Dan Eldon

The Chronicle Books Blog mentions DEP, the On Revolution and the latest Dan Eldon book, a biography geared towards children called Dan Eldon: Safari as a Way of Life.  Get your copy today and be inspired to change the world!

Check out CVF's Fellows -- 

We at the Dan Eldon Project are proud to announce that Creative Visions Foundation is creating an important new campaign and movement called XO Moms.

We hope that XO MOMS will create a passionate community of extraordinary mothers who are making a difference in the world around them.

The XO MOMS Viral Video Player is our vehicle for storytelling so that people around the world can pay tribute to extraordinary mothers.

We write today in hopes that with your blog, website, Facebook network and Twitter following, you can help us spread the word.

Below are the facts and a small viral video player that can be embedded on your site and will have fresh new content daily...

The message for your reader is quite simple really:

1) WATCH the inspiring video(s) on the XO MOMS Viral Video Player at www.creativevisions.org/moms
2) SUBMIT a short video and tell us about an extraordinary mom or mother figure in your life.
3) SHARE the viral video player with friends & family via email, blog posts, Facebook, Twitter
4) TUNE IN for "Extraordinary Moms" this Saturday on the Oprah Winfrey Network at 8/7c.

Celebrating inspirational stories will SAVE LIVES.

For every 20 times the XOMOMS Video Player is viewed, Humanity International will provide a mosquito net to a mother in need in Ghana to prevent Malaria.

"Extraordinary Moms" airs this Saturday, May 7th at 8/7c on OWN (with scheduled repeats.)

The documentary, "Extraordinary Moms" was executive-produced by Creative Visions Founders Kathy Eldon & Amy Eldon Turteltaub, and also by Julia Roberts, who hosts. Jacoba Atlas and Kyra Thompson produced this remarkable one hour film that features Hillary Clinton, Christiane Amanpour, Rosie O'Donnell and others as they open up about motherhood and what it means to them.

It is truly fantastic.  We are very proud of this documentary!

Looks like the Dan Eldon Project and the TOMS Dan Eldon line are hot trends this Spring!  Fashionable folks realize purchasing with purpose is the way to go.  Check out our mention on You Knew Blog --

Check out Blake Mycoskie, creator of Toms Shoes, in one of our Dan Eldon Project t-shirts!  

Kathy Eldon and Amy Eldon Turteltaub discussed Dan Eldon's philosophy, 'Safari as a Way of Life' @ TEDxteen in NYC two weeks ago.  Click on the image below to watch the video.

We are getting our Spring 2011 line in next week, and the last day of our big 40% Off Sale is this coming Friday, April 8th.  If you haven't taken advantage of these amazing prices, do so now before it's too late!  Click on the flier to shop.

These are the TOMS Classics with a design created from Dan Eldon's own fingerprint taken from his passport.  With each pair of TOMS shoes purchased, one pair is donated to a child in need.  Each pair of TOMS shoes comes with a TOMS flag which doubles as a sack, a TOMS sticker, and a bracelet with the TOMS colors, baby blue and white.  This season is inspired by the art and life of Dan Eldon.  Get yours today!  http://www.toms.com/

The Dan Eldon Project is a relatively new brand, so we're taking every opportunity to work with other companies and projects in order to get as much exposure as possible and spread awareness about our cause.  For example, we're currently working with Metropark and TOMS Shoes.

DEP is proud to announce our partnership with an awesome company called 1band 1brand, which links hot upcoming acts with new brands that are hitting the marketplace, like the Dan Eldon Brand -- all on a pro-bono basis.

This week, DEP is the featured brand, and our new friends Ha Ha Tonka are the featured band.  Ha Ha Tonka, an up-and-coming group of talented fellas from Springfield, Missouri, played a few shows at SXSW and they were recently featured on MTVs new music Monday show.  They are also going to be featured on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the Travel Channel this coming Monday, March 28th.

