Broadway Stages Supports Sustainability in Brooklyn Communities

Community sustainability allows businesses and residents to operate within their neighborhoods with a positive outcome that benefits the whole local ecosystem. Actions such as purchasing or servicing work locally helps boost local economic activity in the neighborhood. By doing so, we stand to positively benefit our community and make Brooklyn even stronger.

For that reason, Broadway Stages has always understood the value of sustainability of local Brooklyn communities. Over the course of 30 years, we have sourced as many of our business essentials from local Brooklyn shops, contractors, and services ranging from stationery to construction because we believe in the quality of our neighborhood craftsmanship and reliability of their services.

To thank the incredible Brooklyn Community, Broadway Stages arranges year-round events that are free for all members of the community. It is common to see Broadway Stages-sponsored events in the form of block parties, to celebrate the amazing community, or educational events, to foster creative and critical thinking in students.

Our events can be seen throughout Greenpoint all the way to Brighton Beach. We are proud members of the Brooklyn community and will not stop doing what we can for Brooklyn. As our saying goes we are "Made in Brooklyn."

Broadway Stages Encourages Hydroponic Learning

Hydroponic systems have exploded in popularity over the past few years, with more New Yorkers joining in on the revolutionary urban agricultural era. The demand for fresh, high-quality produce by urban dwellers has helped drive innovation and technology in designing new urban hydroponic systems.

Hydroponic systems overcome traditional obstacles of large-scale agriculture by reimagining ways to utilize space, water, and nutrients for plants. One of the advantages of hydroponic farming is that it consumes up to 90 percent less water than traditional agricultural methods. The systems resemble connected channels in which nutrient-rich water flows through so it can be absorbed by plants.

Broadway Stages President Gina Argento is a big fan of the hydroponic movement. When first introduced to the concept, Gina was ecstatic to learn how she could help younger generations learn about the amazing innovations in healthier agriculture.

Her search led her to partner with NY Sun Works, an organization that works with educational institutions to teach young scholars about hydroponic systems, solar energy, and fish farms. Since 2016, Gina has worked with NY Sun Works by sponsoring various events and donating to promote its educational programs. Working with NY Sun Works has helped make it possible for dozens of schools across the five boroughs to have hydroponic system learning labs. Under the name Project Greenhouse, the hydroponic labs come fully equipped with modern technology and processes for growing plants. Students are able to learn hands-on with each one of them monitoring and nurturing their very own plant using the hydroponic system. The best part of the whole partnership as summed up by students is that the whole process lets them explore with their own hands! As long as the students are excited, Gina says she is excited to continue to support NY Sun Works and its green education!

Broadway Stages Is Solar Power Prepared

Summer will be in full swing within the month! With that in mind, Broadway Stages would like to share how we are utilizing the natural solar output of the sun to power our sound stage operations. As a green leader in New York's film and television sound stage industry, Broadway Stages has always sought to be a sustainable energy consumer. Following the installation of dozens of solar panels above our sound stages, our solar energy consumption has helped tremendously offset our electrical demands from traditional power grids.

During peak summer months, electrical energy output is at its highest, with a majority of the solar energy converted for use by lighting, heat, and air conditioning. These energy demands would generally place a great strain on our electric grid, however, through the use of solar energy, Broadway Stages is partly self-sustainable. In fact, the decreased draw on the power grid has an overall positive effect on the environment by reducing our reliance on carbon-emitted energy resources. This only continues to benefit the environment and natural biomes.

The experience of producing your own power feels amazing. We encourage you to lead your community and do the same! On one hand, the energy is directly from the sun, and on the other you are in control of your power production. It is a win-win situation, and now is the perfect time to make the switch as summer approaches. So join us in going solar!

Broadway Stages Celebrates Earth Day 2018!

Welcome to Earth Day 2018! It has been over 365 days of energy saving, water conservation, and more by you and members of your community! For a quick recap, let's talk about some of the things that have helped make this Earth Day incredible.

This year, the U.S. has increased solar and wind generation projects while also using fewer non-renewable energy sources, such as coal. These projects reduce carbon emissions in the air, decreasing the greenhouse effect and helping to combat global warming. These projects also clear the air of dangerous chemical pollutants that are the byproducts of coal plants.

