How to Save Tigers like Leonardo DiCaprio #WWF #NaBloPoMo #SaveTigersNow

Wild Tigers are near extinction according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Today, there are only a little over 3,000 tigers in the wild accounted for and this is a significant reduction from the 100,000 big cats that are said to have been around hundreds of years ago.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has joined forces with WWF in a campaign called Save Tigers Now to stop poaching, consumer demand for tiger parts, protect parklands where tigers can roam and mate in their natural habitat, support long-term research and monitoring for better conservation methods for these big cats and reduce conflict between humans and tigers.

During an investigation, Tim Santel at the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife uncovered that “...dead cats are worth more than live cats” on the black market, where Tigers are killed and sold for parts.........skin, skull, meat, gull bladders, bone, etc. making a lucrative investment for the dealers who participate in the horrid activity of poaching and black market sales of animal parts.

Watch the following video clip from WWF called “Captive Tigers: Easy Targets for Black Market Sales” to learn more about Tigers held in captivity. This is one of the major problems facing wild tigers that result in them being an endangered species. The video clip features footage from the documentary “The Tiger Next Door,” a movie by Camilla Calamandrei. The filmmaker urges audiences to support efforts in banning private ownership and breeding of tigers.

One of the easiest ways to help save tigers from extinction is by not purchasing any products that are made from tiger parts. This may seem like it is easier said than done but as a Leonardo DiCaprio fan and a person who loves tigers, I believe that making buying decisions that may improve the life of these big cats is the least that we can do in a society that is continuously developing condos, highways, commercial real estate and other properties that benefit man and man only over green lands.

It does not cost us anything to join the World Wildlife Fun and Leonardo DiCaprio in the quest to save the wild tigers.

If the request of being more mindful of your purchases is not enough to support the efforts of a large organization that works to protect nature, an A-list actor who chooses his work and affiliations wisely and a documentarian whose brought worldwide awareness to an important cause, consider this.....

All of the special effects, CGI for computer animation or 3D imaging and such in the world won’t recreate wild tigers if they become extinct one day, due to the negligence and cruelty of mankind.

This ain’t the movies. This is real life. Save Tigers Now. If not for me, do it for the World Wildlife Fund.

If not for the WWF, do it for Leonardo DiCaprio.....I mean shoot, he gave us “Titanic,” “Blood Diamond” and “Inception”! Are you really going to deny a guy who gave you “Inception”?

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My Summer Evening of Computers and Aggravation #GBE2 #NaBloPoMo

Here is my story:

When I visited a relative’s house this evening, everything was fine until someone tried to print a document. What started as a spool issue became a problem with an anti-virus program and now the computer will not start because the owner does not have alternative means to start it.

In all of this, I was on the phone with tech support from one of the programs used on this computer, while the owner yells in the background and all the while, I’ve lost time to craft today’s blog post.

A Night at VISIONFEST 11: The Other Festival (VF11) #NaBloPoMo #Indiefilm #Blogher

The view of the Marquee from outside on the sidewalk, in front of Tribeca Cinemas

On Friday, June 24, 2011, I attended a premiere screening of “The Casserole Club” at VISIONFEST 11. These sold-out screenings were full of energy, as movie fanatics, film festival staff and cast members came together to celebrate yet another masterpiece by director Steve Balderson. The event was such as delight because VISIONFEST 11 certainly made ticket holders and filmmakers in attendance feel welcome before, during and after the screening.


Garrett Swann at Tribeca Cinemas

“The Casserole Club” star and co-producer Garrett Swann was among the film’s cast members in attendance at this screening who had a nice sized crew of fans and supporters. During a Q&A that followed the screening, Balderson revealed that he discovered Swann on Facebook and this led to him being cast in the movie. Meeting Susan Traylor who plays Sugar, the wife of a not-so-nice and troubled guy named Conrad was one of the highlights of my evening at VISIONFEST 11.

Denise and crew at Tribeca Cinemas

Conrad is played by Kevin Richardson, a former member of pop music sensation The Backstreet Boys. Speaking of Richardson, his fans were out in full force during the “Casserole Club” screening.....at the Tribeca Cinemas movie theater and on social networking websites including Twitter. Some of his fans including friends Shemika and Denise were disappointed that Richardson did not attend this screening and . Supporting cast member Nic Roewert is an unforgettable character both on and off screen, so chatting it up with him was a treat.

Steve Balderson at Tribeca Cinemas

When the lights when down in the theater at Tribeca Cinemas, “The Casserole Club” was preceded by a short film called “American Sweetheart.” Both movies were fun to watch and made audiences think about competitive friendships, marriage, having children, monogamy, swinging and most importantly.....food. I wish that my schedule and funding had permitted me to stay at VISIONFEST 11 longer, so I could watch more must-see independent films including “Falling Overnight” and “Ontological” and “Virgin Alexander.”

Q and A session for "The Casserole Club" followed by VISIONFEST 11 mingling and Pub Crawl

Luckily, I had the chance to meet “Ontological” director, Skylar Gordon who was accompanied by his co-producer at the Q&A where we had a quick chat about his movie that was the talk of the festival. I also got to learn Gordon’s perspective on movie piracy and it’s affects on independent filmmakers while he let me know about the many benefits that some films get from being pirated. Those that were not in attendance at VISIONFEST 11 were still able to join the party, thanks to Michelle who kept the film festival’s Twitter live feed so active that friends and followers from around the nation were able to enjoy the experience as if they were there.

VISIONFEST 11 was not only a blast, but another reminder of why New York is the best place to be, ever!

Stay tuned for Read “The Casserole Club” movie review and stay tuned for an interview with Skylar Gordon on “Ontological.”

*PLEASE NOTE: I currently have limited computer & internet access and cannot add photos to this post, but photos accompanying my VISIONFEST 11 visit will be added to this post over the next few days.

Also, stay tuned for some more photos from VISIONFEST to be posted this week!

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