As one who doesn't celebrate Christmas because of being a different faith, I enjoyed reading the story The Snowman's Song: A Christmas Story. It is beautifully written with beautiful illustrations. This is book is enough to capture the attention of not only the child but the adult as well.

A little snowman wants to sing, but from the kindness and encouragement of others, he is able to achieve his dream. The Snowman's Song: A Christmas Story is accompanied with an audio CD.



Disclosure: I was sent a copy of the book by the publisher Leaping Antelope Productions for review only.

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 live action short films will advance in the voting process for the 82nd Academy Awards®. Seventy-one pictures had originally qualified in the category.


The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company:

• "The Door,” Juanita Wilson, director, and James Flynn, producer (Octagon Films Ltd.)


• “The Ground Beneath,” Rene Hernandez, director, and Kristina Ceyton, producer (Passion Pictures)


• “Hotel,” Tim Conrad, director-producer (Oyster Films)


• “Instead of Abracadabra,” Patrik Eklund, director, and Mathias Fjellstrom, producer (Direktorn & Fabrikorn)


• “Kavi,” Gregg Helvey, director-producer (Gregg Helvey)


• “Miracle Fish,” Luke Doolan, director, and Drew Bailey, producer (Druid Films)


• "The New Tenants,” Joachim Back, director, and Tivi Magnusson, producer (Park Pictures)


• “The Response,” Adam Rodgers, director, and Sig Libowitz, producer (Look at the Moon Productions)


• “Short Term 12,” Destin Daniel Cretton, director-producer, and Michelle Steffes, producer (Destin Cretton)


• “Sidney Turtlebaum,” Tristram Shapeero, director, and Daniel Jewel, producer (Third Man Films Limited)

The Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Reviewing Committee viewed all the eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting in screenings held in New York and Los Angeles.
Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select three to five nominees from among the 10 titles on the shortlist. Branch screenings will be held in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in January 2010.

The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Jan Krystkowiak of http://www.whereintheworldbooks.com/ is offering 10% off of personalized kids books. Use code "tails".

Krystkowiak gave an interview on reading and how personalized kids books improve comprehension on Connecting Women Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/connectingwomen/2009/11/14/Connecting-Women

PBS Sprout Online offers families a variety of educational and entertaining activities for any time of the year.

Here are some activities going on during the month of November:

• Starting Monday Nov. 23, PBS Sprout will begin running an on-screen crawl from sproutlet viewers saying what they're thankful for. You can check out the site and upload your message here.
• On Thanksgiving morning, sproutlets can call in (with mom or dad of course) and speak live the Sunny Side Up Show host and share why he or she is thankful. To participate, call: 1-877-91CHICA. The lines will be open at 7:45 a.m. CST (8:45 a.m. EST).
• PBS Sprout has a variety of kid crafts to keep little fingers busy to help decorate for the big feast such as placecards, napkin rings, and of course those fancy hand-turkeys . Visit here for some ideas.
• The "What Have You Learned" contest is taking place, and viewers can submit a child's artwork showing what he or she has learned - from counting to ABC's. Artwork may appear on Sprout so it needs to be submitted by November 22, 2009, and one winner per day will be chosen the week of Dec. 7th. Prize includes a Sprout Gift Package which includes a Leap Frog Tag Junior. For more information, go here.

I am member of Band of Bloggers which work with PBS Sprout Online.

Hats are the must have accessory for the fall and winter months.

I had the privilege of reviewing Once in a Blue Moon (Platinum Romance Series) by Eileen Goudge given to me by One2One Network. This is a great cozy read, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Two girls are sent to foster care when their mother ends up in jail.

The two sisters end up leading different lives. The younger one, Kerrie Ann, had a rough upbringing and relocates her older sister Lindsay, after the drive to save her daughter. Kerrie Ann is shocked to see how well Lindsay is doing. Despite their upbringings, the two sisters work on the same goal in hopes of bringing Kerrie Ann's daughter back.

This would make a great book club discussion on lives, sisterhood, family and many other topics that members of the book club can share from their own knowledge and experiences.

Helpful links:
Eileen’s website: http://www.eileengoudge.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eileen-Goudge/132678273034?ref=search&
Twitter: http://twitter.com/eileengoudge

For more info about Eileen and Once In A Blue Moon listed in our Newsletter: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410017173

WB Word wants to let you know that Judge Jeanine Pirro (a WB produced show) is hosting a contest from now until November 13th for the chance to watch and win $1000.00. The feisty former District Attorney and NY Judge, is handing out $1000 every day and all you have to do to be entered into the daily drawing is correctly answer a question based on the daily episode.

