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Let's Celebrate Festivals across the Faiths 2021
The Queensland Faith Communities Council (QFCC) was launched on 23 May 2017 as a network of faith communities committed to advancing interfaith understanding and collaboration and to making a positive contribution within the broader community.
We do this by:
engaging in dialogue that enhances our understanding of shared values and develops respect for our diversity; and
publicly promoting interfaith relations by working together, through education, guidance and example, to support the positive outcomes of religious freedom, social justice, inclusivity and diversity.
All religious traditions have important days, which they celebrate each year.
These often help to tell the story of the faith and teach the principles and ethics of that community. They are especially important for families as a way of both learning and coming together in celebration.
This blog (and PDF booklet) provides a brief introduction to the major festivals of the member organisations of QFCC. Because many faiths use a lunar calendar, the dates generally change each year. Also, the date may vary according to the customs of a particular region or different methods used in calculation. QFCC encourages readers to contact local faith communities if they wish to know more.
We are extremely fortunate in Queensland to live in such a diverse society and the more we learn about each other the more we will build strong, respectful and inclusive communities.
Let's Celebrate Festivals across the Faiths 2021 (PDF)Download
Acknowledgement: Thanks to P.P. Lawrence for artwork and formatting.
3 January – Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sikhism)
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the tenth guru of the Sikh community, thought to have been born on 22 December 1666. He became a Guru at the tender age of 9 and had a big impact on Sikhs with all the miraculous deeds he did during his lifetime. He stood up against the ruling Mughals and fought against injustice. His leadership inspired the courage in people to rise against the oppressive rule. He set up the Khalsa, a military force of saint-soldiers which he baptized and he introduced the Five Ks, the five articles of faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times (Kesh: uncut hair, Kangha: a wooden comb, Kara: an iron or steel bracelet worn on the wrist, Kirpan: a sword or dagger, Kacchera: short breeches). They followed a strict moral code and spiritual discipline. He was both a military and spiritual leader and his teachings significantly form the core of the religion. It was he who declared the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Scripture, to be the permanent Sikh Guru.
20 January – Buddha Enlightenment / Bodhi Day (Buddhism)
The enlightenment of the Buddha is among the most significant events in Buddhist history and is commemorated annually. According to early Buddhist scripture, the historical Buddha was an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama who was disturbed by the existence of sickness, old age, and death. He gave up his privileged life to search for peace and understanding. . After six years, he sat under a fig tree (a variety known ever after as a "bodhi tree") and vowed to remain in meditation until he had fulfilled his quest. During this meditation, he realized enlightenment and became the Buddha, or "the one who is awake." The word Bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali means "awakening" but is often translated into English as "enlightenment".
Perhaps because of the austere nature of the Buddha's quest for enlightenment, Bodhi Day generally is observed quietly, without parades or fanfare. Meditation or chanting practices may be extended. More informal commemoration might involve bodhi tree decorations or simple tea and cookies.
The dates of celebration vary according to the particular Buddhist tradition and can be in December/January or April/May.
28 January – Mahayana New Year (Buddhism)
The first full moon in January marks the beginning of the new year in the countries which conform to the Mahayana Buddhism beliefs. Nonetheless, the Buddhist New Year falls on a different day depending on ethnicity and country. For instance, Chinese, Koreans, and Vietnamese hold their celebrations in correspondence with the lunar calendar – either late January or early February. Whereas Tibetans customarily celebrate roughly one month later.
1~7 February – World Interfaith Harmony Week
On 20 October 2010, World Interfaith Harmony Week was unanimously adopted by the United Nations and since then has been celebrated in the first week of February each year. The concept came from a proposal, only a month earlier, by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan, and is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word Initiative. Commencing in 2007, this encouraged Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialogue. The concept has been extended to people of all faiths and those of no faith. World Interfaith Harmony Week provided an opportunity to celebrate the dialogue being undertaken by all people of good will.
2 February – Lughnassagh (Pagan)
Lughnassagh (or Lammas) is the festival of the first harvest, the first fruits of high summer that will provide food for the coming seasons. Pagans give thanks for the bountiful harvest- honey, fruit, corn – as they realise that the days are growing shorter, winter will soon return and they must make ready.
25 February to 1 March – Ayyám-i-Há or Intercalary Days (Bahá'í)
The Intercalary Days (Ayyám-i-Há or 'Days of Ha') are devoted to hospitality, charity, gift giving and spiritual preparation for the Bahá'í fasting month. They are celebrated during the four or five days before the last month of the Bahá'í year.
26 February – Purim (Judaism)
This holiday commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, a Persian Empire official who was planning to kill all the Jews living in Persia. The story is recounted in the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther which is found in the Ketuvim meaning "writings" in the Hebrew Scriptures. Purim remembers the actions of G-d through Esther and Mordechai in saving His people from death. The holiday is celebrated with a feast, the wearing of fancy dress costumes, the eating of hamantaschen (triangular pastries filled with fruit, cheese or poppyseeds) and the giving of gifts (food baskets) to friends and those in need.
26 February – Sangha Day (Buddhism)
Sangha Day is dedicated to the brotherhood of Buddhist monks and those who keep this doctrine and is celebrated on the full moon of the first lunar month. This may vary according to the particular tradition.
The Sangha is the third of the Three Jewels in Buddhism. The word in Pali and Sanskrit means "association", "assembly," "company" or "community" and most commonly refers to the monastic community of ordained Buddhist monks or nuns. Due to the temptations and difficulties of life in the world, monastic life is considered to provide the safest and most suitable environment for advancing toward enlightenment and liberation.
In Buddhism, the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha each are described as having certain characteristics. These characteristics are chanted either on a daily basis and/or on Uposatha days, depending on the school of Buddhism.
1~19 March – Bahá'í Month of Fasting
The last month in the Bahá'í calendar, 'Alá' ('loftiness'), is dedicated to the Bahá'í Fast. During this time, Bahá'ís between 15 and 70 years of age do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset and set aside time for prayer and meditation. Exemptions from the Fast occur for illness, pregnancy, nursing mothers, extended travel and arduous physical labour.
20 March – Naw-Rúz / New Year (Bahá'í)
The Bahá'í Faith has its own calendar, the Badí' Calendar, which is a solar calendar consisting of 19 months of 19 days each (361 days), with the addition of 4 or 5 'Intercalary Days' to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The Bahá'í New Year coincides with the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere. It can fall on 20 or 21 March, and the remaining Holy Days are adjusted accordingly. Naw-Rúz is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the 'new day'. For Bahá'ís it marks the end of the annual 19-Day Fast and is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.
20~23 March – Mabon (Pagan)
Mabon, the autumnal equinox, is the time of the second harvest that must be preserved for Winter – crops need to be stored properly, produce turned into chutneys, pickles or jams or dried for later use. It is a time of thanksgiving. Day and night are again in balance but this time the darkness is increasing. Autumn cleaning is just as important as Spring cleaning – physically, mentally and spiritually. Whereas in Spring cleaning makes room for new growth, in Autumn it is for contemplation.
23 March – Lailat al Miraj (Islam)
The Isra' and Mi'raj are the two parts of a night journey that, according to the teachings of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621. They signify both a physical and spiritual journey. The Quran contains an outline account while greater detail is found in the hadith, collections of the reports, teachings, deeds and sayings of Muhammad.
The festival is celebrated by telling the story of how the Prophet Muhammad was visited by two archangels while he was asleep. They purified his heart and filled him with knowledge and faith. He travelled from Mecca to Jerusalem on a strange winged creature called Buraq, meaning lightning or bright. In Jerusalem he visited a mosque which came to be identified with the Al-Aqsa Mosque and represented the physical world.
From Jerusalem he ascended into heaven, where he met the earlier prophets, and eventually God. During his time in heaven Muhammad was told of the duty of Muslims to recite Salat (ritual prayer) five times a day.
27 March to 5 April – Pesach / Passover (Judaism)
Pesach or Passover commemorates the deliverance of the children of Israel from over two centuries of Egyptian bondage, and recalls their exodus from Egypt over 3500 years ago. It is a major Jewish Festival and a celebration of freedom as it crystallized the Jewish national identity and marked the birth of Jews as free people. The Passover story is retold each year at a special seder dinner in family homes and matza (unleavened bread/ flat wafer) and other unleavened and unfermented foods are eaten. In Israel the festival lasts for 7 days and the seder takes place on the first night. In the diaspora, it is eight days long with two nights of seder.
29 March – Holi / Gaura Purima (Hinduism & ISKCON)
During celebrations of Gaura Purima, Hindu followers spend time fasting and chanting, followed by a feast at moonrise. The term means "golden full moon" and signifies that Lord Chaitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was "born" during a full moon, and the Lord blesses everyone with the soothing, moonlike rays of His sublime teachings. Lord Chaitanya advocated a universal religion, a scientific process for spiritual awakening and gave an opportunity for spiritual emancipation to all regardless of religion, caste, creed or colour. Lord Chaitanya inaugurated the Sankirtana movement – the congregational chanting of the Holy Name of Krishna in the form of the Hare Krishna Mantra.
2 / 30 April – Good Friday (Christianity)
Good Friday commemorates the death of Jesus by crucifixion and is called 'Good' because of Jesus' example of sacrificial love by giving his life for the healing of the world. Religious services often involve processions or the Way of the Cross which begins with Jesus' Last Supper with his friends on Thursday, through his arrest, trial and death on Friday. The atmosphere is sombre but with a consciousness that this is leading to Easter and resurrection.
4 April / 2 May – Easter (Christianity)
Easter Sunday is the holiest celebration in the Christian calendar. It commemorates the day on which Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion on Good Friday. The life and teachings of Jesus, who Christians believe to be the Son of God, are the foundations of Christianity. His resurrection foreshadows the New Life open to all who follow his example of love. Religious services often include the lighting of a Paschal (Easter) candle to represent Christ the light of the world.
The date is calculated by Western Christians as the first Sunday, after the first full moon, after the March equinox. Eastern Christians follow a different calendar and so Easter is generally more closely aligned with the Jewish Pesach or Passover. Symbolism is about new life, so eggs (real or chocolate) are often given as gifts.
7 April – Theravada New Year (Buddhism)
This is a three day celebration surrounding a full moon. Theravada is a branch of Buddhism mostly practised in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The other two traditions are Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism. Celebrations and traditions for Theravada New Year vary from region to region but many involve rituals using water and sand. Some communities have colourful processions or build sand sculptures on the banks of rivers. Each grain of sand represents a wrongdoing and when the sand is washed away, the bad karma caused by the wrongdoing is erased as well. There is always an underlying them of a fresh start, a chance to wipe the slate clean and do better this year to do better in the next life.
