Stay Vocal

ReUse On Warped Tour With The A.K.A.s

(07.18.08) Next week, The A.K.A.s will be heading out on the traveling circus known as the Vans Warped Tour. Not only will they be performing live every day, but they will also be sharing their passion for ReUse with fans throughout the day.

Since 1995, Warped tour has excelled at fusing together music and extreme sports. But for the past few years, they have brought environmental consciousness into the mix.

For most of their dates on the tour, The A.K.A.s will be performing on a solar powered stage, a new idea from the tour’s owner, Kevin Lyman. The band also plans to speak to fans at the the Warped Eco Initiative tent, which works with non profit organizations to raise awareness of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

In the band’s own tent, there will be a wide variety of A.K.A.s shirts printed on ReUse garments that STAY VOCAL recently donated to them. The band will also be selling their new reusable shopping bag.

For the first week of the tour (7/23-7/29), STAY VOCAL’s Alex Eaves will be joining the band to talk to fans about reusing and why it’s so important. If you’re interested in checking out some of the 100+ bands that play every day in the 100+ degree hot sun, check out the STAY VOCAL events page. And if you do go, be sure to bring a reusable bottle to fill with water throughout the day!

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FREE Autographed Posters With A.K.A.s Bag Preorder

(07.17.08) Be one of the first 50 people to preorder the new A.K.A.s reusable shopping bag and receive a FREE A.K.A.s poster, signed by all 5 members of the band! Orders will begin shipping the first week of August.

This bag is our first one made from EcoSpun, an extremely durable material made from 100% recycled soda bottles!

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Watch Alex On ABC News Right Here, Right Now

(07.11.08) As we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Alex appeared on ABC News discussing STAY VOCAL and the ideablob.com contest. Only a handful in our community were able to watch it, so we have been waiting to share the segment with you. And until today, Alex had not even seen the entire segment himself. But now everyone can view it right here.

We also have some pictures from Alex’s visit to ABC in New York City.

Enjoy!

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Help Us Raise $1000 In 2 Weeks For CA Fire Victims

(07.10.08) As we continue to cross over to a strictly ReUse company, we have decided to use our remaining stickers for a good cause. For every sticker that you buy in the STAY VOCAL store, we will donate $.50 to the Chico Red Cross, who have been setting up shelters, providing meals, and funding the many families who have been affected by the Butte County Wildfires. Our goal is to raise $1,000 over the next 2 weeks. Spread the word and let’s make it happen!

---

Hi everybody,
I am currently spending a lot of time in Chico, CA, which is about 20-25 miles away from the massive wildfires in Butte County. As a Massachusetts resident, I’m not used to this at all. For a few weeks, I have been told that this is normal, but currently, people who have lived here for 50 years have never seen it this bad.

Almost 50,000 acres have burned, around 50 homes have been destroyed, and thousands of people have been displaced. But it’s not just the fires that are the problem.

Even though I am 25 miles away, I am still affected by the fires. As Chico is in the valley, the smoke comes down from the foothills and blankets what should be a sunny sky. The ashes also float in like a light snowfall. It’s a scary time for me, so I can only imagine what it’s like for those closer to the fires. So I have decided to start helping out immediately.

If you would like to make a seperate donation, please send it to Chico Red Cross, 1398 Ridgewood Drive, Chico, CA 95973, or to use a credit card, call 891-0885.

Thanks so much everybody,
ALex

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Hanover Day 2008 & The "Big Check" Presentation

(07.09.08) A few months ago, I heard about “Hanover Day,” an annual summertime event in the town of Hanover, MA. As STAYVOCAL is based in the nextdoor town of Norwell, I thought this would be a great opportunity to promote our ReUse concept. So, I signed up for a booth and planned to have my cousin Cassie take care of it, as I was going to be in California at the time.

Things changed, though, as SV ended up winning the ideablob contest, and after talking with my new friends Ami and Jennifer at Advanta, I realized that Hanover Day would be a perfect place to celebrate the contest win. I’m glad they helped me decided on that, because it turned out to be a great day.

Hanover Day 2008, which took this past June 21st, was a great time that I shared with a lot family and friends. Even my cousins from northern California were there, some of whom I had never even met. Through our booth and the “big check” presentation, many new people were introduced to SV and the ReUse concept.

As part of the celebration, Advanta hired an ice cream truck to hand out free ice cream and popsicles to the crowd. On a day when the temperature reached near 100, there couldn’t have been a better surprise.

If you’re interested in seeing pictures from the event, please visit the Hanover Day 2008 STAY VOCAL collage page.

We also have the brief 2-minute video of the presentation above. The video is a little shakey, but the audio is perfect!

I’d like to thank Ami, Jennifer, and Emily at Advanta, as well as Katie from Hanover Day for helping make the contest celebration so enjoyable and stress-free! I’d also like to thank all of the family and friends who braved the heat to come celebrate. Luckily, only 1 person had to leave early because of the heat.

ALex

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STAY VOCAL Featured In 2 More Boston Newspapers

(07.03.08) As a result of the ideablob.com win, STAY VOCAL has been getting a lot of great press lately. We wanted to share two recent articles from Boston area newspapers.

The Boston Herald (June 22,2008) wrote an article about STAY VOCAL and the ReUse focus. The Norwell Mariner (July 3, 2008) focused their article more on the contest win.

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SV'S Alex Live on ABC TV, Tuesday 6/24

(06.23.08) I have some rather exciting last minute news. Tomorrow, Tuesday June 24th, at 4PM, I will be appearing LIVE on ABC News Now. The 7 minute segment will focus on ideablob, their recent May contest that STAY VOCAL won, and our ReUse concept. You can watch the show live on abcnewsnow.com or check your zip code at the bottom of their home page for other viewing options.

In other news, this past week has been incredibly exciting and busy and I will have a lot to report soon!

