Well-Known Stationmaster Laid To Rest

Tama in one of her publicity photos.

Back in 2007, Kishigawa railway was close to bankruptcy and the Kishi station was in danger of closing. Along came a stray cat, Tama, who was appointed honorary stationmaster. Now, cats in Japan are known to bring good luck, and Tama did just that.

Using her vast kitty powers, Tama began inspiring an economic turnaround. Kishi station was decorated in a friendly cat motif and the train cars continued the theme with kitty memorabilia and a unique design, symbolizing the new stationmaster. To go with her duties, Tama also received a stationmaster's hat, and various other additions, depending on season.



Before long, tourists were hearing about the stationmaster and her new honorary post and they made Kishi station a destination, just to meet this remarkable cat. She didn't disappoint either; there she was, in her stationmaster's cap, greeting everyone who visited Kishi station, and posing for photos. And Tama had a positive effect on the local economy, too, to the tune of $8.9 million (1.1 billion yen).

By the way, when the Kishigawa railway was experiencing hard times, they downsized to the point that there were no humans at Kishi station, so that made Tama the only feline stationmaster in the world, part of her unique attraction. Mitsunobu Kojima, president of the Wakayama Electric Railway, explains, "[S]he really was doing her job. Tama-chan really emerged like a savior, a goddess. It was truly an honor to have been able to work with her." For eight years, she did her job of greeting passengers. She even was training a successor, another stray named Nitama, because she was getting up there in years.

Last week, this senior kitty developed a sinus infection. Yoshiko Yamaki, a spokesperson for Kishigawa, reported, "When we visited her with the company president the day before she died, she stood up and meowed as if she was begging him to hold her." And so, this well-known kitty with a large worldwide following, passed away.

Tama with apprentice, Nitama.

As fitting for this little celebrity, 3,000 people turned out for the Shinto funeral, at which she was given the title of honorable eternal stationmaster, the equivalent of a Shinto goddess. She will be forever in the memory of a company and a community. Meanwhile, Nitama has stepped up from her apprentice position, now serving in the very big pawprints of the beloved Tama.

A young fan leaves memorial flowers for Tama.

Thanks to this article from Good News Network: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/thousands-attend-lavish-funeral-for-cat-the-railroad-stationmaster/; and this article from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/29/tama-the-cat-3000-attend-elaborate-funeral-for-japans-feline-stationmaster.

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The Vegan News Beat

Steve Boardwine, with his wife.

Back when Steve Boardwine was a cook at an Italian restaurant, he became aware of animals as sentient beings. All he had to do was to observe other cooks when they killed a lobster for a customer's dinner. The lobster fought hard for its life with all of its might. Realizing that all animals wanted to live, Steve became a vegan.

Along the way, he realized that being vegan inspired him to support other issues, as well. Mr. Boardwine said, "Prior to becoming vegan, there was a thick spiritual fog hindering my view of this world. There, in my opinion, is no better way to promote environmental sustainability, spiritual fulfillment, and justice than through championing veganism."



With his new-found knowledge, he realized that there was a difference in lifestyle that applied to people who had become vegan. So, he decided that an online magazine was a great way to provide information about this lifestyle and also share recipes, not only to those already in the vegan community, but to those who don't participate in that lifestyle. So, VEGANBEAT was born.

One of the interesting aspects of this magazine is that it is designed to appeal to individuals from many different backgrounds. From younger people to women to travelers to beginning cooks to lovers of in-depth journalism, this magazine has articles for many different tastes. The site has actually just started publishing articles, but that start is very promising. So far, Mr. Boardwine is the only poster, but the site does have the capacity to accept other authors.

Eventually, it is planned that VEGANbeat will post in the areas of politics, entertainment, food industry news, and vegan resources. There is even an area for videos, which has not yet been activated. If you are interested in this concept, give Mr. Boardwine some support by visiting his startup online magazine. If you write, ask if he'd be interested in your support with a post or two of your own.

VEGANbeat's logo and facebook profile picture.

Thanks to Pollination Project for this article: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/steve-boardwine-vegan-beat/; and the above link.

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Storytelling As Art

Nancy Mellon.

If you could envision when storytelling began, you'd probably have to go back to when human beings first appeared and language developed. It would probably be rather early in our history. But storytelling as an art may come later. You can actually see that skill, that art, in many of our great printed works.

