Mar 1, 2010

Soule Restaurant: Oprah Winfrey - SUPERWOMAN


Oprah Winfrey announced last year that she’s ending her 25-season run of The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 9, 2011.

This date will mark the end of an era.

An era where an African American woman received 48 daytime Emmy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.

Of course her Lifetime Achievement wasn’t primarily for her talk show; Oprah has a reputation for using her money and influence to affect change.

She freely shares the story of her childhood; her abuse and molestation that caused her to run away from home.

She initiated a campaign to establish a national database of convicted child abusers, which was signed into law by President Clinton in 1993 and entitled the "Oprah Bill," establishing the national database she sought.

She opened an all-girls school in South Africa to nurture, educate and turn gifted girls from impoverished backgrounds into leaders.

She played Sofia in The Color Purple and captured the hearts of moviegoers everywhere, which motivated her to form a production company: HARPO Productions, Inc.

She subsequently acquired all rights to The Oprah Winfrey Show before expanding to produce The Women of Brewster Place miniseries and movies There are no Children Here, and Before Women had Wings.

When Oprah began the Oprah Book Club, her selections became immediate best sellers.
Oprah was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century by Time magazine, for obvious reasons.

She is a partner in Oxygen Media, and according to Forbes Magazine, is the first African American woman to become a billionaire.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we salute Oprah; not only for her financial accomplishments.

We salute her lifetime contributions to the world.

Soule Restaurant: Spotlight on VENEZUELA


Venezuela, located in northern South America, contains miniature pieces of the entire continent; it encompasses Amazonian rain forests, fertile plains, Andes mountains, a Caribbean shoreline, and even a desert.

The people are diverse, and includes Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African and indigenous people.

Venezuela’s oil reserves are as vast as many Arab nations; in fact, engineers have reported drilling for oil in the wrong place accidentally and still finding oil.

Caracas is the capitol, and boasts gleaming skyscrapers amidst historical gems. Caracas is known for its nightlife, with ample nightclubs.

An attraction that is a must-see while in Venezuela is Angel Falls; the world’s highest waterfall.

Soule Restaurant: March's Highlights




• Soulé’s Spoken Word Open Mic one-year anniversary of our is this month! We’re celebrating with an open mic that celebrates Women’s History Month featuring artwork by Reina Miranda and Tasha Edwards!

• Soulé is introducing new menu items with a Menu Tasting event! Details to follow…

• Soulé is hosting its first Comedy Night hosted by ILL Wayne Gacey! Stay tuned for details…

Soule Restaurant


Try Soulé’s latest menu offering:

Rasta Pasta

This dish is native to Italy, but renamed and made popular in Jamaica when Bob Marley claimed it as his favorite.

Soule Restaurant's Food Facts: Brocolli


Years ago, broccoli was generally THE vegetable. The one that had to be eaten with a screw-face and pinched nose.

Why the bad rap?

Broccoli is delicious. And who was the genius who thought to pair it with cheddar cheese and top baked potatoes? I lie prostrate at your feet, great sir/ma’am.

Broccoli appears to have gained popularity among all age groups. It is now one of the best-selling vegetables in the United States.

Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, iron, calcium and folic acid, broccoli also contains as much vitamin C as an orange!

Because broccoli is nutrient- dense with low caloric cost, body builders tend to make it a necessary addition to their diets. Eaten with red meat for protein, the vitamin C from the broccoli helps to maximize the body’s absorption of iron.

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University recently discovered a compound in broccoli that prevents the development of tumors by 60% and reduces the size of developed tumors by 75%. Broccoli boosts the immune system, lowers the incidence of cataracts, supports cardiovascular health, builds bones and fights birth defects.

Whether you try it stir fried in teriyaki, or in garlic sauce, with baked potatoes and cheddar cheese, or even just raw in a salad. You won’t be disappointed and your body will thank you!

Soule Restaurant: Winter Blues



Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) or Winter Blues is a depression that correlates with the winter season. It is caused by chemical changes in the brain due to lack of sunlight, or a “phase shift” of the circadian rhythm.

Signs of S.A.D. can include excessive sleep, weight gain, irritability, an increase in conflicts with others, loss of energy, poor concentration and indecisiveness, and even thoughts of death or suicide.

Although medical treatment is available for S.A.D., there are ways to self-treat that are safe and easily implemented.

 Try to spend at least 30 minutes outside every day; particularly during the brightest part of the day

 Increase indoor lighting

 Plan activities during the winter months that you enjoy

 Take a short vacation to a sunny state

 Bright-Light therapy

Bright-light therapy, using UV-ray screened light from a special light box, has proven to be quite effective; more so when the problem stems from melatonin. The brain’s pineal gland produces melatonin in response to darkness, making us sleepy. Animals create more melatonin during the winter months, and it was recently discovered by the National Institute of Mental Health, that many who suffer from S.A.D. have an increase in melatonin production during the winter months as well.

Another activity that has proven to be very effective in reversing the signs of S.A.D. is regular attendance of Soule’s weekly Spoken Word Open Mic events. Patrons are welcomed with complimentary warm corn muffins with an irresistible pineapple-apricot sauce and sweet peppermint tea. A delicious Caribbean-Soul food dinner while listening to the creative vibe of local poets and singers has a tremendous impact on the body’s release of endorphins, effectively combating S.A.D.