Be sure to check out the show and share the contest with your friends and networks!

http://www.judgejp.com/pirrospayback/

HOW TO PLAY:
Tune-in to Judge Jeanine Pirro every day. Correctly answer the daily questions. One entry per person, per day. All correct answers are entered into the daily drawing for $1,000. Contest ends Friday, November 13th.
*Check local listings for times.

ABOUT JUDGE JEANINE PIRRO
"Judge Jeanine Pirro" is a fast-paced one-hour daily court show featuring Jeanine Pirro, former District Attorney and County Court Judge of Westchester County, New York, highly respected legal commentator, author and renowned champion of the underdog.

I had the privilege of reviewing Joshua Bell's At Home With Friends CD given to me by One2One Network. What a beautiful and romantic CD, a mixture of classical with modern and international flavors.

Bell plays instruments beautifully. He is paired with some of the best musicians of all times which adds flavor and personality to the musical works. One of my favorites song on the CD is Para Ti. It reminds me of an old Italian love song which is classic and priceless. It is as if you feel you are in Italy while listening to Para Ti.

My six year old son gave his approval to Bell's CD as well. He liked how the music had "different beats". He liked how some "were slow" and others "fast". My son is starting to notice the different rhythms, beats and even instruments being used.

I would highly recommend Bell's CD, for the music lover of sorts. This is sure to enlighten not only adult music lovers, but children as well. This is great exposure to international and classical music.
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Other links:
Joshua’s website: http://www.joshuabell.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Joshua-Bell/62686889648?Ref=ts
Joshua’s Widget: http://bit.ly/JoshuaBellWidget

For more info about Joshua and At Home With Friends listed in our Newsletter: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410025509

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):
I Loves You Porgy featuring Chris Botti, trumpet
Come Again featuring Sting, vocals
Oblivion featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Cinema Paradiso featuring Josh Groban, vocals
Para Tí featuring Tiempo Libre, various
My Funny Valentine featuring Kristin Chenoweth, vocals
Maybe So featuring Edgar Meyer Sam Bush and Mike Marshall, strings
Grieg: Sonata No. 3 featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff (Zenph re-performance)
Eleanor Rigby featuring Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals
O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair featuring Nathan Gunn, baritone
Il Postino featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Left Hand Song featuring Regina Spektor, piano & vocals
Chovendo Na Roseira featuring Dave Grusin, piano
Look Away featuring Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolin
Variant Moods: Duet for Sitar & Violin featuring Anoushka Shankar, sitar
I'll Take Manhattan featuring Marvin Hamlisch, piano
Left Hand featuring Regina Spektor, vocals

I had the privilege of reviewing Harry Connick Jr.'s CD "Your Songs" sent to me by One2One Network. Connick's CD is a CD for the individual, couple or for those who appreciate jazzy and classical music. The CD is perfect during the winter or summer, in fact any season. The music is relaxing, allowing you to daydream as you drink your tea, coffee drink, or yes even a soda.

What impressed me the most of Connick's CD, was the song Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much), he sang it beautifully. This is a plus since it shows that Connick is not only talented in the jazzy and classical music, but also international music as well. I love it.

My six year old son enjoyed listening to Connick's CD with me. He even snapped his fingers along with the rhythm. He enjoyed Besame Mucho. He thought it was cool to hear another person sing in another language. (My son is bilingual so he is fascinated when he hears others are bilingual).

I would definitely look into other CDs by Harry Connick Jr. This would be a great collection to have.

In fact, I know some friends who will appreciate Connick's CD. Maybe some gifts for the holidays coming up....

Shopping has never been easier thanks the great savings you can find at Totsy.com. You can find deals up to 70% off of retail prices for you and children up to ages 7 years old, from baby clothes and gear to educational materials.

Just click the "I Have an Invitation" and enter theglobeandthearts-blogspot in the code field and fill out your information.

(Briana Orr photo credit)

by Masha Hamilton

Not long after the second of my three children was born, I sat at the kitchen table late one evening talking to my dad about parental responsibility. It’s a big topic and we were covering lots of philosophical ground, but what I remember most is my pronouncement that my primary job could be boiled down quite simply and starkly: I had to keep safe these beings released into my charge. I needed to keep them alive.

