Film Brothers Festival of Shorts
Written by: Frank and Celeste Iacono
On Saturday, October 20, 2018, Delaware Today & Carl Doubet Jewelers Presented the 11th Annual Film Brothers Festival of Shorts at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Delaware. The Festival of Shorts screens some of the most creative award-winning films less than 20 minutes for those movie buffs with short attention spans. From local Delaware productions to international movies, this festival is always an intriguing sold-out crowd pleaser year-after-year.
This year’s Festival of Shorts screened the following movie shorts:
Drawcard
Drawcard, an Australian short comedy film co-written by Adam Dunn and Thomas Mitchell and directed by Antonio Oreña-Barlin, is about a guy named Ed, played by Adam Dunn, who draws an in appropriate picture on a sympathy card for the owner of his company played by veteran Aussie actor Anthony Phelan. Yes, the premise is simple, and the characters are a bit thinly developed, but the writing is witty, patiently stacking all the awkward, squirm-inducing pieces to get to a fantastic end punchline. The finale of Drawcard might be predictable, but it’s very well-executed.
Knock Down Ginger
Knock Down Ginger, a short film from the United Kingdom that premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 2016 was written and directed by Cleo Samoles-Little and produced by Janina Samoles and Henry Napier-Brown. The movie short, follows a group of young girls as they relieve their boredom by smoking, drinking and throwing eggs off the top of a tower block. More specifically, the film showcases what happens when a prank goes wrong on a London estate. Sarah-Lee, the main character, quickly discovers that it’s not all fun and games when it comes to growing up. Narratively, Knock Down Ginger feels somewhat of a familiar tale, but what it lacks in originality it more than makes up for in energy, entertainment and performance.
Lolz-Ita
Lolz-Ita, a short film from Canada, was written, directed and stars Katie Boland. In the film, Katie portrays a naive but internet savvy 22-year old who navigates the reality of her boring, small town Canadian life juxtaposed with the fantasy of her provocative and powerful Instagram celebrity. Lolz-Ita had its North American premiere at the Austin Film Festival and was nominated for Best Narrative Short. It was also a part of TIFF’s Short Cuts: Share Her Journey, which highlights the “most exciting emerging female film makers in the world.” Lolz-Ita was also featured at the Whistler Film Festival where it was nominated for the EDA Short Film Award which recognizes female film makers. Additionally, it was also nominated for jury prizes at the Dallas International Film Festival and Cucalorus.
A Century of Memories
A Century of Memories, a short documentary from the United States, was written, directed and edited by West Chester, Pennsylvania filmmaker Celeste Iacono of CDI Productions. This sentimental documentary chronicles Amelia Casalnova, the first woman in her family to live a century old. A Century of Memories made its debut at the DeSales University Film Festival. During the film we learn about the difficulties she faced during the Great Depression and the obstacles she overcame while taking care of her nine siblings.
Manila Death Squad
Manila Death Squad, a short film from the Philippines and the United States, was co-written and directed by Dean Colin Marcial. This film follows an ambitious young journalist who challenges the leader of a violent vigilante group to a high-stakes drinking game that may score her an interview or a bullet to the head. Quickly she discovers that she’s way in over her head. Loosely based on stories of the murderous Davao Death Squad told to Marcial by his grandfather, the group was informally sanctioned to carry out vigilante violence under the city’s outrageous, but charismatic, mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Boston Bun – Spread Love (Paddington)
French-born and London-based DJ/producer, Boston Bun, released the music video for his sweeping new house track, “Spread Love (Paddington)” featuring fellow Ed Banger affiliate DVNO.
The tune’s new visual narrative begins with our protagonist mourning the loss of his beloved feline friend. To alleviate his pain, he seeks new companionship in an otter. That’s right an adorable sea otter who can sing the infectious high note accents that made this song very appealing. And who doesn’t love an otter? The slick little fella helps his new buddy achieve success, make new friends, and even dominate the record charts. However, all good things must come to an end as the otter’s good will eventually runs out.
Still Here
Still Here, a short film from the United States, was directed by Ben Proudfoot. Fifty years later, the real Melvin Dismukes, portrayed by John Boyega, chronicles his first-hand experience of the infamous Algiers Motel Incident, for which he was wrongly charged with first-degree murder in 1967. Dismukes responded to a situation at the Algiers Motel and ended up being accused of first-degree murder, spending years trying to clear his name.
