Another Successful School Year     

 

It’s the beginning of the school year and the kids look great.  They have new clothes, books, pencils, pens everything to make the educational experience a success. Unfortunately, I find one thing noticeable about the parents themselves.  Some parents think because they bring their kids to the “high priced babysitter’s aka teachers”, that they will be absolved of the responsibilities of their child’s education.  What does that mean?
I will explain this concept by using an obscure example.  Years ago, there was an athlete who participated in the Olympics.  The sport was hockey.  Their team won.  The team was ecstatic and proud.  This young man scored the winning point. All the fans were shouting.  I even saw some of the other countries cheering.  When you saw this young man, you can see he was not  paying attention to the cheering crowd.  There was something else on his mind.  He was searching for his dad.  All the adoration from the crowd meant nothing.  He wanted something nobody on earth could give him.  Dads love, blessing and pride.  No billionaire, entertainer or sexy lady can give him that.  I worked for a famous person years ago.  Every time this person made a professional victory, he/she wrote a letter to his/her parents to share the victory with them.  The tone of the notes sounded like a little girl/boy’s note to mommy.  Showing the parent “mommy, look what I did.  Yes, parents, you are the most important and influential person in your child’s life.  There isn’t even a close second.  When a young Dorothy Hamil, Olympic winner and famous ice skater, thought she was being attacked by an audience in 1974 she ran to the arms of her father – right off the ice.  She did not look for her coach. 
When kids accomplish major goals, they don’t look for childhood hero’s, athletes, entertainment personalities, friends or even teachers for celebration. They look to you, mom and dad.  It’s not to say that grandpa, grandma, auntie, uncle, and siblings are not important – they are. It is just that you are the first line of defense.  They are looking for someone who loves them more than life itself.  Someone who nourishes them physically, morally, emotionally, spiritually and financially. A bond so powerful that not even death can break it.  In the nursing homes, clients are constantly crying out for mommy.  On the battlefields when men are at death's door it is the mom they cry out to.  With these examples, I hope you understand why teachers rely on parents as the first line of defense in the education of their children.  Please, mom and dad, think about what I am saying the next time a teacher calls to speak to you.  Without you, it’s not impossible but your motivation is what will push your child to a victorious life.  

Sigrid Channer

People are like flowers

I love flowers.  They come in many colors and can light up a room.  Flowers can bring joy to women and men. There is something about nature that makes people relax and feel special.  People are like flowers.  Sometimes, a person can walk into a room and make it tranquil.   They can also make others and feel special.  Look at the flowers below.

 

Some of these flowers are familiar and beautiful and some are unfamiliar.  They are all beautiful in their own way.  I remember a child asking me why God made people different colors.  I reminded her about the flowers and how they are different colors sizes and shapes.  The child understood immediately why we have a variety of people.  God loves diversity.   He is the creator of ALL things.  We see diversity everywhere. There is diversity in nature, natural elements, life above and below the waters even the germs are diverse.  We as intelligent civilized creatures know this and still cannot live together in harmony.  What does this say about how we feel about Gods creations? 

Ponty Bistro second Year Anniversary!

Ponty Bistro celebrated its second year anniversary in its Harlem location on August 4, 2016. They held a special happy hour to honor the occasion. The owners are Chefs Elhadji Cisse and Ali Cisse.  Both are Executive Chefs.  They are cousins, from Senegal, who worked their way up in the culinary world and are now owners of the famed restaurant Ponty Bistro located at 144 Adam Clayton Powel Boulevard in Harlem New York.

I was invited  to the anniversary and was impressed by what I saw.  The décor can be described as a cross between a sophisticated French bistro and a mid century modern dining room. The space was warm and cozy.  There was a lot of comfortable seating in the spacious restaurant.  The lighting was intimate which can give the space an adult vibe. You can see and feel the electricity in the room as the crowd relaxes with cocktails and tasty appetizers.  It’s a happy noisy crowd enjoying the ambiance, their dinner companions, and the music.  It’s kind of an African jazz compilation.  I saw everybody moving to the gentle African rhythms.  I talked to some of the diners who spoke in excited terms. They exclaimed their delight with the food.  Most were repeat customers.  I had to admit, it felt like you were at a big family reunion.  Both Chefs greeted patrons warmly.  I pulled the Chefs aside to get their thoughts on their success in the restaurant business. We talked about how they got their start.  They worked for a few famous Chefs like Chef Daniel and Jean George to name a few.  Chef Cisse stated that their previous experience helped to prepare them for the opportunity to make their dreams come true.  He also stated that when they came to America, they came with the desire to create a good life for their family.  Chef Cisse told me that the best way to do that is to “work hard and keep dreaming until it happens for you.”   They both emphasized that they will always have a big vision of their goals.  I asked Chef Ali what he saw for the future of the Bistro.  He said he could see Ponty Bistro all across the country.  I believe him.  Even I was swept up into the vibe, meeting people and enjoying the food and the conversations.  The Bistro attracts an international crowd. I talked to people, literally, from every continent.  The menu is a combination of French and African food.  I enjoyed the drinks and appetizers.  The sangria was fruity and just sweet enough.  The appetizers were hot and tasty.  I had the three cheese gougeres and the crispy tuna.  All the food was fresh and spicy – to perfection.  Between the attentive service, the delicious food, and the friendly crowd; I must say that Ponty Bistro is a great place to unwind and have a great meal.