This Week's Top Stories

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

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December 31, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Lesotho RPCV starts "Touching Tiny Lives" 1 Jan Guatemala RPCV was grassroots veterinarian 31 Dec Reginald Hodges will head Durham Literacy Center 30 Dec Ed Seidel is Director of Marine Resources Aquarium 30 Dec PC wants happy, shiny faces without felony convictions 29 Dec Newspaper says PC could go to India and Indonesia 29 Dec Tom Johnson choses to spend Christmas in Sierra Leone 28 Dec Barry Rosen helps compile textbooks for Afghanistan 28 Dec Dorinda Dove learned to appreciate midwifery in Africa 28 Dec RPCVs host Exhibition at University of Rochester 28 Dec Mike Tidwell calls on Sierra Club Official to step down 28 Dec RPCV says we can express patriotism as we see fit 26 Dec more top stories...

Growing trend of older Americans in Peace Corps
Former Peace Corps volunteers Elene and Dale Hertweck are part of a growing trend of older Americans who heard the call of President Kennedy to serve in the Peace Corps when it was created in 1961, and can now finally enlist. 1 January 2005


Lesotho RPCV starts "Touching Tiny Lives"
Lesotho RPCV Kenneth Storen trying to save African children with " Touching Tiny Lives," a safe house for homeless children 1 January 2005


Bulgaria RPCV writes "The Existential Pagan"
Bulgaria RPCV Rel Davis is author of "The Existential Pagan" 1 January 2005


RPCV was was grassroots veterinarian in Guatemala
Faedra Fisher was grassroots veterinarian in Guatemala 31 December 2004


RPCV heads back to Swaziland after 30 years
Thirty years after serving in the Peace Corps in Africa, Sean Sullivan is heading back with his wife and friends 31 December 2004


"Sarge" is a beautifully written and organized work
"Sarge" is a beautifully written and magnificently organized work 31 December 2004


Peter McPherson avoids controversy
Covering Peter McPherson was always a challenge. Controversy was not his middle name, and he loathed being dragged into anything that even hinted of that 31 December 2004


RPCV Tom Bissell releases second book
RPCV Tom Bissell releases second book - God Lives in St. Petersburg 30 December 2004


RPCV will head Durham Literacy Center
Sierra Leone RPCV Reginald Hodges will head Durham Literacy Center 30 December 2004


RPCV helps students in Togo obtain books
Heather Senecal is trying to help 1,200 students in the tiny country of Togo obtain needed classroom books 30 December 2004


RPCV is new Director of Marine Resources Aquarium
Philippines RPCV Ed Seidel is new Director at Department of Marine Resources Aquarium 30 December 2004


PCV's vegatarianism challenged in Africa
When Laura Booher interviewed for the Peace Corps, the most difficult question pertained not to her political or religious views, but her dietary habits. "The woman interviewing me asked if I was a vegetarian," recalls Booher, who returned to San Antonio last month after serving for two years in Turkmenistan. "I said 'yes'." 29 December 2004


PC wants happy, shiny faces without felony convictions
Wanted: happy, shiny faces without felony convictions 29 December 2004


RPCV invented Snugli baby carrier
Inspired by the fabric baby-carrying slings she had seen mothers use when she was a Peace Corps nurse in West Africa in the 1960s, Ann Moore came home and invented the Snugli® baby carrier 29 December 2004


Washington Times says PCVs could go to India and Indonesia
Washington Times says Peace Corps volunteers could go to India, Indonesia and at least nine other nations damaged by the tsunami, but no decisions have been made 29 December 2004


RPCV choses to spend Christmas in Sierra Leone
RPCV Tom Johnson has chosen to spend Christmas in Sierra Leone for the past three years. There's no place else he'd rather be. Johnson is a sort of surgery broker and last year arranged operations in Ghana for two little girls suffering from tuberculosis of the spine. 28 December 2004


