This Week's Top Stories

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

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February 26, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Folk-Singer Steve Schuch releases "Trees of Life" 26 Feb Christopher Bartlett maintains Marine Protected Area 25 Feb Joseph Frey uses amputation experience to help others 25 Feb James McCann concerned by maize in Ethiopia 25 Feb Sen. Obama says PC can help improve diplomacy 24 Feb PCVs help remove batteries in Belize 24 Feb Jimmy Carter praises mother's PC service 24 Feb Craig D. Wandke's lunar passion began in Honduras 23 Feb Char Andrews discusses her experience with cancer 23 Feb Beverly Seckinger tells stories through film 23 Feb J. Tyler Dickovick: As Togo goes, so may go Africa 23 Feb Andres Hernandez searches for PCV for 40 years 23 Feb Bulgaria is now like second home to Aaron Wills 22 Feb Bernadette Roberts to serve as diplomat in Albania 22 Feb USA Freedom Corps downgraded at White House 22 Feb Tom Skeldon seeks to control pit bull trade 21 Feb Gabriela Lena Frank writes music on Dad's PCV service 21 Feb

Tom Bissell's latest book reviewed in NY Times
The narrator of ''Chasing the Sea'' was edgy and garrulous, if always engaging. In ''God Lives in St. Petersburg,'' Tom Bissell reveals himself to be not only a subtle craftsman but also a mordant observer of a new generation lost in a complex and dangerous world 27 February 2005


Peace Corps Week proclaimed in Nevada
Next week has been declared Peace Corps Week in Nevada by Governor Kenny Guinn 26 February 2005


Folk-Singer Steve Schuch releases "Trees of Life"
Folk-Singer Steve Schuch (RPCV Dominican Republic) Taps into his Roots with "Trees of Life" 26 February 2005


Christopher Bartlett maintains Marine Protected Area
Since 2002, Christopher Bartlett has volunteered for the Peace Corps there, creating and maintaining a Marine Protected Area 25 February 2005


Joseph Frey uses amputation experience to help others
Russia RPCV Joseph Frey uses experience from amputation to help others 25 February 2005


James McCann concerned by maize in Ethiopia
On a trip to Ethiopia in 1986, James McCann was puzzled: the country’s agricultural landscape had been transformed since he first visited as a Peace Corps volunteer in the early 1970s. "Everyone was planting maize,” says the CAS and GRS history professor. “Maize is the most drought-prone crop one could grow.” 25 February 2005


Sam Farr hears opposition to Bush Social Security plan
Sam Farr hears opposition to Bush Social Security plan 25 February 2005


PCV sees interesting things during service in Bulgaria
I have seen quite a few interesting things during my Peace Corps service in Bulgaria: horse-drawn carts rolling down the highway, men wrestling in the grassy center of a village fairground for the prize of a goat, a heart-lifting song and dance show put on by some children of the minority Roma community, and a view of the surrounding countryside from the ruins of a 4,000-year-old Thracian fortress atop a nearby mountain 24 February 2005


Sen. Obama says PC can help improve diplomacy
When asked about cuts to the Peace Corps budget, Sen. Obama said programs like that, as well as international broadcasts and promoting more foreign student programs, can help improve areas of diplomacy. 24 February 2005


PCVs help remove batteries in Belize
In Belize, Rick and Stephanie Dalton helped remove batteries from San Pedro 24 February 2005


Taylor Hackford honored with nomination for Ray
Hollywood veterans like to say it's an honour just to be nominated for an Oscar. Taylor Hackford got that honour for directing Ray. And that's all he'll get. 24 February 2005


Paul Tsongas called attention to energy vulnerability
The late Senator Paul Tsongas called attention to the vulnerability of our energy system to sabotage in his book The Road From Here. Now, almost 25 years later it is time to take this problem seriously 24 February 2005


Jimmy Carter praises mother's PC service
Jimmy Carter said his mother's service in the Peace Corps as a nurse when she was 70 years old "was one of the most glorious experiences of her life." 24 February 2005


