BigIsland

Bigspeak's Ann Louise Bardach is a PEN award-winning investigative journalist who has covered Cuba for fifteen years for the New York Times, Vanity Fair and many other national publications. She is also the author Cuba Confidential: Love and Vengeance in Miami and Havana. In her latest book, Without Fidel: A Death Foretold in Miami, Havana and Washington, Ann provides a compelling look at the last days of the Castro regime and what it means for the future of US/Cuba relations.

Since 1959, Fidel Castro has been the supreme leader of Cuba, deftly checkmating his foes, both from within and abroad; confronting eleven American presidents; and outfoxing dozens of assassination attempts, vanquished only by collapsing health.

As the sun sets on Castro's extraordinary fifty-year reign, Miami, Havana and Washington are abuzz with anxious questions: Who will be Raúl's heir? Will the U.S. embargo end now?  Award-winning reporter and go-to source on Cuban-Miami politics Ann Bardach delivers an eye-opening account of the last chapter in the life of Fidel Castro: his near death and marathon finale, his enemies and their fifty-year failed battle to eliminate him, and the carefully planned succession and early reign of his brother Raúl.

Without Fidel also offers a spellbinding chronicle of the Havana-Washington political showdown, drawing on nearly two decades of reporting and countless interviews with everyone from the Comandante himself, his co-ruler and brother Raúl, and other family members, to ordinary Cubans as well as officials and politicos in Miami, Havana, and Washington. The result is an unforgettable dual portrait of Fidel and Raúl Castro -- arguably the most successful and enduring political brother team in history.

BigDate

2012: From the prophecies of the Mayan astronomers to modern predictions about accelerating social, ecological and climatic change, scientists and visionaries alike mark 2012 as a critical time in our planet's history. Some forecast the dawning of a Golden Age. Some fear the world will end. All agree on one thing: if you think you've already been experiencing breathtaking change in the last few years... hang on! Whether you are a skeptic or true-believer or have never before heard of "The 2012 Phenomenon," it is an exciting departure point for investigation.

BigSpeak Anthropologist and global explorer, Jeff Salz began his studies living with previously unvisited Mayan Indians of Chiapas, Mexico in the 1980's. His studies continued over the next 30 years. Now, Jeff has received the invitation of his professional life: an opportunity to co-lead a History Channel team on an expedition that may be the key to unlocking one of the greatest puzzles of our time - A mystery that has the potential to reveal the truth behind the ancient Mayan prophecy. An enormous monolith - twice the size of the Sphinx - has been discovered with what appear to be Mayan hieroglyphs on an atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean known as "Apocalypse Island."

The two-hour television production documenting Jeff's expedition and findings is scheduled to air on the History Channel the first week of January. Pretty cool, huh? What's even cooler, is that you can join in the adventure. Bring Jeff Salz to your next meeting and be among the first to get the inside scoop on the History Channel expedition and findings! What are the aspects of culture that allow civilizations, individuals and organizations to accelerate growth and excel in times of extreme challenge and change? With Jeff, you'll discover:

• The Hero's Journey Model as a blueprint for organizational innovation and individual creativity.
• Five Factors that lead to rapid demise or success of societies and organizations.

• The "New Ten Essentials"™ and how they determine the difference between surviving or thriving in the face of adversity.

Institutions that thrive in the rising tides of change are always above "C" Level. They are collaborative, communicative, compassionate and change-focused. Let Jeff Salz and BigSpeak lead the way for your organization, through 2012 and beyond!

BigTreat

Lily Tomlin Takes the Stage in Santa Barbara

From sassy switchboard operator Ernestine to mischievous 5 1/2-year-old Edith Ann, Lily Tomlin's characters have kept audiences laughing for years. This month, Lily brought her one-woman show to the Lobero Theater, here in Santa Barbara. A star of stage, television and film, Tomlin has earned an Academy Award nomination plus six Emmys, two Tonys, and a Grammy. Lily Tomlin is also one of the legendary talents that comprise the Women on the Web, a cadre of sixteen powerful women - authors, journalists, entrepreneurs and entertainers - each an expert in her own field, each accomplished, savvy, no holds barred and one of a kind. BigSpeak has partnered with The Women on the Web for the unique opportunity to bring them directly to you, in person and onstage together. Call BigSpeak today and bring some of the Women to your next event, for an incredible speaking experience guaranteed to WOW your audience - And that's the truth!

BigDip

Yeah, yeah, we know... we usually don't include recipes in our newsletter (although we did run the banana bread recipe from Lance Armstrong's mother, Linda in a past edition). But this month, we decided to put our own California spin on Halloween (plus it's really easy, really good and was a really big hit at a recent Santa Barbara beach party... really).

Pumpkin Chipotle Dip
1- cup of roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) we have used non-roasted too.
4-5 cloves of garlic.
1- cup of parmesan cheese.
1- 7 or 8 oz can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
4- tbsp of cider vinegar.
1- cup of canola oil.

We used a food processor, adding each ingredient, one at a time. Enjoy!