Wednesday, June 30, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Pack Responsibly
Starring: Grace Tortorici and Richard Tortorici
Written by: Jessica Arinella and Julie Tortorici
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
Monday, June 28, 2010
Fair Trade Vacation
Think there's nothing you can do to Go Green on Your Summer Vacation in 1 Minute?
Starring - Damion Fitz
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: The Fair Trade Federation - www.fairtradefederation.org
Special Thanks: Carm Iezzi and everyone at the Fair Trade Federation, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Damion Fitz
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: The Fair Trade Federation - www.fairtradefederation.org
Special Thanks: Carm Iezzi and everyone at the Fair Trade Federation, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Diary of an American Shopper day 239 - or An Opening Blog for Go Green Vacation
Diary of an American Shopper day 239
Since I recently went on vacation, I thought it was the perfect time to put the What You Can Do motto into effect. I don't know about you, but when I go on vacation, my good habits seem to go right out the window. So what did that mean about all of my "Made in America" and "Buying Green" efforts? To be honest, I thought they would get the best of me.
HOWEVER - all of the hotels that we stayed at had little cards that invited us to hold off on washing our sheets or towels everyday. It's a tip that we discuss in one of our videos that is very easy to do. At home, I don't wash my sheets or towels everyday, so why should I do it on vacation? Think about this - according to Rachel Buchholz, managing editor of National Geographic Kids Magazine, "Doing one less load of laundry a week saves as much as 2,000 gallons of water a year, so think how much water a hotel would save by doing less laundry." Not to mention all the detergents! All I had to do was hang up my towels to dry (like I do at home), and they knew not to change them. Simple steps!
On vacation we drink a lot of water, and I mean a lot. Then again in my day to day life I drink a lot, so I guess it's not surprising. However, on vacation, we usually have to keep buying water because the airlines don't let us on the plane with a bottle and.....well...that's another blog. HOWEVER, our first stop on our vacation was Zion National Park in Utah. And we were pleasantly surprised by efforts that Zion has made to help our environment. They don't allow cars into the park, but rather run shuttle buses for the visitors. These eco-friendly buses run regularly so we never had to wait more than 5 minutes and they took us everywhere we wanted to go. The buses limit the ware and tear on the roads as well as lowers the pollution in the air. Imagine if all our National Parks had these restrictions. When I visited Yosemite, I was blown away by the way that people would park their cars anywhere because the lots were full. This meant they were parking on plants and tree roots. You can only imagine what that does to erosion. In addition to the buses, Zion doesn't sell bottled water in the park. Instead they sell large plastic bottles that you can fill up at any of the fountains throughout the park. It really was inspiring. What if more parks did this? How much plastic could we save?
And my "Made in America" motto was alive and well. I bought souvenirs from local artisans, a Navajo blanket and some beautiful pottery made in Colorado and Montana.
I mark day 239 a pleasant success!
Since I recently went on vacation, I thought it was the perfect time to put the What You Can Do motto into effect. I don't know about you, but when I go on vacation, my good habits seem to go right out the window. So what did that mean about all of my "Made in America" and "Buying Green" efforts? To be honest, I thought they would get the best of me.
HOWEVER - all of the hotels that we stayed at had little cards that invited us to hold off on washing our sheets or towels everyday. It's a tip that we discuss in one of our videos that is very easy to do. At home, I don't wash my sheets or towels everyday, so why should I do it on vacation? Think about this - according to Rachel Buchholz, managing editor of National Geographic Kids Magazine, "Doing one less load of laundry a week saves as much as 2,000 gallons of water a year, so think how much water a hotel would save by doing less laundry." Not to mention all the detergents! All I had to do was hang up my towels to dry (like I do at home), and they knew not to change them. Simple steps!
On vacation we drink a lot of water, and I mean a lot. Then again in my day to day life I drink a lot, so I guess it's not surprising. However, on vacation, we usually have to keep buying water because the airlines don't let us on the plane with a bottle and.....well...that's another blog. HOWEVER, our first stop on our vacation was Zion National Park in Utah. And we were pleasantly surprised by efforts that Zion has made to help our environment. They don't allow cars into the park, but rather run shuttle buses for the visitors. These eco-friendly buses run regularly so we never had to wait more than 5 minutes and they took us everywhere we wanted to go. The buses limit the ware and tear on the roads as well as lowers the pollution in the air. Imagine if all our National Parks had these restrictions. When I visited Yosemite, I was blown away by the way that people would park their cars anywhere because the lots were full. This meant they were parking on plants and tree roots. You can only imagine what that does to erosion. In addition to the buses, Zion doesn't sell bottled water in the park. Instead they sell large plastic bottles that you can fill up at any of the fountains throughout the park. It really was inspiring. What if more parks did this? How much plastic could we save?
And my "Made in America" motto was alive and well. I bought souvenirs from local artisans, a Navajo blanket and some beautiful pottery made in Colorado and Montana.
I mark day 239 a pleasant success!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
An Interview with Caitlin Carlson - Mercy Corps, Park 2
Here is part 2 of my interview with Caitlin at Mercy Corps
Jessica: How do you feel that working at Mercy Corps has personally changed your world outlook?
Caitlin: It’s made me look much more globally. I grew up in Portland and had the great advantage of being able to travel to a few places outside of the United States growing up and that initially started to expand my view of what the world is to me. Then after college and coming to Mercy Corps and starting to learn about places that I had never heard of like Tajikistan, it started me along the path to becoming more of a global citizen instead of just a citizen of Portland Oregon or a citizen of the United States.
Jessica: And to be a ”global citizen-“ what does that mean to you in terms of your day-to-day activities?