RPCV helps compile textbooks for Afghanistan
One of the hostages held in the American Embassy in Teheran was RPCV Barry Rosen. Years later, after 9/11, Mr. Rosen persuaded Teachers College, where he headed the press office, to resume its work of the 1970's in Afghanistan compiling school textbooks for the Ministry of Education. 28 December 2004


RPCV learned to appreciate midwifery in Africa
Dorinda Dove had experience providing traditional nursing care to children and other patients. It wasn't until she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi, Africa, and worked with a midwife that she learned there was a different way to bring children into the world 28 December 2004


RPCVs host Exhibition at University of Rochester
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Share Their World: An Exhibition at University of Rochester 28 December 2004


RPCV calls on Sierra Club Official to step down
Global Warming Activist Mike Tidwell calls for Sierra Club Official in Maryland to Step Down 28 December 2004


RPCV Bill Owens opens photography exhibit
Bill Owens jumped to fame as a photographer with the publication of his book Surburbia in 1972. Owens had taken up photography while working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica, and when he returned to America, he took a visual anthropology course in San Francisco. 27 December 2004


RPCV's film "We Are All Smith Islanders" is on tv
Author Mike Tidwell and filmmaker Mark Cohen wrote, directed and shot the documentary "We Are All Smith Islanders," that demonstrates how global warming could change the Chesapeake Bay region for the worse, using the waning livelihoods of Smith Island watermen as its main example 27 December 2004


Maria Shriver's fingerprints are everywhere
In Schwarzenegger's administration, Maria Shriver's fingerprints are everywhere, from the Impressionist landscapes that hang in his suite of offices, to the content of his speeches, to the people he hires, to his position on issues like stem-cell research and hybrid cars 26 December 2004


RPCV Chef welcomes guests for New Year's Eve
RPCV Vito DiLullo is looking forward to welcoming friends to his table for what he hopes will become a New Year's Eve tradition 26 December 2004


RPCV says we can express patriotism as we see fit
RPCV David C. LeBlanc says Freedom means individuals can express patriotism as they see fit 26 December 2004


RPCV 's book explores corporate fast lane
Ukraine and Turkmenistan RPCV Michael J. Wood's book 'Rise Up the Phoenix' explores corporate fast lane 26 December 2004


RPCV opens Gallery in Arkansas
RPCV Barry Joneshill opens Windborne Gallery 25 December 2004


Carol Bellamy to conclude her second term in April
The head of UNICEF, Carol Bellamy, an American, will conclude her second term in April. She is unlikely to seek a third term given Washington's insistence that no senior official should serve more than two terms 24 December 2004

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December 25, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Soldiers of Peace 23 Dec Nepal RPCV discovers new species of catfish 23 Dec Tom Murphy will not seek 4th term as Pittsburgh mayor 22 Dec Richard Celeste is spicing things up 22 Dec Gov. Jim Doyle streamlines state government 22 Dec Namibia Volunteers sworn in 21 Dec RPCV serves as Ukraine election observer 21 Dec Christmas Gifts for Peace Corps Volunteers 21 Dec Estonia RPCV John Isles wins NEA poetry award 21 Dec Director Vasquez decries racism and discrimination 20 Dec RPCV criticizes "harrassment by Russian government" 20 Dec War's horrors turn RPCV's son into pacifist 19 Dec more top stories...

Imagine tens of thousands of Americans in Islamic countries
Turkmenistan RPCV Dan Mladnick says: Imagine if the U.S. Peace Corps were half the size of the U.S. Marine Corps, instead of 4 percent of its size. Imagine if we sent tens of thousands of Americans into Islamic countries with the sole purpose of understanding and respecting local people while assisting in humanitarian efforts. 23 December 2004


Soldiers of Peace
Rom Boyd says: I have great respect for our American men and women who are overseas as military personnel – but there is nothing more satisfying than remembering, as our soldiers fight wars in the Middle East, that we also have a different breed of soldier abroad: the soldier of Peace. 23 December 2004


