Funding Social Innovation

There are a couple of key questions facing states and cities determined to tackle obstinate social ills: How do we know what works? And how do we fund it when we're facing cutbacks right and left?

Over the last few years, "social impact bonds" have seized the imagination of social entrepreneurs and public officials as an answer to both questions. The first state to dig into what it would take to make them happen is Massachusetts. Here's a piece from Stateline on what that looks like.

The Critics Check In

A really wonderful write-up in Seven Days, Vermont's alternative weekly.

And a terrific review of the the new Smirkus show by Liz Gumbinner at Cool Mom Picks.

Running Home on the Radio

On today's Vermont Edition -- a really nice interview by Jane Lindholm...

Running Home to the Circus

With the creative genius of Rob Mermin and a brilliant design by Serena Fox, a spark of cheer in a cynical and weary world.  

And definitely come see some AWESOME SOAP BUBBLE TRICKS and hear spellbinding tales of circus life when Rob Mermin and I read at:

Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock, VT: June 27, 7:00 pm

The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, VT: June 28, 6 pm

Barnes & Noble, S. Burlington, VT: July 2, 6 pm

Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT: July 8, 5 pm

Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT: July 18, 7 pm

New England Mobile Book Fair, Newton Highlands, MA: July 25, 7 pm

Titcomb's Books, Sandwich, MA: July 30, 3 pm

Burlington Book Festival, Burlington, VT: September 22, time TBA, at Main St. Landing

Brattleboro Literary Festival, Brattleboro, VT: October 13, Noon, at the River Garden