Caitlin: It means that I consider a broader context to my actions. Take environmental practices, I try to do my best - I walk or bike to work and it’s not just because those two things are enjoyable but it’s also because I know that the United States has a big responsibility to the world to be better stewards of our environment. So I think more about the people in Niger, whose crops are being affected by what the global powers are doing to the environment. It’s something I probably wouldn’t have thought of ten years ago. Now that I am more engaged in the issues of communities around the world that are struggling, it makes me think about how I approach my life in a way that I don’t make it worse for them.
Jessica: In starting this project, we’ve heard that a lot of people believe that the average person cannot create real and lasting change – that you have to be the head of the UN or the president of the United States to be effective. How would you respond to that?
Caitlin: It’s easy to feel small when considering some of the large global issues. Things like hunger and poverty are massive global problems that if you think of yourself as one individual person, it’s hard to see the impact that you can have. But there are so many avenues out there where you can make a difference. Giving five dollars to charitable organizations like Mercy Corps has a huge impact for somebody who’s living in poverty. Writing your congressperson has an impact. Having been a political science major in college, I know that if your representative keeps getting email messages, or letters in the mail, or phone calls about a particular issue, they are going to start paying attention to it. If their constituency is telling them that it is important to them, they will take notice. So it can be simple as a letter to your congressperson about something that you feel needs to be changed that can have an impact. When you start thinking on a micro level about the different things that you can do to make a difference it becomes clearer to see that you can affect something. If everybody starts thinking in that way and acting in that way, it becomes a massive movement to improve hunger, poverty or whatever you feel really strongly about.
Jessica: And in your opinion do you feel that if this ”micro movement” started and everyone got involved that some of these issues could be solvable?
Caitlin: Absolutely! For Mercy Corps, hunger and poverty are our big focuses. Historically, traditional humanitarian aid was centered around band-aid approaches. But now that we have organizations like Mercy Corps and our other colleague agencies, that have had years of on the ground experience, we’ve begun to see what the true root causes of these issues are. It’s that kind of understanding that can truly make more than just a band-aid fix and it’s how we’re going to change things for the better. This was part of the reason why we created the Action Centers because there are little actions that you can do to address those root causes which will then make a ripple effect. So absolutely! One person certainly can make a difference.
Jessica: Lastly do you have an issue that is particularly close to you?
Caitlin: Yes, I do. I had the opportunity to travel to Indonesia with Mercy Corps and I visited one of our programs, a program that educates and supports women with breastfeeding. There is a big problem in Indonesia of formula companies systematically pushing their product to mothers without giving them proper information about formula feeding. This has been going on for so many years that a lot of women, particularly in the slum areas who don’t have great access to education or health services, don’t even know that breastfeeding is an option and often a better option. They’ve been told that you formula feed because it makes your child healthy and it quiets your child from crying, it’s just what you do. But because these women are often very poor, they can’t afford formula as it can cost half of their monthly income which means they try to stretch it by diluting it with water which is generally unsanitary so not only are you cutting the nutritional value for your child, the children are constantly getting sick from the dirty water mixed into the formula. I got to meet with one couple who had been living with grandparents and they were encouraging her to formula feed her child because she cried a lot and they thought formula would make her stop crying so much. But because she had taken part in breastfeeding counseling sessions with Mercy Corps, and had worked with a midwife who was part of this Mercy Corps program, she knew that wasn’t true. They actually ended up running away and living on their own, just so they could breastfeed their child. All of their neighbors and community members would comment, “My God, your daughter, Efa is so big and so healthy looking,” and she would tell them it’s because she breastfed and no one would believe her. So having seen one of these programs in person brings these issues to the forefront for me. Before this experience I couldn’t imagine that women globally would simply not know they could breastfeed. So it’s very moving and an emotional experience to see some of the ways that people live in some pretty dire situations. Without proper healthcare, without proper education it can really be a detriment to a whole generation of Indonesians because when you are malnourished at a young age, it can have serious consequences for your development as a person.
For more information on Mercy Corps, please visit - www.MercyCorps.org
Jessica: How do you feel that working at Mercy Corps has personally changed your world outlook?
Caitlin: It’s made me look much more globally. I grew up in Portland and had the great advantage of being able to travel to a few places outside of the United States growing up and that initially started to expand my view of what the world is to me. Then after college and coming to Mercy Corps and starting to learn about places that I had never heard of like Tajikistan, it started me along the path to becoming more of a global citizen instead of just a citizen of Portland Oregon or a citizen of the United States.
Jessica: And to be a ”global citizen-“ what does that mean to you in terms of your day-to-day activities?
Caitlin: It means that I consider a broader context to my actions. Take environmental practices, I try to do my best - I walk or bike to work and it’s not just because those two things are enjoyable but it’s also because I know that the United States has a big responsibility to the world to be better stewards of our environment. So I think more about the people in Niger, whose crops are being affected by what the global powers are doing to the environment. It’s something I probably wouldn’t have thought of ten years ago. Now that I am more engaged in the issues of communities around the world that are struggling, it makes me think about how I approach my life in a way that I don’t make it worse for them.
Jessica: In starting this project, we’ve heard that a lot of people believe that the average person cannot create real and lasting change – that you have to be the head of the UN or the president of the United States to be effective. How would you respond to that?
Caitlin: It’s easy to feel small when considering some of the large global issues. Things like hunger and poverty are massive global problems that if you think of yourself as one individual person, it’s hard to see the impact that you can have. But there are so many avenues out there where you can make a difference. Giving five dollars to charitable organizations like Mercy Corps has a huge impact for somebody who’s living in poverty. Writing your congressperson has an impact. Having been a political science major in college, I know that if your representative keeps getting email messages, or letters in the mail, or phone calls about a particular issue, they are going to start paying attention to it. If their constituency is telling them that it is important to them, they will take notice. So it can be simple as a letter to your congressperson about something that you feel needs to be changed that can have an impact. When you start thinking on a micro level about the different things that you can do to make a difference it becomes clearer to see that you can affect something. If everybody starts thinking in that way and acting in that way, it becomes a massive movement to improve hunger, poverty or whatever you feel really strongly about.
