"I HAVE ISRAEL'S BACK"

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

“When the chips are down, I have Israel’s back”. Barack Obama March 5, 2012

As tension rises and Israel becomes more and more concerned about the development of nuclear facilities in Iran, President Obama has promised support and if necessary, military action to insure Israel’s protection. At the same time, he stated that he believes we need to wait and let the sanctions that have been put in place  take effect and we should continue to try to resolve these problems with diplomacy.

The relationship between President Obama and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been somewhat strained to say the least. Many people believe that Netanyahu isn’t convinced of Obama’s resolve and that Israel might go ahead with attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The most telling statement indicating that Israel might end up acting on its own was Netanyahu's insistence that the Jewish state must be the "master of its fate." "The pressure (on Iran) is growing but time is growing short," Netanyahu was quoted as telling Obama during what was seen as the most tension filled meeting of U.S. and Israeli leaders in years.

 Israel, believed to be the only nuclear weapons power in the Middle East, fears Iranian nuclear facilities may soon be buried so deep that they would be invulnerable to its bunker-busting bombs, which are less powerful than those in the U.S. arsenal.

Israel insists that military action against Iran would be warranted to prevent it from reaching nuclear weapons capability, as opposed to when it actually builds a device. The New York Daily News published an article showing several attack options Israel is considering against Iran. The general opinion is, Israel will not wait much longer.

It’s clear that we are on the verge of a momentous time in history. Will it be another Holocaust if the US convinces Israel to wait, as Netanyahu fears?  Will Iran back down because of political and economic sanctions as Obama hopes? There are serious issues to be considered.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it’s time to start praying, because it seems that’s all we can do right now!  Pray for guidance for world leaders, pray for peaceful resolutions, and pray that all nations might grow too wise to engage in nuclear war!

*Comments welcome, but please, intelligent, clean, productive comments. Let's not bash anyone! Thank you!

Plant City Strawberry Festival

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

The Strawberry Festival has been apart of Plant City's history since 1930. An organization called the Plant City Lions Club had the idea to unite communities through celebrating this Strawberry Festival. Only one time in history did the strawberry festival come to a halt, which was during World War II. Today, the "Florida Strawberry Festival Association" is still running in full operation which is governed by a board of directors from the local community who work year round to help the strawberry festival become top 30 of such events in North America.

 You can find agricultural shows, fun contests, rides, parades, great country entertainment and strawberry delights in one place at an affordable price. The festival celebrates the area's biggest crop and typically includes all things strawberry — from vendors offering everything from berry-themed crafts to flats of the red fruit.
They don't call it the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World" for nothing — because there's nothing like Plant City's strawberries! You won't be able to resist all the tasty treats and delicious delights prepared with mouth-watering fresh strawberries. And, you can even test your limit in the strawberry shortcake eating contest!

The Florida Strawberry Festival offers a wide variety of options for guest of all ages. From Farming to joy rides the strawberry festival has it all. You can expect to see concerts, attractions, rides, games, shopping, wide selection of food, and lots more at the strawberry festival. for more information just visit the Florida Strawberry Festival homepage. http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/index.html

WHEN: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. March 4 through March 11
WHERE: 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City (From Orlando, take I-4 West towards Tampa. Take the Thonotosassa Road Exit. Turn left and follow to traffic light. At light go straight onto Lemon Street to a 4-way stop at Oak Avenue. Turn right on Oak Avenue. Ticket office is about 2 blocks down on the left.
HOW MUCH: $10 adults, $5 children ages 6-12, children age 5 and younger free
CALL: 813-752-9194

EATERY IS OPEN....FISHERMANS STEW

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 yellow pepper, chopped
• 1 stalk(s) celery, chopped
• 2 clove(s) garlic, crushed with press
• 1 teaspoon(s) Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1 can(s) (14 1/2-ounce) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup(s) water
• 1/2 cup(s) dry white wine
• 1/2 pound(s) cod fillet, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 pound(s) medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
• Crusty bread (optional)

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Directions

1. In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, pepper, and celery, and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until onion is tender and golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic, Cajun seasoning, and teaspoon salt, and cook 1 minute, stirring.
2. Add tomatoes, water, and wine; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, 10 minutes.
3. Stir in cod and shrimp. Cover and simmer 3 to 4 minutes or until cod and shrimp just turn opaque throughout, gently stirring once. Ladle stew into 4 large soup bowls and serve with bread if you like.

