Focusing On Tomatoes And Peppers For The Spring Garden

  By Jannie Vaugh I don’t know about you but this has been a steady week of planting the garden! Tomatoes and peppers have been the first focus. They have been getting tall and leggy under the lights outgrowing their little pots. They have been outside to harden off and get used to the sun and wind. Now they are ready for going in the … Continue reading Focusing On Tomatoes And Peppers For The Spring Garden

“Roll With Me” Film Review: A Transcendent Journey That Touches Everyone Along The way

By William Engel Director Lisa France captivated  the  2018 Slamdance Film Festival audiences with “Roll With Me”, a sobering yet inspiring look at a disabled man’s attempt to overcome his limitations and accomplish something extraordinary.   The documentary follows Gabriel Cordell, a newly sober paraplegic who sets out to be the first person to roll across the United States in a wheelchair. He’s joined by … Continue reading “Roll With Me” Film Review: A Transcendent Journey That Touches Everyone Along The way

“Quest” Flim Review: A Flawed But Nonetheless Evocative Tale of Adversity And Second Shances

By William Engel Santiago Rizzo made his directorial debut last year with the striking “Quest”. One of the reasons filmmaker Santiago Rizzo made his 2018 Slamdance Film Festival narrative feature “Quest” was to fulfill a promise to his life-changing mentor and friend, Tim Moellering. Moellering was a humble Berkeley, California middle school teacher and football coach who took Rizzo under his wing and helped him … Continue reading “Quest” Flim Review: A Flawed But Nonetheless Evocative Tale of Adversity And Second Shances

“Knife Skills” Is A Bitter Pill To Swallow

by William Engel   What does it take to build a world-class French restaurant? What if the staff is almost entirely men and women just out of prison? What if most have never cooked or served before, and have barely two months to learn their trade? The message of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Knife Skills” is a bitter pill to swallow; for ex-convicts, change is possible, … Continue reading “Knife Skills” Is A Bitter Pill To Swallow

Edith And Eddie Review

by William Engel Nominated for an Academy Award®, Edith+Eddie is a film by Laura Checkoway (LUCKY) is a devastating film about the country’s oldest interracial newlyweds   Edith + Eddie provides us with an unflinching look at the disrespect and condescension with which we treat the elderly, forcing them to relinquish their lives to third parties with no emotional connection to them. The documentary short … Continue reading Edith And Eddie Review

Spring Has Sprung With the Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, and Yellow Asters

  By Jannie Vaugh We have been waiting for this day. Also arriving are the sneaky garden bugs. Have a look at the underside of your cabbage and mustard leaves for aphids or the dreaded stinkbug! Get the soap and water in the sprayer ready. It could be another buggy year. I have been told that Rescue stinkbug traps are worth trying and are just … Continue reading Spring Has Sprung With the Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, and Yellow Asters

How To Take Amazing Photos For An Art Exhibition Or For Publicity

By Michael Schacht 312 Elements Headshot Photography   Photography, as an art, is extremely flexible as it can take a wide variety of forms. As a photographer, you only need a camera and you can be a street photographer, a travel photographer, or even a sports photographer – it all depends on your preference. If you also want to show off your work as an … Continue reading How To Take Amazing Photos For An Art Exhibition Or For Publicity

THE ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS (AWFJ) ANNOUNCES THE 2017 EDA AWARD WINNERS

  “THE SHAPE OF WATER” TAKES THREE AWARDS INCLUDING BEST FILM AND BEST DIRECTOR FOR GUILLERMO DEL TORO AND BRAVEST PERFORMANCE AWARD FOR SALLY HAWKINS “LADY BIRD” GARNERS THE BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE PRIZE FOR LAURIE METCALF WHILE GRETA GERWIG IS AWARDED TWO EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS FOR BEST WOMAN DIRECTOR AND BEST WOMAN SCREENWRITER The women have voted!    The Alliance of … Continue reading THE ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS (AWFJ) ANNOUNCES THE 2017 EDA AWARD WINNERS

Alexa Varano: A Visionary Artist With A Passion For Change

  By William Engel Edited By Colleen Page Photos By Third Wolf Designs and William Engel Alexa Varano is an artist with an unusual canvas: clothing. Varano is the founder and owner of Third Wolf Designs, a Denver-based independent business that sells handcrafted hoodies, t-shirts and tank tops internationally. A self-made businesswoman, Verano prides herself on the fact that she hand-paints every item of clothing … Continue reading Alexa Varano: A Visionary Artist With A Passion For Change

A Conversation With Actor Robert Blanche and Actress Bethany Jacobs Of The Film “Tomorrow, Maybe”

By Lori Hoffman “Tomorrow, Maybe” by Director Jace Daniel is a tragedy showing how we often hurt those we love the most. Lloyd (Robert Blanche) who has recently been released from prison tries to reconcile his relationship with his daughter, Iris (Bethany Jacobs), but she is reluctant to let him back into her life since she feels that he has betrayed her due to his … Continue reading A Conversation With Actor Robert Blanche and Actress Bethany Jacobs Of The Film “Tomorrow, Maybe”

