Saturday Study: BOYS TOWN – Saving Children, Healing Families

Help plant the seeds of change at BOYS TOWN

I received in the mail a package 
of "Forget-Me-Nots" with an inscription that read:

Help plant the seeds of change at BOYS TOWN

I was not familiar with this organization so I had to look them up…Wow! They've actually been around since 1917 and doing so much to help children and families. 

PREFECT for my blog highlighting great people and organizations doing amazing things in the world. 

BOYS TOWN – Saving Children, Healing Families

For nearly a century Boys Town has given at-risk children the family, support and care they need to overcome their circumstances and realize their potential. They are driven by an unwavering belief that every child and every family has the potential to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.

For more information please visit  www.boystown.org

WHAT THEY DO –

Boys Town Overview

Right now, in communities throughout the country, hundreds of thousands of children are living in fear, seeking guidance and in desperate need of compassion. Powerful forces are also at work tearing at the fabric of our families. Wherever these children and families are hurting, Boys Town is helping. With the support of our generous donors, we’re reuniting kids with their families, finding foster homes for others, providing a Boys Town family for those with nowhere else to turn, and still others are receiving help at home where they can remain together as families.

MORE ABOUT BOYS TOWN –

While ministering to the homeless on the streets of Omaha, Nebraska, Father Edward Joseph Flanagan developed a lifelong interest in young people and their struggle to grow into responsible, productive members of society. Today, with your help, we continue Father Flanagan's mission of saving children and healing families.

Boys Town is also home to parenting and child behavior experts who have developed a wealth of original content over the years that is available for free in our For Parents section. From toddlers to teens, if you have a question you need addressed, chances are we've got an article, video or Q&A on the subject.

Our History | Father Flanagan | Father Flanagan Timeline | Father Flanagan Quotes

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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!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook

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Throwback Thursday: Historical Seaport of Port Townsend, WA

HISTORY: 1 of 5 categories that made up the selection process in 

choosing towns for KRUSING AMERICA 

A town rich in history was essential to the Krus Family:

"Having lived all over the world, we're looking for a town with a strong sense of place and connection to family. Families that have remained for generations help keep the town’s heritage alive, and we certainly found that in Port Townsend, WA," Lt. Colonel Victor Krus.

The history in Port Townsend, WA is quite remarkable but it is the people who actively seek to preserve its rich heritage that make it ideal to highlight in our KRUSING AMERICA blog Throwback Thursday: The History of Port Townsend, WA founded in 1885. 

WATCH the Telly Award-Winning WA episode of KRUSING AMERICA

Please SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Visit Jefferson County Historical Society website

In addition to operating four museum sites and a research center, the historical society provides year-round programming for the community and visitors. Including:

Museum in a Trunk Program

Scholarship Program Field Trip Assistance

History Camp

Oral History Projects

Walking Tours

First Friday Lecture Series

First Night Celebration

Historic Properties Surveys

Online database of collections

KRUSING AMERICA is 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!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

Creator / Producer. Director of Krusing America

Wednesday Women of the World: Ros Thackurdeen from ClearCause / Protect Students Abroad / 3 year anniversary of Ravi Thackurdeen's preventable death

This is EXACTLY why I became a filmmaker and started this blog: to raise awareness and help people like Ros Thackurdeen  - the mother of Ravi Thackurdeen who died a preventable death 3 years ago today while on a Duke University Organized trip in Costa Rica. Ravi is one of so many kids who have died on Study Abroad Programs in the US. ClearCause was created because of these unnecessary and preventable tragedies. 

Ravi Thackurdeen: June 8, 1992 - April 29, 2012

Parents should NOT be afraid to teach their children to experience life. 

Parents should NOT be worried to send their children into the world. 

And 

Parents should NOT outlive their children….

CLEARCAUSE 

We're here because they aren't

Three Year Anniversary of Ravi Thackurdeen's preventable death while on a Duke University Organization for Tropical Studies trip in Playa Tortuga, Costa Rica

Student travel is big business over $170+ Billion and over half a million American students travel outside the US each year. These are among our best and brightest, our future leaders and entrepreneurs.