Thanks so much,
ALex

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Thank You All!!! FREE T-Shirt, Pins, & Stickers

(06.12.08) As a thank you to everyone who voted for us in the May ideablob.com contest, we are offering a FREE combo pack in the STAY VOCAL online store. We would not have won and be where we are without your continued support.

Starting immediately, you can order the FREE pack which includes:

• 1 ReUse T-Shirt (Pick Your Size)
• 2 Pins
• 2 Stickers

To take advantage of this offer, simply add the Thank You Pack to your order. There is no minimum purchase required. Limited to the first 100 orders. Shipping is not included.

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STAY VOCAL's ReUse Concept Wins Idea Contest!!!!!!

(06.11.08)

Please watch the video above!

For any of you interested in the final vote counts, we received a total of 951. Over the first 8 days of voting, we received a total of 410 votes, but in the last two we got 541!

To celebrate our win, our friends at ideablob.com will be joining us at Hanover Day 2008 on Saturday, June 21st. The event runs from 10am -4pm at Sylvester Field, which is located on Rte 139 in the center of Hanover.

At 11:45, ideablob.com will present STAY VOCAL with one of those commemorative “big checks.” Afterwards, they will stick around to serve refreshments to our friends and family. So, if you’re in the area, please come join the party.

Below is the official press release available on ideablob.com

SPRING HOUSE, Penn., (June 10, 2008) — Advanta Corp. (NASDAQ: ADVNB; ADVNA) announced today that Alex Eaves of Norwell, Mass. is the May winner of ideablob.com’s monthly contest for the best small business idea, as voted on by the ideablob community.

Eaves’ company, STAY VOCAL, began as a skateboard company focused on producing positive messages about social and environmental awareness. The company recently transitioned to focus solely on its line of ReUse products, which include clothing and accessories made from used materials, as well as being a source of information about music, news and events.

“With natural resources diminishing, and so much ‘stuff’ already available, it’s imperative that people learn to reuse more,” said Eaves. “With this award from ideablob.com, STAY VOCAL can expand and I can bring the ReUse line of products to new customers.”

Eaves plans to use the award money to revamp the STAY VOCAL Web site to make it focus more on ReUse products, and to inform people how to be more environmentally conscious in their daily lives.

“Boston has become a leading hub in the social entrepreneurship movement, with three social entrepreneurs from Boston winning the ideablob contest,” said Ami Kassar, Advanta’s Chief Innovation Officer.

Previous winners from the Boston area include John Struder and his idea to expand his sweatshop-free clothing company, No Sweat Apparel, and Naomi Bar-Yam and her idea for the Mother’s Milk Bank of New England, an organization serving babies, hospitals and families throughout New England.

Because Eaves is an Advanta Business Cards customer, he is eligible to receive 1,000,000 rewards points on his Advanta BusinessCard (or the $10,000 cash alternative) in addition to the $10,000 monthly contest prize. Advanta will present Eaves, who chose the cash alternative, with his $20,000 award at a special event later this month in Boston.

Ideablob.com is an active community where small business owners and entrepreneurs are sharing business ideas and receiving feedback, advice and support from the community. Experts from various industries take part in the ideablob discussions and offer their input on how burgeoning entrepreneurs can capitalize on their ideas.

Advanta, one of the nation’s largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) in the small business market, awards a $10,000 monthly prize to the best eligible idea, as determined by the votes of the ideablob community. In recent months,

Advanta has awarded the monthly prize to software developers, non-profit leaders and several social entrepreneurs.

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Big D And The Kids Table Join ReUse Movement; Bag PREORDER

(06.10.08) By Alex Eaves

Today, we welcome some of our hometown friends to the growing list of bands who support our ReUse movement. Big D and the Kids Table have been part of the Boston punk/ska scene for years. While the music world and world in general have changed drastically since they formed in Boston in 1997, the band has never given up their love of ska music or positive outlook so evident in their songs.

I first began seeing Big D in the late 90’s opening for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and over the years, we met up periodically at shows in Boston, on Warped Tour, and we even did a short tour together in 2005 when I was with Anti-Flag. The guys have always been supportive of the positive movements I was working with, whether it was Anti-Racist Action or STAY VOCAL. But when the band began its “Try Our Your Voice” campaign, it was a no brainer that we would finally join forces.

Our newest addition to our ReUse shopping bag line is emblazoned with the band’s “Try Out Your Voice” logo and will surely encourage people to stay vocal everywhere it goes. Preorder the Big D and the Kids Table bag before June 16th and receive a FREE pack of 5 STAY VOCAL stickers and pins.

To learn more about the band and listen to some of their music, please visit Big D’s STAY VOCAL Music page. You can also help spread the word and download our Big D ReUse Flyer. Be sure to print them on the back of used paper or use new recycled paper.

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Third Graders In Hingham, MA Already Changing The World

(06.09.08) By Alex Eaves

Last Monday I had the pleasure of speaking to over 100 third graders at Foster Elementary School in Hingham, MA. This was my first time speaking to elementary school students about ReUse, besides my plethera of nieces and nephews of course. Surprisingly, these kids already knew a great deal.

I had a great time with the students, and was amazed at how much they knew about reusing already. I couldn’t believe it when I asked the first group of 60 students how many of their parents use paper or plastic bags at the store and only about 4 or 5 raised their hands! When Vice Principal Betsy Connolly had told me that all of the students had taken the school’s “Green Team Pledge,” she really meant it.

After a brief discussion about ReUse, as well as the school’s amazing recycling program, we broke into different groups and made some Reuse art projects. Some of the students took the empty boxes that our ReUse bags come in and made ReUse “people” out of them. One student in each group laid down and the other students traced the outline of their body. Then the students added their own artwork to the project. Some “people” had reusable bags or mugs, some had ReUse t-shirts, and some of them were performing environmentally friendly actions like recycling. But as shown in the picture to the right, all of the people were very unique!

