Monday, August 31, 2015

Media Monday: KRUSING AMERICA wins Best Documentary Short at The San Diego International Kids Film Festival!

The Award for BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT 
goes to…
KRUSING AMERICA


HERE ARE ALL THE WINNERS!! 
Congratulations!!


SDIKFF Mission Statement:
The San Diego International Kid's Film Festival promotes the idea of entertainment with education. Supported by many across the world, the festival supports the entertainment and education industries by showcasing international films, and gives young, aspiring filmmakers a channel to communicate to an international community. The resulting collaboration produces a unique multi-cultural experience, engaging young viewers with positive media, as a diverse education.

For more on SDIKFF: http://sdkidsfilms.org/Home.html

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Sunday Saying: The Biggest Adventure You Can Ever Take is to LIVE the Life of Your Dreams!


This is my Birthday weekend and my Docu-Series KRUSING AMERICA
has been winning so many awards: 25 Awards in 3 months! 
I am living my dream – are you?!

Linda Kruse
KRUSING AMERICA Creator


Saturday, August 29, 2015

Saturday Study: Lee & Marie's Cakery Part 2 - Unique Mission / Employment Opportunities for Autistic Adults @leeandmaries

Continuing from my Foodie Friday Post from yesterday - Lee & Marie's Cakery is known as having one of the best Key Lime Pie's in Miami. The brainchild of social entrepreneur and philanthropist, owner Andrea “Andy” Travaglia Lee & Marie's has a menu of freshly made items including a roster of scrumptious cakes, cookies and confections, all based on the availability of local ingredients. Everything is made from scratch in L&M's production kitchen. But one of the most unique aspects in the production kitchen is the second part of the mission that L&M's was conceived with:

First, Lee & Marie's Cakery created a much needed neighborhood bakery that offered a creative and delectable twist on American bakery classics.

Yohanna diligent at work!
Yohanna diligent at work!
But the second and most important mission embraces a cause close to Andy Travaglia heart, providing support and employment to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In tandem with the University of Miami/Nova Southeastern University's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Lee & Marie's provides employment opportunities for autistic adults, helping to guide them on a path to greater independence and an enhanced quality of life.

According to Andrea Travaglia, Everyone seems to know someone affected by autism - it affects one in 88 children; and actually one in 54 boys. It is the fastest growing, serious developmental disability in the U.S. Unfortunately, once an autistic youth reaches adulthood, their treatments are reduced drastically and they age out of the system. The uncertainty of their future, coupled with the 90% unemployment rate in the community, has motivated Travaglia in creating businesses that not only employ these individuals but also help nurture them through adulthood. 

Opening the bakery has given me the opportunity to educate my customers, employees and industry leaders on the many benefits of hiring adults with autism. They are extremely diligent, creative, and genuinely thankful for the opportunity to work. Collaborating firsthand with ‘our adults’ has given my business a unique insight into their world! – Andy Travaglia

Deliciously Timeless: http://www.leeandmaries.com

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Linda Kruse
KRUSING AMERICA
Creator / Producer / Director

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Friday, August 28, 2015

Friday Foodie in Miami: Best Key Lime Pie – Lee & Marie's Cakery / Deliciously Timeless with a Unique Mission! Part 1 of 2 @leeandmaries


Key lime pie at Lee & Marie's
I love when I research something for one reason and come across an entirely new and better find! I was looking for my usual Friday Foodie post but something that would be special to Florida as I am traveling this week; not only did I find an amazing Key Lime Pie at Lee & Marie's Cakery in Miami but also an owner on a unique mission. Lee & Marie's provides employment opportunities for autistic adults, helping to guide them on a path to greater independence and an enhanced quality of life. Absolutely prefect to highlight in my KRUSING AMERICA blog! 
Read on to learn more:

Lee &Marie’s Cakery, a dynamic bakery/cafe hybrid or Cakery dishes up delicious baked goods, sandwiches, salads and other mouthwatering delights. Located at 40 South Pointe Drive on South Beach, the indoor/outdoor 50 seat cafe is the brainchild of social entrepreneur and philanthropist, owner Andrea “Andy” Travaglia.

