I have an associate who is Filipino-American and the last I knew, he was writing for a Filipino newspaper. Several years ago, we collaborated on a successful project and I have since followed his progress and have been pleased to see him do well. I had a chance to visit with him today to talk about a project I have in mind to benefit the survivors of the floods going on in the Philippines. I looked to him for input or assistance in implementing this. Here's what I have in mind.
As well as facilitate and promote people's good causes and efforts, we at Exist Kind of course like to coordinate efforts with the Exist Kind name on them. We want to arrange a donation drive to benefit relief efforts in the Philippines and involve the Filipino-American community in Southern Arizona, as well as anyone else who would like to help. One approach we want to take is to speak with the staff of local Filipino-American businesses and members of cultural organizations to promote a donation drive, passively solicit monetary donations, and direct people in their networks to this blog to get money to organizations such as the Red Cross and Global Giving (most likely those two in particular). We're specifying monetary donations because so many relief efforts nowadays prefer cash over goods, unless a donor is an entity who can provide large quantities of bulk items. The second possibility for this plan is to solicit donations of goods to sell on eBay, the proceeds from which would be diverted (via eBay's tools) to one of these organizations. We'd be looking to donate 85 to 90 percent, with the remainder paying for the operating costs of packaging, shipping, and any fuel expended to pick up donations around town. Either way, we will provide receipts and proof of donations being given to the organizations to assure donors of our intentions.
I'll tape a short video to promote this and post it here and on YouTube shortly.
Exist Kind explores all the ways we could, can, and do exist more harmoniously with each other and our environment. A friend of ours once mused that the phrase "Exist Kind" is a term to be used in place of "mankind" so as to represent the value of all of existence. contact me at existkind@aim.com.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Breaking from dog rescue for a moment to return to humanitarian concerns.
Not too long ago, I volunteered with the Samaritans, who I hope to return to in a couple of weeks. I'd like to volunteer in blocks of time of about a few weeks so that I have time in between to work on my usual tasks of editing and publicity.
Something that surprised me about the Samaritans was how mainstream and positive they are. They seem conservative but with an open-minded, tolerant edge. I want to assure you that they do not break any laws in performing their work. Following the law is very important to them. My prior work with No More Deaths made these traits more obvious. Both groups are great and serve a good purpose, but their differences are noticeable and they have different strengths and weaknesses. I'd have to say that I like the Samaritans' more cooperative attitude and philosophy, though it's a subtle difference from No More Deaths. NMD's strength is in how cutting-edge it is in terms of tactics. In the end, I decided to write about the Samaritans--their very name tells me that they're more my style.
The blog-style webpage I made was delayed due to some losses of data that I needed to fill it out, but I've decided to move forward with it anyway and take my lumps. With each block of time I devote to the Samaritans, I look forward to learning more and bringing more to their table, and then reporting on the latest progress and happenings. Click on the word "link" to open the webpage, which I'll continue adding to like a blog. (link)
Something that surprised me about the Samaritans was how mainstream and positive they are. They seem conservative but with an open-minded, tolerant edge. I want to assure you that they do not break any laws in performing their work. Following the law is very important to them. My prior work with No More Deaths made these traits more obvious. Both groups are great and serve a good purpose, but their differences are noticeable and they have different strengths and weaknesses. I'd have to say that I like the Samaritans' more cooperative attitude and philosophy, though it's a subtle difference from No More Deaths. NMD's strength is in how cutting-edge it is in terms of tactics. In the end, I decided to write about the Samaritans--their very name tells me that they're more my style.
The blog-style webpage I made was delayed due to some losses of data that I needed to fill it out, but I've decided to move forward with it anyway and take my lumps. With each block of time I devote to the Samaritans, I look forward to learning more and bringing more to their table, and then reporting on the latest progress and happenings. Click on the word "link" to open the webpage, which I'll continue adding to like a blog. (link)
“Chewy's” rescue story, continued.
The folks at Acacia Animal Hospital gave the name Chewy to the dog I brought in. After talking with them and FAIR a couple of times, I visited him this afternoon with my significant other. While we waited to see him, we encountered a nice woman who volunteers her time to animal rescue efforts. It turns out that she was at Acacia the day that Lisa and I brought Chewy in. Even niftier, she works with the Shelter Pet Project and expressed interest in helping him find a permanent home. What a great chance meeting!