While some of the students were busy creating the ReUse people, others made ReUse Father’s Day Card envelopes. I have a massive collection of junk mail “Business Reply By Mail” envelopes and the students made their own artwork on the envelopes. Then they took the envelopes home to finish the project and make a ReUse card to give to their father for Father’s Day.

My experience at Foster certainly makes me want to work with kids even more. They are the future of this world and if they grow up respecting our Earth, then the planet can have a long and prosperous existence.

I would like to thank Vice Principal Connolly, the third grade teachers and students, and Parent Representative Eileen Pouch for arranging everything.

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THANKS TO EVERYONE!

(06.01.08) The voting for the idea contest is now over. There are not enough minutes in the day for me to thank everyone who showed us so much support over the past 10 days. From friends to families to people we work with to people we have never even met, the support was utterly amazing. Even if SV does not win, I know that we have the support of you all. And that is more than enough to keep pushing to make this world a better place.

We will not know anything for a few days. There is a lengthy process to verifying the winner of the contest. A company can’t just give $10,000 away to anybody!

Thanks again and again and again and again and….......
ALex and STAY VOCAL

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3 Days To Vote ! ! !

(05.22.08) As we mentioned before, our ReUse Concept is 1 of only 8 finalists in an idea contest this month. The grand prize is $10,000 to further advance our idea. If we win, we will be able to do many things with SV to advance the ReUse concept and continue to make this world a better place for you, me, and everyone else.

All we’re asking for is about 90 seconds of your time to vote for us. You do have to register and confirm with an email address, BUT you can cancel anytime. It’s really not a big ordeal to register, but winning this prize would be mean a lot to our advancement.

Please encourage any friends and family members to vote. That would be awesome! But honestly, every vote counts.

Well, here is the link to vote. Just click on the vote box and proceed.
http://ideablob.com/ideas/2083-ReUse-Because-you-can-t-recycl

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Taking Our ReUse Bags A Step Further

(05.21.08) We now have a 100% Recycled Cotton version of our “Paper or Plastic?” reusable shopping bag. Not only does this bag help keep plastic out of the waste stream and trees off the chopping block, but it also preserves precious cotton crops.

ORDER a set of 5 between now and Monday, May 26th and get a 6th bag, FREE!

Orders will ship next week.

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You Can't Be Too Young To Reuse

(05.21.08) On June 2nd, Alex Eaves will be speaking to and working with the 3rd graders of Foster Elementary School in Hingham, MA. With the help of Mailorder Mom and others, he will be demonstrating the concept of ReUse with different activities, including t-shirt making. This is the first day of a week full of a variety of “green” ideas being presented to the students at Foster Elementary.

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May 15th: Buy 1 Get 1 Free 1 Day Sale

(05.14.08) On Thursday, May 15th, buy any PIN or STICKER and receive a duplicate, FREE. Maybe you have a friend or family member that would want one too. There’s no limit, but supplies may run out quickly.

Check out the STAY VOCAL Pin and Sticker Selection

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Stay Vocal Or Shut Up Tour On Hold

(05.13.08) By Alex Eaves

Due to vehicle problems that just wouldn’t stop, Bent Left was forced to cancel most of their remaining “Stay Vocal Or Shut Up” tour dates. Currently, the band is taking a short break with relatives in CA, where I got the chance to meet up with them last week.

While taking some time off in Kansas City recently, the band realized that their van had seen it’s final touring miles. So, they made a quick decision and boarded a train bound for San Francisco with a bass, a guitar, and some drum sticks. After playing their biggest show to date in San Francisco, the band played shows in Tahoe and Chico, where I met up with them this past Wenesday.

I was pleasantly surprised to meet the band in such high spirits, considering everything that they’ve been through. And even after 2 gruesome games of pick up basketball, William and his bandmates put on a great show at Chico’s Zombie House that night.

As always, this band won’t quit. After taking a much needed break in the Monterey area, the band will board another train and play two shows in Nebraska, before making it home to Kansas City, where the band will regroup, work off some debt, and purchase a more reliable vehicle to hit the road with. We’re all looking forward to the continuation of the tour this summer.

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New Street Team To Promote ReUse

(05.13.08) Many of you have been wondering how you can get involved with STAY VOCAL and promote our ReUse concept. Now it’s easier than ever.

Our friend Emile Goss has started up a STAY VOCAL Street Team. If you’d like to join, please visit the STAY VOCAL Street Team Myspace Page.

Currently, the street team is promoting the use of reusable shopping bags with the STAY VOCAL Bag Selling Program. Not only can you help people learn to reuse more, you can make money at the same time.

JOIN TODAY!

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New STAY VOCAL Magazine Column

(05.09.08) STAY VOCAL’s Alex Eaves will now be writing a column for our friends at AMP (American Music Press) Magazine. The column is appropriately entitled, “STAY VOCAL.”

The column first appears in the April/May issue, which is available now. The focus of this month’s column is “Bringing ReUse Into The Music World.” The SV online store is also featured in the current issue’s “You Are Not What You Own” column.

If you’d like to pick up a copy, you can get one for $1.50 at Interpunk.com.

Thanks Matt, Brett, and Lisa!

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Thanks! Now we have a 1 in 8 chance.

(05.08.08) Thanks to all of your support, STAY VOCAL is 1 of 8 finalists for the May idea contest!!!

From May 22 – May 31, you can go back to www.ideablob.com and vote to make it the winning idea.

We’re pretty excited about this.

Thanks again for all of the support thus far and please pass this on to anyone you can encourage to vote,
ALex and STAY VOCAL

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One of A Kind Strike Anywhere Chuck Taylor's

(05.05.08) We just listed our second pair of One of a Kind Chuck Taylor’s in our eBay store.This pair of Chucks was designed by Thomas Barnett, lead singer of Strike Anywhere. The lyrics are from a new song he wrote about women’s rights.

We started the bidding for these sneakers at the exact price that we paid for them. 50% of all profit after that will be donated to Thomas’ charity of choice, The Syrentha Savio Endowment.

