Monday, December 31, 2012

89.3 KPCC Southern California Public Radio

Season's Givings: TreePeople restores nature with the help of volunteers


SG_Treepeople

Amy Lieu/KPCC

Stephanie Nelson tells KPCC about her experience as a volunteer for TreePeople, an environmental non-profit organization.
This post is part of KPCC's "Season's Givings" series, chronicling volunteer experiences  and opportunities during the holiday season.View a full listing of charitable organizations seeking help this season and let us know your holiday volunteer story!

Los Angeles is often thought of as an urban jungle, but environmental nonprofit TreePeople sees the potential for greener spaces. Their mission is to reach out to local communities in order to restore wildlife in damaged or underused areas of Southern California. 
Their teams plant, restore and care for trees and plants in Angeles National Forest, the Santa Monica Mountains — even on individual school campuses.
Last year, TreePeople planted more than 14,000 trees. Since 1970, the organization has planted over 2 million trees, according to TreePeople. 
Volunteers play a major role in the organization, with more than 11,000 people donating their time in just last year.
Stephanie Nelson is one of them. In March 2011, she began volunteering after seeing the devastation that took place during a fire in the Angeles National Forest. Nearly two years later, she is a volunteer restoration supervisor. 
"I definitely feel like I am doing something good for the environment. I feel like I'm helping to restore areas, but really...I think the work changes me more than I'm changing anything," Nelson said. "I hope that I'm affecting change, but at the end of the day, what really keeps me coming back is that I feel good about what I've done that day. I feel like I've connected with people in my community."
In the next ten years, TreePeople hopes to provide more canopy tree coverage, more access to parks and improve air quality by planting trees and plants native to the area. But they need help.
The organization welcomes volunteers of all ages with a few restrictions. Find out more at their website.



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Season's Givings 89.3 KPCC

Season's Givings: Sherman Oaks nonprofit 'The Help Group' provides support for children with special needs
Amy Lieu | 

Amy Lieu/KPCC

Andrea Lockhart is a volunteer with The Help Group's after-school improv program. She shares her experience with KPCC.

This post is part of KPCC's "Season's Givings" series, chronicling volunteer experiences  and opportunities during the holiday season.View a full listing of charitable organizations seeking help this season and let us know your holiday volunteer story!

Based in Sherman Oaks, The Help Group  operates nine day schools on seven campuses in the Los Angeles area to provide services for children with special needs related to autism, Asperger's Disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays and emotional problems.
“Typically, kids with autism have a difficult time with social skills. Through the improv games, we help kind of develop those," says Andrea Lockhart, a volunteer for The Help Group’s after-school program.
The improv workshop is only one of the after-school activities offered by The Help Group's Kids Like Me program. Designed to encourage kids with autism and other developmental challenges to laugh, play and interact with one another, the programs are located on The Help Group's Sherman Oaks and Culver City campuses and are open to the public. Other classes offered after school include social skills groups, Yoga Train, ballet, chess, basketball and karate.
Lockhart has been with the program since October. 
"A lot of kids with autism tend to be bullied more than neurotypical kids," she said. "Their self-esteem tends to be a little bit lower. Here at The Help Group, they have these amazing after-school programs that help to encourage, support and uplift these kids."
The program serves more than 1,500 pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students.  
“It's inspiring," said Lockhart. "It makes my week. Every week that I'm here. It’s so uplifting to be a part of this and hope that we're making a little bit of a difference.”
On Saturday, Dec. 15, The Help Group will host a Holiday Carnival at their Sherman Oaks campus for the families in need. The group is looking for more volunteers. For more information, go to their website.


Season's Givings: Pasadena Humane Society seeks helpers to work with animals, outreach | 89.3 KPCC


Season's Givings, Pasadena Humane Society Marilyn Hoyt

Amy Lieu/KPCC

Marilyn Hoyt, a volunteer at the Pasadena Humane Society, tells KPCC about what it's like working with dogs and what keeps her coming back.
This post is part of KPCC's "Season's Givings" series, chronicling volunteer experiences  and opportunities during the holiday season. View a full listing of volunteer opportunities and let us know your holiday volunteer story!