13 April – Vaisakhi (Sikhism)
Vaisakhi is a festival to celebrate the birth of the Khalsa. Often it is misrepresented as a harvest festival or even the Sikh New Year. In April 1699 the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji tested the commitment of thousands of Sikhs. The first five to pass his test were initiated into a new order called the Khalsa. These five men came to be known as the Panj Pyare (five beloved).
Khalsa is the collective body of committed initiated Sikhs. Khalsa means both "Pure" and "King's Own". The Khalsa represent the living form of the Guru – and therefore are God's representatives – on earth.
13 April – 12 May – Ramadan begins (Islam)
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Annual observance of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Fasting from sunrise to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims unless exempt because of age or illness. The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan, so Muslims refrain from tobacco, sexual relations and sinful behaviour as well as food and drink and devote themselves to prayer, recitation of the Quran and performance of charitable deeds as they strive for purity and heightened awareness of God.
20 April – 1 May – Festival of Ridván (Bahá'í)
This annual Bahá'í festival commemorates the 12 days when Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, publicly proclaimed His mission as God's messenger for this age in the garden of Ridvan ('paradise') on the banks of the Tigris River, outside Baghdad. Elections for local, national and international Bahá'í institutions are generally held during the Festival of Ridvan. The first, ninth and twelfth days are celebrated as holy days when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.
30 April – Samhain (Pagan)
The Pagan year begins and ends with Samhain (pronounced sow-en or sow-een) which means "Summer's end" and, in the southern hemisphere begins at sundown on 30 April. This is the time to honour ancestors and give thanks for the knowledge they have passed on, so that preparations can be made for Winter and the future seasons. It is a time for mourning the dead and acknowledging sorrows but also celebrating the illumination of the wisdom that has been handed down and the hope for the future that wisdom brings. Stories are shared about those who have passed to the Summerlands during the year, helping to keep them alive in people's memories.
13 May – Eid-Ul-Fitr (Islam)
Also called the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, this religious holiday is celebrated by Muslims worldwide and marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. The date is based on the sighting of the new moon by religious authorities and therefore varies from place to place. Special prayers are said, generally at communal gatherings in open areas or large halls or mosques. Charitable donations, called Zakat, are given to the poor.
It is a time of family celebrations and feasting with special foods according to the local cultures. The traditional greeting to all at this time is Eid Mubarak.
23 May – Pentecost (Christianity)
Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter and ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven. It commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Christians which gave them the strength, wisdom and courage to proclaim Jesus' Good News.
The scriptural text, The Acts of the Apostles, relates the story of the apostle Peter preaching to a large crowd in Jerusalem for the Jewish Festival of Shavuot. As a result, some three thousand were baptised. Hence Pentecost is often referred to as the "Birthday of the Church".
23 May – Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í)
This Holy Day commemorates the day in 1844 when the Báb, the herald of the Bahá'í Faith, announced in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), that He was the Herald of a new Messenger of God. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.
25 May – Narasimha Jayanti (Hinduism)
Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi is celebrated as Narasimha Jayanti. Lord Narasimha was the 4th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On Narasimha Jayanti day Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha, a half lion and half man, to kill Demon Hiranyakashipu.
The rules and guidelines to observe Narasimha Jayanti fasting are similar to those of Ekadashi fasting. Devotees eat only single meal one day before. All type of grains and cereals are prohibited during Narasimha Jayanti. Parana, which means breaking the fast, is done next day at an appropriate time.
26 May – Buddha Birthday/ Vesak (Buddhism)
The Buddha's birthday festival commemorates the birth of Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism. In South and Southeast Asia it is celebrated as Vesak, which places greater emphasis on the enlightenment and death of Buddha.
According to the Buddhist scriptures, Gautama was born 563-480 BCE in modern-day Nepal and raised in India. The date varies from year to year but usually falls in April –May in the Western Gregorian calendar.
28 May – Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)
Bahá'ís observe the anniversary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, in 1892 outside Akko (also known as Akka or Acre), in what is now northern Israel. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.
20-23 June – Yule (Pagan)
Yule, the Winter solstice, is celebrated between 20 and 23 June depending on the precise position of the Sun on the longest night. After this, days begin to lengthen with the promise of life to come, symbolising the rebirth of the Sun, who is the Son of the Goddess. This is a time of deep reflection and planning for the turning of the seasons, of sheltering around the family hearth and sharing stories.
9 July – Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá'í)
This Holy Day commemorates the anniversary of the execution of the Báb (Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad), the herald of the Bahá'í Faith, by a firing squad in 1850 in Tabriz, Persia (now Iran). It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.
20 July – Eid al-Adha (Islam)
This celebration is called the "Festival of the Sacrifice". It remembers Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son, thereby obeying God's command. However, it also remembers that God provided a lamb for the sacrifice instead of his son, who according to tradition was Ishmael. The feast usually occurs at the end of the Hajj, the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. During this time, Muslims may sacrifice and animal that meets certain regulations and then the meat is shared among the poor and needy, family and friends.
24th July – Pioneer Day (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Members of the Church celebrate the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of pioneer members into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, after a long journey westbound to escape religious persecution.
2 August – Imbolic (Pagan)
It is now obvious that light is growing and the days are lengthening. This is the time when the land is prepared for new crops so that the Earth can bring forth new life. It is the time of lambing and the first early green shoots as the plants, dormant during winter, are reborn. It is also the time when hens start laying again. It is the festival of the Goddess Brigid who is Goddess of healing, smithcraft, poetry, childbirth and creativity of all kinds. She is also goddess of the hearth fire and protector of the home.
9 August – Ras as-Sana (Islam)
This is Islamic New Year, the day on which everything begins again and the new dates for all religious duties and festivals are calculated. The calculation of the Islamic calendar started in 622CE, the year of the Hijra when Muhammed migrated from Mecca to Medina. The word Ras as-Sana literally means "Head of the Year". This is a time for quiet reflection on the passing of time and one's mortality.
12 August – Janmashtami (International Society of Krishna Consciousness)
Janmashtami: The Divine Appearance day of Bhagavan Lord Shree Krishna. Lord Krishna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead declares that "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religion and a predominance of irreligion, at that time I descend Myself."
Krishna devotees around the world celebrate this special day to remember the Lord and his divine appearance and activities manifest in the material world. A large festival is held with fasting during the day followed by a feast in the evening.
18 August – Day of Ashura (Islam)
Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. It marks the day that Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was martyred in the Battle of Karbala, in 690 CE. Ashura is a major holy day and occasion for pilgrimage in Shia Islam, as well as a recommended but non-obligatory day of fasting in Sunni Islam. It has become a national holiday in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Pakistan and India and many ethnic and religious communities participate in it.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura also marks the day that Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the Sea or Noah leaving the Ark. In Turkey, it is celebrated by making Ashure or Noah's Pudding, a dessert made of grains, fruit, dried fruit and nuts. The focus is on Noah and his family leaving the Ark and using whatever foods were left at the end of the 40 day flood. Noah's pudding is shared with neighbours, friends and colleagues, whatever their beliefs, as an offering of love and peace.
31 August – Krishna Janmastami (Hinduism / ISKCON)
One of the most important Hindu festivals, Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanti) is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu who gave the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita – the guiding principles for every Hindu.
Across India, there will be ceremonies and prayers at temples dedicated to Krishna. The day before may consist of fasting and prayer up to midnight, the time at which it was said that Krishna was born.
Krishna was born in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. In this region, a common tradition is the performance of Krishna Lila, a folk drama consisting of scenes from Krishna's life.
Many customs have developed in the different parts of India, all based on stories from Krishna's life. For instance, it is said that as a boy, Krishna loved butter and milk so much that they had to be kept out of his reach. This story is reflected in many climbing games for children.
It is a public holiday in India but the date may vary according to the region.
1 September – The Blessed Appearance Day (International Society of Krishna Consciousness)
The Blessed Appearance Day of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder and Spiritual Leader of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
ISKCON devotees around the world observe this day with a blissful festival of readings and memories sharing the inspiration Srila Prabhupada has provided in their lives. A feast is cooked and served at the end of the program.
6~8 September – Rosh Hashanah (Judaism)
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur (below) the Day of Atonement, are purely religious holidays. They are High Holy Days and they are both called "holy convocations". The emphasize spirituality, morality and holiness and celebrate G-d's role as King of the Universe and judge of all our actions.
Rosh Hashanah lasts ten days with Yom Kippur as the last day. They are known as The Ten Days of Penitence and it is a religious duty to hear the shofar (ram's horn) blown in the synagogue. Foods at this time are sweet (for a sweet New Year), such as apples dipped in honey, and are round to symbolise the cyclical and eternal nature of life.
16 September – Yom Kippur (Judaism)
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. According to tradition, G-d inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into the Book of Life and waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" the verdict. Five prayer services that include private and public confessions of sins are held on this day.
People refrain from work, attend synagogue and fast from the evening before until the evening of Yom Kippur. No food or drink is taken for 25 hours. It is customary to wear white as a symbol of purity.
20~27 September – Sukkot (Judaism)
Sukkot is a seven- day holiday and the primary symbol of sukkot is the sukka – a temporary structure that represents the hastily constructed quarters of the Jews as they wandered in the desert. It is a time to remember when G-d protected them and dwelt amongst them in the Tent of Meeting. It is a time of praise, singing and dancing for joy for all the wonders that G-d has done. In modern times, only the very religious will live in their sukka for seven days. Most Jewish people symbolically build a small structure and eat a meal in it.
20~22 September – Ostara (Pagan)
Spring equinox, or Ostara, is celebrated when day and night are in balance, light and darkness equal but light is growing stronger. There is increased energy for the work ahead –seeds are sown and the fertile Earth is celebrated. Physically, mentally and spiritually it is a time for "spring cleaning", for weeding out what is no longer useful, what is holding you back from accomplishing your plans and nurturing what is needed to help you grow in all aspects of life.
