Start making your movies! The Fourth Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Festival is coming!
Attention, boys and girls, Ladies and Gentlemen! It’s time once again to open your inner faucets and let the creativity flow.
The Fourth Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Festival is coming to the historic Morristown Green on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011.
Which means it’s time to get cracking on your videos if you hope to win the coveted Best Picture trophy! (And some fabulous prizes.)
YOUR ENTRY MUST BE…
- Five minutes or less
- Suitable for general audiences
- Received by us no later than Aug. 1, AND…
- Be related in some way to this year’s theme: *****SUSTAINABILITY*****
WHAT DOES ‘SUSTAINABILITY’ MEAN?
You tell us!!!
Poster by Fred Caracci
Here is one definition:
“Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Or how about: “Leaving the world better than how you found it.”
Or maybe: “Can’t we just all get along?”
Think Green. Think fairness. Think justice. Think economics. Think community. Think bikes.
Comedies, dramas, documentaries, music videos, animations, slide shows–if you can shoot it, you can enter it.
All ages and ability levels are welcome.
WHAT’S REALLY COOL ABOUT THIS YEAR’S MG FILM FEST:
It’s going to be a music festival, too!
Back by popular demand: Winners will be chosen by the audience.
And we are working closely with two very special friends: Sustainable Morristown and Marty’s Reliable Cycle.
Which guarantees a fun time, regardless of who takes home the trophy.
The festival will dovetail with Marty’s first Gran Fondo, a weekend biking extravaganza. We expect to meet many new Spandex-clad friends visiting from parts unknown. Let’s entertain the heck out of them, and send them pedaling home raving about what a talented bunch we are.
YES, YOU CAN MAKE A VIDEO!
Nearly every point-and-shoot camera and smartphone can record video.
PCs and Macs ship with free editing software (MovieMaker and iMovie, respectively).
Free how-to lessons abound at sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Media College and Lynda.com.
Why not gather family, friends and neighbors for a movie-making weekend? That is what last year’s winners did. Together, they hatched a zany spoof of the sustainability movement.
You never know what adventures will occur on the set. Three police cars showed up at one shoot last year. (Note: We do not condone any risky or illegal activity!)
NOT FEELING CINEMATIC? BECOME A SPONSOR!
If sustainability is your game, this is where you want to proclaim your message.
We offer several tiers of sponsorship, so everyone can afford to be a movie mogul.
Help us make this festival unforgettable, and we will make sure everyone remembers your product!
DETAILS:
Send your masterpieces on a disc or thumb drive, in Quicktime (.MOV), AVI or WMV formats, to:
MorristownGreen.com
c/o St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
70 Maple Ave.
Morristown, NJ 07960
Discs and drives will not be returned. Film Festival selections will be made by our panel of judges based on content, style and variety. Videos not chosen for the competition still may be posted for viewing on MorristownGreen.com. By entering your videos, you grant us permission to show them in person and online without restrictions.
Check back often at MorristownGreen.com for updates and announcements.
Questions? Drop us a line here: MorristownGreen AT gmail DOT com. (Replace AT and DOT with the appropriate symbols.)
Okay, everyone. START YOUR CAMERAS!
MORE ABOUT THE MG FILM FEST:
Video: Highlights from the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest
And the winner is… ‘Good for the Earth’
Complete coverage of the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest
Watch videos from the Third Annual MorristownGreen.com Film Fest
Gov. Christie arrives at son’s high school baseball game in State Police helicopter
Christie departs for meeting with Iowa donors during 5th inningPfizer ends long court battle with Teva over generic version of seizure drug
Financial terms are confidential, Teva, the world’s largest generic-drug company, said in a statement. Teva will be able to continue selling the copy under a license from Pfizer, according to a filing in the case.NJ Jazz Society honors Madison Mayor Mary Anna Holden, at Jazzfest 2011
Madison Mayor Mary Anna Holden will be honored by the New Jersey Jazz Society at Jazzfest 2011, on Saturday, June 11, at the College of Saint Elizabeth. Mayor Holden will accept the award for her support for arts and...The Morris Plains Memorial Day parade, through the lens of Hal Crosthwaite
We had a wonderful time marching in Saturday’s Memorial Day Parade in Morris Plains. If there was any downside, it was that we could not see many of the colorful floats that were ahead of us.
Fortunately, Hal Crosthwaite was there with his trusty camera. He did his usual terrific job capturing the color and pageantry of the parade. Check out these photos:
Photos by Hal Crosthwaite.
WHADDYA MEAN, NO TURN ON RED? A scene from the 2011 Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Hal Crosthwaite.
Rio Clemente benefit helps African charity, at Assumption Church in Morristown
By Marie Pfeifer
Rio Clemente, known as The Bishop of Jazz, came home to the Assumption Church earlier this month to perform a benefit concert for Africa Surgery Inc.
The concert was performed in the church sanctuary, a place Clemente knows rather well.
