Minh Pham Eagle Scout Project for National Vietnam War Museum in Oviedo

Minh Pham was born in Vietnam. He immigrated to the US as a little child. His father and I went to college together. When he was born we were sitting in class side by side. After class his father made the phone call to receive his son into this world.

Minh Pham and his father Tony Pham

Here is a Flickr link to my entire Photo Album of this wonderful activity.

The Vietnam War has a direct impact on this family. Minh's grandfather, a South Vietnamese police captain, was a prisoner of war. Minh's father has shared countless haunting stories with me about this ordeal.

Minh Pham Eagle Scout Presentation

As fate would have it, the entire family is now living in the US. Minh saw a need for proper signage on displays at the National Vietnam War Memorial in Oviedo and made it into his Eagle Scout project. At the same time giving a nod to the men and women who fought for his country of birth.

I am a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Even though I did not serve in Vietnam, I was touched by his gesture to honor those who served. Although, this National Vietnam War Museum seeks to honor all veterans. Until Minh told me about this project sometime ago, I did not know this place existed. He achieved one goal of raising my awareness and here is hoping I can raise yours.

On behalf of all veterans I am honored that you, Minh Pham, recognize our service. It just goes to show the character of well groomed young people.

Memoir for Chaitram Mangal

It was 1987. As I walked off the main Public Road in #79 Village, Corriverton, Berbice, Guyana, down a side alley that lead to a backyard pavilion, I wondered what was I getting myself into. Little did I know, it was the beginning of life long relationships with people from all walks of life. One most memorable relationship was with Chaitram Mangal.

 

A short little dark skinned boy was wrapped with a broad yellow belt that held his starch white clothes together. My very first impression was, damn his feet can fly. This was Chait, as I grew to know him by, practicing his kicks. Great impression for a first timer at Karate School. Sensei Lionel Charran, conducted Power Karate, a Kyo Kushin Kai Japanese style of martial arts, dojo. Sensei Charran gave a place to call home for us impressionable young minds. Being a small group it was quick to make friends and bond with people.

Chait was a prominent fixture at Karate school. He showed up and practiced with vigor. Never did he back down from a sparring match. Even when he encountered the hurry up action of Azam Hamid. I recalled Chait asking in the middle of a sparring session, “Banna, can I get a technique in? Stop running me around the dojo, man.” He stood up to the brute force of Dhanraj kicks and deflected the solid punches of Gary. Even at this young age, Chait was a fighter.

Later as I got to know the boy behind those vicious kicks, it all made sense. Growing up in Guyana during those times was tough as it still is today. Young men hustled to make a decent living. Chait never rested, he sold cigarettes and anything else to make a dollar, at #79 Market. Many times, I saw him helping people with their baskets. He had a ring of brothers in Rovin and Boman. Those guys were inseparable. You saw one, look around, the other was right behind. They brought that same bond from the market into the dojo and extended it to anyone they met.

If Chait knew you, he never passed without saying hello. Even for a brief tap, or hand shake, he made sure you knew he was around. His radiant and infectious upbeat personality always followed wherever he went.

Now that you are resting, Chait, I will always remember that first impression. If that lil coolie boy can do karate why can’t I? You showed the world that life is what you make of it, for that I am forever grateful. Rest in Peace my friend, Rest in Peace.

Neeshan D Hitman Uncut and Raw on Xposed TV with Sarah Bacchus

In the wide sea of so called West Indian artistes, who really uses their platform of entertainment to drive positive messages? D Hitman took his trail blazing high energy performances and metamorphed into a vehicle of positive change. As he sat down for a riveting raw uncut conversation with Sarah Bacchus, host of Xposed TV, it is refreshing to see the evolution of a man who can move the masses with his rum songs and turn around to capture those same masses with a message of restraint, humble humility and respect for women. His daring question of, “who will the child look up to if not us,” is strikingly powerful.

You know all of his songs, you grooved and whittled, whined and grinded on every dancehall, bacchanal, battam house and beach party from New York to Trinidad and all the way to Guyana. When the party needed a little pick up, the DJs turned to D Hitman. When the crowd settled a bit, D Hitman blazed out with his exposed chest and sprinkled fire water. That same man who has collaborated with every name in the business to captivate a worldwide audience is taking a stance on the same material that made him popular.

His philosophy is not about popular lyrics that sells out to masses but rather about material that moves masses in a positive direction. When the soca chutney world dictates that a hit must be about rum or the degradation of women, D Hitman stood up and said no. Striking! Here is an artiste who made his butter with the same rum song, rewind and come again with a different tune. I can imagine his competition and the so called powers to be in the industry shaking in their sandals. Why would this guy turn around and want to stop a good thing? Is it really a good thing? With all the social issues of rum drinking and celebrating the revered spirit in its infinite destruction, it is staggering that someone has not stepped up sooner.

D Hitman is determined to use his influence and wide audience to change the culture of soca chutney music and West Indian culture as a whole. He has taken a bold approach to not record any more rum songs. If audiences followed his “wilder, younger side” and were thrilled, they would embrace his more positive and matured entertainment path. These positive steps have lead to major support for a new charitable foundation. Lead by Christine Khan, this new foundation is focusing efforts to build a Children’s Recreational Center in Berbice, Guyana. Take a view of the entire interview below.

