Dreams Are Sent Soaring in the Mile High City

Whether you’re in awe of stepping foot in four states simultaneously at the Four Corners, learning about the rampant tales of the late cowboys and indians, or enjoying a Broncos game in the enormous stadium, the state of Colorado is a mecca for both history and culture. To top it off, its capital city is now creating a way for all people, both rich and poor, both young and old, to enjoy something that trumps even the tallest of borders: art.

The Mile-High City is now offering a program that provides opportunities for some of its youngest and poorest residents to visit and learn from the city’s most prominent cultural institutions.

The Five by Five Program gives children and their families free access to over twelve museums and cultural venues, including the Denver Art Museum, Colorado Ballet, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. These strictly VIP locations are now being made available to those whose last thing on their mind is which designer to wear to the next opera. Because such luxuries are being offered to these families, one would be correct in assuming that they have a lot to take away from the program.

And take advantage they have! In 2008 alone, over three thousand participating families clocked nearly thirty thousand visits to the different venues! "Eliminate the barriers to accessing culture, and our families will show up," says executive director Maria Guajardo. "As one father told me: 'I feel like the city belongs to me now.' "

Denver is providing unparalleled opportunities to those who would normally be pushed aside for the almighty dollar. Simultaneously, they are evening out the playing field and therefore asserting that the fruits of culture shouldn't solely be enjoyed by the wealthy. Have YOU helped save the world today?



For more information, visit: fastcompany.com

Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG

Expanding The American Legacy

Republicans and Democrats (and everyone in between) unite! Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have joined forces in leading a major fundraising campaign to aid the Haitian people, also known as the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

Immediately following the earthquake in Haiti at the beginning of the year, President Obama asked the former American leaders to come together to not only assist Haiti in a time of economic strife and social turmoil, but to rebuild it back even better. Now that the initial efforts of immediate relief and emergency assistance have come to a close, round two of the fund’s tenacious efforts have now kicked in!

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund’s newfound primary focus has now shifted to getting the country back on it’s feet, but healthier and stronger than before. In order to make steps in this direction, the fund now is targeting longer-term reconstruction, job creation, and the promotion of economic opportunity.

Both former presidents have pinpointed that the key to Haiti’s successful comeback is through its economy. Therefore, the aim of the fund is to promote an inclusive, diversified, environmentally-conscious and competitive Haitian economy that is decentralized and is easily integrated into the region. Furthermore, they seek to build an economy that motivates yet captures the entrepreneurial spirit of the Haitians in order to allow individuals, families, communities, and enterprises reach their fullest potential.

When it comes to taking sides as to whether who is helping out more, the choice simply doesn't exist. You see, helping others is universal and doesn't have any bias or pass judgement. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund is trumping invisible political borders by uniting two American leaders, who share opposing beliefs in how to lead, but certainly not how to help. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: clintonbushhaitifund.org

Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG

Out With The Old, In With The New

A few people in London are revolutionizing a somewhat old way of traveling by rail. The British design firm Priestmangoode recently unveiled the Mercury, a high speed train designed for low-carbon ultra-efficient travel.

And by high speed, we mean “strap on your seat belts” fast! The sleek double decker train is supposed to be able to easily hit speeds of two hundred and twenty five miles per hour. Rest assured kids, this isn’t your grandpa’s type of railroad.

The Mercury features an extended nose section that is vital to the aerodynamics of the train, enabling it to reach lighting-fast speeds. The interior, both modern and comfortable, contains windows that curve up onto the roof allowing for spectacular views on the top deck. I would imagine that’s only when the train is stopped since everything else would be a blur due to its incomprehensible speed.

With its state-of-the-art futuristic and enticing interior, accompanied with its quick and convenient speed, Priestmangoode’s Mercury should have no problem increasing its Facebook fan club base. To top it off, with its eco-friendly low carbon use, riding the train has never looked or felt so good. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: inhabitat.com

Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG

Santa Clause Hits the Cold, Hard Streets of Chicago

An ongoing controversial battle between those who believe that drug addiction is a medical disease or those who think it is simply human weakness runs rapid throughout our cities’ streets. One man, however, is acting on his belief by medicating addicts in hopes to win the battle against drug addiction.

Greg Scott, Research Director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance, sees the 50,000 plus addicts in his city as victims in dire need of medical assistance and treatment. Scott’s typical day begins on the wrong side of Chicago’s railroad tracks. As he heads out on his mission throughout the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city, this medic seeks to grant aid to homeless addicts, especially those on heroin.

Opiates, such as heroin, is the leading narcotic that takes lives, around 100,000 people per year worldwide. People either die from becoming infected by using dirty needles or they simply overdose on the addictive substance.

As Scott travels throughout the city, his main concern is not to get the users into actual addiction rehabilitation or treatment, but instead, to teach them safer injection practices by passing out thousands of new needles. Additionally, when a user is reported to have overdosed, Scott quickly rushes to person and injects them with an anecdote that rapidly reverses the hold of heroin on their brain.

