Monthly Focus

While doing some research online I came across the "Learner Profile for an Internationally Minded Person." Right below the title it stated the purpose. "The aim of the program is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet help to create a better and more peaceful world."
I dig.

For the month of December
The focus is Open Minded
What people who live the learner profile display: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

This learner profile was created for a school, and has focuses for the months of September through June. I will, early in the month post the focus on the month so we can work on them individually.

Ahhh. Yes.

There is officially a date stamped on Sade's new album release- February 8, 2010. To listen to Soldier of Love via Soul Culture UK click here.

31 days, finally. Part deux.

Today..................I learned...

september 15th: about Slow Food LA

september 16th: about the City's new Special Events Street Closure Fees Ordinance (read more here)

september 17th: You shouldn't spend more than 20% of your monthly income on your debt payment

september 18th: "Nana" a title Ghanaians accord people of stature

september 19th: About "Poppit", not a new dance, but a baby carrier. Concerned.

september 20th: About Miyoko Miki via an exhibit at LAMAG

september 21st: Kimchee and sauerkraut help alleviate IBS symptoms

september 22nd: 70% of energy in China comes from coal

september 23rd: how to make chocolate truffles

september 25th: Billie Holiday is buried in the Bronx

september 26th: Swallowing garlic cloves is not that bad (and helped improve my health).

september 27th: That someone makes orange thongs for men. I was witness to someone rockin' it!

september 28th: Mobile, Alabama celebrated the first Mardi Gras in the United States in 1703.

september 29th: Gumbo means okra.

september 30th: The drum + dance basics to Cuembe

flashback friday, friends.

Spread love the Brooklyn L.A. way!

Habana Outpost is one of my favorist (not a word, so you catch my drift) spots in Brooklyn; there's dj's, yummy eats, mango juice, activities for children and usually some eye candy. Annnd it's eco-friendly to boot! With all this being said, I was geeked when I found out that they're coming to the west, Venice Beach and Malibu to be exact. I don't know exactly when they will open, but I'm sure the website will keep us posted. Until then, I'll await for their grand opening and hope that it can capture the same lovely vibe as the Fort Greene location...

Museums-For-All

What's better than a trip to the museum? A free trip to the museum. That's right kids, this weekend many museums will be offering free entry (which may not include special paid exhibits). Some will be free on Saturday and others on Sunday, a limited amount will be free on both days. I will provide a link below that'll give you a schedule of which museums to check out on which days. Have fun!

Click me! Click me!

COMEDY!

"the balance that means complete change" -dead prez

image from VTonly

Fun fact: The first day of Fall provides us with a balance of 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night.

Fall Equinox arrived this year on September 22nd, hard to tell out here in Southern Cali where it's about 100 degrees outside. It also takes longer for the leaves to fall and change in color, though it is not as vibrant as the image above. I must say, that Fall is absolutely my favorite season; everything about it provides a balance for me between comfort and motivation.

Even though we are still rockin' tanks and are sun-kissed, the Fall arrival is evident in the farmers markets. We are slowly transitioning from the bright reds of tomatoes and strawberries to the warm colors of yams and squashes. Give thanks that the Earth prepares us for the change in seasons. In a recent Ayurveda workshop that I took, the teacher mentioned that "we don't wear the same clothes all year round, so we shouldn't eat the same foods all year round." Below is a recipe to induldge this season...

Click link for recipe>>>

Slow-Cooked Applesauce

image and recipe from Foodista.com

at the end of the day....

Image from natalie dee

Take Back Programs

The following stores/companies will take back used products to reuse or recycle. Click on the links to get more information.

BEST BUY offers "In-Store" collection of many consumer electronics and accessories. Link

BRITA collects and recycles Brita pitcher filters; see website for mail back options. Link

US POST OFFICES (not all locations) offer free prepaid mail-back envelopes for ink cartridges and small electronics. Link

HOME DEPOT accepts compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and rechargeable batteries for power tools. Link

STAPLES collect some electronics, ink cartridges, and rechargeable batteries- a handling fee may apply. Link

IKEA accepts alkaline batteries, cardboard paper, plastic bags, toner cartridges, bottles and cans.

