Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Compliment

I was bored and had posted a survey on myspace (in response to one of my co-workers survey) and I got an interesting message.

"The more I learn about you Carlee, the more interesting you become. I would never have guessed some of this stuff... It's rare to meet someone who surprises you now-a-days, so congrats, you're truly a unique individual, and that's so dang refreshing. Thanks for sharing. :)"

I had to edit it slightly (just to take out a few choice words, hehe), but I still thought I would post it. I replied back to the message (since I wasn't really sure if that was a 'good' thing or not) and she informed me that it was a very good thing :). Anyway, just thought I would post it - NOT to toot my own horn, but just to let everyone know that sometimes compliments can come from the most unintended places.

Bad Boyz are BACK

Or at least they better be :)

Pistons' Big 3 handle Sixers to give Detroit 3-2 series lead

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons might have won Game 5 more than an hour before it started.

Music wasn't rattling the locker room. Eyes were locked on the big-screen TV showing the previous matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Chauncey Billups scored 21 points, Richard Hamilton had 20 and Rasheed Wallace added 19 to lift Detroit to a 98-81 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday night and a 3-2 lead in the first-round series.

"We knew Game 6 was going to be an elimination game either way it went," Billups said. "We wanted to be on the upper hand of that."

The Pistons lead in the series for the first time after being the first team to win consecutive games.


The rest of the story here.

Go Blue

Wolverines Selected in the 2008 NFL Draft

Six Wolverines were selected in the NFL Draft over the weekend, with offensive tackle Jake Long going as the first overall pick to the Miami Dolphins. Long is the Wolverines' second No. 1 overall pick in the draft and the 43rd Michigan player to be drafted in the first round. The Chicago Bears acquired running back Tom Harmon (1938-40) with the opening pick in 1941.

• Jake Long, OT, Miami Dolphins
1st round, 1st pick (1st overall)
• Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins
2nd round, 26th pick (57th overall)
• Shawn Crable, OLB, New England Patriots
3rd round, 15th pick (78th overall)
• Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants
3rd round, 32nd pick (95th overall)
• Mike Hart, RB, Indianapolis Colts
6th round, 36th pick (202nd overall)
• Adrian Arrington, WR, New Orleans Saints
7th round, 30th pick (237th overall)

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Treason

Or at least a blow below the belt...

Lineman who left Michigan to play for Ohio State in 2009


The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is about to get even more interesting, now that former Wolverines player Justin Boren has decided to join the Buckeyes.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Boren plans to play for the team after sitting out the 2008 season, as required by NCAA transfer rules.

The sophomore offensive lineman left the Michigan program last month, saying its "family values have eroded" under new coach Rich Rodriguez.

"It's exciting to be coming back home to central Ohio," Boren, who just finished the spring semester at Michigan, said in a statement through Tressel. "I am looking forward to the chance to help the Buckeyes continue their excellence in any way I can."

According to the Columbus Dispatch, which consulted an Ohio State football historian, the move is unprecedented. Jack Park, considered a Buckeyes football expert, said he did not find evidence of another high-profile player transferring from Michigan to Ohio State after World War II.


The rest of the article here.

I've never heard of something like this... Crazy!!

2 Years

2 years ago I was sitting in the University of Michigan Football Stadium listening to a few speeches (does anyone ever really remember what the speeches are about, something 'inspiring and uplifting' I'm sure :) ). 2 years ago I graduated from the University of Michigan. 2 years have passed and yet sometimes it feels like ten times as long and other times it feels like it was just yesterday. In two years I have moved across the country with nothing other than two suitcases and a positive attitude (okay, I had a lot more than that - I had God and my family's support, but still...), found my first apartment, bought my second car, have held a 'real' job for almost 2 years, gotten engaged, and so many other things (that are just slipping my mind at the time). I know, I know, I am only 23, but STILL, I am extremely proud and thankful for all that I have done and have accomplished in the past 2 years (on top of everything I had done in my life leading up to these past two years).

Here's to another prosperous and joy-filled 2 years (and many more :) ).