12~15 October – Durga Puja (Hinduism)
The ceremonies of Durga Puja are centred on the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga who is iconically depicted as a 10-armed mother-goddess with her four children standing nearby. Durga Puja is also a time of family reunions and appreciation of the cultural heritage of the Bengali people.
The dates chosen for Durga Puja are based on the time when Prince Rama is thought to have invoked the aid of the goddess Durga, who then (legend has it) came to battle and ultimately defeated the demon-buffalo king Ravana and his evil henchmen.
The first Durga Puja in recorded history took place in Bengal around the turn of the 16th Century A.D. Annual celebrations continued and later spread to Delhi in 1911 when many Bengalis moved there to work in the then-new capital of British India. The holiday was also transported to Mumbai (Bombay) and other cities to which Bengalis immigrated. Finally, Bengalis who live in other nations also often observe the feast. The biggest and most significant Durga Puja festival, however, still takes place in West Bengal in the municipality of Kolkata.
31 October – Beltaine (Pagan)
Beltaine celebrations begin at sundown on 31 October. This is the time which celebrates the flourishing of Nature – plants, animals and humans feel the growing energy and life force of the land. This is the time when thoughts and actions turn to joy and revelling in all the pleasures that are the Gods' and Goddess' gifts to their children. It is a celebration of the Sacred Marriage of the Goddess, as the land, with the young God as the life force.
31 October – Reformation Day (Christianity)
Reformation Day is a Protestant Christian religious holiday. It commemorates the day in 1517 when the German monk and theologian, Martin Luther, nailed his 95 theses (reform proposals) on the door of Wittenburg Castle Church. Luther condemned the excesses and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church at that time, especially the papal practice – called "indulgences" – for the forgiveness of sin. Many Lutheran and some reformed Churches hold special church services. The Catholic Church officially recognises Reformation Day and, in a spirit of ecumenical relations, approves official representatives to attend various commemoration events.
4 November – Anglican Roman Catholic Reconciliation Day (Christianity)
In 2002, the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches in Australia agreed to set aside 4th November as a day of prayer for reconciliation and greater understanding between the two communities. The Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches recognise that they are bonded together by a common faith in Christ and by Baptism and relationships between the two Churches have improved in many ways that we now take for granted. However, relationships need constant care to grow and deepen. Also new issues arise from time to time that can strain the relationship, so there is a need to keep praying for each other. As 4th November is so close to All Saints Day, we take courage from the witness of many holy women and men who have lived in both communities.
6, 7 November – Twin Holy Birthdays (Bahá'í)
The Birth of the Báb (20 October 1819) and the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (12 November 1817) occurred on consecutive dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar (1 and 2 Muharram, respectively). These Holy Days are celebrated on the first and second days of the eighth lunar month after Naw-Rúz, and may fall as early as October 20–21 and as late as November 11–12. They are two of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.
14 November – Deepawali /Diwali (Hinduism)
Deepawali or Diwali is a festival of lights that is celebrated annually across India. It is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar and an important public holiday. Diwali is celebrated to honour Rama-chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu. The word "Deepwali" means a row or cluster of lights or clay lamps. Many people decorate their homes with tiny electric lights or small clay lamps.
The festival celebrates the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The goddess Lakshmi, who symbolises wealth, happiness and prosperity, is also worshipped at this time. In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana and in southern India it is the day that the Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. It is customary for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs to send greeting cards during this season, sometimes accompanied by confectionery.
14 November – Bandhi Chhor Divas (Sikhism)
Bandi Chhor Divas is an important celebration in the Sikh community. It literally translates to "prisoner release day." Sikhs commemorate this day as the day of liberation for their Sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib, along with 52 Hindu political prisoners detained during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
While Diwali is celebrated by Hindus at the same time, the only connection between the two holidays is that, when Guru Hargobind was released and travelled back home to Amritsar, he arrived during the celebration of Diwali.
16 November – Installation of Gurgaddi Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Ji (Sikhism)
The Sikh faith was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. A Guru is a divine teacher who spiritually enlightens one. The Sikh faith has 10 Gurus who came to the earth in human form and the 11th Guru is the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – the Sikh Holy Scriptures.
In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji the 10th Guru affirmed the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SGGS Ji) as His successor and commanded all Sikhs to accept Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their perpetual Guru. Thus began the reign of the Shabaad (writings in the SGGS Ji) as the spiritual light and guide to the Sikhs. This day is celebrated by Sikhs as one of the main events of the Sikh faith.
The Holy text starts with Ek OangKaar – Ek as in number One and OangKaar meaning God, highlighting that there is One God who created and nurtures all His creation.
28 November – First Sunday of Advent (Christianity)
In Western Christianity, the First Sunday of Advent is the start of the Christian year and begins a season of four Sundays, culminating in the celebration of Christmas.
The word 'advent' means 'coming' and the main theme of the Season is preparing for the coming of Jesus the Christ: preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus and preparing for the coming of Christ in our lives. The First Sunday of Advent is marked in some churches by the lighting of the first of five candles, held together by a wreath of greenery. The final candle is lit on Christmas Day representing Christ as the light of the world.
28 November-6 December – Chanukah (Judaism)
Chanukah commemorates the historic victory of the Maccabees following a three-year long uprising against the ruling Assyrian-Greek regime who conspired to impose restrictions against Jewish practices and values. The struggle culminated with the recapture of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BCE and the restoration of its traditional Jewish service. Chanukah means 'dedication' and refers to the rededication of the temple to the service of G-d after it had been defiled with Hellenic images and practices. A Chanukiah (8 branch candle holder with a 9th servant candle) is lit each night resulting in all eight candles shining on the eighth night. Children are given gifts each night and oil-fried foods like doughnuts and potato latkes (potato cakes) are eaten.
30 November – Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikhism)
Guru Nanak was born in 1469 into a Hindu family in the Indian region of Punjab, now Pakistan. Sikhism is based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh Gurus who followed him. Every year Sikhs celebrate his birth with a festival titled Guru Nanak Gurpurab, taken from the Punjabi words for "teacher" and "festival".
The Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, is kept in the place of worship called the Gurdwara and provides the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. Sikhs believe in one god who guides and protects them and the central conviction that everyone is equal before god. Living a good life, being honest, working hard and being generous to the less fortunate and serving others are key teachings.
19 December – Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur (Sikhism)
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Guru, spiritual guide and father figure for the Sikh community. This was a particularly difficult period for all Indic communities – the people of dharma – under the persecution of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. It was a unique situation that a venerated Spiritual Prophet of the Sikh faith made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the sacred rights of Kashmiri Hindu Brahmins who were being forced to convert to Islam. The Guru was tortured and publically beheaded on 11 November1675 in Chandani Chowk (square) in Old Delhi in front of a large crowd.
Guru Teg Bahadur's martyrdom was a major turning point in the transformation of the Sikh Nation and illustrates the commitment of the Sikh faith to equality, justice, human dignity and sacred rights for all faiths.
20~23 December – Litha (Pagan)
This is the Summer Solstice. It is a time of light and the longest day celebrates the power of the Sun. It is a haven between the toil of planting and the toil of harvesting; a time of games, feasting and thanksgiving. It is also a turning point of the year, as from now light begins to ebb as darkness grows, reminding us that nothing is certain and change is the basis of life.
25 December to 7 January – Christmas (Christianity)
Christmas Day is the birthday of Jesus, believed by Christians to be the promised Messiah (Hebrew) or the Christ (Greek) and Son of God, sent to proclaim the Good News of salvation for humanity. His mother was Mary and he was born in Bethlehem, the hometown of his ancestor King David. The actual date is unknown but 25 December was set by Pope Julius in the 4th Century CE. Pope Gregory XIII restructured the calendar in 1582 CE, but this was not adopted by the Eastern Christian Churches who now celebrate Christmas on 7 January.
As well as a religious celebration, the focus is very much on family gatherings and gift giving. People with a European heritage often have a large decorated tree in their homes and also a manger or crib, as a reminder of the stable where Jesus was born.
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Live. Forward.
The grill of a RAM truck. Riders in a skatepark in the background.
Aaron "Wheelz" Fotheringham in a helmet.
(SPEECH)
Growing up, I was always a huge fan of watching X-Games, and I just really idolized pro BMXers and, you know, the pro skaters, and I just thought: "Man, like, that looks like a lot of fun."
Fotheringham rotates his wheelchair 180 degrees in the air at the end of a ramp
For me, my spina bifida never really felt like it was holding me back because, you know, it's something I've always dealt with.
I honestly feel super, super blessed to have a wheelchair -- and not just the chair itself, but, like, the opportunities that have come along with it.
A pickup equipped with a crane holds a wheelchair in the air. Fotheringham uses a device inside the cab to control the crane, as he sits outside the driver's seat.
Being able to go to the park and being able to try new things, I'd say that's kind of what keeps me motivated.
So, I actually had the opportunity to be able to name the sport, and it's called "WCMX," wheelchair motocross. So, it's BMX but with a wheelchair and, you know, cruising around parks and doing tricks.
He rolls up a ramp and turns a back flip in the air
He pushes himself back into his chair after hitting a wall
To me, living forward is getting back up and trying again. Having the right vehicle for me is a huge part of what I do. It's a huge part of my lifestyle to be able to, you know, have a truck that takes me where I need to get, and I'm super excited to be able to team up with a company that enables me to be able to drive the truck of my dreams and makes life easier.
Text, hashtag I Live Forward. DriveAbility FCA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. hashtag I Live Forward, F.C.A. US DriveAbility.com. Copyright 2019 F.C.A. US LLC. All rights reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram are registered trademarks of F.C.A. US LLC. Fiat is a registered trademark of F.C.A. Group Marketing. S.P.A. used under license by F.C.A. US LLC.
The first automaker to enter the mobility marketplace, FCA US created the DriveAbility Program to provide the customizable adaptive equipment to make your life easier. From getting in to getting going, we're committed to making sure you have an amazing driving experience. And now, get a reimbursement of up to $1,000 when you purchase adaptive equipment. We're the partner driven to help you stay mobile.
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How do you live forward? #LiveForward