Jessica: And in your opinion do you feel that if this ”micro movement” started and everyone got involved that some of these issues could be solvable?
Caitlin: Absolutely! For Mercy Corps, hunger and poverty are our big focuses. Historically, traditional humanitarian aid was centered around band-aid approaches. But now that we have organizations like Mercy Corps and our other colleague agencies, that have had years of on the ground experience, we’ve begun to see what the true root causes of these issues are. It’s that kind of understanding that can truly make more than just a band-aid fix and it’s how we’re going to change things for the better. This was part of the reason why we created the Action Centers because there are little actions that you can do to address those root causes which will then make a ripple effect. So absolutely! One person certainly can make a difference.
Jessica: Lastly do you have an issue that is particularly close to you?
Caitlin: Yes, I do. I had the opportunity to travel to Indonesia with Mercy Corps and I visited one of our programs, a program that educates and supports women with breastfeeding. There is a big problem in Indonesia of formula companies systematically pushing their product to mothers without giving them proper information about formula feeding. This has been going on for so many years that a lot of women, particularly in the slum areas who don’t have great access to education or health services, don’t even know that breastfeeding is an option and often a better option. They’ve been told that you formula feed because it makes your child healthy and it quiets your child from crying, it’s just what you do. But because these women are often very poor, they can’t afford formula as it can cost half of their monthly income which means they try to stretch it by diluting it with water which is generally unsanitary so not only are you cutting the nutritional value for your child, the children are constantly getting sick from the dirty water mixed into the formula. I got to meet with one couple who had been living with grandparents and they were encouraging her to formula feed her child because she cried a lot and they thought formula would make her stop crying so much. But because she had taken part in breastfeeding counseling sessions with Mercy Corps, and had worked with a midwife who was part of this Mercy Corps program, she knew that wasn’t true. They actually ended up running away and living on their own, just so they could breastfeed their child. All of their neighbors and community members would comment, “My God, your daughter, Efa is so big and so healthy looking,” and she would tell them it’s because she breastfed and no one would believe her. So having seen one of these programs in person brings these issues to the forefront for me. Before this experience I couldn’t imagine that women globally would simply not know they could breastfeed. So it’s very moving and an emotional experience to see some of the ways that people live in some pretty dire situations. Without proper healthcare, without proper education it can really be a detriment to a whole generation of Indonesians because when you are malnourished at a young age, it can have serious consequences for your development as a person.
For more information on Mercy Corps, please visit - www.MercyCorps.org
Friday, June 25, 2010
Learn about the Global Hunger Crisis
Think there's nothing you can do to Help FIght Global Hunger in 1 Minute?
Starring - Richard Tortorici & Grace Tortorici
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: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org
Special Thanks: Susannah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Richard Tortorici & Grace Tortorici
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: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org
Special Thanks: Susannah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Hereoes Against Hunger
Think there's nothing you can do to Help FIght Hunger in 1 Minute?
Starring - Rosie Moss
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: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Sylvia Ross and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Rosie Moss
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: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Special Thanks: Sylvia Ross and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Help Fight Hunger in DC
Think there's nothing you can do to Help FIght Hunger in DC in 1 Minute?
Starring - Carolina Caro
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: SOME, www.some.org
Special Thanks: Tracy Monson and everyone at SOME, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Carolina Caro
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: SOME, www.some.org
Special Thanks: Tracy Monson and everyone at SOME, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Help Fight Malnutrition
Think there's nothing you can do to Help FIght Malnutrition in 1 Minute?
Starring - Fernando Alicea
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: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org
Special Thanks: Susanah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Fernando Alicea
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: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org
Special Thanks: Susanah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Monday, June 21, 2010
Fight Hunger at Work
Think there's nothing you can do to fight Hunger at Work in 1 Minute?
Starring -Dennis Arinella & Alicia Arinella
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: www.cityharvest.org
Special Thanks: Heather Wallace and everyone at City Harvest, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring -Dennis Arinella & Alicia Arinella
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: www.cityharvest.org
Special Thanks: Heather Wallace and everyone at City Harvest, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Sunday, June 20, 2010
An Interview with Caitlin Carlson from Mercy Corps, Part 1
What You Can Do would not be possible without the amazing organizations that have so kindly lent us their time, wisdom and expertise. One organization that we have worked with again and again is Mercy Corps which, among other things, makes amazing contributions to the fight against world hunger. Our first contact there was Caitlin Carlson. She has since moved on, but before she left I was able to interview her about her experience working with this amazing organization
Interview Caitlin Carlson Mercy Corps Part 1
Jessica: One of the things that seems to be unique about Mercy Corps is that Mercy Corps covers such a wide variety of issues. Why does your organization choose to do this?
Caitlin: Well, we like to work in the way that best benefits the community that we’re in. So say we only focused on one particular expertise, it would really limit our ability to work in many places. As we’ve grown, we have a global staff of 3700 people in 40 countries, so you can imagine that not every place that we work-because we work in multiple places in each country -have the same needs. So if we were only a water sanitation organization, for example, that would really limit where we would be able to make an impact. So we like to take the approach of engaging the community. Because that’s one of our primary tenants of our mission is that we want to make sure to engage the community in their own programs, because we don’t want to create dependency. We want to create the ability for them to continue to improve their town, their city, whatever it is -after we leave. Ideally we work ourselves out of a job.
Jessica: That was actually one of my other questions as It seems like you focus on helping a community sustain itself, and that was a wonderful answer as to why.
And Mercy Corps began that way correct? With the idea of going into a community?