Nepal RPCV discovers new species of catfish
Nepal RPCV David Edds discovers new species of catfish 23 December 2004


Tom Murphy will not seek 4th term as Pittsburgh mayor
RPCV Tom Murphy, the second longest serving mayor in Pittsburgh history, announced yesterday that he would not seek a fourth term, saying he wants to spend more time with his family and end the political fighting that has come to symbolize his tenure 22 December 2004


Tom Murphy's tenure as Pittsburgh mayor
The ups and downs of Tom Murphy's tenure as Pittsburgh mayor 22 December 2004


Tom Murphy's legacy may be as a visionary
Tom Murphy's legacy may be as visionary, not politician 22 December 2004


The gospel of Bill Moyers
The gospel of Bill Moyers -- an unreconstructed progressive -- warns against the danger of media consolidation, the growing links between conservative government and conservative media and the threat of information control by government 22 December 2004


Richard Celeste is spicing things up
With 2 1/2 years in, Colorado College’s President Richard Celeste is spicing things up 22 December 2004


Helen Thomas honored by Sargent Shriver National Center
Helen Thomas honored by Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law 22 December 2004


Gov. Jim Doyle streamlines state government
Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday defended his actions to streamline state government and said he remains on pace to trim the state work force by nearly 10,000 jobs 22 December 2004


Newspaper says Murphy jumping before he's pushed
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says: Murphy jumping before he's pushed 22 December 2004


RPCV Thomas A. Dine is president of Radio Free Europe
Thomas A. Dine is president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines 21 December 2004


Namibia PCVs sworn in
US Peace Corps volunteers were sworn in by US Ambassador Joyce Barr and Oshana Governor Clemence Kashuupulwa at Ongwediva in Namibia 21 December 2004


RPCV serves as Ukraine election observer
Trey Aven, a business adviser for the Peace Corps in the former Soviet Union, Aven lived in Kiev in the late 1980s and the mid-1990s and developed an affection for the Eastern European country. When he learned the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America — a New York-based nonprofit organization representing interests of Ukrainian immigrants — was looking to dispatch a delegation of international election observers, Aven immediately signed up. 21 December 2004


Christmas Gifts for Peace Corps Volunteers
Christmas Gifts for Peace Corps Volunteers 21 December 2004


Estonia RPCV John Isles wins NEA poetry award
Estonia RPCV John Isles wins coveted NEA poetry award 21 December 2004


Last New Years Chris Shays angered NYC officials
Last year, Conncticut Rep. Chris Shays, angered city officials by urging revelers to skip Times Square for fear of a terrorist attack. Mayor Bloomberg, who hosted a bury-the hatchet supper with Shays earlier this year, said he was thinking about inviting his fellow Republican to this year's fete. "We would love to have Chris Shays," Bloomberg said. 21 December 2004


Director Vasquez decries steroeotypes
Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez said "Stereotypes still affect members of our society," He told graduates a story of how he was leaving a black tie event in a tuxedo surrounded by other men in tuxes, when a large Mercedes pulled up. The driver looked around for the valet and extended his keys toward Vasquez. "The next time this happens, I'm going to be ready. I'm going to take the keys and drive off," joked Vasquez. "I was in law enforcement and I know the difference between stealing and accepting a gift." 20 December 2004


RPCV criticizes "harrassment by Russian government"
Philippines RPCV Thomas A. Dine: Bagrov Conviction in Russia is an Effort To "Silence" Reporter 20 December 2004


ILCA criticizes Secretary of Labor Chao
The International Labor Communications Association says: the media continues to refer to Elaine Chao as the "Secretary of Labor," although she has little contact with labor and is generally known for repealing an ergonomics rule that had been 10 years in the making, and eliminating the right to overtime pay for millions of Americans. 20 December 2004