Ari
Ari, a short film from Australia, features an overweight, shy and introverted boy named Ari who wants nothing more than to fit in. He develops a crush on his fellow student, Jess, and attempts to lose weight and become more outgoing in his quest to belong. But his efforts only cause him more humiliation and pain, making him feel even lonelier and sadder. Finally, he makes a public declaration of his own self-acceptance — and discovers his own value.
Boomerang
Boomerang, a short film directed by Matthew Frost from the United States, is a satirical look at social media addiction. This film features Canadian-born actress Mackenzie Davis and portrays a young millennial woman named Jennifer who attempts quitting social media and the grip it has on her. Is she successful at quitting? Watch Boomerang to find out!
About Film Brothers
Film Brothers Productions provides top video services regardless of budget. Film Brothers serves Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, but will travel anywhere to produce the best video possible. Film Brothers has produced over 300 film/video projects for clients across the world.
If you are ready to get your project started, please contact Gordon DelGiorno at 302-559-2324 or via email Gordon@filmbrothers.com.
9/11: A Day America Will Never Forget
Written by: Frank Iacono
I can’t believe that September 11, 2016, marks the 15th anniversary of the tragic attacks perpetuated against the United States on September 11, 2001 (a.k.a. 9/11, September 11 attacks, September 11, September 11th). This horrific tragedy, coordinated by the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, killed nearly 3,000 of our fellow Americans and left an indelible mark on our country and the world. This cowardly jihadist organization changed what was once a beautiful September morning surrounded by blue skies and sunshine into America’s darkest day.
Today, as we reflect on the despicable actions of al-Qaeda and bin Laden, we recall with deep sadness those people who lost their lives. The attacks took place from approximately 8:46 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET and featured 19 al-Qaeda terrorists, who hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. Like millions of fellow Americans, I too remember exactly where I was and what I was doing during this appalling period of destruction. The aforementioned hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, a complex of seven buildings that opened on April 4, 1973, in Lower Manhattan, killing everyone on board as well as others who were working in the towers. American Airlines Flight 11 was crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower while United Airlines Flight 175 was crashed into the South Tower. Within two hours, both buildings collapsed destroying nearby buildings and damaging others.
Another group of hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania. This plane was redirected toward Washington, D.C. but crashed as a result of the heroic passengers and flight crew who attempted to retake control of the plane. There were no survivors from any of these flights. Out of the disasters in New York, Washington, DC, and western Pennsylvania, on that day we emerged a mournful, but united nation.
As former President Ronald Reagan once said, ”Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have.”
After being placed on the American Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) lists of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives and Most Wanted Terrorists, specifically for his involvement in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings, Osama bin Laden remained in hiding during three U.S. presidential administrations. From 2001 to 2011, bin Laden was the major target of the War on Terror, with a US $25 million bounty by the FBI. Then, on May 2, 2011, after years at large, bin Laden was shot and killed inside a private residential compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by U.S. Navy SEALs and CIA operatives in a covert operation ordered by United States President Barack Obama. Shortly after his death, bin Laden’s body was buried at sea.
Now, let’s pause with the rest of the world to remember those who lost their lives on that horrendous day as well as pray for the victim’s families and friends. We should also take a moment to acknowledge and thank the men and women who protect and serve our communities and defend the freedoms of the United States every day.
Let us never forget.
God Bless You! And, God Bless America!
What Can You Do To Support Earth Day 2016?
Written by: Frank Iacono
Today, Friday, April 22, 2016, marks the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day is a day for action; a chance to show how important the environment is to us. So, when was the first Earth Day? Well, it’s hard to believe that we first celebrated Earth Day on April 22, 1970. So, who started it? It all began behind the support of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who wanted to use this as a nationwide environmental tech-in day.
Earth Day 1970 featured a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, tycoons and labor leaders, and city slickers and farmers. Additionally, the first Earth Day also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. Ever since, Earth Day has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
What Can You Do for Earth Day?