_DSC0011
Lee & Marie's South Beach Interior
Named to honor the recipes of Travaglia daughters grandmothers, the quaint, homey shop serves breakfast and lunch daily, with a menu of freshly made items including a roster of scrumptious cakes, cookies and confections, which changes day-to-day based on the availability of local ingredients. Everything is made from scratch in L&M's production kitchen, housed in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, FL. 


Read tomorrows Saturday Study & Learn Blog post (8/29/2015) and learn what the dual mission of this amazing Cakery is all about. 

Deliciously Timeless: http://www.leeandmaries.com


If you can't make it to Miami and Lee & Marie's Cakery here is an 
EASY KEY LIME PIE RECIPE - 

Sandra's Key Lime Pie


INGREDIENTS
1(8 ounce) package cream cheese
1(14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks
1⁄2 cup Nellie & Joe famous key west lime juice
1 9-inch graham cracker crust





DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat softened cream cheese until creamy.
Add sweetened condensed milk and beat to incorporate.
Add egg yolks and beat well.
Add lime juice and beat till combined.
Pour mixture into pie crust and spread with spatula until evenly distributed.
Place on cookie sheet and then into the oven and bake for 10 min.
until the filling begins to set.
Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack at room temp.
Then place in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Two works better.
Cut into 8 slices and serve with a generous helping of whipped cream.


From http://www.food.com/recipe/sandras-key-lime-pie-57679

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Throwback Thursday: KRUSING AMERICA Florida Promo!

Visiting Florida this week - thought it would be perfect to show the 
KRUSING AMERICA Florida Promo again. If you haven't seen it – 
Come Krus with us in Florida. 


 CLICK HERE to watch the FLORIDA PROMO

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KRUSING AMERICA
Creator / Producer / Director



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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Women of the World: Mom, Ros Thackurdeen / SIGN THE PETITION Protect Students Abroad for Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Student Study Abroad Act

The Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Student Study Abroad Act will require study abroad programs to report deaths and injuries so that future participants and parents can make informed decisions.

Ros Thackurdeen's son, Ravi died a 100% preventable death on study abroad; so did Elizabeth Brenner's Son, Thomas Plotkin. Many have been raped, mugged, drugged, murdered - NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY. 

Study Abroad is federally funded, unregulated and in many schools mandated as a graduation requirement. Schools does not share what happens on prior programs. Knowledge of previous deaths and injuries is the foundation of fatality prevention. With comprehensive and transparent study abroad safety data, patterns can be revealed, and a science-based understanding of prevention achieved.
That's why I signed a petition to Congressman John Kline, The Committee on Education and The Workforce, The United States House of Representatives, and 3 others.

Will you sign this petition? Click below:


Thank You!
Linda Kruse

Monday, August 24, 2015

For Immediate Release: KRUSING AMERICA in top 10 Finalist by FilmMakers Global Trailer Festival! @KrusingAmerica @LindaKruse @AtticusProd


August 24th, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FilmMakers Global Trailer Festival
info@filmmakers.com
www.filmmakers.com/festival/trailer/
 
FilmMakers Magazine Announces Trailer Finalists
Hollywood, CA -- FilmMakers Magazine is pleased to announce the finalists in the first Filmmakers Global Trailer Festival.

THE FINALISTS ARE: (in alphabetical order)
Beast Bits
Bottled Up
Break The Rock
Convergence
Dream House
I Know You
Krusing America
Outed The Painful Reality
The Driver
Zeide
Honorable mention: I before thee




Media Monday: KRUSING AMERICA premiering at San Diego International Kids' Film Festival August 29, 2015!

This Saturday August 29th is my birthday and KRUSING AMERICA will be premiering at the SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL KIDS' FILM FESTIVAL on my birthday! August 29th - at 3PM. What a great birthday gift!


The Trailer above by Faruq Tayo Oyekan highlights whats to come…

The 12th annual San Diego International Kids' Film Festival promotes the idea of entertainment with education. Supported by many across the world, the festival supports the entertainment and education industries by showcasing international films, and gives young, aspiring filmmakers a channel to communicate to an international community. 