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Book Cover Design Minimalist: The gallery for gt simple colour photography.
Summary : Minimalist book cover designs using only typographical. Book cover templates canva. Minimalist the book design. Creative clever minimalist book cover designs pixel.


It would be amazing if anyone has any insight into this as I haven't found any other reference to this issue and can't think what it could be.
Since getting Houdini 15, I have had trouble with using it on a second monitor. I'm working from a MacBook Pro Retina and have it attached via HDMI to an 1920x1080 monitor. I have the latest version of OS X and have tried with two entirely separate laptops, screens and cables but to no avail. I tried with a version of H14 and it works fine, so I imagine it's something to do with the higher res UI with H15, but beyond that have no idea where to start. I've also tried adjusting the display settings for both monitors and the UI resolution within Houdini preferences.
It seems to affect not only the GL display but also the other panes. Attached are two screenshots showing the result, in case that gives any clues.
If anyone has any pointers then I'd be immensely grateful!
Not sure if this is of any help.... I have a two monitor setup with an LG 4k 10bit display and a standard hd tv. 4k hooked up with display port, tv is hdmi.
Both are sharing one video card, 980ti, and Im running Yosemite on a hackintosh.
That said, I had the same issue with setting up my 4k monitor. Houdini preferred certain sizes. So in the monitor preference, you use option + Scaled to see alternative sizes. Once I found a setting that was happy, Houdini launched and looked good. I did not go for full 4k since the scaling of the system fonts got too small. The 4k monitor is set to 2560x1440.
My only issue is that even with Houdini set for Hi DPI monitor, I still would prefer to be able to scale the Guide font past the limited Large selection.


