Urges city to revisit and reinvent social, economic and educational initiatives
Sunday, November 16, 2008
BY CHRIS STURGIS
Special to the Times
TRENTON -- Leaders from many walks of life assembled here yesterday to plan for an urban environment whose economy, social system and educational opportunities work better.
Tim Razzaq, a lead organizer, said some job training programs fail when the trainees finish but remain unemployed, making him wonder if the trainers are connected with any employers.
"That's called a broken opportunity structure," he said.
Razzaq is executive director of BOOST -- Building Open Opportunity Structures Together -- which helped organize yesterday's forum: "Inventing the Future: Designing Our Tomorrow, Today." It was held at the Hanover Street meeting house of the Trenton Society of Friends.
Ultimately, Razzaq said he wants participants to form committees to attack urban problems.
Razzaq and others at yesterday's gathering described frontiers in merchandising art, restoring the healthfulness of the environment and fighting racism, all of which they want to see addressed.
For example, Pete Abrams' Trenton-based company, Modern Metal Works, recycles discarded elevator cable into furniture and metal vessels called fire bowls.
Razzaq said Abrams' fire bowls (and other sustainable designed functional sculpture art works) should be incorporated into Trenton's urban revitalization efforts because they are locally made and fashioned from flexible cable, the material used to build the Brooklyn Bridge and put the city on the map in the first place.
"Trenton made, the world took and now it's time for Trenton to get something back," he said.
Abrams said his company teaches sculpture and offers internships. He had a very rewarding experience when he took his students and interns to the Art All Night festival earlier this year.
"The satisfaction of seeing something they produced sold for money was much greater than being a tiny cog in a big organization," he said.
Artist Leon Rainbow said he makes his own opportunities by painting murals on urban walls. He drew applause from the audience when he said urban revitalization goes wrong when it's aimed at creating tourism, instead of investing in the city's own residents.
"They spend a lot of money on getting people to come here, who aren't going to come here," he said.
Another participant, Stacey Kennealy, coordinator of New Brunswick-based Green Faith, told the audience spirituality is a fertile starting place to begin discussions on the environment because virtually all the sacred texts promote good stewardship of the natural world.
She said it's a mistake to think only white middle class people should be concerned about pollution. She said contamination most seriously harms the health of the urban poor and minorities.
Carolyn Mitchell, director of the Racial Justice Institute at the Trenton YWCA, urged attendees to improve the urban environment by organizing an event in the Y's Take a Stand Against Racism initiative.
She said the goal is not a colorblind society, but one where everyone is proud of who they are.
"I want you to see me as I am, an African-American woman, because I am very proud of that," she said.
More information about BOOST is available at http://www.weareboost.org/.
©2008 Times of Trenton - © 2008 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Group seeks opportunities for urban communities
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Panel Set and Still Time to Register for: Women Leaders & The Triple Bottom Line Approach to 21st Century Opportunities
November 2008 - Philadelphia PA - Patricia Gaylor has practiced green design in the northeast for over 25 years. After seeing many remodeling jobs start with the demolition and hauling away of tons of materials, she began to wonder how to create beautiful new spaces without making such an environmental impact. Reducing landfill waste and specifying materials that are renewable, recyclable or sustainable has been part of her design business for many years.
On Sunday, November 16 from 3pm until 6pm, Gaylor joins a panel of leaders in a broad range of fields where she will share her vast experience and knowledge with anyone interested in greening up their home or living spaces.
Women Leaders for Entrepreneurship, the Environment and Social Equity is being hosted by We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST) at the showroom of Greenable, one of Philadelphia's premier resource for interior and exterior green building products and services for residential and commercial projects.
"In an economy where home building and remodeling is suffering one of the worst slumps in decades, green building and remodeling are experiencing incredible growth. Recent surveys reveal that home buyers will pay a premium to purchase a green, energy efficient house. Coloring your business GREEN is a smart move in a sluggish economy!" says Gaylor, who was recently featured on Good Morning America.
