i-tees

Sunday, May 2 felt more like August 2! It was 90+ degrees, humid and as I walked around, seeing friends, listening to musicians and handing out postcards for Frogs Are Green, the day was exhausting, but great as usual.

It was great seeing so many friends who’re also artists, among them were, Anna (Art by Anna, I have quite a few pieces of hers already!), Beth (Baublettes, have some rings and earrings), Florence (Hudson Theatre Ensemble, who was out there with my latest poster for “the 3 Little Pigs” advertising that next production which is coming in June). I didn’t get a chance to say howdy to Sissi (Face Capades) because the line sure was long with kids, (Hi Sissi!)

For the last few festivals, Mother Nature hasn’t been too kind, rain outs and wind, but when it’s a nice day, thousands of people flock to Washington St. I’m not sure how well the sales were given the economy, but they couldn’t have a bigger turnout, so hopefully everyone did well.

I met up with Mary Jo, my business partner for FROGS ARE GREEN, and off we went wearing our matching company t-shirts to alert all of Hoboken about our cause. We walked down Washington St. looking left and right to see the booths and handing out postcards as we walked. Once we got down to Newark St. we decided we needed to find a shady (and cooler) spot with good foot traffic.

Red-Eyed Tree Frog poster and postcard

Slightly around the corner from Starbucks was perfect! People coming from the PATH and people leaving to get to the PATH. What was quite interesting was the different types of people walking back and forth, and who was interested in what we were doing and who snubbed us. Older people, and families stopped and when kids saw our graphic with the lovely red-eyed tree frog, they’d squeal, ooooooooohhhh!

However, they don’t call it the “me” generation for no reason. I’ve never seen so many self-absorbed young adults in my life. They’d walk past ignoring us, texting into their phones or shooting dirty looks. Geez, I hate to tell you young people this, but this planet you’re living on—is yours too… so you better look around at what’s happening.

Anyway, we did hand out hundreds of cards, and hopefully each person at least read the card, even if they then trashed it. That’s our goal. To enlighten. We don’t care if they hang the card up, just that they are now aware of the crisis frogs and other amphibians face.

Later in the afternoon, I walked over to listen to Freedy Johnston (click to see Gallery shots). He’s awesome and wowed the crowd. If you haven’t yet heard him, check him out!

Freedy Johnston performs at the First Street Stage, Hoboken Arts & Music Festival, May 2, 2010

By the time I got home, I was beat, but it was a great day for us and for the FROGS!

I just came across two extraordinary websites and had to share. Maya Lin has created art and architecture, an amazing body of work that includes large-scale site-specific installations, intimate studio artworks and memorials.

Her latest and last memorial is called, “What is Missing?“ The mission of this Foundation is to bring awareness to the public about the present sixth mass extinction of species as well as emphasize that by preventing deforestation, we can reduce carbon emissions and protect species and habitats.

“The project proposes that we look at a memorial not as a singular static object, but as a work that can exist in several forms and in multiple sites. These formats include permanent Listening Cones placed at select science institutions, smaller site-specific sound and media installations, and more…”

Through Saturday, May 30th: What is Missing? by Maya Lin, presented by Creative Time, can be seen on a high definition 44 1/2 HD screen located on Broadway between 44th and 45th streets, in NYC. For those who cannot make it to Times Square, the video can viewed on the website.

The website itself is wonderfully designed and has innovative animated programming. I played the sounds over and over… and viewed the other links and content, then I went to the artists personal site and was thrilled to see yet another outstanding website. Clever ideas in viewing her galleries and the overall navigation.

Please visit these sites, view the work, listen to the sounds and read about the causes!

What is Missing?

Maya Lin

Earth Day Festival in Liberty State Park
Saturday April 24, Liberty State Park will host an Earth Day Festival, a daylong celebration which will include exhibitors and a 5K run… Mary Jo and I of Frogs Are Green will be there, handing out wristbands and postcards. Hope to see you there, and for those who’d like to enter our contest and win a FREE t-shirt or poster, click here.

Elmer’s Glue Crew Challenges Parents and Teachers to 40 Days of Earth-Friendly
“Beginning on Earth Day, teachers across the country will begin recycling the millions of glue bottles and glue sticks their classrooms have collected since the beginning of the school year. This recycling effort is part of the Elmer’s Glue Crew Recycling Program, which was created three years ago to help teachers educate children about recycling and environmental stewardship and prevent millions of glue bottles and glue sticks from going into our landfills.

To coincide with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Elmer’s is inviting parents to get involved in the Elmer’s Glue Crew program through the “40 Days of Earth-Friendly Living.” The campaign kicks-off on Earth Day and offers an eco-friendly tip or idea every day through the end of May. The tips are designed to allow parents and children to participate together and to give teachers more ideas for expanding their Earth Day curriculum. To participate, parents and teachers can download the “40 Days” calendar at www.ElmersGlueCrew.com or sign up to receive tips on Twitter or Facebook.”

Kenwood Vineyards Celebrates Earth Day with Innovative “Plantable” Bottle Neckers
“As the world prepares to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, Kenwood Vineyards commemorates this year’s observance with an innovative bottle necker, one created to inspire everyone to take better care of the planet. The specially designed neckers are featured on Kenwood’s “Sonoma Series” Cabernet.
Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel and are available in stores nationwide.”

On Earth Day: Stop Junk Mail and Keep Trees in the Forests
“The danger of dramatic climate change underlines the need for each of us to find sensible ways we can contribute to keeping the planet healthy. One simple step is to say “NO” to unwanted junk mail. The nonprofit 41pounds.org service stops your paper junk mail – and keeps more trees in the forest providing oxygen for us to breathe and absorbing carbon to cool the planet.”The celebration of Earth Day takes on greater urgency as we learn more about climate change,” says 41pounds.org co-founder Sander DeVries. “Each of us can make changes that improve our daily lives AND improve the planet’s health — like stopping the daily deluge of junk mail that ravages the forests and clutters your home.” With 41pounds.org, you can reduce household clutter and protect a healthy climate.”

CHICAGO — Earth Day event (adults only) | Wine & Wildlife: Saving the Serengeti
Wine & Wildlife: Saving the Serengeti
April 22 from 6 – 7:45 p.m
Lincoln Park Zoo
For one night only, join Princeton University ecologist and author Andrew Dobson, Ph.D., and the zoo’s director of Tanzanian programs, Felix Lankester, D.V.M., as they share their experiences working to save Africa’s crown jewel, the awe-inspiring Serengeti National Park.