There are many Caribbean entertainment and media outlets scattered across the Diaspora. But not many embrace content with a positive message. Xposed TV, from Stealth Productions takes a stand and consistently deliver high quality technical and positive programs. The common elements here are all positive forward embracing people working together for a greater good. Here is to more artists joining hands with Neeshan D Hitman for a better West Indian Community.

Negativism of Foreign Based Guyanese.

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired listening to grumpy overseas based Guyanese bitch and moan about a country they no longer live in. What gives you the right to constantly barrage a country that you don’t visit nor keep up with its current affairs? Are you the authority on global development when you make do with less than a high school education and live in a cold hole in the ground?

When was the last time you visited Guyana? Yes, you with the big mouth who seeks to comment on every positive post made on Facebook about Guyana. I guessing not in the last 30 years. When you ran out of Guyana, far away from the suppressive regime, you left everything behind. There is no shame in trying to have a better life for yourself and your family. Every person in this world is entitled to live a better existence. Tons and tons of people fled Guyana to England, Canada and the US. Great for all of us who are fortunate enough to have this opportunity. But have we gone back? We travel to exotic locales, flood our Facebook Profiles, Pages and Groups with the latest smart phone pics or super pics from our best of the best camera equipment that we still can’t use to its fullest extend. Bore our “friends” to death with constant pics of our pets, children and grandchildren. ( I am guilty of pet pics). Show off our Photoshop skills with unrealistic photo mastery and reshare every quote of majestic wisdom that we can find on the internet. But have we gone back?

Have we taken that same money we so lavishly spend in foreign excursions and put it into the Guyanese economy? Have you seen the majestic Kaiteur Falls, that you so passionately reshare 100 times on Facebook, up close and personal? Did you know that there is a canopy that stretches high in the Guyanese Rainforest at Iwokrama  Walkway Canopy, but you’ve visited the tropical rainforest of Belize and Costa Rica? Have you seen the Rupunni Rodeo, but you visit the rodeo in Texas all the time? Did you know there is an international standard hotel and casino name Princess, but you spent the week at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas? Have you dined at New Thriving Chinese Restaurant or the swanky Vintage Wine and Cheese Lounge? But you find is necessary to post and check into every paper plate and plastic fork little hole that you call fine dining? You didn’t know Guyana has some great establishments? Well, like I said….”You are not current.”

How are you the global authority on public development? You didn’t finish high school. If you did finish high school, your so called “superior British education” is not accepted in Canada and the US. Instead of digging in and adjusting yourself, you fell out of education to work three minimum wage jobs to take care of your family of 5. If, like the majority of people who migrate to foreign lands, you live in the cold tundra you are on the subways, buses or walking in several feet of snow and ice at ungodly hours of the morning and days struggling to make ends meet. Oh you thought money fell from trees over here, right. Yep, they lied to you. You have to work and work hard. Tell me when you have time or can really say you are the authority on public development. Oh so you were fortunate enough to slip into college or your parents worked those three jobs scrubbing toilets so that you can get a college education. Now that makes you the holier than thou authority on any kind of development in Guyana. Really, during your education did you study anything about Guyana or how to develop a third world country? You do what? Fix cars and equipment? Yet for all you are the authority?

Truth be told we are nowhere in any position to condemn what we know nothing about. We can render opinions. Our shared travels and living experiences can shed some light on “If it works somewhere else it could work for Guyana.” But it does not make our words gospel. Imagine, your mother tells you how disappointed she is in you everytime she speaks to you? Wouldn’t you eventually feel like a disappointment in yourself? So then, why do you feel the need to spew negativity about everything that comes out of Guyana? The next time you have the urge to make a negative Facebook comment about Guyana, stop and ask yourself, “How is my comment going to make anything better?”

The return of Xposed TV

Did you miss Xposed TV with Sarah Bacchus? The wait is over, they are back online. Known for casting a light on local New York and West Indian issues, this independent TV station has stepped away from mainstream and focus on issues that matter.

Long before there were Facebook Groups and social media, Stealth Productions brought Xposed TV with host Sarah Bacchus. The show broadcasted on Thursdays at 3pm on Ch 34 QPTV & Saturdays at 5pm on Ch 35 QPTV. Producer Neil Anthony Bacchus, created an avenue for local talent to showcase their music.

With the emergence of social media as an integral part of pop culture, Xposed TV reemerged with heavy focus online under Stealth Productions. From a fully professional studio that is equipped for television, with all the bells and whistles that larger studios envy, the show will create content to populate their YouTube and Facebook Pages. These two media outlets will serve to syndicate on other media channels. The focus will still give local artist a larger platform to showcase their talents. A stellar line up is in store.

First to step infront of the camera is long time Queens artist Frank Persico. This artist has dwelled behind the scenes of numerous independent performers and is now ready for his own close up. His musical style takes influences from James Taylor, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. This results in notes of folk, rock, alternative and R & B. Frank’s first album, The Reminder (2011), is available on iTunes and CDBaby. The second album, Salutations from Ozone Park, is due summer 2014. Reverbnation, the popular music site will feature Frank Persico on their home page March 18.

