A New Play On Broadway!

Hey Pooka Family!

I'm so excited about a new play premiering on Broadway! It's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof! When my husband showed me the advertisement in the NYT three weeks ago I immediately got online to purchase my tickets! Have you guys checked out the cast? James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose and Terrence Howard!!!! You know Terrence is going to be fierce in that role! Just remember his portrayal of one of the friends in the Best Man. Remember that scene when he got drunk at the bachelor party and told it "like it was"? I can't wait to see him in the role of Brick in this play.

James Earl Jones is playing the role as Big Daddy!!! I remember when my parents took me to see August Wilson's play Fences in Philadelphia. To me, he just epitomizes the strong Black Patriarch of a family. Lest I not forget Phylicia Rashad! Claire Huxtable has been my idol since day one! And I can't wait to see Anika in this Broadway role.

With Debbie Allen directing it this play, you know it's gonna be hot. Check it out Family! I'll be there on March 23rd. Hope to see you guys there too!

Peace & Blessings,


Tricia Akinwande

Looking Forward To A Great 2008

Hey Everybody,

Thought it was time I threw in my two cents (since this blog is supposed to be for all of the Pookalitas).

The family is strong and we recognize healing is an ongoing process but thanks to all of your support, prayers and shoulders we are moving forward. Through it all my faith has been strengthened. I'm not sure whether to call it enlightenment or spirituality but whatever you call it I'm in a good place.

I can't believe William is six already and Wesley turned 2 last week (Happy Birthday Baby!!). So as you guys can imagine raising two boys keeps me on the run but we are enjoying the ride. So while Dawn is busy telling you how to save our planet I'm going to tell you how I juggle work, play and raising two boys without losing my mind.

"Talk" to you soon...April

Donna Loves Food!!

Hi Everybody,

I am a foodie! I am very proud of this fact. I love all things food...to read about, watch and especially to eat. My ultimate culinary experience is to dine al fresco...barbecues included!! I read recipes like novels and watch cooking shows as if earning my g.e.d. in food!

My fav magazines in this category are Cooking Light - health conscious, guilt free recipes; Food magazine - very small tv guide-sized gem with great quick week night recipes... (although I am a business mogul in training I still go home to cook dinner for my husband...most nights!!) and Saveur magazine which is the most visually stimulating of them all. It contains the places to stay, the sites to see, the local people, breathtaking pictures and the most fabulous recipes of them all. I take my passport with me every time I read it.

foodnetwork.com is one of my favs (love Rachel Ray and Giada!!) and my tv automatically turns on to the Food Network. I am also not mad at Garvin on TV1 either!! I love cooking and trying new recipes almost as much as eating!!

Food is comfort, cooking for others is love. My name is Donna and I am a foodie.

*Update* I'm Going To Be On The Radio (well, sort of)

I'm still going to be on the radio (sort of) but the date has been changed. The new date is this Monday, January 21st... see you on the radio!!

I have been asked to co-host a web radio show on Monday! The show talks about different ways for folks to break away from corporate and go out on their own (like me!). Of course, we will also talk about the contributions and influence of Dr. Martin Luther King. I've been on this show as a guest before but now they want me to help host (watch out!!).

It should be fun and different so I want you guys to check me out... you might even pick up some helpful tips. The featured guest is Joel Freeman of the Freeman Institute. He is the author of "If No One Loves You, Create The Demand."

The show is scheduled for Monday, January 21 at 1:00 p.m. EST, go to http://www.globaltalkradio.com/ and click on the "Listen Live" link on the homepage to check it out live. If you can't catch it live they keep up on their site at: http://www.indiebusinessradio.com/ See you on the radio!! (well, sort of)

Going (Light) Green

Hey everybody! Is it me or is it time for flip flops and shorts again!? I have to admit although I'm enjoying this break in winter, I'm a little worried. Will I be wearing my snow boots in July? I've been reading a lot about "Going Green" and little things we can do to help the environment. I never used to worry about this kind of stuff, but after reading what we're doing to the planet and how it affects me, oops I mean us (cheese!), I figure it's time to get on board.

I've decided to try to "Go Green" (alright, very light green, LOL) in baby steps. I'm going to start doing some little things that make a big difference... turn off lights I'm not using, walk a little more (okay, drive a little less), turn off the water when I'm putting in my contact lenses, recycle whatever I can. I'm also going to try bringing my own bags to the supermarket (did you know Whole Foods will take some change off of your order if you bring your own bag!).

Of course, we are already trying to doing our part at Pooka by using natural ingredients and we're looking into a recycling program for our bottles and tins, but I think we're going to take it farther. Maybe go all organic or offer recycled totes... still figuring that out. So stay tuned and I will let you know how I'm making out with my quest to go very light green!

I've attached a link that tells you exactly what going green is and how we can start, let me know how you make out! http://earth911.org/climate-change/

Happy New Year From The Pookalitas!

Wow… it’s already 2008… where did the time go? 2007 was a crazy year for Pooka!

We had incredible highs [we were in big magazines and on TV!!!] and faith-testing challenges but we’re all still here and looking forward to what 2008 has in store for us.

Thanks for all of your support in 2007; we couldn’t do this without you. I know we keep promising to write more but this time we mean it [no, really ;)] so expect to hear more about what is going on with Pooka and the Pookalitas! We are going to pass along tips from our lives that we hope will help you too.

Our focus for 2008 is, “It’s Your Time” so we want to help you take care of you – inside and out. If you’re like us [and we know you are] you spend a lot of time taking care of everyone else but not nearly enough time looking out for yourself. We will work together to do a better job of finding some balance this year.

Our first step in the right direction is the Spa Day we are planning at Pooka on February 9… mark your calendars. There will be massage therapists on hand and other goodies… look out for more details soon. We have more stuff like that in store for you in 2008… we are going to have fun and lead better lives in the process. We have big plans and big dreams for Pooka this year and with prayer and your support the blessings will continue.