Okay, the Soule-Open-Mic-Endorphin-Effect hasn’t actually been proven, but try it! It’s a warm, comforting environment that’s immune to the ravages of winter.
See you soon!

Soule Restaurant: National Poetry Recognition Month - Derek Walcott


Derek Walcott, native of St. Lucia, studied at St. Mary’s College and the University of West Indies in Jamaica before moving to Trinidad in 1953, where he worked as a theatre and art critic.

His first poem, 1944,was published when he was only 14 years old, and by age 19, he had published Epitaph for the Young: XII Cantos and 25 Poems as well.

Walcott’s talent is not limited to poetry; he has also published essays, novels and plays, and several of his plays have been produced throughout the United States.
In 1992, Walcott was the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature for Omeros, an epic poem that takes its name from the Greek poet Homer.

The poem draws parallels with both Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, with the heroes Achille and Hector in love with the same woman: Helen.

Rather than retelling Homer’s tale, Walcott tells the story of slavery and its effects on the culture of the Caribbean.

One verse that is particularly poignant described a conversation between Philoctetes’ and Ma Kilman where he voices his frustration about his leg-wound from being struck by an anchor. The wound will not heal and to he speaks of the burden it represents.

Philoctete, his trouser-legs rolled, stares out to sea
from the worn rumshop window. The itch in the sore
tingles like the tendrils of the anemone,

and the ouffed blister of Portuguese man-o’-war.
He believed the swelling came from the chained ankles
of his grandfathers. Or else why was there no cure?

That the cross he carried was not only the anchor’s
but that of his race, for a village black and poor
as the pigs that rooted in its burning garbage,

then were hooked on the anchors of the abattoir.


Derek Walcott’s Nobel Prize for Literature was well-deserved, and in honor of National Poetry Recognition Month, Soulé salutes him.

Soule Restaurant: Announcements



Soulé is proud to participate in

Dine-In Brooklyn 2010

An initiative of
Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President

2 for $20.10 for lunch and 2 for $25 for dinner
or
One 3-course dinner for $25 and one 3-course lunch for $20.10

Soule Restaurant: From the Mind of ILL

Hey yo...

What's the good word?

I am sitting here being harassed by someone from Soulé, bothering me about an article.

I swear… she’s like Citibank. I only hear from her is when the bill is due.
And so, I will spew random nonsense, as opposed to the regular nonsense I usually spew.

Facts:

1. 10 out of 10 people die.

2. At the end of the day, it’s night.

3. Olive Oyl (who loved Popeye, not the stuff you put on salads) had measurements of 18-18-18.

4. 1,111,111 x 1,111,111 = 1234567654321

5. Barbie's name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

6. Penguins are the only birds that can swim but not fly.

7. Scooby Doo's real name is Scoobert.

Just randomness…

It happens.

Especially when I don't take my meds.

Or see my doctor.

I received an email in Facebook (aka Let'sSeeHowMuchTheCoolKidsFromHighSchoolFellOff.com) inviting me somewhere on June 5th, 2010...

One day after my birthday.

(Gifts can be dropped off @ Soule addressed to ILL!)

I am invited to my *gasp* 20th High School Reunion!

I think I am more disturbed that I *gasped* rather than at the 20-year part.
Maaaaan... 20 years... 1990... The simpler days... Good music... De La Soul... EPMD...

I think I still have the shirt that I wore to my high school graduation. I think I'll wear it June 5th. Can't be that much tighter. I weigh the same I did in high school (if you add up all four years).

Word on the street is that Soulé is having a comedy night.

This month.

Hosted by a handsome fellow… I’m just sayin’…

Follow me on twitter @ILLWayneGacey

Victor Torres

Soule Restaurant: The Buzz


After years of canceled projects and false starts, the cultural district planned for the neighborhood around the Brooklyn Academy of Music is finally gaining momentum. Over the next year, construction on six cultural and public projects worth a total of well over $100 million is slated to begin in the area between Fulton and Lafayette… Jason Williams shot his limo driver and got 18 months. Plaxico Burress shot himself. And got 2 years. Classic… Men pretending to be cops “arrested” a man and picked his pocket… Two moviegoers were robbed at the UA Court Street cinemas… The women from the sex toy shop Babeland have written a “How to” book… The Fort Greene Festival is proud to present their third year in the making, June 26, 2010… Fighting in three different weight classes at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple in Clinton Hill, Daniel Torres, Vincenzo D'Angelo and Raul Nuncio all went home to Long Island with victories, while Torres also took the P.C. Richard Boxer of the Night Award… Fort Greene/Clinton Hill is simply one of New York's perfect neighborhoods - - the population is diverse, it's geographically close to Manhattan, it's got a stellar park, tons of restaurants, a farmer's market, a flea market, beautiful tree-and-brownstone-lined streets, historic buildings, subway access, a world-class performing arts complex - - the list goes on… Green in BKLYN offers a one-stop shop where people who’d like to live an eco-friendly lifestyle - and those who already do - can find information and the products they need to easily and innovatively green their home and daily lives…