Tag Archives: family

A Film Sweet-Treat for Kids

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“…all the choicest of things and all that your heart holds dear Have A Fun- Filled Day.”  

Looking for a fulfilling way to treat your kids to something different during this Easter season? According to box office sales, families in communities everywhere are going to the Hop! Ticket sales of this animated “Easter theme” film brought in $37.5 million over the weekend of April 4th alone. This fun, family-friendly movie will be playing in theatres all month long. By all indicators, Hop, has done better in sales than the film industry expected and it’s widespread marketing is paying off. 

Other newly-released films worthy of considering taking in this weekend: 

  • Hanna
  • Soul Surfer
  • Arthur
  • Your Highness 

For more information the ratings of these films and whether these films will be playing at a theatre near you, please visit: www.reelzchannel.com. You can also see film trailers on Reelz Channel, the TV station about movies! 

Rebuild your family life after a long work week.  Have a fulfilling weekend with your children , at the movies – see  Hop!  Easter entertainment for kids and parents.

Sixty Cents Saves a Life

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“In all things it is better to hope than to despair.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

Many of us have a laundry list of things we would like to eliminate that would make our lives so much more fulfilling. I have a  list and I’ll  bet you do, too! I would like to get rid of: 

  • Pesky flies that annoy me, to no end, on hot summer nights
  • The availability of parallel parking only, in some cities
  • Driving in snowstorms when the weatherman has reported clear skies.
  • Weeds that invade gardens
  • Mail that has been returned, to sender, for no apparent reason. 

As I began to put together this list of what I want to eliminate from my life, I realized they are only pet peeves. It became apparent that I have so very little to complain about. These things are all so petty and inconsequential! How fortunate that I am not in a place where what needs to be eliminated from my life isn’t the difference between life and death. 

Until now, there have been millions of families, in certain countries around the world, who have lost mothers and newborn children because they didn’t have the 60 cents to vaccinate against maternal and neo-natal tetanus. This is about to change! UNICEF www.unicefusa.org and Kiwanis International http://bit.ly/clHB17 have joined forces to eradicate tetanus all around the world, by providing resources for vaccinating against this fatal disease. Approximately one hundred twenty-nine million mothers and their unborn babies are currently unprotected against this disease. 

As a member of Kiwanis, I could not be more proud of this global project that will truly “change the world, one child and one community at a time.” For more information on Project Eliminate and what you can do to help, please visit www.kiwanis.org. If you are interested in becoming a member of this wonderful service organization, contact a town or city near you where Kiwanis has a club.  Find out when they meet, so you can visit as a guest. 

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Feeding Minds through Film

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“In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties.” ~ Henri Frederic Amiel

As predicted, the LunaFest,® on Friday night at the Bud Werner Library, www.steamboatlibrary.org had a fulfilling line-up of short films that were screened. Once I arrived at the film festival, I became aware that the LunaFest® is sponsored by LunaBars® –snack bars that are power-packed with vitamins and minerals that meet the needs of all women, and especially women on the go. “What woman is not on the go,” may I ask? 

Out of the 10 “shorts” that were shown, it is difficult to say which was my favorite. Each film had it’s own merits and an important issue that was brought to the fore. The producers and directors of the films were women from a diversity of countries and cultures. Americans, Brits, Israelis and Canadians were among the mix. The following is a list of films that were screened, and my interpretation of the issue that was highlighted in each film: 

  • The Translator – Communication between men & women.
  • Getting A Grip – Women competing in what is thought to be a man’s world.
  • Touch –  Guardian angels that appear in women’s lives.
  • Tightly Knit – Building community around common interests.
  • Top Spin – Women finding balance in their lives.
  • Thembi’s Diary – Global health issues (this film was artistically creative in how it incorporated textures and patterns with animation).
  • Mother of Many – Women’s health and parenting.
  • Irene – Adult children caring for aging parents.
  • Miracle Lady – Hope, life’s journey, enduring love
  • Love on the Line – Relationships and attraction. 

Each screenwriter, producer and director deserves to be recognized for having created a high-quality film that was chosen to be included in this festival. LunaBars®, a division of Clif Bar and Company http://bit.ly/fCXGKW is to be congratulated for their healthy alternative snack products and for the company’s vision of  raising money for breast cancer, through the power of film. This union between the corporate world and artistic expression, through filmmaking,  is an excellent example of bringing creative, effective marketing to the public and adding value to lives.

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It is a LunaFest Film Friday!

