This week, I'm making a donation to Food Works.

http://eatsouthernillinois.org/

Food Works was formed to draw attention to local food, local farmers, and issues of social and environmental health. Their mission is “Local, sustainable food systems development for Southern Illinois.”

I'm a really big fan of local foods and local food systems. Here are just a few reasons why:

This week, I'm making a donation to the Gaia House Interfaith Center:

http://www.ucmsiuc.org/

The Gaia House Interfaith Center is a local community center with a 60-year tradition of serving the Southern Illinois community and SIUC campus with programs that address the burning issues of our times. They are a gathering place for community events and a focal point for social justice activity by people of all faiths and beliefs.

I've been working on new ways to provide and encourage support for local community groups. As part of this effort, I've decided to start donating money. Given my low income and growing debt, I don't have much to give. But I've decided that as long as I have income, however little, the nonprofit organizations that do so much for this community will have income too.

My first donation is going to the Women's Center:

http://www.thewomensctr.org/

Have you ever watched a movie about superheroes, or read a comic book about superheroes, and wished that you could be one too? As someone who has spent a lifetime admiring fictional superheroes, I've finally decided that it's time to start living the dream. Therefore, I'm pleased to announce that I've become a Real Life Superhero!

I am pleased to announce that my first poetry book, "Roots That Crack The Concrete," is back in print! The new second edition is available at my online storefront:

lulu.com/treesong

This new edition of "Roots That Crack The Concrete" contains all of the poetry from the original limited edition chapbook. However, I've also added a preface, updated the edition and contact information, and made other minor style adjustments.

I just got back from the global premiere of a climate change movie called Age of Stupid. The experience was amazing, to say the least. First, I'd like to review the movie. Then, I'd like to review the state of the world in relation to climate change.

I am pleased to announce that I have a new logo! A friend of mine named Josh Guess stepped forward and drew the first design that came to mind. Thanks to Josh for a job well done!

I have big plans for the coming months. The details are still emerging, but these plans will involve my return to a more active role in the local community as well as a renewed effort to advance my career as an author, teacher, and public speaker. In light of these plans, I'm looking for an artist who can design a new personal logo for use on my website and any printed materials I produce.

About two weeks ago, I went to a place called the Gallery. In case you haven't heard of it, the Gallery is the most well-known gentleman's club of Southern Illinois. In other words, it's a strip club. Since I'd never been to one before, and since I have a lot of thoughts about what it was like, I thought I'd write about the experience here on my blog.

I've come across a conflict of legal rights and responsibilities that I'm not entirely sure how to resolve. This doesn't have much of a direct effect on me at the moment, but it will in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I'm curious to hear your thoughts and feelings on the matter.