Reclaiming Your Independence

Welcome to July and the second half of 2009. This is the best time to revisit resolutions/goals set at the beginning of the year. Perhaps some resolutions will not be met; perhaps some of them will be transferred to 2010; and perhaps some of them should not have been on the list in the first place. Be that as it may, independence is something that is within everyone's span of control, so consider spending the next 6 months in 2009 reclaiming your independence.

I invite you to think about some of the ways you can get back on track (if you have fallen off) and take control of yourself and your self. Oftentimes, we depend on others to make our lives worthwhile, and we fall into the trap of thinking that someone else controls our happiness...An independent person does not depend on others' opinions or guidance in conduct; an independent person certainly does not rely on others for their care or livelihood; and an independent person definitely understands that dependency results in allowing other people to manage YOUR life.

We are focusing on reclaiming independence in the following areas: Love, Finance, and Spirituality, so I hope my few words will be of some help to you. It not my intention to offend or point the finger at anyone. Also know that writing this helps to keep me on track, so we all benefit in the long run!


THE LOVE JONES SYNDROME:
So, you are in a great relationship and in love with your significant other who totally consumes you... In fact, you love spending so much time with your "Boo" that you neglect all the people and things that truly matter to YOU. Before you lose yourself in another person, remember that relationships are healthier when each person has personal time, personal projects, and personal goals. So, pull away at times, and take time to give yourself some TLC. Don't be afraid - real love will be waiting for you after you reclaim your independence and take care of YOU.



BECOMING FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT:
The vast majority of us dream of becoming financially independent. Actually, some of us dare not dream that big - we just dream of days when we are no longer living from paycheck to paycheck and are able to take a long vacation without hyperventilating about returning to the "real world." I am no expert on the subject of becoming financially independent, but I am educating myself on getting there real soon. One of the best things you can do for yourself financially is to live within your means. Don't splurge with your friends with money on dinners you cannot afford; do not spend all your money at the mall; and do not fall prey to many of the "get rich quick" scams out there. Get a financial advisor, spend wisely, and SAVE. It takes years, sacrifice, and money to become truly financially independent, but it is a journey worth taking NOW.


THE SPIRITUAL CONNECTION:
Oftentimes people get bent out of shape when SPIRITUALITY is mentioned. It does not mean you have to go to church, the Buddhist Temple, or get baptized (even though religion and spirituality can go hand in hand). Spirituality is really about getting to know yourself and finding a connection with your inner self, so you understand who you truly are. Finding that spiritual connection is one of the best gifts you can give yourself to be truly independent. Getting spiritual allows you to develop your independent style and make higher and better decisions of the heart. So, always take time for you and your spirit. Take time away from your hectic (or not so hectic) schedule to rest your mind and think about enjoying life in the moment. Take a spiritual journey by taking long walks on a beach or going on a long solitary drive sans the crazy music. Meditation brings you closer to your spiritual center, so it is something worth trying. For an easy fix, just take a couple evenings off, go home and shut down everything that creates the regular "background music", submerge yourself in the bath with some scented candles for a good 15 minutes, and be one with yourself - "whoooosaaaaaaah". A healthy spirit makes good for the heart, body, mind, and soul!

In the spirit of Independence Day, start reclaiming YOUR independence today. Be safe and have a HAPPY 4th OF JULY! Happy birthday to Neville Mitcham, Patrick Blair, Mellody and Orrett Duckie and everyone celebrating this week!

Independently yours,

Rosie "Peppy" Parke
Creative Director
PEPPY ENTERTAINMENT & PROMOTIONS, LLC
peppypromotions@gmail.com

To see some of our Weekly Newsletters, go here:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs011/1101622011376/archive/1102628951418.html

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month

Celebrate June, Celebrate You, Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month
ALL MONTH LONG...



"Caribbean Americans have made lasting contributions to our Nation's culture and history, and the month of June has been set aside to honor their cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and social diversity.

Generations of immigrants have preserved the traditions of their homelands, and these traditions have defined our Nation's identity. Caribbean Americans bring a unique and vibrant culture. This multilingual and multiethnic tradition has strengthened our social fabric and enriched the diversity of our Nation."...President Obama

June is going to be a month jam-packed with activities celebrating all things Caribbean! Make sure you get your fill and get out and be a part of something bigger than YOU.