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It is Film Friday! And it is going to be a fulfilling evening for film-lovers in Steamboat Springs, CO. Tonight the Luna Fest® will be at the Bud Werner Library. This film festival will benefit the Breast Cancer Fund and the Yampa Valley Breast Cancer Awareness Project/Bust of Steamboat. 

LunaFest® films are short films which highlight women’s issues such as aging, motherhood, women’s health and cultural diversity. The ten short films being shown will range from documentary to animation to fictional drama. Celebrating women, their stories and their talents through the power of film is the mission of the Luna Fest®. 

All of the films are produced by women filmmakers, some of whom are independent filmmakers, and have won industry awards for their ability to start dialogues and bring understanding to the women’s issues that they involve. 

For more information on the event, please visit: www.steamboatlibrary.org 

For more information on how to host a LunaFest® in your community: http://bit.ly/8u4QrA 

To learn more about the fund-raising cause that the LunaFest® will support: http://thebustofsteamboat.org/ 

This film festival, The LunaFest® is a great representation of how the power of film brings education, awareness and important story-telling to communities of people.

We look forward to sharing with you on All Things Fulfilling, more information on our favorite films of the LunaFest® evening, at a later date!

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See you tonight!

Writing Quality Children’s Books

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“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”~ B.B. King 

Attention children’s book authors, illustrators and publishers! There is an organization that offers consultation and critique of unpublished manuscripts to help you publish a quality finished product. The American Children’s Book Society fulfills their mission to help produce and market “superior and meaningful children’s books.”  Their services include:

  • Critique program
  • Book Review program
  • “A” Rating program
  • Consulting and Coaching 

By working with the American Children’s Book Society, Inc.  http://www.americanchildrensbooksociety.com/  your book will be reviewed for quality content, perhaps giving you an inroad to selling to schools and libraries. Because your book has been critiqued by the American Book Society, you will also have the advantage of entering your book into the annual “Scooter Awards” and the possibility of earning an “A” rank in their rating program. 

The panel of judges on the American Children’s Book Society, Inc. looks for compliance with all CPSIA regulations and rules including quality of design, suitability of content, presentation and pricing for retail markets. For all first-time authors/publishers who are unfamiliar with standards in children’s book compliance, this organization provides excellent services and gives you the tools to provide a quality children’s book to the industry.

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Drawing New Patrons of the Arts

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“All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.” ~ Albert Einstein 

There is a project on the horizon that will bring two synergistic forces together to create a groundbreaking model for museums across the country. The New Young at Art Museum and Broward County Children’s Reading Center is aimed at providing a fulfilling experience that will develop a “new generation of patrons, supporters and patrons of the Arts.” 

This 21.5 million dollar complex in Broward County, Florida is currently under construction. The funding for the project comes from a mix of private investment, public and governmental funds and a $500,000 Knight Arts Initiative Challenge Grant from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. http://www.knightfoundation.org/. The building will be a silver-LEED certified structure of award winning design. 

All enclosed under one roof will be exhibition space of WonderScapes, GreenScapes, ArtScapes and CultureScapes which will enhance learning about our diverse world, the environment, creativity and imagination. Multi-media studio art space is all in the design, too. 

The experience will be both creative and educationally stimulating for children and adults, alike. The mission is to shape the community and the way that families share reading and art. For more information on this exciting new cultural center, please visit http://bit.ly/grUfJc.

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International Communities of Women

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“No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it. “~ Andrew Carnegie

 The pressure was on this year, from my international friends. Last year on the 8th of March, I hadn’t a clue that it was a day to remember women all over the world. I woke up to Happy International Women’s Day greetings from a few of my friends, one from Macedonia and another from Australia. This year I wanted to remember this day of  global celebration of economic, political and social achievements of women , lest I be scolded for being a typical American – celebrating only the holidays that are heavily marketed here in the States.

Now, through the power of social media marketing, we can connect with women having similar values, interests, hobbies, business, political and social interests through the world-wide-web. There is an international community of women all faced with the same issue of fulfilling their responsibilities in the workplace while still getting the “job done” at home. Balancing home life and work life is a concern for the majority of women in today’s world. 

There are four common traits of leadership that women in all countries use for success in both the home and in the workplace.

  • Be Goal Oriented
  • Communicate Effectively
  • Use Emotional Intelligence
  • Know How to Delegate

 These leadership skills are as useful for the full-time family manager (aka stay at home mom) as they are to the women working full-time outside of the home. To read more information on how we can empower ourselves for successful living, in and out of the home, by using these management qualities, please visit http://bit.ly/94VjbA.

 Women on every continent are setting service organizations, business, and political communities on fire with their passion, their energy, their ideas and their leadership skills. Happy International Women’s Day to All, and a special shout out to women involved in Kiwanis International www.KiwanisInternational.org!

