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Spinner of Yarns, Maker of Floats
By Ray Sikorski, High Country News
Trekkers hankering for a frothy root beer float after a vigorous hike, should be sure to visit Black George Simmons, an 84-year-old volunteer ranger in Grand Teton National Park. Simmons claims to have served up 576 free root beer floats in the course of one record-setting year. "I realized that I had a mission, that I gave people hope," said the "hobbit-like" man, who sports an impressive white beard. In spite of his age, Simmons says he's "having fun and doing people good at the same time." -- Anna Cynar
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=17258

Guiding Himalayan Treks, Nepali Woman Scales Mountains of Social Taboos
By Jasmine Scott, the Christian Science Monitor
Nepali women are usually expected to dutifully accept their roles as housewives. Kamala Biswakarma, however, chooses to spend her time leading foreign travelers through the Himalayan mountains. Biswakarma is a vital part of Empowering Women of Nepal, an organization that trains women as Himalayan guides. The group works to empower and employ Nepali women, and also helps female travelers avoid the harassment and abuse experienced by many on tour groups guided by men. -- Cara Binder
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1001/p20s01-wosc.html?page=1

Male Day Laborers Turn to Prostitution
By Claudia Núñez, La Opinion via New America Media 
Immigrant day laborers, who often assemble on street corners or in designated worker centers, are increasingly being exploited as prostitutes. Day laborer Ricardo Ceniceros explains that "Gringos see us as cheap brothels and not as day labor centers." Some workers enter the sex trade knowingly, in exchange for cash. Others, Núñez reports, are either drugged or tricked into prostitution with the promise of jobs cleaning or painting. -- Anna Cynar
http://tinyurl.com/2vt4p6

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