Simple

Last night I got up to Vista a little early for the Pre-Marriage class so I stopped in to Ross (I am still looking for shoes for the wedding). I didn't find any shoes for the wedding, but I found my new favorite pair of sandals. They were the only ones in the whole store and they just happened to be my size... HURRAY!

The company is called "Simple". I don't know if they are in stores around the country, but I know for sure they are in the surf shops and stuff out here in Cali. Anyway, the company is super awesome. They use all sustainable products - hemp, recycled rubber tires, recycled plastics, etc. Anyway, I just wanted to give them a HUGE shoot out!! I love companies trying to make a difference and I really think that Simple may be on its way to changing the world (one part of shoes at a time :) ). Check out their site here.

Also, check out my photo of the day for yesterday (it is the tag for the sandals, Green Toe, how fun).

Free Cone Day

Make sure to hit up your local Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop and get your FREE CONE today!! I know that it has been insanely hot the past couple days out here in Cali, so if I was you I would make sure to schedule in a trip to pick up your free cone and cool off a little! YUMMMMMMMMMMY!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Wall E

How excited are you for Wall E?!




I know I can't wait :)

2 and 2

Couldn't watch the game, so I guess the recap will have to do...

Prince leads way as series shifts back to Detroit knotted at 2 apiece
Pistons Even Series At 2-2 With 93-84 Win Over 76ers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A dash of perfection was exactly what Detroit needed to go from the brink of a disastrous deficit to back in control of the series.

All it took was 12 minutes.

Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points and made all but one shot from the field, and the Pistons played with a purpose and dominated the second half to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 93-84 on Sunday night, tying the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series at 2-2.

"Everybody knows that we are good under pressure," said guard Chauncey Billups. "I hate that we put ourselves in this position a lot of times."

Game 5 is Tuesday night at Detroit.

The Pistons squashed all that chatter about heading home with a series deficit, erasing a 10-point halftime deficit by outscoring the 76ers 34-16 in the third quarter.

Read the rest of the summary here.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Good Excuses

Food Art

I got these in an email, had seen most of them before, but still thought they were cool art!! Which is your fav?


















Etsy.com

In the last couple months I have fallen for the Etsy.com website. It is a place where artists can display and sell their handmade pieces. I have gotten a few things for the wedding through the site (some of which I would like to keep secret) and have gotten a few gifts off the site also. It has given me tons of great ideas of things that I can do myself (or different ways that Ryan and I may be able to create art and decorate our new place). Check it out if you are looking for gifts or even for personal items.

Here are a few reasons to buy handmade items!

Why buy handmade?

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can
be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.


Buying handmade is better for people.


The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

New fav

I found my new favorite dessert this past week while I was grocery shopping. I went down the pudding aisle, don't ask why, since I normally don't, and saw that the Handi Snacks were on sale. I also saw that they had a Fat Free version of the Vanilla (I would have gone Tapioca, but no Fat Free version). I figured I would try it, thinking that it would probably have no taste, but at least it would give me a little sweetness after dinner. Boy was I pleasantly pleased. It is actually very yummy. I was thinking that a interesting dessert might be to buy a graham cracker crust, pour some of that pudding in the crust, freeze it and then maybe cut up some fruit and put it on top... Maybe next time I need to make something I will think about that :) Well, just a heads up in case you were out looking for a new yummy dessert fix.

World Malaria Day

button

World Malaria Day – a day to make the world care

25 April is a day of unified commemoration of the global effort to provide effective control of malaria around the world.

World Malaria Day is an opportunity for malaria-free countries to learn about the devastating consequences of the disease and for new donors to join a global partnership against malaria. It is an occasion for research and academia institutions to flag their scientific advances to both experts and the general public. It is chance for countries in affected regions to learn from each other's experiences and back each other efforts. It is an opportunity for international partners, companies and foundations to showcase their results and reflect together on how to scale up what has been proven to work.

On World Malaria Day RBM partners will tell their own chapters of the powerful malaria story; a story of triumph and struggle; a story that grabs the world's attention to point it to the heart of the problem and engage the global community in becoming part of the solution.