The TOMS Give Shop and Gallery Opening Party was held at Space 15 Twenty in Hollywood last Friday, March 11th.  Pairs of the Dan Eldon-inspired Spring 2011 collection were sold at the Give Shop, and a small exhibit and gallery of Dan Eldon's artwork and artifacts were on display.  The party was catered by Umami Burger and DJ'd by DJ Egon and Ana Calderon.  

Click on the flier below to check out photos from the event!

The Huffington Post covered it here, and you can also check out the Malibu Times coverage here.  

If you're in the L.A. area, please stop by the Give Shop and Gallery -- it's only open until March 31st!  Events, Lectures and workshops schedules available here.

TOMS Shoes creator Blake Mycoskie did an interview with FASHIONetc and shares how the TOMS Spring 2011 Collection was inspired by Dan Eldon.  Click on the photo to go to the article --

This is a 1974 Series 3 109 4-door Land Rover with right-hand steering – a behemoth much like Dan's Deziree, which is a 1970s Series 3 109 3-door with a retrofitted hardtop. Since Deziree is on display at the Dan Eldon Place of Tomorrow in Nairobi, the team wanted to find a Land Rover as close to the make and model as possible to display at traveling Dan Eldon exhibits here in the States. This vehicle has done some trekking – it's originally from the UK, and the Eldon family acquired it from a man who shipped her from Spain to Florida, and from there she was sent to L.A. just a few months ago.

“We envision this vehicle will be great fun for kids – who may not be familiar with cars that don't have tinted windows, video [players] and power everything. You actually have to look out of the windows and get involved in the world,” said Kathy.

We got the vehicle back from the auto shop just in time for the Dan Eldon Project Fall/Holiday 2011 Look Book photo shoot.

Below is Dan Eldon Project graphic designer Jeff Skene's personal account of retrieving the old thing from the mechanics shop with Kathy.

***

“The Old Steel Dinosaur”

by Jeff Skene
edited by Alisa Damaso

There was steam in my breath from the early morning air. We had all arrived before the sun and the bustle of life that routinely follows. You could still hear the melodic crashing of waves against the stony stops of beach homes which lined Los Angeles's coast. The sound would soon be swallowed by the buzz of rushing cars competing in symphony as weekend warriors dip and dodge, too eager to wait in line for their turn to choose a space for the day upon the golden sand.

Today we're shooting the 2011 Dan Eldon Project Spring Look Book. This is a collection of garments composed of light weight tees and fluffy fleece inspired by the life and images of Dan Eldon. The production of the line had been the primary focus of our attention for weeks, and everyone was excited to finally see it come to life. We had chosen the Eldon beach house as home base for the photo shoot. From there we would run across PCH and duck under the restricted signs finding a little sliver of Malibu's still-undeveloped canyon set behind the polished buildings and shining signs that line the highway. It was here where we'd capture "Old Malibu," rustic and raw in nature, weathered by the harsh elements of the sea. It was here that we found a setting that complemented the lifestyle of Dan and the brand he inspires.

As more of our party filed into the long and narrow driveway, I was suddenly met by Kathy, Dan's Mom, on the outside patio. Full of energy even in the early hours of the morning, she excitedly proposed for me to accompany her in picking up the 1974 Land Rover. This was very close to the same model vehicle that Dan had driven in his journeys over Africa's most rugged and dangerous countryside. His Land Rover, Deziree, had been the focus of many of his artistic journal entries, and because I had spent many hours viewing Dan's art, I had a great vision of the Rover without yet seeing it in person. After much searching, the Eldon family found this vehicle in Florida and had it shipped to their home in Malibu. From there, it went to a small, specialized vintage Land Rover mechanics garage located in the heart of Venice. We had planned to use it as a prop for the shoot, and as a certified "Car Crazy" guy, I had really been looking forward to a chance to see it in person. Needless to say, I gracefully accepted the invitation, and we embarked on our journey up the coast to retrieve the old steel dinosaur.

