Recipe: Spicy Plantain Chips

This recipe for plantain chips comes from Marcus Samuelson's Discovery of a Continent. Plantains are a staple food throughout Africa and are used as a starch, similar to the way we use potatoes. These chips are a great snack food to serve prior to a meal to whet the appetite. Green plantains work best here, as they hold up better during cooking.

Spicy Plantain Chips
Makes 2.5 cups

2 green plantains

1 tbsp curry powder

1 tsp confectioners sugar

1 tsp salt

2 sticks unsalted butter

2 c canola oil

Peel the plantains and slice as thinly as possible using a mandoline. Place in a bowl and cover with cold water to soak for 10 minutes to wash away excess starch. Drain, rinse and blot dry with a kitchen towel. Meanwhile, combine the cury powder, sugar and salt in a small bowl.

Melt the butter in a large, deep pot over medium heat, then add enough oil to come to a depth of 1 1/2 inches. Increase the heat to medium-high until the oil reaches 350 degrees. Working in batches, carefully lower the plantains into the oil with a slotted spoon and fry. Stir occasionally to prevent the slices from sticking together until evenly browned (about 4 minutes). Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Dust with the curry/sugar mixture and serve immediately.

Recipe: Fish Fanditha

This recipe was inspired during a trip to the Maldives by its award winning cookbook creator, Jeremy Mansfield. I was inspired to buy this Zhoozsh! cookbook in Joburg airport a few months ago, as the recipes looked easy, inspiring and fun - and indeed they are!

Fish Fanditha
Adapted from Zhoozsh! Faking it, by Jeremy and Jacqui Mansfield

Pat dry 1.75 lbs hake medallions or steaks (halibut, cod or flounder will also work well here); lay them in an ovenproof dish and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the fish. Add kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Deseed and julienne a red, yellow and green pepper and lay them on the base of a separate flat-bottomed bowl. Sprinkle over 1 1/4 c couscous, followed by 2 tsp each of ground cumin and turmeric. Cover the mix with boiling water and let stand for 8 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Fluff the couscous with a fork.

Using your hands, arrange about 1/3 couscous mix on top of the fish and press it flat to make a crust. Drizzle with oil and bake at 400 F for 12 minutes. Arrange remaining couscous on the serving plates and top with the crusted fish.

Serve with fresh tomato, lemon wedges and fresh cilantro, drizzled with olive oil.

Interested in following your safari with a visit to the Maldives or another wonderful African beach destination? Give us a call and we'll work with you to find the perfect fit!

Book Review - The Fear

The Fear: Robert Mugabe and the Martyrdom of Zimbabwe is a damning account of the post election violence in Zimbabwe in 2008. After nearly 30 years in power, Mugabe lost the presidential election to opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe denied the results and unleashed a brutal crackdown on the people of Zimbabwe. This is a disturbing and violent read, but at the same time the book highlights the incredible resilience of the Zimbabwean people.

The author, native Zimbabwean Peter Godwin, travelled to Zimbabwe during this post election violence at great personal risk to bear witness to the events that the world was largely ignoring. This book is most appropriate for people deeply interested in African politics, and those of Zimbabwe specifically.

Recipe: Abrow Ne Ase

This Ghanaian dish is not dissimilar to succotash, though the beans used here are black-eyed peas. The dish is traditionally served with corn on the cob broken into small pieces. For ease, we are using fresh off the cob (or frozen) corn and canned black-eyed peas. This makes an easy side dish or vegetarian entree and would certainly be at home at a 4th of July picnic. Recipe adapted from The Africa Cookbook by Jessica B. Harris.

Abrow Ne Ase (Boiled corn and beans)

Serves 6-8 as a side dish

4 c fresh corn cut from the cob (or frozen, defrosted)
2 c drained, canned black-eyed peas
1 c water
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine corn, black-eyed peas and water in a medium saucepan and cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Safari Q+A

Why do reptiles sun themselves?

Reptiles are classified as ectothermic, which means that they are unable to regulate their body temperature internally and are therefore dependent on environmental heat sources. On safari, we frequently see reptiles sunning themselves. Reptiles will move in and out of sunny spots, retreating to shade to keep their body at a constant temperature.

