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Clinica Verde breaks ground! Congratulations to all of you who have donated time & money to this amazing cause. What a journey…what a story! Meanwhile, last week I turned in my final application for the Getty’s Grants for Good to continue my photojounalism work in Nicaragua . Send me some positive thoughts, prayers, keep your fingers crossed, get out that rabbit foot…whatever works for you; I’ll appreciate your thougths.
St. Helena Cooperative School’s Auction 2009 ” A Good Thing Growing” was wildly successful last night! A huge thank you to all of the many dedicated, creative & fabulously fun parents that made the night what it was. And thank you generous bidders…you are amazing!
Lastly, thank you also parents for allowing me to explore my creativity with your beautiful children. I will have a link for you to order prints soon. Email me if you are intrested. For those of you who missed it or those of you who would like another peak…here’s the SLIDESHOW of the many faces of the Co-op: Joy, Laughter, Curiosity, Exploration, Generosity, Discovery, Friendship… This too will be availabe for purchase at the Co-op soon! Meanwhile… enjoy! 
enjoy! 
As some of you know, another fantastic ball I juggle is my role as daughter, event coordinator, photographer & designer for my family’s wine business; Clark-Claudon. It is an ideal fit for me as I have limited knowledge of grape growing (my father’s passion) or the wine business (my mom’s expertise), but have a passion towards the family busines and the philanthropic causes that the family business is so involved in.
My brilliant mom recently had a fantastic idea of a way to support foundations that were truly making a difference. So…as a proud daughter, I had to share. Read on for more info…
And by all means…enjoy the photography AND purchase some vino while you at it.
The 150 mile Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride 2008 is right around the corner. I know, I know…when am do I have time to train for that? I have no idea, but here’s the situation…
I was inspired by a friend who was recently diagnosed with MS. She is a supremely active person who I have trained with multiple times before with the Leukemia & Lymphoma society…it’s a cruel twist of fate that someone who has devoted their life to finding a cure for cancer has now developed MS. She has asked me to ride and I can’t say no. Why? Because I can… and I am riding with her to help her have the strength to keep moving.
MS stops people from moving. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. They simultaneously fund research for a cure while also helping people who currently live with MS lead more fulfilling lives. I believe in the work they do, and I invite you to see for yourself all the good they’ve done for the MS community. More than 400,000 Americans live with MS, and your support can and will make a difference in their lives.
Please help by making a donation – large or small – to our journey to create a world free of MS.
Whatever you can give will help! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.
Do you want to eliminate the tons of unwated catalogs that you receive in the mail.
Visit www.catalogchoice.org , www.myjunktree.com and www.stopthejunkmail.com . You just quickly set up your account and you type in a search for the catolog and the catolog will stop coming within 6 weeks. I’ve tried it and it works!!!
Or if you have a company that you actually want to receive their catalog…contact them and request that they use 100% post consumer products. There is NO reason that any virgin pulp should be used.
What a day! You gotta love days like this when a bunch of awesome people come together to show the power of the positive. OK…here’s the background.
1. Girls on the Run -”GOTR” © is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. The final step in their program is for all girls to run a 5K.
2. Emily Miner – a local friend & mom who is working hard to kick some serious cancer booty. Read her story here. 
3. Clif Bar Family - Gary & Kit have donated an amazing track to the St. Helena community & high school
And 1+2+3 + a dynamic community and what do you get? An awesome event celebrating the successes of the local girls & huge outpouring of support for Mrs. Emily Miner and her army of love. Here’s some pics…thanks to Brian for grabbing a few of these.
Emily’s Army…cancer doesn’t stand a chance!
Calla finishes strong and runs to her big sister Sophie!
Thanks to everyone for making this day possible. The remainder of the photos will be posted on my site under “editorial” soon!