Yvonne Haughton, founder and director of For My Daughter Library and Ali Shapiro, proprietor of p Your Nutrition will lead a panel discussion and interactive question and answer session at Greenable. Presenters include:
Patricia Gaylor, Green Interior Design and recently featured on Good Morning America - Topic She Will Share: "Simple, Affordable, and Doable Ways you can Make Your Home Healthier and More Energy Efficient & Green Business Advantages"
Ariane Delafosse, Founder of Community Green
Topic She Will Share: "Easy Steps to Take Growing Your Community Green Nonprofit from the Grassroots to the Grass-tops."
Susie Beiler, Spectrum Health Consulting
Topic She Will Share: "My Vision for Shamalada Healing Sanctuary and How You Can Become Engaged in Holistic Health for Personal and Community Wellness"
Trisha Mandes, Founder of Philly Eco Kids (PEK)
Topic She Will Share: "How to Easily Educate Your Children and Students about Climate Change, Global Warming, and What They Can Do About It"
Marilyn Moran of Marilyn New Media Marketing and author of Philly Green Blog
Topic She Will Share: "Grow Your Business, Web Site or Blog: Sound Economical, Social, and Green Marketing Opportunities"
Barbara Stange, Simply Natural Living
Topic She Will Share: "Simple Steps to Improve Your Personal and Family Health by Balancing of Mind, Body, Spirit"
Julie Hancher & Beth Funari, co-authors of GreenPhillyBlog.com, a Philadelphia-based website providing environmental information for the local region
Topic They Will Share: "Planting the Seed: Growing Your Green Business from the Ground Up"
Donation is $15 per adult and $5 for children under 12 years of age and college and university students with valid student I.D... A refreshments buffet of locally grown and harvested food will be prepared by Cosmic Catering and available to all who attend. Advanced registration is required, please call (206) 202-2883 or visit the calendar of events page at http://www.weareboost.org/ and you may also email greenablewomen@weareboost.org.
We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST) is a creative community solutions organization that develops and utilizes innovative and customized strategies to build structured relationships between individuals, organizations, businesses, institutions, and agencies that lead to beneficial social, economic, and educational opportunities and outcomes in under-served communities and emerging markets and neighborhoods. Contact: 206-202-2883 info@weareboost.org and http://www.weareboost.org/.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
We Are BOOST Solutions, Greenable Sponsor Opportunity Forum
Sunday, November 16 - 3PM until 6PM at Greenable - 126 Market Street in Philadelphia PA
"Anyone can create a green initiative, anytime, don't wait", is the message Arianne Delafosse has for people who want to get involved in greening up their homes, creating a community-based community green campaign, and not have to reinvent the wheel.
Women for Entrepreneurship, the Environment, and Social Equity is the theme of this most timely and relevant information-sharing and networking session. Women Leaders is being co-sponsored by We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST) and Greenable, a Philadelphia-based green materials and services provider. Refreshments are being provided by Cosmic Catering, whose mission is to strive to make a small footprint on the earth but in turn a large footprint in their customer's souls and stomachs.
We Are BOOST Founder Tim Razzaq is absolutely thrilled to have his organization be able to invite the community at large out on an Sunday afternoon, provide a positive outlet for folks who may not be all that happy about what they have to face in the coming weeks with jobs and businesses at risk, and filter out so much of the 'green noise'.
Patricia Gaylor, one of the panelist who has practiced green design in the northeast for over 25 years and recently featured on Good Morning America has similar sentiments, "In an economy where home building and remodeling is suffering one of the worst slumps in decades, green building and remodeling are experiencing incredible growth. Recent surveys reveal that home buyers will pay a premium to purchase a green, energy efficient house. Coloring your business GREEN is a smart move in a sluggish economy."
Delafosse is Founder and Executive Director for Community Green, an all volunteer non-profit organization based in Basking Ridge New Jersey.
Donation is $15 per adult and $5 for children under 12 years of age. A refreshments buffet of locally grown and harvested food will be prepared by Cosmic Catering and available to all who attend. Advanced registration is required, please call (206) 202-2883 or visit the calendar of events at http://www.weareboost.org.
About Your Women Leaders Panelists:
Patricia Gaylor, Green Interior Design and recently featured on Good Morning America - Topic: "Simple, Affordable, and Doable Ways you can: Make Your Home Healthier and More Energy Efficient, Set you Business Up Gain the Competitive Advantages of Going Green, and Find Green Materials Locally that are Readily Available and Financially Feasible"
Ariane Delafosse, Founder of Community Green (New Jersey)Topic: "Easy Steps to Take Growing Your Community Green Nonprofit from the Grassroots to the Grass-tops."
