However fondly one looks upon the holiday season; with its flurry of parties, family visits, family recipes and a few too many egg-nog lattes, the new year always brings a sense of renewal. A sense that something’s gonna change or maybe that something’s gotta change. So what’s this sense of change about really and why does it appear to have a greater sense of urgency than in years past? With an economic downturn that’s affecting the entire international community, ongoing climate change issues and escalating political strife in so many areas worldwide, there’s definitely something different in the air. The springs of this New Year seem to be wound pretty tight — less like a nagging mother telling you to clean your room and more like a call to action to help find a solution for the mess we appear to be in.
One of the best ways to be a part of the solution is to be informed. The following media retailers offer access to that much needed information while earmarking a goodly percentage of every sale to YOUR favorite cause.
We all know and love Borders and Barnes & Nobles. But have you checked them out online lately? They both have beautiful, easy-to-use sites and you can designate up to 2.5% (Barnes & Noble) or 3% (Borders) of every sale to your chosen nonprofit group. With so many books, DVD’s and music at your fingertips you’re passions and interests will be sparked anew. These retailers ship within the US and to Canada.
Often the best way to learn about a country’s history is to take flight and explore the sites yourself. Lonely Planet believes that the more travelers know about the people and places they’re visiting, the more they’ll enjoy their trip and the less negative impact their presence will have. To this end, the guidebooks offer information on customs, etiquette, history, religion, art and politics. Lonely Planet authors are experienced, insightful travel experts. Their products will help with every part of your journey, guiding you with ease from the planning stages to the experience. Social Responsibility is high on their corporate to-do list and a hefty 7.5% of your purchases can be designated to help support your nonprofit of choice. This retailer ships within the US and to Canada.
BBC online is now available to us Yanks, as well as to our Canadian friends through two separate sites. All of North America can now shop easily for Britain’s best in books, videos music and more. Their tag line says it all — entertaining, informing, inspiring — couple that with up to 3.8% of sales available for you to earmark to go to your favorite charity and BBC online will quickly turn into an all-around favorite resource center.
The quality of media available through the National Geographic website is as fascinating and fun as it is educational. Whether your passion lies with people and culture, nature and animals or space and science – you can bring the phenomenal poignancy of National Geographic magazine to life on your television (or computer screen) while traveling through history and into the future. Everyone who craves colorful information about life on this planet and beyond needs to become familiarized with this great site. Earmark 4% of whatever you buy toward your favorite cause and explore the world. This retailer ships within the US and to Canada.
Similarly Shop PBS has an amazing site full of good-for-your-head books and shows. Enjoy all their great well-known programs and so much more. Spend cozy evenings in the company of family and friends while learning something new or taking a deeper look into a favorite topic. Learn and give 5% to your cause while in pursuit of knowledge. This retailer ships within the US and to Canada.
Our Green House and Gaiam are great outlets to learn more about healthy and sustainable living for both you and the environment. These sites are more than just shops — in fact, they are like training centers, in that they provide so much great information on all things green. If your lifestyle is in need of a redesign, you’ll find a fresh template here. Designate 4% of every sale to the charity that you’re most passionate about and start experiencing change… see – you’re becoming more Zen already. These retailers ship within the US.
From grads to dads and brides, June is the triumvirate month of gift giving occasions. In this section we look at GRADS, from both high school and college. What’s the ultimate graduation gift? For some it’s a new car, for others it might be an adventure to an exotic destination and for those working their way through the summer either as interns in order to land that perfect first job or help pay for tuition, it might be something completely practical. We’ve pulled from our list of retailers to find gift ideas to congratulate the broad spectrum of grads in on their accomplishment…
For over 30 years, Lonely Planet has inspired and guided independent travelers to explore the world around them. Their teams of expert travel writers are all about on-the-ground research and no-holds-barred opinion. Lonely Planet is passionate about responsible travel and encourages people to make their impact as positive as possible. Whether it be through their trustworthy guidebooks, innovative downloadable digital guides, award-winning website or cutting-edge television programs, Lonely Planet aims to inspire life-changing travel. With an unmatched reputation for producing well-researched, up-to-date information that travelers can depend on no matter where they’re going, every minute along the way can hold a new experience.
