Following in the footsteps of philanthropic leaders of the past, business mogul and humanitarian Alshair Fiyaz paves the way for transformational environmental change. Driven by a philosophy of inspiring and investing in the human spirit, Fiyaz founded the ALFI Foundation, a charitable organization that has supported the endeavors of making our world a better place for over a decade.

For years, Fiyaz invested in a range of projects designed specifically to support the development of under-privileged individuals, communities and wildlife, and to empower social mobility, disregarding international borders and other ethnic and cultural boundaries. The ALFI Foundation believes in supporting organizations determined to influence positive change for current and future generations. Taking an entrepreneurial and multi-faceted approach to philanthropy, the Foundation considers projects and initiatives that are both positive and pragmatic.

The ALFI Foundation covers a wide spectrum of charitable efforts, including educational reform, eradication of disease, emergency shelter and relief, and wildlife conservation. Recently, a funding grant from the ALFI Foundation has supported the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation as it works to protect and restore the Tshiaberimu Gorilla ecosystem. This three-year project will support efforts to protect the lowland Gorillas of Virunga National Park in central Africa from extinction. Rampant poaching, destruction of habitat, and lack of support for gorilla conservation have driven this species to the brink of extinction. As a result, the population in Virunga National Park in the Mt. Tshiaberimu region has plummeted by over fifty percent in just ten years – from fifteen to seven individuals.

The ALFI Foundation’s funding will aid efforts to protect this species by expanding existing Gorilla habitat by 22%, or 1,500 acres, through land purchases from the local community, restoring and protecting the new habitat with trained rangers, and reintroducing 17 Gorillas that were recently rescued from Gorilla traffickers back into the wild in the newly secured and restored habitat of Mt. Tshiaberimu.

Plant-n-Pocket is an American invention that is poised to change the home gardening landscape.

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For way too long gardening enthusiasts, plant lovers and avid home decorators in large metropolitan areas have seen their illusions thwarted by lack of space in residential and office complexes and the absence of a product that would make it easier to live their desired lifestyles.

When seasoned American inventor and entrepreneur, Richard “Big Rich” Bracke realized the plight so many people had been facing for lack of a better way, he decided to take matters into his own hands and create a solution everybody could benefit from.

After more than twenty years successfully developing and manufacturing top rated electronics and venturing into other inventions, Big Rich created something the entire world had been expecting: Plant-n-Pocket.

Regardless of space availability, people can now decorate their homes and offices with their favorite plants.

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By designing the first and only free standing garden system that incorporates soil & water planting in a small footprint of space with water saving efficiency, Big Rich Bracke has achieved one of his life´s goals: helping people live a richer, more fulfilling life.

Plant-n-Pocket is an American made patent-pending product that excels thanks to its ease of use: setting up and planting 18 plants in less than 20 minutes has become possible. The product is small, lightweight, easy to move, and transport. This means everyone can use it to add as much life to their spaces, as desired.

In order to scale operations and allow more people to harvest the benefits (no pun intended) of this innovative product, the inventor has taken his creation to Kickstarter, in an effort to leverage the growing popularity of crowdfunding to ramp up Plant-n-Pocket´s production capabilities.


While creating something that provides value to everyone around the world is not an easy task, helping to fund it and becoming an early adopter is something all of us can do.

This new global trend is most definitely on the rise, will you be a part of it?

It’s spring break time already and packing essentials include the perfect swimwear. These six stylish options from bikinis to caftans will help make your next vacation to the beach a fashionable one.


Vulcan Top, inamorata ($80). inamorataswim.com


Inamorata
Ruffles and off-the-shoulder styles are still all the rage, and the trendy Inamorata doesn’t disappoint. The Vulcan bikini top comes in black, gold, maroon, and a flashier leopard print. Its off-the-shoulder style makes it sexy enough for a beach date but simple enough to still go for a dip without worrying whether or not it will fall off.


Velvet Hailey Maillot A/B/C Cup, Malia Mills ($380). 7609 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 323-879-9815


Malia Mills
This shop on Beverly Boulevard is home to gorgeous swimsuits in lots of bright colors. Their tops and bottoms are perfect for mixing and matching depending on cut and style. There are unique choices, like a royal blue velvet one-piece or a three-quarter sleeved tank suit. Newlyweds can even have the option to personalize their bikini bottoms to say things like “Just married” or “Mrs. Jones.” Best of all, Malia Mill’s website is full of models of all ages, shapes and sizes—plus size, gray haired, with no airbrushing.


Full-Cup Triangle Bikini Top and Thin Bikini Briefs, Eres (approximately $505). 9566 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, 310-246-1008


Eres
In 1968, Iréne Leroux broke tradition of summer-only swim collections and offered choices all year ‘round. The French designer ended up positioning Eres as a fashion label, creating swimwear that fit like a second skin. The beautiful designer suits by Eres are perfect for lounging poolside with a drink in hand and a floppy hat on your head. Eres’ tank suits are a standout. The deep V-necks are show-stoppers, as are their halter styles and one-shoulders with gorgeous embellishments. Beach cover-ups are classy and sophisticated too, in pretty fuchsias and elegant yellows.


Cayo Bikini Bottom, Reformation ($68). 8000 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 855-756-0560


Reformation
Reformation’s motto is “high standards, low maintenance.” Their smart, simple and affordable swimsuits are perfect for a lazy day by the pool or in the sand. The little details make Reformation’s suits a great casual and fun choice—there are polka dots on a high-waisted navy bikini and a little red bow on a cutout one piece. Reformation sources beautiful, sustainable fabrics. Over half of their styles are made with materials like Tencel, Viscose and recycled materials.


Tresor Istante Bikini Top, Versace ($375). 8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles


Versace
With the success of American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, it’s hard not to peek at the fashion house’s summer offerings. The vibrant “Trésor Istante Bikini Top” is a spectacular starfish and gold print with just a bit of sparkle. There’s also a super sweet butterfly print one-piece and a sleeker black tank suit.


Calypso One Shoulder Swimsuit, Zeus + Dione (approximately $234). zeusndione.com


Zeus+Dione
The sophisticated Zeus + Dione is selling a fierce tank suit in black and white with slight gold detailing. A practical one-shouldered bikini comes in contrasting colors including royal blue and black. Zeus + Dione get their name from the parents of the Greek goddess of love. Classical notions of style and design mark the simple beauty of the boutique.