McCain and Obama at Saddleback on August 16th
I’m not sure how freely I can post information I’ve found about the McCain and Obama joint appearance at Saddleback Church in Orange County on August 16th, so to play it safe, I’ll quote from credentialed sources. I do know a PR firm, A Larry Ross Communications, is helping with media communications, and it is a good thing to prevent miscommunication, though I also know in an open-source Wikipedia world, everyone has a voice to the public and can chime in on lively discussions and speculations in the blogosphere and twittosphere / twitterverse.
New York Times was one of the first to mention the event. Local newspaper, OC Register, will have updates at its Total Buzz blog. There’ll be approximately 6,500 event tickets available for 6 on-campus venues; ticket information online when details are finalized. I’d imagine this event will be televised live on TV networks too, but no promises from me.
Here’s the official press release from RickWarrenNews.com about the August 16th event, dubbed Saddleback’s Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion::
PRESUMED PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES MCCAIN AND OBAMA TO MAKE FIRST JOINT CAMPAIGN APPEARANCE ON AUGUST 16 AT SADDLEBACK CHURCH: Pastor Rick Warren to Host Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion and Question Candidates on Faith and the Common Good
LAKE FOREST, Calif., July 21 – Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, respective presumed Republican and Democratic presidential nominees, will end the primary season by making their first joint appearance of the 2008 campaign at Saddleback Church on Saturday, Aug.16 at the Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion. Dr. Rick Warren, founding pastor of the 22,000-member Orange County, Calif. mega church and moderator for the event, made the announcement today upon confirmation by both campaigns.
“We’re honored that the candidates chose The Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion for their first joint appearance, an unprecedented opportunity for America to hear both men back-to-back on the same platform,” Warren said. “This is a critical time for our nation and the American people deserve to hear both candidates speak from the heart – without interruption – in a civil and thoughtful format absent the partisan ‘gotcha’ questions that typically produce heat instead of light.
“The primaries proved that Americans care deeply about the faith, values, character and leadership convictions of candidates as much as they do about the issues. While I know both men as friends and they recognize I will be frank, but fair, they also know I will be raising questions in these four areas beyond what political reporters typically ask. This includes pressing issues that are bridging divides in our nation, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate and human rights.”
Warren confirmed that, at the candidates’ request, this two-hour event from 5-7 p.m. (PDT) will be held in a non-debate format and open to all media. Both candidates also requested that questions be posed exclusively by Warren, instead of a panel or members of the audience. Each will converse separately with Warren for approximately one-hour, beginning with Sen. Obama as determined by a coin toss. This historic forum will be the only joint campaign event prior to each party’s national convention.
“While debates typically focus primarily on the candidates’ positions and only secondarily on how they’d lead and make decisions, this Saddleback Civil Forum will reverse that ratio,” Warren continued. “Since the oath of the President is a commitment to protect the Constitution, it’s critical to know how each candidate interprets the nature of its principles. Leadership involves far more than promoting programs and making speeches, and since no one can predict what crises will happen over the next four years, it is vital to know the decision capacity and process of each man.”
Warren has known each candidate prior to their run for national office. Both men recorded video messages to attendees at Saddleback’s annual Global Summit on AIDS and The Church last November. Along with other national and international leaders, each has also endorsed Warren’s vision of the P.E.A.C.E. Plan, a 50-year strategy to mobilize millions of local churches around the world to address five global problems: spiritual emptiness, corrupt leadership, poverty, disease and illiteracy. After four years of testing prototypes of the P.E.A.C.E. Plan in 68 countries, the P.E.A.C.E. Coalition, involving business, church and government partnerships, was launched in April.
In conjunction with the Civil Forum event, Warren will convene an interfaith meeting at the church for approximately 30 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders to discuss cooperation in projects for the common good of all Americans. Members of the P.E.A.C.E. Coalition Leadership Council will also fly in for weekend events.
On Sunday, Aug. 17, Warren will deliver a special sermon entitled, “Making Up Your Mind: Questions to Consider before the Election,” which will be streamed live on the church Web site, www.saddleback.com, and made available for use in small group discussions within churches across the country.
