Interview with Magali C. Rassel

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Thanks....
To our listeners, guests, members, and sponsors who make the Yo Soy Latino show possible a warm and heartfelt thank you.

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Cool Trivia for May 29th...

1849 – Patent for lifting vessels granted to Abraham Lincoln; also in that same year, Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time and of people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time

1861 – Dorothea Dix offers help in setting up hospitals for Union Army

1909 – Frank "Home Run" Baker's 1st career home run

1912 – 15 young women fired by Curtis Publishing for dancing "Turkey Trot" during their lunch break

1916 – The Official flag of the President of the United States was adopted; NY Giants win 17th consecutive road game; and, the US forces invade Dominican Republic — remaining on the island until 1924)

1919 – Charles Strite files patent for the pop-up bread toaster, and also in the same year Einstein’s light-bending prediction was confirmed by Arthur Eddington

1932 – World War I Veterans begin to assemble in Washington, DC in the Bonus Army to request cash bonuses promised to them to be paid in 1945.

1942 – Bing Crosby records "White Christmas," which to this date remains the greatest selling record

1982 – 1st papal visit to Britain since 1531

2001 – U.S. Supreme Court rules that disabled golfer Casey Martin can use a cart to ride in tournaments

2004 – The World War II Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C.


Topmost Recommended Movies...
1. Shrek Forever After
2. Iron Man 2
3. Robin Hood
4. Letters to Juliet
5. Just Wright
6. MacGruber
7. Date Night
8. A Nightmare on Elm Street
9. How to Train Your Dragon Furry Vengeance
10. Kites
This Week’s Movie Releases...
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Sex and the City 2
George A. Romero’s Survival of the Dead
Micmacs

Shrek Forever After...
Review Summary
"Shrek Forever After," is delightful and worth taking the kids too. Here’s a quick glimpse of the story, Shrek who is in the middle of a major midlife meltdown is looking to get his angry back. There are plenty of bumps but for the most part the screenwriters never lose sight of the moral of this story no matter whatever else got tossed into the mix, Shrek remained the heart and soul of this film.

The usual suspects are back too — Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas who were the voices of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and Puss in Boots, for those of you who have never seen a Shrek movie. However there’s a new addition to spice things up in this round. He’s Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn), a deviously delicious villain with a battalion of flying witches.

One of the nicest surprises of "Forever After" is the almost perfect combination it achieves between the artistry of animation (which is exceptional) and the 3-D technology. This film is a ‘thumbs up’. Therefore, our YSL rating is a 5.


Jose’s Most Popular Stogie Picks...
Oliva Master Blends 3
Perdomo2
Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight
La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet
Blue Maduro
Java
Occidental Reserve
Arganese Maduro


Highlights of Today's Show...
May 29, 2010
Host Jose Miranda begins straight away to stir his listeners with stories, attention-grabbing topics and thoughts and soon those phones were ringing. Though we would love to focus on those particular issues we suggest that you visit our archived shows and take a listen to today’s program. See for yourselves just how well YSL manage the critical business at hand. We don’t want you to miss a thing!

Before long, Jose brings his listeners into a conversation with Ms. Darlyn Finch of Scribbles, a unique writing network. Darlyn shares the latest activities that are currently going on in Orlando for writers this month. Like ‘Poetry Night’ which is an open mic every Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the Cup O’ Soul in Winter Park beginning on June 7th and in the same place the 2nd Saturday Pajama Party from 7-10 p.m. This will include storytelling and it’s family friendly. So do stop by if you get a chance, should be fun! If you want to know more about writing, Scribbles or Ms. Finch go to darylynfinch.com.

Meanwhile, sitting in the studio listening to all the chitchat is YSL’s distinguish and invited guest, Ms. Magali C. Rassel who will discuss a sizzling topic, “Why OCPS felt a need to cut some areas of the Bilingual Program?”

She agreed to come to help resolve some of the fallacies that seem to flourish throughout the community and give our listeners a better understanding behind the rationale to cut such a successful program. A program as we all know was designed for students to learn in a mixed environment of English and Spanish their regular curriculum. But, many feel these cuts were arbitrary.