Prospective PCV sells service on ebay
My name is Robert Vitale and I'm a 24 year old guy from Connecticut. I've got a BS in Tourism and Hospitality focusing on developing sustainable tourism in countries where mass tourism just isn't feasable. I want to join the Peace Corps and give standard aid and help develop the economy through their program. Unfortunatly, I'm stuck home under the weight of around $23,000 in refinanced student loan debt. 19 December 2004


U.S. is slashing world food aid contributions
U.S. is slashing world food aid contributions 19 December 2004


RPCV Bob Cress helped get Jimmy Mote released
RPCV Bob Cress helped get Jimmy Mote released after almost one year in custody 19 December 2004


War's horrors turn RPCV's son into pacifist
War's horrors turn RPCV's son into pacifist 19 December 2004


Bill Moyers Gets In the Last Word
Bill Moyers Gets In the Last Word 18 December 2004

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December 18, 2004: This Week's Top Stories RPCV remembers Deborah Gardner's murder in Tonga 17 Dec Maoist insurgents in Nepal release Swiss aid worker 17 Dec RPCV Alison Williams exhibits portraits of Malian people 16 Dec Former Brazil Medical Director convicted of drug charges 16 Dec RPCV Joseph Opala researched slave trade in RI 15 Dec Vasquez sees resurgent interest in PC 14 Dec Senator who wanted duel with RPCV joins Fox 14 Dec NPCA planning National Day of Action for PC funding 13 Dec RPCV "Harry" Chandler votes in Electoral College 13 Dec Critic says Moyers delivered neo-Marxist propaganda 13 Dec Micronesia RPCV Walter Cavanagh has 1,496 credit cards 13 Dec PC "Survivor" Julie Berry headed for California 11 Dec more top stories...

Moyers' leaving 'NOW' after 33 years at PBS
Moyers' leaving 'NOW' after 33 years at PBS is a blow to inspired journalism 17 December 2004


RPCV remembers Deborah Gardner's murder in Tonga
A book reopens memories of a Peace Corps volunteer Deborah Gardner's murder in Tonga more than 25 years ago 17 December 2004


Vasquez asks College Graduates to volunteer
Peace Corps Director asks College Graduates to volunteer at Commencements at Chaminade and University of Wisconsin 17 December 2004


Liberia RPCV Sue Johnson is lamp shade designer
Liberia RPCV Sue Johnson is lamp shade designer 17 December 2004


Maoist insurgents in Nepal release Swiss aid worker
Maoist insurgents in Nepal have released a Swiss aid worker and three local staff members they had taken hostage. The US government this year decided to pull out its Peace Corps volunteers from Nepal following explosions at its information centre in Kathmandu. 17 December 2004


Moyers said he was liberal
Unlike some journalists who say that their kind ought not even vote if it means keeping the public's trust (yeah, right), Moyers said he was liberal. He talked frankly of being angered by how the renewal of civic values in the wake of Sept. 11 had been plundered by what he calls "wartime opportunists," like lobbyists and lawyers. 17 December 2004


Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley in Jeddah memorial service
“May God bless their souls, and give us the same courage to forget the pain we endured in losing them,” said Consul General Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley in a memorial service for those who lost their lives in the Dec. 6 terrorist attack on the mission in Jeddah 17 December 2004


Shays questions Pentagon anthrax vaccination program
Chris Shays has raised questions about the Pentagon's recent request for emergency authority to resume its anthrax vaccination program 17 December 2004


RPCV writes "The Undressed Art: Why We Draw"
Kenya RPCV Peter Steinhart writes "The Undressed Art: Why We Draw" 16 December 2004


RPCV Alison Williams exhibits portraits of Malian people
Alison Williams’ portraits of Malian people come from three years of documenting while working as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 1997 to 1999 and on two separate return trips in 2000 16 December 2004


Former Brazil Medical Director convicted of drug charges
Dr. William E. Hurwitz, who volunteered as the medical director for Peace Corps Brazil in the 1970s, convicted of drug charges 16 December 2004


