Footballers Training with Manchester United School

To anyone who knows football (soccer), there are few things that are just a given.  One of those things is that the club, Manchester United is one of the most dominant and popular teams in the sport.  What people might not know about them is that they have a school to train young footballers in their skills and give the athletes a chance to play under the tutelage of some of the best coaches in the world.
For the second year in a row, Viva Bahrain and Manchester United Soccer School are teaming up to train young talent in the United Kingdom for a week.  The age group for participants is 12-15.  120 athletes out of the group will be chose to showcase their skills for two days.  Out of that group, just 18 will be chosen for the week long training that will be the same as the footballers for Manchester United.  Truly, a world class opportunity.
The coaches for Manchester United are excited to see the talented footballers, as they believe there is untapped potential in the island country of Bahrain.

To read entire article, please visit Bahrain News Agency.

Place of Opportunity and Achievement

Many call the United States of America the "land of opportunity."  It used to be said that the roads were paved with gold and you could be and do anything you wanted here.
For many who choose, that dream is still very much alive.  And for those who dare to dream, and work hard, that dream becomes reality.

Case in point?  Gac Filipaj. 

He escaped war-torn Yugoslavia in 1992.  He was not able to speak english. When he arrived, he quickly took to learning the language, and then acquired a job as a custodian at a near by school.  Someone told him that it was the best school in the city, and so while working, he began to take classes part time.  The name of the school?  The prestigious ivy league, Columbia University.



For 12 years he studied part time.  Now, the fruits of the 52 year old's labors are before him.  Gac Filipaj will be graduating, with honors, with a degree in Classics from Columbia University.

Now, to many this would be a great achievement.  But Filipaj doesn't intend to stop.  He still has some race to run, according to him.  His ultimate goal is to earn a graduate degree.

What makes this man even more amazing is that while studying, he worked as the school custodian.  Much of his paycheck was sent back to Montenegro to help his family.

Gac Filipaf is the epitome of the American Dream.  Someone who has a dream, works hard, stays focused, and helps others, can achieve beyond their expectations.

To read entire article, please visit FoxNews.

Freedom of Speech

If there is going to be freedom anywhere, one of the fundamental building block must be freedom of speech.  Without uninhibited and confident expression, nothing would change.  Ideas and imaginations would remain in their primitive form as thoughts and dreams.  Reality wouldn't be able to touch them.  With that, progression would never exist, and life would be the same each day, for every person.

The Chairman of the Council of Representatives, Khalifa al Dhahrani, met with Ali Ferdan, author of Thought and Word.  This book reinforces the importance of words and dialogue in building and developing a society.

Al Dhahrani stressed that the use of this freedom to express, when used responsibly, is Constitutionally ensured, and is in fact, one of the building block of the reform that is taking place in the Kingdom.
Freedom of speech brings people together.  Specific ideas may not be used, but as long as each is heard and understood, and not dismissed, people tend to be pacified and unite themselves with what is best for everyone.

To read the entire article, please visit Bahrain News Agency.

Hearts of Heroes

Serving one's country as a defender in the Armed Forces is a most selfless and difficult act.  When a soldier returns home, there is a sense of fulfillment in him, and great gratitude from his, or her, fellow countrymen.

With war raging throughout the world, men and women are called to fight and defend.  When they are done, they are honorably discharged, and the majority resume "civilian life."  But what happens when war continues?

There are many now coming out of retirement.  Yes, the United States is seeing a growing number of veterans and other "seasoned" adults enlisting to serve full time.  They share the feelings of Jean Valjean in the storied Les Miserables, as he sings of Marius who has fallen hurt in the Battle of the Barricades.  He says that "he is young, he is afraid, he doesn't know what he is doing.  Save him.  If someone needs to be taken, let it be me."

These old heroes are showing once again why they are heroes.  They are prepared to give their lives for others.  They are standing shoulder to shoulder with the younger generation, fighting with them.  In some instances, those shoulders that are touching are those of father and son.  It is almost as if the father has gone to make sure his son comes home.