The Saddleback Civil Forum was established to promote civil discourse and the common good of all. The first forum, held during Passover week this year, featured five Jewish World War II Holocaust survivors sharing their stories. The next Saddleback Civil Forum in September will feature former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
“In addition to my primary calling to proclaim the Gospel Truth of salvation in Jesus Christ, these Civil Forums further three other life goals: helping individuals accept responsibility, helping the Church regain credibility and encouraging our society to return to civility,” Warren added.
Saddleback Church has invited Faith in Public Life, which hosted a Compassion Forum at Messiah College in Pennsylvania last April, to co-sponsor this special Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion. Approximately 6,500 tickets to the event will be allotted for seating in six different venues throughout the 120-acre Saddleback campus.
orange you the conference guy?
I love going to conferences, not so much for the content, but more for meeting people, those I’ve met and those I’ve yet to meet. What I’m discovering, as a relational-oriented guy, and not a task- or goal-oriented guy, I look for people connections more than trying to find personal applications or takeaways. More responder than initiator — that doesn’t make me a bad person.
One thing I’ve done this season is to wear orange at conferences, lotta orange- on my phone cover, shoes, headphones, mouse, water bottle, t-shirt, Bible… Great color to spot in a crowd, like I’m a human traffic cone. Aside: my orange Crocs stand out, attracting eyes that glance down, but most people refrain from commenting. I’ll smirk back at ‘em. [photo courtesy dankimball]
When I meet new people, I’m starting to hear: “aren’t you the conference guy?” I think to myself, no, I’m not. I’m attending more of them than I used to, but I’ve never been to notable conferences like Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit, Catalyst, Exponential - the mother of all church planting conferences, Buzz, Granger’s Innovate, Desiring God, C3, Soularize, Resurgence, Off the Map, National Outreach Convention [w/ free webinars leading up to Nov 08]. Ohhhhh, and, there’s one called the Orange conference! All of these are church/ faith related. Too much worky-ness.
By the way, save the dates January 27-28, 2009, for a BIG conference Innovation3 in Dallas, hosted by Leadership Network.
For my own fun, I’d go to conference for my vacations– on my short list: TED, SXSW, Gnomedex, International CES, podcamp/ unconference, MacWorld Expo. Family probably wouldn’t enjoy ‘em like I would.
I think conferences are great for motivational inspiration and a shared experience with a leadership team, not so much for content or information. Great for connections too. I wonder when Christian conferences will live-stream their sessions, give it away for free, instead of keeping it as an exclusive for attenders. Some conferences do give their content away for free post-event (eg resurgence, Desiring God). Conferences can be more about connections and conversations than content and control.
I’d like to see more rethinking and more innovation on the conference economic engine / business model. Pagitt, how about reimagining conferences?
Cf. I wonder if conferences [as we know it] have a future as travel costs escalate? Jeff Shinabarger on what makes a good event; Seth Godin on the new standard for meetings and conferences
Saturday Surprises: Tired is the new Fine
Bible App for iPhone powered by YouVersion, free at that; even if I don’t have an iPhone (yet?), it’s still very nice
Tired is the new Fine. I’m noticing that answers to “How are you?” is switching from “Fine.” to “Tired.” Haven’t you? In DETAILS magazine — Being Tired Is Not a Status Symbol — “Some people think telling everyone how exhausted they are makes them seem important. But flaunting your fatigue only makes you insufferable… Stop complaining–No one cares how tired you are.” [ cf. So Tired: Where Web surfers go when they haven't slept a wink; EDGE's Jeanne Harnois notes, "Caffeine, the new status symbol"; tired.com contrasts with wired.com ]
Pastors in rural area churches, or “in the sticks”, there’s a conference for you in Loudonville, Ohio — aptly called “the sticks” conference, November 11-12, 2008. [ht: LeadingSmart] cf. conference blog has latest updates and a Free Gas giveaway.