RPCV Joseph Opala researched slave trade in RI
Sierra Leone RPCV Joseph Opala, an anthropologist at James Madison University, has researched the slave trade in Rhode Island 15 December 2004


Twenty-one environment volunteers in The Gambia
Peace Corps swears in 21 environment volunteers in The Gambia 15 December 2004


McPherson's legacy will remain long after he leaves
McPherson's legacy will remain long after he leaves 15 December 2004


Vasquez sees resurgent interest in PC
Peace Corps director sees resurgent interest 14 December 2004


Chris Shays to the U.S. Senate?
Word that Lieberman might accept a Bush cabinet post generated speculation in Connecticut about whom Governor Rell might appoint to fill the seat Lieberman has held since 1988. One veteran GOP strategist said privately Monday that the seat would be "Nancy Johnson’s to turn down" because of her seniority and because the Bush White House wouldn’t particularly care to see U.S. Rep. Chris Shays, R-4, in the U.S. Senate. 14 December 2003


Senator who wanted duel with RPCV joins Fox
Retiring Senator who wanted duel with RPCV Chris Matthews to join Fox News 14 December 2004


Pakistan RPCV retires from WV state government
Pakistan RPCV Ann Stottlemyer retires from West Virginia state government 13 December 2004


Nepal RPCV Fred Toll remembered for service
Nepal RPCV Fred Toll remembered for service to community 13 December 2004


Micronesia RPCV has 1,496 credit cards
Micronesia RPCV Walter Cavanagh has 1,496 credit cards 13 December 2004


RPCV votes in Electoral College
Chandler "Harry" Stevens, 69, served in the Massachusetts Legislature, ran a software company, served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine and found semi-retirement and political activism in southern Minnesota 13 December 2004


Critic says Moyer delivered neo-Marxist propaganda
Adieu to Bill Moyers 13 December 2004


Doyle pleads case for military bases
Doyle pleads case for military bases 13 December 2004


NPCA planning National Day of Action for PC funding
NPCA is planning a National Day of Action on March 1st, 2005 to voice support for strong funding for the Peace Corps 13 December 2004


RPCV Dave Magnani finalist for new college president
RPCV Dave Magnani finalist for new president of Massachusetts Bay Community College 12 December 2004


Samoa RPCV Richard Turbin looking at the long term
New bar president Samoa RPCV Richard Turbin looking at the long term 12 December 2004


Critic says Tom Murphy was in over his head
Columnist says Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy always was in over his head 12 December 2004


PC "Survivor" headed for California
Julie Berry, accepted into the Peace Corps, is California-bound after reality show 11 December 2004


PC servie cut short by accident on horse
Haly Barker had intended to put in two full years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho, but her assignment was unexpectedly cut short by several months when she was riding her horse and had an accident that severed her right Achilles tendon 11 December 2004


PCV planned pipeline connection
Peace Corps Volunteer Marlon Basel is the brain behind the completion of the project that involved the connection of pipelines from Gomoa Brofo, which is 3.4 kilometres away, to tap water from the Kwanyaku Water Works into a 1000 gallon capacity tank 11 December 2004


Tanania RPCVs are Houseplant experts
Houseplant experts Kent and Trish Daniels met while in the Peace Corps in Tanzania in the 1960s, where Kent worked in road construction and Trish was a teacher 11 December 2004


PCV discusses events in Ukraine
Peace Corps Volunteer Jeffrey Hartman says "In the two years I have spent living in Ukraine, I have never seen anything like the events of recent days" 11 December 2004


McPherson's last board meeting sparks memories
McPherson's last board meeting sparks memories 11 December 2004

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December 10, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable 9 Dec RPCV Blake Willeford runs classic movie theatre 9 Dec RPCV says education is key to curbing AIDS 9 Dec RPCV Dannielle Tegeder opens exhibition 9 Dec Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club 9 Dec "Today we have a new country" says Toledo 9 Dec DDN wins Investigative Reporting Award 8 Dec Celeste on Panel to study Colorado finances 8 Dec RPCV leads Rotary Club medical team to Togo 6 Dec Vasquez to speak at Hawaii, Wisconsin commencements 6 Dec Tom Murphy warns Pittsburgh on budget abyss 2 Dec Venezuela RPCV Martha Egan runs Pachamama imports 30 Nov more top stories...