And most importantly, global citizens are making being green a trend through social media. This year has marked one of the most unified efforts for global citizens to become environmentally conscious. The progressive movement toward a global system of responsible energy use brings us one step closer to making non-renewable energy sources obsolete.

To encourage and continue the Earth Day celebration, Broadway Stages will share some more tips and tricks to help encourage a greener environment.

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle…. and repair!
   Everyone knows the 3R's reduce, reuse, and recycle, but not many people know its cousin repair. Repairing goods instead of replacing them can significantly reduce your footprint and save you money. For example, durable goods will last longer than lower quality items that need to be replaced more often.

2. Start the compost station!
   A large percentage of most trash in U.S. households is denoted to organic compounds and foods that can be composted. It is time to start considering the benefits of composting. Composting relieves your trashcan of most of its weight and size. Key benefits include replacing your trash bags less often and producing fertile soil that helps your garden grow!

3. Keep the paper in the trees!
   With modern technologies, paper could be made obsolete by writing on tablets or other devices. As deforestation continues to destroy whole ecosystems, global citizens need to protect our precious forests and trees. So next time you are thinking of writing down anything, make an effort to leave no paper trail!

Broadway Stages Urges You to Conserve Water for Earth Day

Over 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water, however only 2.5 percent of that is fresh water. A majority of the planet's fresh water is locked away in glacier ice, which is melting at a rapid rate. The rest comes from underground and ground-level lakes. Humans have access to less than 1 percent of all water on Earth. With the finite water reserves that we possess, it is imperative that we learn to not waste any of it.

To help you save water and our planet, here are some tips:

1. Turn off the tap
   
   Remember to turn off the tap to stop the water from running. Whether it is brushing your teeth, cleansing your face, or washing the dishes, don't forget to turn off the faucet when the water is not in use.
   

2. Flash shower
   
   Shower like the Flash. When showering, try to conserve as much water as possible by showering as quickly as possible. Save your singing routine for another time.
   

3. Buy WaterSense-approved appliances
   
   Like Energy Star products, WaterSense-approved appliances are tested for water efficiency rather than electricity. In fact, WaterSense appliances save on average 20 percent or more water than traditional appliances.

Next time you are using water, keep these tips in mind; a small effort will go a long way!

Broadway Stages Gears Up for Earth Day!

Earth Day is only one week away!

The Earth is more than 4.5 billion years old and has supported eight million species, with many more yet to be discovered. The magnificent Mother Earth has cultivated incredible biomes that have lasted billions of years.

Let's help Mother Earth continue to live in environmental prosperity by each doing our part to keep her healthy this Earth Day.

One of the best ways to give back to nature is to start gardening. It's time to start increasing your green footprint right in your backyard. Simply planting vegetation or trees in your backyard can have a tremendously positive effect on the local environment. By recycling the carbon dioxide in the air, plants help increase your green footprint by producing cleaner, more oxygenated air and depleting carbon dioxide. Your actions, in unison with your fellow neighbors, will make a significant real-world impact if everyone does their part.

Planting in your garden is as easy as a three-step process. All you have to do is dig, plant, and water! It's that simple. What are you waiting for? Go help save the Earth today!

YMCA Summer Camp Around the Corner!

Summer is right around the corner! The YMCA offers an amazing summer experience for youths in the New York area. From sports to the arts, the YMCA offers a wide variety of specially designed youth camps to satisfy a range of educational interests.

Open to all families across the five boroughs, the YMCA operates 11 camps with specific designations based on location, age, and activity. Enrichment programs spread throughout the day include group activities and also focus on healthy habits like daily nutrition and staying active. With many activities and friends to be made, YMCA summer camp will provide many positive memories for your children and family.

A proud supporter of the YMCA, Broadway Stages President Gina Argento encourages families to enroll their children into the summer camp program. As a financial contributor to the YMCA, Gina is among the community members who help supplement or secure funding for families qualified for financial support. Her contributions toward supporting local families is part of her efforts to reinvest in local community members, always acknowledging the importance of community cohesion. With that in mind, you can be assured that Gina and fellow community contributors want your family and children to experience an amazing summer with YMCA!