J.K.ROWLINGS NEW BOOK

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Twitter is on fire with the news that JK Rowling has signed a book deal with Little, Brown Publishers for a new book, this one for adults. Harry Potter fans have been posting their reactions to the news. Rowlings herself Tweeted: “As you may have heard, I have a new book out later this year. Very different to Harry, although I’ve enjoyed writing it every bit as much,” The details of the book, such as title and the date it will be published worldwide, have yet to be revealed.

"She is one of the best storytellers in the world," said Little, Brown Publisher David Shelley. "…I am looking forward enormously to helping bring her new novel for adults to her fans and admirers, and to introducing her writing to new readers the world over."

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Dreams and goals have no expiration dates. The are completely renewable. No matter where you are in the journey of your life -you hold the ability to stir the untapped possibilities. Breathe it all in - The new beauty of your life is there - waiting to be born - and living it is the grandest thing in life.

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC

©  All Rights Reserved

MUSIC HISTORY MARCH 4

This Day In Music History
Birthdays:
Jason Newsted (from Metallica) (1963)
Composer Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678)

Shows & Plays:
Composer Carlos Surinach (1915)The Musical "The Goodbye Girl" opened at the Marquis Theatre. (1993)

The Musical Revival "Annie Get Your Gun" opened at the Marquis Theatre. (1999)

On the Charts:
Today the song "Ruby Tuesday" by the Rolling Stones topped the charts and stayed there for a week. (1967)

Today the song "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" by Andy Gibb topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks. (1978)

Today the song "Lost in Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks. (1989)

WHAT MATTERS...

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Faith, hope and love.

Ideas in action.  

Singing out loud, even when it's off key

The feel of rain on your skin. 

Thanking God.

Laughing with friends.

Trust where there's doubt.

Keeping the promises that you make to yourself!

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS MARCH 3

Jessica Biel
Ton Loc
Kim Smith
David Faustino
Miranda Richardson
Matthew Mardsen
Julie Bowen

Activites for Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Looking for something fun to do with the kids to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2^nd? Well, here are some great suggestions:

Cat in the Hat light bulb craft

 Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Dr. Seuss Bingo : free printable bingo cards and directions

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/drseusscraftprojects/ss/Seuss-Bingo-Game-Cards.htm

Cat in the Hat Light Bulb Craft

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/drseusscraftprojects/ss/LightBulbCatHat.htm

Cat in the Hat cookie recipe

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/drseusscraftprojects/a/CatHatCookie.htm

Grinch crafts

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/grinchcrafts/a/121800a.htm

Dr. Seuss Printable activities

http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylc=X3oDMTIzaDRvMWRsBF9TAzc4NDcxNzI0MARfcwMyMjcwODIyOARwcnRucl9pZAMyMTE4MTE4BHNlYwNhZmZpbGlhdGUEc2xrA2xhbmRpbmc-?rd=1&p=dr%20seuss%20printable%20activities&view=g&affiliate=rw&AID=10473284&PID=2118118&SID=yx-7-6e2-k69b509-222031-36c

And of course, there’s always the new movie The Lorax, coming to theaters, guess when……. March 2^nd of course!

THE LORAX

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

With The Lorax coming to theaters this weekend, it’s time for kids of all ages to check out The Lorax Project! Conceived by Random House, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Conservation International, The Lorax Project seeks to engage people of all ages to do their part to preserve places and species that are vital to the future of our planet. Through this project, the Lorax, and his messages will raise awareness of environmental issues and inspire individuals of all ages to take action to conserve real life habitats and species.

The page below has games, information and education, as well as the opportunity to take the “Lorax Pledge”. 

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.
-Dr. Seuss

Lorax Project:

http://origin-www.seussville.com/loraxproject/

The official Lorax Trailer:

http://www.theloraxmovie.com/index.php#/splash