Photo courtesy Gretchen Healey

Book Review - From Microsoft to Malawi

This book is one of the stars of the Peace Corps genre of stories (there are scores of Peace Corps books out there, quite a few of which focus on assignments in Africa). Michael Buckler leaves his comfortable, corporate life for the Peace Corps after a personal shake up prompts him to pursue a calling with deeper meaning. What he discovers is that he not only has much to offer, but much to learn. This 'diary' of his two year assignment to a village in rural Malawi paints a vivid portrait of the country and its people, as well as the struggle a Westerner faces during such an incredible lifestyle change.

A wonderful bonus of purchasing this book is that the proceeds will fund the educations of three boys he met and tutored during his time in country.

It's a quick and enjoyable read that will keep you captivated by its simple storytelling style, and by getting to know the wonderful people that Buckler meets and develops relationships with along with way.

Book Review - Casting With a Fragile Thread

Casting With a Fragile Thread is one of the best examples of a non fiction Zimbabwean coming-of-age story on shelves today. This is the story of three sisters growing up during the end of the colonialism age in Zimbabwe, as told by the eldest girl. It examines race and inequality in a frank manner, and explores the concept of 'home' not just as a place, but a feeling. Wendy Kann weaves a compelling, real-life tale of her childhood (and adulthood) that will keep you up past your bedtime.

Book Review - African Air

This stunning book of photography should be on every Africa-lover's coffee table. National Geographic photographer George Steinmetz captures fourteen different African countries on film in a way few have seen them; from the air. He captures a variety of images - throbbing urban scenes, views of wildlife, rivers carving the land into new shapes - but he seems especially captivated by the desert, which he frames in a majestic way.

Starting with the story of how Steinmetz discovered Africa and fell in love with it, the book will capture the reader's imagination as well as their visual passion. Vignettes about his adventures are dotted throughout the images, giving them more backdrop and meaning. Most of all, the reader will be granted a new perspective on this beautiful continent. Beware - it may further drive the desire to travel!

The Vision of Wangari Maathai - movie review

This movie review was generously shared with us by the Sierra Club's Green Life Blog.

Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai (2008)

Limited screenings and available on DVD

Wangari Maathai has worked since the 1970s to promote democracy and women's rights in a culture that's traditionally repressed both. Her success is all the more remarkable when you consider that the groundswell of change and empowerment she inspired came about through such a seemingly simple act: planting trees.

Born in British-ruled Kenya, Maathai came to the U.S. as part of the Kennedy Airlift, the same program that brought Barack Obama’s father here for higher education. Some alchemy of new confidence and a perspective that offered possibilities beyond those she saw in her home country brought her back to Africa, where she began a tireless, often perilous, campaign to realize her dream of a greener and more just world.

Via interviews and historic footage, this film traces Maathai's path from her first activist ventures to the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies, where she became the first African woman, and the first environmentalist, to be honored. Facing formidable opposition from government and societal institutions (she was repeatedly assaulted and jailed by government sympathizers, especially during the rule of Daniel arap Moi), she slowly built a coalition of mothers, wives, and sisters who came together to plant trees. In finding a livelihood and sense of purpose, the women of the Green Belt Movement were empowered to stand up to the forces that held them down.

Since its founding in 1977, the Green Belt Movement has planted more than 40 million trees and helped thousands of women earn a living while preserving their natural and cultural heritage. Maathai’s work stands as proof that justice and environmental health are inseparable parts of global well-being — and that one (indomitable) person can change the world.

