Screw the 9-to-5, we're clocking out and hopping on a Rat Racer from Slave Skateboards. Something about sticking it to The Man, his uptight suits and the economic woes of this putrid landscape we call America that makes us smile. Or at least have fun getting a couple of skate tricks in like Pat Burke does in the following promo video.

One of the poorest congressional districts in the country, Bronx County, is receiving a "green" facelift thanks to an eccentric school teacher named Stephen Ritz and an army of amazing students. The Green Bronx Machine is a sustainable urban farming initiative that provides working opportunities for inner-city youth and edible harvests for desiring communities and clients. Check out the following TED Talk to fully understand how Mr. Ritz's enthusiasm, vision and ideas like "edible farming walls" has set forth an unbelievable path of self-sustained wealth for students that have taken control of their urban surroundings instead of just submitting to them.

Part 3 of our profile on Congressional candidate, Clyde Williams, takes place at a local hardware store where two generations--a father and son duo--come together day in and day out to keep the family business thriving and food on the table. Check out the conclusion to our series as Clyde gets a two-for-one special on issues concerning business in the neighborhood from Luis Minaya and Luis Minaya Jr.

Part 2 of our profile series with Democrat and Congressional candidate, Clyde Williams, continues as he explores more of the Washington Heights and Inwood community. This time he takes a seat with local restaurant owner, Dulce Martinez.

Slavery Footprint is an interactive website and app based on the modern-day reality of forced labor. The brilliant and visual project surveys users and asks them questions like where they live and what they own to determine how many humans were involved in "generating" the source materials for those goods. It's something that few of us really take the time to think about especially in this day and age of information overload and distraction. We urge you to give it a try and open your eyes.

Looks like there won't be a mass uprising for a raise of the American minimum wage soon. Why? Because Americans are just too busy working to afford the most basic of necessities--housing! According to an infographic based on statistics from the National Low Income Housing Coalition workers have to toil for up to hundreds of hours to afford decent housing (a 2-bedroom unit at fair market rent) under minimum wage. Some of the frightening numbers include 136 hours in New York, 130 hours in California and a whopping 175 hours in Hawaii! Keeping in mind that there are only 168 hours in a week, these statistics are pretty out of this world!

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Ever wonder how top-tier creative companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter fair so well? Especially when we hear so much about their radical company hours and employee perks? Well, it's simple, sort of. The people at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts (RSA) break it down for us in this amazing video, where member and language expert, Steve Pinker, reveals how the mind deciphers work and incentives into the language of motivation. What will surprise most of you is how, contrary to popular belief, motivation is not always monetary-based. It is in fact, passion, autonomy and purpose that seem to guide and inspire true innovation. Watch how it works!

Trends research and innovation giant, PSFK, is seeking some new interns for 2011. The often República Update-referenced company is seeking new talent in the areas of editorial, consulting, and design. Good luck!

Usablenet Inc. (www.usablenet.com) is looking for a testing Intern to work with the in-house QA team for Mobile websites. The right candidates will receive training and experience in the growth market of Mobile along with an hourly rate that reflects the intern position. The position will be approximately 20 hours per week. The time slot can be flexible.

This position is ideally suited for a student pursuing a bachelors/masters degree in a computer science related field.

Reporting Relationship:
• Conduct end user testing on mobile web sites as part of the Project team
• Track issues reported to developers and re-test
• Work with project managers to co-ordinate new site designs and tests

Primary Responsibilities:
• Work in a team environment to create Mobile device QA test process and help review and implement test plans.
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of mobile web development and mobile device use
• Identify, report, and document site bugs and other functionality that is inconsistent with stated requirements and design specifications. Must have good written and verbal skills and be able to review and assist with documentation.
• Assist with projects as requested

Technical Skills and Education:
• Pursuing a degree in Web Design, or related field.
• High level of energy, drive, enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Professional, with good organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
* Compensation: $12 / Hour
* This is a part-time job.

* This is an internship job

For more info, contact Estela Rizzuto:
Main: 212-965-5388 | E: estela.rizzuto@usablenet.com

For the writer in you...here are some entertainment industry diversity and fellowship program opportunities that recently came through our in-box. Take advantage and spread the wealth!
Cosby Writing Fellowship | www.cosbyprogram.com

Established by Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby in 1993, at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The fifteen-week intensive workshop was designed with a two-fold purpose: To assist writers in the completion of a film or television script and to deepen the participant’s appreciation for and comprehension of African American history and culture.

Disney Writing Fellowship | www.abctalentdevelopment.com

Begun in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America, west, this has become one of the industry's best known and most respected writing fellowships. Fellows receive a weekly salary for a one-year period (currently amounting to $50,000/year plus benefits). The program is an intensive, hands-on experience that involves workshops, seminars and mentorships with creative executives from ABC, ABC Television Studio, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Lifetime and Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group.

Fox Diversity Program | www.fox.com

The Fox Entertainment Group again invite submission of original television pilot scripts in the multi-camera comedy, single-camera comedy, animated and drama formats. Writers selected this year will be invited to attend a six week session at Writer's Boot Camp with subsequent consultations with WBC mentors during which their scripts will be rewritten and improved. The goal is to achieve scripts at a level of professional execution that may be submitted to Fox programming executives.

CBS Television Program | www.cbscorporation.com

This program links aspiring writers with mentors from the ranks of CBS Network and CBS Paramount Studio executives. Also, writers are mentored by producer mentors from series airing on CBS. Additionally, there are weekly sessions with successful writers, producers and show runners examining in very specific and practical terms many aspects of the experience of being a television writer in Hollywood.

The Nickelodeon Writers' Program | www.nickwriting.com

Developed to broaden Nickelodeon's outreach efforts, the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions. Operating in a three-phased structure, the Fellowship provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television.

Warner Brothers Comedy and Drama Writing Program | www2.warnerbros.com

For over 30 years, Warner Bros. TV has committed to fostering new talent and providing opportunity for aspiring television writers. The Writers Workshop is the premier writing program for new writers looking to start and further their writing career. The Workshop teaches every aspect of spec script writing and features exposure to Warner Bros. TV's top television writers and executives, all with the goal of staffing graduates on a Warner Bros. TV show.

NBC Diversity Initiative for Writers | www.nbcunicareers.com

NBC is proud of the existing diversity of the writers who pen its Primetime Series. In order to further encourage diversity among our writers, NBC provides funding for a minority staff writer position for all scripted NBC Primetime Series. These positions are filled with writers selected and hired by the show runner/producers of each show, with the guidance of the network and studio(s). Scripts are accepted year-round for screening, however, positions are generally filled during the March - June staffing season.

 The Writers Guild of America | www.wga.org

The WGAW's Diversity department works with producers, studio and network executives, and writers to increase employment opportunities and to develop access/talent development programs and also hosts events, panels, and seminars to promote a more positive image of historically underemployed writers, to increase the industry's awareness of the unique obstacles often faced by these writers, and to encourage positive change in hiring practices.