Craig D. Wandke's lunar passion began in Honduras
Craig D. Wandke's lunar passion began during the afternoon of July 20, 1969, when, as a Peace Corps volunteer, he looked up at the crescent moon in the sultry Honduran sky, heard Neil Armstrong's voice crackle over his shortwave radio, and was completely riveted by his small step onto the Sea of Tranquillity 23 February 2005


Char Andrews discusses her experience with cancer
RPCV Char Andrews talks Tuesday about her experience with cancer and her views about assisted suicide 23 February 2005


Beverly Seckinger tells stories through film
Morocco RPCV Beverly Seckinger has dedicated her career to telling stories about other people through film 23 February 2005


Bill Moyers will be honored with career award
Bill Moyers will be honored with the career award 23 February 2005


J. Tyler Dickovick: As Togo goes, so may go Africa
Togo RPCV J. Tyler Dickovick says As Togolese democracy goes, so may go Africa 23 February 2005


Andres Hernandez searches for PCV for 40 years
When Marilyn Brandt inquired about joining the Peace Corps in the early 1960's, Andres Hernandez was skeptical because she was blind. But once she got to the Dominican Republic and began working at the government school for the blind, he witnessed her immediate impact on the students as she exposed them to new experiences. With amazement, Hernandez watched as Brandt taught these children that their horizons didn't have to be limited by their lack of sight. 23 February 2005


Reed Hastings has attained every entrepreneur's dream
RPCV Reed Hastings has attained every entrepreneur's dream. But his story stands as a cautionary tale for every small business 22 February 2005


Bulgaria is now like second home to Aaron Wills
Bulgaria is now like a second home to Aaron Wills 22 February 2005


Bernadette Roberts to serve as diplomat in Albania
Romania RPCV Bernadette Roberts will serve as a diplomat in the American Embassy in Albania 22 February 2005


Aspen Institute names Judy Wurtzel Senior Fellow
Aspen Institute Names Morocco RPCV Judy Wurtzel Senior Fellow in Education & Society Program 22 February 2005


USA Freedom Corps downgraded at White House
Bush's 2005 A-list promotes three people and downgrades one White House post from assistant to deputy -- that of director of Bush's USA Freedom Corps -- following the departure of John Bridgeland 22 February 2005


Tom Skeldon seeks to control pit bull trade
Since he has taken office in 1987, Philippines RPCV Tom Skeldon has been on a crusade to control a booming pit bull trade that he's convinced is linked to gangs and drugs in Toledo 21 February 2005


Gabriela Lena Frank writes music on Dad's PCV service
Award-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank wrote "An American in Peru," a work that combines Jewish and Peruvian music to recount her father's travels in South America as a Peace Corps volunteer 21 February 2005


Thomas Gouttierre to speak at Centenial Dinner
Centenial Dinner will feature Thomas E. Gouttierre, Dean of International Studies and Programs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at UNO 21 February 2005


Carol Bellamy speaks on NY political campaigns
Carol Bellamy speaks candidly about how the voters of New York reacted to her campaigns for mayor and state comptroller 21 February 2005


Thomas Petri introduces Law to restrain Peeping Tom bosses
Thomas Petri introduces Law to restrain Peeping Tom bosses 19 February 2005


Bush thanks Dodd for Class-Action Fairness Act
Bush thanks Dodd for Class-Action Fairness Act of 2005 19 February 2005

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February 19, 2005: This Week's Top Stories NPCA Board positions are open for nomination 17 Feb Mike Tidwell on trial for climate acton protest 17 Feb Katie Dyer is co-owner of Cadeaux du Monde 16 Feb Cyclone misses Tonga and Samoa PCVs 16 Feb Phil Hardberger in debate for Mayor of San Antonio 16 Feb Edmund Hull is Princeton Diplomat-In-Residence 16 Feb Bruce Greenlee is longtime friend of Latino community 15 Feb Mike Honda new vice chairman at DNC 15 Feb Jospeh Opala documents slave crossing from Sierra Leone 14 Feb Dear Dr. Brothers: Aren't PCVs Hippies? 14 Feb Joseph Lanning founded the World Education Fund 14 Feb Stanley Levine draws Marine and Peace Corps similarities 14 Feb Speaking Out: JFK envisioned millions of RPCVs 13 Feb Chris Aquino visits mother's homeland of Vietnam 12 Feb Is PCOL blocking users from posting messages? 12 Feb JFK Library opens Sargent Shriver Collection 1 Feb RPCV responds to Bulgaria Calendar concerns 28 Jan