Review by Zoë J. Sheldon

Reprinted with permission from Sierra Club

The Last Lions - movie review

I'm just back from a screening of The Last Lions and I'm still breathless. The movie tells the story of a lioness and her cubs and their struggle to survive in the African bush. It also paints a picture of the need for conservation, as lion numbers have decreased from 450,000 just 50 years ago, to around 20,000 today. With the constant expansion of human settlements and encroachment on to once protected lands, lions are more threatened than ever before. The cinematography in the movie is absolutely stunning. The images have an almost still photo quality about them, but are brought to life in a way that keeps the viewer at the edge of their seat for the entire movie. From the quiet beauty of the Okavango Delta landscape, to the images of birds skimming the waters for fish, or capturing the erie nighttime fog surrounding an enormous herd of Cape Buffalo; this is National Geographic at its best. The story itself is more tense than I thought possible; over 90 minutes of intense action in the lives of this little lion family. This movie is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for young children or those sensitive to the occasional violence seen in nature. It is however for lovers of Africa, its wildlife and nature in general. It is typical of National Geographic and does not shy away from difficult images or an unhoped for result in nature, so be prepared. The other bit of magic worth mentioning is the sound. Sitting in the theatre (even one with a somewhat dated sound system) made me feel like I was in the bush. The morning sounds of African birds, the nighttime sounds of hippos and insects, buffalo marching through the tall grass...it's all there invading your senses and takes you straight to the African wilderness. Kudos to National Geographic and Dereck and Beverly Joubert for making a masterpiece. Feel free to share your thoughts on the film with us on Facebook or leave a comment below. Don't forget to watch the trailer; for every trailer viewing on YouTube, National Geographic will contribute $.10* (up to $100,000) to lion and big cat conservation in Botswana. You can also text LIONS to 50555 to donate $10. (msg & data rates may apply). Donations go to the National Geographic Big Cats Initiative. Want to visit the Okavango Delta? Call us to plan a trip to Duba Plains where the movie was filmed.

Photo - Beverly Joubert / National Geographic

The Last Lions - part 2

We've written about the new movie The Last Lions before. We want to keep your attention focused on this special film in hopes that you will get out to see it when it's available in your city, as it is likely to be a limited engagement.

In order for The Last Lions to play in more theaters, National Geographic and the filmmakers need YOUR support! Call your local theaters and ask them to book it. Then chat it up with friends, family, local community groups and get them to go. The better the film does, the more theaters it will show in. The more people that see it, the more people will understand what is required for these majestic creatures to survive.

"The Last Lions," is a spectacular feature documentary with breathtaking cinematography from National Geographic (and narrated by Jeremy Irons) about a wild lion and her cubs in Botswana. Check out the trailer here.

Here's where it will open this coming Friday:

Scottsdale, AZ Camelview 5
Berkeley, CA Shattuck 10
Irvine, CA Westpark 8
La Jolla, CA La Jolla Village
Sacramento, CA Tower Theater
San Diego, CA Hillcrest 5
San Francisco, CA Pleasant Hill 21
San Francisco, CA San Rafael Regency 6
San Jose, CA Santana Row
Denver, CO Esquire
Wilmington, DE Theater N (Ends March 13)
Lake Park, FL Mos-Art Theater (Ends March 17)
Sarasota, FL Burns Court
Atlanta, GA Tara Cinemas
Chicago, IL Pipers Alley
Baltimore, MD The Charles Theater
Detroit, MI Maple Art 3
Minneapolis, MN Uptown
St Louis., MO Plaza Frontenac 7
Charlotte, NC Regal Cinemas Manor Twin
Brooklyn, NY Bam Rose
White Plains, NY Cinema 100 Quad
Portland, OR Fox Tower Stadium 10
Dallas, TX Angelika Film Center 8
Plano, TX Angelika Film Center & Cafe
Seattle, WA Harvard Exit

For a complete listing of theatres and release dates, check here.

We will be visiting Denver's Esquire theatre to see the film; we'll have a review next week, but we have no doubt it will be fantastic! Afterward, we'll plan to watch this Q&A with the filmmakers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

Photo courtesy Gretchen Healey

The Last Lions

An amazing nature film about wild lions is coming to the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF), which is taking place Feb 17-20, 2011, and we invite you all to attend.

"The Last Lions," is a spectacular feature documentary with breathtaking cinematography from National Geographic (and narrated by Jeremy Irons) about a wild lion and her cubs in Botswana. The film will play on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Boulder Theater. Check out the trailer here. You can also read a synopsis of the film and buy tickets online here. "The Last Lions" is a Call 2 Action film, meaning there will be a short Q & A session after the movie.