Whether you organize an event in your community or teach a peer about environmental issues, Earth Day is about uniting voices around the globe in support of a healthy planet. In support of Earth Day 2016, I encourage you to participate. See below for ideas on how you can get involved:
- Using social media outlets like Facebook, Google +, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube as well as emailing your family, friends, and business colleagues to spread the word about Earth Day
- Pledging an act of green
- Organizing, attending or donating to an Earth Day event
- Switching to reusable shopping bags
- Finding an alternative means of transportation such as biking, walking, mass transit or carpooling
- Taking the stairs instead of elevators
- Turning off all electrical devices such as televisions and radios when not in use
- Turning off all lights when not in use
- Purchasing Energy Star rated appliances
- Finding ways to use water more efficiently
- Taking shorter showers
- Installing a low-flow shower head to conserve water
- Lowering hot water heaters
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- Plant a tree
For additional Earth Day-based information, please visit the following websites:
- http://www.earthday.org
- http://www.nature.org/earthday/index.html
- http://action.earthday.net/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18946
Remember that one person can make a difference!
What Can You Do to Support Earth Day 2015?
Written by: Frank Iacono
Today, Wednesday, April 22, 2015, marks the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day is a day for action; a chance to show how important the environment is to us. So, when was the first Earth Day? Well, it’s hard to believe that we first celebrated Earth Day on April 22, 1970. So, who started it? It all began behind the support of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who wanted to use this as a nationwide environmental tech-in day.
Earth Day 1970 featured a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, tycoons and labor leaders, and city slickers and farmers. Additionally, the first Earth Day also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. Ever since, Earth Day has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
What Can You Do for Earth Day?
Whether you organize an event in your community or teach a peer about environmental issues, Earth Day is about uniting voices around the globe in support of a healthy planet. In support of Earth Day 2015, I encourage you to participate. See below for ideas on how you can get involved:
- Using social media outlets like Facebook, Google +, Twitter, LinkedIn, Interest, Instagram, and YouTube as well as emailing your family, friends, and business colleagues to spread the word about Earth Day
- Pledging an act of green
- Organizing, attending or donating to an Earth Day event
- Switching to reusable shopping bags
- Finding an alternative means of transportation such as biking, walking, mass transit or carpooling
- Taking the stairs instead of elevators
- Turning off all electrical devices such as televisions and radios when not in use
- Turning off all lights when not in use
- Purchasing Energy Star rated appliances
- Finding ways to use water more efficiently
- Taking shorter showers
- Installing a low-flow showerhead to conserve water
- Lowering hot water heaters
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- Plant a tree
For additional Earth Day-based information, please visit the following websites:
Remember that one person can make a difference!
Film Brothers Presents The Festival of Shorts “Winter Session”
Written by: Frank Iacono
On Saturday, March 7, 2015, my family and I attended the 2nd Annual Film Brothers Festival of Shorts “Winter Session” at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Delaware. The Festival of Shorts screens some of the most creative award-winning films less than 20 minutes for those movie buffs with short attention spans. From local Delaware productions to international movies, this festival is always an intriguing sold-out crowd pleaser.
This year’s 2nd Annual Festival of Shorts “Winter Session” screened the following film shorts.
Donation
”Donation”, a short comedy film directed by Los Angeles filmmaker Paul Emerson, is about a woman named Beth, played by Dana Powell from HBO’s Veep and ABC’s Modern Family, who quickly learns that matters of the heart as related to Joe, played by Stacey Hinnen, can get just a little unsteady when you give blood three times in a single day.
Just Go
”Just Go”, a Slovakian short film shot and edited by Patrik Paulínyi, chronicles Milos Kmetko’s discovery, love, and progression of snowboarding at the age of 62. This inspiring film captures your heart and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that age is just a number.
The Landing
”The Landing”, a short film by Australian filmmaker Josh Tanner, is about a desperate protagonist named Edward who returns to the Midwestern farm of his childhood on a frantic mission to unearth the horrifying truth of what landed there in the summer of 1960. “The Landing”, which was filmed entirely in Australia, jumps between two time-periods as we slowly discover why Edward has returned to his childhood home armed with a shovel.
Exes
”Exes”, a short film written and produced by Ali Vingiano and directed and shot by T.J. Misny, is a hilarious comedy about what’s really going through your head, illustrated through the use of subtitles, when you run into an ex.