There is, though, another framework, another form to the art - and that is in oral storytelling. That has a longer history, in the way information became passed down the generations through the spoken word before the age of print began. Still, even in this age of electronic information, when all of us can be inundated with information, passed through bits and bites, constantly assailing us, the art of oral storytelling still exists. Unlike in previous eras, we can preserve the spoken story in videos, with those same bits and bites.



NANCY MELLON is what one might term a professional storyteller. She has been at her work for a number of years, having engaged in careers as an author, psychotherapist, and mentor. She utilizes the art of storytelling not just for the story told, but for the art of healing.

Those who seek Ms. Mellon out, are known to gather in listening circles, which provide the cathartic experience for participants of being able to relate a piece of the story of themselves. As Ms. Mellon says, "I am a convener of listening circles, and a tender of plot lines. I help people to find their way through dark woods and briar patches to new freedom and well-being." Within the group setting, adults are learning expressive skills and art, getting to know themselves better, identifying with themes, and being led through the telling of their stories in an artistic way.

By hearing their own and other participants' stories, participants discover more about themselves and realize their commonalities with those around them. Again, Ms. Mellon contributes, "It is astonishing what has been happening to our listening and the spoken word in recent years. The gift of storytelling for us human beings is to make space and time for deep listening, and then to speak - in that order."

Storytelling helps to see a different perspective.

We are all in the midst of our life stories. We can't tell the entire story because we are still living it. Yet, we can still tell the story of what we have already done, of who we believe we are, and we can communicate the pieces with the next generation, even as that story still continues to evolve. As Ms. Mellon says, "When children are asked what they remember from childhood, so often it is those original stories told by their dearest adults....Children have to grow; they must find courage to create themselves, and to be created according to their destiny. They so need the presence of adults who have the courage to demonstrate that it is possible to not quite know the story, and nevertheless to continue with it."

In the end, as Ms. Mellon reports, "Every person's story counts." All of us can learn so much from each other.

Remember, yours counts, too.

Thanks to this article from Daily Good: http://www.dailygood.org/story/1080/nancy-mellon-storytelling-as-a-healing-art-anne-veh/; and information from the above link.

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Changing A Negative Culture

Some of the student participants engaged in a fun, interactive game.

If you've ever seen a bully in operation, you've probably noticed how aggressive he/she can be, even with words. Frequently associated with school settings, bullying can also be found in the workplace and online. It's something that is not only spoken, but is also expressed in physical violence, usually directed to another person, who has some sort of vulnerability, more likely a bigger heart, more compassion, that leaves the target affected inside by the attack. It is a form of violence.

Matthew Kaplan, when he was a high school junior, noticed the bullying that was directed at his younger brother Josh, who was attending middle school. It helped that Matthew knew those who were doing the bullying, so he believed that they didn't know how harmful and hurtful their behavior was. When he decided to address the issue, Matthew created THE BE THE ONE PROJECT, a positive and non-judgmental program, which would help to develop empathy and friendships between the students.



Essentially, the program eliminates bullying by developing a positive peer culture within the school. It recognizes student role models and utilizes various activities that create discussion and a shared experience to build empathy. The program focuses on students at the middle school level, which is usually when youngsters receive their first cellphones, start using social media, and get their first solo email accounts. It's a time when students also learn to text and have access to communication tools that lend anonymity to how they interact.

This program takes that knowledge and builds a new culture through an entire day of fun, interactive activities. This is where the connections between students are built, where students learn of the problem, but become part of the solution. Bridges and connections are built between students, so they become more supportive of each other, a community of positive role models.

Horizon High School volunteers at Desert Springs Prep Elementary School for presentation.

Since the program's start, it has spread beyond the original middle school. A youth board advises the group and takes part in its decisions. There are community outreach sessions, which involve the screening of the movie, Bully, followed by discussion by the attendees. This program continues to grow, with plans to spread throughout the Arizona educational system. And it was all started by one high school student who saw a problem and decided to address it.

Matthew Kaplan, now heading to Duke.

Thanks to this article by Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/matthew-kaplan-o-n-e/; and the above link.

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Parents Stand Up For Their Son

Bruce (left) and Crista (right) play with son Kyron.

There are days that you wonder, "What in the world are people thinking?" When certain people are repeatedly asked not to use pejorative terms, but yet persist in repeating them, I really do wonder: Do they know how rude this is? Do they really want to be associated with such ugly thoughts and insults? Remember that what you say reflects more on your character than that of the person about whom you are saying it!

That was certainly the case for a young dad, Bruce Casper, of Pittsburgh, who worked at the Chili's in Pittsburgh Mills. His co-workers repeatedly referred to intellectually challenged individuals with the R-word. That was actually rather personal for Bruce, who has the cutest little son. At the age of 16 months, son Kyron has Down Syndrome.



