In a world where most of the news is disheartening, I thought on this day, the day of my anniversary, I would post videos of children. These are exceptional children, but aren’t all children in their very own way special.

www.abeautifullie.org

“A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds To Mars

“A Beautiful Lie” Underscores Global Climate Crisis; 30 Seconds To Mars Teams with NRDC & Bonneville Environmental Foundation To Offset Impact Of Filming. It is the first video shot in Greenland 200 miles north of the Arctic circle.

CO2 Levels Highest in Two Million Years:

By Puja Patel in Featured, Knitting Factory

The OKAY Africa showcase closed out CMJ with a bang for those who managed to cram into the Knitting Factory Saturday night: A sold-out lineup of African all-stars took the stage in a heartfelt tribute to their homeland, tinged with sadness (and political anger) but still more of a celebration than anything else. Sierra Leone’s Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew, Ghana’s always-political Blitz the Ambassador, Rwanda’s Iyadede, and Brooklyn hip-hoppers Jahdan Blakkamoore & Matt Shadetek were backed by the equally impressive Embassy Ensemble, featuring a choreographed brass section, a cool-guy guitarist, bongos, and a drummer who looked like he just finished a gig with his ska band.

For the entire story, please visit: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2009/10/cmj_finale_doin.php

A musical genius with a positive vibe and a passionate supporter for world peace, “Swiss Chris” is the music man with a mission. Activist, artist, entertainer “Swiss Chris”, a Grammy Award Winning Music Director and Drummer formerly with John Legend and who is currently working side by side with legendary artist Gloria Gaynor, is also the founder of S.W.I.S.S (Saving With Instruments, Samples & Soundz), “Resolving Conflict Through Music and Sound.” (Saving With Instruments, Samples & Soundz is pending 501C3 approval)

I met “Swiss Chris” through Lou Ricca founder of EuroRock/Peace Full Sail and program director for S.W.I.S.S. Celebrated for his genius on the drums and for his work as a music director, this very talented musical mastermind takes his success to the next level; he is a very busy, very passionate and very active human rights activist, lobbying the rights for people whose voices have been ignored.

As a young curious boy, growing up in Switzerland, Chris was attuned to the world and the people of the world. When attending a geography class in school, he asked himself an important question and one that would create the man he is today, “If Africa is the richest in natural resources, why is it the poorest continent in the world?” Although he was only ten years old, he was wise beyond his years. As a young aspiring drummer and a young boy hungry for knowledge and a deeper understanding of the imbalances in the world, he began to research and follow the path of the drum. In all forms of life, from centuries past to present day, the power of the drum with its rhythm has been and is a very important part of life and can be a very powerful tool to raise or uplift consciousness, lead us on the pathway of truth and understanding and restore the spirit of humanity. He realized that playing the drums was his way to inspire, enlighten and heal people.

“Music has a positive impact that can be effective in healthful changes. More and more doctors are using music as part of their treatments to help patients stay healthy and recover more quickly from illness.” (continue reading…)