Two years ago, filmmaker Jehane Noujaim won the annual TED Prize and was granted one wish to change the world. Her wish was to create a day in which the world would be united through film.

This Saturday, Noujaim’s wish will become a reality and will hopefully inspire people worldwide. Starting at 2PM there will be a live broadcast, which will include four hours of musical performances, influential speakers, and 24 short films. Broadcasting from six countries, the program will be streaming online at www.pangeaday.org. There are also local events you can attend to watch the program- find out if there’s one near you (link).

Jehane Noujaim’s TED Prize acceptance speech (26 minutes)

I have a growing interest in the senior population thanks to the Human Development class I’m taking this semester, which focuses on adulthood and aging. The highlight of the class so far was last Friday when my professor showed us a news clip highlighting an upcoming documentary about the Young@ Heart chorus group. The group consists of men and women age 72 to 88 who are still passionate about singing and performing.

Bob Climan started the group in 1982 at an elderly housing project in Northampton, Massachusetts. Since then they have lost quite a few members but are still going strong, touring around the U.S. and Europe. Young@ Heart has covered rock classics such as “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones and have performed “Road to Nowhere” with lead singer David Byrne from The Talking Heads

The documentary, Young@ Heart opens in Boston this Friday (April 18th) and across the country by May 16th. Click here to find out when it is opening in your city.

ABC Nightline Video can be found here (link).

More videos and info about the documentary can be found here (link).

Sigur Rós released a movie this past year documenting shows they performed throughout their home country of Iceland. Visually experiencing the breathtaking landscape that the band grew up in gives fans insight into how the unique sound of Sigur Rós originated.

“Space is what we have here… in our personal life and in the land.”

 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=728897364962063973

I urge you to buy it. Watching it on a tiny laptop screen won’t do the film justice.

Music:

Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago

Track 3: Skinny Love (mp3)

Piece of Art:

John Singer Sargent’s El Jaleo

Part of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s permanent collection in her Boston museum.

‘Green’ Item:

Reusable shopping bag from Whole Foods.

Recipe:

Fried tofu and Kale with couscous.

Similar recipe (html).

Fair Trade Product:

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea in Grand Green.

Restaurant:

Hidyan Cafe
80 Kilmarnock St. Boston, MA

617-437-0966

Best take out! Veggie wraps- hummus & falafel, make your own frozen yogurt- 50 different flavors to pick from.

Recently my mom called me raving about her most recent findings in the world of all-natural remedies. This is not a strange occurrence, for she’s always been a strong believer in homeopathic remedies, using various seed oil recipes to cure anything from stinky feet to face rashes. I later found out, having gone home to find my dad struggling with the new dietary regiment my mom had implemented, that my mom was devoted to Kevin Trudeau’s most recent book, More Natural “Cures” Revealed.

Although I had no prior knowledge of Trudeau, after being handed a shiny, large-print Walmart book depicting a goofy middle aged man, I was immediately skeptical. My dad informed me that the goofy guy staring back at me claimed to be in his sixties. I immediately Wikied it and that’s when I found his extensive track record of fraud and infomercial fame. (AND his real birth date- he’s only in his 40’s, I’m not sure where my parents heard that tall tale.)

Looking through his book I noticed that on one of the first pages was a disclaimer stating:

“This book is considered by some a work of fiction, yet inspired by a true story. some truth is sprinkled in to spice things up. On occasion, names, dates, and events have been changed or made up for fun. It contains the opinions, theories, and conclusions of what some people call a raving lunatic, conspiracy theorist, snake oil salesman, political activist, consumer advocate, believer in immortality, and delusional fraudster. Believe what you will. It is for entertainment purposes only. Remember, the author is not a doctor and has no medical training. He is a two-time convicted felon. Yet…then again, did he say it’s all 100 percent true?”

My mom had been duped.

