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Planting Events with NYRP

23 Sep

Another great volunteer opportunity with the New York Restoration Project is right around the corner. If you’ve got a green thumb, these projects have your name on them!

Join the New York Restoration Project, American Express and MillionTreesNYC on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Co-Op City in the Bronx as they plant hundreds of new trees. Lunch, tree planting equipment and a free t-shirt will be provided, courtesy of American Express.
   DETAILS: 
   The Co-op City Greenway Stage
   Registration begins at 9AM
   For more information, please visit the MillionTreesNYC website.

Towards the end of October, there will be three more Reforestation Days with MillionTreesNYC and the NYRP; October 22nd, 23rd, and 26th. I will be sending out a reminder, but you can register now and ensure your spot by visiting the Reforestation sign-up page. Beautification locations for those dates include Van Cortlandt Park, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx  River Shoelace Park, Marine Park, and more, across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

To stay up-to-date with upcoming volunteer projects, please visit the Give and Get NYC Events Calendar!

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Wedding Ideas for the Do-Good Bride

13 May

As my own wedding rapidly approaches, I’ve been sifting through the internet for the most unique ideas I can find. This ranges from the good (can you say Jimmy Choo bridal?), the bad (no more candied almonds please), and the ugly (WTF?). I’ve also come across some great tips for making my wedding day not only a commitment of myself to another person, but also a commitment to making my community a better place. Below is a curation of some of my favorite ideas for other do-good-loving brides-to-be in NYC:

I Woof!

Animal Lovers

Planning on having your beloved pooch in your wedding party? If so, you may be interested making a donation to the ASPCA in lieu of a traditional wedding favor. They will provide you with custom ASPCA place cards which will let your guests know a donation has been made in their honor. For more information, visit their website or call (212) 876-7700, ext. 4516.

Alternative Favors

Just like the ASPCA, many other organizations allow you to make a donation in honor of your guests. TheKnot.com makes it super easy to pick a charity and order personalized place cards for a nominal fee (about $15-35 depending on the size of your wedding, plus the actual donation). You can pick a specific charity from one of 6 categories: Children & Families, Community Development, Education, Environment, Health, and Social Justice.

Nature Favors on Etsy

I’ve also found some great ideas on Etsy, including many green ideas from Nature Favors. These cute heart-shaped bird seed favors would look great on tables set in a vineyard wedding, or a backyard bridal shower. You can hang them at the party as decorations and/or let your guests take them home; either way, the favor will feed some birds and reduce waste. From the same vendor these lilly grass plants (pictured) are perfect for spring affairs while these plantable leaf confetti garden favors scream fall.

For more green wedding ideas, check out the article “7 Easy Ways to Green Your Wedding“

Don’t Trash the Dress-Donate it!

Call me crazy, but I just don’t understand this new trend of “trashing the dress.”. Unless you’re celebrating a recent divorce, it just seems like the opposite of what I’d want to do with something I wore on such a momentous day. It seems almost blasphemous. But I digress. Rather than rip that Vera Wang gown to shreds or place it in your attic shrine for the next 50 years, why not donate it? There are plenty of organizations and websites ready to take your gown (looking at you too, bridesmaids) and put it to good use:

 BRIDES: Brides Against Breast Cancer will take your dress and re-sell it at a significantly discounted price during their nationwide “Tour of Gowns” events across the country, with proceeds going towards granting the wishes of terminal cancer patients.

BRIDESMAIDS: DonateMyDress.org provides a national listing of local dress drive organizations who take donated special occasion dresses and give them to those who cannot afford them for prom, sweet 16, quinceañera or formals. In New York, you’ll find the WGIRLS NYC Chapter in Manhattan and L.A.C.E. in Brooklyn.

BRIDES & BRIDES-TO-BE: The Bridal Garden in Midtown Manhattan is the city’s only not-for-profit bridal boutique showcasing stunning designer and couture wedding gowns at up to 75% off retail prices. You can buy your dress here or donate the one you got elsewhere; either way, all proceeds will benefit education for NYC children.

Reception-To-Go

After the party is over, you may find yourself slipping away into the sunset to a faraway land or sleeping soundly for the -a’hem- ‘first’ time with your new spouse. Meanwhile, all of those super expensive flowers, delicious food leftovers, and other stuff that once seemed like life or death decisions will be heading out to pasture, only to become a distant memory seen on Facebook and your coffee table for years to come. Why not let someone else enjoy the spoils after you’re gone?

Enter: Special E, a business that will re-purpose all that can be salvaged from your wedding day. It was developed in response to the growing demand for environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible alternatives to the common party plan, be it a wedding, fundraiser, corporate shindig or otherwise. According to their website, items they pick up are given to “homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, missions, churches, temples, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, relief agencies, and a wide range of charitable and non-profit organizations. Items not being donated are either recycled or re-purposed by artisans into other useful products.” There is a fee involved which covers the labor, delivery and supplies, but I think it’s worth it. (It can also be written off as a charitable donation)

Giving Back What You Get

There are many opportunities to make your special day special for someone else; all it takes is a little creative thinking and a lot of heart. Here are a few more ideas for how to give back during and after the wedding:

– Call local nursing homes or hospitals near your venue and see if they would like to receive your centerpiece flowers after the wedding. Arrange a drop-off via a friend or family member, and let it be their gift to you.