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Want SV's Owner To Speak At Your Event or School?

(05.04.08) After a very successful appearance at Bridgewater Raynham High School in Bridgewater, MA recently, STAY VOCAL owner Alex Eaves is ready to take ReUse on the road. If you’d like Alex to speak at your school/event about the ReUse concept, please contact us at info@stayvocal.com.

We’d like to thank Shirley Wood and all of the students at Bridgewater Raynham High for making Alex’s first ReUse speech a great time. Check out the jumbo sized web site!

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We Have Another Chance - Vote Before May 7th!

(05.04.08)

Well, STAY VOCAL didn’t win last month, but our ReUse concept has another chance to win an idea contest this month. Long story short, all you have to do to vote for us is: click, click, type, confirm. It takes about 90 seconds.You can unsubscribe any time.

If we win, we’ll be able to make some big ReUse moves with SV. We’ll be able to bring out more positive change for more people. Let us know if you vote, so we can give you a virtual high five!

Thanks a lot,
ALex and STAY VOCAL

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Erik Davison's Art To Be Featured On New ReUse Bag

(05.04.08) The votes are finally in for our “Everybody Make Some Noise With The A.K.A.s” design contest. The winning design was created by Erik Davison. These bags will be available for pre-order soon, as the band is getting ready for a long summer of touring.

From both STAY VOCAL and The A.K.A.s, we would like to again thank everyone who entered the contest.

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ReUse Moves In To Chico, CA

(05.03.08) This past Thursday, a STAY VOCAL rep set up at Thursday Night Market in Chico, CA. This will be the first of many Thursdays through September where Chico area residents will be able to check out the latest ReUse line and learn more about how they can bring ReUse into their lives. If you’re in the area, be sure to come check us out.

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Help Us Help You - Vote For STAY VOCAL Now

(04.17.08) Hey everyone, we just entered our ReUse concept into an idea contest. All you have to do is click the button below, then click the “vote” button on the following page. If we win, we’ll be able to bring out more positive change for more people.

Thanks a lot,
ALex and STAY VOCAL

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***30 Hours / 30 Dollars Sale***

(04.15.08) UPDATE
We’re offering 2 FREE Original ReUse Shopping Bags to any skateboard order for the last 1 1/2 hours of the sale.

You may be asking yourself, “why am I getting this email, I don’t skateboard?” Well, chances are you probably have a friend or family member who does and they would surely benefit from this sale. The average price for a new skateboard deck is $50.
Also, many skateboard decks are sold as art pieces. And with only 100 made of each design, STAY VOCAL decks are extremely limited and could become “collector’s items” down the road. (We hope people skate them and then reuse them for a shelf, though).

ALEX EAVES

UPDATE
We’re offering 2 FREE Original ReUse Shopping Bags to any skateboard order for the last 1 1/2 hours of the sale.

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Some Things Should Not Be Reused

(04.14.08) Whoever was in charge of making it so that US presidents can only serve two terms was definitely thinking ahead. Check out our Limited Edition President Bush ReUse T-Shirts.

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STAY VOCAL Spreading The ReUse Message At Numerous Events

(04.09.08) STAY VOCAL will be featured at a number of events in Massachusetts this month and beginning in May, will be seen regularly in Chico, CA.

On April 18th, Alex Eaves will be speaking about ReUse at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School in Bridgewater, MA.

A few days later on April 22nd, STAY VOCAL will be amongst many exhibitors at the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) New England 6th Annual Green Expo, “a vendor fair featuring energy efficient, recycled, less-toxic, organic or otherwise environmentally preferable products and services.

That following weekend, STAY VOCAL will be a part of the South Shore Natural Science Center’s Earth Day Celebration in Norwell, MA on April 27th.

And finally on May 1st, STAY VOCAL will begin setting up every Thursday at Thursday Night Market in Chico, CA. This weekly event features farm-fresh produce, delicious food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and a STAY VOCAL booth!

For a list of all our events, please visit the Events Page

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SV Tour Dates Cancelled; New Ones Added

(04.08.08) Due to unfortunate financial and vehicle issues (see post below), Bent Left was forced to cancel a few of the Stay Vocal or Shut Up Tour dates. But on the positive side, they are by no means throwing in the towel. They have actually added many new shows across the country in CA, IN, MA, MI, MO, NJ, OK, OR, SD, and WI. If these touring warriors come through your town, be sure to check them out. Many of the shows are FREE!

UPDATE (4/12): Even more shows added in IN, UT, and VA!

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YOU Can Help Keep The Stay Vocal Or Shut Up Tour Alive

(04.07.08) Long story short, the touring van for the Stay Vocal Or Shut Up Tour is in need of some major repairs and unfortunately, Bent Left has run their funds dry. They’ve already canceled some dates, but with your help, they can be back on the road reusing veggie oil for fuel and spreading their good word. You can read the full story on Bent Left’s Myspace Page

If you would like to help out, you can use the easy donaton feature below:

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Shaquille O'Neal Teams Up With STAY VOCAL

(04.01.08)

BUT WE’RE NOT JOKING ABOUT THIS:

For every order placed from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM on April 1, we will be including 1 FREE patch, 1 FREE pin, and 5 FREE stickers.

VISIT THE STAY VOCAL STORE

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Bent Left Now Reuses Veggie Oil On Tour

(04.01.08) We just got a very exciting email from William of Bent Left: “Our van was dropped off at golden fuel systems this morning and will be running on veggie oil by tomorrow afternoon.”

Bent Left is currently in month 4 of their Stay Vocal Or Shut Up Tour and from here on in will be reusing veggie oil whenever possible to fuel their trip. To see when Bent Left will be passing through your area, check out the STAY VOCAL Events Page.