Currently, the multi-billion dollar, study abroad industry is self-regulated. There are no federal or international laws protecting our students outside the U.S. and no jurisdiction when their feet touch foreign soil. Programs and universities hosting youth abroad are not even required to report such things as theft, robbery, injury, sexual assault, or death. Students are sent to foreign countries with vague awareness of the dangers they could encounter, little preparedness on how to assess and manage risks, and even less knowledge of what to do if/when they find themselves in harms way.

ClearCause Foundation, established in 2010 in honor of Tyler Hill, and every young American who died full of their future on a program that should have been the opportunity of a lifetime. Tyler was barely sixteen when he died in Japan during an Ambassador Group program called People to People Student Ambassadors. His death was 100% preventable.

Tyler Hill: 1991-2007 (16 years old)

Tyler's parents, Sheryl and Allen Hill started the foundation and published TylerHill.org to inform and engage others in an effort to establish Traveling Youth & Students Standards of Safety (TYS SOS) – because no state or federal oversight, minimum standards, or transparent public reporting exists. Student travel is big business - $170+ Billion according to WYSTC, 2013.

The Hills did not expect to hear from so many others whose child was scammed, molested, raped, abused, malnourished, killed and more abroad. American youth have been placed with unsafe chaperones, in unsafe housing, in unsafe areas, in unsafe vehicles with unsafe drivers. There is no jurisdiction when feet leave foreign soil. Hundreds have perished. Most deaths are preventable.

ClearCause strives to advance safe global youth travel. Our traveling future leaders deserve emergency preparedness planning, region risk assessment, study abroad safety training, and laws to better protect them overseas. Through the implementation of our Global Safety Education Program, our goal is for every youth and student going abroad to have safe, rewarding experiences they can bring home to share with their local communities.

REMEMBERING RAVI

http://www.clearcausefoundation.org/#!Remembering-Ravi-Thackurdeen/c1kes/2

RAVI'S LAW

http://www.clearcausefoundation.org/#!ravislaw/c1745

Support ClearCause and support mothers like Sheryl Hill and Ros Thackurdeen

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE about ClearCause

Learn More, Get Involved, Make a Difference

Linda Kruse 

Creator, Producer, Director

Saturday Study: Non-Profit CLEAN THE WORLD: Recycling hotel soap to save the world!

This week I had the opportunity to stay at The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas during National Broadcasters Association. I was working on my interview notes in my hotel room and I noticed the Hotel TV was set on their homepage. That is when I first heard of the Non-profit: Clean The World. Just wait till you see what they are doing – Recycling hotel soap to save the world!!!

CHECK OUT on FACEBOOK: Clean the world

CLEAN THE WORLD is definitely a non-profit organization worth highlighting AND read more below about The Sands Corporation (The owners of The Palazzo and several other hotels) and their ECO360.

WATCH THE VIDEO: Recycling Soap to Save the World

SANDS CORPORATION ECO360

Our responsibility to the planet is as important to us as our commitment to the comfort and well-being of our guests and Team Members. The Sands ECO360° Global Sustainability strategy is designed to help minimize our environmental impact, and it reflects our vision to lead the way in sustainable building development and resort operations. Our legacy must be to leave a responsible, cleaner, and safer world for future generations. At Las Vegas Sands Corp., this is far more than just an idea.

PRESS RELEASES
Las Vegas Sands’ Energy Conservation Program Saved Nearly 50 million kWh in 2013
14-Aug-2014LAS VEGAS – August 14, 2014 – Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), the world's premier developer and operator of integrated resort destinations, continues to drive leadership in corporate environmental stewardship today by sharing that it reduced its energy consumption worldwide in 2013 by 47.3 million kWh through the completion of more than 80 energy efficiency projects, reducing energy use at existing operations by 6.9 percent and 5.1 percent in newly opened properties.

