If you are wondering about what to do this weekend — wonder no further. Cast aside your worries and enjoy a NASCAR-filled weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Christmas may not come early this year, but for the bigger kids who wished really hard, The Subway Fresh Fit 500 in Avondale is now only one week after  the infamous Daytona 500.

Tonight will be my first time at the NASCAR Camping Truck Series — the only series in all of NASCAR to race modified production pickup trucks. So here’s hoping the rain will hold off for a few days. Will I see you out there?

Don’t forget to check out the February issue of WV Magazine for the interview I did with NASAR Champion Jimmie Johnson.

In 2001, Mimi Rogers founded One Step Beyond, a non-profit organization that assists individuals with developmental disability live lives with optimal independence, meaningful employment, significant social relationships, and full participation in the West Valley community.  The organization opened for service in 2003 with an annual budget of $250,000 while assisting 16 families.  One Step today serves over 100 families in three training program facilities, two supportive residences, and additional family home and community-based services, with an and an annual budget of $2.9 million.

Mimi and her husband Dr. Joseph Rogers – founder and principle scientist of the Banner Sun Health Research Institute and fellow member of the WV24 – have three adult children: Joe, Dylan, and Madison.  Dylan, 25, has Down syndrome.  Rogers started One Step with Dylan her in mind.  “When she was approaching graduation from high school, I was concerned about what her future would look like,” she said.  “I researched what was out there for Dylan, realized I needed to give her something better and founded One Step Beyond.”  Dylan attends the One Step Beyond Vocational Training Program and works part time as a janitor at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts and  a local Yoga studio and volunteers at the West Valley Animal Shelter.

One Step Beyond is unique in its range of programs and its responsiveness.  While most agencies primarily provide safe supervision for adults and teens with disability, One Step offers much more.  “We provide independent life skills training, employment development, placement and support, functional literacy development, cultural arts programs, fitness programs including Special Olympics, and recreational opportunities,” said Rogers.

One Step Beyond establishes partnerships with other non-profit organizations in the West Valley and supports the individuals they serve in volunteering their time and talents with these organizations.  “As others in the community see our folks contributing to the community, perceptions change regarding people with disability.”

As Founder and CEO, Rogers has guided program development, funds development, and organizational sustainability and strategic planning since founding One Step Beyond over 10 years ago.

Years in West Valley: 24 years

Family: Husband Dr. Joseph Rogers; three children, Joe, Dylan and Madison; and grandson Landon.

Favorite quote: Ask not what your country can do you, but what you can do for your country – John F. Kennedy

Who in history would you most like to have dinner with? Martin Luther King

What’s your favorite book? Gone with the Wind

What’s your favorite musical group?  The Eagles

What you miss most? The ocean.  I grew up in California.

What’s your biggest inspiration and why? My daughter Dylan who has Down syndrome.  Being her mother has changed my life.

What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 to 20 years ago? I wish I had realized that I truly can accomplish anything I set my mind to.  Ten to twenty years ago, I did not know I could achieve founding a program that would help so many people.  Now I have great confidence in my ability to connect with people and accomplish great things.  I still have so much to do, but I feel I am up to the challenges I face.

What is your favorite place/feature in the West Valley? I love the sky in Arizona. And, of course, the West Valley shares this feature. It is immense, limitless, and inspiring.

Most coveted: Time—there is never enough time to do everything I want to do.

Most overrated virtue: Efficiency

What would your super power be? Empathy and compassion

Describe yourself as a child: Quiet, shy, self-contained

What’s your favorite food? Mexican

What would you choose to do, career wise, if you weren’t in your current career?  I would write novels.

Greatest Extravagance: Travel

What is the secret to your success? I am a good listener and very empathetic.  People trust me and as a result I can lead people toward a common cause.

What are your goals? My goal is to spread the vision, mission and program model of One Step Beyond in the West Valley and eventually nationally.  I want to change the lives of individuals with disability so that have access to all the opportunities those of us without disability take for granted.  I want to change how others who have not had much contact with individuals with disability perceive them.  In other words, I want to help others see the abilities and gifts of individuals with disability, rather than their disability.