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We're Going ReUse, Because You Can't Recycle The Planet

(03.30.08)
After almost 5 years of having ReUse as one of several core ideas, STAY VOCAL has decided to make ReUse our primary focus. We will be phasing out much of our current product line, while bringing in more truly reused products and new products specifically designed to be reused, like our reusable shopping bags and travel mugs. Our goal is to become THE source for ReUse products and information, while encouraging everyone to reuse more.

If you’ve had your eye on one of our t-shirts or skateboards or any other non-ReUse item in the STAY VOCAL store, then now would be a good time to get it because once they’re gone they’re gone. We also just started the “Ready to ReUse Last Chance Sale” and discounted all of the items going out of print. The Crying Puppy Sticker, a benefit sticker for Underdog ResQ, is the last non-ReUse item that we will make.

Why are we doing this? It’s simple. We’ve always stood for positive change for everyone and the concept of ReUse can bring out the most positive change for the most people. Just by the simple task of reusing, you’re making positive change, as reusing is a huge step above recycling in preserving our natural resources for current and future generations.

Our Earth and our environment need to be priority # 1 with everyone, because if there’s no planet, there’s really nothing else to worry about.


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STAY VOCAL will reuse whenever and wherever possible. In addition to selling strictly ReUse products, there are many ways that we already reuse on a daily basis. When we print orders, they are printed on the back of used paper. When we ship orders, we reuse packaging and shipping materials, donated from our families and our good friends at Drum’s Emporium in Norwell. So if you get a t-shirt in a waffle box, don’t be alarmed. It’s for a good reason. Unfortunately, we haven’t figured out a way to reuse tape!

Here at STAY VOCAL, we’re all very excited about the transformation. We certainly will be offering many more one of a kind clothing items, reusable bags and mugs, and we’re even looking to team up with a great artist from Connecticut on some ReUse furniture pieces.

ALEX EAVES

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STAY VOCAL Featured In The Boston Globe

(03.30.08) In today’s Globe South Section of The Boston Globe, there is a feature story on STAY VOCAL and its founder, Alex Eaves. We’d tell you what the article was about, but we’d rather have you read it yourself. It’s more fun that way.

For all of you who do not live in the South Shore region of MA, we have uploaded a .jpg version and a .pdf version for you to read. You can also read the article (minus the pictures) on The Boston Globe website.

An interesting side note: Alex actually went to college AND worked at The Globe with the reporter, Emily Sweeney, but they did not know each other. Funny how things work out.

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To Make Room For ReUse, STAY VOCAL CafePress.Com Store Will Close

(03.29.08) In addition to converting our online store to strictly ReUse items, we are going to be closing the STAY VOCAL CafePress.com Store on March 31. While we think what they do is a great idea, we do not want to continue to manufacture new items when there is so much out there that could easily be reused.

If you’ve haven’t checked out the store before, check it out now before it closes.

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Crying Puppy Benefit Stickers Are In

(03.25.08) The new Crying Puppy stickers are in. These stickers are in limited numbers and we will not be reprinting them. $1 from the sale of each sticker will be donated to Underdog ResQ.

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A.K.A.'s Contest Over

(03.24.08) We’d like to thank everyone who entered the “Everybody Make Some Noise With The A.K.A.s” reusable shopping bag design contest. We will be announcing the winner soon.

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STAY VOCAL Appearing in Burlington, VT

(03.15.08) This Tuesday, March 18th, STAY VOCAL will be meeting up with our good friends in 311 at their concert in Burlington, VT. We will have a table in the merchandise area and will be selling different ReUse items including reusable shopping bags and travel mugs. We will also have the last of our President T-Shirts. If you’ve ever wanted to speak for George W. Bush, here’s your chance.

In addition to our merchandise, we’ll also have plenty of information and free stickers from New American Dream, Military Free Zone, and peta2.

311 is playing at the Memorial Auditorium with Slightly Stoopid and The Urgency. The show is sold out, but if you’ve already got tickets, we’ll see you there.

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Bent Left Now Offers ReUse Merchandise

(03.11.08) We just shipped Bent Left their first ReUse T-Shirts, which are now available at their shows. Speaking of shows, many news dates have been added to the Stay Vocal or Shut Up Tour in CA, OR, WA, MT, CO, IL, and MO.

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Band Who Helped Mold STAY VOCAL Owner Reunites In Boston

(03.03.08) The first time that I ever met Pilfers was on November 4, 1999, when I almost got the band fined $3000 by the city of Boston. I was working for a street promotions company and had plastered their posters all over Landsdowne Street, where the band was playing. Fortunately, nobody got fined and the band and I laughed the incident off.

A month later, the band was in Boston again playing one of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ Hometown Throwdown shows. Coolie Ranx (lead singer) obviously had liked my promotional work ethic, because he mentioned the idea of me going on the road with the band to promote and sell their merchandise. At the time, I just figured that he said that to a lot of people he met on the road, so I didn’t get my hopes up.

In March of 2000, Coolie proved me wrong. He called me to say that the band wanted me to be their new merch guy for an upcoming tour with Suicide Machines. The only catch was that I had to be ready within a few days. Although I still had a week or two left of physical therapy for my shoulder surgery (1st one), I jumped at the chance. The next day, my mom and I went out and bought my first laptop and my first merchandise tools. Two days later, I met the band in Hartford, CT and loaded myself into the van for my first touring experience.

Touring with Pilfers opened a lot of doors for me, as I began working closely with the Positive Youth Foundation, Anti-Racist Action, and a lot of bands intent on making the world a better place. I was also able to meet many people who I remain close friends with to this day.

Coolie and I stayed in touch sporatically over the years and I was escatic in 2005, to find out that the original lineup had reunited for a show. They have played a few times since, but unfortunately I have always been somewhere else. But finally, after a 7 year drought, I will see Pilfers play live again.

On March 22, the band will reunite on stage in Boston at Harper’s Ferry and I will surely be there. To celebrate this reunion, we have added a Pilfers profile to our music section this month. You can download two great tracks for FREE and see an amusing picture I took on tour in 2000.