These were the musings of a new parent, of course. The circumstances, too, should be considered; the first child had been born in Jerusalem during the intefadeh, and the second was born as I was reporting from Moscow during the collapse of Communism. In both situations, I repeatedly came face-to-face with life’s fragility.

But even in calmer times, even after the birth of my third child, I never lost the feeling that my main duty was to pass them on into adulthood as unscathed as possible, as healthy in every way as they could be.

It sounds pretty simple, on the face of it. We perform many jobs as parents: nurturers, playmates, cheerleaders, short-order cooks, nurses, disciplinarians, detectives, spiritual leaders. Keeping them safe should not be the hardest, not with the help of baby monitors, plastic devices to cover electrical outlets, pads for sharp corners, child-proof medicine bottles, the list goes on.

And in fact, we passed through well, with just the usual rounds of stitches, one violent dog attack, a rabies scare and a few months when my youngest fell so often and got so many bumps on his forehead that my husband and I joked someone was surely going to call child services on us.

Now, though, my youngest is 14, and as they’ve grown, I recognize my job has been transformed. It is to give them trust and space so they can develop confidence in their ability to make their own lives. And yet the two oldest, at ages 19 and 20, are in a period of time that seems almost like a parentheses in their lives. They are certainly not children, but nor are they quite adults. Meanwhile, I say and think all the usual things parents have been saying and thinking since—well, perhaps ever since Cicero, whose words I keep taped to my office wall: it’s rougher out there than it was in my time. More chaotic. More violent. More dangerous.

And everyone is writing a book.

It was, in fact, into my latest novel, 31 Hours, that I channeled my fears. Among other things, the novel offered a chance to explore what it means to be the parent of someone on the cusp of adulthood but not yet there. The mother in 31 Hours, Carol, is strong and independent, free of empty nest syndrome, but her maternal intuition is strong and she’s concerned about her 21-year-old son’s growing emotional distance, the way he seems tense and depressed. Her fears are amorphous and hard to convey; nevertheless, as she lies awake in the dark, she decides to trust the hunch that something is wrong, and to spend the next day trying to track her son Jonas down and “mother him until he shrugs her off.”

There are many themes in the novel, but one question it asks—one pertinent to all parents and one I’m still trying to answer for myself—is this: after years of being vigilant and protecting our kids, what should we do—and what are we allowed to do—to keep them safe once they are nearly, but not quite, grown?

PBS Kid Sprout is partnered with Pajama Program to deliver new cozy PJs and new bedtime books to children in need. Their goal is to reach 75,000 kids in the first year of the Great Tuck-In by October 1st. Sprout is also matching each donation.

This is a great opportunity for your children, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, any child you interact with to get involved with a great organization. Not only will they learn about giving and helping, they will remember this experience as special moments of spending time with their loved ones while helping others.

SERENA WILLIAMS will appear on these upcoming shows next week to promote ON THE LINE:


Good Morning America on 9/15

Live with Regis & Kelly on 9/16

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on 11/10 Tyra Banks Show on 9/15 Your World with Neil Cavuto/Fox News Channel on 9/14 On the Record with Greta Van Sustren/Fox News Channel on 9/14 Martha Stewart Show on 9/16



ON THE LINE is also scheduled for coverage in print in:

Reader’s Digest – featured in September issue.

Vogue – featured in September issue.

Self – featured in September issue.

Heart & Soul – short excerpt to run in Oct/Nov issue.

Glamour – featured in “Women of the Year” issue in December.

Allure – featured in September issue.



SERENA will be signing books next week at:

Barnes & Noble/NYC (Fifth Avenue) – 9/16 Borders/Tampa – 9/17

I had the privilege of sampling some stationery from Paper Culture Cards. Elegant. If I had to describe Paper Culture Cards in one word, it would be Elegant. The stationery reminds me of the theory "Less is More." What makes the stationery elegant is its artistic modern designs. There are not any distractions when you look at the cards. It is not "busy" as some other brands of stationery can be.

The modern stationery from Paper Culture is made up of premium quality stock paper. The stock paper is 100 percent recycled, FSC certified, in other words green or environment friendly. Proceeds also go to supporting local communities. How cool is that? Not only do you get cool stationery like these modern baby announcements or birthday party invitations for kids and adults, but you are helping the environment as well as helping your local community.

