Golf Fore Africa Raises Money For AIDS Relief

I am a golfer as well as someone with a deep interest in Africa, so when I heard about Golf Fore Africa, I had to get on the bandwagon to spread the word about this excellent cause.

Betsy King, whose Hall of Fame career produced 36 LPGA tournament wins including six major championships, has dedicated her life to helping others in need. In 2007, King founded Golf Fore Africa to heighten awareness of the terrible plight of children who were orphaned as a result of the devastating AIDS pandemic that is so prevalent throughout much of the African continent. The year before, King had made a trip to Africa with the World Vision organization and was deeply affected by the suffering and desperate living conditions she encountered.

Golf Fore Africa is dedicated to bringing hope and support to African children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS. Funding is made available to a wide range of critical projects necessary to improve the quality of life, such as access to medical care, education, agricultural assistance and clean water resources.

On May 23rd, King will host a limited field event at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, New York, to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the communities in Africa that her charity supports. King will be joined by an impressive list of active LPGA golfers including Jiyai Shin, who was No. 1 in the 2010 Rolex Rankings, Brittany Lincicome, Stacey Lewis, Katherine Hull and Azahara Munoz, LPGA rookie of the year in 2010.

The per person entry fee is $3,000, which includes breakfast, lunch and a clinic with Betsy and the LPGA pros. Each participant will have the opportunity to play with three different pros.
GlenArbor, designed by the legendary Gary Player, enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest private clubs in an area known for some of the country’s most historic and iconic golf clubs. GlenArbor welcomes the Golf Fore Africa intimate event, particularly as the club supports the improvement of educational and living opportunities for underprivileged children.

For more information regarding playing spots in this exceptional event for a worthwhile cause, please contact Debbie Quesada at (408) 284-5818 or debbie@golfforeafrica.org.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Free Tales Of Horror To Celebrate "Read An eBook Week"

Like a concert violinist playing bluegrass fiddle, every writer needs to stretch his chops from time to time. I got the itch to write something different and timed the publication to celebrate "Read An eBook Week" March 6-12. It's a mini-collection of three short stories available FREE from Smashwords.com.

The genre? Horror

The title? "Blind Curve, Three Dark Tales by Dave Donelson"

The price? Free!

The tales....

Bad things happen in "The Alley," a tale told by a narrator who should know--he did some of them. Or did he? Only the victims can answer that question, and they're not talking.

Man's best friend offers the ultimate proof of his loyalty in "Bad Dog." The cute little canine doesn't care whether his master is a good man or an evil one, he simply obeys.

Benon Otema is not a criminal, he's just ambitious. A stalwart leader of his village, a successful merchant, a father and good provider, Benon should know better than to listen to tales told by a drunkard. But he does, and the story takes him to the "Blind Curve."

In addition to these three short stories, the book includes excerpts from two novels. Heart of Diamonds, a novel of scandal, love, and death in the Congo, is a thriller about diamond smuggling in the war-torn heart of Africa. Hunting Elf, a doggone Christmas story, is a comedic romp that's delightful reading any time of the year.

Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for small business owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about marketing and advertising, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.

The Tragic Anniversary of Patrice Lumumba's Assassination

As we celebrate the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King today, we should also pause to reflect on the death of Patrice Lumumba, killed on this date 50 years ago. His assassination at the direction of the United States and Belgium is one of the blackest marks on America's conscience. It set into motion the virtual destruction of a nation that should be the beating heart of Africa.

Lumumba's death just months after his choice as the Democratic Republic of Congo's first freely-elected leader was akin to strangling the infant nation in its cradle. It led to the ascension of Mobutu Sese-Seko, who raped the Congo for 32 years with the monetary, military, and shameful public relations support of the U.S. government. The conflict that erupted when he was finally deposed has resulted in the deaths of millions of innocent people. Sadly, it's a conflict that continues to this day.

Adam Hochschild writes an incisive piece about the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in today's New York Times.

Tonight, Friends of the Congo is sponsoring events in Washington, New York, and Toronto. In New York, it's a screening of a fabulous film, Lumumba, at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem followed by a panel discussion. For information, call 212-582-6050 X221.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Amazon Reviewer Praises Realism In Heart Of Diamonds

An Amazon reader recently posted this review of Heart Of Diamonds

Dave Donelson's Heart of Diamonds is a well-crafted, well-informed story of fictional, but highly likely events in the Congo. Donelson captures the government corruption that prevents the Congo (and all of Africa) from rising to the position among nations that this resource-rich country could attain were it not for the history of exploitation by outsiders. The story is exciting, you care what happens to the characters. The rape and amputations and exploitation of child soldiers and general brutalization of the people by the military and by rebel forces is drawn straight from current reality, as is the power of greed to make people do the most terrible and idiotic things.

My only complaint is this is another story of white people set in Africa. It would be more compelling were the main protagonists African, perhaps wealthy sons and daughters of the elite sent to the US for college who return to do exactly what Valerie and Jamie do in this story. This is a small quibble, however, Donelson can write best from a perspective that he truly understands and his readers are mostly westerners who can better relate to the characters than if they were Africans.