How do you feel the West Valley has affected you, and how do you feel you’ve affected the West Valley? I love the openness and growth potential of the West Valley.  I feel we are still defining ourselves on this side of the Valley.  We represent such an interesting mix of ages and interests.  I feel there is a sense that there is so much yet to be accomplished here and many great people with great visions are actively pursuing great things.

The daughter of parents who each worked in education, Beverly Hurley has herself been an educator for 35 years with roles including teacher, counselor, peer counseling coordinator, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal.  She became Superintendent of the Buckeye Union High School District in 2003 after working for 26 years in education in Flagstaff.

At the National Conference on Education in Denver last month, Dr. Hurley was honored as the Arizona Superintendent of the Year.  In November, she was recognized by the American Association of School Administrators as one of 51 Women in School Leadership Award winners.  Dr. Hurley was named the Arizona High School Principal of the Year in 2000, and the following year was chosen the 2001 NASSP/MetLife National High School Principal of the Year.

Dedicated to improving education in the West Valley community, Dr. Hurley devotes time and energy at local, state and national levels.  She currently serves on the West Ed Board of Directors and on numerous other education and community panels and committees.  She is an adjunct professor at Arizona State University and a member of the President’s Advisory Council of Estrella Mountain Community College.  Dr. Hurley is a past president of Arizona School Administrators and has been a member of the National Council of State Legislators Task Force on School Leadership, the National Commission for the Advancement of Educational Leadership Preparation, and the Oquirrh Institute Teachers to Tomorrow project.

She is proud of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council that she has implemented in the Buckeye District.  Its purpose is to develop leadership skills, and improve communication and outreach to schools and communities.  “I value interacting directly with the students and hearing their opinions on various issues,” she said.

“Dr. Hurley is an esteemed instructional leader known throughout the West Valley and across the state of Arizona for her innovative and responsive academic leadership.  She is a hands-on and visible leader who successfully and systematically breaks down the barriers to systemic reform through her unwavering commitment to public education,” states Buckeye Union’s Assistant Superintendent Kari Klein.

Dr. Hurley lives in Litchfield Park and enjoys spending time with her daughter Caitlin and son-in-law Danny, who are also both educators, as well as her grandsons Jace and Cade, and her mother.

Years in the West Valley?  8

Family? Caitlin Filleman (daughter), Danny Filleman (son in law), Jace and Cade Filleman (grandsons), Janie Smith (mother), two brothers, one sister, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Favorite quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

Who in history would you most like to have dinner with?  John F. Kennedy

What’s your favorite book?  Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner.

What’s your favorite musical group? Stevie Nicks.

What’s your biggest inspiration and why?  My parents. They always encouraged me to “go for it “, and instilled in me strong work ethics and the belief that I could indeed achieve my goals and dreams.

What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 or 20 years ago?  Dealing with the loss of a parent and assisting with the needs associated with the aging process of another parent is hard to deal with than I ever imagined.

What’s your favorite place/feature in the West Valley? Wolrd Wildlife Zoo and the White Tanks Regional Park hiking trails.

What’s your favorite cause? Hospice.

What would your super power be?  Being able to see into the future and  having the ability to cause the negative things to have a positive outcome.

Describe yourself as a child: Confident, outgoing, an overachiever, a pleaser.

What keeps you up at night?  Thinking about the things that must be done immediately.

One phrase you wish people wouldn’t say, or would say more:  I wish people would sincerely say thank you more  often and mean it.

What’s your favorite food?  Ice cream.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? People checking blackberries during meetings or taking cell phone calls in the middle of meetings.

What originally drew you to the West Valley? I was approcahed by the Executive Director of the Arizon School Administrations Association about applying for my current position.  My son-in-law and daughter also lived in the West Valley and I wanted to be closer to t hem.  So after 26 years in education in Flagstaff, I decided to apply.

What drives you? Knowing that I truly make a difference in thousands of lives every year drives me, I have to do my best every day because my responsabilities and duties impact the lives of students, employees, partents and the overella community in myriad ways.

What is the secret to your success Hard work and understanding the vast complexities of what it takes to deliver high-quality, relevant educational opportunities to students.  Having been a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal.  I truly do understand how schools work and the importance schools play educating our most precious commodity… our children.  I also believe in working within a shared leadership model. Empowering other in an organization to do their best work, and letting them do it, makes the overall system very strong.