It never crossed my mind that I gravitated to startups because I thought more of my abilities than the value a large company would put on them. At least not consciously. But that's the conclusion of a provocative research paper, Asymmetric Information and Entrepreneurship, that explains a new theory of why some people choose to be entrepreneurs. The authors' conclusion -- Entrepreneurs think they are better than their resumes show and realize they can make more money by going it alone. And in most cases, they are right.
Resumes list educational qualifications and work history, but don't capture entrepreneurial skills.
Lemons Versus Cherries. The most provocative conclusion in the paper is that asymmetric information about ability leads existing companies to employ only "lemons," relatively unproductive workers. The talented and more productive choose entrepreneurship. (Asymmetric Information is when one party has more or better informationthan the other.) In this case the entrepreneurs know something potential employers don't – that nowhere on their resume does it show resiliency, curiosity, agility, resourcefulness, pattern recognition, tenacity and having a passion for products.
Companies: In the 20th century when companies competed with peers with the same business model, they wanted employees to help them execute current business models (whether it was working on an assembly line or writing code supporting or extending current products). There was little loss when they missed hiring employees who had entrepreneurial skills. However, in the 21st century companies face continuous disruption; now they're looking for employees to help them act entrepreneurial. Yet their recruiting and interviewing processes – which define signals they look for – are still focused on execution not entrepreneurial skills.
Entrepreneurship. When I shared the paper with Tina Seelig at Stanford she asked, "If schools provided better ways to signal someone's potential to employers, will this lead to less entrepreneurship?" Interesting question.
The Economic Environment. So, how much of signaling (hiring only by resume qualifications) is influenced by the economic environment? One could assume that in a period of low unemployment, it will be easier to get a traditional job, which would lead to fewer startups and explain why great companies are often founded during a downturn. Those who can't get a traditional job start their own venture. Yet other public policies come into play. Between the late 1930s and the 1970s the U.S. tax rate for individuals making over $100,000 was 70% and 90% (taxes on capital gains fluctuated between 20% and 25%). Venture capital flourished when the tax rates plummeted in the late 1970s. Was entrepreneurship stifled by high personal income taxes? And did it flourish only when entrepreneurs saw the opportunity to make a lot more money on their own?
Leaving a Company. Some new ventures are started by people who leave big companies to strike out on their own - meaning they weren't trying to find employment in a corporation, they were trying to get away from it. While starting your own company may look attractive from inside a company, the stark reality of risking one's livelihood, financial stability, family, etc., is a tough bar to cross. What motivates these people to leave the relative comfort of a steady corporate income and strike out on their own? Is it the same reason – their company doesn't value their skills for innovation and is just measuring them on execution? Or something else?