You should read this book for a great story, but also to get some understanding and realization of the terrible conditions that prevail in West Africa today.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Disaster Capitalism And The Congo

What is Disaster Capitalism?

Find out Wednesday at the Brecht Forum when a panel of experts updates the current situation in Haiti, the Congo, Pakistan and New Orleans. The panel will also look at the intersectionality of the psychological, socio-political and economic implications created by these natural disasters. What patterns and trends have been generated over the course of the decade? What are the long-term psychological after-effects? Under these conditions, how are local leaders and groups organizing? In solidarity with the people, how do we consider, organize with, and fight for justice.

Featured speakers include Beverly Bell, Kambale Musavuli, Adaner Usmani, Tracie Washington, and Marguerite Laurent.

Where and when: Wednesday November 10 7:30 PM, The Brecht Forum, 451 West Street (Between Bank and Bethune-A,C,E, to 14th Street and 8th Avenune) 212-242-4201

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Joseph Mbangu Updates Congo Situation

Congolese attorney Joseph Mbangu by interviewed recently by the UN's IRIN news service about the most recent developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The situation continues to deteriorate, and Joseph's comments are quite timely. Listen to the 10-minute interview here.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Breaking The Silence Programs For Congo Week, October 17-23

Mark your calendar now for the third annual Breaking The Silence: Congo Week, October 17 – 23, 2010. Congo Week continues to grow rapidly as people throughout the globe utilize the occasion to articulate the challenges and potential that exists in the heart of Africa. Since Friends of the Congo launched Congo Week in 2008, over 50 countries and 200 university campuses and communities have participated in the global call for justice in solidarity with the people of Congo. Some Highlights of Congo Week III in October 2010 include:

• Congo in Harlem Film, Performance and Lecture Series, NY
• Marathon Run by the International Criminal Court Staff, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• DC Green Festival, Washington, DC
• Caravan from Kenya to South Kivu for the International Women's March, Nairobi
• Commemoration Ceremony of the Lives Lost in the Congo War, Kisangani
• Salaam Kivu Film Festival, Goma
• Congolese National Ballet Performance, Kinshasa

Your participation in Breaking the Silence is making a difference by making more people aware and engaged. Your actions, no matter how small, strengthen the resolve of people inside the Congo who fight day and night for peaceful and lasting change. Knowing that they have support throughout the globe makes a tremendous difference.



Key Organizers in Japan, Australia, Netherlands, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, The United States and many other countries are joining with groups inside the Congo to call for justice. In the wake of a recently published United Nations Mapping Exercise Report about the mass atrocities committed in the Congo, your participation and support is even more critical. Over 200 Congolese organizations have issued the call for justice NOW! This is a growing global movement to bring an end to what is the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world and the deadliest conflict since World War II.

Kambale Musavuli, Student Coordinator for Friends of the Congo urged concerned groups and individuals to organize an event or activity for Congo Week on their campus, in their home, religious institution, community center or any other local venue. "This year we have a special initiative,' he says, "We are asking each organizing school or community to raise at least $100 to support the Friends of Congo global campaign. Organizers who raise the most funds will receive 10 autographed copies of Congolese superstar, Kanda Bongo Man's latest album "Non-Stop Feeling."

For more information, email: info@friendsofthecongo.org or phone: 202-584-6512

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Podioracket Explores Heart Of Diamonds

The audio book edition of Heart Of Diamonds has drawn a whole new audience to the novel. It's also garnered some attention from devotees of the form. I was interviewed recently by the team at Podioracket.com, who wanted to know how the book came about and how it differed from my previous fiction. I also talked about the connection between American televangelist Pat Robertson and Mobutu Sese Seko, which gave me the idea for the novel.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Celebrating eBook Week

As an author, I can attest that technology is a wonderful thing. I've published three books (so far) and every day seems to bring new ways to put them in front of an audience. One of the most exciting is in eBook editions, a format that's growing like crazy and reaching more and more people every day.

To celebrate eBook Week, March 7-13, I'm offering Heart Of Diamonds at half off the already-low eBook price at Smashwords.dom. This week only, the book will be available for your Sony Reader, Stanza, Palm, or just about any other device for just $4.98--a 50% discount. The special only applies to purchases through Smashwords.com.

Isn't technology wonderful?

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.

Heart Of Diamonds Now In Audio

Now you can listen to the exciting story of Valerie Grey's struggle to reveal a diamond-smuggling scheme that threatens to plunge the Congo deeper into war--dragging the United States along with it. The production is complete and unabridged, too, with nearly eleven fast-paced hours of narration.

And best of all, it's free. You can download the entire novel to your iPod, computer, or any device that will play mp3 files at Podiobooks.com or iTunes at absolutely no cost (although there's a donation button if you're so inclined).

Heart Of Diamonds--now available in trade paperback, eBook, and audio book editions.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds a romantic thriller about blood diamonds in the Congo.