Go Green Expo

It was such a BEAUTIFUL day in New York City today! Finally a day New Yorkers can enjoy especially after the horrendous last few days of winter with the snow and rain storms (Staten Island was hit the hardest of the five boroughs). I thought it would be a great idea to celebrate this gorgeous day by attending the Go Green Expo at Pier 92 in New York City. The Go Green Expo, sponsored by CBS Television Stations, is the largest eco-friendly event in New York City hosting over 200 booths and eco-exhibits. The weekend long event is a great way people can learn about environmentally friendly goods and services for use in everyday living. I took this opportunity to find out more information about the "going green" movement. This event made it clear that by following the "going green" movement we can positively change the way we impact the environment.

Premium Aquascape- A New Jersey based aquascape contractor specializing in ponds, streams, pondless waterfalls, rainwater harvesting systems, and creative landscapes.

Motivators- A company who produces eco-friendly promotional items as a way other businesses can showcase their branding and dedication to living an eco-friendly life

Not only were there over numerous exhibits but the event had presentations through the weekend from eco-celebrity speakers, authors, eco-entrepreneurs and thought leaders including Ed Begley, Jr., Mariel Hemingway, and Bobby Williams. All the exhibits and booths were divided into six categories: Energy & Conservation (including Con Edison), Home & Building (including Home Depot), Travel & Transportation (including Volkswagon of America and Premium Aquascape), Business & Electronics (including The New York Times, Verizon Fios, Motivators, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce,), Health & Beauty (including Green Apple Cleansers), Kids Zone, and Food & Beverages. This was an excellent opportunity for these companies to promote the "going green" movement by showcasing their products, services, and green initiatives. These companies are changing the way they do business for a greener tomorrow. I was so impressed with some of the products that I actually purchased some cleaning products from Wow Green. I feel that this event increased the awareness of how important it is to protect our planet. It is emanate that "going green" is definitely a trend here to stay.

Verizon Fios-Leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government, and wholesale customers.

Green Apple Cleaners-Dry cleaning company uses natural, liquid CO2 instead of harsh chemicals like perchloroethylene, hydrocarbons, and silicone that are hazardous wastes and water contaminants

Shake Rattle and Roll...Over Dead!

That's me in the red wig and boots =)

Kill-Her Entertainment kicks off its 2010 season!!! I figured this was the perfect opportunity to plug my next show. If you have nothing to do next Friday, come to Staten Island to see Shake, Rattle and Roll Over Dead. Here is all the information:

The Trailer Park Music Academy is about to have its annual award show and the competition is dying to win. So get out your boots and come kick up your heels with Kill-Her Entertainment's "SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL...OVER DEAD!"(photo by Jodi Garda)

KILL-HER ENTERTAINMENT & CITY LIGHTS ENTERPRISES

PRESENT

"SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL OVER DEAD"

a u-solve-it MUSICAL Murder Mystery

Featuring: Nikki Lauren, Vinnie Mazella,

Erin Flanagan-Lind, Kimberly Cantoni, Christopher Reinhart, Charlie McLaughlin, Christine Reinhart, Fred Mursch, Natalie Wilder

FRIDAY MARCH 19th

SHOWTIME 7:30pm

HILLSIDE TERRACE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

22 HILLSIDE TERRACE, GREAT KILLS STATEN ISLAND NY

with music by ELVIS, DOLLY PARTON, JOHNNY CASH,PATSY CLINE and many more

COUNTRY LINE DANCING

BUFFET DINNER/DESSERT & SHOW

$47.00 per person

group discounts for 10 or more

CATERING BY CERTOS

Special Lenten Menu choices available

BOX OFFICE # 347 308-5044

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED*No tickets at the door.

Become of fan of Kill-Her Entertainment on FACEBOOK

American Cancer Society's 2010 T-shirt Slogan Contest

This past Wednesday I went to St. John's University for the American Cancer Society's Kickoff Celebration for Relay for Life (which is June 11th at Wagner College so mark your calendars). As I was collecting materials I saw this flyer for a T-shirt slogan contest for students in grades K-12. Every year the American Cancer Society holds a anti-smoking campaign contest to bring awareness to the dancers of firsthand and secondhand smoke. Last year the contest was a radio or television commerical. Two years ago, students were ask to create a drawing of why it is important to live a tobacco free life. Twelve students won the contest and had their drawings composed into a calendar. I was asked to judge the contest due to my active involvement with my platform, T.E.A.C.H., and the Tobacco Free Coalition. It was so difficult choosing only twelve pictures because all of them had great messages to promote. I was extremely impressed with the knowledge these kids had about the dangers of smoking.

If you know someone who is in grades K-12 who would be interested in this contest then please take the time to read the flyer above and contact the American Cancer Society for addition information.

