Meredith May, Chronicle Staff Writer

(SF Gate)

When it comes to giving away money, Bill Somerville doesn’t mess around.

Quite possibly the Bay Area’s fastest philanthropist, Somerville gives away $5 million a year to fight poverty, granting each proposal he likes within 48 hours.

He calls it “paperless giving,” and he’s made it the hallmark of his Philanthropic Ventures Foundation in Oakland, as well as his mantra for transforming the way money flows in America from the rich to the poor. Charities typically must submit multi-page grant proposals and wait months, even years, for grants. With Somerville’s foundation, it’s just a talk, a handshake and a whole lot of trust.

Critics say the approach doesn’t work for large-scale, international poverty work. But Somerville is convinced he’s found a better path to giving.

“I’m trying to push the envelope of philanthropy – most foundations are paralyzed in bureaucracies of their own making,” he said recently, over a meal of meat loaf, curry pilaf and steamed vegetables at the St. Anthony of Padua soup kitchen in Menlo Park.

“I find good people and fund them,” he said, using a favorite Somerville-ism from his grab bag of catch-phrases… [the rest]

Nepal ‘Buddha Boy’ returns to jungle

Nepal’s Buddhist Council do not believe that Ram Bahadur Bomjam is the reincarnation of Buddha

KATHMANDU (AFP) — A young man believed by followers to be a reincarnation of Buddha has returned to Nepal’s jungles to meditate alone, police said Saturday, as scholars cast doubt on his supporters’ claims.

Known as the “Buddha Boy,” Ram Bahadur Bomjam, 18, became famous in 2005 after supporters said he could meditate motionless for months without water, food or sleep.

“Bomjam went back into the jungle late Friday and all the devotees have left,” police officer Gobinda Kushwaha told AFP from Neejgad, a town in Bara District, 60 kilometres (37.5 miles) south of Kathmandu.

The “Buddha Boy” reappeared earlier this month after supporters said in March 2007 that he was going to meditate for three years in an underground bunker, although he was spotted on two occasions.

For the last 10 days, he has been blessing thousands of devotees who came daily to the site in dense jungle close to Neejgad…[the rest]

The Washington Post reviewed The Memorist and gave it a rave!

Having a Blast With the Past

“I don’t believe in [reincarnation] but I do believe in good writing, and Rose is an unusually skillful storyteller. Her polished prose and intricate plot will grip even the most skeptical reader. Whatever your views on reincarnation, “The Memorist,” is first-rate fiction.” – Read the complete review here.