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Q: If amps and volts can vary independently, how does Ohm's law actually work? This is a very basic question as I'm just starting to get into things, but I've hit a roadblock with comprehending the definition of voltage as it relates to the relationship defined in Ohm's law.
It might be that I'm misunderstanding the definition of voltage. As it says "voltage is the work needed per unit of charge to move a test charge between two points." My confusion centers around the idea of 'per unit of charge', which suggests to me that amps and volts can vary independently (that is one 'unit' of charge may require different quantities of work to move between two points not related to resistance).
If that's the case, how can I = V/R be a thing? That suggests that current is precisely and deterministically derivable from voltage and does not vary independently. I guess I'm just not really understanding how current actually varies - whether or not it's a property, say, of the conductive medium (copper has 'more available charge' to move, or some such) vs. current actually being directly related to voltage and does not vary independently and I've totally misunderstood the definition of voltage.
I'm hoping I can understand this and move on to more interesting things, but I'm just kept awake at night not really understanding this. My tl;dr question is really summarized in the title.

A: The short answer is that, if you are varying I and V independently, you must have some means of varying R.
For a fixed R, you understand fine : as you increase V, I will increase dependent on V, at a rate which is exactly the resistance R. Lock in that understanding, it is important.
But that's a special case.
You often want to vary the power level from a fixed voltage - that means varying the current, which generally means varying the resistance. And there are various ways of doing that.
A crude way is to vary the number of loads on a circuit- switch on additional lamps on a lighting circuit, or heating elements in a heater.
Another way is to switch the resistor on or off relatively fast, so its resistance alternates between R, and infinity, to reduce the average current. Examples are thermostatically controlled heaters (or the simmerstat controls in ovens) and PWM "pulse width modulation" used for dimming lights and some motor speed controls. These can only reduce power by increasing the effective "R" - once R is connected all the time ("100% duty cycle") you are at full power.
(Motors are a bit more complicated than that. because motors are also generators. Motor control will keep for another day)
There are also resistances which are variable in themselves - either as a function of temperature (which is a function of the power dissipated in them) or as a function of the voltage across them, or some other effect (like light falling on them). Ohm's Law still applies ( V = I * R ) but R is no longer a constant, and the equation may not be a linear one.
Some of these devices are semiconductors; but consider a simple incandescent lamp bulb first. As its filament wire heats up, its resistance increases, and is more than 10x as high at full power than it is when cold.

A: Let's talk about ideal resistors only. Real resistors are reasonably close to ideal, but I don't want to get into that. It is the resistor that enforces Ohm's law (V=IR). This law is the essence of being a resistor. Voltage or current sources can set the voltage or current, but the resistor always enforces Ohm's law.
Using the framework you have outlined, you could say that the resistor decides how much work is required to move a charge through it, and that amount of work depends on how many charges are already moving through it. If you can do the work (raise the voltage) you can move more charges (increase the current). It is similar to pumping a fluid through a restrictor plate (if that doesn't help you just ignore it).
So real world power supplies (such as solar panels) may not readily conform to an ideal voltage source or an ideal current source (they are a little of both). But if they are connected to a resistor, the voltage and current will always obey Ohm's law. If the voltage goes up, the current must go up also. And vice-versa.
Mathematically, a resistor is nothing more and nothing less than a two terminal element that enforces Ohm's law. Mathematically this all works out just fine.
In the real world, resistors may have a temperature coefficient. As they get hotter or colder, the resistance may change a bit. They also have power limits. If you dissipate too much power in a resistor, it may fail (melt, crack, blow up, whatever). Likewise, some resistors may have a bit of inductance as well as resistance. For DC or low frequencies that might not matter, but at high frequencies it can. There are other non-idealities, but I don't think that is what you are asking about so I will just leave it at that.

A:
It might be that I'm misunderstanding the definition of voltage. As it says "voltage is the work needed per unit of charge to move a test charge between two points."

I haven't checked their hypothesis, but it would appear to me that this implies that if you divide a joule (work) by a coulomb (unit of charge) you get a volt, which is a useful little factoid.

My confusion centers around the idea of 'per unit of charge', which suggests to me that amps and volts can vary independently (that is one 'unit' of charge may require different quantities of work to move between two points not related to resistance).

The per unit of charge just defines the relationship between the voltage(pressure) and the amount of material(units of charge) being moved in a test.

If that's the case, how can I = V/R be a thing? That suggests that current is precisely and deterministically derivable from voltage and does not vary independently.

Ohm's Law describes the interaction between voltage, resistance and current.  You may think of voltage as being pressure, current the rate of flow, and resistance a measurement of constriction to the flow.  If you apply the same pressure to a large pipe and a small pipe, more fluid will flow through the large pipe.  The same applies to a large wire (low resistance) and a small wire (high resistance).  This is resistance.  If you apply a voltage to a large and a small resistance, more current will flow through the small resistance than the large one, though it will flow through both.  If you know any two of the three values, Ohm's law will allow you to calculate the other.  When you learn about RLC circuits and AC power, things become a bit more complicated, but when simply choosing and matching devices or finding replacements, Ohm's law comes in handy a lot.
Resistance of pure resistors varies by material, temperature, cross sectional size, and in the case of AC skin effect, by even more complicated geometry than size.
Silver is the best elemental conductor but some people think it's too expensive for power transmission, so a lot of copper and aluminum get used instead.  Many other conductors are used for different applications (temperature, corrosion resistance, etc) and the resistance of each material affects its viability for each application.  Copper is most commonly used in housing to minimise maintenance, but aluminum sees some use there and proceedingly more as conductor size increases, due to lower weight and cost.  Many metals and conductive plastics are used as resistors for anything from the tiny circuits on small electronics to the large heating elements on a traditional electric stove.  Gold sees use in platings (often extremely thin) for corrosion resistance and I believe also sees use for microscopic wires due to its ductility.
As a general rule, for reasonable DC voltages, if you double the cross sectional area of a wire, you halve the resistance and double current flow as a result.
Corrections by @G36, @Solar Mike =)

A: George Ohm was in the Cavendish Lab (in Britain) about 1800 (true story) and had permission to use the Lab's Volta Piles.
Using these Piles (relatively constant voltage sources), he experimented with various lengths of various conductors, using a current meter of some sort.
Given the Piles were producing constant voltage, guess what Mr Ohm measured?
The current was inverse to the resistance, the length of the various wires.
Mr Ohm concluded V = I * R