So, Bruce went to upper management, where the response was to send him home (to chill out?). But when he returned the next day for his work shift, he found out that he no longer had a job. That's quite a blow for someone who is standing up for dignity and respect towards all, and opposing the use of a hate word. However, those who don't speak up and live their beliefs end up condoning hatred by their silence.

Crista Miller, Bruce's longtime girlfriend and mother of his children, was outraged at the response, so she posted what happened on facebook. She wrote, "Chili's in the Pittsburgh Mills thinks it's OK to use the word retarded and call people retards (management and employees) Bruce has brought this word up time and time again even requesting a meeting regarding it, NOTHING was done. Yesterday he was called a retard AGAIN in front of management and when he made it clear to everyone near that our son has Down Syndrome and he will not tolerate that word management said, 'you can leave then' so he did."

To be clear, Chili's did offer Mr. Casper a job at another of Chili's restaurants but without correcting any of those who used the pejorative terms nor did they apologize. Bruce, incidentally, turned down the offer due to the disrespectful and rude working climate. Corporate has responded by saying, "We don't condone the use of derogatory terms in our restaurants." Honestly, you can say anything, but proof of sentiment is in the actions. Chili's has not apologized for their employees' actions, provided no disciplinary actions to the employees who created this adverse working atmosphere, nor have they offered Mr. Casper his job back.

A reminder to think before you say something.

Although Bruce and Crista are not discussing the details in public, they are both using the events to advocate for their son and others who face intellectual challenges. And they are putting their words into action to provide support for Kyron, who has such a promising future with those very caring parents.

Bruce (left) and son Kyron.

Thanks to this article from Little Things: http://casper.littlethings.com/down-syndrome-chilis-dad-bruce-casper-son/?utm_source=TS&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=shocking; and this article from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/04/bruce-casper-chilis-r-word_n_7511884.html.

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Off The Grid And From The Land

The deck on which the yurt was placed is completed.

We have all seen those TV programs that show people taking their lives into the wilderness and engaging in subsistence living. They start from scratch, building homes from the materials on the land, maintaining very few connections to the mainstream, and using the land as their food kitchen. In some cases, if they do connect to the mainstream, they stay off the grid, so to speak, using environmentally sustainable resources.

Jamie Gioe grew up very much connected, in the urban setting of Brooklyn, New York. But her desire for "back to the basics" living brought her into the Ozarks of Missouri. There, she and her nine volunteers started removing some 1100 pounds of trash and debris, while salvaging materials that could be used to build a farm, now known as L'ISOLA FARM. The vision was for the farm to become part of a homestead, a model community where visitors could learn about this type of lifestyle and how to make changes in their lives to more environmentally sustainable ways of living.



Everyone who participates in the project is treated equally and respectfully. Plastics are not allowed and the idea is for this community to become 100% sustainable. Part of the vision is also creating a sort of retreat away from the hustle and bustle of what amounts to modern society, involving meditation and yoga with experienced instructors, in a planned, non-denominational spiritual center. There are also plans to include low-income individuals in the community and helping them to improve their outlook and self esteem. And there is also the development of an artist community through art internships, in which artists can live in this community and pursue their inspiration without worrying about supporting themselves.

Although the size of the project is large, it is proceeding forward step by step and board by board. Before the homestead has even been completed, the group has been inviting visitors, who are charged $60 per week to live in a yurt and for an additional $10 can enjoy a vegan meal with the volunteer "family". Groups can also rent the facilities already available. All money raised through rentals and donations goes back into the community, especially for the next phase of development.

The cob oven in the kitchen.

Speaking of the next phase, plans for this year include building a greenhouse/bathing room; a solar dehydrator for some of their herbs, plants, and roots; making the yurt structure permanent; and building a cob wall for the kitchen. If anyone is interested in helping the group in any way, just contact the group through the CONTACT PAGE on the website.

A vegan meal in the great outdoors.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/jamie-gioe-lisola-farm/; and the above links.

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She Wanted To Be A Model

Maddy (left) giving some loves to her mom.

Most of the time when we think of models, we think of beauty and perfection. But, considering that there are no human beings without some sort of "flaw", maybe that's not the best concept to maintain. Maybe it's possible for people with physical differences to become models, despite societal expectations.

The whole notion of difference applies to 18-year-old model Madeline Stuart, who lives in Brisbane, Australia. You see, life has been a little different in her case. Madeline was born with Down's Syndrome, a genetic disorder. There aren't very many people with her genetic background who have become models, if there has even been one.