How do you feel the West Valley has affected you, and how do you feel you’ve affected the West Valley?  I love the West Valley.  I am proud of the tremendous gains in academic growth, the quality facilities provided by bond elections passed by our supportive communities, and the  vast array of extra-curricular activities offered for our youth found in schols throughout the West Vally.  It has been rewarding and exciting toi be associated with the schools and community organizations involved with making these things happen.

As executive director of the Peoria Diamond Club, Bridget Binsbacher manages a non-profit that has raised and contributed over a million dollars to youth charities and organizations in the Northwest Valley since its inception in 1993.  Binsbacher has been a member of the organization for six years and became executive director in 2008.

With nearly 500 volunteers, the Peoria Diamond Club partners with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and City of Peoria to provide staff for many game day operations at the Peoria Sports Complex during spring training.  Through sponsorships and an allocation of profits, funds are raised and re-distributed to local youth-oriented organizations in the form of grants.  At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the non-profit awarded nearly $140,000 to over 40 organizations, although the effects of the weak economy cut into funding last year. When Binsbacher assumed the role of executive director she sought to modernize the non-profit’s operations.  “My challenge was to bring this organization into the 21st century while keeping the working relationships, the family feel for our volunteers, and grant funding to our youth programs intact,” she said.  “With a talented, close knit staff, great things have happened.” Her banking career brought Binsbacher and her family to the West Valley when she accepted a position in business development at a new branch.  She later left the banking industry to start her own business Custom Creation & Décor.  While her leadership role with the Diamond Club now demands more of her focus, she still operates her business on a part-time basis.

During spring training, the whole Binsbacher family gets involved with the baseball games and Peoria Diamond Club.  “My husband volunteers and has worked just about every job.  (My teenage sons) Kyle and Ryan and some of their friends work the parking lot and tickets sales.  The little ones look forward to night games on the berm as if it were a Disneyland attraction.  It truly is a family affair!”  According to board member Darcy Phillips, “Bridget is a visionary with tenacity, a leader with determination and a human being with compassion….  The great success of Peoria Diamond Club is attributed to her dedication, creativity, willingness to work long hard hours, and staying focused on the mission of the organization, which is to enrich the lives of our children.”

Binsbacher lives in Peoria with her husband Jon and four children.

Years in the West Valley? 25

Family?  Husband Jon, sons Kyle(19), Ryan (17), Clay (4), and daughter Kady (7)

Favorite quote:  “That remains to be seen” – Angel Flores (grandfather)

Who in history would you most like to have dinner with?  It would be a dinner party. Nancy Reagan, Colin Powell, Jackie Onassis, Tom Brokaw, Alan Greenspan and Oprah Winfrey would be on the guest list for starters.  I enjoy a good dinner party.

What’s your favorite book?  “Who Moved My Cheese.”  It’s a self help book with a profound message through easy reading.  At the point in time in my life when I read this book, the impact was tremendous.

What you miss most?  I miss being able to confidently speak Spanish.  I rarely speak it and need to take the time to sharpen the skill.

What would your super power be?  Healing

What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 or 20 years ago?  Forgiveness

What is your favorite place/feature in the West Valley?  My backyard with my husband and all four children there with me.

What is your favorite cause?  Ending hunger

Describe yourself as a child:  Very mischievous and strong willed

What’s your favorite food?  My husband’s salmon and asparagus

What is your biggest pet peeve?  When people don’t do what they say they are going to do

What would you choose to do, career wise, if you weren’t in your current career?  Something creative in design or event planning.  My work will always involve serving my community.

Greatest Extravagance:  In this economy, affording our home and a good life for our four children

Tell us something about you that perhaps the average person wouldn’t know?  I am absolutely horrified of birds or anything with feathers.

What are some of the leadership positions directly you have taken on in the West Valley and what did you accomplish?  A  pioneer, officer and member of the Baseball and Football Booster Clubs at Liberty High School. I began those programs with a handful of parents during the final construction phases of the school.  Liberty opened for its first class of freshman in 2006.    Today those organizations are thriving in so many ways.  They are official non-profits, with professional financial statements, websites, team shops and concessions.  They maintain a steady stream of sponsorships and community support.