Susie Beiler, Spectrum Health Consulting Topic: "My Vision for Shamalada Healing Sanctuary and How You Can Become Engaged in Holistic Health for Personal and Community Wellness"
Trisha Mandes, Founder of Philly Eco Kids (PEK)Topic: "How to Easily Educate Your Children and Students about Climate Change, Global Warming, and What They Can Do About It"
Marilyn Moran of Marilyn New Media Marketing and author of We Are BOOST Philly Green BlogTopic: "Grow Your Business, Web Site or Blog: Sound Economical, Social, and Green Marketing Opportunities"
Barbara Stange, Simply Natural Living;Topic: "Natural Steps to balance You, Your family,Your personal world through Body, Mind and Spirit"
Julie Hancher & Beth Funari, co-authors of GreenPhillyBlog, a Philadelphia-based website providing environmental information for the local regionTopic: "Planting the Seed: Growing Your Green Business from the Ground Up"
Friday, October 24, 2008
RSVP for Walk-in access for Sunday, October 26 “Why Live Green?” - at Dock Street. STILL ONLY $15 PER-PERSON - (206) 202-2883
MEDIA ADVISORYContact: Tim Razzaq((206) 202-2883 info@weareboost.org or
Timrazzaq1@yahoo.com
We Are BOOST, CMX Inc. and Organizational Leaders Co-Sponsor Panel to Examines Job, Career, Housing, Business, and Educational Opportunities in the Emerging Green Economy
Philadelphia, PA – In a collaborative featuring individuals, organizations, and businesses, We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST), CMX Engineers, and Consultants, Simply Natural Living, and Modern Metal Work are offering opportunity seekers a chance to hear directly from leaders in the fields of green building, sustainable community design, smart growth, and environmental economics. Walk-ins are welcome and encouraged and admission in $15 per-person – children under 12 years of age admitted free.
WHAT - Panel Discussion, Buffet-style Dinner, Networking, and Community Building
How can civics, the arts, leadership, and environmental economics be combined into a force for generating job, career, housing, business, and educational opportunities in a faltering economy and in a sustainable fashion is the challenge the panelists and members of communities from New Jersey and Philadelphia will take on. This is the second in a series of three panels with the final 2008 forum to take place at a date and location to be announced this Sunday.
WHO
Christopher Zelov of the Knossus Project and dircecto new film, City21. Zelov will preview City21, and co-moderate panel, featuring:
· Susie Belier, CHHC, AADP, OTR/L
Spectrum Health Consulting
TOPIC: Change Your Food, Fuel Your Life
· Anastasia Harrison, LEED-AP, AIA, IAQA Director of Business Development - WESKetch Architecture + Interiors, Inc.
TOPIC: “Why Live Green? Real Reasons, Rationales, and Practical Steps You CAN Take”
· Stephen F. Finkelman, P.E., LEED-APAssociate - CMX Engineering
TOPIC: “LEED for Homes and Energy Conservation Strategies”
· Doug CohenFounder - Inspired Futures Global Campaign
TOPIC: “Leaders of the Next Generation: Youth and Sustainability”
· Marianne MalloyEastern Regional Network Program Coordinator - Environmental Leadership Program
TOPIC: “ELP: 21st Century Community-Building and Social Capital Creation”
· Anne Misak - Program Organizer - Clean Water Action – Philadelphia
Regional Chapter
TOPIC: “Protecting Our Watersheds and Improving Recycling in Philadelphia”
· Sean Crane, AA, AS, RESNET, BPI, Green Advantage Commercial
Chief Technical Officer - Home Town Green
TOPIC: “Walk Softly and Save Wisely”
· Peter Abrams - Proprietor - Modern Metal Work & Trenton Atelier
TOPIC: “Waste-Stream Treasures: What You Throw Away Does Not Go Away!”
WHEN
Sunday, October 26 – 3PM until 6PM.