With the rising sun in our eyes, visors down, and the pedal to the metal in Kathy's electric Prius, we rode amongst the stream of vacation-bound cars towards the busy city of Santa Monica. I had only met Kathy a few times at the Eldon beach house and we hadn't yet had the opportunity to really talk to one another. But in the car, we were without a moment of silence as we shared stories – I mostly about my family and career path as a graphic artist, and Kathy mostly about her children, Dan, and the charities she's involved with. Distracted in conversation, we soon found ourselves lost within the complex streets of Venice, looking for the small mechanic shop – which the owners felt didn't need a company sign, or posted address for that matter.

We finally cut traffic, taking the cross street from Lincoln Boulevard, and pulled along the curb in front of a tall, rusted chain link fence enclosure lined with wood that reached so high it blocked the sun. We both began to walk the perimeter, uncertain, looking for an entrance within the crudely fashioned barricade. I put my fingers to the rough wired metal and spread a space wide enough to catch a glimpse of the inside. Within the lot I saw skeleton frames of old safari vehicles powdered by dirt, sinking beneath the soil like the scores of old ship wrecks lining Africa's uninhabited coast.

I was then startled by Kathy calling out, "Peter!!!!... Peter!!!!... Peter!!!!," and I quickly pulled my face from the fence. With no response, Kathy yelled again – "Peter!!!!... Peter!!!!... Peter!!!!" Finally, there was a sound of creaking and grinding coming from an interior garage within the fortress. As it opened, I could barely make out the silhouette of a short but strong-looking grizzly of a man slowly approaching the fence. Kathy waved and happily exclaimed, "Peter!" – shoving a digital camera into my hand and swiftly saying to me,"take lots of pictures." I turned the camera on and began to document the interaction between Kathy and Peter. I was introduced to Peter and immediately detected what I believed to be a strong Russian accent. He was dressed in a pristine white workman's shirt, navy work pants held up by thick suspenders and a black beret -- he had a look more sophisticated than your average vehicle mechanic. The combination of his clothing, accent and classic reading glasses tucked within his pocket gave him the throwback style of an early 60s immigrant making his way in a new world. I took his large coarse hand in salutationand we all stepped into his shop.

Passing the melting motor artifacts that lay in the dirt lot out front, we stepped within the dark cave of his workshop. Once inside, my nostrils filled with the aroma of a multitude of lubricants and cleaning products, which overwhelmed the subtle hint of decomposing rubber seals and old brittle plastic parts and wires. Taking a look around, I was impressed by the order and structure in Peter's assorted tools and mechanic supplies. On the floor in a corner were the large intestines of an old transmission. As Kathy spoke with Peter I circled the shop, taking pictures of rows of wrenches hanging in place above the nuts and bolts and shells of Land Rover parts. 

But before I could truly inspect the shop, we were guided out to where our Rover was parked.

She stood proud amongst its fellow broken transports. Here, nestled between close friends of similar design, she seemed so practical and well-suited. Her dimpled and flaky paint job showed experience of a life well traveled, and across the front were the words “LAND ROVER” – which she wore like a badge of honor. She stood upon thick knobby tires that were designed for mud and snow. Her simple composition read functionality before comfort, and safety in strength. I knew she'd stand out against the new Mercedes' and Cadillacs of Santa Monica Boulevard.

As we all climbed inside the beast, the first thing I noticed was that the steering wheel was on the wrong side. There was a strong smell of petrel. Other than the brand new leather front seat bench, which had just been replaced, the rest of the inside looked more worn than its shell. The door handles were nothing more than canvas straps. The dashboard reminded me of an old cigarette machine, and the vents in the dash led directly to the engine.

Peter demonstrated how to start the old Rover, how to pump the choke and how to set it to idle. He explained how to shift with the clutch, use the emergency brake, and how to put it in four wheel drive. And although I couldn't understand the majority of what he said because of his heavy accent, I already had a basic understanding of how to start primitive motors like this one, since I grew up riding old motorcycles. And after some basic instruction, it was time for a test drive around the block.