Since we brought Chewy in, his ruined eye was removed and he has turned out to be blind in the remaining eye, but his other senses are doing fine in compensating for his lack of sight. He's clean and cuddly, calm and friendly—he just needs a couple of days to get used to new people. We chatted with a technician for a while we petted him and took some photos and video footage throughout our visit. The following is a rough draft of a video telling Chewy's story and some of it will later end up in a more polished package that I'll upload to YouTube and submit to cable access channels. Thank you FAIR for helping Chewy!
Stand by for more updates.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Follow-up on the little dog's rescue.
The first thing I want to say is that the dog is being cared for at Acacia Animal Hospital and I continued to receive a lot of helpful phone calls from all kinds of good, kind-hearted people.
It was very important to me to bring the dog to a rescue organization and not Pima Animal Care Center so that he would have a better chance of survival. In order for him to be taken in by a rescue group, though, he had to be evaluated by a veterinarian. Jennifer from the Foundation for Animals in Risk (FAIR) saw my ad on Craig's List and called me to offer assistance. She ended up arranging for him to be seen at Acacia and stay in their care until she could find a home for him. I also heard from a lady named Lisa, who offered to help me bring the dog to Acacia and even wants to help raise money towards his medical expenses. She's an animal lover who likes to help out where she can with rescue efforts. Overall, I received a very strong response from quite a few people who were concerned for the plight of this little dog, and I'm very thankful for all of the suggestions and offers of help.
It was very important to me to bring the dog to a rescue organization and not Pima Animal Care Center so that he would have a better chance of survival. In order for him to be taken in by a rescue group, though, he had to be evaluated by a veterinarian. Jennifer from the Foundation for Animals in Risk (FAIR) saw my ad on Craig's List and called me to offer assistance. She ended up arranging for him to be seen at Acacia and stay in their care until she could find a home for him. I also heard from a lady named Lisa, who offered to help me bring the dog to Acacia and even wants to help raise money towards his medical expenses. She's an animal lover who likes to help out where she can with rescue efforts. Overall, I received a very strong response from quite a few people who were concerned for the plight of this little dog, and I'm very thankful for all of the suggestions and offers of help.
Below are some pictures I took so that you can see what the little guy looked like.
This is him inside the lean-to I set up in the front yard.
Outside in the sun of the front yard.
Nestled into a tote in preparation for transport to the hospital.
Relaxing in the veterinarian's office because help is on the way!
Later I'll post some reference information in case you ever find yourself faced with an unwell pet who still has a chance for survival but needs urgent help.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Dog rescue is always somewhere in the background of my everyday life.
After all, my girls, Velvet and Jane Doe, were troubled dogs who I rescued and have had the pleasure of calling my pets for years now. They're a constant reminder of the value of taking in stray or unwanted pets.
The other day, another dog in need came my way. He's blind and angry, and I'm not even sure if he's a he or a she. Something happened to his eye, perhaps both eyes, and I found him running around in the middle of four-lane, forty-mile-per-hour Swan Road. Cars were screeching to a halt to avoid hitting him and when they stopped, he would run around and bump into them. I tried to steer him away from the road but hesitated at first because he growled and got rather nasty with me when I tried to get close to him. After watching the traffic cycle repeat itself a couple of times, I knew I couldn't in good conscience leave him out there either to get killed or cause a motorist or two to get killed.
I went back to my house, grapped a soft tarp, and went back to the road, where I corralled the dog inside the tarp. Back at the house, I brought out an old folding door that had been removed from a closet and put it in the front yard, on top of the tarp, folded to make a lean-to for the dog. An old window screen on the end made for a screen door of sorts and I took a small space heater out to the other end and plugged it into an outdoor outlet. I've been feeding him and giving him some water to hold him until I take him to the pet emergency room for treatment.
I'd like to share with you a couple of great resources that I found for getting rescued pets the triage they need while they await foster care or adoption. I haven't yet chosen which one I'll go to, but here's what I've found so far:
Southern Arizona Veterinary
141 E. Fort Lowell Rd. (24-hour emergency room)
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 888-3177
www.southernazvets.com
Pima Pet Clinic
4832 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 327-5624
www.tucsonveterinaryhospital.com
I'll be deciding on one of these tonight and I'll post another blog entry with the conclusion of this story.
The other day, another dog in need came my way. He's blind and angry, and I'm not even sure if he's a he or a she. Something happened to his eye, perhaps both eyes, and I found him running around in the middle of four-lane, forty-mile-per-hour Swan Road. Cars were screeching to a halt to avoid hitting him and when they stopped, he would run around and bump into them. I tried to steer him away from the road but hesitated at first because he growled and got rather nasty with me when I tried to get close to him. After watching the traffic cycle repeat itself a couple of times, I knew I couldn't in good conscience leave him out there either to get killed or cause a motorist or two to get killed.