Rio Clemente, the Bishop of Jazz, performs at a concert to the benefit of Africa Surgery, in the Assumption Church, Morristown, NJ. Photo by Sergio Burani
“This is a special appearance for me since I grew up in this church. I learned to play the organ, and received all my sacraments here,” he said, adding with a touch of a smile and a gleam in his eye: “And got into a lot of trouble here.”
He said the church “has come a long way to allow a jazz concert in the sanctuary. I’m happy to be here.”
Asked how it was possible to hold a non-religious concert in the church sanctuary, Associate Pastor Dennis Crowley explained, “We removed the host from the tabernacle. What can be more spiritual than a concert that is giving as well as receiving? It is two blessings in one to have music and song.”
The recipient, Africa Surgery Inc., is a nonprofit founded by Morristown resident Tommy Johnson. Since 2007 the organization has coordinated with health care organizations in Africa and the United States to bring much needed surgical care to Sierra Leone, where hospitals mostly were destroyed during an 11-year civil war.
A former Peace Corp volunteer, Johnson initially used his own funds and money from friends to make things happen. Eventually, through networking with doctors and medical specialists, and through fund-raising efforts, he has become a catalyst providing medical and surgical assistance to children and adults alike.
Clemente is known for his awesome improv concerts. He is a master pianist who mixes a strong classical background with his rich knowledge of jazz history, adding his own interpretation. The result is beautiful, joyful music that comes from somewhere deep inside of him.
Clemente’s musical career has taken him to Europe, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands and Antigua. He has played jazz clubs from Manhattan to Cape Cod and from Florida to California.
For this concert Clemente appeared with his trio – Gene Perla on bass, Dino Callcari on drums and Neil McNamara on guitar.
They became a quartet when Sheik Fall, a drummer from Senegal, and his Mbaje Band (Mbaje means “get together”) joined Rio after playing several solos of African music. Fall then teamed with his student, Jennifer Tacinelli.
Rio also made a rare appearance at the microphone, teaming with vocalist Grace Coviello for a fun duet of Fats Waller’s I Can’t Give You Anything But Love – Coviello in falsetto voice and Clemente in an improvised imitation of Fats Waller.
Coviello belted out several numbers, among them At Last. The duo’s 20-year working relationship shows in the seemingly effortless way they perform together.
And the church rang out with an assortment American Song Book numbers as only Clemente can render them.
As the evening wore on Clemente and crew also played two of the pianist’s original compositions, Antigua and Madrid, which both are available now on albums.
Clemente paid tribute to Tommy Johnson when he sang solo on What a Wonderful World. Johnson has been volunteering and working in Africa for more than 30 as a lay missionary. He has also been volunteering for the Catholic Diocese of Maceiny Caritas, and spends about three months every year in Sierra Leone.
Clemente always ends his performances paying tribute to members of the military. Everyone joined in on his renditions of America the Beautiful and God Bless America.
Underwritten by parishioners of Assumption Church, the May 21 concert raised $6,400 for Africa Surgery Inc. To donate to this cause you may send a check to ASI, Attention: Tom Johnson, 70 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. Or you may donate online at: http://africasurgery.org.
Pianist Rio Clemente, the Bishop of Jazz, performs at Morristown's Assumption Church to raise money for Africa Surgery Inc. He is joined by Gene Perla on bass, Dino Callcari on drums, Neil McNamara on guitar and Sheik Fall, a drummer from Senegal. Photo by Sergio Burani
‘Music Without Borders’ to feature India, China, Colombia and the Balkans in Morristown
Music Without Borders returns for a second summer, starting on June 22. The free, four-concert lunchtime series takes place on Wednesdays at the Morristown Green, and will highlight sounds of India, China, Colombia and the Balkans.
It’s a joint offering of the Mayo Performing Arts Center and the Arts Council of the Morris Area. More details are below.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR’S MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS
* * *
FROM THE ARTS COUNCIL OF THE MORRIS AREA:
Madhu will perform on Aug. 3 at 'Music Without Borders,' the free lunchtime summer series in Morristown. Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of the Morris Area.
(Morristown, NJ) -The Mayo Performing Arts Center, the Arts Council of the Morris Area (with rainsite provided by the United Methodist Church) present their second annual Music Without Borders free summer outdoor lunchtime concert series on the Morristown Green. The series begins June 22 and runs every other Wednesday through August 3. Concerts run from 12 pm – 1:30 pm. Music Without Borders series is sponsored by Novartis.
Each Music Without Borders concert will feature a performance of world music reflecting the diverse culture and population of the area. Brown bag a meal, stop by while walking your dog and experience a world music celebration while getting to know your neighbors. (In case of rain, concerts will be held indoors at the United Methodist Church.except for July 6th when the concert will be cancelled in the event of rain).
“We are thrilled to again offer free entertainment for everyone to enjoy in a way that celebrates the amazing cultural diversity of the area,” said Allison Larena, President and CEO of the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
Anne Aronovitch, Executive Director of the Arts Council of the Morris Area, adds, “It is a thrill to collaborate on this special series and to see the smiles these concerts bring to the faces of our audiences. Music Without Borders is living proof of the adage: ‘music is a universal language.’”