For more information and to buy tickets for the show in Boston, please visit the Harper’s Ferry Website.

Man, I hope they play “Jolly Jolly Jolly”

- ALex

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Vote For STAY VOCAL To Keep Offensive T-Shirts Out Of View

(03.03.08) Recently, we listed the STAY VOCAL Cafepress.com store on a web site called Fun T-Shirts List. It’s a website that lists different online t-shirt stores and each month, people vote on their favorite one.

There are some good shops on there, but unfortunately there are stores that focus on rude and offensive t-shirts, similar to the date rape t-shirt that we focused on earlier today. We want to make sure that those kinds of stores don’t win, so hopefully they’ll rethink what they’re doing. So, we’re asking all of you to take a minute to vote for the STAY VOCAL store.

Thanks in advance!

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T-Shirt Company Promotes Date Rape And Profits From It

(03.03.08) Our friend Hanaa at New American Dream passed on this story to us. If you read this, you SHOULD be mad enough to write those in charge an email. So, please do…

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A company called David & Goliath has been selling a t-shirt that reads, “No Means No . . . Unless I’m Drunk!” That’s right, a t-shirt for women (more like tween and teen girls) condoning date rape. I’ve attached the image that was on the website. A few feminist blogs picked up on this and the shirt has been pulled as of today. I know I shouldn’t be shocked in this day and age that we have so-called ironic shirts joking about rape, but I am.

I am asking you to please send an email to their customer service department at questions@davidandgoliathtees.com requesting that any profit made from that shirt be donated to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, which runs the National Sexual Abuse Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

I was unaware of anything this company sold other than stuff that read “peas on earth” but this classy company also sells fitted tees that read “Miss BJ” among other gems.

Thanks for helping make the world a little more feminist,
Hanaa

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FREE T-Shirt, Pin, and Sticker: Today Only!

(02.29.08) February 29th is something that doesn’t come around too often, so we thought we’d do something equally as unique. Starting at 12:00 AM EST on February 29th, the first 29 orders of $2.90 or more will receive the following for FREE:

• 1 STAY VOCAL - Make Yourself Heard Face T-Shirt (Pick Your Size)
• 1 Pin
• 1 Sticker

To take advantage of this offer, simply add the February 29th? Combo Pack to your order.

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Alex Eaves' First Printed Interview...

(02.28.08) The new Outsider PI (Issue #2) features an interview with our very own Alex Eaves. To read the article and/or purchase a copy, please visit the Outsider PI MySpace page and look for the “Stay Vocal” blog entry.

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New Jersey Online TV Show Creates STAY VOCAL Trailer Video

(02.28.08) Our friends at Jersey Fresh TV recently made us a STAY VOCAL trailer video. Jersey Fresh TV is an Internet TV show that focuses on music and art in the state of New Jersey. Be sure to check their page out, but only after you watch this video!

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Analog to Digital TV: A Trashy Way To Make A Lot Of Money

(02.27.08) Hello all,
I have heard rumors about this, but now I know it is true. The US government has made it a law that as of this time next year, all television broadcasts must be digital. As a person who doesn’t watch too much television, this just seems like a money making scheme for television companies and the government.

Unfortunately, though the battle is not against the government this time, but rather the TV companies. I’ll leave it up to our friends at New American Dream to explain – ALex

On February 17, 2009, broadcasters will turn off their analog broadcasts and switch to digital. The FCC estimates about 16 million households still rely on antennas, rather than cable or satellite for their television reception. By next year, these households must purchas a digital-to-analog converter box, or a new television. With a potentially huge increase in discarded televisions, now more than ever we need free and convenient recycling for e-waste. Some manufacturers, like Sony, offer free recycling programs. Panasonic, Philips, and Sharp, however, have NOT established take back programs; they actively lobby against state legislation that would require them to do so, and have been slackers when it comes to substituting environmentally responsible materials in their products.

Fill out this online petition at Take Back My TV to ask other major television manufacturers to offer TV recycling programs. The campaign is part of the Electronics Take Back Coalition, which advocates for green design and responsible recycling in the electronics industry.

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Spay Day USA Contest, Vote For STAY VOCAL Cat Model

(02.25.08) February 26th is Spay Day USA and The Humane Society of the United States wants everyone to know that spaying and neutering actually improves pets’ lives. “In addition to making pets better, more affectionate companions, spaying and neutering helps animals live longer and healthier.”Visit the HSUS website to learn more reasons why you should spay or neuter your pet.

To celebrate Spay Day USA, the HSUS is holding the “Spay Day USA Pet Photo Contest” and our good friend Mashed Potatoes is a contestant. You may recognize her from some of our “Adoption…Think About it” artwork. Well, she needs your votes if she’s going to stand a chance against the rest of the pets.

To vote for MP and any other pets (you can vote for as many as you wish), please visit the Spay Day USA website. And if you want to see how MP is doing, visit the Find a Pet page and search for her by name.

The contest ends on March 7, 2008.

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New STAY VOCAL Store Opens

(02.17.08) When anything is made, there is almost always excess waste. When you cook dinner, some of the food is bound to go down the drain or get thrown away. When you build a house, wood gets scrapped and nails get thrown away. The same problem is evident with merchandise. Companies will make products in hopes that they will all sell, but in many cases, the items sit on shelves for years.

For a long time, STAY VOCAL has had a running list of designs that we’d like to see turned into merchandise items. But when we make new items, we have to buy large minimums to start. And not only does that cost a lot of money, but it would just be bringing a ton of new “stuff” into the world and have it possibly sit and collect dust.

STAY VOCAL also does not believe in making things just to make money. We like to offer products that are useful and worthwhile. There are things like books, t-shirts, and sweatshirts and then there are things like diamond necklaces, flat screen televesions, and monstrous SUV’s. The fact of the matter is that there will always be a need for clothing, which is a perfect way to get our messages out there, but we needed to figure out a way to offer designs and messages to people without having to make a ton of “stuff.” Fortunately, we did figure out a way.