By 2020 it’s estimated that 1.5 billion people will be traveling each year. It’s not hard to understand how each one of us needs to consider our personal contribution to sustaining the natural and cultural wonders of our planet so that future generations can enjoy the same life-changing adventures that come with an awesome travel experience. Today there’s no way of avoiding the importance of traveling responsibly. With information on the website and in the books, the writers and fellow travelers at Lonely Planet hope to inspire you to Travel Widely, Tread Lightly and Give Sustainably by trying a new, far more rewarding, way of traveling.
Through the Lonely Planet Foundation, 5% of all annual profits benefit their charity partners around the globe including, but not limited to, The Moriah Centre – Big Bend, Swaziland, Alola Foundation – East Timor, Conservation, Excavation and Development of the Minaret of Jam, Afghanistan and WaterAid – Africa and Asia.
It’s no wonder that The New York Times calls Lonely Planet, ‘The trusted companions for a generation of independent travelers.’
Video goggles are such a staple of science fiction that it’s hard to imagine anyone actually trying to build a pair. But that’s exactly what MYVU Corporation has done in designing what may very well be the best new high-tech product since the iPod. With their new generation of personal media viewers, MYVU’s shades or crystal video eyewear are the ultimate solutions for viewing broadcast and downloaded entertainment on cell phones and portable media players and is THE must-have accessory for any plane, train or automobile ride where one wants to experience the thrill of a personal and mobile screening room. Both new viewers feature Kopin’s Cyber-Display technology, offering the highest pixel density and the sharpest resolution for its size, a rechargeable battery with up to 10 hours of viewing time for shades and up to four hours of viewing time for crystal. The MYVU viewer takes the output signal from media players such as MP4, DVD and cell phone products and projects a floating image that the user can see around. Their unique glance-down sunglass-inspired design allows viewers to keep aware of their surroundings, maintains natural vision and awareness of the environment in all lighting conditions, while providing an awesome viewing experience for on-the-go lifestyles. Complete with in-ear earbuds for stereo sound, the personal media viewer represents a breakthrough in portable display technology. Definitely way cool!!
Wolfgang’s Vault is home for the past, present and future of live music. It’s the exclusive destination for The Bill Graham Archives, the King Biscuit Flower Hour and the Record Plant along with a dozen other archives. Within the Concert Vault are thousands of carefully restored and archived concert recordings to stream for free, hundreds of which are available for download. Along the walls, halls and inner vaults of Wolfgang’s Vault is the greatest collection of concert posters, rock photography, vintage and retro t-shirts for men, women and even babies, rock gear and concert related memorabilia. Whether you are interested in the performers of the 60s, 70s, 80s or later, or the greatest emerging performers of today, Wolfgang’s Vault is where you’ll find them, and the stories behind the scenes. They are an excellent resource in finding worldwide touring information and offer easy to use ticket sales on their internal box office, Mojam. In addition to all the great stuff above, they offer weekly rock reviews and criticism in the all-new Crawdaddy!: The Original Magazine of Rock – and for the music lover going away to college – Wolfgang’s Vault is also the spot for rockin’ wall décor, throws and more.
UnCommonGoods is an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. It combines the treasures of a specialty boutique, the great finds of a craft show, discoveries from a faraway bazaar, along with some enduring classics. Since their very beginning, they’ve featured products that contain recycled components and all the items sold are produced without harm to animals and have an eye to environmental responsibility. UncommonGoods believes that creativity and the expression of individuality represent two great human treasures. They recognize that people are looking for ways to express their individuality and creativity when shopping for themselves and others, a major challenge in today’s chain store-dominated retail environment and have set out to create a business that makes uncommon goods accessible to every one. Their product inventory offers an exciting selection of home décor items, as well as an assortment of distinctive personal accessories. Shopping with them is a true exploration of the different.
