Great Clay/Somalia-Kenya Trip Mention On Eco-Friendly Blog

You never know where you are going to see a mention of Clay. I found a great mention on a blog, Ecorazzi, by meganr, who bills herself as "a part-time blogger, part-time ‘Green’ crafter, and full-time Eco-Mom".

Ecorazzi, "The Latest in Green Gossip", has quite a variety of articles, all having to do with stars who are taking care of the earth in one green way or another. For example, did you know that Johnny Depp is going to power the Caribbean island that he owns with Solar Hydrogen Tech? Click on Johnny Depp's name to read about that and to see his island (did you even know he owned an island!). You can also read about Miley Cyrus's eco song, Toby McGuire's vegetarian diet, oh, and of a course an article about Clay Aiken's trip to Somalia and Kenya.

This blog is a really positive one about Clay and his trip with UNICEF. Check out these comments from meganr's blog:

• "It seems like this guy has been focusing on more than just his music."
  
  
• "Here, he makes a touching statement about the importance of education and the work UNICEF is doing:"
  
  
• "Personally, I believe that education is the key to our future and the key to solving our environmental problems, so hooray for Clay for bringing some celeb status to these issues."

To read the entire blog, go to Ecorazzi. Let's give this one some hits!

Tidbits 7/25

The news is definitely slow these days, but somehow I managed to find a few tidbits to write about.

SOMALIA/KENYA MENTIONS:

• Koin News (Koin.com) - In an article about his trip to Somalia, they say:

  The UNICEF Ambassador spent time with Somali children, and got to see first-hand programs to improve child health, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, primary education, child protection and girls' empowerment.

• News4jax - Same as above mention. Both Koin and News4jax got their news stories from ET Online.
  
  
• JustJared.com - Another great Clay mention at JustJared:

  UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently visited the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya, where UNICEF provides children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.
  
  The 29-year-old American Idol alum has written a series of blogs about his experience in the field....Read all of Clay Aiken’s blog entries at UNICEFUSA.org. (Hint: Click on the “Permalinks” to view the full entries.)

• People.com - A great mention about Clay's UNICEF trip here:

  Aiken, 29, recently visited Somalia and Kenya, and has been blogging about the trip on the UNICEF Web site.
  
  In his final posting, Aiken writes how violence during the country's election earlier this year left thousands of children homeless. And even though the unrest has decreased, many of the kids have not returned to their schools.
  
  "Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives," Aiken writes. "The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans."
  
  Aiken continues, "Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too."

The "Who does he think he is, Clay Aiken?" quote about Barack Obama's traveling entourage is making the rounds:

• Patriot Post US - The "quote" is mentioned on this site as follows:

  Obama traveled with dozens of his “national security advisors” selected from his staff of more than 300 (yes, that’s THREE HUNDRED) foreign policy advisors. There were dozens more—strategists, campaign gofers, makeup artists and court jesters—enough to create an entourage that looked genuinely imposing in transit. As John McCain’s campaign spokesman Brian Rogers quipped, “Who does he think he is, Clay Aiken?”

• KDBC News (El Paso) - This post was seen on Yahoo's news page. Its worked its way to El Paso, TX now:

  Democrat Barack Obama doesn't travel light.
  
  Halfway around the world, the Obama campaign machine appears as sprawling and seamless as it is on its home turf. As the presumptive Democratic nominee tours five countries in five days, he brings an entourage that would make a pop star envious.... "Who does he think he is?" Rogers asked of Obama. "Clay Aiken?"

Other Tidbits:

• Pollstar.com - A small Clay mention:

  Lunchtime on the Fresno Coast and we have new dates for Willie Nelson, Bill Cosby, Kris Kristofferson and Boyz II Men, plus links to items about Ry Cooder, Clay Aiken.....Clay Aiken stands up for Kenyan children - People

  If you click on Clay's name in the quote above, it will take you where you can sign up to be notified when Clay goes on tour.

Slow News Days ...

Hey guy... just a quick note. We're still here ... but we're just not finding any NEWS to post. Kind of a problem, huh? Hang in tight. CDD is here for whatever Clay has up his sleeves next.

Thanks,
clayisouridol
CDD

Tidbits 7/23

• Charityfolks.com - A Broadway Cares/Easter Bonnet Competition poster has been signed by various performers from the Easter Bonnet show, including Clay. Bidding is up to $700 and ends on Thursday, July 24 at 3 p.m. EST.
• From The Clayboard - Of all places to find a Clay mention...in an article about Barack Obama. The story at one time was on Yahoo's home page, but it is no longer there. Here are the pieces of the story that lead to the Clay mention:

  Obama tour staged for political pop
  
  Wed Jul 23, 5:42 AM ET
  
  JERUSALEM - Barack Obama doesn't travel light. Halfway around the world, the Obama campaign machine appears as sprawling and seamless as it is on its home turf. As the presumptive Democratic nominee tours five countries in five days, he brings an entourage that would make a pop star envious.
  
  A dozen top foreign policy advisers are either traveling with Obama or doing groundwork ahead of his arrival in each country. This group is supplemented by his usual contingent of almost a dozen traveling aides, including chief campaign strategist David Axelrod and communications director Robert Gibbs, and too many advance staff to count. With layers of Secret Service agents, they zipped through Amman Tuesday in a motorcade of 20 vehicles....
  
