This Week's Top Stories

The week's top Peace Corps news stories posted here every Sunday.

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July 31, 2004: This Week's Top Stories "Open Water" based on RPCV deaths opens Aug 6 31 July Heinz celebration of PCV was "truly offensive" 28 July Moyers says Political Theater full of absurdities 28 July McNally says may win with 7,500 votes 28 July NPCA makes Case for Improving Governance 28 July Sargent Shriver attends dedication in Boston 27 July Heinz praises PCVs in convention speech 27 July Mike Honda delivers diversity message 27 July Heinz to attend NPCA convention? 26 July RPCV is Freedom Hero Winner 26 July RPCV won't come home until Bush is gone 26 July Yemen bids farewell to RPCV Ambassador 26 July more top stories...

"Open Water" based on RPCV deaths opens Aug 6
"Open Water" based on drowning deaths of Tuvalu RPCVs Thomas and Eileen Lonergan opens August 6 31 July 2004


RPCV leads tour to Patagonia
Chile RPCV Peter Narins will lead tour to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego 30 July 2004


RPCV makes case for gay marriage
In new book, Togo RPCV Evan Wolfson makes a case for legalizing marriage for gay couples 30 July 2004


RPCV's love of astronomy began in Nepal
Karen Halliday's love of astronomy began under the startlingly bright Himalayan night skies as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal 29 July 2004


RPCV says time to win Iraq hearts and minds
RPCV Philip Acre says there is still time for the Bush Administration to win the hearts and minds of the people of Iraq and the people of America 29 July 2004


NGO's pull out of Afghanistan
Doctors Without Borders pulls out of Afghanistan, says government ignores killings of its workers 29 July 2004


Shays outpacing opponent in fundraising
Shays outpacing opponent in fundraising 29 July 2004


Heinz celebration of PCV was "truly offensive"
National Review says Teresa Heinz Kerry's "celebration of the Peace Corps volunteer, as the great American face, was truly offensive" 28 July 2004


Comoros RPCV promotes organic produce
Comoros Islands RPCV Jeffrey Barry founded to promote organic produce 28 July 2004


Moyers says Political Theater full of absurdities
Bill Moyers says Political theater full of absurdities 28 July 2004


McNally says may win with 7,500 votes
Liberia RPCV Shaun McNally said last week that as few as 7,500 votes may be all that is necessary to win if less than 15 percent of registered Democrats turn out at the polls in three weeks 28 July 2004


NPCA makes Case for Improving Governance
Executive Summary: NPCA Executive Committee makes the Case for Improving Governance 28 July 2004


Sargent Shriver attends dedication in Boston
Sargent Shriver attends dedication of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway 27 July 2004


Doyle to be ‘good soldier’ for Democratics
RPCV Doyle aims to be ‘good soldier’ for Democratic Party 27 July 2004


Peru RPCV raises $10 M for disabled
"Here is to success!" said Peru RPCV Fred Poses, a trustee who co-chairs the group's capital campaign committee, which is trying to collect $10 million in donations to improve facilities, recruit teachers and increase financial aid. "Raise your shovels up high!" 27 July 2004


Heinz praises PCVs in convention speech
Teresa Heinz Kerry addresses the Democratic National Convention: "To me, one of the best faces America has ever projected is the face of a Peace Corps volunteer." 27 July 2004


Mike Honda delivers diversity message
Rep. Mike Honda delivers diversity message -- prime time 27 July 2004


Heinz to attend NPCA convention?
RPCV Dave Magnani was on the phone this week with folks from Teresa Heinz Kerry's office about trying to book her for a National Peace Corps Volunteers Association conference 26 July 2004


RPCV plots out the latest mapping methods
Peru RPCV Malcolm Moore plots out the latest mapping methods 26 July 2004


RPCV won't come home until Bush is gone
Mali RPCV Mary Noble says she won't come home until Bush is out of office 26 July 2004


RPCV is Freedom Hero Winner
Chad RPCV Margaret Schutzius is Freedom Hero Winner 26 July 2004


Yemen bids farewell to RPCV Ambassador
Yemen bids farewell to Ambassador and Tunisia RPCV Edmund Hull after spending four years as one of the most active ambassadors to Yemen who will be remembered as the ambassador who did not give a damn about diplomacy 26 July 2004


PC supports Tree Nursery Competition
The "All School's Tree Nursery Competition" was supported by Peace Corps 26 July 2004


