6/10 - Rick Field, Spike Mendelsohn, Tichina Arnold,

 Rick Field  " Williams-Sonoma's The Art of Preserving"  Founder of Rick's Picks

RICK FIELD rekindled a family tradition of pickle-making in the kitchen of his Brooklyn apartment in the mid-90’s. Seven years later, he left a career in television to start Rick’s Picks, a pickled company that uses locally-sources, seasonal produce.  Rick has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Bon Appetit, Saveur magazine's Top 100, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart Show, The Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch, Domino magazine, Crain’s, The Week, The New York Sun, Martha Stewart’s Blueprint, Jane magazine, New York magazine, Business Week, Harper’s Bazaar, Country Home, Food & Wine, O: The Oprah Magazine, as well as on the Food Network. 

"Top Chef Favorite", Spike Mendelsohn  "THE GOOD STUFF COOKBOOK" 

Spike Mendelsohn is one of the hottest up-and-coming chefs on the food scene. His restaurant in Washington, D.C., Good Stuff Eatery, has been a resounding success since its opening in 2008, and even claims First Lady Michelle Obama as a fan. Spike’s philosophy is simple: take classic American comfort foods made from local, farm-fresh ingredients, and give them the “good stuff twist”.  This philosophy is brought to bear in THE GOOD STUFF COOKBOOK, where Spike serves up over 120 fast, fun, and fresh recipes for classic fare like burgers, fries, shakes, salads, and desserts, not to mention the all-important sauces and condiments that give his dishes a gourmet twist. Also included are menu suggestions for all types of events, from big parties to casual family dinners. Just in time for summertime barbecues and cookouts, THE GOOD STUFF COOKBOOK is the perfect all-American cookbook for anyone who loves great casual comfort food, but wants to shake things up with a gourmet touch.

Tichina Arnold - "Everybody Hates Chris"

Tichina Arnold stars on the critically acclaimed comedy "Everybody Hates Chris" as Chris’ mother, Rochelle, for which she won her second NAACP Image Award. She received her first Image Award for her role as Pam Jones on the hit TV series Martin. In addition to appearing on television, in film, and on stage, Arnold has dedicated many hours to supporting charitable organizations that help youth prosper and thrive. She is a member of the National PTA Advisory Board.  Forty years ago this month, the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) and the National Congress of Mothers united to form the National PTA, adapting the same mission they had operated under separately – to improve the education and well being of every child. Today, while many strides have been made there are still obstacles that need to be conquered, both inside and outside of the classroom and across ethnic backgrounds.  At this year’s national convention, parents from across the country will have much to tackle. The nation’s K-12 public education system is in crisis. Our students lag behind compared to children in other countries in math and science which doesn’t bode well for their future in a global economy and job market. Our schools also face widespread funding shortages, a childhood obesity epidemic and disproportionate academic standards across the country.  In this satellite interview from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, National PTA President Chuck Saylors will be joined by actress, mother and National PTA Advisory Board member Tichina Arnold, to discuss the challenges of educating the 21st century child in the 21st century classroom and what needs to be done to close the achievement gap in education. They’ll also discuss what parents can do to take on a more active and hands on approach to their children’s education.