– Instead of a traditional sign-in book, have guests fill out cards to troops overseas, wishing them well and a speedy and safe return home. Provide a decorative box for them to be placed into.

– Too many leftover favors to count? Depending on the item, they may be useful to a Salvation Army store for resale. Or maybe you know of a local non-profit who is planning a fundraiser; let them use your leftover favors to save on costs of buying their own.

– The I Do Foundation has even more tools that will allow you to give back to charity, including gift registries, green ideas and more. Visit their website for more info!

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Do you have other ideas? Have you done any of the above successfully (or unsuccessfully)? Sound off below!


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Spotlight On…Hearts And Voices!

6 Apr

I recently volunteered for Lifebeat’s Hearts & Voices program, an on-going live performance series for people living with HIV/AIDS. I watched as the performers entertained a small group of residents at Rivington House in Nolita, turning what would have otherwise been just another night into a musical experience and singalong for everyone present. It gave me goosebumps. After finding out that two of four members of the performing group Solo fell ill, Erika, Manager of the Hearts and Voices program, stepped up to the mic and helped round out the night with a few extra songs. Her willingness to go the extra mile to make residents happy was heartwarming and made me want to learn more about her and Lifebeat immediately. Luckily, Erika was more than willing to share her love for Hearts & Voices with me. Below is the outcome of our recent e-terview*; read on for some inspiration from Erika Banks:

Give & Get NYC: What is your role with Hearts and Voices, and what attracted you to this organization specifically?

Erika Banks: I am the Manager of the Hearts & Voices Program, which means I organize/coordinate all of the facilities, performers & general volunteers to produce over 240 shows each year for people living with HIV/AIDS.  I was drawn to this organization because it combines my two loves: Music & Community Service.  In many ways it’s a dream come true for me to be able to use music to make a profound difference in people’s lives.

G&G: I’ve heard you sing- and you can SING..Do you have a background in music?

EB: Yup!  I have always loved music and started taking violin lessons when I was 5 years old.  I switched to voice and piano lessons when I was 11 years old and currently have a Masters Degree in Music.  Though I’m no longer in a formal vocal training program, I am always learning and growing as a singer.  I perform my own shows outside of Hearts & Voices and collaborate with other performers whenever possible.  The learning never ends and the love of music never dies.

G&G: Why do you think it’s so important to have the H&V program in New York City specifically? Are there plans to expand to other cities?

EB: For well over 15 years, Hearts & Voices has been making a powerful and lasting difference in the lives of our audience members who are living with AIDS.  Live music has been proven to relieve stress, pain, build community and combat loneliness.  Hearts & Voices also provides performers with a way to give back to the community using their natural gifts and abilities.  Performing a Hearts & Voices show has a positive lasting impact for both the performer and the audience.  Everyone wins!

We have also started holding regular Hearts & Voices shows in Washington, D.C., which I’m very excited about.  I hope we will be able to provide this program to many other major cities in the US in the coming years.

G&G: From your experience working with HIV/AIDS patients, how have you seen music affect them and their rehabilitation?

EB: I have continually seen the people that attend our shows, enter the room in a “bad” or “ok” mood and consistently leave the show smiling, laughing, singing and happy.  We have many regular attendees to Hearts & Voices because they enjoy it so much.  This is a great link that shares the audience members experience of the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdvjf6DLaLE

G&G: Is there any one artist on the H&V list of performers that you absolutely love to hear perform?

EB: I absolutely LOVE all of the H&V performers.  The generosity and heart that comes through in each show is what is truly moving.  When people perform from their heart/soul you can’t help but be moved and uplifted.  This is the main quality I look/listen for when I review Artist Applications and it’s the quality that comes through at each show.  That’s why we can have so many different styles of musician or performer and still cause the same powerful healing effect.

G&G: Do you have a favorite memory or performance?

EB: It may sound corny, but each performance is magical and amazing. I can’t say I have a favorite, but the last show is always the most fresh on my mind.  Just last night after the Hearts & Voices performance at Casa Promesa, an audience member came up and said the song “What a Wonderful World” really touched him deeply cause he’d been dealing with a lot of drama.  I live for these moments when I can see the difference the show makes for someone or they share directly how it uplifts them.

G&G: Are there any upcoming events for Hearts & Voices or Lifebeat in NYC that people can attend and learn more about the program, and maybe see a good show?

EB: People can find out about Lifebeat events on our website www.lifebeat.org and on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Lifebeat.  We have a number of partnerships and events people can attend or get involved with, and we’re constantly creating more.

G&G: If someone is interested in volunteering, as an artist or just to help out, how can they make that happen?