Tickets are available via the Boulder Theater box office, and seating is limited. Tickets are $12/adults, $10/students/seniors, and special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more. Contact the Boulder Theater box office for group pricing information.

Also of note about BIFF this year: Oliver Stone and James Franco will be there!


Info courtesy Boulder International Film Festival. Photo courtesy Gretchen Healey

Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria!

It is an initiative that echoes the fact that since the days of its first settlement, Seychelles has always been a rich melting pot of people from the far reaches of the planet. In 2011, Seychelles is set to become the stage for representatives of the world’s most prestigious carnivals.

The Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria will be held over a three-day period in March 2011, when it will become a focal point for representatives from the world’s most famous carnivals who will be invited to the islands to take part in this exciting international event.

Promising to be the focus of international as well as local attention, the Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria will feature a procession of colourful floats representing the various participants’ national carnivals, as well as a raft of other dedicated activities all of which will fall under the Carnival’s theme.

The event is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, as it brings the lively ambiance of international carnival time to the islands, but it's hardly the only reason to visit. Traditionally associated with the most beautiful beaches on the planet, the Seychelles islands are at the top of the world’s list of romantic destinations. Only 5 hours from Johannesburg and 3 hours from Nairobi, the Seychelles offer superb sailing, diving, snorkeling, excellent fishing, nature trails and of course, great beaches. Call us to plan your customized visit to Seychelles for a romantic retreat or for the Carnival!

Photos courtesy Seychelles.Travel

Samp

Samp is a common ingredient in Xhosa cooking. Samp is cracked hominy and hominy are dried corn kernels. In South Africa, samp and beans (umngqusho) is one of the traditional dishes of the Xhosa people, and was reported to be one of Nelson Mandela’s favorite meals growing up.

You can serve cooked samp and beans with sautéed or fried onions, with butter, or with any sauce of your choosing. If you are unable to find samp, you could substitue hominy that you crack yourself. Try putting it in a plastic ziploc, and cracking it with a rolling pin, or heavy skillet.

You can of course make many other dishes featuring samp. Try the following salad, which would make an excellent side dish for a grilled steak, or a nice vegetarian entree on its own.

Samp Salad

100g lettuce
2 celery stalks
1/2 small pineapple
1/2 cucumber
1/2 Granny Smith apple
50g Cheddar Cheese
2c cooked, rinsed samp
salt and pepper to taste

Dressing

1/4c plain yogurt
1tsp fine sugar
squeeze lemon juice

Slice celery thinly. Cut apple, cucumber and pineapple into cubes. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

Stir dressing ingredients together, then mix in with the salad ingredients. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Holiday gift ideas

Stumped about what to get your loved ones this holiday season? We have some ideas for you!

Guidebooks are always a good bet for the traveller. If they already have a guidebook for their upcoming trip, you might try some fiction that takes place in the country they are visiting. For history buffs, there are lots of great books available on African history.

TravelSmith always has excellent safari gear on offer, as well as the latest gadgets and gizmos, even for the pickiest traveller. Mention key code FH9001 for 10% off, courtesy of Africa Adventure Consultants. Magellan's and ExOfficio are also great resources for safari clothes and travel gear.

For the 8-10 year old set, Somebody Like Me is the perfect gift. Written by Ashley Shuyler of Africaid and Prisca Lesakire, an Africaid scholar, this book tells the story of two young women who grew up on different continents, in different cultures. Not only will the kids enjoy it, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Africaid and its programs for girls' education in Tanzania.

A microloan is a great way to honor someone and to make a difference at the same time. To support education in Africa, you could consider a donation to our partner organization AfricAid. Alternatively, you can help 'end the book famine' in Africa with a donation to Books for Africa. Another way to change a life would be to give the gift of a camel (or a 'share' of a camel) to a Maasai family in Tanzania through the Heifer organization.

A new camera is always a welcome surprise for any traveller. We especially like the Panasonic DMC-FZ35 for its 18x optical zoom. It also does a nice job of basic video and has a very reasonable price tag. For the more serious photographer, we have a camera recommendations blog you can check out for some great ideas on what to bring with you on safari.