WHERE
Dock Street Micro Brewery
701 S. 50th Street (50th and Baltimore Avenues)
Philadelphia, PA 19143
For more information, please go to
http://www.weareboost.org/ or
http://www.phillygreen.wordpress.com/
Monday, October 20, 2008
(Trenton, NJ) – October 20, 2008 – Helping to build bridges of understanding for everyday people to take advantage of the new structure of opportunity in environmental economy, CMX Engineers and Consultants, one of the nation’s top architectural, engineering, construction, and pure-design firms is co-sponsoring a forum designed to raise public awareness about emergent green jobs, careers, business, housing, and educational opportunities. Rosemarie Certo, owner of the Dock Street Micro Brewery, is also helping the cause by opening the doors of the refurbished former firehouse this Sunday for We Are Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST) and nearly a dozen participating industry leaders invite members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in “Why Live Green: Eight Leaders, Eight Ways You Can Live Healthier Wealthier, and Wiser with the Earth” on Sunday, October 26th from 3PM - 6PM at the historic firehouse located at 701 S. 50th Street (50th & Baltimore Avenue) in the Cedar Park section of West Philadelphia, PA. Donation: $35 per person$30 group rate (5+) $15 children under 12. Call (206) 202-2883 email info@weareboost.org visit www.phillygreen.workpress.com
CMX Inc. Associate Stephen Finkelman, a LEED Accredited Professional, will share his expertise by offering practical steps home and property owners can improve the energy and environmental performance of dwellings and work spaces. “In spite of what is deemed a sluggish economy, We Are BOOST is sharing ways everyday people can prepare to be beneficiaries of the broad range of jobs, careers, housing, business, and educational opportunities being generated. CMX Inc. encourages everyone of good-will to support organizations, such as We Are BOOST, that serve a vital function in ensuring environmental, social, and economic equity is achieved for as many citizens as possible", says CMX National Director of Marketing, Brian Duke, referring to the rationale of his company’s commitment to community education and supporting this groundbreaking event.
The panel and community discussion will be moderated by special guest, Christopher Zelov of the Knossus Project and director of the eco-education film, City21, which explores the multiple initiatives that are indeed shaping the 21st Century City. There will be a Q&A session, Brewery tour, giveaways, and networking buffet (included) following the panel presentation. A cash bar will also be available.
Panelists and topics include:
· Susie Belier, CHHC, AADP, OTR/L - Spectrum Health Consulting
TOPIC: Change Your Food, Fuel Your Life
· Anastasia Harrison, LEED-AP, AIA, IAQA Director of Business Development - WESKetch Architecture + Interiors, Inc.
TOPIC: “Why Live Green? Real Reasons, Rationales, and Practical Steps You CAN Take”
· Stephen F. Finkelman, P.E., LEED-APAssociate - CMX Engineering
TOPIC: “LEED for Homes and Energy Conservation Strategies”
· Doug CohenFounder - Inspired Futures Global Campaign
TOPIC: “Leaders of the Next Generation: Youth and Sustainability”
· Marianne MalloyEastern Regional Network Program Coordinator - Environmental Leadership
Program
TOPIC: “ELP: 21st Century Community-Building and Social Capital Creation”
· Anne Misak
Program Organizer - Clean Water Action – Philadelphia Regional Chapter
TOPIC: “Protecting Our Watersheds and Improving Recycling in Philadelphia”
· Sean Crane, AA, AS, RESNET, BPI, Green Advantage Commercial
Chief Technical Officer - Home Town Green
TOPIC: “Walk Softly and Save Wisely”
· Peter AbramsProprietor - Modern Metal Work & Trenton Atelier
TOPIC: “Waste-Stream Treasures: What You Throw Away Does Not Go Away!”
Additional panel speakers will be selected and announced.
Note: if you or someone you know is interested in speaking at this event, contact BOOST at (206) 202-2883 or email whylivegreen@weareboost.org.
Donation:
$35 per person$30 group rate (5+) $15 children under 12
For more information or to RSVP, visit http://www.weareboost.org or call (206) 202-2883. You may also email whylivegreen@weareboost.org to register for this event. Tickets will be available at the door if this event does not sell out.