So, the very fact of what Ms. Stuart is doing will challenge our notions of what constitutes beauty and what people with intellectual challenges can hope to do in their lives. In fact, Ms. Stuart's belief in herself helps her face the challenges in the career to which she aspires. As she says, "[M]odelling will help change [society's] view of people with Down syndrome", and "Exposure will help to create acceptance".

One of the issues for those who are born with Down's is overweight and body structure differences. But this is one young woman who has been quite active. She participates in cheerleading, basketball, dancing, gymnastics, and cricket, plus more. And that's more than many other people manage. Add her activities to a healthy diet, and the extra weight she had as a youngster peeled off, to the tune of 45 pounds.

Madeline's mother, Roseanne, has been supportive of her daughter's ambitions, "She is not insecure in the least bit, but I have made a point of never letting anyone be critical of her and telling her every day how amazing, funny, smart, beautiful, wonderful she is." That maternal attitude has spread to her daughter's upbeat attitude, "People with Down Syndrome can do anything. They just do it at their own pace. Give them a chance and you will be rewarded beyond your greatest expectations."

Ready for the prom with a special date.

By the way, Madeline has already gotten a few modeling gigs, but doesn't yet have an agent. But in the business of life, Ms. Stuart has already won the race. Her attitude and can-do spirit is already an example for others who face challenges in their lives.

Madeline (left) on a poster for a local event.

Thanks to this article from Kindness Blog: http://kindnessblog.com/2015/06/19/an-18-year-old-model-with-down-syndrome-is-setting-out-to-change-the-world/; and this article from 6ABC Action News: http://6abc.com/fashion/photos-teen-with-down-syndrome-determined-to-change-modeling-world/729006/.

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Plastic Water Bottles

Educational and reusable stainless steel bottles.

Most of us are aware of the controversy surrounding bottled water. Certainly, the water itself, which frequently comes from drought-plagued areas of this country, despite local efforts to conserve meager water supplies, feed a growing profit-making industry. But not only is the water itself at issue; it includes the bottles which hold the water.

Made of plastic and considered disposable, the bottles add to our growing piles of garbage. Frequently, users consider the bottles so disposable that they are thrown onto city streets, local beaches, amusement park grounds, wherever they can be dropped, despite trash cans being just steps away. They are ubiquitous; they are burying us in used plastic.



Three Chicago high school freshmen also noticed accumulation of plastic trash. Isobel Araujo, Fiona McRath, and Simone Greblo got together over a project in biology class. They needed something that was environmentally-focused and that would also provide education to the public. So when they noticed how many plastic water bottles were being thrown out after only one use, they set about developing a solution.

They came up with stainless steel, reusable water bottles. But not just any stainless steal bottles; their bottles had printed educational messages on them, about the toll that one-use plastic bottles was making on the environment. Once they had their bottles, they sold them at various public events, such as farmers' markets, local cooperative food markets, and school events.

Even young children are fans of the bottles.

They then turned around with the profits and donated them to the ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES. They designated their donation to be used for water testing kits, beach cleanup, and educational materials. That means that the multiple use water containers are doing much more to educate people about the environment and also support environmental projects.

Selling their reusable water bottles at the farmers market.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/isobel-fiona-simone-message-bottle/.

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Brothers To The Rescue

Gerry Suttle, in the middle, with some of the Reynolds brothers.

She's 75 years old and she owns some property in Central Texas, on which the grass has continued to grow pretty high. Gerry Suttle received a huge shock, though, when the town's chief of police called her and let her know that there was a warrant out for her arrest.

Now, Ms. Suttle is a law-abiding Texan, with a squeaky-clean record. She said, "I'll be 76 in July. I'm 75 now and I've never had a speeding ticket, never had a parking ticket, and now here I am got a warrant for my arrest from the big city of Riesel." So, the chief had to explain that the warrant was for failure to appear in court for a citation about the height of her grass.



Chief Danny Krumnow explained, "It has grown up and the court had issued her letter and then court issued a warrant for failure to appear." But Ms. Suttle said she never received a letter and she was afraid to leave her home for fear she would be recognized and then arrested.

But into her life, stepped a group of four brothers, who had heard about Ms. Suttle's situation. They had never met Ms. Suttle, but they wanted to help her. So, the Reynolds brothers loaded up their lawn mowers and other equipment and proceeded to Ms. Suttle's property. Blaine Reynolds said, "We haven't met her yet but she's 75 years old and she needs some help mowing. That's the least we could do." Brandon, another of the brothers, stated, "I really wouldn't want her coming out here and doing it or paying someone else to when we could have just done it for free."

