RERUN 3/13/09

It was a dark and stormy Friday the 13th night, but inside Howayda's beautiful home everything was all cozy and bright. Howayda expanded our cultural experience by treating us to some divine desserts and the chicken dip brought by Sandy was a big hit. Howayda's retired friend, Martha, joined in along with Karla, who recently returned from Austria, Kim, Marcy and I. Near the end of the evening, we allowed Howayda's husband, Jihad, to come in. After all it was their wedding anniversary.

We viewed, CHILDREN OF HEAVEN, an award winning movie filmed in Iran that touched upon fundamental values. It was a simple and beautifully presented story of a young brother and sister, their devotion to each other and how in understanding of their parents' situation, on their own worked together to solve a problem. The film gave us insight into the contrasting lives of the poor and the rich in another culture. What was shown as the Tehran 'slums' appeared poor, but clean and orderly, not at all what Americans vision when we hear the word applied in our country. The pacing of the movie was a bit slower than American flicks and the ending not exactly in line with the old Disney movies, which in my opinion made it even more interesting. Thanks to Howayda for making this experience available. Good friends, good food, and a good movie - no surprise here that a good time was had by all.
-Peggy Wolf

MARCH GATHERING

On March 13, at 7:00 pm, we'll be snacking out at Howayda's home while watching CHILDREN OF HEAVEN, a delightful story about a pair of shoes. In 1998 it was nominated for an academy award for best foreign language film. If a copy of this movie can't be located, we'll watch a different one from our list. Howayda will be treating us to some of her traditional desserts, in addition to chips and nuts. Incidentally, March 13 is Howayda's twenty-first wedding anniversary. We owe her patient husband a word of thanks for delaying their celebration by one day.

What can you bring? Your sweet self, a friend if you like, and any snack food that you'd like to share and business clothing that you no longer need (see below). RSVP to Howayda by email, phone, or through comments here.

Sandy C. made me aware of another women's organization that I encourage you to support. DRESS FOR SUCCESS promotes economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. We can help by donating our clean, nearly new-looking business apparel (sizes xs, s, and xl are most needed at this time): suits, blouses, skirts, blazers, shoes, and accessories. So rummage through your closet and bring whatever you care to donate to one of our gatherings and we'll get it to the organization or donate directly to the Triangle chapter, www.dressforsuccess.org/.

LOOKING AHEAD -
April 10: Tickets for our April event are $5 (museum members and those age 65 and over pay only $3.50). They can be purchased by stopping by or calling the NC Museum of Art, 839-6262 (ask for the box office). If ordering my phone there is an additional $3.00 convenience fee. The art museum is closed on Mondays. Tickets do sell out, so don't procrastinate. We'll see A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, a 1945 film based on Betty Smith's fictionalized memoir. The author of her biography will discuss the film adaptation. The movie begins at 8:00 pm, preceded by live music and the lobby wine bar beginning at 5:30 pm. A free guided museum tour begins at 6:30 pm.
May 8: We'll gather for a movie at the Raleighwood dinner theatre or at the Blue Ridge 14 where cheap seats rule.
-Peggy Wolf

photo by Hamed Saber