't say much.

Tonight I got together with my other students from Gilda's and we each read one of Barb's stories. I'm going to bring Barb a CD tomorrow. I know she will love listening to all her great tales about her beloved cat.

WILLIE IN THE NEWS!

This little blurb appeared in a ROMS band email blast:

The Honors Band will perform Into the Storm, 1812 Overture and Everest. Everest is a brand new composition written for Concert Band. It is an honor to be the first to ever perform this selection. This selection was written and composed by ROMS very own 8th Grade trombonist Willie Davids. What a privilege for us. Mr. Kohring and Mrs. Von are very proud of Willie for this major accomplishment.