The resulting collaboration produces a unique multicultural experience, engaging young viewers with positive media, as a diverse education.

For screening passes and event passes visit: http://2015sdikff.eventbrite.com

Screening schedule (PDF Version) at https://goo.gl/L6XFS1

KRUSING AMERICA will screen Day 2 / Saturday Showcase #7 at 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

More schedule details at http://sdkidsfilms.org/Films.html

Look for interesting films made for and by kids. Join us and explore more with your friends!

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Saturday Study & Learn: The Periwinkle Foundation: Programs that change the lives of children with Cancer


While I was working in Houston this week I came across a collection of paintings by kids 3-15 years old. When I looked closer I saw they are by kids with health issues. All part of The Periwinkle Foundation. Which develops and provides programs that positively change the lives of children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children Hospital. 







www.periwinklefoundation.org / www.txch.org
          Houston International Airport American Airlines Terminal A
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Linda Kruse
KRUSING AMERICA
Creator / Producer / Director


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Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday Foodie: OPORTO Fooding House in Houston, TX


One of the best parts of being able to travel all over the world is meeting and working with other people of like mind. Or like stomach. My friend Melissa and colleague is a real foodie now living in Houston. But Mel has Celiacs Disease which means her small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten making it difficulty in digest certain foods. Since she has had to find places she can eat at - she does her research and never disappointments. Even with eating issues she is still a huge foodie. And each time I'm with her, she introduces me to amazing eating establishments. 

This trip was no different. She took me to Oporto. And amazing food house and now one of my new favorite places to eat in Houston. Take a look at the pictures from last nights dinner and you'll see why - tastes even better than it looks  - if that's even possible. 

 food-ing hous / - noun - a mash-up of a bakery, café, restaurant and bar that features an open kitchen offering several dining options, served in a rustic, warm and inviting atmosphere. (Syn: “eating house” or “public wine house”)

Similar to the ones you may find in Europe, OPORTO is an intimate 'Fooding House' which includes a boutique bar setting that is the perfect place to relax with friends or have a romantic date night.

A concept originated in 2006 by husband and wife team, Chef Rick and Shiva Divirgilio. They wanted to bring their hometown of Houston a Portugese-inspired food and wine bar, similar to what you might find in a taberna in Lisbon or Porto. Combining a rustic European menu with a boutique wine list and mini-cocktail bar alongside a cafe and bakery, Oporto Fooding House & Wine or "O2" is born.

Their personalized service and atmosphere will make you feel cozy as you graze over flavorful food selections. To quote one of their regulars...'it's like going to Europe without a passport'.

Housemade Desserts





Over 50 wines by the glass from Portugal, Spain, Italy, South America, and the U.S.
The largest Portuguese wine collection in the city



Thursday, August 20, 2015

Throwback Thursday: KRUSING AMERICA opening credits by Producer, Director and Creator Linda Kruse

A collection of images from my childhood and early travels 
with my brother and star of KRUSING AMERICA, Lt. Colonel Victor Krus (RET).
The inspiration for the multi-award winning Docu-Series.


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Wednesday Women: Texan, Sissy Spacek & The Amazon Aid Foundation #artsfortheamazon @AmazonAidF #SissySpacek #rainforest

I'm in Texas this week so who better to highlight on my Women on Wednesday than an amazing Texan women, actress and artist for the Amazon Rainforest.

“The Amazon is a lush, beautiful place filled with a plethora of sounds, smells, colors and shapes. It’s a world teeming with life. But most importantly, it’s millions of #trees that provide oxygen for our planet, and a barrier against #climatechange.”  
– Sissy Spacek

Sissy Spacek has been one of the film industry’s most respected actresses for more than three decades. Her many honors include an Academy Award, five additional Oscar nominations, three Golden Globe Awards and numerous critics awards.

In 1980, Spacek starred as Loretta Lynn in the acclaimed biopic‚ Miner’s Daughter, winning the Oscar and Golden Globe Award for her performance. Her most recent Oscar nomination came for her portrayal of a mother grieving for her murdered son in the drama, the Bedroom, for which she also won a Golden Globe Award, an Independent Spirit Award, and an AFI Film Award for Best Actress.

