TO THE TRENCHES!

Now it's time. There is a problem whose key proponents and conflicts are clearly defined. Now comes the difficult part… finding and acting on a solution. With most issues, it is so easy to whine and cry and point fingers at the bad guy. But if no actions are taken to benefit the issue, the victims and bystanders are equally as guilty. This lesson arises again and again. In hopes to raise a semblance of hope, I’d like to present some viable solutions and organizations that could at least assist in realigning the tracks.

1) VH1’s Save the Music: An incredible organization devoted to restoring music education in public school institutions. They primarily purchase and refurbish instruments and donate them to schools in need. They have rallied up 43 million dollars since 1997, dishing the funding to about 1,600 schools and subsequently affecting the lives of 1.2 million students. Their next target is…

2) Arts of Orange County: We interviewed Pat Wayne a ways back, and she mentioned that their organization offers free consultation for the arts with Santa Ana still missing. With Arts OC, Santa Ana could develop an ‘Arts Plan’ to renew stability across the creative education board throughout the next five years.

3) Celebrity partnership and benefit concerts: There are a number of musical groups and celebrities from the Santa Ana area including Diane Keaton and The Righteous Brothers, getting them involved could easily motivate other activists. Imagine holding a concert where all the proceeds go to the district… no way!

4) Bridge Community Borders: Santa Ana itself is a poverty stricken city, the citizens of which can’t offer significant donations. Consider breaking the community lines and stretching funding from the prosperous neighboring cities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

At this point the situation is drastic, if a solution isn’t initiated, the entire district will lose music education by 2010. I am doing what I can… on the side I am drafting commercials and a benefit web series. Using my creative film and video abilities, I am trying as hard as I can to help them out… Thinking outside of the box. I ask and beg you please to do the same, for now it is just as important as ever to rectify and build an intellectually and creatively inspired future.