McPherson punches out
McPherson punches out 10 December 2004


RPCV helped loan shark billions to third world countries
In his gripping tell-all book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, a guilt-ridden Ecuador RPCV John Perkins explains in amazing detail that EHMs are hired guns, employed by consulting companies under contract to the United States government, who loan shark billions of dollars to third world countries to develop their infrastructures 10 December 2004


McPherson says PC helped him learn to adapt
Peter McPherson says his experience in the Peace Corps helped him learn how to adapt. "When I was a Peace Corps volunteer, it was just a different culture," he said. "I found I couldn't be a gringo and be effective. 9 December 2004


RPCV Blake Willeford runs classic movie theatre
India RPCV Blake Willeford, now 61 and a retired carpenter, was just back from the Peace Corps when he bought The Clyde from the original owners, Norman and Hazel Clyde. At first his hippie friends worked concessions in exchange for free tickets. Now only the ticket sellers are volunteers, some for as long as 25 years. 9 December 2004


Liberals built organizations to win cold war
During the Cold War Democrats boasted organizations that connected the party's rank and file to the struggle against the Soviet Union -- building liberal support for efforts such as the Marshall Plan and the Peace Corps 9 December 2004


Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable
Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable 9 December 2004


Vasquez to speak at UW Madison Commencement
Vasquez to speak at UW Madison Commencement on December 19 9 December 2004


RPCV Margaret Krome fought AIDS in Cameroon
Margaret Krome says: I remember the summer I went into the Peace Corps in Cameroon in 1983. My parents were nervous about my going, of course, and envisioned many dangers from thieves, diseases, political unrest and other problems. The night before I left the country, my nurse friend Janet mentioned that, by the way, I ought to keep an eye on a new disease emerging in Africa, AIDS 9 December 2004


RPCV Dannielle Tegeder opens exhibition
Bangladesh RPCV Dannielle Tegeder has exhibition at Priska Juschka Fine Art 9 December 2004


Bush signs appropriations bill with $320 M for PC
President Bush has signed into law the bill approving spending during the fiscal year - bill includes $320 Million for Peace Corps 9 December 2004


Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club
Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club 9 December 2004


"Today we have a new country" says Toledo
"Today we have a new country with 361 million inhabitants," Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo said in welcoming seven presidents to the historic summit. "The South American Community of Nations which is born today should help us to confront the challenges of globalisation so that it is fairer, more equitable" 9 December 2004


DDN wins Investigative Reporting Award
Dayton Daily News' Peace Corps series wins $20,000 International Investigative Reporting Award 8 December 2004


Celeste on Panel to study Colorado finances
Richard Celeste on Panel to study government finances 8 December 2004


USA Freedom Corps launches kids site
The USA Freedom Corps has launched a new website designed to show elementary and middle school students how they can start making a difference by volunteering 8 December 2004


Shays is passionate defendor of new intelligence bill
Chris Shays (R., Conn.) says in passionate defense of the new intelligence bill that it should have been passed long ago and denied that it was not rushed through Congress. "The truth is time ran out on 9/1l. We're on borrowed time. … Sept. 11 was a wake-up call.'' 8 December 2004


Bobby Shriver Sworn In as Santa Monica Councilman
Bobby Shriver Sworn In as Santa Monica Councilman 7 December 2004


RPCV leads Rotary Club medical team to Togo
Charlie Cogan lived in Togo as a Peace Corps volunteer and Fulbright scholar, and he met his wife, Nalongue, there. There's a sad connection, too: He raised money for a blood-testing lab in Togo after his brother-in-law, in the absence of a lab, was misdiagnosed and died. Cogan, a member of the Northfield Rotary Club, will lead 16 Rotarians, including nine Minnesotans, on a trip to Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso this week to immunize children against polio 6 December 2004


