Gift Cards are great when they retain value.  However, with retailers struggling in this economy, you should remember that the gift cards they issue can become worthless if the retailer goes bankrupt.  Reports show that cards from Sharper Image and the Bombay Company, remember them, are now worthless.

Visual artist Camilla Young will help you and your entire family create an original mask in minutes. The event is free Saturday, October 25 from 1p to 4p at the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 801 K Street, NW; Washington, D.C. 20001 - across the street from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  Call 202-383-1828 to make your reservation.

While watching Bravo’s new reality sho w, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, I could not help but questio n how the contemporary women on the show define success in the 21st Century.  For the uninitiated, the show spotlights five women: three Black, one Biracial and one White—all of whom have “married up” at some point.

What is striking is how often the three women who do not work outside of their lavish homes (equipped with maids, nannies and executive assistants) kept referring to themselves as a “success.” Are women still defining marrying wealth as success?  Is marrying an athlete the pinnacle of the modern woman’s achievement?  In a time when so many women are successful business owners, like Lisa Wu Hartwell (the “real housewife” of NFL linebacker Ed Hartwell), is the ultimate aspiration we want to project to our girls is to marry a star?

To be fair, these “housewives” have established foundations under their husband’s name or serve on charity boards.  Yet, I doubt these worthier activities will be highlighted between juvenile spats, conspicuous consumption and societal gossip. What Real’s young viewers may learn about high society is that entry does not require educational attainment, business savvy or hard work, just ambition, curves and landing a baller.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs on the Bravo Network at 10p EST on Tuesdays
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Gipson also writes for the print issue's Entertainment department. Email him.

More than 350 people, 25 of whom were Black, greeted Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Wangari Maathi of Kenya at a lively presentation in downtown Washington.  More than 15 Snippets readers took advantage of the rare opportunity to see the film “Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai,” and to hear Maathi’s endearing presentation for ½ price.

During the presentation segment Maathi revealed that she was one of 300 Kenyans, like Barack Obama’s father, who came to study in the United States during the “Kennedy Airlift.” She also shared that her appreciation for the environment started in Kenya.  The appreciation started when she noticed a stream that her family depended upon dried up when “development” claimed a tree that she equated with God.  With wonderful stories and humor, she drove home the connection between the quality of our environment and the quality of human life.

In Kenya, Maathi took on the male-dominated government to fight not only for the environment, but  for human rights, women’s rights, and better governance.  Greg McGruder, Vice President of National Geographic Live!, sponsors of the event, called Maathi “an inspiration.”

We are called to assist the earth  . . .  to assist our own,” she explained.  She says she was awarded the Peace Prize as the Nobel organization is recognizing the role resource allocation plays in peace and war.

Look for More National Georgraphic Events in Snippets..

U.S. Presidential

Election Roundups

Ebony Makes First Endorsement in 60 Years
“This could be the most crucial presidential election in our lifetime, and even though Ebony magazine has not formally endorsed a candidate in its 64 years, we are taking this opportunity to wholeheartedly and unequivocally endorse Sen. Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.”

- Johnson Publishing Company Chairman and CEO Linda Johnson Rice.

Michigan Asks for Tina Fey
"John McCain has abandoned Michigan just like George W. Bush did for the past eight years," said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. "We'd be happy to welcome Tina Fey as a substitute to spread their message of more of the same policies that ship our jobs overseas and make health care unaffordable."

What Not to Wear at the Polls
Do no wear any shirts, pins or hats promoting Senator Obama or any other candidate.  It is against the law and will be grounds to have the polling officials to turn you away. Such displays are considered campaigning and no one can campaign within several of feet to the polls.

Election Tracking Websites

• ABC News - interactive site breaks down results by gender, race, age, income, education, religion, party, and ideology.

• Electoral Vote - updated daily.  Presents poll results by states for each day and for each day in 2004.  Also, provides daily poll results for House and Senate races and other information.

• Voting Tools - to confirm your existing registration, apply for absentee ballot, or to find your polling place.

With less than 10 seats left for the Build/Renovate Your Own Castle III event, Port of Harlem and the Alexandria Black History Museum is looking forward to hosting another fun-filled and educationally uplifting event.

Even with the troubled housing market,  personal mortgage consultant Donna Smith pointed out in our latest print issue’s cover story:  "The reality is that lenders are still lending, people are still buying and your dream castle is still waiting to be built or renovated."  The event is also for those planning to build or renovate their dream castle in the near future.

The event will include a short role playing exercise to help you understand the what to expect from an interior designer says presenter and interior designer Pat Terrell. Drawings for several door prizes including a set of six erasable ceramic place cards called PlaceTiles will also be a part of the fun.

• Click here for the event schedule and to reserve your seat.