Each year the Pasadena Humane Society provides shelter and care for a number of abandoned or homeless animals. In 2011, the organization took in nearly 12,000 animals found in La Canada Flintridge, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Glendale, Pasadena and South Pasadena.
And each year, the PHS reunites over 1,600 lost pets with their owners. One of those owners includes KPCC’s own Patt Morrison, who found her lost dog, Edgar, at the local shelter.
Volunteers are an essential part of  the humane society.  Currently, the organization relies on more than 400 volunteers to help keep the pets active, assist in adoption outreach, work with the organization's veterinarians, and help out with clerical work.
Marilyn Hoyt, who was 2011's volunteer of the year, has been with the Humane Society for about 3 years. 
"Through the years I have been volunteering, there are obviously times when you become very attached to certain dogs … the dog really gets to know you," she said. "They know who you are because they know that you take them for the walks and you give them the treats and they respond to you. That’s a real rewarding part of all of this."
Once taken in, PHS works to socialize their animals to become more family-friendly so they'll be more attractive adoptees. "When [the dogs] get adopted, we all celebrate," Hoyt said.
Find out more about the Humane Society's volunteer program at their website

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

El Segundo Magazine: Water Harvest Festival Teaches Water Conservation


El Segundo TV Reporter Amy Lieu at the Water Harvest Festival

I covered the 14th Annual Water Harvest Festival last weekend. This year’s theme is “The Value of Water.”  It was really interesting to learn about water conservation. I am again inspired to save water and help save the planet.
The event was at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, hosted by The West Basin Municipal Water District. It’s free to the public and located right here in El Segundo.
The water festival was a big hit in the community, with about 1,500 people in attendance.  Water education, entertainment, games, and food were provided by 45 vendors.
Various booths presented information to the public. Interviewees from the community informed me about water. Through this event, the public, including myself, realized the utmost importance of conserving water. It is such a precious yet dwindling resource. I feel simply humbled and blessed to even have access to it.
Southern California gets its water from the San Francisco Bay Delta and the Colorado River. Because of population growth, sustaining the water source is becoming an increasing problem.
Some of the ways that people can conserve water are to close the faucet while brushing one’s teeth, use a broom to sweep the driveway instead of hosing it down, and limiting showers to about five minutes. Another way is by fixing any leaks.
You can find out more about water conservation, recycling water, and its importance at the West Basin website: www.westbasin.org.
In my video story, you will see the important functions of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility. In fact, it is offering free tours to the public the second Saturday of every other month. Remaining tours for the year are September 8 and November 10.  You can also visit the website above for more information.
Watch my Water Harvest Festival story for El Segundo Magazine here.
I can’t wait to share my next story with you all!