PC receives $1.1 M HIV/Aids Funding
Peace Corps Operations in Africa Receive HIV/Aids Funding of $1.1 million 26 July 2004


RPCV is director of Cincinnati Arts Center
India RPCV Linda Shearer is new director of Cincinnati's Contemporary Arts Center's 25 July 2004


Sam Farr co-authors sweeping ocean bill
Colombia RPCV Sam Farr co-authors sweeping ocean bill 25 July 2004


Gearan says Hillary focused on beating Bush
Mark Gearan says Sen. Clinton is honestly focused on beating President Bush 25 July 2004


Chris Matthews is closest thing to Mort Sahl
Swaziland RPCV Chris Matthews is the closest thing to Mort Sahl, who at his peak in the 1950s and '60s stood on nightclub stages with a newspaper, deconstructing and deflating politicians of all stripes 25 July 2004


Dems nominate a JFK but not a Kennedy
Four decades on: nominating a JFK, but not a Kennedy 24 July 2004

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July 24, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Kerry proposes 'Citizen Patriots Fund' 23 July Maria hopes people understand Shriver legacy 23 July PC Hero Jack Anderson ending Column 23 July Peace Corps Returns to China 21 July Cops of the world is not a wise goal 21 July RPCV Bob Shacochis says PC is "sacred cow" 20 July PC Chief of Staff Lloyd Pierson nominated for USAID post 20 July Weicker supports RPCV McNally in Connecticut race 20 July Director Vasquez visits Paraguay Program 19 July RPCV Peter McPherson supporting Bush/Cheney 19 July Haitian family thanks Senator Chris Dodd 19 July New Movie based on Tuvala RPCV drownings 18 July more top stories...

Kerry proposes 'Citizen Patriots Fund'
Kerry proposes 'Citizen Patriots Fund' to promote a new generation of social entrepreneurs 23 July 2004


Maria hopes people understand Shriver legacy
"I'm so hopeful that people will understand the Shriver legacy, not as much as the Kennedy legacy, because it doesn't have the same sex appeal. But it's a solid legacy." 23 July 2004


PC Hero Jack Anderson ending Column
Jack Anderson Ending His Syndicated Column, helped negotiate Peace Corps hostage release in Colombia in 1980 23 July 2004


Kerry elaborates on 'Citizen Patriots Fund'
Kerry proposes 'Citizen Patriots Fund," four years of college tuition to those who give two years of service to America 23 July 2004


USA Freedom Corps Head answers questions
USA Freedom Corps Head Desiree T. Sayle answers questions about volunteering 23 July 2004


RPCV supports Yemen Civilization Museum
U.S. Ambassador and Tunisia RPCV Edmund Hull lays the foundation stone to the Yemen Civilization Museum in Marib 22 July 2004


Professor's special link to Toledo
Professor Martin Carnoy's special link to ambitious young graduate student Alejandro Toledo has spanned a third of a century and a presidency 21 July 2004


Peace Corps Returns to China
Peace Corps Returns to China 21 July 2004


Cops of the world is not a wise goal
Cops of the world is not a wise goal 21 July 2004


RPCV Shacochis says PC is "sacred cow"
RPCV Bob Shacochis says Peace Corps is "sacred cow" 20 July 2004


India RPCV Bob Alexander in Michigan primary
India RPCV Bob Alexander in primary race for Michigan's 8th District 20 July 2004


Lloyd Pierson nominated for USAID post
Lloyd O. Pierson nominated to be Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development 20 July 2004


Weicker supports McNally in Connecticut race
"I think he's gutsy, and I think he's got courage, and I think that's exactly what the people of the 2nd District want," Weicker said of McNally in an interview Monday 20 July 2004


Director Vasquez visits Paraguay Program
Director Vasquez Visits Peace Corps' Paraguay Program 19 July 2004


Haitian family thanks Senator Chris Dodd
Haitian Family Thanks Senator Chris Dodd For Role In Forestalling Deportation 19 July 2004


Colombia RPCV runs Galeria Quetzal
Colombia RPCV Paloma Grasso runs Galeria Quetzal in Cleveland 19 July 2004


Peter McPherson supporting Bush/Cheney
MSU President M. Peter McPherson was present to show his support for Bush and Cheney 19 July 2004


RPCV Fred O'Regan lobbies whaling meeting
"Any majority for whaling at this meeting will be bought, not won," said Swaziland RPCV Fred O'Regan, president of IFAW 19 July 2004