Here is my calendar of MUST-ATTEND events:

June 4-10
DC Caribbean Filmfest
For more information call 202.223.1960 ext. 137 or email info@transafricaforum.org.

The DC Caribbean Film Festival is produced in conjunction with the Bank/Fund Caribbean Association, the Caribbean Professional Networking Series and TransAfrica Forum.

June 14-18
Tamarind Festival of Caribbean Literature

Sunday, June 14
2pm
National Museum of Women in the Arts located at 1250 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC 20005-3970
Admission: FREE

Featuring Merle Collins Ph.D. and Professor Lorna Goodison. Presentation of Awards: Claude McKay Caribbean Writer Award and Paule Marshall Caribbean Writer Award.

Monday, June 15
6:30pm
Embassy of Barbados located at 2144 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008
Admission: FREE

Tamarind Festival of Caribbean Literature in Washington DC presents Eastern Caribbean Writers . Trinidad and Barbados Literature with Dr Ian Smart and Lisa Allen-Agostini

Tuesday, June 16
6:30pm
Inter-American Development Bank located at 1300 New York Ave NW Washington, DC 20577
Admission: FREE

Tamarind Festival of Caribbean Literature in Washington, DC presents Oral Literature (Healing Fractured Consciousness).

Wednesday, June 17
The Organization of American States located at 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington DC 20006
Admission: FREE

Tamarind Festival of Caribbean Literature in Washington, DC presents Coming of Age Literature featuring Rachel Manley.

Thursday, June 18
6:00pm
Almaz Restaurant and Lounge
1212 U Street, NW DC

Peppy Entertainment & Promotions and Tamarind Festival of Caribbean Literature in Washington, DC presents Caribbean Riddim Power featuring Mutabaruka, Heru, Rising Sun Reggae Band and others. Call 301-395-1013 or 202-638-0460 OR email peppypromotions@gmail.com for more information.

Saturday, June 21
Von Martin's Annual Comedy Festival
Caribbeana Radio Services and Caribbeana Communications Inc. Presents...

I Don't Know Bout You, But I Come Right Now To Get Ah...
Laugh- Laugh- Laugh-Laugh and More Laughs at DC Caribbean Carnival Premier 2009 Comedy Show

Come Out Celebrate, Get On Bad Wit' Laughter with
Comedians from Trinidad & Tobago , Jamaica , & Barbados

Nikki Crosby, Mac Fingall, Elva Ruddock, Relator, Gypsy, Lady Africa.
MC's Sprangalang and Von Martin

Sunday, June 21, 2009
Showtime: 7:00 pm, Don't Be Late!
Tickets: $35 in Advance
At the Door: $40
Cramton Auditorium
Howard University... HU, You Know!
2455 - 6th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20059

June 22-26: Caribbean American Legislative Conference Week

For more information click here:
http://pub5.bravenet.com/calendar/show.php?usernum=408908929

Saturday, June 27
DC Caribbean Carnival Parade 7 Festival

Contact: DC Caribbean Carnival
Website: www.dccaribbeancarinival.org
Details: Parade and Festival Parade Kicks Off @ 11 am Georgia Ave. & Missouri Ave. Followed By Festival in The Park @ Banneker Park "DE SAVANNAH" Featuring Live Performances by: *TRAFFIC JAM with Eddie Charles, Sean Caruth & Shayne Bailey "Sweetness" *IWER GEORGE & TC *TIZZY "Expose" Direct from Antigua *ASHE (Cuban Salsa/Timba Band) *PATCH"Rum & Roti" DEXTER KEANE & DK21 DJ SPYDA, SHILOH INTL., DJ TEEREX MCs: MIAMI'S OWN GISELE "DE WASSI ONE" NEIL MATTEI "DE MUSICAL PRIME MINISTER" Admission: $10 GEORGIA AVE & MISSOURI AVE. WITH FESTIVAL @ BANNEKER PARK "DE SAVANNAH" TO FOLLOW