World Malaria Day is not a day for gloom and fear. It is a day of determination and optimism as the global community now has enough evidence that this fight can be won if partners collaborate efficiently on community, local, national, regional and international levels.

RBM Partners call on the global community to take action against malaria.

Check out more info here.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Veggie Sushi

Now I don't cook, at least not yet, but when I saw these rolls I just had to link everyone to the post. These Veggie Sushi Rolls look YUMMY!! Check out the article here.

Shiitake-Tofu Rolls

For the Rice:

2 cups water
1 cup sushi or short grain white rice
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt

•Add the water and rice to a medium saucepan and cover with a tight lid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.

•Combine the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Heat in the microwave for 15 seconds.

•Add the vinegar mixture to the rice until well combined. Let the rice cool to room temperature before using.

For the Filling:

1/2 block firm tofu, thinly sliced into strips
3 medium shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
Oil for frying
Soy sauce
1 carrot, julienned
1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

•Add the tofu and shiitakes to the oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. To prevent the tofu from breaking apart, let cook completely on one side, about 2 minutes, before turning. Turn and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until light golden in color and the mushrooms are just softened.

•Add a small splash of soy sauce, then remove from the heat and set aside.

•When cooled, add the carrots and avocado.

To Assemble:

5 sheets nori
Prepared wasabi paste

•Lay out the first nori sheet. Place a handful of the cooled rice in the center of the sheet, moisten your hands with water, and gently but firmly press the rice to the edges of the sheet so that there is a thin layer of rice in a line on the sheet. Spread a bit of wasabi paste on top of the rice, approximately 1 1/2 inches from one edge of the nori sheet. Lay the vegetable filling parallel to the wasabi in a width of approximately 1 inch along the wasabi line.

•Carefully wrap the closest edge over the filling, then roll the nori delicately but tightly. Seal by moistening the edge of the nori. Once the nori sheet is completely rolled, slice the roll into 6 pieces and arrange on a platter. Repeat with the remaining nori sheets.

Makes 5 rolls

60 things

1) Do you like blue cheese?
Nope

2) Have you ever smoked heroin?
Nope, never smoked anything

3) Do you own guns?
No way, I hate them

4) What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic?
Never been to a Sonic, but the commercials all look YUMMY

5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Always

6) What do you think of hot dogs?
They might be the grossest animal product...

7) Favorite Christmas song?
ALL OF THEM

8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Diet Soda (but I am cutting it out of my diet right now, so watter - BORING)

9) Can you do push ups?
Ha, NOPE, no upper body strength

10) Can you do a chin up?
Ha, NOPE, no upper body strength

11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My engagement ring, DUH!

12) Favorite hobby?
Photography

13) Ever been in a car wreck?
I wouldn't call them wrecks, more of fender benders

14) Do you have A.D.D.?
For sure (I mean not diagnosed, but I can't sit still)

15) What's one trait that you hate about yourself?
I hold grudges too long

16) Middle name?
Rene

17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I have to go pick up checks

I want to go home

The Office is on tonight

18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
I think I bought gas and I ordered sand (it's a secret)

19) Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Water, Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Coke

20) Current worry?
Ummmm.... I am planning a wedding

21) Current hate right now?
Gas prices

23) How did you bring in the New Year?
Um I think I was asleep at midnight...

24) Where would you like to go?
Fiji (cause that means I would be married)

25) Would you rather go out or stay in?
Stay in (I don't like spending money)

26) Do you own slippers?
Thanks to my brother and his Christmas present

27) What shirt are you wearing?
Black pants and blue shirt

28) Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Never have, but I don't think so, seems like they are cold

29) Can you whistle?
Yeppers, while I work

30) Favorite color?
All of them

31) Would you be a pirate?
FO SHO!

32) What songs do you sing in the shower?
Everything... I love to sing, and I sound PERFECT in the shower, haha

33) Favorite girl's name?
Um... Carrot?

34) Favorite boy's name?
Banana

35) What's in your pocket?
No pockets

36) Last thing that made you laugh?
Someecards.com

37) Best bed sheets as a child?
That's weird... I don't know... Ones that don't have pee on them?