Music Without Borders concert schedule:
(Rain site: Morristown United Methodist Church, except where noted)
June 22: Chia’s Dance Party – Inspired by Colombian rhythmic and melodic traditions, Chia’s Dance Party delivers a unique musical experience of infectious Latino danceable grooves featuring saxophone, flute, tuba and percussion.
July 6 (cancelled in the event of rain): Chalgiya – Chalgiya (Turkish for “orchestra”) plays music from the Balkans – specifically Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania. This classic trio instrumentation of clarinet or saxophone, accordion, and traditional drums (tapan or darabouka) brings both the spirit of village dances and the flavor of urban cafe music.
July 20: Music From China Trio – This NY-based chamber trio, which features erhu (2 string fiddle), zheng (21 string zither) and yangqin (hammered dulcimer), has performed with symphonies and such jazz artists as Ornette Coleman. Its program combines Chinese classical and folk arrangements evoking the sonorities of age-old musical traditions along with music of today.
August 3: India: Sounds of the North, Bells of the South –This program showcases vocalist Astha Shukla performing Indian classical, devotional and folk songs accompanied by tabla and harmonium, as well as the intricate traditions of India’s temple dancers, performed by soloists Madhumita and Suba Parmar, and dancers from the Shubanjali school.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2010-2011 season is made possible in part by a grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State. The Mayo Performing Arts Center has been designated a Major Presenting Organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
The Arts Council of the Morris Area is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1973 and dedicated to bringing the arts to the center of community life. Using the arts to inspire, connect and engage, the Arts Council serves as a resource for the arts in Morris County with a special focus on arts programming in the schools and in the community, arts advocacy, and support of the Morris Area community of artists and arts organizations.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has awarded the Arts Council of the Morris Area a “Citation of Excellence” and designated it as a “Major Service Organization” in recognition of its “solid history of service excellence, substantial activity and broad public service.”
Morristown soup kitchen wins Toyota minvan!
You did it, Morristown!
Your online votes over the weekend won a new Toyota minivan for the Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center!
The message just went out from the Soup Kitchen:
We WON THE VAN!
Thank you for voting and getting your friends to vote.
It was truly a community effort with everyone working together to WIN THE VAN. We couldn’t have done it without all of your help.
Thanks to all of your support, and with the NEW VAN, the Community Soup Kitchen will be able to pick up food donations and do so much more!
THANK YOU!!
Morristown’s Beth Kujan: Green jobs are not glamorous–not at first, anyway
By Beth Kujan
Low barrier-to-entry jobs in sustainability are not the glamorous ones.
Beth Kujan, sustainability engineer
They’re not the high visibility community organizers or corporate sustainability leaders in the head-office or high priced consultants in a big-name firm.
The truth is that the most desirable jobs in sustainability are few and far between. Furthermore, the barriers to entry are very high in terms of money, time and luck.
This is not to say that there are no low cost of entry sustainability jobs. They’re just not especially glamorous. I’m thinking here of the construction jobs for green energy infrastructure.
Wind turbines have cachet, but what about anaerobic digesters? Useful amounts of heat are generated from letting chicken litter rot in a controlled way. Great news for Tyson Foods, but how about your career? Well, it is a sustainable. There’s always going to be more chicken sh*t.
Anaerobic digesters in Hamburg, Germany. Photo by JoSchmaltz, via Wikimedia.org.
Many jobs do have some component of resource conservation or energy efficiency planning, driven by cost considerations, if nothing else.
Purists will tell you that when decisions are financially driven, they’re likely not meeting additionality requirements to be considered “sustainability” measures. Whatever, you can feel good about conservation, recycling or efficiency regardless.
Alternatively, there’s the route of working in a support role for a company that has a green technology or grows trees. Heck, you can grow trees on your own time for that matter.
The widest, easiest routes to green jobs that I see are 1) through the utility sector, where you’ll get training and then have to work your way up to renewable energy or 2) through the building sector where you can start working as an insurance actuator, take the LEED exam and crisscross your way through jobs and companies to consulting work.
Sales jobs are a route into any industry. I didn’t say this was quick, lucrative or sweat-free. “Easiest” is a relative term. Show me an easy job that allows you to live in Morristown. I mean really — call me day or night — I want that easy, great-paying, heart-warming job.
Most jobs are pretty tough to get. Full time sustainability jobs, because there are so few of them, are pretty tough to land. Those I know doing corporate sustainability projects execute their strategy within cross-functional teams –thus they rarely hire.
Periodically they use consultants for very specialized work. When they do hire they want value proposition on Day One. That means you need to know all the metrics, terms, rating systems, software etc. Every business sector has its own sustainability issues. You’ll need to know those issues cold.
Keeping up with a fast-moving topic like sustainability requires a lot of extra work too — reading, talking to peers, attending conferences. There are classes as well — none cheaper than those at the County College of Morris. Still, we put so much time into earning a living for ourselves, it’s worth it to think about what will sustain us, I mean really sustain all of us.
MORE CAREER TIPS FROM BETH KUJAN
Beth Kujan is one of the organizers of the Morris County Career Network, which meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown to help professionals in transition.