Kinky Friedman proposes Texas Peace Corps
Kinky Friedman proposes Texas Peace Corps 6 December 2004


Vasquez in Hawaii to speak at commencement
Gaddi H. Vasquez, Director of the U.S. Peace Corps, is the Fall 2004 Commencement Ceremony speaker for Chaminade University of Honolulu on December 13 6 December 2004


Shriver was in Experiment in International Living
Sargent Shriver was one of the first college students to visit Europe through the Experiment in International Living. When Shriver went on to organize the Peace Corps in 1961 for his brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, he sought help from the Vermont organization 5 December 2004


Tony Hall says land seizures in Sudan could be tragic
Tony Hall, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. World Food Program, said the outcome of land seizures in Sudan could be tragic. ''The effects of this could be horrendous. Even if you get the displaced to go home, they would not own their land anymore. They might have to rent it or be forever homeless. I think we would then see a conflict and death toll that would be horrifying.'' 5 December 2004


Bill Moyers accepts Global Environment Citizen Award
Bill Moyers accepts Global Environment Citizen Award 4 December 2004


Tom Murphy warns Pittsburgh on budget abyss
Mayor Tom Murphy (RPCV Paraguay) warns Pittsburgh teetering on budget abyss 2 December 2004


Venezuela RPCV runs Pachamama imports
Venezuela RPCV Martha Egan owns Pachamama, a wholesale/retail import business in Albuquerque 30 November 2004


Bill Moyers interviews Judy Collins on NOW
Bill Moyers interviews Judy Collins on NOW and discusses suicide, alcoholism, depression and how tragedy has shaped her art 26 November 2004

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December 4, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Correction: PC to get 3.6% Budget increase 3 Dec What if Chris Matthews interviewed Bob Dylan? 3 Dec Bellamy addresses mine-free summit 2 Dec Donna Shalala says Protect families from HIV 1 Dec RPCV mentioned as candidate to head NAACP 1 Dec Bill Moyers wins Environmental Citizen Award 1 Dec RPCV is designer of Humane Trophies 1 Dec RPCV Chris Matthews interviews RPCV Chris Shays 30 Nov RPCV Bruce Anderson is town muckraker 30 Nov Tony Hall calls for more pressure on Sudan 30 Nov Peace Corps Census up for Second Straight Year 29 Nov Peace Corps gets chance in Mexico: 28 Nov more top stories...

Correction: PC to get 3.6% Budget increase
Correction: Peace Corps expects to receive $11 Million increase in this year's apropriations 3 December 2004


Shays joins Democrats on release of CIA report
Chris Shays joined 24 House Democrats who asked for the release of a draft CIA report on the September Eleventh attacks 3 December 2004


PC Applicant still on Survivor Vanuatu
Julie Berry of Gorham is still on the island, with only a few weeks left. Berry was accepted into the Peace Corps but has not served yet 3 December 2004


RPCV to head news bureau in Pakistan
Morocco RPCV James Rupert will open Newsday’s newest international bureau, in Islamabad, Pakistan, from where he will reinforce the paper’s coverage of the Islamic world 3 December 2004


What if Chris Matthews interviewed Bob Dylan?
What if Chris Matthews interviewed Bob Dylan? 3 December 2004


Lancet questions American for next Unicef head
Lancet Magazine questioned why outgoing UNICEF chief Carol Bellamy and her three predecessors are Americans and suggests the net for candidates should be cast wider. "It is hard to believe that the person best equipped to address the global plight of children can only be an American," he said. 3 December 2004


Bob Taft denies Peace Corps rumor
Bob Taft denies rumor that he could be headed to a federal job connected with the Bush administration, maybe as an ambassador or even as head of the Peace Corps 2 December 2004


