John and Teresa Heinz Kerry

Tonight I attended Lecture at the Seattle Town Hall by John and Teresa Heinz Kerry promoting their new book together "This Moment on Earth". The lecture was quite good, John Kerry's component was a bit too political for me but he did make some good points. Teresa Heinz Kerry on the other hand had several interesting contributions, particularly regarding her chapter of the book on toxins in the environment. I can't wait to read the book. Also, during the Q&A section, I got up the gumption to ask them a question. I started by congratulating Mrs. Heinz Kerry on being on the SSF Best Dressed Environmental List for the 2nd year in a row and then asked if felt that all the attention global warming is getting, along with all the magazine issues these days has moved environmental issues out of the margin and into the mainstream, or if she feels we still need to do more. She had a great response, basically saying a lot has happened for the better but there are still things to be done. I continue to be really impressed with these two. More when I finish the book.

The environment with Andre

It has been a crazy week at the office with our annual campaign and membership drive going and all. So I'm SO psyched I could fit in a short roadtrip to hear Andre Heinz speak on the environment at a town hall meeting up in Bellingham (one of my favorite cities up here in the NW) on Thursday. The gist of the meeting was, no surprise, the fact that Kerry has a pretty stellar record on the environment while Bush...well doesn't by a longshot.

I've been told for a couple years now by lots of folks to contact him since he has a degree in environmental studies from Yale (one of the grad schools I'm considering) and is working with The Natural Step to help companies go sustainable. Turns out Andre knows Jesse Johnson at Q Collection too. Crazy small world. Andre's really a great guy, very eloquent and able to engage people on a very personal level. We need to clone him right away. Ranks right up there with my heroes Vicki Robin, Paul Hawkin and Jane Goodall in my book. Andre's mother, Theresa Heinz Kerry, is a very outspoken environmentalist so kind of like the Suzukis, I guess 'green' genes do run in the family. Andre also attended the Friday debates here in Seattle so got another chance to hear Andre speak in broader terms on the election too. I'm all revved up now!

Big Ben and Special K

Saw on the Today show that Ben Affleck helped inspire Florida democrats at the DNC. He also made some comments about a political career of his own while wolfing down a sandwich with Katie Couric. Might we have a President Affleck one of these days? I say go for it.

In other news...bought a really great Coogi tie at the Value Village yesterday. I was digging Coogi bigtime while in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics...just couldn't quite afford the stuff I liked. Second-hand style, gotta love it.

I got a chance to watch Theresa Heinz Kerry's speech at the DNC this evening. Yes, yes, yes. She is an outstanding woman and I really admire the fact that she addressed the DNC in several languages at some point. Plus, her understanding and support of environmental issues can't be beat. It was great that her son introduced her as well...bit of a throwback to the JFK Jr. days.