Yours Truly,
Amy Lieu
El Segundo TV Reporter

Saturday, November 17, 2012

89.3 KPCC

5 things worth seeing at this year's Green Festival in downtown LA

Avais Dinga/Courtesy of OrganicWorks PR

This weekend's Green Festival in downtown Los Angeles will bring over 300 vendors, over 100 speakers and a variety of other events to the Los Angeles Convention Center.  It runs from Saturday at 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Sunday. 
Organizers expect over 30,000 attendees, over 8,000 more than last year. Regional Director Laurie Kaufman tells KPCC the event is aimed at those who are green conscious (and "green-curious") from all political backgrounds. “[It's] fun, it's smart, it tastes good and it's a way to broaden your community,” she said. 
So what should you be mindful of at this year's gathering of the planetary and ecologically conscious? A few highlights:
1. Eco-celebs
“Hollywood’s positive impact is also integral to this movement,” said Erin Brunner by email. Brunner is a senior account executive at Organicworks PR, handling public relations for the Green Festivals nationally. “The celebrity element is also much higher here – we have an all-star lineup in each of the cities, but the LA Festival draws big names of celebrities inspired by the environment.”
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will join in the opening ceremony at noon on Saturday, followed by Amy Goodman of “Democracy Now” at 1 p.m. Def Jammer and Phat Farmer Russell Simmons will speak at 2 p.m.
Keynote speakers include Ed Begley Jr.John Robbins of Food Revolution, and muckraking author Greg Palast. You can see the full list of speakers at the festival's website. 
2. Planetary art and cinema
This year, the eco-friendly festival launched the "Art for the Planet" contest, inviting Southern California high school students to create artwork with themes relating to the most pressing environmental and social issues.
“The entries we received were incredible – the winners in each category will be displayed on the Festival floor throughout the weekend,” said Brunner. “It was also a great way to get the younger community involved and interested in the Festival.”
The festival will also feature documentaries and short films on environmental issues in its Sierra Club Cinema.
3. Yoga 
High-profile yogis and instructors will lead free sessions at this year's fest, including Shiva Rea and local L.A. yoga stars (yes, there are yoga stars) Felicia Tomasko and Christi Christensen.
The event will feature a full-fledged yoga pavilion, the Tadasana Yoga and Movement Pavilion.
“[They] will bring their dynamic and engaging flows to the festival for a truly unique celebration of health and wellness,” Brunner said.
4. Eco-fabulousness
Animal-friendly L.A. fashionista Rebecca Mink will showcase new experiments in the world of cruelty-free fasion trends in "Calfornia Dreaming: An Eco-Fashion Show," Saturday at 6 p.m. on the main stage.  
“We are bringing a stellar eco-fashion show,” said Brunner. “It will feature various outfits and accessories from local designers and show that shopping sustainably can be easy and fun.”
Want an idea of what you might see? Check out her recent "Trashion" exhibit of design meant to bring attention to the area's dirty beaches and waterways:
5. Food!
This year's Green Festival will include a host of local green food organizations, including L.A. City FarmFairTradeLA and Green Menu.
The festival has a stage devoted to different food options and approaches — from urban foraging to living superfoods — complete with cooking demonstrations from local and national eco-minded restaurants. Check their schedule of events for more info.
In addition, the festival will place a focus on organizations dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable food production and eco-minded eating. One such effort is L.A. City Farm:
“L.A. City Farm's focus is building stronger more sustainable communities by creating farmers markets that support local farming, local businesses, and community engagement,” founder Nick Spano told KPCC by email. “And we feel that taking care of the home, and the community, is the first step to creating a sustainable future for the city.”
Be on the lookout for a heavy emphasis on social media, including an app to make the event more social-media minded: iSocialite.
The Los Angeles Green Festival takes place Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A day pass costs $10, while a whole weekend pass costs $15. Both can be purchased online.


Friday, October 19, 2012

'That's My Issue' from KPCC's online politics blog 'Represent'

So, I am a part of this really meaningful project at KPCC called 'That's My Issue." It's a web series in KPCC's digital realm that's also part of the online politics blog called "Represent!"

I have helped put together some of the online segments.
Check out the series below!


 


Politics, government and public life for Southern California




In advance of the 2012 political conventions, KPCC & WNYC are gathering stories of how you came to care about the issue that matters the most to you in a series we’re calling That’s My Issue. Tell us the story of how a particular experience shaped your opinions about something originally, or changed an opinion you used to hold.
It can be from the last four years, or from early in your life. Your experience could have clarified an issue, or made it more complicated. Did you grow up poor? Become rich? See your parents get married or divorced? Grow a business? Become uninsured? Move to this country or get away?
Whether it’s cultural, economic, environmental, or whatever – tell us a story. If you care about it, we want to hear about why. You'll be able to create a custom badge like the one above, record your stories directly from your computer, and read guest posts about a whole host of issues. We’ll be featuring your stories on-air at KPCC and WNYC, and online at KPCC.org/politics. We're listening.

Record your story
Share your story



14th Annual Water Harvest Festival!

