One basic but tremendously important strategy is becoming and staying involved in our daughters' education. Our girls need to be told and reminded that all professions are open to them and that they must begin from an early age to prepare for these professions. Historically, girls do not take as many math and science courses as boys do, yet many top-paying professions require these subjects. Let your daughters know that math, chemistry, physics, etc., are not boy' exclusive domain but that girls have the aptitude to do just as well in these areas. These are women whose lives speak eloquently of courage, determination and achievement. Contemporary women also provide striking examples of qualities our own daughters can emulate. Within our churches, schools and communities are countless women with stories worth sharing.
My companion and I chose the same things, so I can leave 'the person' out after this sentence. Sorry mi dear. Next, I had a Scelta Di Pasta Farfalle Bella Casa, which basically means Bow Tie Pasta with wonderful things from the house. As I am not a lover of Bow Tie Pasta - not wanting to ruin my dinner by eating a man in full suit and, yes, bow tie -- I opted for my favourite, Fettuccine. A small bowl arrived, just perfect for the occasion. The sauce -- a tomato basil mixture with loads of delish mushrooms and artichokes enhanced with bella crema and sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan cheese -- was absolutely perfetto. I followed that with Agnello Alla Rosmarino, which is a Parmesan Crusted Lamb, marinated in Rosemary and Garlic Au Jus with Potato. The lamb was exactly as I ordered it - medium rare - and it was, to tell the truth, melt-in-your-mouth good. I have to tell you, it's as if the gods just didn't want me to divulge this little Italian secret. This morning, all settled in to begin the procedure it takes to write one of these Thursday reviews, I could not find the notebook I had so carefully written all my information in this last time. Hello. I was suicidal. Not again, thought I. The possibility of having to visit Hedo III yet again sent shivers throughout my body. But I persevered. Hours later all was found, buried on my desk which is unfortunately covered almost to the ceiling in notes, papers, CDs and heaven only knows what else.
The term "world beat music" is less than a decade old. The music is a genre defined by the heads of a number of small London-based record labels who found that their records from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean were not finding rack space. Major record stores had no obvious place for these unclassified sounds. The average listeners have not. Today the major record chains - Spec's, Best Buy, and others - have responded to buyers' demand to make available music from Africa, Cuba, Jamaica, Brazil and Latin America. Finding releases from Senegal's Kouding Cissoko or Baaba Maal is no problem. Finding the Afro-French, hip-hop sound of Les Nubians is simple; so finding the music of Nacio from Dominica, Gilberto Gil from Brazil, or Bamboleo of Cuba.
This year's Miami concert is a continuation of this ongoing goodwill project, bringing together a host of internationally renowned celebrities, reggae, R&B, and hip-hop artists in an all-day Carnival event with food, arts, crafts, and a vast array of entertainment. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Wyclef Jean Foundation and be donated to charitable organizations. Proceeds from last year's Miami Carnival were given to VHI's "Save The Music" and Oeuvres de Petites Ecoles de P. Bohnen (through Fondation Artistes Creation, a not-for- profit Haitian organization). "Guantanamera," a single from "Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival," featuring Celia Cruz and Jeni Fujita, was nominated for the Best Rap Performance By A Duo or Group. The following year, Wyclef Jean's single, "Gone Till November," was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rap Solo Performance category.
Wyclef Jean - the trailblazing hip-hop artist and Haiti's answer to Jamaica's Bob Marley and Ireland's Bono - last month unveiled an ambitious new philanthropic effort aimed at bringing the power and wealth of his own celebrity - and the collective muscle of the Haitian Diaspora - to bear to help his native land. Wyclef christened the emerging non-profit "Yéle Haiti" during a tour of Haiti last month, in which he announced plans to help fund the reconstruction of schoolhouses and a vast scholarship program, among other initiatives.