What drives you?  I’m driven by making a child’s life better and opportunities for them possible.  Whether it’s my own or one I have never met, I feel a responsibility.  They didn’t ask to be here, they all deserve to be loved and cared for.  I wish they could all have the opportunities that my children have had.

Since becoming president and CEO of the West Valley Arts Council in June 2004, Julie Richard has broadened the organization’s reach and scope beyond the region’s southwest cities.  Under her direction, many new programs have been created while the relationships and partnerships she has developed have brought the Council to a new level.

Richard has led the West Valley Arts Council as it has grown beyond an events-driven association to an all-encompassing arts council. “We serve artists and other arts organizations in the West Valley, provide programming, and we are a resource for arts and culture throughout the greater Phoenix area,” she said. She has spearheaded nationally recognized arts education partnerships as well as the West Valley Cultural and Heritage Blueprint which brought together 13 cities to create a cultural development plan for the West Valley.  “It was an unprecedented study involving such a broad region and number of cities,” Richard said.  “The resulting Blueprint has been the Arts Council’s focus for the past three years and all the West Valley cities have adopted it in one form or another to direct their arts and culture development.”

Years in the West Valley?  6.5

Family?  Husband, Ed Buonvecchio; Cats -  Kiri 15, Fafner 3.5

Favorite quote:  The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.  – Eleanor Roosevelt

Who in history would you most like to have dinner with?  Rudolf Nureyev (famous Russian ballet dancer)

What you miss most? The Dixie Chicks

What’s your favorite musical group?  My friends and the restaurants in Syracuse, New York.

What’s your biggest inspiration and why?  Marty Linsky from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  He taught me to trust my instincts.

What is your favorite place/feature in the West Valley?  The patio outside the Raven in Verrado.

What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 or 20 years ago?  Leading, especially leading change is a dangerous business and is not for everyone.  I wish I had known the tips and tricks I learned a few years ago at Harvard’s Leading in the 21st Century class.  My life would probably have been easier.

Describe yourself as a child:  Overachiever

What keeps you up at night? The state of funding for the arts in Arizona.

What’s your favorite food?  Pizza

One phrase you wish people would say more:  “This is my issue and here’s what I’m going to do about it.”

What would you choose to do, career wise, if you weren’t in your current career?  I would be a mystery writer.

What are your goals?  I want to see the WV Arts Council become a major funder for arts and culture through the development of an endowment fund and the Campaign for the Arts (workplace giving).

How did you get into your current career field?  I started dancing when I was three years old – saw my first ballet at age 4, starting playing the piano at 7, the trumpet at 10, got a degree in voice – it just made sense to do what I could to contribute to the field of arts and culture.

How do you feel the West Valley has affected you, and how do you feel you’ve affected the West Valley?  The West Valley has reinforced in me that anything is possible.  I have raised the awareness of artists in the West Valley and have created many significant programs that have brought distinction to the Council.

Who was an influence in your life/career, and how did they affect what you do?  My dad always told me to work hard and I would be successful.  That voice is always somewhere in the back of my head.

What’s the biggest challenge facing you in your work?  Funding.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the West Valley, and how does what you do help ease those challenges?  The economy is a huge challenge for everyone, especially the arts.  Our programs contribute to the economy and provide an important element for economic development.   Businesses will not locate in an area with no arts and culture and employees don’t want to live in an area without cultural amenities. Richard previously directed cultural and artistic resources such as the Syracuse Opera, the Tulsa Opera, and the Metropolitan Arts Council in Greenville, North Carolina. “Julie was a visionary in helping to bring an infusion of innovation into the school districts,” said David Flatley, Executive Director of the Center for Community Arts Partnerships at Columbia College in Chicago, who Richard hired as a consultant in Greenville.  “I was enormously impressed by her building of that network, and the manner in which she cultivated new relationships along the way.  She demonstrated what it takes to be a strong arts education leader.” A past chairperson for the Arts Education Council of Americans for the Arts, Richard has immersed herself in the local community during her six-and-a-half years in the West Valley.  In addition to her role with the West Valley Arts Council, she serves on the board of directors for Westmarc and the Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts.  Richard is also a member of the City of Avondale’s Municipal Arts Committee, and the Surprise Arts and Cultural Advisory Board, and sings in the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Schola Cantorum and Choir. Richard lives in Goodyear with her husband Ed.

