When the intial reports began coming in on Tuesday about the quake damage in Haiti, it wasn't a difficult stretch to imagine things getting much worse.  The very first reports we hear from a disaster such as this seem to always be pitiful underestimates.  Today (1/14), Red Cross officials in Haiti were estimating that as many as 50,000 may have lost their lives.  The capital city of Port-au-Prince is destroyed, officials say.

With many hospitals also damaged or destroyed, medical help and basic personal supplies are the items most needed right now, and as always, America is there to provide the brunt of the assistance, joined by many other nations.

In situations like this, I've always thought the best way to help is to remember the American Red Cross, our nation's premiere emergency response organization. The Red Cross has pledged an initial $1,000,000 for the Haiti relief effort and it will be no surprise for that number to increase. (Update: ...

I was not unhappy to see 2009 go.  It isn't my intent to bring anyone down, but it's not a year I will especially miss.  There probably isn't anyone we know who hasn't been affected in one way or another by this sour economy, mounting job losses and uncertainty in the housing markets.

 

While I can't point to absolute indications or support my hopes with solid math, it seemed to me that before the year ended we had turned a corner.  We have a long way to go to get employment turned around again, but we have begun the journey on the road back.  Setbacks will still be with us, but I'd like to think the worst is over.

 

For me and our family, the economy was not the most difficult thing to bear in 2009.  The year brought with it some intense personal losses.  In April, my mother passed away at ...

I had requests for this after reading it on the air Monday, December 21.

 

Nothing is left to the imagination here, as this is the FULL, LEGAL VERSION of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas.

------------------------

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.

 

A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter.

 

The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House, were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not ...

I had a great time hosting Carols by Candlelight this year.  KSON listener Toni Bongi heard the comment I made from the stage asking people to remember our serving military at this time of year and called my attention to a web site that makes this very easy.  The site is www.anysoldier.com.

 

The site gives the visitor the opportunity to search through a list of military members who have specifically registered with the program.  Those volunteers receive your package and make sure whatever you send is distributed to service members who rarely (or never) get mail on their own.  That package can be as simple as just a card or note telling them how much you appreciate their service (those are MOST preferred), all the way up to a care package of food or personal comfort items.  The web site has suggestions on what items are welcome and most-needed -- and what items should be avoided.

 

An ...

I don't know that there's anything that can be done, but I want to try.

 

Laurie is a KSON listener who drives from Riverside County to Rancho Bernardo every day as a caregiver.  A job she's had for 27 years.  Because of health problems, she went through a period in 2008 where she was unable to work.  This, coupled with a sour economy, forced Laurie to file bankruptcy to save her home.  What she did end up losing was her vehicle.  The one mode of transport for her and her therapy dog.

 

It gets worse.  A car accident and the death of her canine caregiver added to Laurie's problems.  Now, her only method of traveling to her caregiver position is a borrowed vehicle, while she continues to try and work 7 days a week to make ends meet.

 

Laurie's primary need: A dependable vehicle of her own so she and her ...

• 1
• 1
• 2
•  x 

  Page: 
• 2
• Next »