We had torrential rain in NYC today, forcing us to forgo several shoots. Fortunately, we caught up with my good friend Alberto Gonzales at his Village-based restaurant, GustOrganics. He treated all of us to pizza and smoothies, and Dylan got to stand by while his porteno was prepared (see pic). GustOrganics is the first USDA certified organic restaurant in New York City. If this is the future, I'm grabbing a fork.
The crew and I spent all day yesterday in Brooklyn and Queens shooting the first episodes our upcoming TV series for NYC Life. One of our best finds during our journey through the boroughs was Roberta's Pizzeria, a remarkable "farm-to-table" enterprise in Bushwick. The staff was friendly, the music retro, the energy relaxed, and the pizza could not have been better. Stop by on a nice day and check out the back patio and garden. You'll feel like you're on vacation.
Here's a pic of Israel and Dylan sitting down for a slice with Roberta's head pizza chef, who taught us all how to toss a pie. Keep your eye out for the episode in September.
Here I am with WNBC anchor and reporter Morgan DeMarco and Union Settlement Association’s executive director David Nocenti at Union Settlement’s annual Solutions Benefit. What an honor.
Union Settlement Association has served East Harlem’s immigrant community for 115 years, and now reaches more than 13,000 people each year with programs in education, childcare, youth development, senior services, job training, the arts, nutrition, counseling, and community development. The Settlement also holds blood drives and conferences to benefit all of East Harlem’s citizens.
Learn more about Union Settlement Association at their website.
This is my second year working with Union Settlement: earlier this year, we did a short film that featured their Day of the Dead celebration.
Please consider supporting USA, either by donating or volunteering your time.
A new survey commissioned by W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which consulted over 800 adults from across the country, found that nearly two-thirds of parents of school-age children describe local school food as “poor” or “only fair.” They insist that pizza, chicken nuggets, French fries, tater tots, hot dogs, and hamburgers, should be cut drastically from school menus.
More than 85 percent said fresh fruit and vegetables should be offered every day in school cafeterias. Asked about factors contributing to the obesity epidemic, 71 percent listed cutbacks in recess and physical education as a significant factor. Eighty-six percent recommend requiring 60 minutes of exercise in the school day.
Today I met with David “The Admiral” Robinson of the Antonio Spurs. A generous humanitarian for decades, David and his wife Valerie opened the Carver Academy, a non-profit private school in San-Antonio Texas with a socio-economically a culturally diverse K-6 student body, in 2001. The academy provides some fantastic, unusual opportunities for all of its students, such as ballet lessons and broadcasting/recording education. Each of the 120 students is also required to learn three foreign languages: Japanese, German, and Spanish.
Over the past nine years, the school has produced a multitude of well-rounded alumni, and continues to promote leadership, discipline, initiative, and integrity. The stylish Mr. Robinson kindly posed for this picture.
Read a New York Times article on the Carver Academy here.
Since most of the schools students are attending on scholarship, it is imperative that the school receive supplemental funding to continue operating. Please consider donating to this terrific institution.
As most of you know, I spent last week in Morocco, an Arab country situated on the Northwestern tip of Africa. Moroccans often refer to it as a crossroads between Europe and the Middle East.
As a board member for Earth Day Network, I learned about Morocco’s unique commitment to environmental issues over the past year. The more I learned, the more I was inspired. As Morocco’s movement progressed, I recognized that something extraordinary was happening and that the country’s efforts merited special attention.
In late 2009, Earth Day Network unanimously selected Rabat (Morocco’s capital), along with Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Kolkata, Washington D.C., and New York, to be a partner in Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary celebration. It would be the first time an Arab nation would host this world event, and be credited for its cutting-edge series of projects for environmental conservation.
"Rabat was chosen as a premier city to host Earth Day Celebrations for its commitment to the environment and strategic vision for the future,” said Gerald Torres, Chairman of Earth Day Network.
Earth Day board members and staff could have attended any one of the major events around the world. We were solicited to appear at more than one event, which would have incurred a host of travel appointments and scheduling conflicts.
We chose to come to Morocco and stay for the four-day celebration because of the uniqueness of the country’s commitment; Morocco has become a leader in environmental issues in a part of the world where the environment is often low on the agenda.
Shortly after our arrival in Casablanca, we drove to Rabat and saw some of the most green, lush, and open farmlands we could remember.
We saw miles of trees, parks, and forests. Naturally, my initial impression was that Morocco had no environmental problems at all. But, like every part of the world, the country is confronted with alarming challenges.
Farmers are experiencing the effects of climate change. Their crops are becoming scarcer and taking longer to grow.
Along the country’s beautiful Atlantic coastline, fishermen are reeling in fewer fish than they used to due to increasing air and water pollution.
There are other environmental issues that aren’t unique to Morocco. What is unique is about Morocco is that they are doing something about it. During Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary, the Moroccan government announced a multi-billion dollar series of projects aimed at improving the environment.
New restrictions and standards, as well as a “green tax” for violators, will be implemented for the first time.
The plan also includes a large investment in clean transportation, solar energy, and wind power. Most importantly, there will be a major emphasis on education.
I visited a school which emphasizes environmental responsibility in its curriculum, proof that the message is reaching a younger generation.
"We must manage to mobilize the youth so that we can preserve the environment for generations to come,” insisted Rabat Mayor Fathallah Oulaelou.
The environment and the economy are more intimately linked in Morocco than in most places.
At least 40% of its inhabitants survive off of the fishing industry. Millions of other Moroccans make a living in the tourism and hospitality industries.
The country has little choice but to be progressive on environmental issues, and they are doing it.
I know that, upon my return, people will ask if the Moroccan government will be able to deliver on its promises. After what we have seen here, we sincerely believe that Morocco is serious and committed.
Happy Earth Day to all, not just this week, but all year round.
Hi everyone,
I spent Earth Day at the Green Schools Earth Fair in Rabat. Every child at the local “green school” was involved in the Earth Day celebration, from the kindergarteners to the high-schoolers. Their curriculum covers sustainability, water purification, wind and solar power. But these kids don’t just study the environment—they also work to preserve it. They plant trees at and around their school as well as clean up local neighborhoods and beaches. It was a joy to work with these kids, as well as meet President Hassan and Governor Haoudi. We even planted a tree in my honor! Lucky me.
I hope you all had a productive, reflective Earth Day, too.