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text:
Morocco, AU Sign Headquarters Agreement of African Migration Observatory
Africa, Headlines, International, Morocco
Morocco and the African Union choose Marrakech, which is hosting this Dec.10-11 the Intergovernmental Conference on Migration, to sign the headquarters agreement of the African Migration Observatory.
The setting up of the African Migration Observatory, to be headquartered in Rabat, was proposed by King Mohammed VI, in his capacity as the AU leader on the issue of migration.
The proposal was endorsed by African heads of State at the 31st AU Summit held in Nouakchott last July and was included in the Marrakech Compact.
"The African Agenda has dedicated a fully-fledged institution to migratory dynamics, the African Observatory for Migration and Development, which will have its headquarters in the Kingdom of Morocco and which is explicitly mentioned in the Compact," King Mohammed VI said in his message to the Marrakech Conference.
"My hope is to see the work of this Observatory effectively enhanced through networking with similar institutions in other regions," he said, adding that the African continent will not be the subject of the Global Compact, but will be a key actor of the compact.
"The African Agenda on Migration has laid out its roadmap. It has played a pioneering role, anticipating the importance of being aware of migratory dynamics, something which has been acknowledged by the Global Compact," he said.
The headquarters agreement was initialed by minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, who is attending the Marrakech Conference that was marked by the adoption Monday of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
The African Migration Observatory's work is based on the triptych "understanding, anticipating and acting". It is tasked with collecting information, promoting exchange of data and facilitating coordination between African countries on migration issues.
In a statement to the press following the signing ceremony, Faki stressed that this Observatory is an important tool for analyzing the phenomenon of migration and for obtaining reliable statistics that are specifically African.
"It is time for Africans to manage this (migratory) issue on their own," said Faki, highlighting Africa's strong adherence to the Global Compact on Migration, which includes "important provisions to protect migrants".
The adoption of the Global Compact on Migration in Marrakech is the best illustration that migration is now at the heart of the Global and African Agenda, he said.
The Observatory is the beginning of the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration, which emphasizes that better knowledge of this phenomenon will lead to better management, Bourita said on his part.
African Migration Observatory
King Mohammed VI
Moussa Faki Mahamat
Newer PostEuropean Parliament Welcomes Global Compact on Migration
Older PostWorld Leaders Welcome Marrakech Global Migration Deal
Morocco reiterates calls by international right NGOs for a halt of violations in Tindouf camps
Moroccan court sentences to death three murderers of Scandinavian tourists
Algeria: Civil society, political parties field 13 figures for dialogue with regime
Libya: MP & vocal critic of Haftar abducted in Benghazi
China to help Kenya pick location of first nuclear power plant


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March 2005: The X-Games stay in Los Angeles, California.
ESPN, Inc. and AEG announced that the 11th annual X Games will be held in and around Los Angeles for a third consecutive year. The event is scheduled for August 4-7, 2005. The annual X Games is the premier action sports event in the world and showcases more than 150 of the world's top athletes competing in Bike Stunt, Moto X, Skateboard, Surfing and Wakeboard. X Games 11 will be telecast live on ESPN and ABC. For 2005, the Home Depot Center will host an increased number of X Games competitions, while other events will return to STAPLES Center. Additional venues and ticket sales information will be announced on a later date.
Last year's X Games 10, which aired completely live for the first time, delivered record average viewership, shattering X Games Nine's (2003) household average (the previous record) by 47% according to Nielsen Media Research. The event also reached record highs in several major demographic categories. On-site attendance over the four-day event totaled 170,471.
The BIG RIG BLASTER by United.
Getting kids on bikes for the holidays, SE donates to Philadelphia organizations
TLC Vintage BMX Sprocket designed after a Porsche wheel.
Grind Legacy Apparel Partners with Professional Flatland BMX Rider Terry Adams as Brand Ambassador
SIMPLE SESSION 20th anniversary epic course and line-up revealed!
More in this category: « March 2005: monthly HARO newsletter: MARCH 2005 March 2005: Date for Belgian BMX jam announced »
Chasing the Olympic dream in BMX racing. By BdJ https://t.co/1OIgH8Dwrw https://t.co/LRJkRuCfNu


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The push-fit, screw-on chuck is slower to fit but is secure once on and makes switching between valve types a breeze, although it didn't like grit.


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Countdown to the Canadian Cowboy Ski Race
BREED & SPORT NEWS March 27, 2014
BY DEANNA KRISTENSEN
Contestants line up, at the 2013 Canadian Cowboy Ski Race. Photo by Deanna Kristensen
Lake Louise Ski Resort is about to get wild and western March 29, as Canadian Professional Rodeo (CPRA) contestants make their way to the top of the hill for the second annual Back on Track Canadian Cowboy Ski Race sponsored by Ranchman's. In 2013, CPRA cowboys and cowgirls invaded the slopes and raised $14,000 in support of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine Team (CPRSMT). Spectators at last year's event witnessed not just a ski race, but a full-on cowboy stampede!
The 2013 Cowboy Downhill Race winner Riley Harvie. Photo By Deanna Kristensen
During the rodeo season, the CPRSMT (a not-for-profit, volunteer run organization), attends over 130 events and assists injured rodeo athletes, with their network of sport medicine doctors and orthopaedic surgeons.
"We are such an integral part of the rodeo industry," commented Brandon Thome, Vice President of the CPRSMT, in a March 20, press release. "It's a fun way to get the funding we need to improve our services and make it more affordable for rodeos to bring us in for events."
Jessica Hansen (top 2013 cowgirl on the slopes) and Griff the Ski Louise Grizzly Bear. Photo by Deanna Kristensen
It's a new breed of western as Canada's top rodeo celebrities, conquer the hill and raise money for the CPRSMT. Proceeds from the ski race, dinner and silent auction, go towards the efforts of those who aid the contestants behind the scenes at Canada's rodeos. Not only is the ski race in support of a great cause, but those in attendance are guaranteed to have a wild weekend on the slopes with many of Canada's top CPRA athletes.
With races set to start at 1:00 P.M., on Saturday, the official wind-up to the showdown has now begun. March 27, at 8:00 P.M., is the Back on Track Canadian Cowboy Ski Race Kick-off Party at Ranchman's in Calgary. Make sure you check out Facebook, for updates and event highlights. Between the cowboy hats, chaps and colourful CPRA contestants, those lucky enough to take in the weekend have definitely secured their ticket for a good time.
If you haven't put this event on your list of things to do this year, make sure to follow it for next year. Full details of the ski race and information on great places to stay at Lake Louise, can be found on Everything-Cowboy.com.


Our project also won the AUI Award 2005, Spain's annual awards program that recognizes the individual and company leaders in the integration of online tools in their strategic development. The award was given by a prestigious jury among 143 nominees, having regard to the votes issued by Internet users. From the three nominees in each category, the judges selected one winner based on content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity, and overall experience. Our project was also named as a finalist in 2003 and 2004 for the AUI Awards.
The Emprendedores magazine published an special report in 2006 selecting 100 brilliant and innovative businesses based on outstanding achievement in design, depth of information, ease-of-use and other criteria, including iAbogado.
Our company was grant-aided by the EU via the regional authorities of Madrid back in 2001.


Human Resource Management is more than a profession, it's embracing a holistic approach to the governance of human assets within an organization.
Harmony Training & Development helps business and industry maximize profit and productivity by addressing the workplace issues of violence and harassment that undermines performance and employee engagement.
Canadian employers lose $77.9 million annually due to the direct and indirect impacts of domestic violence.
Estimates show that 40% of the Canadian workforce experiences bullying or harassment at work at least once a week.


Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday for our Open Day!
As well as having a wonderful day enjoying free treatments and classes, you helped us raise another fantastic £90 for #Yestolife! And added to the money raised throughout this year that makes a grand total of £230 for 2015!


