It's Siona. I just wanted to send a quick update about a few sweet and inspiring things going on around the community.

First, did you know we've had our first Zaadz wedding? Rob and Barbara met on the site early this year, and are now happily married. I was going to try putting their story into my own words, but quickly realized there's no way I'd be able to top Robert's post. It begins:

"It started in January with a note:

'kay, I think zaadz is way cool, but social networking only works if you network, right…how the hell else are we gonna save the world? ;-)

So I'm looking for folks who share my interests and who've actually logged into zaadz sometime more recently than six months ago.

Anyway, my name is Barbara and I'm pleased to meet you.

I couldn't ignore that one, even though I promised to - she didn't follow my “friending rules” by tying our interests together three ways in her friend request.

It's amazing how much your life can change when you don't follow the rules."

Go on and read the rest (and congratulate the two in the comments!). We're hoping this will be the first of many. :)

And then we have another inspiring story—one still in the process of being written, and one in which you could play a role. This one involves far, far more than just two people, though Jeff Richards planted the first seed. He, along with a few other brave Zaadz members, have committed themselves to helping to heal the poverty and starvation in Honduras. They're in the process of forming a non-profit foundation, and are actively looking for supporters—and new ideas.

Most of Honduras lacks electricity and Jeff, along with that small team of other Zaadzsters, is actively working to solve that problem by designing small solar energy systems that can power health centers, schools, and Community Centers. He's already been logging into Zaadz from his off-the-grid laptop, using a newly designed solar power station. The foundation dreams of providing these stations to various communities in Honduras, providing electricity so that children can study and so that hospitals can stay open. If you'd like to get involved (in whatever capacity, be it by traveling there yourself or contributing support in some other way) please drop Jeff a note. The team is small, the foundation is young, and you have the opportunity to make a real difference. (Check out Jackie's blog, too, for more.)

Another Zaadz member, Keith, has taken on a more personal project, helping to raise money to save the life of a man named Michael Hutchinson. You can read about Keith's endeavors on his blog here.

And there's more. Tony, an Inyengar Yoga teacher, has been spending the past 15 years using his bicycle to raise awareness—and money—around AIDS. He's now reaching out to Oprah Winfrey for support.  Nichola's been doing amazing work in the peace movement.  Since Katrina, Courtney's been traveling between her home and New Orleans to help the ongoing rebuilding effort.

I know I'm only skimming the surface, and that these are only a few of the brave souls in this community. I know that each of you are acting in your own unique ways to be the change. The dialogue on the site is wonderful, as is the integrity and sensitivity of the responses, and the incredible care shown to others. So this is as much an update as it is a bow of gratitude. Thank you, all.

Much love,
Siona & the Zaadz Team

PS. The little bit of news had to do with our move to EngineYard; again, we're gently introducing Zaadz into a new and more spacious home, and we're looking forward to some noticable differences in site speed and stability. We'll keep you updated on this as the transition occurs, and for what this means for zPro, over the next week.  So keep your eyes on your inbox. :)