The stationery came just in time for me to sample and test. I actually had to write thank you notes as well as congratulate a friend of mine for having a baby. I decided to use the stationery that Paper Culture sent me. You should have seen their reactions when they looked at the stationery. Comments, I heard were "How beautiful!" "How artsy!" "What excellent taste!" Many commented on the designs and feel of the cards. I also had explained to them that Paper Culture uses recycled materials as well as helps local communities, in other words Paper Culture have premium and eco-friendly stationery. My friends were impressed.

I would highly recommend products from Paper Culture. For more information, you can go to www.paperculture.com. Below you can take a look at some of the beautiful stationery by Paper Culture.

Wendy Walker was interviewed on Connecting Women Radio about her book Four Wives.

Wendy Walker introduces readers into the lives of four women, Love, Marie, Gayle and Janie, who live in Hunting Ridge, a suburb that seems to appear perfect. Four women come together and plan a charitable event. During the planning process, the secret lives of four women are revealed to the reader.

Four Wives is a great read to add to your reading list.

Workshops, networking, Blue Pencil Cafe, From New York Times best selling authors to neophyte writers, we have something for everyone.

Full details at www.SiWC.ca We are a volunteer Board, with one (delightful!) paid coordinator/author, and have been rated one of the top three writers' conferences in North America.

Also: we offer over $3,000 in cash contest prizes in three categories. Closing entry date is September 7, 2009.

Conference is Oct 2009. Registration is now open.

Arab Heritage Month (AHM) is a commemoration of Arab-American contributions to the quality of life in the US and in the City of Chicago. November AHM is an opportunity for the community to showcase those contributions as well as the rich Arab culture, unique heritage, and deeply rooted traditions and customs of the Arab World. Mayor Richard Daley has proudly recognized the significant contributions Arabs and Arab-Americans have made to our city in the fields of medicine, science, technology, business and education.

In celebration of AHM 2009, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) Advisory Council on Arab Affairs* will create a special online calendar (www.chicagoarabheritage.org) featuring community-sponsored programs and events designed to educate Chicagoans about Arab history as well as issues facing Arabs and Arab-Americans.

Please join us in our effort to promote AHM 2009 by planning an event that focuses on some of the issues facing Arabs and Arab-Americans or by highlighting a particular aspect of Arab culture. By participating in AHM programming, you can make a positive impact on the City's efforts to promote understanding and respect for Americans of Arab descent.

If you would like to submit an event for the AHM 2009 calendar, please complete the attached event description form and submit it by October 2, 2009. For more information, please contact Ken Gunn at 312.744.1545, kenneth.gunn@cityofchicago.org or email the AHM Planning Committee atinfo@chicagoarabheritage.org.

Background:
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is in the process of developing and installing our exhibits in a new facility in North Phoenix. The 190,000 square foot building is currently under construction in Phoenix, Arizona and is scheduled to open in April 2010..We are planning audio and video content to accompany around 250 exhibits in a 90,000 sq. ft. gallery space. The focus of the museum is on global musical instruments, with over 3000 instruments on display. In order to contextualize the objects on display, video screens allow museum guests to see the instruments being played in their cultural setting where possible. We are drawing on archival and commercial sources for our video, as well as video that is gathered by our curatorial staff in the field. We deal mainly with digital and analog video, and our film transfers are outsourced. You can see more about our museum on our website, www.themim.org.

Multimedia Collections Assistant
Essential Duties: Reporting to the Manager of Multimedia Collections, the Multimedia Collections Assistant assists in the acquisition, proces
sing, preservation, and documentation of multimedia content. Under direction, the incumbent will digitize analog media, process and transfer digital materials, and gather and organize relevant data. The position will assist the Manager of Multimedia Collections and other relevant MIM staff in the research, acquisition, processing, and installation of multimedia content for the permanent exhibition. This position is planned for a 12-month term of service.

The Multimedia Collections Assistant will:
•Assist the Manager of Multimedia Collections in the research, acquisition, and processing of multimedia content for exhibition

• Gather the required information for museum labeling of multimedia content for production by the exhibits team

• Assist the Multimedia Collection Manager in processing accessions to MIM’s Multimedia Collections

• Catalog, label, and track physical media items

• Create and maintain metadata records for digital and physical multimedia assets

• Assist the Multimedia Collection Manager in maintaining an inventory of MIM AV equipment and other technical resources

• Transfer video from a variety of formats for addition to the MIM’s digital archive and use in exhibits

• Follow MIM standards and guidelines regarding audio/video quality and archival practices

• Assist in the installation of multimedia content for exhibits

• Assist the Multimedia Coll
ection Manager with other tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications:
• Experience in a library, archive, or museum environment

• Proficiency with multimedia technologies

• Experience working with multimedia on a variety of platforms

• Ability to work in a fast-pace environment with frequent interruptions

• A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Desirable Qualifications
• Knowledge of practices related to the preservation of multimedia materials

• Education in Ethnomusicology, Anthropology or related field

• Familiarity with major collections of ethnomusicological/

I had the privileage of interviewing Wendy Walker, co-editor and author of Chicken Soup for the Soul's Power Moms, as well as read the book.