World of Women Gala

Tonight I attended the World of Women Organization's Fifteenth Celebration Women of Distinction Gala. World of Women is a prestigious women's organization on Staten Island whose purpose is to advocate on behalf of women and children. The organization celebrated its fifteenth anniversary by honoring four women who had made a difference in the Staten Island community, including Terry Tarangelo, a South Shore Rotarian and the Past President of the Miss Staten Island Pageant when my mother was the Executive Director. The gala was also a night to recognize young women who have shown tremendous dedication to their education and community service. Six students were the recipients of the World of Women's 2010 Scholarship Award, including Alexandra Mazzucchelli (who of course you know was Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2008). Congratulations to Terry and Alex for their well deserved acheivements!

Terry Tarangelo and my Mom Debra Cantoni


Alexandra Mazzucchelli

The Queen's Corner

Today I was back in New Jersey for The Queen's Corner Pageant Networking Event and Expo. This was a fundraiser for the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Pageant. I wanted to attend not only to support the pageant but to show support for my friend Keelie Sheridan, Miss Brooklyn 2009. It was a wonderful event organized by the founder of The Queen's Corner and Executive Director of the Miss Brooklyn Scholarship Pageant Amaris Acosta.

With Keelie at The Queen's Corner

Saturday Knife Fever

So, remember back in December when I had blogged about my show Twas the Knife Before Christmas with Kill-Her Entertainment and mentioned the show Saturday Knife Fever? Well, now I can finally tell you about the show! This past weekend the company took the show on the road to Sayreville, New Jersey where we performed for a church group having a party at one of the local catering halls. We were excited to perform for a new audience, since the majority of our fan base is from Staten Island. Someone from this group saw the show on Staten Island back in October and requested us to come to Sayreville. Kill-Her Entertainment is used to touring throughout the tri-state area. However, this was my first experience touring with the company. It is always interesting when you perform in a new venue. You really don't know what to expect (like transforming a storage area into the cast dressing room, or instead of having a regular dance call we were forced to adlib the dances during a pre-preshow because five tables have been seated WAY too early). That's what I love about live theatre. You have set blocking, dialogue, choreography....however, you have to be ready for anything and be able to go along with the flow. The show is inspired by the John Travolta classic, Saturday Night Fever. The story takes place at the disco club Odyssey in the 1970s.

The cast of Saturday Knife Fever

My favorite part of the show is the dance contest because I get the opportunity to showcase my choreography (I am the company's choreographer) as well as my dancing skills as Stephanie Marsala. Just like the movie, the Odyssey hosts a dance contest featuring Tony and Stephanie vs. Hector and Rosita. We also incorporate the Night Fever line dance from the movie to open Act II. It is the perfect time for the audience to interact with the cast. We invite them to the dance floor to learn the dance. The night was successful ending with a standing ovasion. I think Kill-Her Entertainment has a new fan base in Sayreville!

IHOP's National Pancake Day

Before I made my appearance with the Staten Island Rotary, I woke up very early (5AM to be exact) and headed to IHOP for National Pancake Day, which was an all day event from 7AM-10PM. This was the fifth year IHOP has been sponsoring this widely popular event. National Pancake Day is the fundraiser benefiting the Children's Miracle Network, The Miss America Organization's National Platform. Caressa Cameron, our reigning Miss America, has been announced as the spokesperson for this year's National Pancake Day in addition to already being the Goodwill Ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network. Basically what happens is people come to IHOP to enjoy a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In return, guests are asked to donate what they would have paid for the free pancakes, or more, to the Children’s Miracle Network hospital in their community. Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. Usually, IHOP's National Pancake Day typically takes place on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday, which signifies the start of Lent), this year the company decided to host its free pancake event on Tuesday, February 23, in order to extend the fundraising efforts by one week to maximize donations for Children's Miracle Network. This year, IHOP hopes to raise $1.75 million, which would make the cumulative fundraising efforts $5 million to commemorate the five years IHOP has hosted this event.

This was the second year I participated in National Pancake Day. Last year, I attended the event as Miss Staten Island helping IHOP raise $1.3 million for the Children's Miracle Network. I was excited to be able to participate once again at my local IHOP but this time as Miss Richmond County. I invited Kara Jae Kowalski, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2009, to accompany me that morning. We greeted guests, signed autographs, and told them how they could donate to the Children's Miracle Network. As we were enjoying our free stack of pancakes, Greg T from the Elvis Duran and the Z100 Morning Show walked into IHOP while on the air! He mentioned the event on Z100 and even gave Kara and I a shout out! We invited him to our table for some pancakes as we talked to him about the event and our platforms. He even donated $65 to the organization! It was truly a successful event on Staten Island. We had a wonderful time promoting the Miss America National Platform. For more information on National Pancake Day, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/.

Donating to Children's Miracle Network
Greeting Greg T from Z100

Thumbs up!

Chatting and having breakfast with Greg T

Wearing the red IHOP apron

With some IHOP waitresses

Last year with Master Kim, owner of IHOP on Staten Island

Interview with NY1

Staten Island Advance photo