Owning The Past

Cuba is at a crossroad. On one side: 50 years of isolation from the modern world has preserved an ecological paradise. The other: Profits. The two-part series plunges us right into a race against time. Leading the pack is Cuban scientist dedicated to creating nature reserves before the sweeping changes on the horizon make it too late. Marveling at the unspoiled beauty of this long-isolated Nature Isle we learn the urgent need to protect the future of an ecological jewel. Will the almighty dollar destroy this eco wonderland?

It was February 6, 1949 when the last passenger train ran on the historic Midland Terminal. The train was filled to capacity – 169 passengers. One could not have asked for a better day. A bright sun shone down out of an almost cloudless sky making perfect visibility for photographs. One would never forget the people along the line who waved at the passengers while taking a final look at "their train." Or the many motorists who paced the train on the adjoining highway (US-24 and SH 61).

Have you ever wished you could just wake up one day, reach across your nightstand and hit the Life Reset button? Let’s face it. The struggles and frustrations of everyday life leave millions of women and men around the globe yearning for a new way.

Shortly, a caravan of stars will join Smokey Robinson on his brand new album, to perform some of the most-loved songs of the past 50 years with their creator. His duet partners range from modern marquee names such as John Legend and Jessie J to heritage hitmakers such as Elton John and James Taylor. But a half-century ago, there was The Temptations Sing Smokey. David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams – The Temptations – were arguably the most sublime interpreters of Smokey’s work. This album is the evidence, offering Kendricks’ feather-light falsetto as doppelganger of Robinson’s own peerless tones, and Ruffin’s honey-and-sandpaper delivery as the epitome of rhythm, blues and soul.