Today we are celebrating the grand opening of the new STAY VOCAL cafepress.com online store. CafePress.com produces each item when ordered using a unique print-on-demand technology. None of the items are made until someone wants one, leaving no excess merchandise.

With this method, we are also able to give people more of a choice. That is why in our cafepress.com store you will see hundreds of different items. Like our mission states, “by providing a variety of vehicles that embrace different fashions, styles, and humor, this company is here to help people get vocal.” With the ability to offer so many new designs, we were able to make our first clothing items for some of our idea lines like Free To Be, Don’t Drive…every time, and Adoption…think about it. But the design that we are most excited about is Dube.

The other day I was eating at Grilla Bites in Chico, CA and I was coloring a picture of a zebra at the same time. I decided to make a rainbow striped zebra, because I was always taught to see beyond the box. I thought to myself that the zebra was free to do whatever he wanted. So, I decided to write FREE TO BE above it. Upon bringing the coloring home, the zebra became a big hit and I was told I should turn the coloring into a new design. That night, I scanned the coloring, reworked it, and came up with a design. The next day, the zebra was renamed Dube (pronounced doo-bee), which is an African male name meaning “zebra.”

The Dube line, along with all of the designs in the STAY VOCAL cafepress.com store are available only on items made in the USA. In the US today, the majority of products are cheaply made in China and unfortunately, many of them in sweatshops. Here at STAY VOCAL we care about everything and everyone. That is why weare not able to offer designs on as many clothing types as CafePress.com offers.

Fortunately for the planet and for us at STAY VOCAL, one of the products cafepress.com offers is a USA Made organic shirt. By using organic cotton, the entire shirt is sustainable, so the shirt and its message can stand the test of time.

While we were able to create many different designs to appeal to many different people, there is always more to say. So, we have set up a forum just for that purpose. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas for a design you’d like to see in our store, please visit the new STAY VOCAL CafePress.Com Online Store Forum. But, if there is a specific item type that you want, please contact CafePress and let them know that they should carry more USA made products.

Opening the CafePress.com store does not mean that the STAYVOCAL.COM online store will close. It just means that we will be able to focus more on ReUse clothing and items, like our reusable shopping bags and one of a kind pieces.

Please come by the new store for a visit at www.cafepress.com/stayvocal. We have dozens of new designs and hundreds of items, including pins, stickers, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more. And the best thing is that none of it is made until you want it to be.

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FREE Shipping in our Ebay Store

(02.14.08) For the next week, most of our fixed price and auction style Ebay listings are not only on sale, but also will include FREE shipping. Many of these items are the last ones we have and we will not be making any more.

Visit the STAY VOCAL Ebay store to see our normal STAY VOCAL items, as well as many other t-shirts, stickers, skateboards, and one-of-a-kind DIY items. This sale goes through February 20th. Thanks!

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Stay Vocal or Shut Up: Many new dates added

(02.12.08) We just got confirmation from Bent Left on many news shows added to the Stay Vocal or Shut Up Tour. The band has new shows lined up in AZ, CA, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, NE, NM, OK, and TX.

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Fresh Music Friday: Please Welcome Sakes Alive!! And Resolution 242

(02.01.08) Today, we would like to welcome two new bands to our music section: Sakes Alive!! from Rochester, NY and Resolution 242 from across the pond in the United Kingdom. The bands may not sound alike musically (or with their accents), but surely feel the same: this world needs some change and it needs it now.

Through punk music, Sakes Alive!! focuses heavily on the environment, evident in their song, “Our Mistress The Sea.” Resolution 242 has a strong animal rights feel, very obvious in their reggae inspired track, “Meat Your Meat.” You will find these songs and more on the respective band’s STAY VOCAL Music pages. They’re FREE for you to listen to and download if you wish.

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President T-Shirt And Stickers: 50% Off And Going Out Of Print

(02.01.08) We have lowered the prices considerably on our Make Yourself Heard – President T-Shirt (Now $7.50) and Sticker (Now $.25). There are only small amounts of each left and once they’re gone, we will not be making any more.

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The A.KA.s : Download 1 New Song For FREE And Enter The Design Contest

(02.01.08) On March 18th, The A.K.A.s will be releasing “Everybody Make Some Noise!.” But for all of you who cannot wait that long to own some new A.K.A.s music, you can now download one of the tracks for free. “Confessions of a Dangerous Mouth” (DEMO Version) is now availabe on the bands STAY VOCAL Music page.

In addition to writing a new record, the band has certainly been busy working with us on New American Dream’s “Bring Your Own Bag” campaign. Now, taking it a step further, The A.K.A.s will join the ranks of Darkest Hour, Mike Park and Strike Anywhere by having their own STAY VOCAL Paper or Plastic? reusable shopping bag. Like the other band bags, these will be made in the USA of 100% organic cotton canvas. But the band doesn’t have a design for their bag yet, so they have launched a special design contest on the STAY VOCAL Contest page. Check it out!

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Make Yourself (And The Candidates) Heard

(01.23.08) This past October, our friends at the Center for a New American Dream sent presidential candidates a survey of questions dealing with the environment, quality of life, fair trade standards, etc.

“Over the last decade, New American Dream has observed a curious phenomenon: the “more of what matters” vision resonates with a large majority of Americans, yet few political leaders demonstrate the courage to challenge the “more is better” culture and economy.” (www.newdream.org)

So far, only two candidates, John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich have responded. But as voters, we want to hear from all of the candidates. Please sign New American Dream’s Petition to encourage the other candidates to answer these questions. The goal is 10,000 signatures by February 5th (Super Tuesday), when 19 states will hold their full primaries.

You can also read and review the response by John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich.