A Book Review of “Relationships In A Nutshell: A Book For Guys” by Maxine Albright

By: Lori Hoffman   Stepping into the adult world of sexual attraction can be difficult for both men and women, but with careful advice and guidance it can be navigated, leading to fulfilling romance and sex for those with the confidence to go out and meet people. With the hope  of helping people along the way to understanding the female mind, with relationship advice and … Continue reading A Book Review of “Relationships In A Nutshell: A Book For Guys” by Maxine Albright

“Food Evolution” A Film Which Has Something Important To Add To The Conversation

By: Lori Hoffman  “Food Evolution” is a documentary From Academy Award®-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy (THE GARDEN, FAME HIGH, OT: OUR TOWN) and narrated by Neil DeGrasse Tyson showing both sides of the GMO debate around the world. The film portrays the idea that people develop beliefs based on their gut and due to this, non-GMO advocates are challenging empirical scientific evidence. When results are … Continue reading “Food Evolution” A Film Which Has Something Important To Add To The Conversation

Conservation International Statement on Cook Islands’ Legislation of Marae Moana, the World’s Largest Marine Park

  Conservation International (CI) welcomes the Cook Islands government’s decision to legally establish Marae Moana. Five years of close consultation between the government, partners and local communities has resulted in Marae Moana, becoming the world’s largest multiple-use marine park — a remarkable stride towards the protection of their oceans which provide food security and livelihoods to the people of Cook Islands. The Parliament of the … Continue reading Conservation International Statement on Cook Islands’ Legislation of Marae Moana, the World’s Largest Marine Park

Groups vow to continue efforts to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs despite SB 1240 veto

Courtesy of The Humane Society of the United States   In a disappointing outcome for a widely supported bill, Hawaii Governor David Ige vetoed legislation that would have protected Hawaii’s threatened reefs by limiting the capture of reef wildlife for personal aquariums. The bill, SB 1240, had passed the state legislature as a compromise measure with strong support from lawmakers as well as Hawaii residents … Continue reading Groups vow to continue efforts to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs despite SB 1240 veto

Robert Redford, Ed Harris, Elle Fanning and more join animal coalition in urging Congress to oppose wild horse slaughter

Courtesy of The Humane Society of the United States Robert Redford, Ed Harris, Elle Fanning, Ian Somerhalder and countless other equine enthusiasts joined The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Return to Freedom and the ASPCA to draw attention to the threat posed to wild horses and burros. (See letter and list of fifty plus signatures from actors, singers, screenwriters and … Continue reading Robert Redford, Ed Harris, Elle Fanning and more join animal coalition in urging Congress to oppose wild horse slaughter

2018 Sundance Film Festival Announces New Programming, Award, Graphics

New for 2018: Standalone Episodic Section, ‘The New Climate’ Returns, Feature Film Award   With exactly six months until Day One of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute today detailed a standalone Episodic section, the return of ‘The New Climate’ strand of environmental work and a new award. Feature film, short film, episodic and Virtual Reality submissions are now being accepted via Withoutabox, with … Continue reading 2018 Sundance Film Festival Announces New Programming, Award, Graphics

Fonda and Redford perform together in “Our Souls at Night”, which will be screened after the Award Ceremony

Iconic American actors Jane Fonda and Robert Redford have each been awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 74th Venice International Film Festival (30 August – 9 September, 2017).   The decision was made by the Board of Directors of the Biennale di Venezia chaired by Paolo Baratta, upon recommendation of the Director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera. The ceremony to award … Continue reading Fonda and Redford perform together in “Our Souls at Night”, which will be screened after the Award Ceremony

THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE’S 50 YEARS OF IMPACT

AFI Conservatory Commencement Launches a Three-Year Anniversary Celebration Aimed at Educating Today’s Audiences and Tomorrow’s Artists It was 50 years ago that the American Film Institute began its mission — to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. Established by Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidential mandate in the White House Rose … Continue reading THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE’S 50 YEARS OF IMPACT

Sundance Institute Brings $151 Million in Economic Impact to Utah with 2017 Sundance Film Festival

  The nonprofit Sundance Institute today announced that its 2017 Sundance Film Festival, which took place in Park City, Salt Lake City and Sundance, Utah in January, generated a total economic impact of $151.5 million. These numbers come from an independent economic and demographic study conducted by Y² Analytics,which used updated methodology and technology to give a more complete picture of the Festival’s impact on … Continue reading Sundance Institute Brings $151 Million in Economic Impact to Utah with 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Sundance NEXT FEST Heats Up L.A. Aug. 10-13 with Movie Premieres and Electrifying Musical Performances at The Theatre at Ace Hotel

  Sundance NEXT FEST takes it to the NEXT level with the announcement of seven films direct from the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, paired with three energizing musical performances. The fest lights up Los Angeles August 10-13 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, and this year will include presentation of the Institute’s Vanguard Awards to Quentin Tarantino and Dee Rees. This marks … Continue reading Sundance NEXT FEST Heats Up L.A. Aug. 10-13 with Movie Premieres and Electrifying Musical Performances at The Theatre at Ace Hotel