Kinko’s is fading away. Several months ago in car with wifey, behind a FedExKinko’s truck, I commented to her that the Kinko’s font is so thin compared to the FedEx font, I think Kinko’s is going to fade away and disappear. Lo and behold, it’s now official. I saw it coming, er, going.
Jason Calacanis retires from blogging and holds a mock press conference to answer questions. He’s only been at it for 5 years; I’ve been blogging since 1999. But then again, I didn’t have to deal with the pressures of being an A-List blogger.
Starbucks is closing 600 of its stores all over the United States, and here’s a list of 7 in Orange County that I have been to and/or have co-worked at:
- valley view & firestone 16610 valley view ave la mirada ca
- pch & boat canyon 636 n pacific coast hwy laguna beach ca
- lake forest & muirlands 22621 lake forest dr lake forest ca
- marguerite & college dr 28171 marguerite pkwy mission viejo ca
- trabuco hills 27775 santa margarita pkwy mission viejo ca
- newport & el camino real 14001 newport ave tustin ca
- newport & main 13681 newport ave tustin ca
See the complete list of Starbucks stores closing before June 2009. [ht: savvywallet] 3 other OC Starbucks are closing too.
Should I get an iPhone 3G or iTouch?
Having been an AT&T customer for years, way back to when it was AT&T Wireless, became Cingular, then becoming the new AT&T (formerly known as SBC), my current mobile phone of choice is a Blackberry Curve 8300. 
I’ve had it for just over a year, actually decided to get the Curve instead of the 1st iPhone launched a few days later. The Curve has served me well, and still does.
With the frenzy over iPhone 3G launch last weekend, I took a look at my cell phone upgrade elgibility, and wouldn’t you know it, I’m eligible on 7/19/08! That’s this weekend!
Since the prices and calling plans are plain confusing, I don’t know how much more an upgrade to iPhone 2.0 will cost me over the 2-year contract. My calling plan + data plan already pushes me past the 3-digit mark every month (i.e. $100+). My monthly communications allowance is $180, which is inclusive of my cell phone and internet (DSL).
Right now I’m leaning towards getting the iTouch, which would have everything except the phone part — I can still get music, videos, photos, use apps, and browse the internet via wifi. And by keeping the Curve, too, I’d more have overall longer battery life on the road — the Curve and the iTouch. So that’s what I’m thinking — what do you think? I’ll put it up for a vote:
Now, the voting results will not be binding, but (just like the election) your vote does count! And, remember, this is an exhibition not a competition so please, no wagering.
[update] hmmm.. Gadgetress found 6 ways to win a free iPhone
[update 2] talked with 2 different AT&T CSRs and they say my monthly costs will remain the same! So, now it’s deciding when to get in on the iPhone bandwagon, and whether 8gb or 16gb!
Viva Vivanno and Sorbetto at Starbucks
Rumor has it that 2 brand new goodies are being released this week at Starbucks: the Vivianno and the Sorbetto.
Thrilled about the news! 1 of my Starbucks ideas is coming true: delicious soft serve ice cream and/or frozen yogurt!
From USA Today’s Starbucks brings new fruit smoothie to the table ::
On Tuesday, Starbucks (SBUX) will roll out Vivanno, a $3.75 better-for-you fruit smoothie made with one whole banana, juice, ice, and protein and fiber powder. It has no artificial colors or flavors, and no added sweeteners… Starbucks also will roll out another summer-like beverage Tuesday in 315 Los Angeles-area stores: Sorbetto.
Grady calls Sorbetto a “drinkable sorbet.” Similar drinks are common in Italian cafes, he says. A 10-ounce cup of Sorbetto is $2.75.
According to Reuters’ Is Starbucks’ Vivanno the next Frappuccino? ::
… chalkboards announced that Vivanno Nourishing Blends smoothies would be available in just four days. … drinks would come in orange-mango-banana and banana-chocolate flavors.