EB: I encourage interested folks to contact me directly about volunteering at a Hearts & Voices show, either as a performer or a production volunteer.  We hold between 18-20 shows a month, which adds up to about 240 shows a year.  There are lots of opportunities to make a difference and have a good time while you’re doing it!

~

Erika Banks is the manager of the Hearts and Voices program based in New York City. She can be contacted at ebanks@lifebeat.org. Lifebeat is a nonprofit that uses the power of music and the music industry to help educate young people about HIV/AIDS prevention. For more than seventeen years, Lifebeat has helped to mobilize the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and funds, and to provide support to the HIV-positive community. Learn more about Lifebeat by visiting their website: http://lifebeat.org/

*E-terview is an online interview. I just made that up, but I’m hoping it catches on!

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Eating for a Cause at Boqueria

24 Mar
2011

This past Sunday was the eighth annual Time Out For Hunger event, where over 160 restaurants in New York City participated in giving 10% of their day’s proceeds to the Food Bank For NYC. Presented with Time Out New York, the Food Bank enlisted some of the best restaurants this city has to offer, from Lure Fishbar to the Russian Tea Room, all of the BLT spots and more. I had a hard time choosing, but wound up heading to Boqueria for an amazing brunch with my family. Since I could never snag a table on any prior attempts, just getting a seat was reason enough for celebration.

Boqueria, named after Barcelona’s world famous and spectacular market, claims it offers New Yorkers “the chance to dine as they would in Barcelona’s famed tapas bars without ever leaving town.” I’ve never been to Spain, but if it’s anything like Boqueria in the Flatiron district, sign me up. The vibe is relaxed and communal, with high tables and chairs allowing diners and staff to be at eye-level, which strangely feels like you’re just chit-chatting with a friend while also ordering food. Genius.

There were six of us, and even though the Brunch menu looked amazing, we opted to stick with the tapas y raciones menu so that we could taste (and eat) as much as possible. The first bite to arrive at the table were the bunuelos de bacalao, which are salt-cod fritters with citrus aioli; the fritters were crispy and delicious, and the sauce was put aside on the table for all future dipping. Next up were the dates stuffed with almonds and Valdeon (a type of cheese similar to blue cheese), wrapped in bacon. These were small enough to pop in your mouth and exploded with amazing flavor after crunching through the salty bacon: sweet, savory, it was all there. Other highlights from the meal included the sauteed wild mushrooms with manchego cheese (salteado de setas), chorizo frittatas, and the grilled baby squid (txipirones) with garlic and parsley crispy potatoes.

My favorite pick of the afternoon were the blistered shishito peppers with sea salt (pimientos de padron); blackened to perfection, these little Japanese peppers were unassuming, simple, and fresh. They are typically mild, but a few can sneak in (on our plate, 3) that are very spicy, so we took the liberty to play ‘fiery pepper roulette’ with the table; I lost twice, but really, I won! I left Boqueria pleasantly full and happy, knowing that the amazing meal we just had would be contributing to the programs at the Food Bank.

For every $1 donated to the Food Bank For New York City, 5 meals can be provided to New Yorkers in need. Last year, Time Out For Hunger raised close to 300,000 meals in one day. The final tally hasn’t been completed yet for 2011, but Boqueria alone raised about $1,900- that’s 9,500 meals!

 

For more information about Time Out for Hunger 2012, visit the Food Bank for NYC website.

Boqueria has two locations- 53 West 19th Street in the Flatiron District, and 171 Spring Street in Soho. To see their menu and contact information, visit their website at www.boquerianyc.com

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What I Did This Week

11 Feb
2011

Usually February is that weird month stuck between the holidays and Easter break, where nothing really happens except Valentines Day and a seemingly endless winter convinces you it will never leave. That’s how I usually feel at least, until this February. This February has been full of productive meetings, planning some big-time events for 2011, and of course, the Pants Party. This past Wednesday night Give & Get collected 37 pairs of jeans; a number which has increased to about 46 after two days of coworkers dropping their pants in my office- but I’m not complaining!

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Last night I attended the “I Heart NYC” Blogger Meet-Up party hosted by Travelzoo Local Deals. It was awesome to meet the people behind some of my favorite blogs, and I got some great advice on how to improve my own. Everyone who attended the event (at the super-snazzy SD26) received one of two amazing deals from Travelzoo: my envelope had a voucher for dinner for two at Kikakuya Sake Bar in Koreatown, while other guests received credit towards a facial by aesthetician-to-the-stars, Mamie McDonald. While a facial would probably do me some good, I’m really excited to try out a new restaurant which happens to be right near my office.

This Saturday (tomorrow!) is the Global Cocoa Project’s “Explore the World of Chocolate Event”. My mouth is already watering just thinking about all the delicious treats I’ll be having tomorrow. Gourmet bon-bons? Peggy Bundy, eat your heart out. If you haven’t gotten tickets yet, you’re in luck: there are still some left! Click here to purchase now and avoid the extra charge buying at the door.

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