Today, President Barack Obama has said that he is still weeks away from a decision on a new military strategy in Afghanistan. Americans are hopeful that a well-considered and properly executed plan will bring stability to the Middle-East, but many (myself included) are even more concerned with ending the loss of American lives and exorbitant Military spending.
In this display created for Veteran's Day in my hometown of Toms River, N.J., there is a miniature flag in the ground for each of the 5,000+soldiers killed in Iraq or Afghanistan since U.S. military action began in those countries at the beginning of the decade.
Many critics are skeptical, however, because of the president's track record in other recent efforts. Certain 'pet projects' may well have distracted Mr. Obama from with dealing truly pressing issues like loss of life overseas and our much-needed but difficult-to-pass health care overhaul.
First it was the Olympics that got Obama distracted. Our president wanted the games to come through his hometown of Chicago in 2016, so he took a trip to Denmark in an effort to convince voting members of the International Olympic Committee that Chicago was the place to be in 2016... but it didn't work out. Meanwhile, the issue of an exit strategy in our Middle Eastern engagements has been left hanging for nearly a year.
Losing the Olympic bid for Chicago might be a blessing in disguise-- the need to build facilities and prepare for a swell in tourism often distracts host cities and nations from tending to the needs of their people. And we have plenty of issues to take care of right now...
Round two of such criticism came over the past two weeks, when the president very publicly endorsed democratic candidates for governor in hotly contested New Jersey and Virginia elections. Both of Mr. Obama's favored candidates were defeated by Republicans, and the revised military strategies failed to materialize.
Today, Barack Obama told American reporters that is "very close" to a decision on the next step in his strategy for the war in Afghanistan, a war that he hopes "...not to hand off ... to the next president".
It's great to finally have a president who is even considering an exit strategy, but I still wonder if Mr. Obama may have have already left our servicemen out to dry a few months longer than neccesary.
When the wars are over and soldiers are home, that's when we can worry about hosting another set of Olympic games. Till then, we've got bigger fish to fry.
Yes, it's another Friday in July. The sun is kickin' it in the sky, the sounds of flip-flops fill the city streets, and gravity pulls dribbles of chocolate ice-cream down the chins of the little ones, staining both shirts and shorts. There's no excuse to be bored on a day like today, especially when you've got programs like B-Ball on the Block bringing basketball and soccer to your doorstep.
Every Friday from 4 - 8pm in the summer, Chicago nonprofit Beyond the Ball closes a street to traffic and sets up some hoops. They construct a makeshift street soccer area and bring in coaches, volunteers, sports equipment, and—most importantly—the local community. This traveling basketball and soccer league mainly serves the Little Village and North Lawndale neighborhoods, but the teams also travel all over the city for the Finals tournaments at the end of the summer.
In addition to being a whole lot of fun, B-Ball on the Block also helps to break down barriers in the community. The locations cross rival gang territories and bring together participants of varying ages, races and ethnicities. Through community sports, B-Ball on the Block encourages Chicagoans to "come out and see how much they actually have in common."
[Below: Video from last Friday's event. Yeah, these guys know how to play.]
If you're in Chicago, you should check out the calendar and think about becoming a volunteer for Beyond the Ball. It's a good excuse to get outside and enjoy the summer while helping to build your community.
Also, if you have two seconds right now (and I know you do), click here to help Beyond the Ball raise $500 for programs like B-Ball on the Block. The Just 1 Click campaign won't cost you a cent, but it will help Chicago youth to keep playing in the summertime. That's right - click it.
"I know that sports is a way to reach our youth," said Jorge Roque of the YMCA Street Violence Intervention Program. "We're in a war zone between two major gangs, and it's beautiful to see that there's children and families out here."
Roque was referring to the incredible success of Project Play, a weekly event held in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Every Tuesday night in the summer, Project Play brings a diverse community of children, young adults, and families together to play sports and games. They offer soccer and basketball, set up targets for archery, bring hula-hoops and jump ropes, host games of dodge ball and four-square, and let the kids go wild decorating the space with sidewalk chalk drawings.