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Engage them in Art

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 “ Creativity is a characteristic given to all human beings at birth” ~ Abraham Maslow 

Instead of holding a birthday party at a pizza joint or a fast food restaurant, surround your kids and their friends with Fine Art. Make it a gala to remember by exposing your children to culture and fulfill your parental duties of providing educational opportunities for your children outside of the classroom. Hold a Birthday Party in an Art Museum! 

The Museum of Fine Art in Boston, Massachusetts is just one of a number of art museums across the country offering birthday parties for kids. Catch kid’s interest in paintings, sculpture, folk art and other mediums of art while they are young. You can arrange for a private museum tour with a docent that is experienced at engaging and exciting young minds about Art. Perhaps a hands-on session of making a creative piece of artwork to take home, inspired by an art gallery exhibition would be fun! Send the party-goers on a treasure hunt throughout the museum looking for animals, artifacts, fashion or other themes represented in the artwork exhibited. Creative learning about art is always fun! 

Think outside the box for your child’s next birthday celebration. Instead of giving things like candy as a party favor,  how about child-sized artist berets, a box of pastels, a children’s book on a famous artist or a brush with a box of watercolor paints. It will provide a way to continue the creative streak long after the party is over. 

For more information on this fun way to celebrate a child’s birthday in an Art Museum visit http://bit.ly/egPsV6 or use your favorite search engine to locate a list of art museums that offer parent/child programs for fulfilling birthday fun or for rainy days. Incorporate  creative learning experiences and personal fulfillment through Art in your child’s life.

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A Letter to an Independent Filmmaker

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“The things you want are always possible…the only real obstacle in your path to a fulfilling life is you.” ~ Les Brown

 On February 25 in 1988 Bruce Springsteen’s “Tunnel of Love” tour began. It also marked the day when the start of love relationship with a child, whose arrival can only be described as JOY.  Our son entered into this world 23 years ago today and my husband and I began fulfilling our dreams of raising a precious, much-wanted child. For all who knew us then, it was a time of great celebration. For those who know us now, the gratitude and love we still feel for this gift of life is still very apparent. 

Dear Independent Filmmaker,

Can you help your parents out by setting the record straight for us? Your ability to communicate so well was evident at such an early age. But, what was it that made you decide to become a filmmaker? Was it the huge library of children’s books that we amassed and that I read to you over and over again that gave you a love for storytelling? Was it the hours you spent on your Dad’s lap watching Disney, We Sing and other children’s movies together that made you want pursue a life of entertaining others through cinematography? Was your interest in sound, lighting, cameras and lenses what made you want to create visual effects? Perhaps it was the outstanding mentor who shared everything he knew about the TV/filmmaking industry with you. What was it? We really want to know!

 Your journey as an adult, friend, storyteller, visual effects artist and filmmaker has only just begun. Continue to use the most valuable gift that you were given – good common sense. You’ve always had a great moral compass of right and wrong – use it to stay on the right path.  Staying true to your values is what has gotten you this far already. Use your energy to make this world a better place and always remember your family and where you came from. Your highly inquisitive mind, your caring nature and love of people will carry you far. You continue to amaze us with your spirit, your talents and the gifts that that you bring to this world. We can not wait to see where life and your career takes you. 

Have a safe, fun birthday. We love you! Mom and Dad

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Face the Book TV

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 “All television is educational television.  The question is:  what is it teaching?”  ~Nicholas Johnson

 The Independent Publishers of New England has a cable access TV show that is fulfilling the need for promoting regional independent publishers.  Face the Book, is similar to the concept of C-Span’s Book TV, only on a smaller level. It reaches 15,000 households through Verizon, RCN and Comcast public access TV cable channels. 

The aim of this TV show, broadcast out of Arlington, Massachusetts through Arlington Community Media, Inc. is “to bring the best of independent publishing to New England readers, authors and to publishers through their community media stations.” 

Right now, Face the Book is looking for children’s book authors who would like to appear as a panelist on the show to promote their independent publications. This is an excellent opportunity if you are a member of IPNE www.ipne.org and you have independently published a children’s book that you would like the public to learn about! 

For more information on this cable access TV show, Face the Book, please visit http://on.fb.me/es8nlr or visit the Independent Publishers of New England webpage by going to http://bit.ly/f3Pl4S.  

Being able to appear in front of 15,000 households on Face the Book TV is only one benefit to joining this non-profit trade association dedicated to educating the independent publisher. For more information on IPNE, please visit www.ipne.org.

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