La Carnada
“La Carnada,” a short film written and directed by Josh Soskin, follows a 13 year old boy from Tijuana, Mexico named Manny, played by Angel Gabriel Soto, as he embarks on his first drug smuggle across the “Devil’s Highway,” a notoriously fatal stretch of desert on the Arizona/Mexico border.
Victor
”Victor”, a short film written and directed by Chad Thompson, is about imagination, solitude and the sometimes blindfolded quest for happiness. This whimsical journey follows Victor, played by PJ Jacokes, a peculiar man who has some interesting ideas about how to make friends. With an optimistic plan and a few technological tricks, Victor shows that sometimes all you need is a little help to notice what’s been right in front of you all along.
The Silly Bastard Next To The Bed
“The Silly Bastard Next To The Bed”, a short film written and directed by Scott Calonico, is a documentary about the “most foul-mouthed telephone call ever made from the White House” from President John F. Kennedy. Calonico blends the historical and hilarious in a fascinating serving of quirky Americana.
Voices of Nemours
“Voices of Nemours”, an engaging documentary produced and edited by Film Brothers, features past and present staff members as well as patients of Nemours and highlights their special stories and memories.
Dream Catcher
“Dream Catcher”, a short film and/or video animated by Tom DesLongchamp, is about a magical, mystical dream catcher. The animation is set to a score composed by DesLongchamp’s friend named Les Hilliard.
About Film Brothers
Film Brothers Productions provides top video services regardless of budget. Film Brothers serves Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, but will travel anywhere to produce the best video possible. Film Brothers has produced over 300 film/video projects for clients across the world.
If you are ready to get your project started, please contact Gordon DelGiorno at 302-559-2324 or via email Gordon@filmbrothers.com.
About Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan
All ticket holders received an exclusive release of Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan’s book Get the “F” Out: Liberating FEAR & Letting LOVE In.
Carolyn speaks from the heart sharing her own personal journey and how she learned to recognize FEAR for what it really is.
Philadelphia Flyers Trade Kimmo Timonen to the Chicago Blackhawks
Written by: Frank Iacono
Last summer, Kimmo Timonen, a 39-year-old four-time National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star and five-time Finnish Olympian, was diagnosed with blood clots in his lower right leg and in both lungs and has missed the entire 2014-2015 season due to the condition, but was recently cleared to play and has been preparing for a return to the ice with the Philadelphia Flyers for the past several weeks.
Earlier this month, when the Flyers were 12 points out of a playoff spot, Timonen spoke with General Manager Ron Hextall about a possible trade. During his discussion with Hextall, he expressed a desire to be traded to a team that had a legitimate change of capturing the coveted Stanley Cup, a championship trophy awarded annually to the NHL playoff winner after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals, something that has eluded Timonen throughout his distinguished NHL career.
On Friday, February 27, 2015, after playing in 519 games and recording 38 goals and 232 assists for 270 points as a core member of the orange and black defensive core, Hextall granted Timonen his wish and traded him to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for two picks: a second-round pick in the June 2015 draft and a conditional fourth-round selection in 2016.
If the Blackhawks win two rounds and Timonen plays in 50% or more of the games then the conditional fourth-round pick goes to third-round pick in 2016. If the Blackhawks win three rounds and Timonen plays in 50% or more of the games then the conditional fourth-round pick goes to second-round pick in 2016.
Timonen, a five-time winner of the Barry Ashbee Trophy (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014) as the Flyers’ best defenseman, including the last three consecutive seasons was acquired by the Flyers from the Nashville Predators, along with winger Scott Hartnell, on June 18, 2007, in exchange for Nashville’s own first-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (previously acquired). Over his career, Timonen has played in 1,092 NHL games and over 15 seasons, recording a total of 117 goals and 454 assists for 571 points. Additionally, Kimmo has appeared in 87 Stanley Cup playoff games recording a total of 4 goals and 31 assists for 35 points.
On Wednesday, March 25th at 8:00 PM Kimmo Timonen will return to the Wells Fargo Center when the Philadelphia Flyers battle the Chicago Blackhawks. Let’s Go FLYERS!