Project Play is just one of many community endeavors hosted by Beyond the Ball, a neighborhood non-profit organization that "equips urban youth to be community leaders through athletics, service, and cross-cultural relationships."
I recently had the chance to check out Project Play, where I spoke with a number of really cool people about their involvement in the program. What struck me the most was the dedication and passion displayed by everyone in attendance. The lines between staff, volunteers, and participants was fuzzy, at best. Then again, I wasn't surprised by the lack of rigidly defined roles and
titles; the whole project is designed to break down barriers and bring
people together. Regardless of whether individuals identified as volunteers, parents, soccer players or coaches, everyone was there to have a good time and reclaim the community space.
Dig it? Beyond the Ball is always looking for people who want to help this community grow. Volunteers, cash to help run the program, and sports equipment are three ways you can give back.
You can also use your little pointer finger to raise money for Beyond the Ball with Just 1 Click. 100,000 taps on the mouse will give $500 to help programs like Project Play keep rockin' out on Tuesday nights. Click now.
This past weekend, Women’s Health Magazine held their third annual Are You Game? event at Pier 46 along the Hudson River. This event combined fitness and beauty and invited women to many free event booths that ranged from Crunch yoga classes to beauty treatments. I got there nice and early, and there was an organized line forming to register. The event was well organized, and the weather was beautiful! Can you imagine fresh smoothies served with a gorgeous view?
The idea of ‘Are You Game?’ definitely runs true to the spirit of Play City. The concept is simple: encourage women to gain confidence and build determination through sports. This was especially evident through their Rock Climbing (which I tried!) and Euro Bungee stations. Workouts need not be painful and grueling, they can be fun and exciting!
I enjoyed the event a lot, but should I have the opportunity to go to it again, I’d skip the free manicure and try one of the classes. How cool does Hula Hoop Pilates sound?!
PS: This event is happening THIS SATURDAY (July 18) in Chicago! Check it out!
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/areyougame/
The sun was out in full force over Douglas Park in Chicago, spilling its rays over fields of freshly cut grass. It was about ninety degrees in the last week of June; perspiration soaked through hair and soccer jerseys, yet no one wanted to dip out of the game in exchange for a cool spot in the shade. After a quick 5-min water break, the kids of America SCORES ran back to the field in hot pursuit of a checkered ball. Now that's what I call passion.
These kids ran with the America SCORES Chicago summer soccer program. They meet five days per week to play soccer, but the program teaches much more than just a game. Health education, community service, juvenile crime prevention, and literacy skills are also part of the program curriculum.
SCORES is "the only non-profit after-school program that combines soccer with poetry to inspire health and literacy in urban youth." The program draws an impressive collection of dedicated staff and volunteers who want to see the kids succeed while having fun. In the process of challenging youth to be stronger athletes, amazing poets, and thoughtful community members, the staff and volunteers also end up having a total blast.
See for yourself -
Like what you see? Get involved! America SCORES Chicago needs volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities by improving the lives of urban youngsters. Check out the America SCORES website and blog.
Don't live in Chicago? You're in luck; America SCORES programs operate in 13 other cities around the country. Check the website to see if there's a SCORES program in your neighborhood.
Yes, it's another Friday in July. The sun is kickin' it in the sky, the sounds of flip-flops fill the city streets, and gravity pulls dribbles of chocolate ice-cream down the chins of the little ones, staining both shirts and shorts. There's no excuse to be bored on a day like today, especially when you've got programs like B-Ball on the Block bringing basketball and soccer to your doorstep.
The sun was out in full force over Douglas Park in Chicago, spilling its rays over fields of freshly cut grass. It was about ninety degrees in the last week of June; perspiration soaked through hair and soccer jerseys, yet no one wanted to dip out of the game in exchange for a cool spot in the shade. After a quick 5-min water break, the kids of 