I went back to my house, grapped a soft tarp, and went back to the road, where I corralled the dog inside the tarp. Back at the house, I brought out an old folding door that had been removed from a closet and put it in the front yard, on top of the tarp, folded to make a lean-to for the dog. An old window screen on the end made for a screen door of sorts and I took a small space heater out to the other end and plugged it into an outdoor outlet. I've been feeding him and giving him some water to hold him until I take him to the pet emergency room for treatment.
I'd like to share with you a couple of great resources that I found for getting rescued pets the triage they need while they await foster care or adoption. I haven't yet chosen which one I'll go to, but here's what I've found so far:
Southern Arizona Veterinary
141 E. Fort Lowell Rd. (24-hour emergency room)
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 888-3177
www.southernazvets.com
Pima Pet Clinic
4832 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 327-5624
www.tucsonveterinaryhospital.com
I'll be deciding on one of these tonight and I'll post another blog entry with the conclusion of this story.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Elect Beryl Baker for Ward 1
My fellow Tucsonans: I've had the pleasure these last few days of helping generate some publicity for City Council Ward 1 candidate Beryl Baker. She is affiliated with the Green Party and she has some real common-sense ideas for improving our Old Pueblo. I shot and edited a short interview video that's on YouTube at this address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAxSJqKR21Q
Read about her background, experience, and ideas at her own website:
http://www.berylbaker.comli.com/
Consider giving Beryl your vote on November 8th.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAxSJqKR21Q
Read about her background, experience, and ideas at her own website:
http://www.berylbaker.comli.com/
Consider giving Beryl your vote on November 8th.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Exist Kind is now live from behind the scenes!
I now have an account with LiveStream, which you can find at www.livestream.com/existkind. I won't be online 24/7 and it won't exactly be "all-access", but you can now tune in and either watch previously-recorded material, or if you time it right, catch me either pounding the pavement or at home, doing work behind the scenes. I have a portable G4 connection that will generate a high-quality live stream from wherever I am, including your event, if you so choose. So tune in and see where I am at any given time. I could be broadcasting from the desert, a yoga class, the Peace Fair, or what have you. Thanks for watching and reading!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Give your testimonial on behalf of Access Tucson on July 9th.
I am collaborating with Dan Harrigan of the show Harrigan After Hours to spearhead a great event in which Access Tucson members can come to Studio A and for a minute and a half on camera, give your testimonial of support for Access Tucson. Tell viewers why and talk about what contribution your particular program makes to the community. Emphasize what Access Tucson means to you and how it's helped you make an impact on the community. When you're finished, the whole reel of clips will be turned over to staff on your behalf and edited for broadcasting between programming throughout the week.
*Note: Please reserve your valued ideas and plans for how to save Access Tucson for later campaigns; this is just a series of testimonials of support. Also, please DO remind the viewers to help with monetary support because that's what's most needed now. Without money, Access Tucson is finished. Thank you!
When: Saturday, July 9th, 2011
2:30 to 6 pm
Where: Studio A
Access Tucson
124 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Damage Control!
The show that I mentioned that was supposed to be a great package about mountaintop removal coal mining turned out to be a debacle when it was time to go live. Everything that could go wrong with the technology did go wrong and I sincerely apologize to anyone out there who was watching. We'll redeem ourselves, though, by editing all of the material that we'd originally brought with us into a nice package that we'll upload to YouTube, share on this blog, and send to cable access TV stations around the country. Thanks so much for bearing with us.
Show Episode Announcement and Short Project Update
Hot Topic on Exist Kind Tonight: Appalachian Treasures and Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
Saturday, May 7th, at 6 pm MST/PDT
Broadcasting live from Access Tucson on Cox channel 120, Comcast 72; and streaming live at http://www.accesstucson.org/.
From the Appalachian organization ILoveMountains.org:
"One of America's most heartbreaking environmental and human rights tragedies, mountaintop removal coal mining is destroying [Appalachia's] rich culture and heritage, as well as the ancient, beautiful mountains and diverse forests of the Appalachian range."
This isn't just another radical environmentalist movement to preserve scenery and impede progress. This is a matter of ordinary citizens in coal country dealing with illness, contaminated water and air, and the risk of disastrous and disgusting flooding and avalanches when tailings impoundments break loose. This process also hurts the local economy because of its efficiency, which costs jobs, and the out-of-town employees that the companies bring in to do the jobs that locals could do. Not to mention, this process takes a toll on citizens' emotional ties to the cultural and historical values of the mountains.
