Mimi Pollack is a retired ESL teacher. Born in the United States, she moved as a child with her family to Mexico City, where she learned Spanish. She is particularly interested in immigrant and refugee issues, animals, and reporting on different cultures and ethnicities.
By Mimi Pollack LA MESA, California — Imagine you have had a good life with a stable job and family. Then, imagine that your life turns upside down, be it from war, religious persecution, or social unrest, and you have to start from scratch in a new country with a different language, culture, even alphabet! […]
Immigrants enrich this country Read More »
International, Middle East, Mimi Pollack, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Mimi Pollack DESCANSO, California — The Atlas Alpaca ranch in Descanso, owned by David Kabbai and Amy Alyeshmerni, is truly a haven that offers a break from city life. Kabbai and Alyeshmerni live there with 65 alpacas, two dogs, two cats, one rooster, and various chickens. When I first drove up, I was greeted
Mimi’s Ark: Alpacas lead good life in Descanso Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County
By Mimi Pollack LEMON GROVE, California — In her 80 years, Janet Gastil has worn many hats and is a true renaissance woman. She has been a wife and mother, teacher, musician, realtor, and politician to name the most important ones. Janet Manly Gastil was born in 1936 in Long Island, but moved to San
Dor v’dor: From Janet to George Gastil Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County
By Mimi Pollack Makeda[/caption]SAN DIEGO –Makeda “Dread” Cheatom believes the world would be a better place if people took the time to learn about and respect other cultures. She believes there would be less prejudice and a greater understanding among people. Learning about different cultures and promoting unity in diversity have been lifelong passions for
Cross border cooperation for music, dance and the arts Read More »
International, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USABy Mimi Pollack LA MESA, California — Many of us lead very busy lives, and there are many self help books out there to help people find ways to cope. However, it is nice to find one that gives concise advice on ways to make your life less stressful, healthy and even lighten your footprint
Lightening the loads of life Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Mimi Pollack
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Moliere is smiling. The multi-talented actor and playwright, Herbert Siguenza, has breathed new life into his play, the Imaginary Invalid. Manifest Destinitis is set two centuries later in 19th century “old or Alta California.” The play is also brimming with clever and scathing 21st century social commentary on
Mon Dieu! C’est Manifest Destnitis! Read More »
Mimi Pollack, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Mimi Pollack LA MESA, California — Many unwanted puppies and kittens are born every day. Because of this, there are many homeless dogs and cats, and worse yet, owners who don’t believe in spaying or neutering because they believe it is bad for their pets, they don’t have the time or money, or it
Mimi’s Ark: Important to spay and neuter Read More »
Mimi Pollack, The World We Share
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — One of the best kept secrets in San Diego is the free classes offered at San Diego Continuing Education. Under the umbrella of the San Diego Community College District, Continuing Education has seven sites around town, including Cesar Chavez, ECC, Mid-City, CE Mesa, Miramar, North City, and West City. The largest
Free continuing education classes in S.D. Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, Travel and Food
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — The Doggie Street Festival is the love child of Jude Pauline Artenstein, a San Diego based independent filmmaker and wife of producer/director Isaac Artenstein. She founded the annual festival eight years ago as a civic tribute to her beloved golden retriever, Scout. During that time [2008-2009], she was recuperating
Mimi’s Ark: Doggie Street Festival Read More »
Mimi Pollack, The World We Share
By Mimi Pollack RAMONA, California — Many of us lead mundane lives, but not Roy Toft. This amiable, 55 year old wildlife photographer has had enough adventures for many lifetimes! Originally, his major was wildlife biology at California Polytechnic University, but a camera, a Canon AE1, given as a graduation gift by his father,
Mimi’s Ark: Adventures of Wildlife Photog Roy Toft Read More »
Mimi Pollack, The World We Share, Travel and Food
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — It is not always easy being a Latino or Hispanic performer in the entertainment community. Many times the roles that are offered to actors are limited, as are jobs for directors, producers, stagehands, and technicians. Amigos Del REP founding members Herbert Siguenza, John Padilla, and Dave Rivas wanted to
Amigos Del REP showcases Latino talent Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — I walked into the exhibit at the New Americans Museum at Liberty Station with no intention of writing a story. I was just there as a guest at the opening reception of Project Vision. However, the exhibit moved me so much that I changed my mind. As an ESL teacher
Israeli artist helps Sudanese refugees Read More »
International, Middle East, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Travel and FoodBy Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Here in California, adjunct teachers are like the comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, in the community college world. They get some respect, but not a lot, despite being the backbone of the system. More classes are taught by part-time teachers than full-time teachers. The ratio has been as high as 70%
The plight of adjunct teachers Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Mimi Pollack EL CAJON, California –There is place that welcomes all cats, no matter the age or condition. Friends of Cats in this city is a haven for kittens, adult and senior cats, FIV positive cats and even cats with bad habits or psychological problems! They welcome them all with open arms and take
Mimi’s Ark: Friends of Cats Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, The World We Share