Since 2007, Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (BOOST) has planned, promoted, and coordinated over 50 forums, initially in the Trenton-Mercer County region. As a result of the demand for green design and green building education in the Philadelphia region, BOOST is happy to offer a series of informational presentations on environmentally responsible design and sustainability in the city of Philadelphia. They have developed a speakers' bureau that includes academics, architects, business owners and entrepreneurs as well as professionals and practitioners. Within this bureau, speakers have expertise in areas ranging from green building and sustainable community design to personal and organizational leadership capacity building. For more information, visit our website: http://www.weareboost.org
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Get Green, Get Clean, Get Engaged with We Are BOOST Solutions Social Marketing Group
We Are BOOST Solutions - 21st Century Approaches to 21st Century Challenges
We Are BOOST Solutions provides you with an opportunity to take advantage of the many benefits associated with improving your quality of life while decreasing your cost of living.Everything you need to create a healthier, wealthier, and happier life-style is just a click away at We Are BOOST Solutions Social Marketing Group.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Why Live Green? Seven Leaders, Sevens Ways You Can Live Healthier, Wealthier, & Happier + Future City21 Preview
Why Live Green? Panel & Community Discussion, Appetizer Buffet, Cash Bar, Door Prizes, Brewery Tour, & NetworkingSaturday, October 26 #PM until 6PM @ Dock Street Micro Brewery—50th & Baltimore Avenues— Philadelphia PA http://www.dockstreetbeer.com/
Green Living Panel & Community Discussion to be held at Dock Street Brewery in West Philadelphia, PA on Sunday, October 26th
(Philadelphia, PA) – October 12, 2008 - Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (We Are BOOST) cordially invites everyone to a special community event “Why Live Green: Seven Leaders, Seven Ways You Can Live Healthier and Happier” on Sunday, October 26th from 3PM - 6PM at Dock Street Brewery located at 701 S. 50th Street (50th & Baltimore Avenue) in West Philadelphia, PA.
Event will include panel discussion featuring topics by seven sustainable and green living community leaders and special guest appearance by Christopher Zelov of the Knossus Project and director of the eco-education film, City21, which explores the multiple initiatives that are indeed shaping the 21st Century City. There will be a Q&A session, Brewery tour, giveaways, and networking buffet (included) following the panel presentation. A cash bar will also be available.
Panelists and topics include:
· Anastasia Harrison, LEED-AP, AIA, IAQA Director of Business Development - WESKetch Architecture + Interiors, Inc.
·Stephen F. Finkelman, P.E., LEED-APAssociate - CMX Engineering
TOPIC: “LEED for Homes and Energy Conservation Strategies”
· Doug CohenFounder - Inspired Futures Global Campaign
TOPIC: “Leaders of the Next Generation: Youth and Sustainability”
· Marianne Malloy, Eastern Regional Network Program Coordinator - Environmental Leadership Program
TOPIC: “ELP: 21st Century Community-Building and Social Capital Creation”
· Anne Misak, Program Organizer - Clean Water Action – Philadelphia Regional Chapter
TOPIC: “Protecting Our Watersheds and Improving Recycling in Philadelphia”
· Sean Crane, AA, AS, RESNET, BPI, Green Advantage Commercial - Chief Technical Officer -
TOPIC: “Walk Softly and Save Wisely: Green Your Wallet and the Planet”
· Peter AbramsProprietor - Modern Metal Work & Trenton Atelier
“Waste-Stream Treasures: What You Throw Away Does Not Go Away!”
Additional panel speakers will be selected and announced.
Note: if you or someone you know is interested in speaking at this event, contact BOOST at (206) 202-2883 or email whylivegreen@weareboost.org.
Donation:
$35 per person$30 group rate (5+)$15 children under 12
For more information or to RSVP, visit http://www.weareboost.org/ or call (206) 202-2883. You may also email whylivegreen@weareboost.org to register for this event. Tickets will be available at the door if this event does not sell out.
Since 2007, Building Open Opportunity Structures Together (BOOST) has planned, promoted, and coordinated over 50 forums, initially in the Trenton-Mercer County region. As a result of the demand for green design and green building education in the Philadelphia region, BOOST is happy to offer a series of informational presentations on environmentally responsible design and sustainability in the city of Philadelphia. They have developed a speakers' bureau that includes academics, architects, business owners and entrepreneurs as well as professionals and practitioners. Within this bureau, speakers have expertise in areas ranging from green building and sustainable community design to personal and organizational leadership capacity building. For more information, visit our website: http://www.weareboost.org/
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