Soleil Moon Frye
FROM AROUND THE WEB & IN PRINT NADA HAMEED
American sitcom “Punky Brewster” is back on screens after being off air for more than 32 years. US actress Soleil Moon Frye said she had been happy to revive the role of the titular character she played for four seasons in the 1980s. Ten new episodes of the series about a foster child named Punky are now available on the streaming service Peacock.
“I have been wanting to bring Punky back forever, I mean for as long as I remember. Because I always said that if I was 88 years old and people still call me Punky, I would be thrilled by it,” added Frye.
“This amazing Punky is such a part of me, I don’t know where I end and she begins because we are so much the same. And so, to be a part of the journey throughout from the beginning of this full circle – or full spiral as I like to call it – has been a true gift.”
Frye, 44, is hoping the generation that grew up watching “Punky Brewster” will be as excited as she is about the new episodes which follow a grown-up Punky as a single parent to three children. Things change when Punky meets a young girl, Izzy, in the foster system who reminds her of her younger self.
Among other familiar faces returning to the show are Cherie Johnson as Cherie, while Freddie Prinze Jr., Noah Cottrell, Oliver De Los Santos, and Lauren Lindsey Donzis also join the cast.
Despite having worked on a long list of TV shows over the past three decades, playing Punky has defined Frye’s acting career.
“Punky has really been such a part of my heart. I think I had more issues going through puberty and how people treated me around that than Punky. I was always joyful about Punky.
“And, of course, we go through the trials and tribulations of growing up and wanting to have our sense of self. And yet, for me, I’ll actually say that through Punky is how I really believe I rediscovered so much of my own Punky Power.
“I think there were times in my life over the years that I kind of lost some of that and this was an internal compass as my way back. So, I never tried to run from it,” added Frye.
Pita Pack is a Saudi sandwich shop with a diverse international menu. From traditional proteins to fresh salads, Pita Pack offers the experience of a quick bite that is both wholesome and familiar, which you can enjoy alone or with friends. The recipes are inspired by a fusion of Western culture and Arabian flavors. The shop has a lively approach to naming its orders — deploying pop-culture puns, energetic language and casual vocabulary.
The sandwiches are made with fresh, light, medium-size pita buns, tortillas and brioche bread.
In addition to the more than 30 options on the menu, including vegan, seafood, beef and chicken, their tender American Philly cheesesteak sandwich is one of the best. If you were thinking of offering your friends in the office or your family a brunch or dinner on the go, the shop offers “Pita box,” a familysize option that includes an array of 20 different sandwiches of your choice. Each order has its special sauce to complement the ingredients used. The restaurant also offers a selection of internationally inspired appetizers and salads. It is located in Jeddah, Hilmi Kutbi Street, Al-Zahra district. For more information visit Instagram @pitapackksa.
In recent years, Middle Eastern businesses have kept pace with changes that have swept across the region, trading in traditional approaches of the past in favor of a more modern view that embraces global interconnectedness, cultural diversity and inclusion. A diversified workforce includes people with varied backgrounds, such as religion, culture, language, educational backgrounds, skills and abilities, and identification.
When you put a individuals of varied backgrounds together in the same room, you will get different perspectives and opinions that will increase productivity, creativity, innovation, increase revenue, reduce employee turnover and eliminate the fallout of miscommunication over different business etiquettes. Studies have shown that the increase in productivity and revenue has been explosive in well-managed diverse teams. The key phrase in this is managing “a successful, diverse workplace.” Most business fail to deal with a diverse work group in a way that enhances their productivity, but employ a “cookie cutter” approach where they measure diversity through simply their hiring strategy. To increase the productivity of a
To attract talent, you must be an authentic, approachable, empathetic and engaging leader.
diverse workforce, you have to deal with them with a certain skill set geared toward diversity. Several Middle Eastern businesses have embraced these inclusionary approaches and practices, developing skilled and sensitive leadership to promote cultural diversity and inclusion, and worked diligently to created a better workplace for everyone, where talent and team work are the main drivers of the company.
To attract talent, you must be an authentic, approachable, empathetic and engaging leader.
The easy start point is that today’s business leader must strive to be authentic, approachable and empathetic, interacting with employees regularly to encourage the sharing of experiences and perspectives. Today’s business leader needs to reach out to his or her employees frequently, offering the kind of constructive feedback that brings out the best in each worker.
These actions ensure that a leader is transparent and relatable. Developing trust with workers who may be experiencing similar situations builds relatability and helps attract the best talent — as employees and as partners.
Muna AbuSulayman is an international development expert with a diverse crosssector work experience of more than 20 years, and one of the most recognizable media personalities in the Arab world.