With all of the ills of the world ever-present in the media and in our minds…thought it might be nice to spread some goodness… photographers who are kicking in some karma with camera in hand. Since my Nicaragura trip, I’m eager to know how other photographers are making a differnce with images. Read on…
100 Waiting Children http://www.heartgallerynj.org/ The Heart Gallery is a unique not-for-profit corporation dedicated to raising awareness about foster children available for adoption, through the volunteer efforts of some of the country’s most prestigious photographers.
more to come soon…do you know of any? Let me know and I’ll them to the list.
The strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke a sense of humanity. If it is used well, it is a powerful ancedote in the war aganist all injustices.
Well, we have returned from an amazing trip. Their lives are difficult, the people were wonderful. I’ll let the images tell the story.View my site / ediorial to see more images.
Raquelito age 8. Grandmother cares for after Mother passed away & Father left. Lives is a shack outside of Boaco in the country. Can’t attend school because she can’t afford the price of a uniform.
Boys in Empalme de Boaco. Cutting down branches to sell for firewood. (A common way to help support the family.)
Life on her knees. Empalpe de Boaco
“I dream for my family to have a house…for an easier life.”
Pechu, age 8 & Sister Airiana, age 3 – Mother cleans homes during the day and they look after each other with the help of a neighbor. Pechu hopes to go to school someday. Boaco
To find out more about how to help. Read the full post or check out www.clinicaverde.org
Check out the Napa Register Article about the upcoming event to support Nicaraguan clinic – Clinica Verde.
adios amigos! I’m off to Nicaragua. Can’t wait to share the journey with you all when I return. Don’t forget to sign up for the Wildflowers & Wine Cycle & Picnic on April 12th.
wow…I love learning about programs such as these. Talk about keeping hope alive….
I want to let you all know about a cool non-profit that is doing great things called Kiva. Kiva allows individuals to make $25 loans to low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world (microfinance). By doing so, individuals like you provide affordable working capital for the poor (money to buy a sewing machine, livestock, etc.), empowering them to earn their way out of poverty.
It’s a new, direct and sustainable way to fight global poverty, and the way I see it, I get a higher return on $25 helping someone build a future than the interest my checking account pays.
They also have gift certicates…which would make an amazing, impactful wedding favor.
Please check out the site: http://kiva.org. If you need more “reputable” validation than my recommendation 
, know that they have received great press in publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal to NPR to BusinessWeek. “The Only Non-Profit that Matters”-Fortune Magazine
The strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke a sense of humanity. If it is used well, it is a powerful ancedote in the war aganist all injustices.
Well the countdown has begun before our Nicaragua trip. I have mentioned the trip to many of you and thought I’d explain more here.
I recently saw a movie called ‘War Photographer’; a documentary about a photographer who has made it his life’s work to expose global injustices of war and poverty. His words resonated with my long-range aspirations in photography. “My goal is to create images that are powerful enough to overcome the deluding effects of mass media and shake people up from their indifference.” – James Nachtwey In the words of my husband, “Once people know, how can they look the other way?”
In two weeks, we will be traveling to a small village in the center of Nicaragua. During this trip, I will be visiting and photographing the people that live in these smaller surrounding villages. I am humbeled to be taking my camera into such conditions and hope that I can use my images to increase awareness and hope. It is times like these when I am reminded how small our world is and it is far too easy to close the door; close our minds off to the world that we do not see everyday.
Some of my images will be aiding Clínica Verde , a non-profit creating an environmentally sustainable prototype for a health clinic in Nicaragua that can be replicated throughout the world. Find out more here: www.clinicaverde.com
Upon our return we will be hosting some fundraising events at Clark-Claudon this summer. The first event is a cycling event:Wildflowers & Wine Ride, leaving from the Clark-Claudon ranch and ending in an awesome Napa Valley picnic. Please join us.
For about ten years my family has been involved with this small village in Nicaragua. They have helped to build homes, a park & baseball feild as well as help in the local schools and the clinic. They have funded multiple children to go to school including many girls into university. ( A goal far too often un-attainable in a poverty-striken area.) One particular girl has gone from a shack with black plastic for walls, all the way to university. This spring we will visit her in a ‘real’ home with her husband and new baby. All proceeds from this event will go to students in such dire situations. It is so easy to make a life-changing impact; I give kudos to all who are choosing to do so.