NPCA Board positions are open for nomination
All nine elected NPCA Board positions are open for nomination 17 February 2005


Vernon R. Alden remembers "Come as you are"
Shriver grabbed the receiver, and said, 'Vern, for heaven's sake, don't you know you're talking to the president of the United States? Get your ass back here!' Needless to say, I cancelled my beach plans, and left for Washington. 17 February 2005


Mike Tidwell on trial for climate acton protest
The six, including Chesapeake Climate Action Network executive director Mike Tidwell, were arrested for "peacefully refusing to vacate the road leading to the plant," according to a statement from Tidwell 17 February 2005


DDN series sparked tremendous debate with RPCVs
Last year, the Peace Corps received critical attention from the Dayton Daily News for what the newspaper reported were attempts to conceal its knowledge of assaults against volunteers. The seven-part series, called "Casualties of Peace," was a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting, sparking tremendous debate by Peace Corps volunteers defending the agency and those supporting the articles. 17 February 2005


Katie Dyer is co-owner of Cadeaux du Monde
Central African Republic RPCV Katie Dyer is co-owner of Cadeaux du Monde in Newport - Rhode Island's only alternative trade folk art gallery 16 February 2005


Cyclone misses Tonga and Samoa PCVs
Peace Corps Volunteers in Samoa and Tonga No Longer in Path of Cyclone Olaf 16 February 2005


Phil Hardberger in debate for Mayor of San Antonio
Phil Hardberger in debate for Mayor of San Antonio - Hardberger served as executive secretary of the Peace Corps under Sargent Shriver 16 February 2005


Edmund Hull is Princeton Diplomat-In-Residence
Edmund Hull, former U.S. ambassador to Yemen and winner of several State Department awards, has been appointed to fill Wilson School's first Diplomat-In-Residence position 16 February 2005


Nancie McDermott writes about Thai food
Nancie McDermott learned about Thai food during three years as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Thailand 16 February 2005


Bruce Greenlee is longtime friend of Latino community
Richmond soccer club officials say referee Bruce Greenlee, whom a lawyer accused of discriminating against one of their teams, is a longtime friend of the Latino community who co-founded their club and always treats everybody fairly. 15 February 2005


Kelly Darnell works on Tsunami Relief in Sri Lanka
Ivory Coast RPCV Kelly Darnell at work on Tsunami Relief in Sri Lanka 15 February 2005


Mike Honda new vice chairman at DNC
Mike Honda to use DNC to reach out to minorities 15 February 2005


PC to use Avue workforce management technology
Managers of Peace Corps nearly one thousand worldwide employees will use Avue's workforce management technology 14 February 2005


Dear Dr. Brothers: Aren't PCVs Hippies?
Help! Our son wants to join the Peace Corps! As we recall from the 1960s, that's mostly a bunch of hippies or druggies wasting time instead of working. 14 February 2005


Joseph Lanning founded the World Education Fund
Malawi RPCV Joseph Lanning founded the World Education Fund, a nonprofit foundation, in 1999. Since then the fund has sponsored 30 one-year scholarships for African children ages 14 to 20. All are AIDS orphans and many are girls — who by their gender and the constraints of their culture are often shut out of secondary school 14 February 2005


Jospeh Opala documents slave crossing from Sierra Leone
With the from the University of Sierra Leone, Opala opened an archaeology lab in 1977 and began unearthing more artifacts in sites around the village of Bumbuna (Part 2) 14 February 2005


