Start 'Em Young

I met 2-year-old Eliyah Keller at the Sarasota Naturally street fair.   He was sporting a t-shirt that said, 'Be green. It's cool!'  Start 'em young.  Growing up in the '70's during the energy crisis and inflation, I was taught  when you left a room you turned off the lights...and fans...and radios...and TVs.   You never left the refrigerator door open.  And, living in Michigan, we always turned the heat down when we left the house.  It was all about saving money.  Amazing how behavior like that sticks with you.  Years later, I still follow those rules. 

Sarasota Naturally

I was downtown yesterday afternoon and stumbled across a street fair called Sarasota Naturally.  It was  busy, which really wasn't surprising since Sarasotans typically are into all things green/natural.  What was surprising was the above scene:  hoop dance.  I had never seen it before -- or heard of it, for that matter.   Bonnie Brown was giving very cool demonstrations (which seemed to be a bit of a workout) and I couldn't help but notice she seemed quite happy, smiling the entire time. As it turns out, her business card says, "You simply cannot be unhappy while dancing with a hoop."  Apparently, hoop dance is growing in popularity and she offers lessons.   A group even gets together on Siesta Beach every Tuesday night at sunset --- and hoop dances.  Who knew?!  You can learn more on her website:   www.outwardspiral.net.