MTR, as it's abbreviated, is no longer limited to Appalachia, either. Take a look at this picture from British Columbia that appeared on the National Geographic website at the end of 2009:
Photo by Garth Lenz, ILCP.
And we think we have problems with mining out here in Arizona. I have to keep it brief today, so tune in if you like and acquaint yourself with this incredible environmental injustice happening to ordinary, down-to-earth citizens who just want to live on the land they've always known and not have it poison them.
I also promised a short project update: The bicycle project is coming along nicely and I've been documenting each step with my video camera. I apologize for not having more follow-up, but that's just because I want to be sure that there's some substantial footage worth showing. I expect to get some material online this week. Thanks for reading!
Saturday, May 7th, at 6 pm MST/PDT
Broadcasting live from Access Tucson on Cox channel 120, Comcast 72; and streaming live at http://www.accesstucson.org/.
From the Appalachian organization ILoveMountains.org:
"One of America's most heartbreaking environmental and human rights tragedies, mountaintop removal coal mining is destroying [Appalachia's] rich culture and heritage, as well as the ancient, beautiful mountains and diverse forests of the Appalachian range."
This isn't just another radical environmentalist movement to preserve scenery and impede progress. This is a matter of ordinary citizens in coal country dealing with illness, contaminated water and air, and the risk of disastrous and disgusting flooding and avalanches when tailings impoundments break loose. This process also hurts the local economy because of its efficiency, which costs jobs, and the out-of-town employees that the companies bring in to do the jobs that locals could do. Not to mention, this process takes a toll on citizens' emotional ties to the cultural and historical values of the mountains.
MTR, as it's abbreviated, is no longer limited to Appalachia, either. Take a look at this picture from British Columbia that appeared on the National Geographic website at the end of 2009:
And we think we have problems with mining out here in Arizona. I have to keep it brief today, so tune in if you like and acquaint yourself with this incredible environmental injustice happening to ordinary, down-to-earth citizens who just want to live on the land they've always known and not have it poison them.
I also promised a short project update: The bicycle project is coming along nicely and I've been documenting each step with my video camera. I apologize for not having more follow-up, but that's just because I want to be sure that there's some substantial footage worth showing. I expect to get some material online this week. Thanks for reading!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Bike Project Update at Last
Hello all, I apologize for taking so long between blog posts. I had a couple of big and exciting TV and video production projects come up at the very end of March up through yesterday, and somewhat continuing this week. I created a video tutorial about how to reclaim old batteries for an electric bicycle. Behold:
Friday, March 18, 2011
Big Event at Access Tucson on March 31st
Studio Refresher Training on March 31st from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, Sponsored by Access Tucson's Own Exist Kind.
Any interested certified volunteers are welcome to attend a free refresher training session organized by me and facilitated by Kevin, Jeff, and Rob. I'm going to stage an interview with entertainment interludes and record it, and the idea is for crew members to have a low-pressure opportunity to experiment with production techniques. You'll get to try out zany things that you may not have time to play with during a live show or that may ruffle the feathers of a producer who already has a successful formula. You'll also be able to review tried-and-true interview production techniques and really tighten up your skills to make a polished show. Please RSVP to existkind@aim.com or call 225-0027. I look forward to seeing you there!
Any interested certified volunteers are welcome to attend a free refresher training session organized by me and facilitated by Kevin, Jeff, and Rob. I'm going to stage an interview with entertainment interludes and record it, and the idea is for crew members to have a low-pressure opportunity to experiment with production techniques. You'll get to try out zany things that you may not have time to play with during a live show or that may ruffle the feathers of a producer who already has a successful formula. You'll also be able to review tried-and-true interview production techniques and really tighten up your skills to make a polished show. Please RSVP to existkind@aim.com or call 225-0027. I look forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Bike Project Beginnings
Today I began the earliest stages of the solar-powered bike project by gathering some of the necessary parts and testing them for function. I'm also working on choosing one of the many possible evolving designs. The goal is to construct vehicles of different generations, each one more advanced than the previous, and to produce as many as possible over time. Once I'm further along and have something more substantial to document here, I'll start posting pictures with explanations.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Welcome to the Exist Kind blog!
Hi, everybody! We've decided that a blog was an inevitable next step in the evolution of Exist Kind, so here we are. We're about to launch a couple of significant projects and thought this was the best medium through which to let people know. Shortly, our show will be submitted to several cable access stations around the country, and we have a creative project on the horizon: constructing a solar-powered electric bicycle. Stay tuned for our first entries chronicling these efforts. Thanks for stopping by!
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