Hello!

I hope you are having a lovely summer so far. July has flown by with lots of travel and other news. Since returning at the end of July, I have been trying to process all of the impressions from being away at far and distant lands.

The first part of my trip was a train ride to Portland, Oregon via Amtrak, an adventurous trip in and of itself. I attended a conference called World Domination Summit. Simply put, it's a gathering of remarkable people in pursuit of world peace and world service, and it made a pretty big impact on me. The most impressive part was towards the end. The founder, Chris Guillebeau, gave away $100 in cash to each the attendee. The total amount was $100,000 that he gave away - wow!

Since then, I have been left with questions I have yet to resolve: How can I use the $100 investment in the most responsible way? Can I make it grow so it can have long-lasting impact?

With this amazing act of generosity, I have been inspired to think deeply about how I can contribute in a meaningful way. But more importantly, I have been inspired to ACT generously in my daily life, to give to others for the sake of giving.

ACTION REQUESTED: In the spirit of giving, I would like your help in finding a good cause or project in which to donate. Do you have ideas or charities you would like me to consider? I will probably break up the sum towards different causes, so let me know ...I invite you to engage in this discussion by email or on my Facebook page.

I look forward to hearing some of your creative ideas!

With warm wishes,
v i n a

I am deeply honored and grateful for being featured on IdeaMensch. The founder, Mario Schulzke, and his crew are on a road trip to interview entrepreneurs all over the country. From Seth Godin to the founder of Kiva, I'm lucky to be in company with progressive and innovative minds!

The team at Tenpenny Construction has been in full force! The Ventura house (approx. 3200sf) is currently being framed and the grading for the guesthouse (approx. 1100sf) is completed. The construction is running smoothly at the site, and I'm excited to see the massing take shape.

For more project photos, take a look at our Facebook page.

Sol Haus Design is pleased to collaborate with the Ojai Retreat for the design of their Outdoor Event Center, Shangri-La Garden. A fundraiser event will be held in August and September to develop the venue with a performance stage and multi-level seating. For more information on the fundraiser and how you can help, please visit their website.

The Ojai Retreat is a beautiful hilltop bed-and-breakfast inn with panoramic views of the Ojai Valley, and the recipient of the Eco-Excellence Award. Come take a visit!