Throughout her career, Spacek has balanced her career in entertainment with supporting organizations that help animals, support family farms, advocate for the protection of free speech, and educate people on environment ideal for our Women on Wednesday blog post. 

The AMAZON AID FOUNDATION is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about environmental issues in the Amazon rainforest through integrative science, art, and multimedia projects with a focus of educating youth around the world. Through interactive donor campaigns, Amazon Aid also provides solutions for protecting the rainforest by partnering with dedicated scientists and local organizations on the ground.

Amazon Aid works with some of the most respected forest ecologists who act as scientific advisors to ensure that their messages reflect current and accurate Amazonian research. Amazon Aid is the bridge between the public and the scientific community. They hope to protect and preserve the rainforest for future generations to enjoy. 

Perfect to highlight on KRUSING AMERICA. Click and read more.

http://amazonaid.org

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We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…
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Linda Kruse
KRUSING AMERICA
Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd
LIKE us on Facebook

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Travel Tuesday: Boerne, TX & Enchanted Springs Ranch / Cowboys, Cattle Ranches & Chuckwagons. Must visit!

Me with my niece & nephew hamming it up
at Enchanted Springs Ranch.
My brother having fun with his kids
at Enchanted Springs Ranch. 
I'm traveling this week to Texas so I thought I'd share one of my favorite stories while shooting KRUSING AMERICA in the Texas Hill Country outside of San Antonio: all of the towns I had research weren't the right fit - so my bother, Victor (the star of the series) and I started driving… We made a wrong turn off the freeway and ended up in this amazing little town called Boerne, Texas and at Enchanted Springs Ranch. 

The easiest group to direct - A bunch of hams!
When I think of Texas and the Old West - I think of cowboys, cattle ranchers and chuckwagon's. That charm does exist in the Texas Hill country. Just 20 minutes north of San Antonio is a delightful small-town rooted in the Texas heritage of hospitality, courtesy and kindness.  open friendly community who's spirit will warm the heart of any stranger. Beautiful winding roads carved into the scenic rolling hills where sunsets give way to star-filled nights and the morning sunrise comes up on the people as genuine as the land they tend. Next stop on Krusing America is the charismatic hill country town of Boerne, Texas and Enchanted Spring Ranch. Definitely must stop and see when you visit Boerne. 

Krusing America family & the family
of Enchanted Springs Ranch
Behind the scenes filming at
Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne, TX
I've include a few pictures from our shoot at Enchanted Springs Ranch with owners & retired military Steve & Vicki Schmidt and their family. A perfect fit and a perfect time. 


Visitors come to Boerne to lazily stroll Main Street, see some historic sites, discover the variety of wonderful shops, galleries and restaurants and enjoy a slower pace of life. The warm friendly community of Boerne won't discourage you from indulging. Rest up at one of the quaint Inns or B&Bs and embrace the cozy, Southern hospitality at its best! 

Visit Borne websites and see Where to Shop, Where to Eat, and Where to Stay pages to find out how to make the most out of your getaway! Perfect place to visit on Travel Tuesday and any day. See and read more at: http://www.visitboerne.org

Monday, August 17, 2015

MEDIA MONDAY: IndieFEST Film Award results - KRUSING AMERICA wins again in 6 categories!

Dear Linda:

Congratulations!

On behalf of our entire staff and panel of judges, I am pleased to inform you that you have won 6 IndieFEST Film Awards! 

Linda Kruse (USA), KRUSING AMERICA

Award of Merit Special Mention: Tourism/Travel

Award of Merit Special Mention: Children/Family Programming

Award of Merit Special Mention: Television – Pilot Program

Award of Merit Special Mention: Television – Program/Series

Award of Merit Special Mention: Documentary Short

Award of Merit Special Mention: Women Filmmakers  

Winning an IndieFEST is something you can be proud of!  Judges base their decisions on the quality and creativity of each piece and winning means the craft and skill exhibited by your entry is outstanding and stands above other productions.