[update 7/16] got a free sample cup of Sorbetto this morning, tastes great! Price point is too high — $2.95 for a 10 oz drink. That is a smaller cup than a Tall! My suggestion: larger size, lower price point. I had thought Sorbetto was frozen yogurt, but it’s not — it’s a mix of frozen yogurt with juice. I asked barista if I could order a Sorbetto and just get FroYo without juice; she said “Yes.” (!)
[update 7/17] I got my first Sorbetto, the mango + yogurt blend, pretty good. It’s similar to yogurt drinks like Lassi and Doogh in other parts of the world. But, at $2.95 for a 10 oz cup, it’s way over-priced and I’m not sure it’d work for the American palette. This Sorbetto would work great in the Middle East and Asia if the price is right.
Isn’t it hard to go missional?
Helen Lee is working on a Leadership Journal article about the changes that have occurred in pastors’ mindsets about the Gospel and mission. She’s looking to hear from pastors who are gung-ho about transforming their churches (under 200 in size) to become more missional (and/or emergent), but finding it more difficult to do than they had expected/hoped.
Would you be a pastor or know a pastor that’s willing to share your story? You may add a comment here, or contact Helen Lee directly by email [helenleemail@gmail.com]. Helen will be happy to keep any and all comments anonymous, if so desired.
Saturday Surprise: what to get for DJ’s birthday
I am now 42 years old. Had a joyous birthday earlier this week (I’m not giving you the exact date of birth to prevent identity theft) - THANKS for all the Facebook birthday wishes (more than 42!) and presents and presence. Thrilled to have a full Godfather table (Buca Di Beppo) for belated celebratory birthday dinner last night. My kind of dining ambiance! I’m not into group photos, so there ain’t any, gottaproblemwiddat? The best happy birthday wish I got at birthday dinner:
About presents and gifts for me, in a world of gift cards, here’s my insider tips: I love Starbucks, Five Guys, Under Armour; Target, B&N is okay; I don’t shop at Best Buys, but often get their gift cards, so kindly stop it. Could also use my amazon.com wish list as a shopping guide….
Here’s my surprise finds for the week:
- this guy is researching for a dissertation on videogame typography - whoa
- Plaxo bought out by Comcast - what’s that about? Cable and online address book?? here’s their explanation
- MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY TOOLBOX: 45+ Mobile Productivity Resources - nice list at Mashable, from last year; anyone know of a better list?
- I tried out free YouMail.com for a few days, very cool to get customized greetings for my voice mail depending on who’s calling, nice text transcription, nice to get text msg with caller ID on who called, nicely integrates & replaced my cell phone voicemail inbox; BUT notification was slow, not instant like my own cell phone voice mail, so I switched back; if only GrandCentral.com would open up already!
- and, a confession — I gots a man crush on Carlos “Ragamuffinsoul” Whittaker, and his wife Whittaker Woman, for whom God wrote a whole commandment to not covet — both are very active bloggers, giving their lives away; he doesn’t need the link love, but I need the confession (aside: note the 2 “t”s in Whittaker)
- great to co-work with Tony Steward on Friday; co-work with us next Friday 7/18 morning at Starbucks (Alicia & Jeronimo, Mission Viejo); gotta try their new Sorbetto, which will be at that sbux nxt wk; cf. “The Sorbetto is nice-it’s a drinkable yoghurt drink, kinda like soft-serve but with the option to add Naked Juice concentrates. One of the bases is from Pinkberry. … If it doesn’t sell well in Cali, they say it won’t be rolled out nationally.“
- some of the Best Intel is in the comment thread of blogs, anyone know of a search engine that can search them without having to ping coComment? would someone build a web app that auto-subscribes to WordPress comment feeds and search them hmm.. or maybe CoComment could do that *hint hint*
great posts- recent links I've found
- CushyCMS - Take the work out of managing content
- WebWorkerDaily Archive What You Should Know Before you Switch from BlackBerry to iPhone
- One Minute Entrepreneur / E-strengths Assessment
- Introducing Prologue WordPress.com
- Seth's Blog: Weird dreams
- Personality Profile of djchuang (Personality Type, Multiple Intelligences)
- Business, Economics, Culture, and More ? The American, A Magazine of Ideas