It’s coming on 2010 and for most of us, that means starting anew. Resolving to change some things in our life that aren’t working or attempting to start things that we’ve always wanted to try. In some ways, it can be an act of washing yourself clean. New year, new you. It makes sense that so many of us focus on our physical selves – exercising more, losing weight. But, what if we all resolved to focus on ourselves in relation to our community and the world? What if we took the time to take a moment away from what we look like in our clothing, or what size jeans we wore, and put our attention on the world around us? What possibilities would open up for us as a country? A world?
Certainly, I’m not suggesting that eating better, losing weight or fitting into that pair of jeans that have been gathering dust in your closet for the past 10 years is not a lofty and worthy goal. Everyone knows that losing weight leads to better health and an individual at their best is better for the world. I wonder however, what would happen if everyone added their own ‘community resolution’ in addition to whatever goal they’ve set for themselves. If one of us recycled more, if the other volunteered their time more, and another donated some items that they no longer needed – what would happen? Would community action become a habit – like going to the gym – or eating more vegetables?
Am I getting too lofty? Maybe. It’s just that working on “What You Can Do” has made me wonder why, every New Year’s I’ve been so focused on myself. I sit there each year, watching fireworks go off in countries around the world at midnight and yet, I still don’t connect myself with my outside community. It’s more like – let me eat that dessert now because come January 1st, there will be no more cake to be had! I guess what I’m saying is that this year, I resolve to think outside of myself more. I am not an island. So this January 31st, while I sit, eating my dessert in my stretchy pants, I will resolve to eat less cake AND be a part of my community.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
New York Students help fight Hunger in NYC in 1 Minute!
Think there's nothing you to help fight Hunger in New York City this Holiday Season in 1 Minute?
Starring: Keanna McGarrell
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: City Harvest - www.cityharvest.org and The New York Daily News
Special Thanks: Heather Wallace and everyone at City Harvest, Griselda Garcia and everyone at The New York Daily News, and Dennis Arinella
Starring: Keanna McGarrell
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: City Harvest - www.cityharvest.org and The New York Daily News
Special Thanks: Heather Wallace and everyone at City Harvest, Griselda Garcia and everyone at The New York Daily News, and Dennis Arinella
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Diary of an American Shopper - Days 17 - 39
Woah - what happened? Last I wrote I was blissfully in the throws of pre-Thanksgiving challenge. And now, the holiday season is upon us and that means gift giving - and that gets my Made in the USA brain into a tizzy.
So, let me give you a bit of a re-cap. I have succeed in many gifts that I gave this year - my family likes pottery and pottery can be made my local artisans. Awesome. My family likes Christmas ornaments - and these too can be painted and crafted by American hands. My family loves Star Wars. Hmmmm...this complicates things. What am I to do? Do I purchase something with a drawing of the Millennium Falcon by good old American artists, or do I go with the officially licensed more desirable choice?
This brings up a very important question that I have been forced to deal with. How far does this challenge extend? Am I really going to give everyone arts and crafts including my friend Jim who shares a tradition with me. Every birthday and Christmas, we exchange gifts that are about Elvis. This has brought some very interesting artifacts into my collection - a 1970s bust of the king looks down on me from the top of my bookcase (made in germany - but hand molded. awesome!), an elvis cutting board gets used underneath my vegetables in my kitchen (made in the UK) and elvis jewelry (made I'm not sure where). See a theme here?
I just read the book A Year Without "Made in China" by Sara Bongiorni. She and her family decided to take on a boycott of everything "Made in China" for one year. I read it, and was very impressed on what she did considering she has children and most toys are Made in China. When I read this book, I realized that I didn't ever utter the word boycott, but I want to take this challenge seriously. So I thought long and hard about my choices.
I spoke with people. I received doubt and concern - My friend Matt and I discussed the fact that the Support the Troops car magnets are Made in China (that one hit the hardest.), but mostly, I heard support and that is what is keeping me going.
I've decided to do my best. I am going to buy my brother in law and one of my best friends the real deal - that means not Made in the USA, but it's what they really want. Their gifts will be supplemented by American made goodies. I've decided to also research countries that have good trade relations with our own, so next year I can make a more conscious and informed decision.
The way I look at it, If I'm giving a gift - I'd rather it stay with the person I'm giving it to rather than wind up in some trash can and contribute to the whole waste problem....but wait that's another blog.