ALL YOU is looking for women in the NJ-NY-CT area (near to NYC) who are interested in appearing on a TV segment related to back-to-school. The segment will take place in the next two weeks. Those interested should email: miranda_lanzillotti@timeinc.com with their contact information and a short description about themselves and their family.

Accepting article pitches for 2011 Writer's Market until September 1, 2009.

In body of e-mail, please outline your article idea and include a short bio. Do not pitch ideas via Facebook. Send an e-mail with the subject line: 2011 Writer's Market Query: to robert.brewer@fwmedia.com

Please reference the 2010 Writer's Market to get an idea of what articles I've accepted in the past. I'm mostly interested in business/marketing related pieces, but craft-related articles may work, too.

Interviews with well-known and/or emerging book authors (both fiction and nonfiction) as well as very successful freelancers are of interest as well.

Time: July 21, 2009 to August 14, 2009
Location: Edison, NJ
Organized By: Middlesex County College

The editorial staff of Writer’s Digest Market Books is now open to queries for the 2010 editions of Photographer’s Market, Songwriter’s Market and Artist’s & Graphic Designer’s Market (which will be published in October 2009).

These books, similar to Writer’s Market, offer craft- and business-related articles for photographers, songwriters and artists as well as interviews with both newer and more experienced professionals in these areas. (Refer to past editions for examples.)

If you have an idea for an article or interview, e-mail your query to alice.pope@fwmedia.com.

WEAR YOUR MUSIC OFFERS A CHANCE TO WEAR ROCK HISTORY ON YOUR WRIST WHILE SUPPORTING CHARITY

Used Guitar Strings By Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, John Mayer and more turned into high-end bracelets

Sales Channel Money To Artist’s Preferred Charities In Tough Economic Time


New York, NY—In a down economy, WEAR YOUR MUSIC is offering fans of everyone from Avril Lavigne to Ziggy Marley a chance to take home a piece of rock and roll history, while supporting charities such as Unicef, Rock the Vote and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The New York-based group creates 100% eco-friendly jewelry that rocks—literally, turning used guitar strings from artists spanning the musical spectrum into stylish bracelets, which are sold with a certificate of authenticity. “These are strings that these musicians have used and would normally throw away,” says co-president and designer Hannah Garrison, “It’s great that we can recycle them and also offer people a chance to wear rock n roll on their writsts.” In addition, the fine silver used on each bracelet is also 100% recycled, as is the DVD case each bracelet comes in.

A portion of each sale is donated to charities like Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation and The Grateful Dead-affiliated Rex Foundation.

The bangle-style bracelets, crafted from guitar strings donated by over 150 artists, include such rock luminaries Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend, as well as members of Widespread Panic, My Morning Jacket, Metallica, Phish, The Allman Brothers Band, Death Cab for Cutie and Social Distortion. In addition, the likes of Marley, Jack Johnson, Carrie Underwood, Zakk Wylde and Ani DiFranco have recently donated strings to WEAR YOUR MUSIC.

“Supporting good causes and the environment have always been important, but even more so now,” says Garrison.

To view complete lists of available bracelets and participating charities, visit: www.wearyourmusic.org

Leading Media Sharing Site Offers 25 Free Prints, 25 Percent Off All Photo Products

Boca Raton, FL – June 22, 2009 — Multiply, Inc. (http://multiply.com), one of the world’s leading media sharing sites, has created a line of personalized gifts perfect for preserving your summer memories – whether you’re looking to show off photos from a European vacation or print snapshots from a backyard barbecue. Our line of photo products, including photo books, calendars, cards and prints are perfect keepsakes, all for under $30. And to help you commemorate your favorite summer celebration, Multiply is offering 25 free 4x6 photo prints, as well as 25 percent off all of our photo finishing products.