I pressed in the clutch and turned the ignition. The machine began to rattle like an old fishing tackle box and then suddenly jumped to life. After adjusting the choke I brought her to idle and we all sat shaking with the cylinders, wondering whether or not we could really drive this monster home. Our first destination was the gas station which was just a block down the street. I eased on the gas and released the clutch, pulling the Rover into motion. The diesel engine rang out and we were on our way. The gears were low and reminded me of driving a John Deer tractor. We moved at a strong and steady pace with high acceleration for the speed we carried. As I felt through the gear box in an effort to find second, I began to lose momentum. I already noticed the line of impatient cars building up behind us. I looked at Kathy and then at Peter, and we all laughed. I was finally able to push it into second gear and roar down the road to the gas station.

Peter helped us fill up and then we dropped him back at his shop. After taking a few photos of Kathy and Peter in front of the Rover, we said our goodbyes. Kathy jumped into her Prius, and I climbed into the Rover – it was time for me to navigate the beast home. Once I got the Rover started, I felt a sensation of excitement as I realized it was just me now, with no one there to guide me and laugh at my inexperience. I felt at ease cruising at low speeds down Lincoln Boulevard, smiling at passing cars with their drivers gawking in disbelief. Coming to a stop, I realized the brakes took a lot of man-power to finally bring the beast to rest. Kathy was looking out her window, smiling, laughing and taking pictures from the safety of her modern day vehicle, a luxury I hadn't come to truly appreciate until now.

It wasn't until we jumped aboard the 10 and then onto PCH that I really began to experience just how difficult this Rover was to drive. Her heavy tires and non-existent power steering made it nearly impossible to helm. She would set a line like a champion sail boat racer against the wind and hold it. To counter steer would only send her in a new direction locked just as tight. I ping-ponged between the medians until I realized the less forceful I pulled the wheel, the more control I had. The beast was its own animal and I had to let her lead. I put her into fourth gear and soon we were home.

When we arrived at the house, everyone exclaimed in joy as they went over the vehicle with great care, pointing out her primitive features and amazing utilities. I felt pride in having accomplished the difficult drive home and happy to have shared such an exciting experience with Kathy and the rest of the gang.

Kathy with Jason Bleick, creative director of the Dan Eldon Project clothing line

***

For more information on Peter, the magical mechanic who brought our new old Land Rover to life, visit his website: englishcars.com

***

NAME THE LAND ROVER CONTEST

You've heard her story, now help give her a name! The Dan Eldon Project is hosting a contest to name the new old Land Rover on our Facebook page – “Like” Dan Eldon Project, click on the contest, hit “I'm Attending” and post your entry on the event page. Join in on the fun!

PRIZES --
Grand Prize: A Dan Eldon book signed by Kathy Eldon and Dan Eldon Project T-shirt
Runners-up: Dan Eldon Project tees

Happy naming!

– Alisa

As mentioned in a previous blog, TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie was inspired by Dan Eldon for the Spring 2011 Collection.  You'll notice a few patterns were made from images of Dan's journals.  

If you're unfamiliar with TOMS, you'll be pleased to learn that for every shoe purchased, TOMS gives a brand new pair to a child in need.  Their motto is "One for One".  

Check out some of the new styles below, and click on the images to shop!

Hello, everyone --

We're currently having a 40% OFF SALE on all of our FALL 2010 shirts in order to make room for our new, amazing SPRING 2011 COLLECTION!  All Fall 2010 styles are $36 USD (originally $60), with free shipping in the States.  But you must act fast -- these shirts are out of print, and once we sell out of a design, it's gone forever!  Remember -- all proceeds go toward funding amazing projects under the Creative Visions Foundation.

Click on the flier below to Purchase with Purpose -- 

Dan's mother, Kathy Eldon, was one of the featured women profiled in Lifetime's "Lifetime Celebrates Remarkable Women". Way to go, Kathy!

Following the tragic death of her son Dan Eldon, a 22-year-old Reuters photojournalist in Somalia, Kathy Eldon and her daughter Amy were determined to transform the tragedy into a powerful force for good. In 1998, Kathy launched the Creative Visions Foundation to celebrate “creative activists” like her son Dan, who used arts and media to create awareness of important issues and catalyze positive change. Since then, the Foundation has supported more than 80 projects and productions on four continents. 

Raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and educated at Wellesley College, Kathy Eldon has worked as a teacher, journalist, author, and film and television producer in England, Africa and the United States. She is the founder of the Creative Visions Foundation, a global organization that supports “creative activists” to use their creative talents to change the world around them. 

Creative Visions Foundation was inspired by the life of Kathy’s son Dan Eldon, an artist, adventurer and activist, killed in 1993 while on assignment for Reuters News Agency in Somalia. CVF has assisted more than 40 artists, filmmakers, playwrights, leaders of other social movements, and others who use media and the arts as vehicles of social change.

Kathy is co-creator, with Julia Roberts, of “Mothers on a Mission,” a series about the power of mothers to transform the world, which will air on the OWN Network in early 2011, and “Prized Women,” a series with the Nobel Women’s Initiative about women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She is also executive-producing “Rock Your World,” a series about young activists, with 7ATE9. With Julia Roberts’ company Red Om, Kathy’s company is producing “Journey,” a major feature film about her son Dan, to be directed by Bronwen Hughes. 

Kathy has been profiled in a number of books, including Arianna Huffington’s “On Becoming Fearless,” Katherine Martin’s “Those Who Dare: Real People, Real Courage,” and Nancy Alspaugh, Marilyn Kentz and Mary Ann Halpin’s “Fearless Women.” In 2007 Kathy was named one of MSN’s “10 Amazing Women You Have Never Heard Of.”

In 2008 Kathy was presented with the Euro-American Women’s Council’s Artemis Goddess Award and the Wayuu Taya Foundation’s Award, and was named a Purpose Prize Fellow. In 2009 she and her daughter Amy received the Young Audiences New York Children’s Award for their work with young creative activists.

Kathy is the author of 17 books, including “Angel Catcher,” “Soul Catcher” and “Love Catcher,” a series of popular self-guided journals written with her daughter Amy Eldon, which help people negotiate loss and grief, find their purpose and introduce more love into their lives. She edited “The Journey Is the Destination: The Journals of Dan Eldon,” which has sold more than 130,000 copies. 

Kathy has been featured on many television and radio programs globally, and a segment about Kathy and her daughter continues to air in Oprah’s “Producer's Favorites.” Kathy has served on the board of the Overseas Press Club Foundation and is currently on the board of Video Volunteers and CALL2ACTION.

Dan's art featured on the cover of Metropark's Sound Off Vol. 6 CD (free with any $75 purchase at Metropark.) The sixth volume in Metropark’s yearly Sound Off series features some amazing music from artists like Fitz & The Tantrums, The Like, The Black Angels, Rad Omen, Maximum Balloon and more.

YES! MetroPark launches Dan Eldon tees and books for sale both in store and online! We are so thrilled and excited to be working with this amazing team!

Below: the website

Below: full launch in store at METROPARK

That's right...it is THE Land Rover

Journals are a special thing. They are your secret place, your safe haven, a destination to jot down feelings, thoughts and observations. Whether you want to keep your journals private or share them with friends and family, what you journal is a peek into your soul and personality. They are also a snapshot in time and capture moments that you can look back and reflect on. Everyone's journal is different. While digital devices are popular to note down things, nothing compares to the good old pen and paper. So pick up a journal and start drawing, doodling, scribbling, and writing everything and anything that's on your mind. Have fun!

We love all the support the Dan Eldon Project receives. Here is Michelle from Life On Sugar Berry looking fantastic in one of our DEP shirts. Read about her post here.

SPOTTED: Singer Lucy Woodward at American Rag with a Dan Eldon tee. Thanks for the support, Lucy!

We are excited about growing an online community around the Dan Eldon Project - join us on Facebook and Twitter and stay tuned for updates and news.

We are so thrilled to announce that the Spring 2011 TOMS shoe collection is inspired by Dan Eldon's life and work! Read about it here.

Welcome to the Dan Eldon blog, where we will keep you updated, informed and inspired. Stay tuned!