To some, Greg Scott is seen as an enemy of the state; someone who is helping out those who aren't deserving of such kindness. On the other hand, he could be viewed as a modern day Mother Teresa; someone who is always given second chances to the fallen. Whether you agree with Greg Scott’s practices or not, you cannot help but appreciate this man’s love for all mankind. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: nationalgeographic.com

Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG

iPhone 4: The ‘Apple’ of America’s Eye

If you’re one of the many people world-wide who spend their lives with an iPhone attached at the hip, ear, hand, pocket, purse, or Bluetooth, then perhaps this report will make you rethink your technological preferences.

The next time you purchase an upgraded iPhone (since Apple is averaging a new one every year), keep in mind you’re not just promoting the delicious brand. Truth be told, the manufacturer of the iPhone isn’t located in America, but in mainland China nonetheless. The Taiwanese company, Foxconn, has been reported to have abusive labor practices that are said to have violated the already lax Chinese environmental laws.

In May, Chinese environmental groups released a report to the public tracking the connection between heavy metal poisoning and IT production in the mainland. The metal components used to produce mobile phone batteries and printed circuit boards are both lead and cadmium.

More than four thousand Chinese people, unfortunately mostly children, were discovered to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood this past year.

A coincidence you ask? We don’t think so. Word on the street is that many of these powerhouse companies that enter China to manufacture their products usually shun environmental practices, and also have been known to build secret pipes that will pump untreated water directly to waterways. Furthermore, when the Chinese environmental groups asked these companies to provide more information about their Asian supply chains, Apple (along with eight other companies) has not responded, nearly fifty days later.

Is Steve Jobs squirming in his plush leather office chair yet? Not quite. Perhaps this will be a wake up call to Apple to keep a watchful eye over the origins of its product in order to retain its clean, fresh image it so imminently boasts today. If all else fails, maybe Mr. Gates can help out his rival to finance a few environmentalist groups over a couple thousand miles away. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: inhabitat.com

Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG

Sweden Satisfies Many A Sweet Tooth

Rich decadent chocolate; Brawny and Fearless Vikings; Towering and Perilous Mountain Ranges. These are a few things that spring to mind when discussing the gloriously beautiful country of Sweden. But the dark chocolate isn’t the only thing on the menu.

After a recession nearly obliterated Sweden’s most industrial city Malmo in the 1980s, the city (soon followed by the rest of the country) was given a clean slate on which to start things anew. Come the dawn of a new decade, Malmo had transformed from an industrial powerhouse bogged down with pollution and litter, to an eco-friendly front-runner that is making waves amongst its nosey european neighbors.

The transformation was a long and arduous one, but one of necessity. Malmo created green neighborhoods out of old dilapidated tenements and ancient shipyards. Furthermore, most of the Western Harbour now runs solely on renewable energy, including wind and solar, while organic waste from the area is recycled into biogas.

In Augustenborg, roof gardens reduce runoff and insulate homes, while the carpool system and pedestrian and bike-friendly paths help cut down on vehicle use. Moreover, the city hopes to reduce its CO2 emissions by 25% between now and 2012, blowing the Kyoto Protocol’s 5% target out of the water!

Although considered a relatively smaller country amongst its excessively larger neighbors, Sweden is setting and obtaining colossal goals that are grasping world-wide attention. From it’s eco-friendly neighborhoods, to recycled biogas, Sweden is creating a new green lifestyle which is slowly and steadily gaining notoriety on a world-wide front. Have YOU helped saved the world today?


For more information, visit: fastcompany.com

Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG

An Unbridled Passion for Life: The Story Behind the EAF

Accidents occur on a multitude of levels. They can happen in the car, on a plane, on the field, even on horseback. The Equestrian Aid Foundation was set up to assist anyone in the equestrian world who has suffered from the inconveniences of obtaining a life threatening illness, a horrific accident or injuries by providing direct financial support for their medical costs or other basic needs. Since I have personally been at the receiving end of this foundation, Brushfire felt it only necessary to highlight their powerful and charitable mission.

The Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) was originally started back in 1996 as an organization that would grant care for those equestrians diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. After ten years in action, the EAF has opened its blanket to cover “aid” to equestrians who have been disabled due to any type of illness or injury.

The funds donated to the EAF are used by the equestrians to provide various essentials that include medical needs, health insurance, food and housing, transportation, physical therapy, and so on. In order to minimize their operating expenses, EAF has come to depend on donations of office space, graphic design, and other administrative costs.

Anyone can appreciate the endless beauty and unbridled power of the horse. From the wide open plains in Montana that house herds of mustangs, to up and down both coasts that play host to the most paramount of horse shows, to the state of Kentucky that remains the first stage of the highly anticipated Triple Crown, our nation is enamored with these magnificent creatures. The EAF, on the other hand, allows us to appreciate the horses by taking care of those who actually feed, ride, train, and live within that equestrian realm. And that, my friends, is coming straight from “the horse’s mouth!” Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: equestrianaidfoundation.org

Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG