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Susan
Mangatal - susan@ariousentertainment.us
Greetings
On-Line Family:
This
past weekend even though it was one of the most enjoyable (so far
this summer) with all the exciting outdoor activities, festivals
and concerts we attended, it came to a close for us in
sorrow. Sorrow..."the passing" of a loved one, why is it that we all must go
through this? The only answer that everyone seems to come
up with is: "it's a part of life."
However, to me it's a part of life we all can do without!!!
A
few years ago when we lost the dad of my husband Todd, it was a life-changing experience and very
powerful, not to mention extremely overwhelming for our "Mangatal"
family. It took quite some time to come to terms with the
drastic lost and to manage our lives back on to the road of
normalcy. In our situation, actually Todd's
situation, he now had to be the head of our "Mangatal"
family and to be strong for everyone, providing aid, insight,
comfort and most importantly strength.
Death...bereavement...sorrow....grief
- all are very powerful, and very difficult to deal with.
The question is how do we deal with it? In my readings I
found that (1) people are encouraged to help even though they
may feel they may make things worst, it's better to do something
than nothing, and don't be afraid to show that you care.
During our time of loss we cherished every word of sympathy,
every expression of love that was demonstrated to us, and every
kind gesture that came our way. With these small things we
didn't feel entirely alone during this difficult time.
(2) people are encouraged to not stifle the emotions of those
who are in sorrow. Even though our family tried to
be strong and tried not to be emotional in public, many times
alone I/we found ourselves breaking down in private.
We indeed found it better to just let it all out; found that it was OK
to shed a tear or two, found that it was OK to be angry and question
why. I personally found it to be extremely healing when I
expressed my emotions freely. (3) "Healing is
built on through perseverance, support and understanding". The
healing process for us was not easy, but we managed.
Funny, at the time we didn't think we would, but as time passed
we all just seemed to understand and except our loss, and was
able to manage and deal with it.
Most importantly, (4) Growth and healing comes in learning to
enjoy memories. This is an absolute true statement,
now we look back and fondly talk about all the many things that
transpired in our lives with our beloved "Mano".
During this past week, we have endured some of these same
feelings, because we lost Todd's grandfather ("Da Da
Ole" - a nickname Todd gave his grandfather William E. Bell,
Jr. as a little boy). "Da Da Ole" or "WEB"
as many of the adults in our family called him, was a healthy,
prosperous, and warm man. A brave and strong soldier,
father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather who lived a very
full life.
As
this week passed Todd talked about "Da Da Ole's"
prosperous business, and about some of the issues with the
family. Of course, with every family, there is bound to be
problems from time to time. He talked about the
problems Da Da Ole's children experienced throughout their
childhood and along their way to
adulthood, but most of all he
remembered how strong his grandfather was throughout his
life.
William
E. Bell, Jr. indeed left his mark on this earth, in our hearts and in
our minds. He will be missed and will always be
remembered. Most importantly, we must celebrate his life
because we know he absolutely lived it to the fullest!!!
To the entire family of
William E. Bell, Jr. as we lay him to rest we must pay tribute to
him and allow the memories he left behind comfort us through
this difficult time.
Back to the lighter side of things, the Caribbean Carnival in
Baltimore, we DID get to see (unlike DC's). There were a
handful" of small "mas" bands who participated in
the parade that mainly came from/and participated in the DCs
Carnival. However, I'm glad to say we did see the entire
parade!!!
As for the "Harbor View
Steel drum Festival" presented by
Baltimore Education and Cultural Institute, Inc. ( ),
which took place all last weekend. I understand this  festival
was nice (per reports from attendees). I was told there
were a few glitches, that certainly can be fixed next year, but
overall it was nice. We did pass through this event for a
short time, but couldn't stay because of various other
commitments. Congrats to BECI, Inc. on their
success! To see some highlights of this event and to check
out the performances of many steel bands that participated in
this exciting event CLICK
HERE to log on to
"When Steel Talks, Everyone Listens" site to
read the exciting article and to view the video they
produced. (Click on the white arrow to launch video once
you are on the page.) Check out the photos that was
captured by When Steel Talks on this page as well. For more details and to Support Baltimore
Education and Cultural Institute, Inc. call:
443-854-2920, 443-722-1439, and 443-271-0406 or log on to
their site: www.beci-inc.org.
The "Trinidad
and Tobago Working Women's Committee" of Washington DC request
your support and presence at their upcoming fundraiser dance,
which is being held to bring awareness to how devastating
HIV/AIDS is plaguing the Caribbean Islands in astonishing
numbers. This event will take place on July 26th,
2008. See their message by CLICKING
HERE. For the flyer you can scroll down to our
"Featured Event" section, or click on to the picture
above.
Congratulations to Lotoya Kendal and Milton Weston on their
wonderful union. They will become husband and wife this
weekend. A special note to the lovely couple: As you
may know this wedding day is one of the most important days of
your lives, and being married is a very beautiful thing...a
oneness...a lifetime forever. Beautiful as it is...it is a huge and exciting step you are taking together in your lives,
so you must vow to respect and cherish each other forever.
Most importantly, remember you are each others confidante, friend
and partner who are committed to each other through good and bad
times. Latoya please do follow in the footsteps of your
mom and dad, because your parents are prime examples of a great
union. We at Arious wish both you and Milton true love,
great joy and happiness, and a long and successful
marriage. Congratulations to you on the start of a
beautiful life together!!!!
This
week in History - July 17th-July 23rd. Last week I shared
some important information about some interesting facts about
American History, and I thank you for sending me some of your
thought provoking comments. Below you will find I have
listed several more historic incidents that took place during
this week in history. Please take the time to read and
become educated. Click on to the titles listed below to learn
everything about these important issues.
The Fifty-Fourth
Massachusetts Volunteers - July 18, 1863. (Courtesy of
US-CivilWar.com). The all black unit (one of the
first) infantry regiment of the United States Armed forces who
fought for the Union Army in the Civil War. This was
depicted in the 1989 film "Glory". The Sergeant
of this unit William H. Carney became the first
African-American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor
for bravery under fire. For additional reading click
here: http://battleofolustee.org/54th_mass_inf.html
(Courtesy of Battle of Olustee.)
The
Fourteenth Amendment Ratified - July 21, 1868. (Courtesy of
www.nps.gov, and created by
Martin Luther King, Jr. Nat'l Historic Site Inter. Staff).
The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States was ratified on this date, which granted citizenship to
any person born or naturalized in the United States.
Ratification was completed on July 9, 1868. However,
Georgia was the last state who subsequently ratified the
amendment on July 21, 1868 after rejecting it in 1866).
The
National Association of Colored Women - Formed July 21, 1896.
(Courtesy of African-Americans.com). To read about the
First President "Mary Church Terrell" click here: http://www.jstor.org/pss/2717758
courtesy of Beverly W. Jones, and for additional or http://gos.sbc.edu/t/terrellmary.html
For details or quotes CLICK
HERE!
Washington
DC Riots - "The Red
Summer" Riots - July 19-23, 1919 - This summer
was filled with a racial frenzy of clashes, massacres, and
lynchings bestowed upon blacks, all initiated and committed by
whites throughout the North and the South. Strangely,
I found no actual details on these 5 days of rioting that
took place in Washington DC during the deadliest race wars in
American History, as I did with the Gregg and Longview
Counties riots that I shared with you last week.
However, as I kept searching and reading I discovered 6 were
killed and 150 were wounded. If you find any details on
this, please feel free to pass it on to me. CLICK
HERE to read a few words on the riots of 1919
*
 This
week in politics I am in disbelief because it was reported that
The Bush Administration decided to have talks with Iran. I
simply cannot believe they intend to talk to the so-called
enemy.
Remember
only a few months ago, Senator and "presumptive"
Democratic Nominee Barack Obama said he
was willing to meet unconditionally with foreign leaders the
United States don't get along with, including Iran, and pledge to negotiate
with them at any level; he was "slammed" and
criticized. Remember he stated in a debate during the primary season: "It's
important for the United States not to just talk to its friends, but also
to talk to its enemies as well. In fact, that's where
diplomacy makes the biggest difference", he was called
inexperienced, an appeaser, naive, and other worst things.
Actually, Senator McCain's campaign through its spokesman Tucker
Bounds responded to Obama's remarks by stating "it would
be a wonderful thing if we lived in a world where we don't have
enemies. But that is not the world we live in, and until
Senator Obama understands that, the American people have every
reason to doubt whether he has the strength, judgment and
determination to keep us safe."
I think
Senator Obama needs an apology...The Bush Administration
actually think Senator Obama's belief and statement on foreign
policy was right, and is following his lead in showing proper diplomacy. The Bush Administration actually has taken a
180 degree turn and has broken its policy by engaging in talks
with Iran. Unbelievable!!!
Yes, it was
announced a few days ago that William Burns will meet with Iranian
diplomat Saeed Jalili this week during negotiations between Iran
and diplomats from the European Union. This is incredible. CLICK
HERE to read more about this issue entitled "America
Envoy to Join Iran Talks" written by Glen Kessler-Wash.
Post Staff Writer and published in the Washington Post 7/16/08;
or CLICK
HERE to read The Huffington Post article written by Matthew
Lee and published 7/16/08.
* The
General Elections are just a few months away, so to make sure
your voice is heard and to be a part of the nations most
exciting elections, you must register to vote NOW. Log
on HERE to see the voter registration date deadline for each
state, and proceed
with registering to
vote by logging on HERE, and filling out the registration
form at "Rock The Vote.com". (To
access the form, click the "Register To Vote" Button
from the menu at the top of the page)
* 
Click this picture to view Senator Barack
Obama Speech he delivered this week on National Security and the War in
Iraq. This strategy was laid out so that all elements of
American power can be used to keep the US safe, prosperous and
free. See the text as well. (Courtesy of barackobama.com
and powered by You Tube). http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newstrategy
 Thanks
to the many who have sent me e-mails in
response to my past E-Newsletters and lots of important
information to use for our future E-Newsletters. Most importantly, I thank you for your
encouraging words! So until next week... please enjoy this
Weekend and the upcoming week!!
 
   
To all of you
our on-line family, thanks for reading, sharing your thoughts
and comments with us, and for always supporting
us. As you know without you there would be no us.
So thanks very much for your support and One Love!
For All Events
Go To
Our "Events"
Page
Check out our
"Featured Events" listed below.
Also, there are
several events taking place this weekend, next weekend and beyond, so to view all the Events please log on
to our "Events" Page above!
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July
18-20, 2008
Baltimore,
Maryland
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
Artscape
Baltimore 2008 - The
Region's Celebration of
the Arts
Celebrates
it's 27 year this weekend
July 18-July 20, 2008
Dates
July 18-20, 2008
Times
Friday
& Saturday 12-10pm
and Sunday 12-8pm
Locations
Mt.
Royal Avenue and
Cathedral Street,
midtown Baltimore
and Charles Street
Check
out this Free festival and
check out the Caribbean
Acts Performing over the
weekend!!!
7/18/08
- St. Veronica's Youth
Steel Orchestra from
2:00pm-2:45pm; 7/20/08-3
The Hard Way (Roots) @
1:00pm on Main Stage;
7/20/08-See I (Reggae
Band) @ 3:00 pm; 7/20/08 -
SOJA (Reggae Band) @ 4:30
pm on Main Stage; 7/20/08
- The Wailers @ 6:30 pm on
the Main Stage.
Artists
Market location: Location:
1301 Mount Royal
Avenue, along the main
corridor of the festival
For all
the details and the entire
Performance Schedule log
on to: www.artscape.org
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
FREE
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July
20, 2008
Silver
Spring, Maryland
Jackie
& Associates
Presents
An
After Carnival Cool Down
Party
………………………………………
On
Sunday July 20, 2008
@805
Philadelphia Avenue
Silver
Spring MD
(The
Mas Camp)
MUSIC
BY ALL DJS
For info call:
301-565-9037
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July
26, 2008
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or Click
Here
Happy
Anniversary to Kalisa and Tobias!!! and Congratulations to
Natalie on her marriage that took place in Barbados.