10 Sure-Fire Methods to Stop Menacing Mosquitoes
Written by: Frank Iacono
Mosquitoes are a familiar late spring and summer nuisance. Mosquitoes can be very annoying but unfortunately they can also be transmitters of encephalitis, malaria, yellow fever to humans, and heartworms to pets.
Backyard Mosquito Management
Since many generations of mosquitoes can breed right in your backyard, you must learn to take some simple, positive steps to reduce this menace by limiting their breeding.
Common Breeding Sources
Breeding sources consist primarily of standing water. After a rain storm, walk your property and look for areas in the landscape that are not draining well. If you find puddles that remain after a few days, you may want to consider regrading it. If water stands for a little over one week – many mosquitoes will breed! So, if there are any places around your home where water collects (i.e., water-holding containers, storm drains, clogged rain gutters, around your HVAC unit, swimming pools, ornamental ponds, etc.) you may be breeding mosquitoes!
Facts About Mosquitoes You Should Know
All mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. Adult flying mosquitoes can rest in grass, shrubbery, or other foliage, but they never breed there.
Some mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water where they hatch in a day or two. Other mosquitoes lay their eggs in old tires, tin cans and other such water-holding containers. The mosquitoes may remain unhatched for weeks, months or until they are covered with water. The mosquito “wigglers” or larvae grow quickly and turn into “tumblers” or pupae. Then the skin of the tumbler opens and out climbs a hungry adult mosquito.
The Importance Of Removing Standing Water
When it comes to dealing with mosquitoes, the best defense is a good offense! That means removing mosquito-friendly habitat from your backyard. Here’s what to do:
- Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets. Don’t let runoff water from your air conditioning unit collect in shady areas.
- Repair faulty septic systems.
- Empty, drain, remove, cover or turn upside down things that can hold water. Throw out old tires, aluminum cans, bottles, jars, buckets, drums, and other containers or keep them upside down so no water can enter them.
- Empty any small plastic wading pools weekly. Store it indoors when not in use.
- Properly maintain your swimming pool and keep it covered so as not to collect water.
- Change water and scrub vases holding flowers once a week.
- Make your yard less hospitable to adult mosquitoes by mowing your lawn regularly, and keep weeds away from your home’s foundation.
- Scrub and change the water in bird baths weekly and empty and refill pets’ water pans daily.
- Stock permanent water pools, such as ornamental ponds, with mosquito larvae eating fish.
- Fill any holes found in trees with sand or mortar.
Find Your Way to South Carolina’s Most Visited Attraction: Ripley’s Aquarium
Written by: Frank Iacono
For over 30 years, Ripley’s attractions have been among Myrtle Beach’s favorite family destinations. Five uniquely different Ripley experiences await your arrival, including:
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
- Ripley’s Moving Theater
- Ripley’s Haunted House
- Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze
- Ripley’s Aquarium
During our 2012 summer vacation, my family and I attended Ripley’s largest and South Carolina’s most visited attraction Ripley’s Aquarium and we loved it. Ripley’s Aquarium is located in Broadway at the Beach on 1110 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC. Ripley’s Aquarium is an 87,000 square-foot world-class aquarium displaying thousands of ocean-dwelling marine animals.
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We leisurely traveled on a moving 340-foot long glidepath, through an acrylic tunnel filled with thousands of fish of every shape and size, including snappers, tarpons, grunts, squirrelfish, sea turtles, giant stingrays, sawfish and…very large Sharks. What a spectacular underwater view and not surprising that the glidepath is Ripley’s Aquarium largest and most popular exhibit.
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The aquarium also features a horseshow crab interactive exhibit, a stingray petting area, daily educational presentations like “Learn to Swim Like a Mermaid” and two hourly dive shows: “Rainbow Rock” and “Ray Bay”.
The bright colors of the rainbow are found underwater in the Indo-Pacific coral reef known as Rainbow Rock. During the show viewers will see thousands of intricately colored fishes from the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean as they swim around and through the delicate hand-crafted reef structures. Visitors can then witness divers enter the tank at Ray Bay and hand feed sting rays, the ocean’s large but gentle and affectionate creatures. Observers can view over 100 rays glide through the water like majestic birds in the air.