Alberto Ibarguen to chair PBS panel
PBS announced a new outside review panel that has been in the works since last spring and that will review editorial standards in nonfiction prime-time shows. The panel will be chaired by PBS board Chairman Alberto Ibarguen 14 February 2005


Gilles d'Aymery praises Bruce Anderson's newspaper
Gilles d'Aymery says "I can't assure you that the world would be better off if it had legions of Bruce Andersons scattered all over the planet, but without hesitation I can guarantee you America would; and so will you when you read him." 14 February 2005


Stanley Levine draws Marine and Peace Corps similarities
Former Marine, Peace Corps Volunteer Stanley Levine Draws Correlation Between Corps 14 February 2005


Jim Roberts writes "Deliverate Love"
'Deliberate Love' by Colombia RPCV Jim Roberts intends to show road to harmony 13 February 2005


Speaking Out: JFK envisioned millions of RPCVs
Since 1961 only 178,000 PCVs have served, far from the yearly million Kennedy envisioned serving throughout the world from 1970 onward. Had visionary leadership pushed Americans to order our elected employees into invading today's trouble spots with millions of cost effective Peace Corps Volunteers, we wouldn't today be grieving over dead and maimed brave Americans 13 February 2005


PCVs view slavery at Gorree Island
From my son. a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, West Africa, I'm learning history that connects us to this African nation. Senegal is the African country closest to the U.S., and Goree Island was the last spot of motherland visible to the slaves bound for the Americas. 13 February 2005


PCV in Cross Cultural Roamnce in China
The story of Robert Eller and Yifan Zhou-Eller is a cross-cultural romance. The two met in China almost five years ago. Robert, originally from Lenoir, was working for the Peace Corps and teaching at Southwest Jiaotong University 13 February 2005


Paul Theroux's Favorite Love Story
Paul Theroux's Favorite Love Story 13 February 2005


Chris Aquino visits mother's homeland of Vietnam
South Africa RPCV Chris Aquino visits mother's homeland of Vietnam 12 February 2005


Is PCOL blocking users from posting messages?
I made a post and it didn't appear right away. Are you blocking users from posting messages? 12 February 2005


Turks on 'West Wing' are Head-Chopping Lunatics
Turks on NBC's 'The West Wing': Head-Chopping Lunatics 11 February 2005


JFK Library opens Sargent Shriver Collection
JFK Presidential Library Opens Sargent Shriver Collection 1 February 2005


RPCV responds to Bulgaria Calendar concerns
Letter to the Editor from RPCV Betsy Sergeant Snow about the story "According to American Peace Corps Volunteers: This is Bulgaria." 28 January 2005


Bulgarian Pigs and American Stains
Bulgarian Pigs and American Stains by Ognyan Georgiev 14 January 2005

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February 12, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Peter McPherson keeping busy in DC 12 Feb Martha Ryan wins Award for pre-natal program 12 Feb John Perkins reveals dark side of U.S. aid 10 Feb Kathleen DeBold involved in lesbian activism 10 Feb Jim Doyle to fix Wisconsin deficit without raising taxes 10 Feb Chris Dodd proposes Class Action Fairness Act 10 Feb RPCVs create Tsunami Assistance Project for India 9 Feb Donna Shalala talks about her Peace Corps days 8 Feb Senator Frist proposes Global Health Corps 8 Feb Bush's budget to end Perkins loan forgiveness for PCVs 8 Feb Tom Petri's Direct Loan Reward Act to save $18 billion 8 Feb Izaak Edvalson helps educate a Doctor 7 Feb Carol Bellamy condemns Female genital mutilation 7 Feb Carl Pope criticizes Bush environmental priorities 7 Feb Mike Tidwell defends wind farms 6 Feb Kinky Friedman for real? Voters may not care 5 Feb Bruce Anderson's Newspaper folds amid money woes 5 Feb

PNG RPCVs to do second tour in Armenia
Papua New Guinea RPCVs Bob and Peggy Watts to do second tour of duty in Armenia 12 February 2005