Just watch:

Now, I’m not one to completely trust pharmaceutical companies or advocate America’s dependence on drugs, but Trudeau is a complete whacko. The only reason I’m even giving this guy another thought is because tonight while flipping through TV, I saw one of his outrageous infomercials where he claimed to have the cure for cancer.
I couldn’t find the infomercial I saw… but he says pretty much the same thing in every interview- http://www.naturalcures.com/watch-the-infomercial.aspx

I can see how people like my mom would take his “cures” seriously- since most of the natural remedies he gives are plain common sense. While some of his “cures” may be beneficial, he has no scientific evidence to back up his claims. What bugs me the most about this creep is that he’s clearly writing and selling these books just for the money. He has no empathy for all the sick people who are looking to him for hope.

Kevin Trudeau gets a big ‘No Good’ in my book.

I just listened to a segment of All Things Considered on NPR about Vinicio Capossela, a popular Italian singer. He is an eccentric performer with a flair for wearing masks and provoking an emotional response from his audience. Although he rarely tours in the U.S, much of his inspiration comes from American culture and artists. In some of the slower songs he sounds a bit like Tom Waits, however his style seems to change from song to song.

During the interview on NPR he played a song, “Dirty Windows of America”, on a little toy piano- which immediately intrigued me. You can check it out here.

There’s a great video of him performing in D.C. on his site. Check it.

It’s snowing in the city! This calls for some good blizzardy music, don’t you think?

• Kings of Convenience : Misread (mp3)

• Mirah & The Black Cat Orchestra : The Light (mp3)

• Microphones : Ice (mp3)

• Cass McCombs : City of Brotherly Love (mp3)

• Max Avery Lichtenstein : Tarnation (mp3)

• Slowreader : On That Day (mp3)

• Anathallo : Dokkoise House (With Face Covered) (mp3)

Enjoy and keep warm!

Here’s my list of environmentally conscious gift ideas for the holidays.

1. Buy someone a tree.

http://www.arborday.org/

2. Give out reusable shopping bags.

You can find them at Shaw’s for one or two dollars.

I like the nylon Baggu bags. $22 for three (yikes!)

Or if you’re feeling creative, bike to a craft store and find blank canvas bags to decorate yourself.

3. Reusable Bottles/Cups

Discourage the use of water bottles and paper coffee cups…

Nalgen (Hard plastic)

Kleen Kanteen (Aluminum)

4. Donate to a charity in someones name.

International Medical Corps

http://www.imcworldwide.org/

Partners In Health

http://www.pih.org

Environment Northeast

http://www.env-ne.org/

5. Offset someones carbon emissions.

Carbon Counter

Cool Driver

Carbon Fund

Other things to keep in mind:

Use recycled wrapping paper:  newspaper, old magazines,  paper bags, etc.

Buy locally and consciously. More lists-

Conscious Consumer Marketplace

Eco Shopper

Here are some of my favorite websites, documentaries and organizations of the day.

www.freerice.com

• Help end world hunger by playing an online word game! For every word you get right, 10 grains of rice are donated through the United Nations World Food Program to those in need.

AND… Sign the ONE campaign “to make poverty history”

www.ser.org

• The Society for Ecological Restoration International work around the world “to promote ecological restoration as a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture.” This organization is not for the “lazy environmentalist”- these people are taking physical action to create a greener world.

www.pluginamerica.com

• Learn about the electric car and how it is an obvious solution in creating a sustainable future.

And watch this while you’re at it….

Who Killed the Electric Car?

Buy the DVD here.

I’ve been obsessed with St. Vincent since I first heard them last week on Stereogum. “Marry Me” is the debut album from the band, whose singer, Annie Clark, has roots in the Polyphonic Spree and with Sufjan Stevens.
I can’t really put my finger on why I like the album so much. Possibly because I’m always drawn to chick-led bands (I really want to be in one) or maybe because of the unique style of each of their songs. Annie Clark’s voice fluctuates from having a distinct Kate Bush quality in “The Apocalypse Song” to a deeper, lounge singer tone in “What Me Worry?” Her voice is refreshingly dynamic and really, you just have to experience it for yourself.

Now Now (mp3)

Paris is Burning (mp3)