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Store Bans Plastic Bags, We Offer FREE ReUse Bags

(01.22.08) Today was a great day for the environment and our descendants. Grocery store chain Whole Foods announced that as of April 22 (Earth Day), they will no longer be offering plastic bags in any of their 270 stores worldwide.

The company says that this will keep roughly 100 million plastic bags out of landfills between that date and the end of 2008. Hooray for Whole Foods!

To celebrate this win for the environment and to prepare shoppers, we’re giving away a FREE Original ReUse “Paper Or Plastic” canvas shopping bag, when any 2 of our reusable bags are purchased. For example, if you buy 10 of our oversized bags, you’ll get 5 bags for FREE.

The offer is good through this Thursday, January 24th.

Check out all of the STAY VOCAL reusable shopping bags now

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FREE Equal Rights CD With Every Order

(01.22.08) In 2001, a friend of ours was just 14-years old, but he was working for multiple bands and record labels doing street promotions. You might know him as AO

One of the bands that he was promoting was the Blue Meanies, specifically their single, “All The Same.” This song was about the singer’s personal experience with movements toward racial equality in Chicago and how, “it’s all the same on the inside.”

As we look at the world today, racism is still an issue, hence this song is still very relavent. We are happy to say that AO recently donated 240 of these CD’s to STAY VOCAL. So, we will be sending them out for free with mailorder purchases until the 240 are gone. We hope you will enjoy the song and if you want to get one today, please visit the STAY VOCAL Online Store.

If you would like to learn more about the Blue Meanies, please visit the Blue Meanies MySpace page

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How will YOU make positive change in 2008?

(01.18.08) As we begin another calendar year, I would like to thank you for helping to make 2007 an excellent year for STAY VOCAL, but more importantly for making an impact on current and future generations. As more and more people learn how important their voices are, we truly can make this world a better place for everyone.

2007 brought many changes for STAY VOCAL such as our move from Pittsburgh back to my hometown of Norwell, MA. And in June, a new stayvocal.com as born. More importantly, though, we were able to make positive changes in the world.

This past year, we created a whole line of reusable “Paper or Plastic?” shopping bags, helping encourage people from all walks of life to shop consciously. While many chain stores and others began offering their own versions, we continued to be one of theSTAY VOCAL reusable shopping bags few to use USA Made, sweatshop-free bags. We don’t just care about the environment, we care about everything.

In September, we partnered up with the Center For A New American Dream’s Carbon Conscious Consumer (C3) campaign. Since then we have encouraged thousands of people to junk their junk mail, break the bottled water habit, wash in cold water and bring their own bag. After seeing the success of working on the C3 campaign, we are going to put some major focus on working with others in 2008.

This year, we will begin working closely with schools and colleges by setting up clubs and providing internships. We will also get more involved in events, like Bent Left’s 6 month long music tour that we are sponsoring. We are also going to begin working with local stores, acquiring their used boxes to make up a large percentage of our mailing supplies. So, if you receive a cereal box in the mail, do not be alarmed, it is not food. Reusing boxes is just one way that we’re going to strengthen our emphasis on the environment this year.

While we will of course continue with all of our core ideas, we will involve “ReUse” whenever possible to focus on even more positive change for the environment. What do we have if we do not have a planet? Instead of making primarily new items, we will be making more ReUse series and ReUse one of a kind items. And we have already encouraged some of our friends to do the same, as both the bands Bent Left and Strike Anywhere will be selling their own ReUse T-Shirts on upcoming tours.

With a lot of new ReUse items coming in, we need to make some room. So, in the next few weeks, we are going to be lowering the prices on a lot of older items that we have had for some time. We started by discounting many of our items in the STAY VOCAL Ebay store.

register to voteI hope you all use your voice more than ever this year, especially in the U.S., as we have quite an important presidential election coming up. If you are one of the astronomical amount of citizens who is not registered to vote, please register to vote today.

Thanks again for making things happen,

BIG AL
A Man From A Small Town With Huge Dreams

P.S. At the end of the summer, we will be celebrating our 5th anniversary with a big event, but there are no details yet. As soon as things start coming together, we will let you know.

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Would You Give 30 Seconds To Polar Bears?

(01.13.08) From The Center For Biological Diversity

Polar bears are in trouble. The melting of the Arctic is killing them. Some are already starving and drowning. If global warming is allowed to continue, the Arctic will be entirely ice-free during the summer, dooming polar bears to extinction.

But as you may have seen in the news over the past few days, federal bureaucrats are illegally delaying a decision to protect the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act. Meanwhile they are fast-tracking Arctic oil drilling while the bear remains unprotected!

The Center for Biological Diversity and our allies are preparing to go to court to force the administration to finalize the Endangered Species Act listing. But we need your help as well. Polar bears need a massive groundswell of public support to show that people are watching and will not tolerate delays, denial, or political game-playing.

Please sign our polar bear petition today. Tell the Bush administration to immediately list the polar bear as an endangered species. With your help, we’ll send the petition with 50,000 signatures to the White House on January 31st.

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Staying Vocal...But A Little Slower

(01.06.08) Over the next few days, you may notice a lack of activity on our website. That’s because the person who regularly updates our website is having surgery on his right shoulder on Tuesday. We know that he’ll be doing his best, but as a right handed man who will now only be able to use his left hand, he’ll be working pretty slow. We’re sure that by the time his shoulder is healed, he’ll be an expert at typing with one hand.

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Sometimes Gifts Can Be Ignorant

(01.04.08) Gladys Garcia experienced ignorance this past holiday season and for the first time, she shares her feelings. Read her latest poetry submission, Fur-Trim Jacket.

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The Time Has Finally Come

(12.30.07) You may remember the “Bent Left: Stay Vocal or Shut Up” T-shirt design contest that we held recently. Our friend Benjamin Wolf entered the winning design, which is seen to the right. The contest was just one of the many, many preparations that Bent Left and STAY VOCAL had to make, though. But many days, hours, and jobs later