Martha Ryan wins Award for pre-natal program
After spending time in Ethiopia with the Peace Corps and returning to Africa several times on medical trips, Ryan began volunteering at the Hamilton Family Shelter in 1988 12 February 2005


Jay Rockefeller has Own Plan For Social Security
Jay Rockefeller has Own Plan For Social Security 12 February 2005


Peter McPherson keeping busy in DC
Peter McPherson keeping busy in DC 12 February 2005


House kills Sam Farr border fence amendment
By a 243-179 vote, the House turned aside a bid by Rep. Sam Farr, D- Carmel, to kill the border fence provision 11 February 2005


Pentagon continues study of Lariam side-effects
The Pentagon said a study that was begun a year ago to see whether the drug, called Lariam, had led to suicides or other problems is still in the preliminary stages 11 February 2005


John Perkins reveals dark side of U.S. aid
RPCV John Perkins reveals dark side of U.S. aid 10 February 2005


Kathleen DeBold involved in lesbian activism
Central African Republic RPCV Kathleen DeBold decided to get involved in gay and lesbian activism, a path that led her to the Victory Fund and her current position heading up the Mautner Project for Lesbian Health 10 February 2005


Jim Doyle to fix Wisconsin deficit without raising taxes
Gov. Jim Doyle bragged his budget would fix the state deficit without raising taxes 10 February 2005


Chris Dodd proposes Class Action Fairness Act
Responding to the abuses of class action lawsuits that clog the courts and stifle job creation, the Senate today passed the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, a bipartisan compromise measure co-authored by Senator Chris Dodd 10 February 2005


Soccer coach faces trial in RPCV's beating
Former youth soccer coach in Richmond faces trial in referee's beating 10 February 2005


Taft unveils bare-bones Ohio budget
Taft unveils bare-bones state budget 10 February 2005


Taylor Hackford's Ray DVD beats box office takings
Taylor Hackford's Ray DVD beats box office takings 10 February 2005


Robert Blackwill works with Council on Foreign Relations
RPCV Robert Blackwill named counsellor of Council on Foreign Relations 10 February 2005


RPCVs create Tsunami Assistance Project for India
RPCVs create TAP, the Tsunami Assistance Project, to construct a community center for the Akkaraipetta School community in Nagappattinam, India 9 February 2005


Miami Herald Publisher Alberto Ibargüen to resign
Miami Herald Publisher Alberto Ibargüen, the newspaper's first head honcho of Hispanic descent, recently announced his resignation 9 February 2005


Bill Moyers Apologizes to James Watt for Quote
Bill Moyers Apologizes to James Watt for Apocryphal Quote 9 February 2005


Proposal to name Dayton Federal Building for Tony Hall
A measure to name the Dayton Federal Building after former congressman Tony Hall was approved Tuesday evening by the U.S. House of Representatives 9 February 2005


Robert Blackwill says Iraq voting problems expected
Voting problems are to be expected, said Robert Blackwill, who helped choose Allawi as an envoy to Iraq 9 February 2005


Donna Shalala talks about her Peace Corps days
Donna E. Shalala recently spoke to the Hurricane's Megha Garg about her experiences in the Peace Corps. Shalala served in Iran from 1962 to 1964. 8 February 2005


Senator Frist proposes Global Health Corps
Senator Bill Frist proposes Global Health Corps proposed after tsunami disaster 8 February 2005


Mike Kelleher to teach democracy in Georgia
Sierra Leone RPCV Mike Kelleher to teach democracy in Republic of Georgia 8 February 2005


Jeanie Olivares works at Kids! Bright and Healthy,
Guatemala RPCV Jeanie Olivares works at Kids! Bright and Healthy, a nonprofit program that helps uninsured, low-income families 8 February 2005


Bush's budget to end Perkins loan forgiveness for PCVs
Bush's budget would end Perkins loan forgiveness for members of the armed services and Peace Corps volunteers 8 February 2005


Tom Petri's Direct Loan Reward Act to save $18 billion
Tom Petri touted his Direct Loan Reward Act that, if passed this Congressional session, would achieve savings of some $18 billion over the next 10 years in the federal student loan program 8 February 2005