The West Valley is very fortunate to have someone as driven and caring as to promote healthy eating in schools and feed hungry stomachs though out the community.  Schwake is the food director of the Litchfield Elementary School District.  He serves on the board of directors for the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and the Association of Arizona Food Banks.  He’s also a board member of other community organizations including Kiwanis of Litchfield, domestic violence shelter New Life Center, and First Things First Southwest Regional Council, a program that funds health, support and education services for families of children through 5 years old. Schwake has initiated and expanded many programs to feed hungry students in Litchfield School District such as the Summer Feeding Program which had provided meals, mainly breakfasts and lunches, for a few weeks each summer for years.  Under Schwake’s leadership the program was expanded to include three meals a day all summer long.

“Hungry kids are not hungry for a few weeks during the summer.  Hunger stays with you every day,” said Schwake.  “Last summer we were able to provide 137,000 meals to kids all over the West Valley. Due to our success other school districts have now taken up the challenge and are offering this program the entire summer.” He also took an active lead in securing passage of the Arizona Nutrition Standards Bill that prohibited junk food and set nutritional standards for meals served at K-8 schools.  Schwake lobbied legislators and provided testimony to help get the bill passed. The Oklahoma native also partnered with local farmers to develop the Litchfield Elementary District Farm to School Program to provide in-class snacks, nutrition education, and farm tours for the benefit of thousands of students.  Bags of food are also discretely provided for students to take home.

In his “spare” time, Schwake collects available food from local providers and delivers it to facilities and organizations such as the Salvation Army and domestic violence shelters numerous times a week. “Sometimes I wonder if he gets any sleep at all. He starts early in the morning and keeps going until night,” said Norb Jones, a volunteer who works with Schwake.  “The West Valley loves him, and the children love him.  He’s just a very charitable individual.”

Years in the West Valley? 30

Family?  Wife Cindy and two adult children, Amber and Otto

Favorite quote:  Can’t is a word too lazy to work.

Who in history would you most like to have dinner with?  Jesus

What’s your favorite book?  Bible

What’s your favorite musical group?  Leon Russell

What’s your biggest inspiration and why?  Seeing children choosing and eating healthy choices from the fruit and vegetable bars. I know we are teaching them life long eating habits that will benefit them their entire lives.

What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 or 20 years ago?  Spend less time at work and more time with your family. Your kids grow up way too fast.

Most coveted?  View of the West Valley from the top of Saddle Mountain in Tonopah

What is your favorite cause?  Ending hunger

What would your super power be?  To fly

What’s your nickname?  Squeaky

Describe yourself as a child:  Skinny and shy

What keeps you up at night? Wondering if I did enough that day to help others

One phrase you wish people wouldn’t say:  It’s not my job or responsibility!

What’s your favorite food?  Fried Okra

What would you do if you won the lottery?  Make sure food banks had enough food year round

Greatest Extravagance:  The airplane that I have not flown in 10 years.

What originally drew you to the West Valley?  A job related to construction of the Palo Verde Power Plant. I managed the Palo Verde Inn – a camp for Palo Verde construction employees.

How did you get into your current career field?  It seemed natural to stay in a food related field as I grew up working in my family’s baking company.

What drives you?  My work ethic and sense of responsibility to help my neighbors.

What is the secret to your success?  Good work ethic.

What would you recommend to people looking to make a difference in the West Valley?  Find a need and donate your time to seeing that need fulfilled.  You and the citizens of the West Valley will both feel better for it.

Who was an influence in your life/career, and how did they affect what you do?  My dad who gave me a great work ethic. My dad worked in our family baking company till he retired at age 85.  I can only pray that I will have the good fortune to work as long.