And finally...a safari. No doubt about it, this would be the 'ultimate' gift, and something that would be remembered for a lifetime. You know you can call us so we can work together to build the perfect trip for that special someone.

Good luck with your shopping and best wishes this holiday season!

Camera Recommendations

We are often asked for recommendations for camera equipment to take on safari. We each have different equipment, different styles and different 'eyes'. We thought it best to ask one of our clients who is a professional photographer. Thanks to Mark Zable, we can recommend the following. In addition to what you see here, you can check out his Africa Gallery on his website to see more beautiful shots.

According to Mark, the number one thing to remember when going on a photographic safari is that 'bigger is better' when it comes to lenses! Mark came up with three different recommendations that take budget into consideration.

Recommendation 1 - If you are on a tight budget but have always wished that you could get National Geographic quality pictures on your safari, you should consider renting some camera equipment. Probably the best and most widely respected rental shops among professional photographers is Borrowlenses.com.

Here are two different suggestions on what camera equipment to rent. These packages will allow you to borrow anywhere from $5,000 to tens of thousands of dollars worth of photographic equipment for a very reasonable price. Don't forget to put them on your homeowner's insurance policy for the duration of your use or to take the optional insurance offered by Borrowlenses. Prices are current as of November, 2010. All prices listed are for a week rental.

Great Rental Package

Nikon D300s Camera
$189.00

Nikon EN-EL3 Extra Battery (2)
$20.00

Nikon 17-55 f2.8 zoom lens
$65.00

Nikon 70-200m f2.8 VRII
$99.00

Sandisk 32GB CF memory cards (2 – if planning on shooting HD video get 3)
$90.00 each

GRAND TOTAL
$463.00

Ultimate Rental Package

Nikon D3s Camera
$359.00

Nikon 14-24m f2.8
$76.00

Nikon 24-70 f2.8
$73.00

Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII
$242.00

Nikon EnEl4a Batteries (2)
36.00

Sandisk 32GB CF memory cards (3 – if planning on shooting HD video get 4)
$90.00 each

Grand Total
$976.00

NOTE: If you rent the Ultimate Package, you need to verify your luggage and weight restrictions. It may be necessary to purchase an extra seat on interior Tanzania flights to accommodate your camera equipment.

Recommendation 2 – This is a very good setup for a novice-intermediate photographer.

Nikon D3100 Camera Package including 18-55mm zoom lens.
$699.00

Lens #2 - AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
$399.00

Grand Total
$1098.00

Recommendation 3 – This is a fantastic camera setup and is for someone who is passionate about photography. You will be amazed at the clear beautiful pictures you create with this camera.

Nikon D300S - Extraordinary still and HD video imaging performance converge in the fast and agile 12.3-megapixel, DX-format.
$1699.00

Lens #1 - AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

$1899.95

Lens#2 - AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

$2399.00

Total Retail Price
$5997.00

Many thanks to Mark Zable for lending his expertise and these beautiful images. To see more of his photos, see his online galleries. Happy shopping!

Swahili

When you travel to a foreign country, it is considered courteous to learn a few words (or more) of the local language. It is sometimes hard to do when travelling to Africa, as many of the countries have more than one, if not dozens of official indegenous languages. East Africa is cooperative in that Swahili is widely spoken in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda; with nearly 50 million people speaking it across Africa and some pockets outside of the continent. While you could easily communicate by only speaking English, a little effort can go a long way with local residents.

We'll look at a few words and phrases in Swahili today that you can practice in advance of a trip. There will be future blogs with additional vocabulary; just search for them with the 'Swahili' keyword.

Jambo - hello

Mambo - hello (collq.)

Kwaheri - good-bye

Ndiyo - yes

Hapana - no

Asante - thank you

Asante sana - thank you very much

Si kitu - you're welcome

Samahani - excuse me

Hujambo - how are you ?

Sijambo, asante - very well, thanks.

Na wewe je - and you?

Nzuri - fine

Practice these words and phrases and check back for more lessons soon!