I look forward to sharing the images with you and thank you in advance for any involvement you care to have.
If you would like to help by sponsoring a child or donating to ClinicaVerde, please contact me. briana@brianamariephotography.com, or go to http://www.change.org/nonprofits/view/96728
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What a success! Congrats to the St. Helena Cooperative School for hosting a fabulous night “A Good Thing Growing…Green”. They raised $185 K for the school AND are going to bring the 1855 schoolhouse into the 21st century by going SOLAR.
Enjoy a slideshow that was shown that night. “A Good Thing Growing.” A copy of this DVD is available; contact Briana with inquires.
With the state of the planet on so many’s minds, it’s not surprising that more couples are considering ways to make their wedding day more environmentall conscious. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Go Local – Food & flowers grown nearby require less transportation, support local farmers, and are fresher! Go organic…all the better! Take advantage of the decorating & tabletop items you have on hand.
- Marry by Day – Exchange vows outdoors in the afternoon thus keeping electricity costs down. For an evening reception, consider using softly glowing soy or beeswax candles.
- Think Small – Throw a more intimate event which requires fewer resources and thus less waste
- Give Earth-Friendly Favors – Skip the throw-away trinkets for a donation in guests’ names to an organization that you support. Of if you like, try tiny potted herbs, tree seedlings www.arborday.com or edible gifts such as fair-trade coffee www.groundsforchange.com or organic chocolate www.globalexchange.org
- Save a Tree – Print invitations on recyled paper with soy based inks
- Keep it Close – Try to find a location where you can hold the ceremony & reception without driving a long distance.
- Pay it Back – Purchase carbon offsets from NativeEnergy, a vermont company that uses proceeds to fund cleaner, renewable-energy projects, such as wind farms. (You can even donate in guests names.)
- Recycle – Talk to your caterer to set up a plan to recyle bottles, cans & papergoods. Be creative, what else can be re-used? At our wedding, my husband (who is a potter), threw Raku pots which held beautiful orchids as centerpieces on the tables. When the night was over, each orchid in a personally made pot was a lovely gift for our bridal party. Whether they do double duty or not, consider donating your blooms. Look into finding someone who can take your bouquets / arrangements to a local hospital, homeless shelter, non-profit office or a retirement home.
- Go all out – Dont’ think for a moment that to be green, you have to be boring. ** Check out some photos from a faboulous Sasha Souza Green Wedding ** and see here more info from Sasha on how to plan a Green Wedding. http://sashasouzaevents.blogspot.com/
Online Resources:
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www.ecochicweddings.com - Anderson’s site is full of ceremony & reception ideas
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www.portovert.com - links to everthing from resouce-thrifty honeymoons to organic make-up
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www.pancakeandfranks.com - handmade / recylced invitations
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www.californiaorganicflowers.com - Locally grown organic flowers
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www.eco-limo.com - eco conscious / hybrid limos
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www.3rliving.com - eco friendly wedding gifts
Portions of this article were adapted from Martha Stewert Weddings & www.treehugger.com
Want more info? Tree Hugger’s Guide to Greening your Wedding.
Here’s a sneak peak… It’s that time of year again…the parents have come out to play. The date is Feb. 23, 2008 and the schoolyard this year is Rubicon Estate hosting the 21st annual St. Helena Cooperative Auction “A good thing growing…green.” and it’s going to be a fabulous night! I am pleased to be sharing prints of each child throughout Rubicon estate as well as a DVD slideshow of the children of the school “allowing wonder to happen”. The food & wine will be amazing, the live lots this year are really special…and I do hope everyone enjoys the photos. In addition, a portion of the proceeds goes towards “greening” the school to solar power. Care to play? www.sthelenacoop.org You can purchase tickets online or call 707.965-3706 to request tickets or a catalog.