Caitlin: Mercy Corps began initially in response to the killing fields in Cambodia. We were not actually called Mercy Corps at that time. We were called Save the Refugees. It was an organization that was started by our founder Dan O’ Neil. As he realized, working in that environment, that there was so much need in so many other places he kind of started looking much bigger and expanding from there. Each new person that we brought on had their own expertise, and it kind of grew to addressing many other sectors.
Jessica: As for your own person involvement: What attracted you to Mercy Corps?
Caitlin: Our global head quarters is here in Portland Oregon, and we were founded here in Portland. We’ve been here the entirety of our organizational history. And I happen to be a native of Portland.
Jessica: Ah
Caitlin: So I was aware of the organization, via that connection, and I’ve known people that have worked here, and everyone speaks so highly of the organization itself- our team members, the leadership-and just the overall mission. And so I had been aware of the organization and then actually out of college I had applied for an internship, and I got that, and then the rest is history. (laughs)
For more information on Mercy Corps, please visit - www.MercyCorps.org
Interview Caitlin Carlson Mercy Corps Part 1
Jessica: One of the things that seems to be unique about Mercy Corps is that Mercy Corps covers such a wide variety of issues. Why does your organization choose to do this?
Caitlin: Well, we like to work in the way that best benefits the community that we’re in. So say we only focused on one particular expertise, it would really limit our ability to work in many places. As we’ve grown, we have a global staff of 3700 people in 40 countries, so you can imagine that not every place that we work-because we work in multiple places in each country -have the same needs. So if we were only a water sanitation organization, for example, that would really limit where we would be able to make an impact. So we like to take the approach of engaging the community. Because that’s one of our primary tenants of our mission is that we want to make sure to engage the community in their own programs, because we don’t want to create dependency. We want to create the ability for them to continue to improve their town, their city, whatever it is -after we leave. Ideally we work ourselves out of a job.
Jessica: That was actually one of my other questions as It seems like you focus on helping a community sustain itself, and that was a wonderful answer as to why.
And Mercy Corps began that way correct? With the idea of going into a community?
Caitlin: Mercy Corps began initially in response to the killing fields in Cambodia. We were not actually called Mercy Corps at that time. We were called Save the Refugees. It was an organization that was started by our founder Dan O’ Neil. As he realized, working in that environment, that there was so much need in so many other places he kind of started looking much bigger and expanding from there. Each new person that we brought on had their own expertise, and it kind of grew to addressing many other sectors.
Jessica: As for your own person involvement: What attracted you to Mercy Corps?
Caitlin: Our global head quarters is here in Portland Oregon, and we were founded here in Portland. We’ve been here the entirety of our organizational history. And I happen to be a native of Portland.
Jessica: Ah
Caitlin: So I was aware of the organization, via that connection, and I’ve known people that have worked here, and everyone speaks so highly of the organization itself- our team members, the leadership-and just the overall mission. And so I had been aware of the organization and then actually out of college I had applied for an internship, and I got that, and then the rest is history. (laughs)
For more information on Mercy Corps, please visit - www.MercyCorps.org
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Closing Blog - Gulf Crisis Week
Looking everyday at the devastation in the Gulf, brings up immense and crazy feelings in me. I feel angry. I feel afraid. But mostly I feel hopeless. I don’t think that any of us has a grasp yet on what this catastrophe will mean to our country long term. There just seems to be no way to even conceive of the financial, economic, social and environmental consequences that will undoubtedly plaque our country for years to come. This is EXACTLY the kind of world issue that at times makes me want to hide in a closet and emerge next spring. But then again this is exactly why I created this show to begin with. Overwhelming as this catastrophe is, there are things that all of us can do to help heal this mess.
We didn’t create this tragedy but we will collectively need to accept responsibility for it. And, I guess, the hope is that we can use this as a catalyst for the change we want to see in our country. Whether its renewable energy sources, stricter environmental laws or tougher standards for big corporations now is the perfect time to use our voices and ask for them.
We here at What You Can Do would like to thank the National Wildlife Federation for their help this week. And if you need a quick, easy idea to get involved and help please check out the suggestions on our blog.
We didn’t create this tragedy but we will collectively need to accept responsibility for it. And, I guess, the hope is that we can use this as a catalyst for the change we want to see in our country. Whether its renewable energy sources, stricter environmental laws or tougher standards for big corporations now is the perfect time to use our voices and ask for them.
We here at What You Can Do would like to thank the National Wildlife Federation for their help this week. And if you need a quick, easy idea to get involved and help please check out the suggestions on our blog.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Gulf Crisis Week - Episode 5
Think there's nothing you can do to about the Gulf Oil Spill in 1 Minute?
Starring - Alicia Arinella & Melissa Jernigan
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: The National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Alicia Arinella & Melissa Jernigan
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: The National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Gulf Crisis Week - Episode 4
Think there's nothing you can do to about the Gulf Oil Spill in 1 Minute?
Starring - Alicia Arinella
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: The National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Alicia Arinella
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: The National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Gulf Crisis Week - Episode 3
Think there's nothing you can do to about the Gulf Oil Spill in 1 Minute?
Starring - Alicia Arinella, Melissa Jernigan & Julie Tortorici
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: The National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Alicia Arinella, Melissa Jernigan & Julie Tortorici
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: The National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Gulf Oil Spill Crisis - Video 2
Starring: Melissa Jernigan
Written by: Jessica Arinella and Julie Tortorici
Shot, Directed and Edited by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music: Banana Whale
What You Can Do logo created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks:
The National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org)
Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Monday, June 14, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Gulf Oil Spill Crisis - Video 1
Starring: Julie Tortorici
Written by: Jessica Arinella and Julie Tortorici
Shot, Directed and Edited by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
What You Can Do logo created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks:
The National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org)
Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Sunday, June 13, 2010
What You Can Do adds a week about The Gulf Oil Spill Crisis
In the wake of the Gulf Oil Spill, we decided over here at “What You Can Do” that we had to address the disaster somehow. Our hope is to do a number of videos on the subject and the aftermath with expert organizations in the near future. Right now however, the wildlife rescue organizations are busy on the ground trying to deal with the catastrophic results of the spill. However, we did speak with the National Wildlife Federation and they offered some wonderful guidance (thanks to them for taking the time!).