Special Olympics seeking federal funding
Special Olympics is seeking federal funding 19 July 2004


New Movie based on Tuvala RPCVs drownings
Movie made based on drowning deaths of Tuvala RPCVs Tom and Eileen Lonergan 18 July 2004


RPCV directs National Korean War Museum
RPCV Kyle Kopitke is director and president of the National Korean War Museum in Wahiawa 18 July 2004


Director Vasquez visits PCVs in Nicaragua
Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Nicaragua 16 July 2004

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July 18, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Bill Moyers is stepping down 16 July Vote Kinkster for Governor 16 July RPCV expands aid-relief operations in Iraq 16 July Carol Bellamy on Uganda's night commuters 16 July PC Employee Sentenced for Embezzlement 15 July Tanzania RPCV installs automated telescopes 15 July RPCV reunited with the Filipino students 14 July PC expands HIV/AIDS Programs 14 July Swaziland RPCV skydives for 70th birthday 12 July Morocco RPCV speaks out on West Sahara statemate 12 July Ben Stein helps Peace Corps Partnership 10 July Chris Matthews returns to Africa 10 July more top stories...

Bill Moyers is stepping down
Bill Moyers is stepping down 16 July 2004


An Interview with Bill Moyers
An Interview with Bill Moyers 16 July 2004


Rep. Chris Shays in competitive race
Democrat Diane Farrell is giving Connecticut's Rep. Christopher Shays a run for the money, making the race for the 4th District Congressional seat the most competitive in the state 16 July 2004


Uzbekistan RPCV creates Milwaukee cards
Uzbekistan RPCV Monica LeMoine rivals Hallmark with Milwaukee cards 16 July 2004


Vote Kinkster for Governor
For God and Country Music: Vote Kinkster for Governor 16 July 2004


RPCV expands aid-relief operations in Iraq
Afghanistan RPCV John Barbee expands aid-relief operations into into the Al Anbar province in Iraq 16 July 2004


Carol Bellamy on Uganda's night commuters
Carol Bellamy writes about Uganda's night commuters: The children have to hide by night 16 July 2004


PC Employee Sentenced for Embezzlement
Ex-Peace Corps Employee Thomas Hunt Sentenced for Embezzlement 15 July 2004


Shays may be vulnerable in House race
Shays may be vulnerable 15 July 2004


Freedom Corps head presents Award
USA Freedom Corps head Desiree Sayle presents President's Volunteer Service Award 15 July 2004


Benin RPCV heads LA Arboretum
Benin RPCV Mark Wourms is new chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden 15 July 2004


Tanzania RPCV installs automated telescopes
Tanzania RPCV Eli Rykoff installs small, automated telescope in Turkey and Namibia 15 July 2004


RPCV is Coordinator for Homeland Security
Ecuador RPCV Matthew E. (Matt) Mercer is Regional Coordinator for Kansas Homeland Security 15 July 2004


Chris Shays plays down talk of CIA Director
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Chris Shays plays down talk of becoming new CIA Director 15 July 2004


RPCV reunited with the Filipino students
Forty years and half a world away, Farrar Atkinson was reunited recently with the Filipino students she inspired while serving in the Peace Corps in the 1960s 14 July 2004


Micronesia RPCV wins Service Award
Muskingum grants Distinguished Service Award to Micronesia RPCV Alison White MacConnell 14 July 2004


PC expands HIV/AIDS Programs
Increased Funding Will Expand Peace Corps’ HIV/AIDS Programs 14 July 2004


Scott McNally discusses qualifications
"Three terms in the house, peace corps volunteer, election observer, anti poverty worker, congressional aide, I've done a lot of things that are highly relevant to this congressional job," says Scott McNally. 14 July 2004


RPCV called to ministry
Peace Corps veteran Erica Smith called to ministry at Old South Union 14 July 2004


PNG RPCVs in Euro teacher exchange
Papua New Guinea RPCVs Steve and Kristi Booth bound for Euro teacher exchange 14 July 2004


Ivory Coast RPCV wins Press Fellowship
Ivory Coast RPCV Merle Geline Rubine awarded Knight International Press Fellowships for Journalism 13 July 2004


The Gambia RPCV is expedition educator
The Gambia RPCV Todd Borgie of Berkeley is expedition educator of a team of nine adventurers who are driving around the world in four Land Rovers to raise funds for Parkinson's disease 12 July 2004


