S: Is for Social Awareness

More than 1 billion people live in extreme poverty. Every three-seconds, a child dies because they are too poor to stay alive. In Africa alone more than 12 million children have been orphaned by HIV and AIDS. There are injustices in our world and we need to right them. I wrote about the eight 12 year olds that started their own company "One is Greater than None" to help stop the trafficking of children. The "ONE" Campaign aims to raise awareness and resolves to fight problems in the world's poorest countries. Established by U2 singer Bono and funded by the Gates Foundation, they employ more than 2.4 million members and have worked with more than 100 of America's most well-known and respected nonprofit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. AIDS and poverty are not just problems--they are epidemics of unheard-of proportions. There are 14,000 new HIV infections every day, with 95 percent occurring in developing countries. More than 42 million people are living with AIDS. More than 1.2 billion people earn less than $1 per day. It is easy to feel numb by the statistics. As a part of the United Nations' Millennium Development they help tackle some of the world's most chronic problems, ONE asks for the allocation of 1 percent of the U.S. budget to go towards providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food to the poorest countries. If action is not taken now, history will be scorned. Leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa have proven that big changes start with small actions.

The ONE Campaign was founded by Save the Children and World Vision to name a few. Working closely with Rock the Vote and the Millennium Campaign, participants include celebrities and musicians George Clooney, Brad Pitt, No Doubt, Michael W. Smith and Ellen Degeneres to name a few. Isn't it time to lend your voice. To learn more log onto www.one.org.

I believe that humanity needs our help but the problem is America is being negated. Seventeen percent of Americans live at the poverty level. The USA ranks #16 on the poverty index world wide. We are willing to give our help to others but we turn a blind eye to those at home. There are an estimated half a million AIDS cases here. Thanks to the gay organizations and the acting unions we see to our own. Thanks to Brad Pitt and Angela Jolie, New Orleans is being re-built. "One" is a much needed effort but we do need to face the F.A.C.T.S at home too.

T: Is for Innovative Technology

Since getting a macbook in November I have been Apples biggest fan. Before November I had only used PC's though I owned an apple 5 years ago for less than 2 weeks. At the time I could not understand how to use it. What I didn't know then that I know now, is that Apple gives free group classes daily and for $99 you can sign up for one on one classes. That is how I learned to build my websites and myspace pages. Until those classes I hadn't a clue.

Two days ago Steve Jobs introduced Apples newest product The Air. The Air so far is the biggest product release of the year as well as the thinnest. The advertising states small enough to get a paper cut. Weighing in at three-pounds this portable is small enough to fit into a manila envelope. The keypad is elegant with high definition. The iSight cam is like the one adorning the current line of MacBooks, only round. This laptop claims to need alot less trips to the Genius Bar. A multi touch like the iPhone is the current trend.


But what it doesn't have for its baseline price of $1,799 is an optical DVD drive, a non-expandable memory and a missing Ethernet port. Many of those missing features are the trade off for having a thinner machine. The Battery is non-removable and contains only 5 hours compared to the current 7-9. The anemic specs on the hard drive (64-80GB), dearth of USB ports (1), make it unsuitable for the multimedia tasks of a working computer.

There are those who have to have the newest gadget and this is definitely it. I however would wait because though everyone loved the sleekness of this new toy the critics were all in agreement of what was missing. My guess is that they will change. However if you want to be the first in line you can pre-order this at MAC and in two weeks you will be the first. These are the F.A.C.T.S.

C: Is creative things for children!

So your friends are having a baby or better yet you are and you are searching for that unique item that will be a keepsake for a specials new baby. My Boy Sam features precious knit sweaters and clothing for your growing little boy and girl. My Boy Sam also has many other divisions, including And Then There Was Jake, Sam's Friend, Skivvydoodles and Art Walk. Art Walk wins raves whether comforting in the stroller, or in the nursery. Not only do they make blankets but matching shoes, hat and sweater all done with exquisite workmanship. This is the finest boutique children's clothing, accessories and gifts. Offering those hard to find details such as hand smocked, embroidered and appliqued designs and feature many coordinating outfits so you can easily match brothers and sisters for portraits, holidays, special occasions or just for fun.
You can find these great items on-line or for the best price around e-bay. It is the #1 selling kids items on the site!

