Greetings Roots and Culture Posse.  It's been awhile but we're back.  It's hard to believe the summer is over and we're headed into the fall season.  So many different life changing events have happened since the last time we were together.  One of the biggest is the nomination of Barack Obama for President.  (Please get out and vote)  We lost comedian Bernie Mack and soul singer and actor Isaac Hayes.  The Reggae community also mourns the lost of the great Mikey Dread, Roy Shirley and Alton Ellis.

I hope each and every one of you had a safe and eventful summer.  There were a lot of festivals and shows during the spring and summer months and hopefully you were able to catch a few of them. The Ragga Muffin "Bob Marley Celebration" usually starts the season off. We also had Sierra Nevada World Music Festival which always has a great lineup.  I love the way this event brings in the old foundation artists.  If you missed this event you really miss a treat. The Mateel Community Center put on Reggae On The River, a one day event held in July.  As usual the new Reggae Rising had another great three day event.  Another great event was Northwest Reggae Festival in Oregon which is becoming another major event.  The Monterey Bay Reggae Festival was the last major event for the Bay Area and the Mighty Diamonds, Jr. Reid, Ky-Mani Marliey, Rankin’ Scroo, Collie Buddz and Sister Carol showcased at this along with many others.

There are lots of clubs in the Bay Area bringing reggae artist to the Area.  Pier 23 Cafe (San Francisco), Club Six (SF), Karibbean City (Oakland) and Shattuck DownLow (Berkeley).  Pier 23 Cafe (Club Dread’s new home) is the latest club bringing a lot of great entertainment with performances by  Down Beat The Ruler with Tony Screw, Half Pint, The Mighty Diamonds, Yellowman, The Itals, Sister Carol, Don Carlos and a lot more reggae to come in the months to come.  Speaking of more reggae at Pier 23, Club Dread presented "Women In Reggae” featuring Green BB (Mother Nature Hi Fi) Jenicyde (Empress Sounds) Don-Ette G (System 24/7).

Coming up this November 4, 2008 is Election Day. This election will make history because of Barack Obama, the first African-American to be nominated for President and everyone who is eligible to vote should GET OUT AND VOTE.  No matter who you are voting for you need to exercise your Right to vote.  Change is what we really need.  For more information on Obama’s campaign for presidency go to his website at www.barackobama.com.  Check this video for Obama by clicking this link: http://vimeo.com/1891426?diggtoolbar

Well, Crowda People do remember to spend quality time with your youth.  Remember “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste” and that means your youth should be hitting those books and it's your job as parents to make sure that they are.  You should be involved in their school activities also.  Don't wait until the school year is over to find out that they are failing. The youth are our future and we need more professionals in areas of medicine, science, environmental and agriculture (just to name a few) that we can count on.