In researching this week, I came upon this link from the Natural Research Defense Council’s Staff Blog. For someone like me, who hasn’t had the opportunity to spend much time in the Gulf, I found that I was pretty ignorant of the types of wildlife that call the area home. I felt that this blog was a good resource with helpful information.
While I hope that the devastation from the spill is taken care of as quickly as possible and that the long term damage to the area is minimal, I hope that what endures is the motivation for our country to find alternative energy solutions.
In researching this week, I came upon this link from the Natural Research Defense Council’s Staff Blog. For someone like me, who hasn’t had the opportunity to spend much time in the Gulf, I found that I was pretty ignorant of the types of wildlife that call the area home. I felt that this blog was a good resource with helpful information.
While I hope that the devastation from the spill is taken care of as quickly as possible and that the long term damage to the area is minimal, I hope that what endures is the motivation for our country to find alternative energy solutions.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Diary of an American Shopper day 194, or my 10 places to visit This Summer
So, everyone has a list of things that they would like to complete in their life time. Mine is pretty short - I would like to become fluent in another language, I would like to learn how to ice skate, I would like to drive cross country, I would like to swim with wild dolphins (albeit, not the safest), and I would like to visit all 50 states. My dad shared that last goal as well, and I'm happy to report that on May 23, 2010 we completed it! My dad and I visited Theodore Roosevelt State Park in North Dakota, and completed our 50 state adventure. Now I realize that somehow driving cross country may be anti-climactic after that, but I am keeping it on the list!
Moving on. In honor of Summer, and the fact that most of us get out of our hibernation lairs, I'd like to share some advice on my top 10 places to visit in this great country of ours. In no particular order....
#1 - Visit Wyoming!
It has Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, Devils Tower, Jackson Hole - and that's just to name a few. I'm not a crowd person, so we visited in May and encountered more four legged wildlife than 2 legged; however, if you are a big fan of the slopes, you can find a lot to do in the winter months as well.
#2 - Visit Alaska!
I would like to get back to Alaska, so that I can visit Denali National Park, but my parents and I took a cruise along the southern coast in 2000 and we visited Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan (the spot with the highest rainfall in the US), and Juneau (the only state capital with no road access). I also almost adopted a Husky, but that's another story. It's a beautiful part of the country that reminded why explorers found this land of ours so promising. FIlled with local artisans and wonderful people, it also happens to be the highest consumer of ice cream per capita. AMAZING!
**Thanks to http://alaskarvcampgrounds.com/glacier-bay-national-park-and-preserve-gustavus/ for the picture
#3 - Visit New York City!
Okay, I realize I'm a little biased, but I think this city is amazing. I've lived her for ten years, and I still find new places to explore. And even older places, like our lady friend, give me thrills everytime I see them. Seems like the wonder of New York never really fades. Like no other city in our country, New York has history, culture, art, character and life!
# 4 - Visit Cape Cod, the Green Mountains or Acadia National Park!
Being a New Englander I am a huge fan. I grew up summering here before the crowds became too overwhelming and we went to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire instead, BUT if antiquing, beaching, eating or mini golfing is your thing - Cape Cod is your place.
And of course the great state of New Hampshire is home to my favorite highway - The Kancamgus. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park is a long way away from pretty much anywhere, but it's a very accessible park. I grew up with the Atlantic as my ocean, and I admit that it's still my favorite. And yes, I'm well aware that I'm biased and nostalgic for the place where I was raised.
# 5 Visit New Orleans!
This part of our country couldn't be more rich. It's filled with history. It invented a food, a music and an architecture style. And sadly, it's been hit pretty hard over the past five years. This part of the country is filled with some of the coolest art I've ever seen and with some of the nicest people I have ever met. They need our support right now, so it's worth a trip.
#6 - Visit Badlands National Park!
It looks like you're on the moon, but you'll never seem more interesting geological formations. And heck, it's the title to a great song!
#7 - Visit Memphis!
It's a town filled with such history and great food. Home to the King and Sun Records, to the Peabody Ducks, home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock and Roll, you can't go wrong. If you're there, be sure to eat at Corky's. It's worth the wait.
#8 - Visit the National Parks of Utah!
With Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands and Arches (just to name a few), you will see some of the most beautiful country there is in only a few hundred miles. On top of that, you're very close to Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, The Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park. There's so much to see there. If you thing is hiking, Native American Art or White Water Rafting, there's so much to do in this part of the country.
#9 - Visit our History!
Whether you visit Boston, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Lexington & Concord, New York, Washington DC or any of the other places in this country where our roots have grown, you will learn about where we come from, and how this country got it's start. And it's ultimately in those spaces that we learn where we're going.
#10 - Visit with Friends!
Cause no matter where you go, if you're with people who get you, you'll have the best time. Get outside and enjoy this great country of ours!
Moving on. In honor of Summer, and the fact that most of us get out of our hibernation lairs, I'd like to share some advice on my top 10 places to visit in this great country of ours. In no particular order....
#1 - Visit Wyoming!
It has Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, Devils Tower, Jackson Hole - and that's just to name a few. I'm not a crowd person, so we visited in May and encountered more four legged wildlife than 2 legged; however, if you are a big fan of the slopes, you can find a lot to do in the winter months as well.