  ...But when the Arizona senator (McCain) traveled to Mexico and Colombia last month, he mobilized only eight staff members, including two foreign policy advisers, two press aides, two advance workers and two assistants to Cindy McCain, said campaign spokesman Brian Rogers.
  
  "Who does he think he is?" Rogers asked of Obama. "Clay Aiken?"
  Fenn said the Obama's traveling contingent was appropriate.
  "With such a high-visibility trip, with so many countries covered and so many press people covering the trip, the number of staff is not out of line," he said....

Clay's Last UNICEF Blog Tells of Visit to Kenya

As you know, Clay visited Somalia with UNICEF earlier this month and has blogged twice about his visit there. What we didn't know until now is that after this trip, he also made a trip to Kenya. In his third and final blog, posted at UNICEF's Field Notes site, he tells us all about the education situation for the children of Kenya and what UNICEF is doing to make a difference:

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently visited the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya, where UNICEF provides children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. This is the last in a series of blog posts he has written about his experience in the field.

In early July, after visiting Somalia, I traveled to Eldoret, in Kenya’s Rift Valley, to visit camps for internally displaced people. This is where some of the worst violence took place following the Kenya elections in early 2008. Thousands of children were made homeless by the unrest.

Everywhere we went, there were the charcoaled remains of homes, schools and shops. We drove for hours and everywhere we went, we saw people trying to get their lives restored.

Although many schools were re-opened, far fewer children are turning up for class than before. And classes are taking place in schools that have been completely destroyed. I saw children sitting on rocks and bricks—which used to make up the foundations and roofs of their schools—using them now as desks and chairs.

Fortunately, this was not the situation everywhere. In most IDP camps, UNICEF has provided classroom tents and School-in-a-Box kits, along with teaching and learning materials, and even desks and chairs.

Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives. The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans. Many displaced parents told UNICEF that getting their children back to school was their top priority.

Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too. This is just another one of the many amazing ways UNICEF is helping children today, while also building a safer Kenya tomorrow.

These blogs have been so informative and have shown us the great need in Africa for education and health improvements for the children there. If you would like to help UNICEF continue to make a difference in the lives of so many children overseas, go to UNICEF's Donation Page. Every little bit helps. Just as Clay has brought some joy and sunshine into these children's lives and put a smile on their faces(see picture above), we too can put a smile on their faces by making a donation.

Clay Sighting At Raleigh Area Restaurant

Yes, Clay fans, we have a Clay sighting!! And of all things, it was found in the most remote of places....someone's blog who isn't even a fan!! I'm in the dark as to how people are able to find such things! But I'm glad they did!

I found this tidbit at The Clayboard, and it was originally at Clayversity and The Ideal Idol. The blog is called "The Wyatt Times" and is just a typical family blog, until you get to the part about Clay:

After church, we went to Smithfields BBQ, and guess who was there? Clay Aiken. He was sitting outside in the shade with a couple people, not drawing any attention to himself. It was kind of fun to see someone famous, even if it was just an American Idol guy.

Then a friend commented back to her something nice:

How cool was it that you saw Clay Aiken at Smithfields? Was that the one in Morrisville or Rocky Mount?

Its obvious from her comment that she's not a Clay fan, but I thought her comments and her friend's comments were very nice about it being "fun" and "cool" to see Clay. And, of course, its great to know that Clay is enjoying his time off with friend and family.

Tidbits 7/20

• San Diego Weekly Reader - celebrity riders -

  Wherever Clay Aiken performs, his dressing room requirements include a basket of green apples (“preferably Granny Smith”), a jar of applesauce, a case of room temperature water (“anything but Evian”), and – big surprise – a loaf of white bread. In addition, “One meal must be prepared for Clay that does not have the following in it: nuts, mushrooms, coffee, mint, chocolate and shellfish…this truly is very, very serious.” Finally, he wants a 6-pack of Mountain Dew (“caffeine free”) and four containers of yogurt (“fruit on the bottom, please”

• Dallas Morning News - comments from an editor of Learning to Sing: "I edited an inspirational autobiography by pop singer Clay Aiken."
• Reuters India talks to Cathy Dennis, who co-wrote "I Will Carry You" -

  She also signed with "American Idol" producer 19 Entertainment, delivering hits for Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken.

• San Francisco Chronicle - the road to Idol success isn't an easy one to follow -

  And for the extremely rare few that survive the whole ordeal - Hollywood week, Simon Cowell, the embarrassing song and dance routines for the sponsors, the whims of voters, the demanding "American Idols Live!" tour - true success will most likely still lie out of reach. For every Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken, there are countless other high-ranking finalists who have long been relegated to rehab, singing at county fairs and the butt of pop culture trivia jokes (Hello, Sanjaya!).

• Lycos50 press release - Clay #3 on this week's list
• Mullet Wrapper - Taylor Hicks stars in Broadway - "Fantasia Barrino starred in The Color Purple, while Clay Aiken nabbed a recent role in Spamalot."
• Lake County News Sun - Josh Gracin performs at county fair -

  Grayslake "Idol": Country singer Josh Gracin, who made it to the Top 4 in season two of "American Idol" (with Clay Aiken, Kimberly Locke and Ruben Studdard), will perform July 26 with opening act Ashton Shepherd.
  

• There Was A Man - montage for the "Olympic Dream"
• There Was A Man - Clay calls for attention to Somalia on his UNICEF fact-finding mission