Chris Shays traveled to Iraq to observe elections
Chris Shays was one of only two congressmen selected to travel to Iraq to observe that historic and even dangerous election process 8 February 2005


Tony Hall recounted seeing 25 children die
Tony Hall recounted once seeing 25 children die in a matter of minutes. “I never got over that,” said Hall, whose current job permits him to feed hungry people every day. 8 February 2005


Jason Rainey to lead River Citizens League
Russia RPCV Jason Rainey is new executive director for The South Yuba River Citizens League 7 February 2005


Izaak Edvalson helps educate a Doctor
Peace Corps volunteer Izaak Edvalson and a villager in Ghana seed a friendship in a true cultural exchange 7 February 2005


Geoff Craig writes about life in Yemen
Jordan RPCV Geoff Craig writes about life in Yemen 7 February 2005


Fabio Angell helps restore downtown Pharr
RPCV Fabio Angell helps restore downtown Pharr, Texas to its former glory 7 February 2005


Emilia Rastrick completes teacher boot camp
Kyrgyzstan RPCV Emilia Rastrick is ready to fill mid-term vacancies 7 February 2005


Lesil McGuire introduces PC bill for Alaska residents
Representative Lesil McGuire has introduced House Bill 127, legislation to ensure that Alaskans serving as Diplomats in the United States Foreign Service or in the Peace Corps will still be eligible to receive their Permanent Fund Dividend 7 February 2005


Carol Bellamy condemns Female genital mutilation
“Female genital mutilation and cutting is a violation of the basic rights of women and girls,” UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said Friday, speaking on the eve of the International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation 7 February 2005


Carl Pope criticizes Bush environmental priorities
"With this budget President Bush has shown once again that protecting the health and safety of our communities and families are not his top priorities," said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. 7 February 2005


Mark Stopha finds African friend still alive
After more than 10 years of separation, Sierra Leone RPCV Mark Stopha had been wondering whether his African friend Solomon Saidu was still alive 6 February 2005


RPCV's interest in yoga began in India
Mary Anne Wilkerson-Sennett’s interest in yoga began in India, first as a Peace Corps volunteer, then as a free-lance writer 6 February 2005


Bobby Shriver Goes to Santa Monica
Bobby Shriver Goes to Santa Monica 6 February 2005


Mike Tidwell defends wind farms
Mike Tidwell says in Washington Post op-ed that wind farms in Pennsylvania and West Virginia already are reducing the amount of coal that would otherwise be burned to power our regional grid 6 February 2005


Bill Owens donates photographs to auction
Jamaica RPCV Bill Owens donates photographs to auction 6 February 2005


Mary Smeltzer followed students into internment camps
RPCV Mary Smeltzer, 89, followed her Japanese students into WWII internment camps 5 February 2005


Kinky Friedman for real? Voters may not care
Kinky Friedman for real? Voters may not care 5 February 2005


Bruce Anderson's Newspaper folds amid money woes
Malaysia RPCV Bruce Anderson's Newspaper folds amid money woes 5 February 2005

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February 5, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Peace Corps swears in 12 new Country Directors 4 Feb Kenneth Hawkinson studies oral traditions of Mali 4 Feb Tony Hall urges politicians to bring religious faith to office 4 Feb Dodd opposes Gonzales nomination 3 Feb Dr. Robert Zeigler to head Rice Research Institute 3 Feb Taylor Hackford going into television with "E-Ring" 2 Feb President Bush's past promises in State of the Union 1 Feb Moreigh Wolf says gays cannot volunteer with partners 1 Feb Coleman to chair Peace Corps Subcommittee 1 Feb Vasquez assesses need in Southeast Asia 31 Jan James Bullington says Bush Inaugural speaks to PC 31 Jan Allen Andersson creates foundation to promote libraries 31 Jan Joseph Opala to film "Priscilla's Homecoming" 31 Jan Donna Shalala embarks on aggressive UM expansion 31 Jan Thomas Dichter says Poor Countries Need Smarter Aid 30 Jan Alberto Ibargüen to head Knight Foundation 28 Jan Helen Sheehy organizes "Endangered Peoples" exhibit 28 Jan