The company today released its most recent environmental report, Behind the Scenes: 2013 Sands ECO360⁰ Report1, a comprehensive study of the Las Vegas Sands' green building approach, environmentally responsible operations, sustainable meetings program and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Beyond its accomplishment in energy conservation, some of the company's other key sustainability achievements in 2013 include:
In Las Vegas, LVS has achieved an average recycling rate of 57 percent.


Marina Bay Sands, LVS' property in Singapore, reduced its emissions by 10 percent, the largest reduction of all LVS properties.

LVS' properties in Macao conserve nearly 30 million gallons of water annually due to the installation of faucet aerators.

The Sands Bethlehem team donated more than five tons of clothing and coats to charities, preventing this waste from going to landfill.

LVS achieved eight new environmental awards and certifications; now almost all of LVS' properties around the world hold at least one third-party sustainability certification.LVS also further deepened its commitment to green building in 2013, launching its Global Sustainable Development Standards, which provide sustainable owner project requirements for the development of new resorts and the renovation of existing properties. The standards are based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) principles, including energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, sustainable materials and waste recycling. The Standards also incorporate the company's global best practices such as comprehensive lighting standards, advanced loading dock environmental provisions, as well as recycling guidelines.

"The Sands ECO360° Global Sustainability strategy reflects our vision to lead the way in sustainable building development and resort operations," said Katarina Tesarova, vice president of global sustainability at LVS. "The accomplishments LVS achieved in 2013 illustrate successes in our primary focus areas, green building and energy conservation, along with other areas, such as waste diversion, team member engagement, and building impactful partnerships. We've also more closely aligned practices at all of our properties globally to build a standard of excellence in sustainability around the world."

Through Sands ECO360 °, LVS has set the standard for environmental conservation in the hospitality and gaming industries, earning a wide range of recognitions and certifications for "green" building, operations and reporting. In 2013, the Sands Expo and Congress Center at The Venetian | The Palazzo in Las Vegas was the first meeting venue in the world to achieve APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Level Two certification from the Convention Industry Council and ASTM International for its leading green meeting practices. Marina Bay Sands, LVS' property in Singapore was the first meeting venue outside of the United States to be certified at Level One. LVS also earned recognition in 2013 from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the world's only global environmental disclosure system, by securing a position on the CDP's Global 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) for the company's measurement of greenhouse gas emissions and the transparency of its climate change strategy. The Sands ECO360° program has been fully integrated into LVS' operations and remains focused on meeting environmental objectives in four fundamental areas: green buildings, environmentally responsible operations, sustainable meetings, and stakeholder engagement.

For more information about Sands ECO360⁰ or to download a copy of the 2013 Environmental Report, please visit http://www.sands.com/sands-eco-360/our-news/environmental-report.html..

1 The 2013 Sands ECO360⁰ Report adheres to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3.1 Sustainability Reporting guidelines.

About Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) is the world's leading developer and operator of Integrated Resorts. Our collection of Integrated Resorts in Asia and the United States feature state-of-the-art convention and exhibition facilities, premium accommodations, world-class gaming and entertainment, destination retail and dining including celebrity chef restaurants, and many other amenities.

Our properties include the five-diamond Venetian and Palazzo resorts and Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Sands Bethlehem in Eastern Pennsylvania, and the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd., LVS owns a portfolio of properties on the Cotai Strip in Macao, including The Venetian Macao, The Plaza and Four Seasons Hotel Macao and Sands Cotai Central, as well as the Sands Macao on the Macao Peninsula.

LVS is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen, anchored by the core tenets of delivering a great working environment for nearly 50,000 employees worldwide, driving impact through its Sands Cares corporate citizenship program and leading innovation with the company's award-winning Sands ECO360° global sustainability program. To learn more, please visit www.sands.com.

Saturday Study & Learn: Kids Against Hunger

One of the original camera men from KRUSING AMERICA is doing wonderful things in the world. His production value and heart - is second to none.