#2 - Visit Alaska!I would like to get back to Alaska, so that I can visit Denali National Park, but my parents and I took a cruise along the southern coast in 2000 and we visited Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan (the spot with the highest rainfall in the US), and Juneau (the only state capital with no road access). I also almost adopted a Husky, but that's another story. It's a beautiful part of the country that reminded why explorers found this land of ours so promising. FIlled with local artisans and wonderful people, it also happens to be the highest consumer of ice cream per capita. AMAZING!
#3 - Visit New York City!
Okay, I realize I'm a little biased, but I think this city is amazing. I've lived her for ten years, and I still find new places to explore. And even older places, like our lady friend, give me thrills everytime I see them. Seems like the wonder of New York never really fades. Like no other city in our country, New York has history, culture, art, character and life!
# 4 - Visit Cape Cod, the Green Mountains or Acadia National Park!
Being a New Englander I am a huge fan. I grew up summering here before the crowds became too overwhelming and we went to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire instead, BUT if antiquing, beaching, eating or mini golfing is your thing - Cape Cod is your place.
And of course the great state of New Hampshire is home to my favorite highway - The Kancamgus. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park is a long way away from pretty much anywhere, but it's a very accessible park. I grew up with the Atlantic as my ocean, and I admit that it's still my favorite. And yes, I'm well aware that I'm biased and nostalgic for the place where I was raised.
# 5 Visit New Orleans!This part of our country couldn't be more rich. It's filled with history. It invented a food, a music and an architecture style. And sadly, it's been hit pretty hard over the past five years. This part of the country is filled with some of the coolest art I've ever seen and with some of the nicest people I have ever met. They need our support right now, so it's worth a trip.
#6 - Visit Badlands National Park!It looks like you're on the moon, but you'll never seem more interesting geological formations. And heck, it's the title to a great song!
#7 - Visit Memphis!It's a town filled with such history and great food. Home to the King and Sun Records, to the Peabody Ducks, home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock and Roll, you can't go wrong. If you're there, be sure to eat at Corky's. It's worth the wait.
#8 - Visit the National Parks of Utah!With Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands and Arches (just to name a few), you will see some of the most beautiful country there is in only a few hundred miles. On top of that, you're very close to Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, The Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park. There's so much to see there. If you thing is hiking, Native American Art or White Water Rafting, there's so much to do in this part of the country.
#9 - Visit our History!Whether you visit Boston, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Lexington & Concord, New York, Washington DC or any of the other places in this country where our roots have grown, you will learn about where we come from, and how this country got it's start. And it's ultimately in those spaces that we learn where we're going.
#10 - Visit with Friends!Cause no matter where you go, if you're with people who get you, you'll have the best time. Get outside and enjoy this great country of ours!
Friday, June 11, 2010
GULF WEEK: List of Resources to Get Involved!
Want to donate money, time or resources to help clean up the Gulf Oil Spill? Here are some links that can offer you tips and information:
The National Wildlife Federation's Donation Page or text 20222 to donate 10 dollars to the National Wildlife Federation - for more information click: HERE
Need updates on the spill?
Check this link out: www.nwf.org/oilspill
For videos
Video 1
Video 2
If you are in the area volunteer with the National Wildlife Federation's on the ground Volunteer Wildlife Surveillance Network
www.nwf.org
Defenders of Wildlife
www.defenders.org
Adopt an Animal:
HERE
Fight for Sea Turtles
HERE
Information from the National Audubon Society is available HERE
How to help the National Audubon Society:
FIND OUT HERE
Help birds at risk from the oil spill:
The International Bird Rescue Research Center
Tristate Bird Rescue and Research
PBS's Live Oil Cam Feed:
Watch It Here
The National Wildlife Federation's Donation Page or text 20222 to donate 10 dollars to the National Wildlife Federation - for more information click: HERE
Need updates on the spill?
Check this link out: www.nwf.org/oilspill
For videos
Video 1
Video 2
If you are in the area volunteer with the National Wildlife Federation's on the ground Volunteer Wildlife Surveillance Network
www.nwf.org
Defenders of Wildlife
www.defenders.org
Adopt an Animal:
HERE
Fight for Sea Turtles
HERE
Information from the National Audubon Society is available HERE
How to help the National Audubon Society:
FIND OUT HERE
Help birds at risk from the oil spill:
The International Bird Rescue Research Center
Tristate Bird Rescue and Research
PBS's Live Oil Cam Feed:
Watch It Here
GULF WEEK: SAMPLE LETTER TO EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
You can also visit the National Wildlife Federation to send their SAMPLE LETTER.
Subject: Please Pass Comprehensive Climate and Clean Energy Legislation Now
Dear Senator__________,
I am writing as a concerned citizen urging you to pass comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation immediately.
Everyday the Senate fails to pass clean energy and climate policy, we put our economy, our national security and our environment at risk.
April's Gulf Coast oil spill is leaking 200,000 gallons of oil each day, and evidences the urgency for America to invest in cleaner and safer energy choices.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed historic legislation; now it is time for the Senate and the Senate Leadership to finish the job.
So, both as your constituent and as an American concerned with conserving our wildlife and natural resources, I ask you to urge the Senate leadership to act and declare their support for comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation now.
Subject: Please Pass Comprehensive Climate and Clean Energy Legislation Now
Dear Senator__________,
I am writing as a concerned citizen urging you to pass comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation immediately.
Everyday the Senate fails to pass clean energy and climate policy, we put our economy, our national security and our environment at risk.
April's Gulf Coast oil spill is leaking 200,000 gallons of oil each day, and evidences the urgency for America to invest in cleaner and safer energy choices.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed historic legislation; now it is time for the Senate and the Senate Leadership to finish the job.
So, both as your constituent and as an American concerned with conserving our wildlife and natural resources, I ask you to urge the Senate leadership to act and declare their support for comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation now.
