Hannah Parsons

Sustainability...

This year's Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities Conference was definitely a success. This was my first year to participate and EcoBroker was well received. There was an abundance of fascinating information provided by speakers and exhibitors alike. It is exciting to see Ft. Carson blazing the sustainability trail in Southern Colorado. Thank you to the Catamount Institute for taking on the conference this year. Congratulations on a job well done. I plan to return to the Expo again next year.

Perhaps I will bring along more  EcoHatchery Starter Kits. Until then, you'll just have to choose me as your REALTOR and receive one as a closing gift...:)   

As We Forgive

There will be a record-setting 28 films at this year's film festival. The films are documentaries by and about women. While there are many films in the line up that I would like to see, I wouldn't miss "As We Forgive". I have a special connection with the women of Rwanda and I encourage everyone to see this film.

As We Forgive
Filmmaker: Laura Waters Hinson
Filmmaker Attending
Could you forgive a person who murdered your family? This is the question faced by the subjects of As We Forgive, a documentary about Rosaria and Chantal—two Rwandan women coming face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide. The subjects of As We Forgive speak for a nation still wracked by the grief of a genocide that killed one in eight Rwandans in 1994 and follows their extraordinary journey from death to life through forgiveness.
53 minutes.  You can view a trailer and learn more about this film at: http://www.asweforgivemovie.com/

As part of the Festival in the Community series which is free to the public, As We Forgive will be showing at the City Council Chambers at 12:30 pm today and is free. The filmmaker will offer a Q&A session after the film. Please join me.

Find more information on the films being shown at the RMWFF along with schedule information at:
http://www.rmwfilmfest.org/index.php

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day. A day that bloggers throughout the world will unite to discuss one issue: Poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 10% of the population of El Paso County, Colorado lives below the poverty line. The age group with the largest percentage living in poverty is the under 18 years group. There are more women living in poverty in El Paso County than men. Spend some time today reading about poverty in your local area. You might be surprised by the face of poverty. You can also ready more about Blog Action Day at www.blogactionday.org.

Additionally, October is Make a Difference Month - The Power of One in El Paso County. It is a joint effort between the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and the Pikes Peak United Way. The goal of Make a Difference Month is to emphasize how "The Power of One" - one person, one company, one group of friends, one sponsor, one congregation can reach out to help those in need within our community. Last year, more than 3,000 individuals volunteered!  The goal this year is to get 1% of El Paso County residents to volunteer (that is more than 5,000 people)! Go to www.volunteerpikespeak.org to learn of the many ways in which to get involved.

I signed up to work with the Women's Resource Agency in Colorado Springs by being a Workshop Assistant. "The Women's Resource Agency is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization aimed at helping women attain and maintain self-sufficiency." "(Their) individualized services are designed to help women identify and expand on their existing knowledge, talents, skills, and strengths usually with an end of economic independence."