Congratulations and thank you for your participation in the IndieFEST Film Awards. We look forward to seeing more work from you in the future and wish you all the best!

Best wishes,
Rick Prickett
Competition Coordinator
The IndieFEST Film Awards




Saturday, August 15, 2015

Saturday Study: CHANGE.org - Cecil & His Lion Size Legacy! 100+ petitions specifically about Cecil.


A global movement has exploded following the shooting of Cecil the lion. As the world mourned, millions of people took to Change.org to ask for appropriate punishment for big game hunters and stamp out trophy hunting.
Over 100 related petitions have been created specifically about Cecil. The largest petition, Justice for Cecil the iconic collared lion slaughtered by trophy hunter in Zimbabwe!, has over 1 million supporters.

This map shows signatures globally on the petition from the time it was created through August 5, 2015: 

196 countries are represented among supporters of the Justice for Cecil petition. The top 10 most engaged countries are:

United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
Philippines
Mexico
Argentina
India
France
Brazil

While many petitions were inspired by Cecil’s death, people have shifted focus to fight big game hunting policies generally as well: in the past 2 months, nearly 600 petitions related to big game hunting were launched on Change.org. Many of these ask organizations and companies to ban big game hunting and the transportation of hunting trophies.

One of the most popular of these was declared a victory on Monday. Almost 400,000 supporters provoked Delta to ban the shipment of hunting trophies.

Now, thousands are calling on South African Airways (SAA) to immediatelyban the shipment of hunting trophies. South African Airways announced a ban on the transportation of hunting trophies in April, but just 3 months later, the decision was reversed.

The petition was launched by Regina Fugate, a Cape Town resident passionate about wildlife photography, who says:

“We can make this change if we work together to show South African Airways it’s bad business to ship slaughtered wildlife.”

Other popular petitions against big game hunting include:
Thomas Unise is asking President Obama for new laws to protect big game

Jessica Barrett is asking Canadian officials to ban big game trophy importing in Canada

Rebecca Byrne is asking the Council of the European Union to ban big game trophy importing in the European Union
Lavinia Álvarez is asking the President of South Africa to stop lion hunting in Africa

Alberto Gomez is asking the United States Fish and Wildlife Service toprotect African Lions by classifying them as endangered species

If you’re against big game hunting, consider supporting a petition or starting one of your own.

While airlines ban hunting trophy shipments, UPS says it won’t bow to controversy

Hunters and others looking to ship lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo heads and other big-game trophies across the world still have options available, even as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Air Canada announced this week that they will no longer allow such cargo on their planes.

Shipments of hunting trophies are still allowed by United Parcel Service, a UPS spokeswoman told The Washington Post on Tuesday, noting that the global shipping giant follows U.S. and international laws, not public opinion, in determining what it will and won’t ship.


To sign the petition again the USPS - Visit 
http://forcechange.com/64377/united-states-postal-service-stop-shipping-live-animals/

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We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…
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Linda Kruse
KRUSING AMERICA
Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd
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Friday, August 14, 2015

Friday Foodie: MealSharing.com - The joy of cooking for people you don't know!










MEAL SHARING: A network that connects folks who want to cook for strangers with those who want to eat with strangers is redefining the way food enthusiast foster community around the dinner table. The concept is simple post in any given city, decide what and when they want to cook, how many guess you would like, then post information to the website and anyone interested in attending, will then sign-up. 

It's like an open invitation supper club that offers a unique opportunity to share experiences and make new friends over thoughtfully prepared and cooked meals. The organization has established meal shares in more than 450 cities worldwide. The hope is to expand the program to 10,000 cities in the next 4-5 years.

MEAL SHARING - Just home cooked meals in 450+ cities. Let's Eat!

1

Choose a meal

Find a home cook making gourmet to simple meals near you.
2

Book it up

Find a day and time that work for you and pay via Meal Sharing.
3

Walk in

Join the cook in their home and meet new people.




























https://www.mealsharing.com

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We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 
We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…
Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 
SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 
Linda Kruse
KRUSING AMERICA
Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd
LIKE us on Facebook