Warren J. Blumenfeld, 12/28/11

Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Iowa State University

By allowing Bobby Montoya to be a Girl Scout, the Girl Scout leadership has fulfilled its own written laws "to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible."

Robert Schwab, 12/29/11

Editor, PioneerHQ.com

Being energy independent by becoming your own distributor of electricity is an idea spreading among college campus administrators and the military.

Jason Salzman, 12/30/11

Bigmedia.org

In all the hubbub of police marching in riot gear and protestors fleeing, chroniclers of the Occupy Movement sometimes forget to remind us what's at the heart of the matter. So, here's a crib sheet for anyone writing about Occupy in 2012.

Tracy Shaffer, 12/27/11

Writer/Realtor/Thriving Artist Alliance Founder

Dr. Jim Taylor, 12/23/11

Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Denver

One of the most worthy aspects of skiing is that it is a lifetime sport that children can master, participate in for many decades, and pass on to their children.

Scott Janssen, 12/20/11

Master's degree in Political Science, co-founder of national effort to thank educators

With all this Tebow mania in full force, wouldn't it only make sense that the wise and mighty Tim Tebow could teach all of us an important lesson in history?

Pictureplane, 12/20/11

Denver electronic musician

We all remember where we were when we saw it first, the hilariously dumb lyrics, the awkward singing, the cheesy effects; this was THE video of the year. Here is to Rebecca Black, for making the world laugh in 2011.

Marc Bekoff, 12/22/11

Professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado

Compassion begets compassion and there's actually a synergistic relationship, not a trade-off, when we show compassion for animals and their homes.

Robert Redford, 12/18/11

Actor, director, and environmental activist

Let's be clear about the purpose of this move. It's a naked political stunt designed to hurt the president in an election year.

Philip Galanes, 12/20/11

Social Q's columnist, New York Times Sunday Styles section

Why would we voluntarily model our private behavior on the provocations of Bill O'Reilly and Chris Matthews, in our own homes, with our actual loved ones?

Keli Goff, 12/20/11

Author, commentator and contributing editor, TheLoop21.com

From those that missed the mark on the tube, to those that aimed to be holiday blockbusters at the theater but ended up being holiday busts, the one thing they all have in common is that they succeed in being bad in their own special ways.

Gary Hart, 12/17/11

President, Hart International, Ltd.

A friend asked if I thought former Congressman Newt Gingrich could win the Republican nomination, and the answer is yes. Given our expectations of leaders and rigid expectations of Republican constituencies, this is somewhat astounding.

Tammy Haddad, 12/16/11

President, Haddad Media

Every pundit that has tried to make a point, throw a punch, or declare victory should pause today to salute Christopher Hitchens.

Lisa Turner, 12/13/11

Food writer/geek

If you're lucky enough to live in sunnier climes, you'll find plenty of local greens, including kale, at your market. And those of us in less-temperate zones can still enjoy this sort-of seasonal green all winter long.

Willie Nelson, 12/17/11

President of Farm Aid

Thanks to the Occupy Wall Street movement, there's a deeper understanding about the power that corporations wield over the great majority of us. It's not just in the financial sector, but in all facets of our lives.

Jean Fain, L.I.C.S.W., M.S.W., 12/12/11

Licensed psychotherapist and author, 'The Self-Compassion Diet'

One of the most inspiring real-life stories is that of Darrell Scott, the founder of Rachel's Challenge. Scott gave life to this non-profit organization after his 17-year-old daughter Rachel went down as the first student killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history: Columbine.

Ariane Zurcher, 12/12/11

Award-winning jewelry designer & writer

There's hope, and then there's desperation. Often I am not sure which one is pushing me more.