RPCV skydives for 70th birthday
Swaziland RPCV Ron Beeson marks 70th birthday with plunge from sky 12 July 2004


RPCV helps in Russian orphanages
A recent Peace Corps volunteer, Marge Pease, 79, was moved by both the great need of the orphanages she visited and the gratitude of the orphans in Russia 12 July 2004


RPCV is a jewelry designer and maker
RPCV Thomas Tucker is a jewelry maker makes handcrafted silver jewelry from found objects from the coasts of California and Hawaii 12 July 2004


RPCV speaks out on West Sahara statemate
Morocco RPCV Jacob Mundy says Washington, Paris are behind the stubborn stalemate to give Western Sahara autonomy within the Kingdom of Morocco 12 July 2004


RPCVs own enne Farm and 1908 farmhouse
Kenya RPCVs Fran Einterz and Joyce Peterson are new owners of the Jenne Farm and its 1908 farmhouse 12 July 2004


RPCV returns to help in Sierra Leone
RPCV Christopher S. "Topher" Hamblett returns to help in Sierra Leone 11 July 2004


Colombia RPCV is busy trial lawyer
Colombia RPCV William F. Dow III is busy trial lawyer 11 July 2004


PNG RPCV sits on local draft board
Papua New Guinea RPCV James Foley sits on local draft board 11 July 2004


RPCV writes about Michael Jackson
Over the past 12 years, the distinguished Vanity Fair reporter, Maureen Orth, has become Sherlock Holmes to Michael Jackson's Moriarty 11 July 2004


Ben Stein helps Peace Corps Partnership
Ben Stein writes a check to the Peace Corps Partnership 10 July 2004


Chris Matthews returns to Africa
The wonder Chris Matthews first witnessed three decades ago, as a hitchhiker on his way home from the Peace Corps, is still there in Africa 10 July 2004


Yemenis allege plot to kill Tunisia RPCV
Yemenis allege plot to kill Tunisia RPCV Edmund Hull, Ambassador to Yemen 10 July 2004


Turkey RPCV coordinates Youth Exchange
Turkey RPCV Karen Hagewood is Bay Area coordinator for Youth Exchange and Study 10 July 2004


CD says PC will serve Caribbean
Eastern Caribbean Country Director Earl Phillips says Peace Corps will continue to serve the Caribbean as part of its mandate 10 July 2004


Shays surprised by inclusion on CIA list
Shays surprised by inclusion on CIA list 9 July 2004


Shays "Absolutely" would be CIA Director
"Would I like to take on the challenge (of CIA director)? Absolutely. It's one of the most important jobs in Washington," says Congressman Chris Shays 9 July 2004


Secretary Powell Visits Ecuador Volunteers
Secretary Powell Visits Volunteers in Ecuador 9 July 2004


Chris Shays considered for CIA Director
According to a senior Bush official, Chris Shays is being considered for CIA Director 9 July 2004


TIPS Program starts again under new guise
USA Freedom Corps has an imprint less like John Kennedy's and more like John Ashcroft's. Idealism has deferred to policing. 9 July 2004


Ecuador RPCV provides risk management
Ecuador RPCV -James T. Brache has joined the Zurich business unit providing insurance and risk management solutions in emerging markets as an underwriter 8 July 2004


RPCV's Tumi luggage up for sale
Tumi was founded in 1975 by Charlie Clifford, who named the company after an Inca god known to him through his Peace Corps stint in South America 8 July 2004


John Bridgeland named Harvard Fellow
John Bridgeland named Harvard Fellow 8 July 2004


Doyle leads business delegation to Japan
Gov. Jim Doyle will lead a business delegation to Japan 7 July 2004


RPCV in Afghaistan Army Civil Affairs Unit
Fiji RPCV Charles M. Blomquist heading for Afghaistan in Army Civil Affairs Unit 7 July 2004


RPCV returns to Ghana after 30 years
Bill Reid stepped from a plane onto the hot tarmac in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, tired but eager to return to the country where he had been a Peace Corps volunteer almost 30 years earlier 7 July 2004


McNally must capture the hearts of voters
McNally must capture the hearts, donations and votes of primary voters. His pitch to Democrats, especially those in the Connecticut River Valley, underscores his liberal credentials - his Peace Corps experience and his strong anti-war stance 6 July 2004