Title: Concert & Family Day (DC)
Contact: DC Caribbean Carnival
Website: www.dccaribbeancarinival.org
Details: CONCERT & FAMILY DAY - June 28 at 12:00pm CONCERT & FAMILY DAY FEATURING LIVE PERFORMANCES BY THE QUEEN OF SOCA ALISON HINDS & THE ALISON HINDS SHOW KENNETH SALICK "RADICA" THE 2009 CHUTNEY/SOCA MONARCH RAFRECHI (DCs Hottest Haitian Kompa Band) CARL MALCOLM & THE POSITIVE VIBRATIONS REGGAE BAND DJ SPYDA, SHILOH INTL., DJ TEEREX MCs: JOHN BLAKE, TONY CARR Admission: $10

ROSIE PEPPY PARKE ON SMILE JAMAICA

International Reggae and World Music Awards Report by PEP

Like last year, I had a great time at the 28th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA)! Due to attending the 747 Seminar earlier in the day, the extra traffic which came with the rain, and getting lost on the way to the IRAWMA, I almost missed the red carpet portion of the event. When I finally got to York College Performing Arts Center, I was very happy and relieved that the IRAWMA team was professional, efficient and polite. In no time, I had my media passes and found myself surrounded by beautiful hostesses and the stars of the night who were busy on the red carpet striking various poses and getting interviewed by media houses galore!
Like any other award show of this magnitude, there was the usual buzz, excitement and networking opportunities. It was great reconnecting with old friends and seeing some faces who I had only met through emails. Shout outs to Shauna Chin, Winford Williams of CVM TV, Maxine Greaves, Louis Henry of CPNTV, Fiona and Nicky Wright of Caribbean Vibes Radio, and Patrick Blair.

Despite a few technical glitches, it was still an entertaining show. Emcee, Tony Rebel showed his true comedic colors and kept the vibes nice! Rebel also gave a great performance when he sang his new song "Another Bill" and toward the closing of the show, he slid in two favorites which had the crowd rocking and singing along. The buzz words for the night were Obama and The Swine Flu and like everyone else, I have a hard time envisioning Rastamen like Tony Rebel and Mutaburaka with the swine flu...HILARIOUS!

The performances were great and I enjoyed them all. Though not a huge fan of soca, it was great to see diversity on the program and calypsonians Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose, and Alison Hinds were on point! Ms. Hinds had the men in the front row section in a frenzy when she started doing her "Roll It Gyal" dance and had to come back onstage to give them a last look at her sexy body! According to Emcee, Tony Rebel "She AT!"...translation - "she is hot!"

Machel Mantano beat Beenie Man and took the award for Most Outstanding Stage Personality. On Sunday night, Machel's performance would have been outstanding were it not for his CD skipping...I could feel his pain which was also visible. On collecting his award, Machel was sure to remark "Next year, I am walking with my band!" He also did not miss the opportunity to crack one at Beenie Man and said "Beenie, a de best white suit win!" Even though, Beenie's ex-wife, D'Angel always irritates me especially when she says "And sooooo!", I really enjoyed her performance and energy all night and have to give her kudos for always making me smile. OK, I must admit that she is steadily growing on me.
Lieutenant Stitchie still has incredible stage presence and his lyrics came even faster than they did when he was doing secular music. These days, Stitchie is jumping for Jesus so it is no wonder that he seems to be jumping higher and is friskier than ever! He, along with Elephant Man won the award for Best Gospel Song. I know it is hard to imagine Elephant Man doing gospel but that is the truth! Queen Ifrica and Tarrus Riley gave outstanding performances (no surprise here) and the "fyah mumma" won two awards - Best Female DJ/Rapper and the other which she shared with Etana for Best Female Vocalist. Even though Tarrus Riley's mic was not working when he hit the stage with a BANG, he made up for it when the engineers finally got it to work! Congrats to Tarrus Riley on winning Best Male Vocalist.

Best Poet, Mutabaruka was funny and gave a solid performance from his popular piece "Gimme Me Dis". Muta was quick to point out that back in the day when he was traveling barefooted, all the attention was on him. These days when he passes through airports and observe even the pilots having to take off their shoes, he cannot help but laugh. We were all laughing too...Talk about "poetic justice."

Brigadier Jerry's performance was a big hit and he along with Owen Dalhouse, Heavy D and Road Int'l won special awards for contribution to the music industry! Beenie Man aka Ras Moses closed the show out with his "Gimme Gimme" song but I enjoyed the performance from his little sidekick who did the Michael Jackson impersonation better. Beenie was more entertaining as he moved through the crowd and carried on with his antics.

