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… filling in the negative space with positively everything

Why You Should Support the Arts

Many people tend to think of the arts as frivolous, pretty things to see, hear, read or do if you’re rich or on vacation. Some actually think the arts are simply unessential.  They’re all wrong.

There are approximately 100,000 nonprofit arts organizations, which spend $63.1 billion annually. These organizations – ranging from large institutions like museums and orchestras to small community-based organizations in suburban, urban and rural areas – don’t just employ performers, artists and curators: they provide jobs for accountants, administrators, designers, plumbers, laborers, maintenance people, union workers and engineers.  In fact, arts organizations support more full-time jobs than those in accounting, public safety officers, and lawyers, and just slightly fewer than elementary school teachers.

In a report released in mid-January, the National Governor’s Association stated:

Arts and culture are important to state economies. Arts and culture-related industries, also known as “creative industries,” provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: They create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases.

But arts organizations do more than help stimulate local economies – they significantly contribute to local culture and quality of life. Residents can experience and learn about the histories, traditions and aesthetics of people around the world, as well as of members of their own community with whom they may not normally interact.  Visitors can be exposed to aspects of a place they may not have been aware of, such as a small-yet-thriving cultural group or an alternative music scene. The “local flavor” that arts organizations lend to a community create a culture that frequently lures potential employers/employees to relocate to the area: cities with thriving creative communities like San Francisco and Austin often attract the best-and-brightest because of this.

Carlos Meltzer & Recipe for Success on 13

Channel 13 did *something* right this week: it featured the Recipe for Success Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to combat childhood obesity and encourage long-term health by helping children understand, appreciate, and eat more healthful food.

The piece shows Carlos Meltzer, Director of Media and Community Outreach, teaching children how to make healthy choices as they prepare dishes: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/video?id=6501722

From the Recipe4Success site – http://www.recipe4success.org:

Our Program is focused on integrating nutrition vertically throughout curriculum and after school programs, and operates in selected H.I.S.D. elementary schools.

We train parent-volunteers; connect them to a broad spectrum of community resources—including our Chefs in Schools series; and mentor a city-wide collaboration to affect change. We created a model that will soon be replicated in other schools and communities in Houston and across the country.

Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar was nominated as a National Woman of Worth: please vote for her at http://www.womenofworth.com/ and help Recipe for Success win $25,000 so it can continue its great work! Voting runs from November 10 to November 24, 2008.

Please Help DJ Melodic!

My friend Tina just sent out this call for help for DJ Melodic (Paco) from Soular Grooves – he’s a great heart, sweet guy, and music-scene regular. Please help out and spread the word!

Dear Friends,

My dear friend Paco, you might know him as DJ Melodic from Soular Grooves needs your help and prayers. On Sunday, he had cardiac arrest and has been in a coma ever since. We are planning a benefit event for him on Nov. 16th and are requesting raffle item donations. If you have any suggestions or would like to contribute, please let me know as soon as possible.

So far, we have been blessed to have great friends like Michelle Avina, Faith and Maria from Stir-it-up, and Thomas from the Tipping Point rounding up items and DJ Chicken George, DJ SUN and Nick Cooper offering his musical talents for the event so we’re gaining some momentum. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the raffle or anything else, please let me know.

The best way to reach me is email, tinazulu@zulucreative.com or by cell 713.291.5788.

An update about Paco from DJ SUN – one of Paco’s his closest friends is attached to this message. (View at Facebook)

Let’s pull together everyone.

Thank you!
Tina

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