With decades of experience at nuclear electric generating facilities across the nation, Randy Edington took over the leadership of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in 2007.  The Buckeye resident is executive vice president and chief nuclear officer at APS with responsibility for the nation’s largest nuclear station and the largest power production facility of any type in the country.  Palo Verde has an economic impact on the Arizona economy of approximately $1.8 billion annually – making it an important economic engine in the West Valley that provides high quality, recession-resistant jobs to thousands of area workers.  “Randy Edington has been very cooperative with the Town of Buckeye on issues such as the design and location of the Palo Verde Information Center,” said Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck.  “The Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station is a good neighbor.  Because of Randy, we have developed an important partnership with the nuclear facility.” Under Edington’s leadership, Palo Verde safely and reliably produced more than 30 billion kilowatt hours of electricity last year – enough energy to meet the electrical needs of more than four million people in the Southwest.  Notably, one of the three units at Palo Verde generated more electricity than any nuclear unit in the world in 2009.  Edington was instrumental in forging the regional cooperation that resulted in a historic water contract earlier this year to provide cooling water essential to power production at Palo Verde through 2050.  The new water agreement with the cities of Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe also provides revenue for the maintenance and technological enhancement of the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Palo Verde is the only nuclear power plant in the world to use treated waste water for cooling water — making the most efficient use of the Southwest’s limited water resources.  The agreement ensures a steady supply of electricity for the next generation and beyond that has the environmental benefits of not producing greenhouse gases.

In addition, Edington is overseeing Palo Verde’s license renewal efforts with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is expected to add an additional 20 years to the operating licenses of all three units. “With the water contract in place and the license renewal efforts proceeding well, we will be well positioned to safely and efficiently generate electricity for the long term,” said Edington.

Years in the West Valley? 4

Family? My wife Loretta, daughter Holly Callaway (son-in-law Nick Callaway and granddaughter Riley Callaway), and daughter Kelly Hall (son-in-law Matt Hall)

Favorite quote: It’s not what I say that’s important, it’s what you heard.

Who in history would you most like to have dinner with?  There are so many but if I had to choose one it would be Jacques Cousteau.

What’s your favorite musical group?  Whichever one my wife wants to listen to. I like everything from classical to country.

What’s your biggest inspiration and why?  People who CARE about what they do.

What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 or 20 years ago? Being right doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be effective.

Most coveted? Family and friends

What is your favorite cause?  Freedom and the people and organizations that protect that freedom, such as our troops.

Most overrated virtue:  I think that would be physical looks.

What’s your nickname?  At some previous work locations, I was “The Bear,” and at home my daughters called me “Teddy Bear.”

Describe yourself as a child:  Curious and questioning, inventive and usually in trouble.

One phrase you wish people would say more: “This is my issue and here’s what I’m going to do about it.”

What’s your favorite food? I like variety. I’m an equally opportunity consumer.

What do you do during lunchtime?  Meet with people

Tell us something about you that perhaps the average person wouldn’t know?  I like white water canoeing.

Greatest Extravagance:  Good travel

How did you get into your current career field?  I joined the military in order to see the world and learn.

What is your biggest pet peeve?  The “blame society” and judgmental attacks without seeking first to understand – a lack of fairness and balance.

What is the secret to your success? Before I got a college degree it was stubbornness. After I got my degree it was perseverance.

How do you feel the West Valley has affected you, and how do you feel you’ve affected the West Valley?  I like Arizona and I think the West Valley is a very family-friendly place to live.  I would hope that I’m doing my share to make it a better place.

What would you recommend to people looking to make a difference in the West Valley? Learn.  Get involved.  And persevere.

We all enjoyed last week’s Justin Bieber themed episode of Glee where all of the show’s male characters took on the Bieber-like hair and wore the customary hoodie. But what happens now that he has cut off all of his hair for charity? OMG! Could it be another Felicity (Keri Russell) drop in popularity due to lost locks or will the incident be forgotten like the manic sheering off of Britney Spear’s goldie locks? One of the more obscure quotes from Jim Morrison was something about his worst mistakes in his life were haircuts. The whole rock star is the son of a Navy Admiral  thing. Will these teen pop idols ever learn?

The good news is that Bieber is donating the locks to charity.  The 16 year-old Canadian pop idol cut presented one of the locks to TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres with all the proceeds to benefit the California animal rescue organization The Gentle Barn. Bids on eBay have reached $6,700 earlier today. Click here for more. The auction will end on March 2.