The backing band for the night was Dean Fraser and Friends who lost to New Kingston Band for Best Backing Band, but Dean Fraser copped the award for Best Instrumentalist. Winners who were missing in action include Etana, Beres Hammond and Mavado who each won two awards.

FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS, VISIT WWW.IRAWMA.COM

Congratulations to Ephraim Martin, Debbie Bass and team for another successful IRAWMA!

To get with me, email peppypromotions@gmail.com.
Peace,
www.peppypromotions.com

Mystic Vibes and Peppy Entertainment present the 90s Party you do not want to miss on Friday, April 10

Fitness, Parties, Life!

Fresh from the Kick-Off Fitness and Wellness Retreat at the beautiful Medissage Center in Mt. Croghan, SC, the vibes is right for all things Fitness and Wellness as we finish off Women's History Month in style.

On March 28-29, 2009, Central Jamaica will be alive and kicking when the 2nd Annual JAMCEN Health and Wellness Expo is staged. Yours truly will be participating and so will many others such as Dr. Susan Cadiz!. For more information, email 20twentystrategies@gmail.com.

Come out in droves and learn about how you can eat, exercise, and LIVE for a healthier you. From April 1 thru May 14, 2009, it will be all about FREE exercises classes in Ward 7 as East River Family Strengthening Collaborative invite you to take some time off in the evenings to exercise with me, Johann Richard and Paula Marie.

If you are interested in taking advantage of the FREE exercise classes which will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5-6pm in NE, DC, contact me ASAP at peppypromotions@gmail.com: Subject Line: Free Exercise Classes.




Join us on Friday, April 10 for the 90s Party Part 2 as Mystic Vibes and Peppy Entertainment & Promotions bring back the good old vibes that we all miss so much.

Enjoy the slideshow of the Medissage Retreat below and remember that we are going back to Medissage for "Joy in June" on June 12-14, 2009. Downpayments are being accepted right NOW to secure your spot!

Happy Women's History Month

This month as we celebrate ALL THINGS WOMAN, I just want to wish every female, woman and lady a wonderful month. I hope you take some time out to focus on YOU and realize how important you are to the world we live in. You have made significant contributions on a personal and professional level. You are charismatic, courageous and composed and among many other things, you are talented, tenacious and a testament to the saying "behind every great man, stands a great woman!"

This is a great time for men to show their apprecation for all the females in their lives - from the Mothers who brought them into this world to the grandmothers who brought the mothers into the world; from the aunts and cousins to the sisters and sistahs; from the wives and significant others to the daughters and the "dawtas"; and from the co-worker and neighbor right down to that special female friend and any woman you meet in passing.

In honor of Women's History Month, Peppy Entertainment & Promotions will be featuring two phenomenal women who are doing great things on many levels (please email peppypromotions@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list). I hope that you take the time out to READ the information on these ladies and support them in any and every way you can. Send them an email, call them or check them out online and let them know that you are truly inspired by what they are doing!

Peace and Blessings...enjoy the words of Dr. Maya Angelou below.

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in historyWith your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I riseInto a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

Medissage in March - the Fitness & Wellness Retreat for WOMEN

COST:

Basic Package: $200
Economy Package: $300
(Basic Package PLUS Private room and one hour massage)
Deluxe Package: $300 - 400
(Basic or Economy Package PLUS transportation)

All packages include food, accommodation, workshop and fitness sessions, events, use of all property amenities, and more!

PAYMENT:
Full payment on reservation
OR
50% due by Friday, February 6
Balance Due by Friday, February 13

For additional information, contact theparkefirm@gmail.com or info@peppypromotions.com or call 301-395-1013.

Payment options: Cash, Paypal, or Money Order

For information on Medissage. visit www.medissage.org

This event is sponsored by Peppy Entertainment & Promotions, Fitness Heights International, Cardio Erotic Striptease, The Parke Firm, and Black Star Line H2O).

*Transportation will leave DC/MD at 6:00am on Friday, March 13 and leave SC at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 15.

Please note that there is a $100 return fee for transportation with us. Persons have the option of getting to Medissage on their own. The closest airport is in NC and one our from Medissage.

Please call if you need additional information: 301-395-1013.