Dodd discusses America's critical "language deficit"
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), discusses our nation's critical "language deficit" 2 December 2004


Bellamy address mine-free summit
"Until the largest producers - even those not producing any more, but are still stockpiling - do away with their stockpiles and stop producing, I think none of us should be content," Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the UN Children's Fund, told a news conference on the sidelines of the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World 2 December 2004


Tony Halls says troops in Sudan spread too thin
Tony Hall, US ambassador to the UN food agencies in Rome, said he believed that African Union troops in Darfur were too spread out and lacked a mandate to stop continuing violence 2 December 2004


McPherson possible candidate for cabinet spot
Supporters said Peter McPherson would be a strong candidate for any number of government positions, including a cabinet spot 2 December 2004


Taft not contacted by White House about job
Bob Taft said he has not been contacted by anyone in the Bush administration about a job. "And I'm not contacting them." 1 December 2004


Bill Moyers wins Environmental Citizen Award
2004 Global Environmental Citizen Award Goes to Bill Moyers 1 December 2004


RPCV is designer of Humane Trophies
Ethiopia RPCV Dianne Shapiro is CEO, company founder, and designer of Humane Trophies 1 December 2004


RPCV was aggressive advocate for children
Public Guardian Patrick Murphy (RPCV Somalia), outspoken and aggressive advocate for children and the elderly, leaves the post he held for 26 years 1 December 2004


Donna Shalala says Protect families from HIV
Donna Shalala says Protect women, families from HIV 1 December 2004


RPCV mentioned as candidate to head NAACP
RPCV Elaine Jones mentioned as candidate to succeed Mfume to head NAACP 1 December 2004


RPCV Chris Matthews interviews RPCV Chris Shays
RPCV Chris Matthews interviews RPCV Chris Shays on Hardball 30 November 2004


RPCV Bruce Anderson is town muckraker
Malaysia RPCV Bruce Anderson, the town muckraker and ranter in chief, KZYX was a "hippie-ding enterprise," a symbol of the "wine-and-cheese gentry," the "lib-lab yuppie hypocrites," the "educrats," the "thumbsuckers," the "New Age barnacles," the "feral enviro-Druids" and other well-meaning ineffectual "Nice People" who flocked to hippie festivals in the early 1970's and stayed 30 November 2004


Shriver and Schwarzenegger discuss marriage
Shriver, Schwarzenegger discuss marriage, politics in Vanity Fair 30 November 2004


RPCV Mary-Ann Tirone Smith writes books about evil
Cameroon RPCV Mary-Ann Tirone Smith writes books about evil. About evil people. Horrific events. About people who do the unspeakable and then have the temerity to speak about it. 30 November 2004


Bridgeland hosts National Conference on Citizenship
Civic Enterprises President & CEO John Bridgeland will host National Conference on Citizenship 30 November 2004


Poll shows Rell win if Dodd enters race
Polls show Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell would narrowly win against Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, 45 to 43 percent, if Dodd decided to enter the race 30 November 2004


Tony Hall calls for more pressure on Sudan
Tony Hall called for the U.N. and individual governments to put more pressure on Sudan to honor pledges 30 November 2004


McPherson heads study abroad Commission
A national commission led by Michigan State University President Peter McPherson formed to advise Congress on study abroad issues will hold its first meeting 30 November 2004


Peace Corps Census up for Second Straight Year
Peace Corps Census up for Second Straight Year to highest level in 29 years 29 November 2004


Peace Corps gets chance in Mexico:
Peace Corps gets chance in Mexico: Grayer group of 13 Americans is service's first in cautious nation 28 November 2004


Kinky Friedman reviews Jimmy Buffett
Kinky Friedman thinks ''A Salty Piece of Land'' is very possibly Buffett's best work to date 28 November 2004


Sam Farr at National Nicaragua Network
Sam Farr will be a principal participant on ways to educate congress on solidarity and immigration issues in the present political climate 27 November 2004