Americans & Climate Change

According to a recent Harris poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans want the next president to take strong action on climate change. Four in 10 polled in the national study agree that if action is not taken to address global warming and climate change, the country's national security will be threatened by global instability. The poll was taken as the National Intelligence Council issued the first-ever National Intelligence Assessment on the link between global climate change and the nation's security. Interestingly, two of three of those with household incomes of $49,999 or less indicate that strong action to address climate change is important. For more, go to http://www.pcap.ncat.org/docs/PCAP_Harris_Poll_topline_summary_July08.pdf.

Chicago's Loyola Park Baseball

I've just posted an audio slideshow on the summer baseball team that Gabriel participated in. It's really a great program and the boys are from wonderfully diverse backgrounds. Kudos to team coach Clyde Coleman, to park head Mary Hopkins and to the many umpires, other coaches, staff, and to the boys and their families for coming together to create an amazing inner-city summer experience. To see the slide show (and make sure you're got the volume up to catch the audio) go to:
http://www.webng.com/gabilondo/Loyola%20Baseball%202008/

Story on Carbon Footprints Features C & E

A chicago tribune article on Web sites that measure carbon footprints - and how they've changed people's lifestyles - featured Carmen and Emilia and my sister Michele. Digital version doesn't include the shot of the two divas in our yard. Has a nice rundown of some of the Web sites out there - as well as a bit about the complexities involved in calculating emissions. See the story here.

"Coronation Street" rocks Girls Rock Chicago!

Check out this video of the up-and-coming girls rock band "Coronation Street" from their performance Saturday (Aug. 2) at METRO on Clark St. Emilia is the lead singer. They composed the song themselves! Click here to see the posting on YouTube.

Andre's Birthday

It was sooo much fun last night to celebrate Luis Andre Bispo de Jesus' (can I say it?) 39th birthday here on Norwood. Andre is a special friend of ours from Bahia whose many talents include gardening, woodwork, design, designing with nature, cooking and many other things. Oh, and mixing a mean Bahia-style caipirinha (is that honey? ginger?) which was the life of the party. And making seafood soup Bahia style. Thanks for coming everyone to celebrate his birthday - made lots of new friends!

InterAmerican Tree Planting

A week ago we organized a community garden project at my childrens' school - InterAmerican Magnet (located at Addison and Fremont). It was a great event that brought together lots of volunteers and happened thanks to Sao Paulo-Illinois Partners of America, The Organic School Project, The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, Whole Foods and the McCormick Tribune Foundation. We now have a beautiful garden that will last many years! See the audio slideshow I did on the tree planting at http://www.webng.com/gabilondo/iams%20garden.

Visit to Beautiful Nueva York

I'm just back from gorgeous New York. Pictured are Amanda, Rob, James and Shawn. Park Slope is gorgeous in the spring time!