by Gene Perry

A resolution passed by the Norman City Council on Tuesday has completed the final step to make Norman the first official Fair Trade Town in Oklahoma and the 17th in the United States.

by Courtney Gilman. I first learned about Employment and Residential Centers (EARC), an Edmond-based non-profit that works with people with developmental disabilities, from a good friend and former employee. EARC combines two of my greatest interests: helping people in need and second-hand consumption. The idea has been working for them for more than 40 years. I spoke with Kim Pittman, who manages the organization’s two Edmond thrift stores.

by Brenda Wheelock

More than 30 schools, faith groups and other organizations from across the state will participate in a “Pennies for Peace-Oklahoma” presentation to renowned author and humanitarian Greg Mortenson when he visits the University of Oklahoma on Wednesday, April 21.

by Courtney Gilman

Touchstone Youth Project, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 2002 to serve disadvantaged Oklahoma youth through adventure-based education, mentoring, and life-skills cultivation. Courtney Gilman, Touchstone Program Manager, interviewed the organization’s co-founder, Nicole Hunzicker.

by Michael Givel

From late June 2009 to late December 2009, I was honored to serve as the first ever American Fulbright scholar in Bhutan, a small constitutional monarchy between India and People’s Republic of China. Accompanying me on my journey to this ancient, rugged, and beautiful eastern Himalayan nation was my wife Rebecca Sherry and 11 year old son Noah Givel…

Photos by Rebecca Ann Sherry.