38) Worst injury you've ever had?
Too many to list... Broken arms, fractured vertebrae in my back, broken toes, etc

39) Do you love where you live?
It's okay

40) How many TVs do you have in your house?
1 and no cable, bummer

41) Who is your loudest friend?
Ha, most of them are loud :)

42) How many dogs do you have?
1, his name is Blackie and he sits on Ryan's dashboard

43) Does someone have a crush on you?
I hope so... If not we might be in trouble :)

45) What is your favorite book?
Freakonomics

46) What is your favorite candy?
Twizzlers, Starburst, Skittles

47) Favorite Sports Team
Michigan Wolverines

Detroit Pistons

48) What song do you want played at your funeral?
A really loud one... You better rock out when I'm gone :)

49) What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Sleeping... I sleep at like 8pm

50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Yuck, I wish it was the weekend

51) What are your plans for tonight?
Watching The Office, reading a book I got at the library, trying Yoga

52) Who was the last person to call you?
Ryan

53) Should you be doing something else right now?
Yes, stuffing checks

54) Are you a romantic?
Yes, I try :)

55) What are your plans this weekend?
Hopeuflly finishing our wedding invitations, maybe hitting up the movies, going to the pool or beach.

56) What kind of mood are you in right now?
Sleepy

57) Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
A fiancee

58) Will you see your boyfriend/girlfriend tonight?
Nope, only a weekend relationship... BUMMER

59) Do you like to cuddle?
Yeah

60) Name three people who will complete this?
Um... probably not three, but I'll hope: Ryan, Tami and Mom

Stained

Seems like the stained glass was a hit on the Photo of the Day, so I hit it up for some extras today...




Dining Out For Life

Dining Out for Life® San Diego

Join us on Thursday, April 24, 2008, for Dining Out for Life®! Dining Out for Life® is an international fundraising event involving the generous participation of restaurants throughout the country.

In exchange for pledging a minimum of 25% of their day’s food and liquor sales, restaurants and bars receive promotional materials and are listed in a city-wide marketing and advertising campaign to increase customer traffic on Thursday, April 24, 2008.

The funds raised will benefit The Center's HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs.


Check out the website to see if your city is participating.

The Boys Are Back!

Looks like from the recap of the game (yes, without cable I am unable to watch the playoffs - BUMMER, guess we'll just have to hit up restaurants with TVs on the weekends) THE BOYS ARE BACK!!


Wallace, Pistons build big lead, put down Sixers to even series


AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons looked a lot like the team that reached the last five Eastern Conference finals.

Rasheed Wallace scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter and had plenty of help at both ends of the court in a 105-88 series-evening victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 on Wednesday night.

"They were clicking everywhere," Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala said. "Those are the Detroit Pistons that we expect to see."

The Sixers took advantage of Detroit's lackluster focus in the first-round opener, rallying from a 15-point deficit in the third quarter for a 90-86 win.

"We were disappointed, upset and mad about what happened," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "Our players responded."

Wallace led the way with another good game against his hometown Sixers.

Unlike the series opener, a few Detroit starters helped him out.

Wallace was one of four Pistons scoring in double figures as they took a 17-point halftime lead, while the 76ers had only Andre Miller, who scored 11 of his 14 points in the first half.

The rest of the article here.

Word of Warning

Just a heads up, my computer at work BLOWS! I have been having problems with it for the last few days (which is why the posts have leveled off at a whopping 2 or so a day).

I HATE PCs!! Give me a MAC!!

21%

I'm 21% of the way to my goal... Would you like to help??

Dear Friends,

Last year I participated in the AFSP's 2007 Out of the Darkness Community Walk and once this year's information was announced I made sure to be one of the first to sign up. I hope to raise even more funds for AFSP this year and hopefully with your help will be able to meet my higher goal.

I will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in AFSP's 2008 Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I would appreciate any support that you give me for this worthwhile cause.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 32,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.

I hope you will consider supporting my participation in this event. Any contribution will help the work of AFSP, and all donations are 100% tax deductible.