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While we were visiting the aquarium, we explored Ripley’s ground-shaking new exhibit entitled Dinosaurs – When Giants Ruled. This exhibit showcases some of the most amazing creatures to have ever habit the earth and features life-size fully animatronic animals, several hands-on activities and nuggets of information about these great creatures. The exhibit both entertains and educates visitors about the era when these amazing, massive creatures walked the Earth.
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In reading online reviews, others have found Ripley’s Aquarium to be a little pricey; however, we thought it was highly informative, interactive, attractive and fun. If you plan to attend more than one Ripley’s attraction, I highly recommend purchasing a combo package online to save money. The aquarium is definitely a place to visit at least once.
Mr. President, My Parents Built Their Business
Written by: Frank Iacono
As the son of two parents who are small business owners and more importantly as an American, I am truly flabbergasted by President Barack Obama’s remarks on July 13, 2012. Specifically, I am dumbfounded by how smug and arrogant he stood behind the podium and laughingly stated, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that.” Obama continued by saying how he was struck by those owners who thought they created their business simply because they were smart or that they worked hard. Are you kidding me Mr. President? Do you honestly believe that simply having a good education coupled with intelligence is the formula for business success? Well, the answer is NO. You must have a dream, a sound business strategy, an unrelenting persistence to succeed and above all the tenacity to risk everything.
Obama then stated that there were great teachers, government infrastructures such as our road system, bridges and other programs in this country that enabled owners to create that business. First of all, while that is true he failed to acknowledge that as American citizens and tax payers my parents paid for the teachers, the road builders, and all federal, state and local government employees out of the taxes you have already taken as your cut of their business. So, taxpayers hired them to do their jobs for the same reason everyone works, to procure a paycheck, not for charity.
For my entire life my parents have worked very hard seven days a week and I find your comments truly insulting to not only them but all entrepreneurs across this great nation who have fought with their blood, sweat and tears to BUILD their business. The truth is that if you are going to be a successful small business owner today, you have to do so in spite of our government not because of it. Mr. President you have no idea what it takes to build a business because you’ve never had one.
What Can You Do to Support Earth Day 2012?
Written by: Frank Iacono
Today, Sunday, April 22, 2012, marks the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day is a day for action; a chance to show how important the environment is to us. So, when was the first Earth Day? Well, it’s hard to believe that we first celebrated Earth Day on April 22, 1970. So, who started it? It all began behind the support of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who wanted to use this as a nationwide environmental tech-in day.
Earth Day 1970 featured a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, tycoons and labor leaders, and city slickers and farmers. Additionally, the first Earth Day also led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.
Ever since, Earth Day has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. For example, Target Corporation, the American retailing company operating as Target, has been celebrating Earth Month all April long offering green-based tips as well as educating consumers about their everyday products. H-E-B Grocery Stores and the Disney Store are providing customer with a FREE reusable shopping bag when they drop off five plastic shopping bags to be recycled. Pottery Barn Kids is offering a FREE Packet of Sunflower Seeds. Origins Natural Resources, Inc. is providing a FREE full-size Origins moisturizer when customers trade in cosmetic empties.
What Can You Do for Earth Day?
Whether you organize an event in your community or teach a peer about environmental issues, Earth Day is about uniting voices around the globe in support of a healthy planet. In support of Earth Day 2012, I encourage you to participate. See below for ideas on how you can get involved:
- Using social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube
as well as emailing your family, friends, and business colleagues to spread
the word about Earth Day - Pledging an act of green
- Organizing, attending or donating to an Earth Day event
- Switching to reusable shopping bags
- Using social media outlets like Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn
and YouTube as well as emailing your family, friends, and business colleagues
to spread the word about Earth Day - Finding an alternative means of transportation such as biking, walking,
mass transit or carpooling - Taking the stairs instead of elevators
- Turning off all electrical devices such as televisions and radios when not
in use - Turning off all lights when not in use
- Purchasing Energy Star rated appliances
- Finding ways to use water more efficiently
- Taking shorter showers
- Installing a low-flow showerhead to conserve water
- Lowering hot water heaters
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- Plant a tree
For additional Earth Day-based information, please visit the following websites:
Remember that one person can make a difference!
Fviacono's Blog 