Hello PIEN members! I have been a member of PARKINSN LISTSERV for approximately four years and I joined CARE about two years ago. I have learned so much invaluable information regarding Parkinson's Disease from both groups and I have no intentions of leaving either list. However, over the course of time, about 2 - 3 times a year, there is great conflict between the vast numbers of members on PIEN regarding what should & should not be posted. Several times, our wonderful list-owner, Barb Patterson has had to get down to brass tacks. I was recently asked by another PIEN member if I would have interest in becoming list-owner for another list. After giving it great thought, I decided that it would be a pleasure to do what I could to help take some of the conflict from PIEN so that it could once again be what Barb Patterson intended it to become. John Bjork has agreed to be co-owner of the new list. John & I could not have done what we are doing without the help of Hans van der Genugten. The three of us have worked hard over the past week and Simon Coles will be hosting the new list. Thank you Simon!! Thus the birth of SPARKLE! WHAT IS SPARKLE? SPARKLE (Smiling PARKies Live Easier) SPARKLE intends to bring a smile to people living with PD. SPARKLE is a worldwide english speaking list for exchanging "NON-PD" messages between people with Parkinson's Disease (PWP), their partners, caregivers, family, relatives and people otherwise involved or interested in PD. SPARKLE is a sublist of the Parkinsn Information Exchange Network. SPARKLE is from now on the perfect place to exchange "NON-PD" messages. That way the number of messages on PARKINSN will be seriously reduced and will be mainly PD-related only. People that also want to (continue to) exchange "NON-PD" messages can join SPARKLE. Examples of the contents of "NON-PD" messages are: (saga-based) stories, humor and/or humour, jokes, poetry, cook-recipes, hobbies, pets, vacation, holidays, chitchat. The SPARKLE server is located in Great-Brittain, made available for free by New Information Paradigms and hosted by Simon Coles. We are very greatfull for their support!! TO JOIN SPARKLE: Send an (empty) email to: [log in to unmask] Then you will receive further list-instructions. Messages to the list SPARKLE should be sent to: SPARKLE <[log in to unmask]> If you have any problems, questions, comments or suggestions please send them to the list-owners at: [log in to unmask] Me and John hope to see you soon on SPARKLE!! Bonnie Rowley.