FiPS CARES: GET YOUR ASS IN SHAPE WHILE CURING CANCER

Even though it's not yet officially Spring, we've been having a de-facto Spring since November. So, you know, it's that time of the year when I start to think about all of those things I should be doing to make myself a Better Person. I should get my big, fat, tired, white, lazy, union ass in shape. I should call my mom more often. I should start working on that cure for cancer. Since you hate cancer, don't call your mom very often, and also have a big, fat ass, I'm assuming you're with me on this.

As it happens, you could be doing all three of those things in one fell swoop, if only you could be persuaded to sign up for Team-in-Training. Team-in-Training is a non-profit organization that trains first time marathon runners to compete in an actual real-life, honest-to-God, sure-as-shit race.  And almost all of it's paid for -- travel and everything -- because they do it as a fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma research. Upon signing up, you choose the race you want to run, you call and e-mail all of your family and friends and tell them the inspiring story of how they need to give you money so that you can exercise and cure cancer.

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FiPS Cares: Let's Find This Foster Dog A Home!

Are you in the market for a canine companion? Someone to catch a tennis ball in the park, or tell you that your mother was wrong when she said that you can't pull off those new bangs?

Meet Olive. She's 4 year-old female from Social Tees Animal Rescue, currently staying with my husband and I in Park Slope and looking for her forever home. She's a petite young lady - about 10 lbs - with a glossy black coat and a single adorable white paw. Right now she's sharing a space with 2 cats and 1 dog and getting along with everyone quite nicely. Olive is a super chill, low-maintenance cuddlebug who will gladly curl up with you on the couch and watch bad reality TV, go for a nice stroll around the neighborhood, or gossip with the other pooches while you enjoy a pint at your nearest dog-friendly neighborhood bar. She's had all her shots and would be super jazzed to meet you. Email Erin at ebradley@book.com to arrange a meetup or contact Dimitra at Social Tees at dimitra.socialtees@gmail.com.

A dog willing -- nay, happy -- to watch an entire season of The Bachelor with you? What a find.

FiPS Cares: Local Filmmakers Need Cashmoneyhos

A few years back, a Park Slope resident named Dan, who works for local grassroots organization ROOFTOP FILMS, had a strange run-in with a woman who jumped ship on a bill for some movie equipment that he rented to her. Dan attempted to track the felonious woman down, but she had seemingly vanished. If I were Dan, I probably would have cried and made some declarative statement about karma, and that would have been the end of it. But Dan did some research on this woman and learned that he was not the only one she had foiled. Other men and women have suffered heartache, broken promises and unpaid debt at the hands of the same thief. Dan unearthed some pretty wild stories about the conwoman, and eventually made a documentary about it. He was even able to interview the theiving woman who started it all.

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FiPS Cares: Let's Help These BK Filmmakers Raise Money For Slamdance!

The people of Park Slope love nothing more than to get all caught up in pet drama. Remember back in November when a man tied his dog up outside of a Radio Shack for a few minutes, and then some woman stole it because she thought it needed rescuing?’

Imagine a run-in like that sparking an unlikely friendship, which ultimately leads to a movie!

This is exactly what happened to filmmaker Keith Miller, who once found a lost dog in South Park Slope. After a few months of caring for it, he ran into a man on the street named Shannon Harper, who turned out to be the dog's owner. After the two men argued over the pup in question, Keith offered to buy the dog, then asked Harper if he wanted to be in a movie.

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FiPS Cares: This Cat Needs a Home!

Hey, Park Slope cat lovers! Listen up. Gogo Gowanus, a good friend of FiPS, recently rescued a stray cat and is trying to find her a good home. 

Last week my girlfriend and I found a cat on 15th between 4th and 5th aves.  She was hungry and dirty, but very sweet.  After petting her a bit, she followed us home.  I took her in.  The next day, I brought her to the vet.  She had fleas, ear mites and an eye infection, but is otherwise healthy.  So, first off, is anyone missing a cat?  The vet figures her to be about 7 or 8, she is about 6 lbs and is missing the top tip of her right ear.  It seems that she has lived with people, but due to her condition at the time we found her, I think she's been on the street for a little bit.  If she is not someone's cat, does anyone want to adopt her?  I would love to keep her but my girlfriend has 4 cats (all rescues) and lives in Queens - it's just too difficult for us to take care of cats in both boroughs and see each other too.  We have dubbed the cat Mochi Grimes (she is sweet and cute like a Mochi, but also kinda grimy when we found her).  A bath and healthy diet has brought her fur back to soft and clean.  She is very sweet, well behaved and will cover shifts at the co-op.  

Mochi is pretty damn cute. Just look at those eyes. You can tell she's pure sass. If you're interested in adopting her, please contact Matt @ kapmatt@gmail.com.