I covered the 14th Annual Water Harvest Festival this past weekend. It was really interesting to learn about water conservation and the value of water.  I am again inspired to save water and help save the planet!

The event was at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, hosted by The West Basin Municipal Water District. 

Around 1,500 people from the public showed up! There were also 45 vendors educating the public about water and the importance of conserving it! 

I will have some facts for you in the upcoming video story I'll post when it's done! 

Much love, 
Amy 

My "Movie in the Park" story!

Hi Everyone!

I am done with my "Movie in the Park" story for El Segundo TV! Here it is! I had a lot of fun shooting it. There was a lot of fun activities going on and some good ol' fashioned American food.
Hope you enjoy my video story, and let me know what you think!

Much love,
Amy
Your El Segundo TV Reporter

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Covering my next story: 'Movie in the Park' at El Segundo

This Saturday I am going to do my favorite thing again: reporting!
It's going to be about the El Segundo resident's enjoying a movie and some festivities at the park.
The event is hosted by The Rotary Club of El Segundo...which means they must be doing something meaningful for the community. Yay!
Look for my story that's coming soon!
Much love,
Amy

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Super CPR Saturday touches me!

Super CPR Saturday is my second story ever with El Segundo TV and I couldn’t ask for a better one.

CPR is such a common crisis prevention technique that many may not see just how useful it can be. Well, Chief Fire Marshal James Carver shows us all that CPR (and his son Brian Carver) had saved his life.

I am so touched by James Carver’s real-life account.  It was definitely one of the most heartfelt interviews that I’ve had as a journalist so far. Just hearing him tell his story almost brought tears to my eyes too. 

I am so fortunate to meet Carver and his son. They showed a different side to CPR and allowed me to bring that human element to my story.

James Carver reminds us all just how lucky we are to be living each day. In that fateful day, if it were not for that his son being able to perform CPR on him, he would not even be talking to us to now.  Seeing him successfully recover from such a traumatic life event brings a warm smile.  He went from loss of breath to hearty chuckle.  I wish James Carver and his son the best of luck.

With this segment, I am reminded that I can make a difference as a reporter.  I can tell these human-interest stories that I am so passionate about. This story inspires me to keep going.

You can watch it all HERE to learn more about CPR and hear James and Brian Carver’s touching story.

Until next time! Can’t wait to share my next experience with you all!

Yours truly,

Amy Lieu
El Segundo TV Reporter  


 See my story on the El Segundo TV blog


Trainee practices CPR on a dummy.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Arbor Day, My First Story at El Segundo TV!


Arbor Day 2012 put on by The Tree Musketeers was my very first story for El Segundo TV. I was so excited to cover this event. I didn’t quite know what to expect, but the kids blew me away.
The “Tree Musketeers,” merely in their teens, led the adults. They trained, facilitated and put together the entire event.  Adults were not even allowed to give interviews! During the interviews, every Tree Musketeer I spoke to was considerably eloquent. I soon found out that the non-profit organization enrolls the kids in public speaking training courses.  I felt as if I was speaking to adults! They both surprised and impressed me. In fact, they inspired me with their poise, maturity and passion.
At the end, I was very happy to join their special tree-planting ceremony. The tree-planting group held hands, gathered in a circle, and recited a promise to protect our Earth. I was right in the middle of the action!
It was a joy and honor to cover this meaningful event that both empowers the youth and helps our environment.
Past Mayor Eric Busch says it’s a feel-good event, and I couldn’t agree more.
You can watch my very first segment on our El Segundo TV YouTube Channel! Just click HERE.
Yours Truly,
Amy Lieu
El Segundo TV Reporter

Monday, March 26, 2012

Welcome!

Welcome to my newly launched website!
This is the first blog post for this site! I will have new blog posts soon!
Above has all my multimedia work.  Please feel free to browse through and leave a comment! 
Thank you so much for viewing, and have a nice day! 
Yours Truly, 
Amy Lieu