It was a hot day, over 90 degrees, when the brothers set out on their mission to mow the grass. But soon some of the neighbors joined in, all in the name of helping Gerry Suttle. With all of that help, the task took two hours, and all of the grass was back down to regulation size. As for Gerry, she was in shock, still, this time over all of the help she received, "I am very seldom without words. This is one time. You might want to mark it down in history that I didn't have something to say."

The grass before the Reynolds brothers and the neighbors took action.

Now that her grass has been cut in a wonderful show of neighborly support, Ms. Suttle has one final task, and that is to appear in court and to tell the judge that the grass has been cut. As for what amounts to quality of life laws, though, is it really fair or wise to have this type of law scaring someone in her or his senior years when maybe that someone could be having difficulty keeping the property up, either because of physical state or low income or any other possibility? Wouldn't it make more sense to find out what the difficulty is, rather than just take out an arrest warrant?

One of the Reynolds brothers in action.

Thanks for this article from 10 KWTX: http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Brothers-Mow-Lawn-To-Keep-Woman-From-Going-To-Jail--306874101.html; and this article from Copblock: http://www.copblock.org/129141/brothers-mow-lawn-75-year-old-woman-facing-arrest/. And a special thank you to the Reynolds brothers and Ms. Suttle's neighbors for having more common sense and seeing the bigger picture than city officials.

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In Memory Of A Friend

Ryan McGuire out on the golf course.

Ryan McGuire is still very young, only six years old. Yet, he has had an experience that many adults don't have until they are well into middle age. Ryan lost one of his friends to a rare form of brain cancer. Danny Nickerson died at the age of six from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an inoperable cancer. Only 10 percent of its victims live for 18 months after diagnosis.

Besides losing a friend he dearly loved, Ryan is also a young golf enthusiast. So, in his grief, he decided to do something in memory of his dear friend - and that had something to do with golf. His mom, Cheryl, is Program Director of GOLF FIGHTS CANCER, which raises funds for organizations that treat and research cancer and also assist those who have this illness.



Even so, when Ryan first proposed his idea of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to raise money to support the work of Dr. Mark Kieran at DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE in Boston, his friend Danny's doctor, mom wasn't that enthusiastic at first. Mom, Cheryl said, "I said no at first, but then I thought more about it, and he was so amped up about it. It's definitely doable for him. He's got plenty of energy." There was also another reason that mom changed her mind, "Being able to talk about [Danny's death] in a more positive light instead of a somber tone is one of the best outcomes from taking this on." Ryan had only managed 16 holes previously in one day. In return for his effort, Ryan planned to raise more than $15,000 and has managed to raise $8,000.

The big golf day comes on June 17, Wednesday. Of course, at the age of six, Ryan has a lot of energy and is hoping to complete his feat without benefit of a golf cart. He will walk the entire length for love of his friend. But Ryan won't be alone on the course; his grandfather, who survived prostate cancer, will accompany him on the course, as caddy.

So, what happens if Ryan can't finish the 100 holes? Well, he has his entire kindergarten class backing him up. If Ryan gets too tired, he can rest secure that his classmates will help him make the 100 holes.

How did mom Cheryl deal with the fact that her son and Danny became such close friends? Cheryl says, "I knew on the first day of kindergarten, when he sat next to Danny, it was going to be a year like no other. DIPG is one of the most lethal of childhood cancers, so it meant to me that I needed to prepare Ryan for this. When a 5-year-old loses a friend like that, they understand they're not immortal, so it was important for him to know that we're healthy and that he's healthy."

Dana Farber Cancer Institute on a beautiful spring day.

Obviously, Cheryl was aware and prepared not to deny her son this life experience of close friendship, even with the thought that it would be brief. Among the life lessons was that friendship can end when your friend dies, but that, no matter how young you are, you can make it through that loss with a lot of loving support. Ryan also knows that not everyone dies from this very common illness with many dimensions. So, Ryan has the last word, "Some people I know have had cancer and are OK now. I want to help Danny's doctor so kids with DIPG have more hope to beat their cancer, too."

Young Danny Nickerson, with birthday cards he was collecting.

Thanks to this article from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/12/ryan-mcguire-100-holes-golf_n_7564508.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news; and this article from Today Health: http://www.today.com/health/boy-6-play-100-holes-golf-one-day-raise-money-t25496.

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