This past week has been full of activity for me and my husband, Jake. We went to New York to participate in the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE). CUT BACK: facing ageism was shown on Friday, July 10th along with a short documentary: Hicksville, 11801 – a student film by Jennifer Uihlein. Jennifer used archival film, personal family stories and images to show a sense of connection and community to the Long Island town. It was nice to meet her on stage for the Q&A after our films were shown.

in the lobby of the Bellmore Movies

It was very exciting to be part of the LIIFE. A special thanks to all my friends and family who came to support the film and me. Also thanks to the people who were in the film who came to see it. Vicki Ellner, President and Chair at Senior Umbrella Network of Brooklyn was there. Vicki has extensive experience in marketing, community outreach and business development in the healthcare, homecare and elder law arenas. We spoke of using the film as a teaching tool and possibly getting some exposure in Brooklyn and the other boroughs.

Elisabeth Zamarelli, affected by ageism when she was turned down for a promotion in 2006, was there. She made me feel great when she gave me updates of her success since the film was shot. She has won a beauty pageant, has gotten acting and modeling parts in several ad spots, is still teaching, and took on a part time job as an auxiliary police woman. There is no holding her back. Congratulations.

The Long Island Breakfast Club (whose 4 original members participated in the movie) sponsored the wine and cheese opening night party. Tina Janek and Stephanie Carlino with the assistance of Elise worked really hard to make the party a success. Their support is greatly appreciated. They have recently been covered by News 12 and CNN for the work they do "providing advocacy, support, career and employment counseling, referrals and good old-fashioned laughter to prepare mature individuals for productive employment."

I also met a very interesting woman, Siroon P. Shahinian, Ph.D., from the office of the Global Action on Aging (GAA), a United Nations accredited NGO (non-governmental organization) located at the Church Center for the United Nations. She expressed an interest in the film to possibly do a screening for her organization. It was wonderful to make contacts and share information.

Received some press coverage from Gloria Schramm, of the 405 Club, who did a great article on the film which was very sensitive to the participants called TOO YOUNG TO RETIRE BUT NOT TOO OLD TO WORK. She wrote: "Very often, those over 50, feel the loss of a job mostly keenly because they fear not being able to obtain a new one. These sentiments in the film are usually held by those who are still in the grief mode after job loss, before their own personal inner recovery and planning a strategy or game plan as to what they will aim for next."

Patricia Kitchen of Newsday also wrote a piece, Life to film: ageism in the workplace, about me, the film and the LIIFE, there is no online article but this is a link to the printed version.

I can now officially use the laurel leaves.

The balance of my week was spent enjoying some great events with Jake and my family in New York City and Long Island. I highly recommend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex featuring John Lennon: the New York City Years and MoCCA, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art featuring Sounds and Pauses, The Comics of David Mazzucchelli.

Long Island was as beautiful as could be after almost a month of rain. The foliage was lush and green as we drove out to the Hamptons on Sunday to relax and eat at one of our favorite restaurants, Babette's, in East Hampton. On Monday it was a great day taking the ferry over to Cherry Grove, Fire Island and enjoyed a drink on the Bay.

Now I am back in Phoenix, inspired to work on a new series of short films.