Peace Corps swears in 12 new Country Directors
Twelve New Country Directors Sworn In to Serve 4 February 2005


Kenneth Hawkinson studies oral traditions of Mali
Mali RPCV Kenneth Hawkinson studies the effects of Western society on the cultures and oral traditions of West Africa 4 February 2005


"Discovering Benin" temporarily sold out
"Discovering Benin" temporarily sold out - What people are saying about the DVD 4 February 2005


Margaret Minzner hired as GIS coordinator
Cameroon RPCV Margaret Minzner hired as the county’s GIS coordinator 4 February 2005


Tony Hall urges politicians to bring religious faith to office
Tony Hall urged religious men and women of both parties not to be shy about bringing their faith to the office and letting it be part of who they are in public 4 February 2005


Dodd opposes Gonzales nomination
Dodd opposes Gonzales nomination 3 February 2005


At 72, Stan Tarr was oldest member in Czech Republic
Stan Tarr was listening to National Public Radio when the director of the Peace Corps was interviewed and described a need for volunteers of Tarr's exact qualifications. So Tarr, 72, applied. He was accepted and became the Peace Corps' oldest member in the Czech Republic 3 February 2005


MCI to honor Sierra Leone RPCV Rosalie Williams
MCI to honor Sierra Leone RPCV Rosalie Williams 3 February 2005


American Lawyer honors Sargent Shriver and Elaine Jones
The American Lawyer Announces Winners of Its Second Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards: Sargent Shriver and Elaine Jones among honorees 3 February 2005


Jean Waagbo was pioneer in women's athletics
Honduras RPCV Jean Waagbo played on the first Howard County Youth Program softball and basketball teams and was the first Mt. Hebron girl to be offered a college athletic scholarship 3 February 2005


Carol Pope's Sierra Club is now slashing programs
The Sierra Club is now slashing programs, including staff in Portland, after exhausting much of its financial backing to battle Bush administration policies and spending millions in a failed drive to defeat the president. "We've been saying, 'Dig deep,' and people have," Carl Pope said. "The reality of that now is that people are going to give us less because they have less left to give us." 3 February 2005


Allison Hertzler organizes Tsunami benefit
Sri Lanka RPCV Allison Hertzler organizes benefit at her Green Rice Designs art gallery 3 February 2005


Dr. Robert Zeigler to head Rice Research Institute
Congo Kinsasha RPCV Dr. Robert Zeigler named as new director general of the International Rice Research Institute 3 February 2005


Georgia House names office building for Coverdell
Georgia House names office building for Coverdell 2 February 2005


Scott McNabb volunteers for Tsunami relief
Thailand RPCV Scott McNabb will volunteer for reconstruction efforts at Ban Gang Muang and Bang Bang Sak elementary schools 2 February 2005


Sylvia Boecker provides Practice Pointers for Nurses
Philippines RPCV Sylvia Boecker provides Practice Pointers On Filing Nurse Petitions In Manila 2 February 2005


Edward Olsen chosen as clinic director
Ethiopia RPCV Edward Olsen chosen as clinic director 2 February 2005


Taylor Hackford going into television with "E-Ring"
Taylor Hackford is venturing into television with producer Jerry Bruckheimer's NBC drama pilot "E-Ring" 2 February 2005


Kinky Friedman entering race for Texas governor
Kinky Friedman entering race for governor 2 February 2005


President Bush's past promises in State of the Union
Presidential promises scorecard: A review of President Bush's key promises in past State of the Union addresses and the results to date: For the Peace Corps, Promises not funded are promises not kept 1 February 2005


Moreigh Wolf says gays cannot volunteer with partners
Moreigh Wolf says: It turns out you are not worth a damn thing to the Peace Corps if you’re queer—unless you want to give up your partner 1 February 2005