NIKE recycles old athletic shoes (any brand) and makes rubber floors and balls for the youth. Link

31 Days: Part I

Today.............I learned..................


august 31st: Target can give a refund without a receipt if you paid with a credit card or debit

september 1st: Minute Maid lemonade has 0% juice (scary)

september 2nd: flight from LA to Detroit is 4 hours and 5 minutes

september 3rd: contrary to hopstop directions, the L instead of the J to Pates et Traditions would have dropped me off much closer

september 4th: green beans exist in purple!

september 5th: "No" is a complete answer

september 6th: Maximum fine in NYC for not cleaning up after your dog is $1,000. (dang!)

september 7th: Burlingame is a city in California

september 8th: It is unlawful to pump your own gas in New Jersey

september 9th: The leaves of the basil plant are often rubbed on insect bites to relieve itchiness and discomfort

september 10th: How to make french macaroons (and almond flour)

september 11th: Los Angeles has the most Thai people after Thailand

september 12th: Bebel Gilberto performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 9

september 13th: About garlic cheddar cheese at the farmers market (yum)

september 14th: The term "in a pickle" was coined by Shakespeare in "The Tempest" (one of my fave terms, btw)

flashback friday.

31 days.

There's a saying that you learn something new everyday. I have found this to be true. More often than not its some randomness, but often used atleast one more time in your life. Like, my sister once let me know what golf stands for= gentleman only, ladies forbidden. Yes, this very bit of info I got to relay to someone in a conversation. For 31 days I will keep track of that one thing I learned per day. I'll be back to report and will break it up in 2-3 posts.

Celebrating 30 Years of the Farmers' Markets

click on flier to enlarge

word has it...

That Sade will be droppin' an album in 2010. Uhh, my mama said!

Maybe, babies? Or not.

As Obama tries to pass the pro-abortion bill, there are many that oppose it. I would like to start off by saying that I am pro-choice (with additional opinion on that). Some people feel that funding should not be provided for abortions; a lot who seem to be of faith, oppose it due to their religion. However, "Though shall not steal" and "Though shall not murder" are in the bible and our tax dollars provide 3 square meals to thieves and murderers in jail.
I once met a woman, that with 4 abortions under her belt (no pun intended) had then went through her 5th. I do feel that abortion should not be thee source of birth control. A little common sense would be nice BUT education would be much nicer. Bush spent millions of dollars on abstinence-only education programs; programs that were proven to be quite ineffective. Education on sex, diseases, HIV/AIDS, and babies is vital and should be implemented. The youth has the right to be in the know!
It's true that our tax dollars don't always go where we want them to, but I'd prefer it goes in supporting this bill rather than limiting women who opt to give birth to unwanted children.



While you're at it, get some great information here >>> Oakland Chick Project

"One coco, fill basket"
Jamaican proverb

Meaning- little by little we will get the job done

summer time in the city.

So. I was really going to post all this good info back in May; and now it's already the end of July. (Oh my!) I've put together some links of places I like to visit during the summer. There is still plenty of time to enjoy some really good shows. Grab a blanket, some wine, some friends, maybe even a boo'ed up situation and have fun!

Freeness.
Grand Performances
Wine & Jazz at Hollywood + Highland
Friday Night Jazz at LACMA
Thursdays at Sunset Skirball
Summer Concert Series at Levitt Pavilion

Cop some tix.
Ford Theatre
Hollywood Bowl

The Ford Amphitheatre and Hollywood Bowl offer low-cost daytime shows for kids- calendar can be viewed on their site.

first saturdays.

4th of July was spent at the Brooklyn Museum- lovely art- on the walls, displayed and walking around. I really enjoyed Yinka Shonibare's exhibit. The clothes was fa-resh. Imagine Dutch Indonesian [batik] wax fabric, that was produced in Europe and sold in West Africa- bright colors and used to make Victorian-era dresses and suits. That's what it is. Wearing the clothes are headless mannequins, alot of them in interesting sexual positions.










Seeing this exhibit reminded me of this fly clothing brand called Boxing Kitten.

If you are or will be in the NYC area, the exhibit runs till September 20, 2009.

Upcoming free First Saturdays will be on August 1st and September 5th

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238

When in the Bay...

Eat at Farmer Brown.


Their weekend Jazz-buffet is the biz!


25 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Reservations are recommended and can easily be made online here

want not. waste not.

if you have 20 minutes, watch this



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