Author: James Edward Mills

#ORSummer, Adventure Activism, Environmental Justice, Outdoor Recreation, Outdoor Retailer, Summer / 01.08.2011

[caption id="attachment_5626" align="aligncenter" width="491" caption="portraits by Charlotta Janssen www.charlottajanssen.com"][/caption] In recent days environmental activist Tim DeChristopher began serving a two-year sentence in federal prison. Back in March the Utah economics student was convicted on two felony charges: making a false statement and violating laws on oil and gas leasing. He was also fined $10,000. Having disrupted a controversial auction to sell off the mining rights to public lands near two National Parks, DeChristopher committed in his words an act of civil disobedience in the hopes of doing good on behalf of the environment and future generations on this fragile planet.
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#ORSummer, #ORWinter / 25.07.2011

I believe that business can be an active force for good. And as I’m gearing up for the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market I’m excited about several emerging initiatives that blend commerce and philanthropy to achieve positive social change. By adding benevolent acts of good to their bottom line companies large and small can effectively contribute to the preservation of wilderness and the betterment of human lives.

            A grand ideal to be sure but since 2004 a marketing firm from my home base in Madison Wisconsin has contributed more $1.8 million in goods and services to support the work of over 100 non-profits. Knupp, Watson and Wallman (KW2) created a unique promotion vehicle to quickly build high quality advertising materials to help these charitable organizations tell their stories. Called Goodstock the annual event conjures up frantic storm of enthusiasm that is inspiring to behold. And I’m thrilled to announce that in 2012 the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market will host Goodstock as a four-day marketing experience live on the show floor.
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Adventure Media Review, Banff, Climbing, Interview, National Geographic, Podcast / 17.07.2011

  Many of us have a deep fascination with rock climbers. Big wall climbers in particular captivate our wonder and attention as we marvel that their daring feats of courage. And in the movie Alone on the Wall from Sender Films fans are introduced to a new breed of climber and the most breathtaking alpine style of all. Alex Honnold is one of those guys who has distinguished himself as a climber doing amazing things. Climbing the Yosemite big wall of Half Dome without a rope is what he’s best...

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Examiner.com, Magazines, Special Events, Stand Up Paddling, SUP The Mag.com / 13.07.2011

With a little bend, Tony Paul tests the flex on his newly purchased Quickblade standup paddle.

“Yeah, it’s really nice—a lot nicer than the one I’ve got now. I like it a lot!,” says Paul, who made a five-hour drive from Michigan to spend a warm Saturday at this weekend’s Midwest Stand Up Paddle Festival in Madison, Wis. “There are not a lot of events like this round,” added Paul, already busy making plans for his summer adventure to Hawaii with his young son, Gavin. “And to have all this gear to try out and so many experts to learn from this is really something special.”
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Adventure Activism, Adventure Media Review, Film Festival, Film preview, Fun Film Friday, Interview, Mountain Film, Podcast / 08.07.2011

  If you haven’t figured it out yet, a big part of this program is trying to figure out what makes people happy. Personally I believe happiness isn’t just something that happens. I think we all try to create things in our lives that bring us joy. But as Benjamin Frankly once said The Constitution guarantees all Americans the right to pursue happiness but it’s up to each of us catch it. I learned that quote from my friend Los Angeles filmmaker Roko Belic. At the 2011 Mountain Film Festival in Telluride Colorado he shared with me his latest project a movie he calls Happy.
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Adventure Media Review, Examiner.com, Madison, Outdoor Recreation, Stand Up Paddling, Yoga / 07.07.2011

Though vastly different practices Stand Up Paddling and Yoga have a lot in common. Both with an emphasis on balance and core strength the two disciplines encourage good posture and a calm mind. When combined they offer practitioners an expression of movement that is fluid and powerful lending benefits to each that make SUP and Yoga easier and infinitely more fun. In Madison a new class in SUP/Yoga is taking hold on the Near West Side just off Monroe Street. The calm and peaceful water on Lake Wingra is perfect for Stand Up Paddling. With powerboat traffic restricted to trolling motors it’s so quiet you can hear bird sounds and the rustling of leaves in the trees on shore. And on clear mornings with few waves or even ripples an SUP board is an excellent platform upon which to practice Yoga.
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