Protect Our Parks
Think there's nothing you can do to Support Our Parks in 1 Minute?
Starring - Abby Lynn Mulay
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer - Mary Micari
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: The EPA, www.epa.gov
Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Abby Lynn Mulay
Written by - Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer - Mary Micari
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: The EPA, www.epa.gov
Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Have a Green Barbecue
Think there's nothing you can do to have a green barbeque in 1 Minute?
Starring - Grace Tortorici & Richard Tortorici
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: The EPA, www.epa.gov
Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Grace Tortorici & Richard Tortorici
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: The EPA, www.epa.gov
Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Lawn Care
Think there's nothing you can do to improve your lawn in 1 Minute?
Starring - Alicia Arinella & Dennis Arinella
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: The EPA, www.epa.gov
Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Alicia Arinella & Dennis Arinella
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: The EPA, www.epa.gov
Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
In Honor of World Oceans Day...
In honor of World Oceans Day, I thought it would be fitting to share an interesting article located on The Daily Green's website. If you’re like me, you wake up in the morning and put on the news. That means that for the past 50 days I have woken up to another day of mostly bad news in the Gulf. Whether the news is about the latest failed effort to stop the spill, the tremendous negative impact the gushing oil will have on the environment, the economic travesty that the disaster has caused the region or the sickness that some of the workers have endured in the cleanup effort, the news has been daunting to say the least. So today, on World Oceans Day, I thought I’d share this article from the Daily Green which addresses what you can do if you would like to get involved in the cleanup effort (whether via volunteering or donation).
Let’s hope that next year’s World Oceans Day can be more celebratory.
Let’s hope that next year’s World Oceans Day can be more celebratory.
Protect our Honeybees
Think there's nothing you can do to help protect our Bees in 1 Minute?
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
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: Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees
www.honeybeepreservation.org, and Bumblebee Contents Page http://www.bumblebee.org
Special Thanks: Laura and everyone at Bumblebee Contents Page, Troy Fore, Tammy Horn and everyone at the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Starring - Maria Christina Perry
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: Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees
www.honeybeepreservation.org, and Bumblebee Contents Page http://www.bumblebee.org
Special Thanks: Laura and everyone at Bumblebee Contents Page, Troy Fore, Tammy Horn and everyone at the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Monday, June 7, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Climate Change
Starring: Mary Micari
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
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, Greenmarket NY and Morgiewicz Family Farm
Special Thanks:
Susan Wands
Greenmarket NY
Joe Morgiewicz and the Morgiewicz Family Farm Goshen, NY
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Cold As Ice (Go Green Summer)
This week on “What You Can Do” we’re talking about how to Go Green this Summer. When I first thought about the opening blog, I figured I’d write about some simple ways to be more environmentally aware throughout the summer months. Then I thought – well then what’s the point in watching the upcoming videos?? I needed a better idea. Then it came to me. Air conditioning.
I know – you figure the upcoming sentences are going to be about getting a more efficient air conditioner, choosing one with the Energy Star label and not leaving it on while you’re not at home (or at least putting it on some sort of temperature control mode). Wrong! That’s actually not what I was going to talk about.
What came to mind was the air conditioning in stores throughout the summer months. Is it just me, or do companies make their shops so frigid that you feel like you’re walking through the freezer aisles in an igloo on Mt. Everest? You come in sweaty, browse the store and then leave with icicles dangling from your nose.
Being mindful of when to use my air conditioner is one of the tiny things I do to be somewhat “green” (and let’s face it – save money as well). I try to set it to the highest temperature that I can stand and leave it there. I think this small contribution definitely adds up if, say, everyone in my building does the same thing. But what about all those stores? Of course they want it to be comfortable for consumers – but why do we need such an extreme? I guess my point is, if you’re a store owner or manager, see what you can do about those pesky frigid temperatures. Comfortable doesn’t mean your teeth need to chatter.
I know – you figure the upcoming sentences are going to be about getting a more efficient air conditioner, choosing one with the Energy Star label and not leaving it on while you’re not at home (or at least putting it on some sort of temperature control mode). Wrong! That’s actually not what I was going to talk about.
What came to mind was the air conditioning in stores throughout the summer months. Is it just me, or do companies make their shops so frigid that you feel like you’re walking through the freezer aisles in an igloo on Mt. Everest? You come in sweaty, browse the store and then leave with icicles dangling from your nose.
Being mindful of when to use my air conditioner is one of the tiny things I do to be somewhat “green” (and let’s face it – save money as well). I try to set it to the highest temperature that I can stand and leave it there. I think this small contribution definitely adds up if, say, everyone in my building does the same thing. But what about all those stores? Of course they want it to be comfortable for consumers – but why do we need such an extreme? I guess my point is, if you’re a store owner or manager, see what you can do about those pesky frigid temperatures. Comfortable doesn’t mean your teeth need to chatter.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
An Interview with Andria Lavine
See Karen T. Harline's interview with Andria Lavine:
For the last eights months, my friend Andria Lavine has been serving as a social work intern in the medical practice clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical Center at Fort Miley. Here is a bit about her experience.
Tell a little bit about what exactly your job entails and who specifically you work with.
I met with veterans and their family members when they came to the clinic to see their primary care physicians. Most of the veterans I saw had served in WWII or the Vietnam War, and many had multiple medical problems. I assisted them with issues like obtaining a connection to VA benefits, finding caregivers (either care for the veteran or for an ill loved one), getting food to their home, and making sure that they could safely live at home (especially if they lived alone).
Before your took this position, how often did you think about veteran's issues, specifically.
