petBAG ::
' Made from recycled fibers, the petBAG is a reusable, compact tote bag that you keep with you at all times to avoid using plastic bags.'



My seriously cool idea will help me be more involved in the environmental movement by actually helping consumers curb the use of plastic bags, an epidemic that leads to the annual disposal of an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags worldwide.

petBAG will give more incentive to people who are averse to carrying around a reusable bag because of petBAG's compact size, cool style, and positive environmental impact.

Through this bag, I hope to make more out of my work by making it my passion. Making petBAG a reality will be empowering and will undoubtedly give me reason to glow more.

Success is Sweetest Follow-Up!

I had been working on my reusable bag idea for close to a year before I was fortunate enough to receive this success grant. It is truly eye-opening when I think about how much Janice and I advanced and transformed the venture in the few months during which we met.

Originally, I had been collaborating with a designer who was a friend-of-a-friend. Although he was great, I kept thinking it odd that I wasn’t partnering with my green-minded, seamstress, lawyer cousin, Lesley, in San Francisco with whom I had been brainstorming throughout the process. With Janice’s encouragement, I made the switch. Bringing Lesley on board was one of the first changes I made and this decision proved fruitful almost immediately.

After extensive research on materials, I had identified a recycled plastic fabric that was durable, “green,” and, to my surprise, cheap. After a few months of excitedly ordering different weaves and weights of this textile, the supplier informed me that he had been accidentally undercharging me by a significant amount; this fabric would definitely not be financially viable. I learned this disheartening news after my second session with Janice and I felt like my goal of creating a sustainable and affordable compact reusable bag was unattainable. My disappointment abated when we determined that reusing clothing from thrift stores would be cost-effective and even more sustainable than recycled plastic fabric. Plus, each bag would be unique. I went thrifting, sent some great finds to Lesley, and was elated to receive phenomenal compact bags in return – she had devised a fantastic pattern, allowing the bags to fold with ease while reusing buttons and other elements from the original garments. But we had one big problem – we couldn’t decide on a name.

Naming the bag line was the most difficult part of the process. From the beginning, I had referred to the product as “petBAG” because I thought of it as an updated but practical "pet rock." Although somewhat catchy, there was a risk that people would think that the product was designed for pets. After months (seriously) of brainstorming, Janice voiced her support for a family-related name and Lesley and I agreed that it made the most sense; “Even Maurice” was born. In the 1950s & 60s, our grandfather Maurice owned a men’s clothing store (appropriately called “Maurice’s”) near Manhattan’s theater district. Since he was the link in our history that tied us to the fashion world, we felt it was a nice homage. Our grandmother and his wife, Eve, rounds out the name that sounds like “Eve ‘n’ Maurice” but in our case, “Even” also alludes to the carbon neutral nature of our business.
 
Currently, Lesley and I are getting paperwork in order to formally set up our partnership and we plan to have our Etsy shop up and running very soon. Additionally, I will be attending Presidio School of Management this fall in pursuit of an MBA in Sustainable Management, a degree with which I hope to develop a variety of “green” products.

Janice played an integral role in the development of “Even Maurice” and I doubt that we would be as far along without her. Having deadlines to meet and setting small goals along the way undeniably compelled me to keep forging ahead. Thanks, Janice!
— Ali Hart

Why Write?

We all have a story to tell. We all go through things that challenge us, and, ultimately, change us. The funny thing is that while we’re going through it, we think we’re the only one who’s experienced these feelings. But by writing it down, we are able to share our voice with others and, more often than not, people nod their heads knowingly—they’ve been there, too.

Well, we’ve been there, and back, and have lived to tell our story! We are two creative, smart women who said one day, “We should write a book!” We’re willing to be beginners, because that’s what we are. Our goal is to take our ideas and allow them to flourish through hard work and determination and turn them into a published novel to share with the world!

This is our odyssey into the writing and publishing world. It is an opportunity to stop flirting with a great idea and start sinking our teeth into it. Our tale will take readers into the lives of two twenty-something year old women who find friendship under trying circumstances and who try to make the best our of their situation. Along the way the two women find themselves in extraordinary circumstances that will capture the reader’s attention and provide a glimpse into the secretive lives of the two main characters.

We’re excited about working with Janice for so many reasons—she spills positive energy, rocks out with inspiration and knows how to ask a good question!

— Brandy & Jenn

"In April 2006 we have an opportunity to show our talents to the world at large. In the past, this showcase has been at best modestly attended by theater and film professionals. It is our goal to build and re-build upon this tradition and ensure our own success as we leave Brooklyn College and begin our careers as professional actors. We want to make great art and we seek to leave a strong legacy for those who follow behind us."

— Alice, Banaue, Bryan, Chris, Dina,
Jenn, Sean, Tanika, and Tim

Part 1:

It was a documentary film that inspired Marisa to become a vegan animal activist. Now Marisa wants to create her own documentary film about compassionate living.

But how do you make an educational film about veganism funny or sexy or entertaining or all three? Marisa wondered, what would happen if you took your average American manly man who subsists on an all-meat diet, and turned him vegan for a month?

Marisa enlisted the help of her friend Sean, a meat-addicted former Army Captain/film student/standup comic who vowed to go vegan for an entire month and capture the whole thing on tape. Not only will he adopt a vegan diet but also he will immerse himself in vegan culture and launch a whirlwind tour of the U.S. interviewing vegan leaders and food industry reps.

Marisa is about to embark on the most ambitious project of her professional life: Stay tuned as she produces and directs a film that sets itself apart from other documentaries in both tone and approach and is destined to inspire people to make healthy, compassionate & sustainable food choices!

Part 2:

Just as Marisa was excited about her WOW project and ready to get rolling, one very important component of her documentary film, VEGANIZE ME, fell through: her film subject. When Sean dropped out of the project, Marisa turned to her friends for help, and lo and behold, her friend Tony came to the rescue and brought his friend Andrew, who joined the team as co-producer. Now that Marisa has the beginnings of a team, they are putting their heads together to figure out how best to go forward with the project. One thing is certain: there are a LOT of resources for folks who are interested in guerilla documentary filmmaking. Not only are there books, clubs but the there are plenty of people who are passionate about filmmaking and about compassionate consumption and might be able to help.

Their upcoming challenges: build their list of contacts/passionate people who might want to lend resources (money, knowledge); start coming up with a budget; and most importantly, make sure the concept of the film is the best, most effective way to reach their goal of creating an entertaining, innovative film that will educate and inspire the public on healthy, compassionate, & sustainable food choices. Wish us luck!

Part 3:

It's been almost a year since Marisa had the idea for her film, and she's finally down to the wire!!!! With Frank, a passionate NYU film student by her side as co-producer (Andrew ducked out to pursue an exciting acting opportunity), she is going full steam ahead with the project. She's scheduled to begin shooting on June 9th  and will finish on July 7th 2005!

A Note from Marisa:
Just wanted to check in and let you know that the six weeks of veganism is over! I can't believe it. Still have some shoots to do over the next month, but I'm starting to enter the editing process, which is super exciting. All three film subjects are still vegan and are still learning. I hope the learning process never ends! 
 
I tell you, when you put your mind to something, the pieces fall into place.
 
Thanks a kazillion!
Marisa

WOW!