Chicken Peanut Salad from Saruni Camp

Kent is just back from an adventure in Kenya. One of the camps he had the pleasure of visiting was Saruni Samburu Camp. It is a designer lodge located 7km north of Samburu National Reserve in Kenya's wild north. Surrounded by 95,000 hectares of private wildlife conservancy and perched on top of a spectacular viewpoint, its four houses and large swimming pool overlook several waterholes where the famous Samburu elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, Oryx and Grevy's zebra gather to drink.

The kitchen staff keep everyone well fed so they can concentrate on safari. They were kind enough to share one of their recipes with Kent and it's our pleasure to share it with you!

Chicken Peanut Salad

Ingredients:

1 onion finely chopped
2 tbsp Brown sugar
2 tbsp Olive oil
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of ground black pepper
½ a packet of coconut milk
1 pinch curry powder
Halved Carrots (fried)
Potatoes, quartered (fried)
Broccoli (boiled)
sliced chicken breast (lightly marinated with oyster sauce and fried)
3 tbsp Peanut butter

Lightly fry the onions until soft and brown then add the salt, pepper, curry powder, coconut milk, brown sugar and peanut butter. Stir until the sauce is thick.

Fry the carrots and potatoes in some olive oil, then add the fried marinated chicken strips and broccoli. As with most recipes, it helps if the carrots and potatoes have been parboiled before they have been fried.

Toss the ingredients until they are well mixed. Season with some dried mixed herbs and add the peanut sauce. Serve warm.

Photos courtesy Saruni Camp

AAC and AfricAid

Last month, AfricAid held their inaugural 'Art & Soul' event in Denver. Africa Adventure Consultants were proud to be a major sponsor of the event. Our sponsorship provided funding to break the cycle of poverty for one girl and her family through the Kisa Project; providing the education and financial support necessary for her to become a powerful leader and voice for change in her community and the generation of girls to follow her.

The event was attended by nearly 200 people, including some of our own staff members. The evening was filled with food and drink, great live entertainment and beautiful artwork, and the gala raised nearly $40,000 for AfricAid's ongoing educational work in Tanzania.

AAC has an ongoing partnership with AfricAid. Kent Redding serves on the Board of Directors, we have sponsored events, and we are also offering a unique Tanzanian safari in 2011 to help with scholarships for girls in Tanzania.

AfricAid's Tanzania safari visits many of the 'must see' sights in Tanzania, where you will have amazing animal sightings, as well as lodgings in spectacular settings. This safari will also offer an in-depth cultural experience like no other - with visits to local schools, a remote village and to one of the scholars and her family.

Don't miss this chance for a life-altering experience; both for the traveller and the AfricAid student whose education will be funded through your visit! Call us for details or to reserve your spot on this amazing trip.

Photos courtesy AfricAid

Kent Kenya Trip Update #4 - Masai Mara

Flying into the Masai Mara I was amazed how green it is for late October. It's supposed to be brown and barren, but some of the "short" rains came early. Even better, tens of thousands of wildebeest are still here, having delayed their southward trek to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

In addition to the wildebeest, the Masai Mara boasts the most animals of any park in Kenya, both in terms of variety and sheer numbers. It remains the must-see park in Kenya, despite some issues with overbuilding and land conservation.

This morning, for instance, we saw a lion pride, tens of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, topi, elephant, bat eared fox, eland, hippos, huge crocodiles, and a mother cheetah and cub. We were hoping to witness a river crossing, but the herds did not cooperate as is often the case. There is plenty of evidence of past crossings though, in the form of carcasses and skeletons.

On this trip I stayed at Mara Plains Camp, just outside the main reserve on the Olare Orok Conservcancy. In short, this is Masai-owned land where they have agreed to leave it for the wildlife in return for concession fees from the three safari camps located here. The camps get a great area to conduct safaris and the communities get much needed funding, employment, and assistance with cattle feed during the lean months.

The rooms are very good - call it casual luxury. The food is delicious - just try the butternut soup recipe we'll post in our next blog to see for yourself. The hosts are friendly and accomodating. And it's within an hour's drive of the Mara River to view river crossings if they are happening. All in all a good place.

Photos courtesy Kent Redding