As a student at Smith College School for Social Work, I have been consistently educated about the psychological and social issues facing current returning veterans. Historically, the school I attend was designed to train social workers to help veterans since it opened over 90 years ago, and it actively maintains that goal. Independent of this, when I decided to go into social work, I knew that I wanted to be trained to work with veterans. This was because as a new therapist, I thought that working with veterans was one of the most socially responsible ways that I could use my degree. I could also imagine that veterans issues would eventually permeate into most social work fields, for example in a school you may see children whose parents had been deployed, or working in a substance abuse treatment facility you may come across veterans as well. Although I was never a supporter of war, I saw that this was the most I personally could do as a civilian to aid in the aftermath of war.
Did you have any close connections with veterans before taking on this position?
My grandfather was a veteran and I have some close friends who are veterans as well.
What would you say to someone who thinks of "veterans issues" as something that the government is taking care of and not necessarily something that private citizens have to dedicate time and effort to.
We will all end up devoting time to veterans issues, and more and more so as our troops come home over the next ten years. On a personal level, reading up on what issues returning veterans are facing may be beneficial to help support children, friends or family members who have been deployed in their transition back to civilian life. On a more macro level, donating to veterans organizations or volunteering your talents, whatever they may be, makes a bigger difference than you may imagine. Recognition from local government may mean a lot to a returning veteran, and knowing that they can access support from their community in general may also mean a lot.
Based on your experience, what do you think is the most important need veterans collectively share that is not being addressed?
I think that many needs for veterans are being addressed to some degree, it just takes time and resources for them to materialize. For example, just recently the VA systems have put into place a powerful initiative to end homelessness within the veteran population over the next 5 years. However, bidding on land, building new housing units and getting them ready for use may take considerable time. I think that homelessness has been the most important need not sufficiently addressed over the years, as evidenced by the large number of homeless Vietnam veterans and the growing number of returning veterans who are homeless. Hopefully, aspects of this initiative will materialize quickly, securing more section 8 and HUD VASH housing vouchers for veterans while also working with local communities to provide stable solutions in a timely manner.
For the last eights months, my friend Andria Lavine has been serving as a social work intern in the medical practice clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical Center at Fort Miley. Here is a bit about her experience.
Tell a little bit about what exactly your job entails and who specifically you work with.
I met with veterans and their family members when they came to the clinic to see their primary care physicians. Most of the veterans I saw had served in WWII or the Vietnam War, and many had multiple medical problems. I assisted them with issues like obtaining a connection to VA benefits, finding caregivers (either care for the veteran or for an ill loved one), getting food to their home, and making sure that they could safely live at home (especially if they lived alone).
Before your took this position, how often did you think about veteran's issues, specifically.
As a student at Smith College School for Social Work, I have been consistently educated about the psychological and social issues facing current returning veterans. Historically, the school I attend was designed to train social workers to help veterans since it opened over 90 years ago, and it actively maintains that goal. Independent of this, when I decided to go into social work, I knew that I wanted to be trained to work with veterans. This was because as a new therapist, I thought that working with veterans was one of the most socially responsible ways that I could use my degree. I could also imagine that veterans issues would eventually permeate into most social work fields, for example in a school you may see children whose parents had been deployed, or working in a substance abuse treatment facility you may come across veterans as well. Although I was never a supporter of war, I saw that this was the most I personally could do as a civilian to aid in the aftermath of war.
Did you have any close connections with veterans before taking on this position?
My grandfather was a veteran and I have some close friends who are veterans as well.
What would you say to someone who thinks of "veterans issues" as something that the government is taking care of and not necessarily something that private citizens have to dedicate time and effort to.
We will all end up devoting time to veterans issues, and more and more so as our troops come home over the next ten years. On a personal level, reading up on what issues returning veterans are facing may be beneficial to help support children, friends or family members who have been deployed in their transition back to civilian life. On a more macro level, donating to veterans organizations or volunteering your talents, whatever they may be, makes a bigger difference than you may imagine. Recognition from local government may mean a lot to a returning veteran, and knowing that they can access support from their community in general may also mean a lot.
Based on your experience, what do you think is the most important need veterans collectively share that is not being addressed?
I think that many needs for veterans are being addressed to some degree, it just takes time and resources for them to materialize. For example, just recently the VA systems have put into place a powerful initiative to end homelessness within the veteran population over the next 5 years. However, bidding on land, building new housing units and getting them ready for use may take considerable time. I think that homelessness has been the most important need not sufficiently addressed over the years, as evidenced by the large number of homeless Vietnam veterans and the growing number of returning veterans who are homeless. Hopefully, aspects of this initiative will materialize quickly, securing more section 8 and HUD VASH housing vouchers for veterans while also working with local communities to provide stable solutions in a timely manner.
Friday, June 4, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Support Service Members
Action Link: www.Fisherhouse.org
Starring: Rosie Moss
Written by: Karen T. Hartline
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 and Fisher House
Statistical Information provided by: Fisher House, www.Fisherhouse.org
Special Thanks:
Cindy Campbell and everyone at Fisher House Foundation
Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Thursday, June 3, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Help Injured Veterans
Action Link: TAKE ACTION HERE
Starring: Maria Christina Perry
Written by: Karen T. Hartline
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: Homes for Our Troops, Homesforourtroops.org
Special Thanks: Vicki Thomas and everyone at Homes For Our Troops
Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
What You Can Do presents: Boost A Veteran's Morale
Action Link: TAKE ACTION HERE
Starring: Fernando Alicea
Written by: Karen T. Hartline
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: Cause, Cause-USA.org
Special Thanks: Kara Johnson and everyone at Cause
Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Help Military Families
“Operation Homefront”
Action Link: Operation Homefront
Starring: Jack Halaby and Alicia Arinella
Written by: Karen T. Hartline
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: Operation Homefront, operationhomefront.net
Special Thanks:
Jim Knotts and everyone at Operation Homefront
Dennis Arinella
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)