Take a look at Frank Lozano's latest project: KIDS AGAINST HUNGER

Amazing work both as a humanitarian and a filmmaker!

watch the video: KIDS AGAINST HUNGER

Houston's Kids Against Hunger draws on the combined strengths of over 100 satellites across the US and Canada. They raise awareness about hunger and work to eradicate it. Houston's Kids Against Hunger is a project of Houston-based charity Global Aid Partnership. Since 2008, Houston's Kids Against Hunger has packaged and shipped over 500,000 meals across the world and in the United States. Their latest project is to feed the orphans at Victory Christian Children's Home in Malawi.

http://www.globalaidUSA.org/HoustonsKids

My sincere thanks goes to Westmedia, Perth for the kind donation of their beautiful footage captured in Malawi. http://www.westmedia.com.au

Please let us know of people, organizations or channels devoted to education

we'd love to feature them.

CONNECT with us on Social Media, JOIN the conversation and SUBSCRIBE to our Channel. 

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Travel Tuesday: Explore Florida on Krusing America

Travel and explore the beaches of Florida!
Check out the Florida Episode of Krusing America.

CLICK HERE to WATCH the FLORIDA PROMO

We would love to know where you would choose to live if you were KRUSING AMERICA.

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

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse
Creator Krusing America

Media Monday: KRUSING AMERICA Florida Promo

Media Monday: 

CLICK to WATCH the FLORIDA PROMO

 PLEASE CLICK to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel

Please let us know of people, organizations or channels

creating quality content – we'd love to feature them.

Thank You! 
Linda Kruse
Krusing America Creator

Sunday Spiritual: Florida Hospital Orlando Prayer Room

Spiritual Sunday: 

Florida Hospital Orlando Prayer Room. 

Very Inspirational. Happy Eater.

Tuesday Travel: Smithfield, VA...

Visit Virginia with KRUSING AMERICA 

and live the dream! 

We would love to know where you would choose to live if you were KRUSING AMERICA.

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

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching. 

Linda Kruse

Media Monday: Watch KRUSING AMERICA Episode 2: Virginia

Sneak Peak:

Scroll to the bottom to watch the 
Virginia Episode of Krusing America

Please Share & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Please let us know of people, organizations or channels

creating quality content – we'd love to feature them.

Thank You! 
Linda

Sunday Saying: "In life the things that go wrong are often the very things that lead to other things going right" – Arianna Huffington

Hangs next to my desk….

"In life the things that go wrong are often the very things that lead to other things going right."
Arianna Huffington

Please feel free to send any sayings or inspirational quotes my way.

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel.

Thanks for reading.

Linda

NO LETTING GO: Feature Film helping to develop educational curriculum for children with mental health issues. Blog by Consulting Producer Linda Kruse

PRESS RELEASE for Blog

NO LETTING GO: The latest feature film from multi-award winning Director Jonathan Bucari 

(Blog by NO LETTING GO Consulting Producer Linda Kruse )

Eighteen month ago I had the pleasure of consulting on what would soon become the multi-award winning short film: ILLNESS. Within it's first year ILLNESS won 27 nominations winning 7 awards. 

It's a familiar story for millions of families who's children suffer with mental health issues. It's an invisible illness that often leaves families feeling alone and in silence. And It seemed the tag line for ILLNESS: "Short Film with a Big Message", resonated with a lot of viewers. 

The overwhelming interest in the short film and the subject matter led us to produce the feature length version titled NO LETTING GO. Inspired by the short, the feature film is based on a true life events and takes heartfelt and candid look at the shattering effects of childhood mental illness. NO LETTING GO is a powerful film about love, strength and the resiliency of the human spirit. 

The cast includes Cheryl Allison, who reprised the lead role from ILLNESS, won Best Actress Southampton International Film Festival, UK, Richard Burgi of "The Sentinel" and  "Desperate Housewives", Kathy Najimy from "Sister Act 1 and 2", Alysia Reiner of "Orange is the New Black" and "How to Get Away with Murder", and Gabriel Rush of "Moonrise Kingdom" and "Budapest Hotel", just to name a few.  