Ms. Rassel who has been with the Orange County Public Schools system since 1992 is one of the Directors of the Multilingual Students Education Services Department. Her role as Director is to deal with various area within the system — compliance, curriculum, program models, parent involvement, and grant management.

Jose’s starts out by asking about ESO? Ms. Rassel explains that ESO is another program (all in English) available to any student that comes to Florida who speaks another language and wishes to learn English. These classes are taught in the student’s native language providing it is feasible and they have the proper personnel to conduct the learning.

As the interview progressed, the discussion returned to the Bilingual Program (designed for students in K-8 grades) exacting that the decision to trim down the budget was chiefly based on information gathered throughout the district (FCAT and Cella) which indicated the feasibility of making such a cutback. This data showed that students in grades K-3 are already at the required level to move forward, meeting the criteria to exist the program. Therefore, their decision was to put the money where it’s needed most — to educate the students. The only grades affected were 4-8.

As far as teachers or paraprofessionals who were directly involved in the program these individuals were not displaced but rather relocated in other schools which had the appropriate student enrollment to justify the class or moved into the ESO program. Of course, one of the contingencies in this review process is how long this individual has been with the school system. Annual teachers on the other hand are reviewed yearly. Phew! That was a mouthful. There is just too much to cover here so we will have to bring Magali back. In the meantime, if you wish to reach out to her, send her an email at magali.rassel@ocps.net.

Guests on the YSL radio hour continue to inspire and fascinate our listeners with insightful interviews filled with warmth and humor. And, as the hour windups Miranda passes the strike zone and hits another home run. Clearly, even the title of this radio show says it all; this is one lively fiery broadcast.


Fashion...
Are we turning away from the frivolity of the thigh-high hems?
May 29, 2010
There was this interesting article in the NY Times which seems to indicate a change is in the air — a movement towards a very lengthy look, especially among the young. It’s the maxi trend!

However, the difference is it will be nothing remotely prim or saccharine about this look. It’s going to be edgy and have very pronounced urban overtones. The current versions though, even the most languid, are likely to be toughened up with a military parka or a biker jacket and paired with thick-soled shoes, similar to that of the Abbey character on the TV hit show NCSI.

Furthermore, this style is muted and at times austere, not like your Hampton-worthy maxi-dresses — a look that got noticed on the downtown streets a couple of summers ago. These new maxis are more of a Morticia (remember the Adam’s Family) — all black and sublime. They are darker and more sophisticated.

Keep in mind that darker and more sophisticated does not necessarily say seductive in the same sentence but more like rebellious against the alternative to the jeans, leggings and particularly the micro-minis that seem to pop up like wild flowers everywhere.

It is also said you’ll be seeing much of the maxi trend being accepted by the same cutting-edge girls who first embraced the micro-mini. So overall, it appears that this look will gain popularity not only with the young but also with those women who feel that the maxi-dressing speaks to a movement — women who want something less ostentatious and care more about quality than flash.

Another thing to remember about this style is that an elongated silhouette also represents a turning away from the frivolity and calculated provocation of a thigh-high skirt. So are we leaning toward a more austere sensibility, perhaps we are. There’s nothing wrong with accepting a more muted, covered-up feeling and moving on, especially if one feels that wearing short is unclassy.

On a different note, will this street-length skirt endure? It depends. People are waiting to see trendsetters wearing them before they take a chance. But I would think anything that makes you look longer more statuesque, makes you feel good, and gives you that lean figure surely is worth considering. Furthermore, it could be driving force that pushes us into buying it.

So come back next week and join Jose as he introduces new company members to the YSL team. But more important, a new discussion with another exemplary Latino, Mr. Ramon A. Ojeda President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and find out how being a part of this vast networking organization can benefit you.

Remember, if it’s Saturday and Noon time fix those radio dials to the BIG810 WEUS AM because it’s time for the Yo Soy Latino radio hour.

All editorial gathered or written by H. Ayala, except where indicated.