The children of H-1B visa holders are growing up.

The children of H-1B visa holders are growing up — and still waiting for green cards

The Dattas came from India to teach American children in a Mississippi school. But because of their visas, they worry their own child won’t be able to study in the US.

~~Follow the link below to read the entire story. I worked with reporter Sonia Paul on this complicated immigration story for Public Radio International.

https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-02-08/children-h-1b-visa-holders-are-growing-and-still-waiting-green-cards
 

Amish Country, Missouri

An Amish father and son from Canada were out for an afternoon ride while visiting relatives Missouri. The Missouri population of Amish is growing. There are over 9,000 Amish in Missouri.

The Amish live an Old-World lifestyle, still traveling by horse and carriage, living without power and living a simple life as part of their religion.

Folk Alliance International 2018

Each year musicians gather from around the world to showcase their music, network, learn and further their profession. The International Folk Alliance 2018 was held in Kansas City, Missouri. in 2019 it will be held in Montreal.

The mission of the FAI is to "nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community, through education, advocacy and performance."

For full story click link:

http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2018/02/folk_alliance_1.html

Orangutan Kisses

When Baby Orangutan Rowan, wants mommy Kisses.

~Rowan and Jahe are on exhibit at the Memphis Zoo.
Baby Rowan, was born on March 19, 2016 at the Memphis Zoo via Cesarean section. Rowan, weighed 4.5 pounds at birth, and was bottle fed by zookeepers. He is a Sumatran Orangutan. Only about 200 Sumatran Orangutans are currently on exhibit across the USA. The species is listed as “Critically Endangered.”  Orangutan means “man of the forest;” Orangutans have the second longest childhood, first being humans, spending up to eight years with their mothers.

Jerry Lee Lewis Through The Later Years

As a photojournalist in Memphis, I have covered Jerry Lee Lewis many times over the years.  I moved to Memphis in the late 80's and I have always enjoyed watching Jerry Lee Lewis perform. I consider myself a fan as well.

I was originally introduced to him by my fellow coworker Jim Kingsley, who has since passed away. Jim who was a stereotypical newsman, was also in the inner circle of Elvis Presley. Jerry was married to his sixth wife Kerry Lynn McCarver at the time. I remember Lee (Jerry Lee Lewis lll) as a toddler.

Lewis is passionate about his music and loyal to his fans.

I have photographed him in clubs, festivals, on Donald Trumps yacht and have been lucky enough to visit his ranch many times. I watched him get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and I watched the IRS remove his piano from his home when he owed back taxes.

Jerry Lee has lived a turbulent life and he has a wild reputation. While I admit he is a bit of a flirt, I can say my personal experience with him has been that he has always been a kind man and a gentleman, each and every time I have interacted with him. It has always been my pleasure to photograph him.

I recently watched him bring in the new year once again at age 82, at his namesake club, Jerry Lee Lewis Cafe and Honky Tonk on Beale Street in Memphis. I realized what an honor it has been to cover him for 30 years. I still get a kick out of watching him and he still gets a kick out of playing for his fans who come from all over the world to see him. You can see in the video that he stills smiles at the end of Great Balls of Fire, his signature song that he must have sung thousands of times since it was a hit in the 50's.

I have decided to share a glimpse of my photo collection in this photo gallery (above) and share a current video in this blog space below.

©Karen Pulfer Focht- Photojournalist