RPCV plans environmental trip to Argentina
Kristen Sullivan began planning for her environmental awareness trip to Argentina three years ago. She was inspired while working with the Peace Corps in Tegucigalpa, Honduras 6 July 2004


RPCV's life saved on Inca Trail
Mauretania RPCV Peter Schlesinger's life saved by a friend on the Inca Trail 6 July 2004


RPCV donates $100k to end illegal logging
Allen Andersson, a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras in the 1960s who went on to be a Washington entrepreneur, donated $100,000 to the march to end illegal logging 5 July 2004


RPCV learned woodworking from Rastas
In a four-year stint on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean, Robert Schwoeffermann worked as an accountant for a co-op of 30 Rastafarians who were magicians on the lathe and jigsaw 5 July 2004


RPCV to head San Diego Museum of Man
Panama RPCV Mari Lyn Salvado named new director of the San Diego Museum of Man 5 July 2004


Nigeria RPCV captured civil rights images
Nigeria RPCV Calvert McCann captured the images of civil rights movement that papers ignored 4 July 2004


RPCVs found Deep Roots Nepal
Nikhil Jaisinghan and Mark Ludwick found Deep Roots Nepal 4 July 2004


Israeli 'Peace Corps' takes bloom
An Israeli 'Peace Corps' takes bloom 4 July 2004


Ethiopia RPCV works in "Save the Children"
Save the Children's Rick Stoner, 58, who worked 22 years as an executive for Cummins Engine Co., is former Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia 4 July 2004


Shriver's life driven by a desire to serve
Sargent Shriver's life has been driven by a desire to serve others 4 July 2004


Friends mourn Sierra Leone RPCV
Friends mourn death of Sierra Leone RPCV John Auffrey 4 July 2004


RPCV Governor criticized in Ohio
Susan Gwinn, chairwoman of the Athens County Democratic Party says "Taft has been a disaster for Ohio. His approval rating is so low, it's unbelievable. We'll mention Taft every chance we can." 4 July 2004


Vasquez says portrayal doesn't jibe with facts
Director Vasquez says Dayton Daily News portrayal of Peace Corps doesn't jibe with facts 3 July 2004


Nepal RPCV is expert on maize
Anne E. Desjardins discovered maize some 30 years ago when the U.S. Peace Corps program assigned her to the Lamjung district of Nepal to teach science 3 July 2004


PC nurse helped save baby
Norma Mercedes Perugachi Tuqueres Stuart was scarcely more than a baby when Peace Corps nurse Betty Stuart and several Pottsville residents gave her a chance at a new life after she lost both hands and part of an arm in a bizarre accident 3 July 2004


RPCV works in Americanization Council
Wade Fickler had just returned from serving a Peace Corps tour of duty in Ukraine. Within that former Soviet republic, he had tried to instill some ways of democratic give and take 3 July 2004


Farr says US cannot simply leave Iraq
RPCV Sam Farr says U.S. cannot simply "leave" Iraq, as some people have suggested. "We're going to have to show the people there how to empower themselves so that they can take care of themselves when we are gone," Farr said, comparing it to his time in the Peace Corps 2 July 2004


AED donates StarOffice to PC
AED donates 2,000 copies of StarOffice 6.0 to Peace Corps 2 July 2004


RPCV records fitness music
RPCV Eric Wilson makes the music to move us 2 July 2004


Shays kicks off re-election campaign
Shays kicks off re-election campaign in Stamford 2 July 2004


RPCV Paul Johnson campaigns in Iowa
Congressional hopeful RPCV Paul Johnson campaigns in Algona 1 July 2004


Suspected RPCV molester appears in court
Suspected molester Timothy Ronald Obert appears in court 1 July 2004


Bridgeland says difficult to increase PCVS
John Bridgeland says "Many Americans would be surprised to learn how hard it has been to increase the number of Peace Corps volunteers, which only number 7,500 today, despite more than 200,000 Americans who have expressed interest in the program since Sept. 11" 1 July 2004


RPCV receives 6-week rotation in Zambia
Michael P. Toppe first traveled to Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa, and says his experience there greatly influenced his decision to become a physician assistant 1 July 2004


Morocco CD criticizes Bush MidEast policy
Morocco Country Director Peace Corps signs letter to President Bush criticizing Middle East policy 1 July 2004


RPCV is railroad enthusiast
RPCV John Krauskopf has passionate interest in railroads 1 July 2004