I mark days 17 - 39 very illuminating
So, let me give you a bit of a re-cap. I have succeed in many gifts that I gave this year - my family likes pottery and pottery can be made my local artisans. Awesome. My family likes Christmas ornaments - and these too can be painted and crafted by American hands. My family loves Star Wars. Hmmmm...this complicates things. What am I to do? Do I purchase something with a drawing of the Millennium Falcon by good old American artists, or do I go with the officially licensed more desirable choice?
This brings up a very important question that I have been forced to deal with. How far does this challenge extend? Am I really going to give everyone arts and crafts including my friend Jim who shares a tradition with me. Every birthday and Christmas, we exchange gifts that are about Elvis. This has brought some very interesting artifacts into my collection - a 1970s bust of the king looks down on me from the top of my bookcase (made in germany - but hand molded. awesome!), an elvis cutting board gets used underneath my vegetables in my kitchen (made in the UK) and elvis jewelry (made I'm not sure where). See a theme here?
I just read the book A Year Without "Made in China" by Sara Bongiorni. She and her family decided to take on a boycott of everything "Made in China" for one year. I read it, and was very impressed on what she did considering she has children and most toys are Made in China. When I read this book, I realized that I didn't ever utter the word boycott, but I want to take this challenge seriously. So I thought long and hard about my choices.
I spoke with people. I received doubt and concern - My friend Matt and I discussed the fact that the Support the Troops car magnets are Made in China (that one hit the hardest.), but mostly, I heard support and that is what is keeping me going.
I've decided to do my best. I am going to buy my brother in law and one of my best friends the real deal - that means not Made in the USA, but it's what they really want. Their gifts will be supplemented by American made goodies. I've decided to also research countries that have good trade relations with our own, so next year I can make a more conscious and informed decision.
The way I look at it, If I'm giving a gift - I'd rather it stay with the person I'm giving it to rather than wind up in some trash can and contribute to the whole waste problem....but wait that's another blog.
I mark days 17 - 39 very illuminating
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What You Can Do 365 Issues Preview
Starting January 1, 2010, What You Can Do 365 will tackle a different social issue daily for one year.
Each video will show viewers what they can do to help even if they only have a minute of time to give.
Because even if you have only one minute, you can help change the world.
Come on Let's show them What You Can Do!
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks - Dennis Arinella and all of everyone who gave up their time to shoot these videos. Thank you.
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Each video will show viewers what they can do to help even if they only have a minute of time to give.
Because even if you have only one minute, you can help change the world.
Come on Let's show them What You Can Do!
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks - Dennis Arinella and all of everyone who gave up their time to shoot these videos. Thank you.
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Great News for Milestone!
We just got word that Milestone will be crossing over the border into Canada for the The Victoria Film Festival this January. Our very own, Alicia, has been to Victoria, Canada and has been talking about how beautiful it is there! So, if you happen to have a hankering to get out of town at the end of January, go and check it out!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Think there's nothing you can do to help fight Hunger in NYC this Holiday Season in 1 Minute?
Think there's nothing you can do to help fight Hunger in NYC this Holiday Season in 1 Minute?
Starring: Jack Halaby
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: City Harvest - www.cityharvest.org & The New York Daily News
Special Thanks: Heather Wallace and everyone at City Harvest, Griselda Garcia and everyone at The New York Daily News, James Long and everyone at the FDNY, and Dennis Arinella
Starring: Jack Halaby
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: City Harvest - www.cityharvest.org & The New York Daily News
Special Thanks: Heather Wallace and everyone at City Harvest, Griselda Garcia and everyone at The New York Daily News, James Long and everyone at the FDNY, and Dennis Arinella
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Make a difference this holiday season in 1 minute!
Think there's nothing you can do to support women in Africa this Holiday Season in 1 Minute?
Starring: Alex Marshall-Brown
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: GreaterGood Network- www.greatergood.org
and Global Girlfriend -www.globalgirlfriend.com
Special Thanks: Stacey Edgar and everyone at globalgirlfriend.com, Rosemary Jones and everyone at GreaterGood Network, and Dennis Arinella
Starring: Alex Marshall-Brown
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical Information provided by: GreaterGood Network- www.greatergood.org
and Global Girlfriend -www.globalgirlfriend.com
Special Thanks: Stacey Edgar and everyone at globalgirlfriend.com, Rosemary Jones and everyone at GreaterGood Network, and Dennis Arinella
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