Does Honey Heal Wounds and What is Going on With Honeybees These Days?

Hi folks!

I found an article/video blog on NPR about honey bee extinction, beekeeping and how every individual on this earth needs honey bees to survive. A couple years ago, I wrote a paper for my ENG 1020 class about bees. No one is my class or even me knew about the power that bees play in our environment. I did this paper to help me understand honey bees and tell friends, family and co-workers so that everyone could be informed, to take action. I came across this article and was happy to see that this issue was on the NPR website. I know this has been in the news and such, but I am always interested on the latest news about these bees. When reading this article, please keep an open mind. A lot of people believe that bees only want to sting you when really it is much more than that. Bees can heal wounds, pollenate vegetables and fruits, how farmers need honey bees, as well as honey can be substituted sugar for baking purposes ( I learned this about an hour ago, cool!). To learn more about this article and watch neat videos about bees, please copy paste this link.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128574280

Have a great, cloudy day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Hi everyone!

The Center for Urban Connections always wants to give, you the students ways to help out in our local community. Here is another website that you can check if you are interested in volunteering this month or in August. Anything from driving a bus for the elderly ( long term commitments) to volunteering for a day to help at a music event. Please take advantage of our prospering opportunities that we are very appreciative to have in the local Denver Metro area. Here is the link for volunteer opportunities!

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001p0G3IzaXxpxzD5oY4538mLmjZ4pTBgF20bmdq0f6Z8XVyK

Have a great weekend and rest of your summer semester!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Want to Be More Sustainable? Buy A Goat!

Hello Students!

I found a article that helps individuals be environment friendly and cleans your yard. Buy A Goat! When a person buys a goat they eat weeds. You save money by not having a lawnmower. According to NPR, goats save the city of Los Angeles 3,000 dollars. It might seem funny, which it is but this is starting to become a popular alternative method to save our environment! Listen and read this awesome article to find out more information.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128411947&ps=cprs

Thanks and have a great day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

BP Oil Spill articles

Hi folks!

I found a couple of articles and new pictures about the BP oil spill. I went to npr.org which is an amazing, trusted source to receive information about news all around the world and interesting topics. They have a tab specifically for the Oil Spill and a live stream looking at 5 areas of the spill as well as a estimation on the right side, about how many gallons of oil has leaked.

Social media is a great tool to find out information about global or national issues. Facebook provides users with fan pages to follow people/places/things/interests and see what they are up to. On the Planet Green Facebook Page I found some very sad, documented photos for the Oil Spill. Please check these two links out and learn about community, local and global issues around the world! Knowledge is Power. Copy/ Paste the links below!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126475680

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/slideshows/travel-outdoors/gulf-oil-spill.html

Have a splendid day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Musician Opens Up Her Lyrics for Others to Understand Co-Existence

Subterranean Homesick Blues. The answer my friends is blowing in the wind? Do these songs and lyrics ring a bell? These songs inspired change. Musical activist, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez were inspired through lyrics to reach out to other activists, the government and the "common" man. I am certain that a lot of social action creative expression is going on as we write. Such events the BP oil spill and conflicts in the Middle East, make citizens of the world act and say something. I happened to notice on NPR music that an artist by the name of Laura Hoffman is singing and creating lyrics hoping for coexistence between races and religious backgrounds. Her goal is to break the isolation between culture and politics. In her song "Pictures From America", she calls for peace and to share this world.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128188770

I encourage you guys, as Metro Students to create lyrics, poetry, art and any forms of expression that can cause questioning and evaluating things that you think are unjust. Whatever it may be, when you use your expression you make your voice be known.

Have a Happy Express Social Action in Creative Ways Day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128188770

Thinking about a Summer Vacation? Choose A Volunteer Vacation or Volunteer Abroad!

Hi Folks-

Here is a interesting npr story about vacations that are based on volunteering. Volunteer based vacations can be anything from teaching English to helping preserve an environment. You could do an all inclusive volunteer based program or contact a local non-profit organization in the area ahead of time. Here is the link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87892532

Another option to travel for long term. This is a great experience being exposed to new cultures, learn the language and visit places that you have wanted to go. There are many options if you are interested in any where from two weeks to a semester, depending on the program. Costs vary but there are a lot of blogs and reviews out there. Here are some web sites that you can go to if you are interested in volunteering abroad:

http://www.gviusa.com/

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/programs/volunteer-abroad.aspx

http://www.bunac.org/

http://www.mscd.edu/internationalstudies/programs/

http://ciee.org/

Have a great day!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections

Bands for Lands Volunteer Opportunities

Hi Folks!

One of my co-workers found out about a non-profit needed volunteers called Bands for Lands. This non-profit is committed to spreading the message of sustainability, awareness and conservation through music, creative arts, education, speakers and advocates. An event called 'Bands for Lands' Showcase is hosted by the Denver Post. The Official Charity Sponsor will be the official charity partner for the event on July 22nd-25th. All of the profits from this event are going towards Colorado Open Lands, Prairie Preservation Alliance and the Woodbine Ecological Center. Bands for Lands is looking for volunteers to help them serve drinks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of their event. Each event is a different time so please follow the link on Metro Volunteers page to find out more information!

http://tinyurl.com/2frnjtp

Listed below are links to Bands For Lands, Colorado Open Lands, Prairie Preservation Alliance and Woodbine Ecological Center.

http://www.bandsforlands.org/

http://www.coloradoopenlands.org/

http://www.prairiepreservationalliance.org/

http://www.woodbinecenter.org/

Thanks for reading & hope you check out this cool volunteer opportunity!

Rachelle

Student Staff

Center for Urban Connections