Donating online is safe and easy! To make an online donation please go to the AFSP Community Walk site here (http://www.outofthedarkness.org/) and search for my name(Carlee Padot) in the Participant field on the left hand side of the page. You can then click the "Support This Participant" button on the page.

Thank you for considering donating to this wonderful cause!

Carlee

Support Me!

Tonight :)

NIGHT OUT

Michael (Steve Carell) and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) decide to surprise Ryan (B.J. Novak) in New York for a night of clubbing and meet his friends. Meanwhile, the Scranton branch is upset when they find out they have to come in on a Saturday for Ryan's website project. Jim's plan to save them has unexpected results. Brian Baumgartner, Ed Helms, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nunez, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Leslie David Baker, Kate Flannery, Craig Robinson and Creed Bratton also star.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Vote for Invisible Children

Saw this post on the Invisible Children Blog and wanted to repost it... VOTE :)

Bob’s Big Charity Giveaway

Chances are you know of Bob’s Big Boy from Austin Powers, when Dr. Evil makes his slick escape in a spaceship shaped after the lovable Big Boy himself. In case you didn’t know, it’s a restaurant too - and a generous restaurant at that. Located in Burbank, CA, they have a monthly contest where anyone can vote for one of three charities, with the top vote-getter receiving a check for 1% of their monthly sales. Last month’s check was for over $4,000.

They’re accepting votes for the next 8 days, all you have to do is click

Let’s make Invisible Children April’s charity!

Mattel and SD

Toy Giant Draws Inspiration From Local Firefighters
Fire Crews Recognized For Efforts In '07, '03 Wildfires

SAN DIEGO -- Firefighting certainly isn't child's play, but San Diego's Fire-Rescue Department hopes to stoke the imaginations of young and old through a new licensing agreement with Mattel.

The City Council approved the move Tuesday. As part of the deal, Mattel will manufacture and brand fire and rescue vehicles with San Diego's logo. The toy line would also include the department's aerial firefighter Copter 1 and the next aerial firefighting tool, Copter 2.

"Mattel said that they had heard great things about San Diego Fire-Rescue -- from the recent fires and the fires back in 2003 -- and with a new line of toys in 2008 they wanted to feature San Diego Fire-Rescue. It's pretty flattering," said Maurice Luque, department spokesman.

Cool story. Check out the rest of it here.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Register Mean Dogs?

Couple Wants Owners To Register Aggressive Dogs

An Escondido couple is trying to prevent dog-on-dog attacks by alerting the public about aggressive dogs.

Mark Kusick said his dog was attacked by a pit bull. He and his wife, Lisa, are spearheading an effort to get a regulations passed that would require aggressive dogs to be listed on a Web site similar to the Megan's Law database. The owner's name and address would appear on the site.

"We're just trying to give people some recourse," Mark said. "We're not trying to demonize any dogs."

After their dog was attacked on Jan. 1, Lisa sent a three-page proposal to members of the Escondido City Council with her idea, but the council has not discussed it in any of its meetings.

Dog owners at the Mayflower Dog Park in Escondido had mixed reactions to the idea.


Read more of the article here.

What are your thoughts? I think it could be a good thing, but maybe that is because I don't own an agressive dog...

Long in Miami

With no takers for the pick, Dolphins made right move

The Miami Dolphins made the right choice. Jake Long will be, at worst, a very good player for Miami. More likely, he'll be a consistent Pro Bowler. There is a chance he will be a Hall of Famer. Long has that kind of ability.

And yet, it's still a shame that the Dolphins couldn't do what they really wanted to do — what Bill Parcells did last time he had the No. 1 pick.

In 1997, Parcells was rebuilding another AFC East team, the Jets. He had the top pick. He traded it.

He couldn't do that this time, because ... nobody wanted the No. 1 pick in the entire draft.

It's too expensive. Last year the Raiders gave JaMarcus Russell $29 million guaranteed just to show up in September and see if he is an NFL quarterback. We still don't have an answer.

This year the Dolphins gave Long $30 million guaranteed. By comparison: Alan Faneca, a perennial Pro Bowl lineman, got $21 million guaranteed from the Jets. Sure, Faneca is 31, which explains the disparity a little. But why should somebody as unproven as Long get more than one of the best linemen in the league?


