This started me thinking of ways we can all live a greener and environmentally friendly life in 2011.

1- If you cannot adopt an animal from a rescue then at least make a donation to help them take care of the ones left behind.

2- With the economy finally loosening up a bit, remember all the organizations and charities that have suffered the past few years and give them a bit, even $5 really helps.

3- Make sure to conserve at home, it all starts with us individuals! Turn the water off while soaping the dishes, or brushing your teeth. Check for gaps on doors and windows to keep more heat inside.

4- Help your favorite charities by posting and tweeting about them. If you share with your friends what you care about, maybe they will also.

5- When the weather is bad, ask your neighbors if they need anything. They may be elderly or unable to get out because of snow.

6- Don’t throw trash on the sidewalk leaving a trail behind you, like there’s someone there to pick up after you. There isn’t! And PLEASE pick up after your dog! Between the snow, slush, trash and dog poop it’s a mess out there!

7- Be sure to eat healthy foods. Too much junk food, fattening foods or alcohol without any exercise is a bad thing.

8- Try to recycle as much as you can around the house. Reuse plastics and paper.

9- Unplug what isn’t in use, saving on electricity.

10 – Practice what you preach. (I’m going to do more of all of these!)

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!

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