Broadway Stages Joins Ohel in Giving Back to the Community

For over 40 years, Ohel has grown into an extraordinary community of committed families and individuals that seek to provide care and support to children and families in need.

The Ohel organization recognizes the immense challenges of keeping people of all ages emotionally and mentally healthy. The organization addresses needs including foster care, mental health care, disability care, and educational training. The plethora of care programs ensures each unique case is appropriately addressed, and each person is cared for.

The organization is notably responsible for organizing Camp Kaylie, a fully integrated sleep-away camp for young campers in the Catskill Mountains. The groundbreaking program cultivates peer relationships, personal development, and self-confidence in young leaders. Ohel has been able to properly serve over 120,000 combined individuals and families with the help of community volunteers and staff between all its programs.

Grateful for Ohel's incredible dedication and commitment to improving the well-beings of community members, Broadway Stages President Gina Argento supports Ohel and its programs through financial contributions. Gina wishes to grow the ever-increasing number of 120,000 families and individuals receiving Ohel services to positively affect their lives to even greater numbers. The partnership between Gina and Ohel will continue to grow with the unification of both partners, leading to an even greater impact on many more local families and lives.

Broadway Stages Is Proud to Serve the Greenpoint Community

Broadway Stages cares deeply about the Greenpoint community where we operate. With Brooklynites in mind, Broadway Stages established Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, the first publicly accessible urban farm in North Brooklyn.

What began as a small project quickly spread around the neighborhood like wildfire, with dozens of visitors now learning about urban agriculture and purchasing locally grown fresh produce. Amazed with the turnout of events, Broadway Stages looked to continue investing in projects that improve Greenpoint residents' quality of life.

As Brooklyn's premier sound stage, Broadway Stages will continue to serve the Greenpoint community with sentiment and conduct that mirror the relationship we share with our clients. We seek to always try to improve and reinvest in Greenpoint for the ultimate benefit of the community. We hope to lead by example by treating our clients and our community with the same respect and dedication!

Broadway Stages Backs Staten Island Children's Museum

The Staten Island Children's Museum (SICM) is truly designed for children. The museum contains interactive exhibits like board games, arts and crafts, playhouses, and job exhibitions that allow students to engage in hands-on activities. Unlike other museums, SICM encourages children to test and experience the different exhibits, each of which expands their general knowledge of the world.

Broadway Stages CEO Gina Argento is happy to support the preservation of this unique learning institution. Gina believes that learning can be fun and educational at the same time! To help the museum continue to offer students wonderful experiences, Gina donates to subsidize operating costs for the various exhibits in the museum. Her support is part of her larger mission to provide educational opportunities to all students. She hopes her contributions will inspire those around her to support free educational opportunities so that everyone can learn.

Broadway Stages President Supports Staten Island's Goodhue Center

The Children's Aid Society Goodhue Center in Staten Island has served hundreds of families since 1912. The Center, which is situated one of the largest greenspaces on Staten Island, has outdoor facilities, including ball fields, gardens, open spaces, and a pool. Created with the purpose of educating children through after-school programs, as well as raising nutritional awareness through activities and exercise, the Center provides youth and families with opportunities to learn and enrich their lives.

Broadway Stages financially supports the Goodhue Center and their enrichment programs that benefit families on Staten Island. The Center offers a variety of activities including a robotics club, sports teams, summer camps and more. Take a look at the Goodhue Center and see what activities you or your children might be interested in. Broadway Stages encourages those who can to support to Goodhue Center. This organization helps to improve the lives of our neighbors in Staten Island. Thank you Goodhue Center for all you do.

Broadway Stages Supports Students at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School

The Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School (CGPS) commits itself to a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that allows students to enjoy the full depth of academic excellence across school programs. The school aims to fundamentally develop students' critical thinking, character development, and good standards of conduct.

At CGPS's annual Columbia on Ice event, President of Broadway Stages Gina Argento showed her support by purchasing sponsored tickets for students and faculty. She believes every student and faculty member who wishes to attend and have fun ice skating should be able to without financial burdens. Supporting opportunities like these is an incredible experience for Gina, who loves to share the success of Broadway Stages with the New York community.