This is why nobody wants the No. 1 pick. Agents have successfully sent elite rookie salaries into an illogical stratosphere. Teams could just take the 12th-best player with the top pick and give him 8th-pick money, but that's harder than it sounds. Fans would go nuts, and the player's agent might not let him sign anyway.


Read more of the article here.

LA Chargers?

L.A. might have Bolts magnet
UNION-TRIBUNE
April 22, 2008

Should San Diego Chargers fans worry about Ed Roski Jr.? I'd say, yes, absolutely. He's not only a billionaire, he's not your everyday, nutty billionaire. Roski has a pedigree that does not include “rash.” He has a reputation of not doing things willy-nilly.

Last week, when Roski proposed building an $800 million NFL stadium on 600 acres of pre-zoned land he owns in the lovely City of Industry – about 20 miles east of L.A. –I wondered aloud: “What's in it for him?”

There could be something in it for him, even if it doesn't include ownership of the team – or even a smidgen. There could be plenty in it for him, no matter if every pie-in-the-sky stadium proposal that has come up since L.A. lost the NFL in 1994 has gone into the La Brea Tar Pits.

And, of course, the Chargers immediately came to mind, because they're looking for new digs and can take off following the 2008 season. Do not rule that out.


Read the rest of the article here.
In my opinion - STAY HERE CHARGERS!!

Hair

So tomorrow after work I am going to go and get my hair trimmed (just to get rid of the split ends and to try and keep it healthy for the wedding). I am thinking about cutting my hair short after the wedding (I would do it now, but I want to have enough hair to pull up at the wedding, which is why I will wait till afterward to cut it). I am crossing my fingers that by the time September comes around (when we get back from our honeymoon and everything) that I can have 10 inches of hair to cut off, so that I can donate it to Locks of Love again. I am thinking of doing something like Jenifer Aniston's haircut in this picture. Your thoughts?

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day is either of two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates an Earth Day each year on the March equinox, a tradition which was founded by peace activist John McConnell in 1969. A second Earth Day, which was founded by US politician Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in the late 1960s, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22.

In September 1969, at a conference in Seattle, Washington, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment. Senator Nelson first proposed the nationwide environmental protest to thrust the environment onto the national agenda.” "It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked."

Five months before the first April 22 Earth Day, on Sunday, November 30, 1969, The New York Times carried a lengthy article by Gladwin Hill reporting on the rising tide of environmental events::

"Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam...a national day of observance of environmental problems...is being planned for next spring...when a nationwide environmental 'teach-in'...coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned...." Senator Nelson also hired Denis Hayes as the coordinator.

Each year, the April 22 Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Among other things, 1970 in the United States brought with it the Kent State shootings, the advent of fiber optics, "Bridge over Troubled Water," Apollo 13, the Beatles' last album, the death of Jimi Hendrix, and the meltdown of fuel rods in the Savannah River nuclear plant near Aiken, South Carolina -- an incident not acknowledged for 18 years. At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Environment was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news. But Earth Day 1970 turned that all around.

On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting the status of environmental issues onto the world stage. Earth Day on April 22 in 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

As the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a push for clean energy. The April 22 Earth Day in 2000 combined the big-picture feistiness of the first Earth Day with the international grassroots activism of Earth Day 1990. For 2000, Earth Day had the Internet to help link activists around the world. By the time April 22 rolled around, 5,000 environmental groups around the world were on board, reaching out to hundreds of millions of people in a record 184 countries. Events varied: A talking drum chain traveled from village to village in Gabon, Africa, for example, while hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., USA.

Earth Day 2000 sent the message loud and clear that citizens the world 'round wanted quick and decisive action on clean energy. Earth Day 2007 was one of the largest Earth Days to date, with an estimated billion people participating in the activities in thousands of places like Kiev, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; Tuvalu; Manila, Philippines; Togo; Madrid, Spain; London; and New York.

Founded by the organizers of the first April 22 Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect change in local, national, and global policies. Earth Day Network’s international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day Network campaigns every year.