In NO LETTING GO, a family’s world starts to unravel as their middle son, Tim, becomes increasingly fragile and difficult to handle. Tim’s painful struggle to cope with everyday life takes its toll on his parents and the well being of his brothers. Anger, resentment and conflict arise as Tim’s parents struggle to understand and find answers for their son’s increasingly erratic behavior and emotional instability.

NO LETTING GO honestly portrays the devastating effects of childhood mental health disorders and lets families know they are not alone. Since the beginning the creators of ILLNESS and NO LETTING GO have focused on developing an educational  curriculum 
for schools everywhere. 

Scheduled to hit film festivals in 2015 with a release following. Most recently, NO LETTING GO was submitted to the Cannes Film Festival in several categories and is waiting announcement for it's premiere date. 

To learn more about NO LETTING GO visit www.nolettinggomovie.com 

For Tax Deductible Donation please visit

  CLICK HERE for Indiegogo Campaign

Contributions will support the continued efforts in developing an educational curriculum 

for middle and high school programs.

PRESS RELEASE: KRUSING AMERICA Double Telly Award Winner

Press Release

KRUSING AMERICA Double Telly Award Winner

Los Angeles, CA [PRWEB] March 23, 2015

The Telly Awards has named KRUSING AMERICA two-time winner in the 35th Annual Telly Awards for BEST ORIGINAL SERIES and THE PEOPLE'S TELLY for the 6-part travel docu-series created by Linda Kruse.

“The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,” said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. “Linda Kruse's accomplishment on KRUSING AMERICA illustrates that creativity, skill, and dedication to the craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production."

ABOUT KRUSING AMERICA

After spending most of his life outside the United States defending a country he’s never really lived in, where does a decorated 20-year US Army soldier, back from the War, go home to…if he’s never really had one? In this 6-part family travel documentary series, Lt. Colonel Victor Krus and his family travel the country in search of their home, sweet home. 

“It’s the story of an American hero without an American hometown”, said Linda Kruse, series creator and the sister of Lt. Colonel Krus.  "With the war coming to an end, no story resonates more than the story of coming home. It's a twist on the classic feeling of ‘coming home’. As with all of my work, my hope is to touch the hearts of viewers and inspire the country," Linda Kruse said. 

ABOUT THE TELLY AWARDS

Founded in 1979, the Telly is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work from the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

For its 35th season, The Telly Awards once again joined forces with YouTube to give the public the power to view and rate videos submitted as part of the People’s Telly Awards. In addition to recognition from the Silver Telly Council, the judging panel that selects the Telly Awards winners, the Internet community helps decide the People’s Telly Awards winners.

A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents.  The Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work – entries do not compete against each other – rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit.  Less than 10% of entries are chosen as Winners.

"I heard there were nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, so getting a Telly is truly an honor. But getting two Telly's, and one of them a People's Telly – I was floored," said Linda.

To find out more about the Telly Awards visit www.tellyawards.com

LINDA KRUSE & ATTICUS PRODUCTIONS, INC.  

Linda Kruse is also the Owner / CEO of Atticus Productions, Inc. an Los Angeles and London based production company producing projects all over the world that explore challenging, intriguing and sometimes controversial topics – all while definitively capturing real people and the worlds they live in. 

     Earlier this year, Linda became a DOVE Approved Director with KRUSING AMERICA – the DOVE Foundation honors directors who create original Family-friendly content suitable for the entire family.  "Engaging interviews woven into stories that are presented with a creative elegance that is Linda’s signature style. Krusing America reflects a vision that is both creative and comfortable, making Linda Kruse an emerging director worth watching,“ said Howard Benjamin, TV / Film Critic with The Interview Factory.

For Distribution inquiries contact Atticus Productions, Inc.  
(818) 370-4649