Coleman to chair Peace Corps Subcommittee
Norm Coleman continues to Chair Senate Subcommittee that oversees Peace Corps 1 February 2005


Turkey RPCVs write letters to the "West Wing"
RPCV Colleen J. G. Clark writes an open letter to the "West Wing" 1 February 2005


James Walsh angry with Social Security calls
Congressman Walsh's office received hundreds of calls from constituents complaining about a message they received saying he supports a costly Social Security privatization plan 1 February 2005


Vasquez assesses need in Southeast Asia
Peace Corps Director Assesses Need in Southeast Asia 31 January 2005


Douglas Biklen earns Oscar nomination for documentary
Sierra Leone RPCV Douglas Biklen earns Oscar nomination for "Autism is a World" as best Documentary Short Subject 31 January 2005


James Bullington says Bush Inaugural speaks to PC
Niger Country Director James R. Bullington says President Bush's Inaugural Speech speaks directly to Peace Corps and to Peace Corps' role in Niger 31 January 2005


Isaiah Zagar is expert in South American folk art
After three years in Peru doing craft development work for the Peace Corps, Isaiah Zagar and his wife Julia, now experts in South American folk art, moved to Philadelphia and opened a craft gallery on South Street in 1969 31 January 2005


U.S. loses $9 Billion in Iraq - give 1% to PC
The U.S. occupation authority in Iraq was unable to keep track of nearly $9 billion it transferred to government ministries, which lacked financial controls, security, communications and adequate staff, an inspector general has found. How about giving 1% ($90 M) of that to the Peace Corps in next year's appropriation? 31 January 2005


Allen Andersson creates foundation to promote libraries
The Riecken foundation was created in 2000 by Allen Andersson who served in the Peace Corps in Honduras in the 1960s. 31 January 2005


Tom Bissell praised as gifted young writer
"There's no more gifted and exciting young writer in America than Tom Bissell." 31 January 2005


Maureen Orth covers Michael Jackson trial
Barbara Klein Interviews reporter RPCV Maureen Orth on the Michael Jackson trial 31 January 2005


Joseph Opala to film "Priscilla's Homecoming"
Sierra Leone RPCV Joseph Opala plans to film a documentary of the trip to Sierra Leone, which organizers have dubbed "Priscilla's Homecoming" 31 January 2005


Donna Shalala embarks on aggressive UM expansion
Donna Shalala has embarked on one of the most aggressive expansions in the history of the University of Miami, saying the school and the region need to grow together 31 January 2005


Thomas Dichter says Poor Countries Need Smarter Aid
Morocco RPCV Thomas Dichter says: What Poor Countries Need Is Less -- but Smarter -- Aid 30 January 2005


Rudy Vlaardingerbroek was a track man for 43 years
Ghana RPCV Rudy Vlaardingerbroek was a track man for 43 years 30 January 2005


Austin Merrill writes about "Children at War"
Ivory Coast RPCV Austin Merrill reviews "Children at War" 30 January 2005


PCV Eric Mattson helps rebuild village's millet machine
Senegal Peace Corps Volunteer Eric Mattson told his parents that Jelaba Dallaba had suffered a tragedy during an intense storm when a Baolba tree crashed through the building housing the millet machine 29 January 2005


Chris Dodd says Chavez was democratically elected
Chris Dodd says: There is no question in my mind that many of Mr. Chavez's actions have been provocative. But the reality is that he was democratically elected -- a fact The Post seems to ignore 29 January 2005


Alberto Ibargüen to head Knight Foundation
Venezuela RPCV Alberto Ibargüen has been elected by the trustees of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation 28 January 2005


Helen Sheehy organizes "Endangered Peoples" exhibit
RPCV Helen Sheehy is Exhibit Organizer for "Endangered Peoples: Struggling to Survive in a Global World" at Penn State 28 January 2005


Denise O'Toole traveled to China on study tour
Poland RPCV Denise O'Toole traveled to China last summer on a teacher's study tour and saw many parts of the country 28 January 2005