Photo products are meaningful gifts for loved ones, and make the perfect keepsakes for ourselves. Multiply’s line of personalized products have almost endless possibilities for creating and capturing summer memories:

* Get the celebrations rolling this summer by ordering Multiply’s personalized photo invitations for your Fourth of July barbecue or summer birthday party. Not only will your invitation stand out from the rest, but with the time you’ll save bypassing the lines at party stores, you’ll be able to stop in for a manicure before the party. Multiply’s selection of birthday invitation themes offer a personalized way to plan ahead for children’s birthday parties – and even feature the guest of honor on the cover! With our Summer Celebration discount, our personalized photo cards start at $1.87 for a 5x7 folded card and $5.24 for a pack of 10 flat photo cards.
* Scrapbooks and photo albums are wonderful ways to capture the photos you’ve taken on your summer vacation, but with our busy schedules, who has time to actually complete one? This year, forgo the pile of photo prints and expensive scrapbook that sit around waiting to be assembled, and create a travel themed photo book. Not only will this elegant keepsake be something that you can be proud to share and display on a coffee table or book shelf, but with Multiply’s photo book editor, your book can be completed in hours, not days. What’s more, you can crop, edit and adjust your photos right from your browser on the Multiply site, with no need to download or install any software on your computer. Our travel and summer themed books are a perfect backdrop for your vacation photos. With our discount, photo books start at $22.49.
* Who says calendars have to be purchased in January? While things are moving at summer pace, plan ahead for the upcoming school year with a Multiply photo calendar. These personalized photo calendars not only feature the photos you choose, but our custom design tool even lets you mark your own important dates – from little league games and school vacations to birthdays and anniversaries. Make one for yourself, or order for the whole booster club! The Multiply Kid’s Art theme gives a colorful backdrop for school year dates, and our photo album theme makes a great booster club fundraiser item! Discounted calendars start at just $14.99.

For more information or to create your gift, visit http://shopmultiply.com.

Plaques bearing the phrase ahlan wa sahlan or "welcome" are a common feature in Arab and Arab American homes, where hospitality is of the utmost importance.

The AANM is now asking Arab American artists to create and donate such plaques for a display case in the AANM's permanent exhibit Living in America. For complete details on this Call for Artists, click HERE or contact Curator of Collections Suzy Adra Mazloum at 313.624.0229 or HERE.

Nestled in the Pocono Mountains and only a 2 ½ hour drive from NYC, EQUIFUNK is a unique and intimate music festival taking place September 4-6, 2009. The perfect end to the summer, EQUIFUNK promises adults and children alike, a fun-filled musical adventure, along with a summer camp experience, complete with sports, crafts, swimming and more.

A refreshing departure from the massive festivals where the stage seems miles away, EQUIFUNK offers a cozy, friendly environment where friends, fans and artists converge for a musical experience.

The all-inclusive 2-day event features nightly live performances by acclaimed New Orleans’ artists, The Radiators and a late night performance by England’s funkiest, The New Mastersounds.

At EQUIFUNK, friends and families can ‘bunk’ in fully renovated cabins; enjoy all meals including outdoor evening barbeques, ‘mess-hall’ breakfast buffets and lunches and poolside snacks and beverages (beer and soft drinks) throughout the day; and various camp activities including sports, gymnastics, canoeing, zipline, rock-climbing, arts & crafts and/or relaxation with music at the resort style pool. Evenings will offer fun festivities and full nights of music with the Radiators, as well as a late night show on Saturday with The New Mastersounds. Babysitting is available so parents can get their groove on!

Playing for over three decades together, The Radiators, affectionately known as “The Rads” play close to 150 dates a year, selling out shows in major markets from New York to San Francisco. Long before there was a phenomenon called Jam Band Music, The Radiators’ shows were noted for their seemingly infinite repertoire and their soulful, inspired improvisations. They have shared the stage with such luminaries as Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Bob Weir, George Porter, Jr. and Maceo Parker have sat in on occasion. EQUIFUNK provides the rare opportunity for “fish-heads” and festival goers to be a part of two rocking sets each night in an intimate outdoor setting.

The New Mastersounds are a four-piece band based in Leeds, England, with a modern take on vintage soul-jazz, funk and rock. Having toured throughout Europe, Japan and the US, the NMS have earned global recognition as a key band in the ‘New Funk’ scene and have garnered a large following both in here and abroad.

Admission for the two-day festival is $250 per person (prices subject to change) and includes accommodations, all meals and beverages and all shows and performances. Children under 12 are free. Family events are offered daytime and babysitting services are available upon request, for a nominal fee.

To purchase tickets to EQUIFUNK or for more information, please visit the website at WWW.EQUIFUNK.COM.