War is a terrible necessity in our world.  Let us all remember those who have sacrificed their lives, who put themselves in harm's way for us, and those who have chosen to do it all over again.


To read the entire article, please visit FoxNews.

Major Charity Event Set

One of the greatest ways to promote unity is by finding something that everyone can fight for (or against) together.  The Kingdom of Bahrain has found another enemy, and has begun preparations to come together and fight it.  Fundraisers and volunteers are coming out for the Amwaj Marina Biathlon for the May 25 event that will donate its proceedings to the intellectual disabilities and autism centers in Bahrain.
The event will have races and swimming competitions for a wide variety of age groups.  The biathlon race will be the staple event, consisting of 600 meter swim in the sea, followed by a 5K run.
However if you don't like the athletic side of it, you can still come and enjoy the other activities.  Face painting, inflatable bouncers, and live entertainment are just a few things for the family to enjoy.  Food and concessions will also be offered.
The charity event is being hosted and headed by Red House Marketing.  Volunteers are still needed!  Help out for a good cause, and have a lot of fun doing it!

To read the entire article, please visit Gulf Daily News.

DisneyLand Reopens Some of the Magic

When one thinks about Disney Land, they tend to think of the little mouse with the squeaky voice and his friends, another mouse, a couple of ducks, and a couple of dogs.  They think of squealing and screeching kids who just took a picture with their favorite Disney princess or prince.  It is the "happiest place on earth," a place where little dreams come true.  It's practically against the rules to cry there!


What most people don't remember is something called Club 33.  It was opened just a few months after the death of the legendary Walt Disney as a restaurant for exclusive and special guests (those who could pay for it!).  It's a place that has become almost mythical, imaginary to all that are not on the "inside" of the Disney magic.  Membership in Club 33 is very exclusive.







The restaurant is located behind a set of green doors in the New Orleans Square section of the park, and is said to have played host to presidents and other "A List" people.







The club had been closed to new members for a decade.  But now, it is reopened!  The myth will become reality for about 100 new invitees (out of 800 on the waiting list), but will come at a price.  Initial entry fee is $25,000, and yearly dues are $10,000!  Apparently, magic isn't cheap!

To read entire article please visit FoxNews.

Protecting Bahrainis from Religious Extremists

The Kingdom of Bahrain enjoys a freedom of the religion that, quite honestly, is not found in any other Arab nation.  Muslims, Jews, Christians, and others are found in the island country.  But what happens when some of the religious leaders tell their followers that  violence and destruction are the answer and the most powerful ways to protest?
If the Royal Family has any say in the matter, this problem will be stopped before it starts.  Authorities have condemned those religious leaders that preach violence from the pulpit, and have promised to take legal action against all rogue clerics who persuade their followers to commit such crimes.  Those seeking immunity for their actions will not be dealt with tolerantly.  Anyone who puts civilians at risk, even in the name of their belief, will be justly and legally dealt with, says the Cabinet.

Phelps Ready For One Last Splash

Michael Phelps, US swimming icon, says that the London Olympics will be his last.  He was one of the most highly watched athletes in the last Olympics in Beijing in 2008, where he won a record 8 gold medals.  

One of those gold medal races is the demonstration if will and sheer desire, 

as he seemingly grew a couple extra inches, just enough to catch up to and defeat Milorad Cavic of Serbia by 1/100 of second!  

If Michael Phelps can work his magic again in London, he will retire as 

the most decorated Olympic athlete in history.  To overtake the old record,

 he needs only to win three medals.  Winning a remarkable total of 

16 medals in just the past two Olympic Games, three should be 

a walk in the park (or a dip in the pool if you prefer) for Phelps.

The world will certainly miss Michael Phelps.  Swimming will miss their greatest ambassador.  

The United States will miss a great champion.  

To read entire article, please visit CNN.