Connect with Frank Persico on Social Media sites.
Website: http://frankpersico.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankPersicoMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frankpersico
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/frankpersico
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrFrankwiz
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/frank-persico/id472566472

Check out the full Frank Persico interview with Sarah Bacchus on Xposed TV below:

Wanna know who is the next Xposed TV guest? Keep watching…..Let me know what you think about Frank Persico’s music.

Sarah Bacchus to showcase at New York Fashion Week 2014

Guyanese American Fashion Designer, Sarah Bacchus, is poised and ready to showcase her brand, 34-24-36 during New York's Fashion Week 2014, on Saturday, February 8th at 4pm.

Fashionistas from around the world will descend on one of New York City’s most versatile and sought after event spaces The Metropolitan Pavilion. With a history that dates back to 1896 B. Altman Department Store and spans across the 1927 Art Deco era, this space has morphed into contemporary esthetics while staying true to it’s roots. Being one of the industry's top venues to host Runway shows, especially for Independent Fashion Designers, it is seems like a perfect fit for Sarah Bacchus.

Sarah will showcase 34-24-36 brand’s latest work, The Aurora Collection. An array of bright colors, rich and luxurious textures and a proud 'Made in USA' label will captivate audiences. Her design philosophy 'Season-less wear’, which allows a piece to transcend across the seasons, demonstrates Aurora Collection’s  depth and versatility utilizing Natural Fibers such as Silk and Cotton.

With the countdown clock running, Designer Bacchus is checking and double checking that all garments scheduled to be on the runway are prepped for the show. Complimenting  jewelry and accessories are being selected. Each piece is hand selected and matched with a critical eye. When asked what she's expecting from this show she replied, “Having 34-24-36 shown at this reputable venue, with a larger audience ranging from fashionistas, celebrities, stylists and the list goes on. Making the process of getting here a tremendous one because it's recognized by the Fashion Industry”

The  34-24-36 brand will have a booth at the event all day. Stop by and introduce yourself. Schedule a private “Perfect Fit” session with Sarah.

Contact: Facebook, YouTube, Website.

Sarah Bacchus of 34-24-36 showcases colorful hues with the newly released Aurora Collection

FOR RELEASE September 30th, 2013
NEWS
34-24-36- For the Perfect Fit:

The Aurora Collection

34-24-36 is pleased to announce the arrival of our 5^th Collection! The Aurora Collection is a large compilation of colorful hues, presently showcased online at, www.34-24-36.com and by Appointment at our:

Queens Showroom

153-28 122^nd Avenue

Jamaica, Queens, NY 11434

The various Collections are now available for purchase on a Retail and Wholesale basis.
After launching in December, Two thousand and Ten (2010), the 34-24-36 name and brand has gained quite a positive reputation. Being the first Guyanese American Fashion Designer to emerge out of the West Indian community has certainly played an important role in the success of the brand. Also, equally important is the foundation on which 34-24-36 was built. We are an All-American brand. All aspects of our business are done within the New York State. The fabric qualities utilized are only natural fibers: Silks, Cottons, blends of Silk and Cotton, Rayon and rarely novelty manmade textures. The choice of qualities we render are based solely on the durability of the pieces, hence, we termed it the ‘Seasonless’ wear. Put these garments on, in every season. Pair with fine, trendy or no jewelry and these pieces will stand out and withstand years of the elements.

Now, the appeal factor for 34-24-36 as per various constituents, whether it’s Facebook friends and acquaintances, our foreign clientele, local boutiques, and our roster of clients, it’s just a small fraction of where we see ourselves in the coming years. While the brand has been attracting the likes of many, even those far and wide, with its avant-garde aesthetics, there’s more that the brand has in store, if given the right exposure. This year, we plan on meeting with many boutiques and organizations to take a look at our brand, with the hopes of becoming a part of their roster of designers. 34-24-36 plans on giving exclusive rights when requested to the various stores and boutiques, as we are flexible on that thought process!

Our mission is to continue our customizing feature to achieve the Perfect Fit for our clientele as well as honing in on new customers.

With a positive outlook for this season and the years thereafter, we want to proudly state that our New York sample room is fully functional and ready to take production on a large or more tapered scale. While the sample room is in Manhattan, our studio is conveniently located in Queens and our representatives have flexible schedules to meet with you at your convenience.

All in all, we look forward to meeting and forming a working relationship, beneficial to all.
We look forward to continuing our great relationships with our current clientele, Press and our fans. With the Holidays rapidly approaching, 34-24-36 wants to make a resounding statement— We are a Brand with lots to be desired! We do not come short or halt until our customers are satisfied. As our motto goes, we aim to deliver The Perfect Fit, each and every time.

For more information, please visit www.34-24-36.com or Contact:

Sarah Bacchus, Design Director

153-28 122^nd Avenue

Jamaica, Queens, NY 11434

Office: 1(718) 541-2096
Fax: 1(718) 322-2111
Sarah@34-24-36.com
Media Contact: Neil A. Bacchus, info@stealthtv.com