The line between panhandling and busking...

I think this man has crossed it. In the right direction.



I'd give him money. We creative folk need to have each other's backs.

Via HuffPo

Unsanctioned PSA Hilarity

It's a common problem for religious-based charities in an increasingly secular world: How do you gather support outside of your faithful?

This question was answered by American comedy writer, director and producer Judd Apatow is this hilarious (but unsanctioned) PSA for American Jewish World Service.

Judd Apatow's All-Star Video from Judd Apatow

By gathering an all-star cast of Jewish and conspicuously non-Jewish celebrities, Apatow puts a fine point on the fact that AJWS helps people of all creeds and nationalities around the world. And I guess AJWS knew a good thing when they saw it, because it's now embedded on their home page.

Look for great moments from Patrick Stewart, Lindsay Lohan and Sarah Silverman. And I apologize in advance for Gilbert Gottfried.

Attention hoarding for a cause

[click images to read copy]

I love the new social media landscape. But every once in a while, as I walk through my city, I am reminded that I am also still in love with one of the oldest ad media in existence: hoarding posters:

This campaign, from Plan Canada, shows how good old fashioned physical presence can still dominate the attention of an audience.

The campaign,"Because I Am a Girl",  is "a global campaign to claim a brighter, safer future for girls. Investing in girls is key to eliminating poverty and creating a better world."

The campaign is a combination of membership drive, fundraising, and awareness for the women in poverty.

The statistics are chilling:

• 70 per cent of the one billion people living in extreme poverty are women and girls.
• Girls are 3x more likely to be malnourished than boys.
• Over 60 million girls are denied access to primary school.

But the opportunities are inspiring:

• An extra year of school for girls will increase their lifetime income by 10-20%.
• Children of women who have completed primary school are less likely to die before age 5 than children of mothers with no schooling.
• Women who do work reinvest 90% of their income back into their household.

The Because I Am A Girl campaign funds projects to promote water and food security, health care and education and microfinancing livelihoods in Africa, South Asia and South America.

If you'd like to help, visit their site and register, or join their Facebook page.

St. Sarah of Assisi?

"Sell the Vatican, feed the world!" is the theme of Sarah Silverman's heretical new viral video:



(Warning: F-bombs)

Amusing stuff. Perhaps offensive to some. But not original — not by a long shot.

The argument over whether or not churches should hold wealth while the poor go hungry has always been there. Has she never seen The Name of the Rose?



(See the debate at the very beginning.)

So, while this is a cutely cocky video, Ms. Silverman has stumbled onto an issue that has been faced by Christian theologians since St. Francis' time. But at least today, nobody has to face an inquisition over it.