Each year over 50,000 children will be exposed to the magic of musical theater through a TADA! program. They will be audience members, participants in musical theater workshops and classes, and performers in TADA!'s original musical productions. TADA! was founded to provide kids from all racial, economic and social backgrounds a place where they can develop individual talents while being a vital part of a group. Any child who has an interest in or passion for any element of musical theater is welcomed. To learn more call (212) 627-1732 or log onto www.tadatheater.com . 'A Perfect Monster' their winter musical open January 18th. Follow as an insecure girl sets out to create the "perfect" friend and ends up with a lab full of monsters. See the show The New York Times called "outstanding" and "more endearing than scary." Tickets are $25 for Adults and $8 for kids.

Take your child to see a live show. It is cheaper than a movie and will inspire them and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Abundance

Tomorrow brings to the gallery scene very different formats of art. The first is the wonderful drawings of Timothy Wehrle, who continues to explore the world of dream narratives. Dancing between the visionary, the sound of music, and the politics of resisting "Entrances of Old Man Winter" opens at the Cavin-Morris Gallery located at 210 Eleventh avenue on the 20th floor. Wehrle’s style is ever evolving, becoming richer and more packed with metaphorical images and ideas. These are contemporary illuminated manuscripts internalizing the prose without sacrificing the narrative. This group of drawings were influenced by staring up at the clouds. Colored pencils filled patterned details reflecting both personal and worldly thoughts. This self taught artist is someone to watch.

The second is more disturbing. Nicholas Nixon "Patients" is
an exhibition of black and white photographs. Nixon who is compelled by what people are like in extremes, brings this pitiless and profoundly humane series by capturing people at the end of life. From old people in nursing homes to couples dying of AIDS Nixon seems to ask "What is left when we are close to death?" They say the eyes are the mirror to the soul. Here lies fear and yearning, with a flicker of defiance. “Patients” documents people who are seriously or terminally ill. Taken while visiting four different hospitals in Boston over the past three years, the project is a continuation of life's cycle, rarely shared with others beyond family and close companions. Due to the intimate nature of the subject matter most prefer to look away from, the intimacy of the patients’ relationships with their loved ones touches places within us we rarely go. Nixon, well known for his work "People With AIDS" which he began in 1987, documents the debilitation and devastation wreaked by the disease. For his work he was heralded as compassionate and life-affirming. To see this powerful exhibit go to Yossi Milo Gallery tomorrow night until the 16th of February at 525 W 25 street.

From the spiritual dreamlike quality of one artist to the capturing of life's raw fleeting moments these two artists show you the F.A.C.T.S.

F: Is for Fanatics in Film

I have performed in 'Sweeney Todd' twice. Once when I was younger as Johanna and then later as the Beggar Women. I never thought I would say this but it is better as a film. Where theatre offers intimacy Tim Burtons bloody masterpiece offers a framing of the horror which directs your eye. In the opening shots, rain falls against a blue-black background of buildings, but the drops turn murderously bright red. In a cartoonish format it glides stickily through the cogs of a wheel and continues its path. Burton's vision suits 'Sweeney Todd' to a tee and make this musical a visual delight.

Johnny Depp is a star. His "Sweeney" is not always easy to watch, but you can't turn away. His haunted and vengeful eyes sail into London on a mission to kill the man who stole his wife and child and sent him off to prison. We're swept into Burton's pitch-black vision. This is a tale of blighted passions and dark obsessions. It has an emotional intimacy that allows you to see this work with fresh eyes. This is a man set on vengeance with a one-track mind. His rage drives him—but you glimpse his pain. Bonham Carter reinvents Mrs. Lovett from the inside out. She is haunted, yearning for an unreachable man, sucked into his madness in the hope he will finally open his heart to her. Though they are not singers per say, I find they're voices to take this to a new level. The music becomes more accessible almost bordering on pop. Stephen Sondheim has stated he would rather have actors who can sing and he is right. This piece entails emotions pushed to the edge of sanity and beyond. Sacha Baron Cohen (a.k.a. Borat) is the charlatan barber Pirelli, and is perfectly cast. Ed Sanders is fabulous as the boy, Toby. He’s a terrific actor with a voice to match.

This production is violent but it is also a commentary at how we see death and how life is expendable. Here the rich take whatever they please but when pushed too far there are those who will wait, no matter how long to seek their revenge. Will we like the audience become desensitization to the horrors around us? Only time will tell, but for now mark 'Sweeney Todd' down on the list of must see films and that is a F.A.C.T.