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The Ekiti Election and Femi Fani-Kayode's Vituperations: A Rejoinder
In civilized climes, political parties are identified based on principles and ideology, and not on whether you are from the North or the South as it is been done in Nigeria. In any country where you have such recurring decimals in its polity, it represents tell-tale signs of deep-seated hate and factionalized elitism and followership.
by Olumuyiwa Babatunde Amao Jun 25, 2014
Very recently, precisely on June 23, 2014, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), a one-time Minister of Aviation during the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency published an article titled "Ekiti– some hard lessons for APC", where he congratulated the People's Democratic Party and its candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose over the party's success in the just concluded gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State. Please permit to also extend my sincere congratulations to Governor-elect-Mr Ayodele Fayose and the out-going Governor-Kayode Fayemi (PhD), both of whom have been magnanimous in victory and in defeat. Nigerian politicians certainly have a lot to learn from the latter, given his uncommon display of sportsmanship, and his concession of defeat.
In the said article, FFK advanced some reasons as to why the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost the election. Arguing essentially that the party lost the election owing to the growing apathy of Nigerians for the party and what he called APC's cult like modus-operandi, and also due to "their evil, covert and subterranean agenda, or wish to turn the Yoruba people, and indeed the entire south, into perpetual slaves and also because of APC's patently and unapologetic anti-Christian agenda". Arguing further, FFK noted that "given the history of our country and the suffering of the people of the South-west over the last 53 years since we gained independence from the British, no true Yoruba nationalist should have anything to do with them." He further argued that some elements who he claimed are from the 'Yoruba nation' "are working day and night to hand over power to a die-hard, ultra-conservative, ''born to rule'', hegemonistic, brutal dictator and despot like Mohammadu Buhari, who believes that Nigeria was bequeathed to him and to his people by God and his forefathers".
While I absolutely agree that FFK has an inalienable right to his opinion, and as such, owes no one any apology for the views expressed by him, where I however disagree, is FFK's seeming denial of the truth and his consistent situation of Nigeria's current dilemma within the confines of the APC leadership; particularly, his unswerving ethnic jingoism. FFK, given his self-acclaimed ascription to himself as a progressive, however failed woefully to admit that there is no genealogical difference between the APC and the PDP. He also failed to accept the fact that Nigeria's problem is not just a Northern problem, but that of every politician who at one time or the other have had the opportunity to preside over the affairs of this entity called Nigeria, himself inclusive.
For the purpose of this article therefore, I will disagree with FFK on the following grounds. The first is on FFK's claim that Fayemi lost the elections in Ekiti owing to the growing disdain Nigerians are beginning to have for the party, a claim which implies that Fayemi was merely a victim of APC's rejection by the EKITIs and the Yoruba people in general. With all due respect to FFK, I think he goofed in this regard. Several arguments have been advanced has responsible for Fayemi's loss in Ekiti, out of which I do not think 'APC's perceived rejection' by the Ekiti people is a major factor. In my opinion, Fayemi (and not the APC) lost the elections primarily because he failed to understand the political sociology of the Ekiti people. Several months before the election, there were a number of policies which Fayemi's administration took, and which supposedly had not gone down with most Ekitis' particularly the civil servants, most notably of which was the Competency Test/Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA). As a consequence of this spat, the outgoing governor refused to pay the new Teachers' Salary Structure (TSS) until a few weeks to the election when it had become very glaring that the Ekiti teachers and civil servants had made up their minds to vote him out, with majority of them believing that Fayemi's civil service reforms are too frontal and insulting.
Second was the issue of Fayemi's perceived elitist political orientation and what some observers have argued as "an alarming disconnect with the Ekiti people", among which were Okada riders, artisans, market women, civil servants etc., with the majority perceiving the out-going governor as largely foreign in his governmental relations and socio-economic interactions. In contrast to Fayemi, Fayose is widely believed to be a 'Man of the People' and an enigma, who even in the face of intimidation, and his many battles with the Obasanjo presidency during his first term in office did not forget his primary constituency--the masses or if you like the average Ekiti man on the street, most of who saw it as an opportunity to identify with Fayose in his hour of need.
One voter was even quoted as saying "we support Fayose because he understands us. He is close to the common man and knows our problem," So for this group of electorates, Fayose's supposedly tainted past, mattered less. Next in line to this hypothesis is the perceived notion that Fayemi ran a government described in some quarters as favourably positioned to benefit "only a coterie of friends and hangers-on, with the assumption that the vote of the educated would go for him". Fayemi, they argued "defined his opposition as thugs, but failed to appreciate that Fayose has a decent record in many parts of the state despite the over-simplified imaging of him as thuggish and unpolished". These issues as painted above appear quite logical and understandable, and they could sell as probable reasons why Fayemi lost re-election, as against FFK's obscure and ludicrous postulation that the PDP under whose banner Fayose ran was better than the APC. Deducing from the above explorations, it seems quite obvious that Ekiti people voted for a man (Fayose) they thought they knew and understood, and not a Fayemi they presumably perceive as 'American' in theory and in practice.
In the same article also, FFK claimed that Nigerians in general and the Yorubas' in particular are fast becoming intolerant of the APC's perceived Northern hegemonic agenda, and as such have no option than to support his party, the People's Democratic Party. FFK however forgot to add that he was also at some point in time a card carrying member of the APC, a party he described in May 2013 on the occasion of his declaration in Ado Ekiti as an assemblage of people "his spirit had been with long ago?" And that he was dumping the PDP because he doubted "PDP's sincerity in delivering good governance to Nigerians, given the autocracy of its decision making body and the rascality of President Goodluck Jonathan in a political feud with the Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi".
As I write, Goodluck Jonathan is still the President of Nigeria and the perceived feud between him and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state, in my estimation has probably gone from 'worst' to 'worse'. It is also imperative to add that as at the time FFK was declaring for the APC, the party, as it then was (and still is) paraded the same Muhammadu Buhari, whose personality FFK now derides. Interestingly, FFK never had any problem(s) to be a member of the APC then. The same party he now describes as Almajiri's People's Congress and a party laden with "sympathy for Boko Haram". The question then is--was FFK oblivious of all these tendencies when he was a member of the party? And for how long will Nigerians continue to trust politicians with no clear ideology and allegiance to personal and political principles which they themselves had once professed? I will leave this answer to this poser for posterity and Nigerians to decide
As a Nigerian, what I expect from FFK in particular and Nigerian politicians in general is an exemplification of 'politics based on principles' and not 'politics of hate and tribalism'. My ideal Nigerian politician is that individual who sees Nigeria has a collective project, and not an entity whose identity and composition is drawn along ethnic or religious bias. This unfortunately is lacking in the polity. What I read on the daily basis are threats of fire and brimstone if power does not return to the North in 2015, and threats of war from some apologists of President Goodluck Jonathan if he is not allowed to serve out his two terms as constitutionally recognized. Across the divide, and among Nigeria's present political class, I am yet to see a political party with a defined road map potent enough to transform Nigeria from its present state of putrefaction to the path of sanity and posterity.
In civilized climes, political parties are identified based on principles and ideology, and not on whether you are from the North or the South as it is been done in Nigeria. In any country where you have such recurring decimals in its polity, it represents tell-tale signs of deep-seated hate and factionalized elitism and followership; two constant features of a country on the brink of collapse. I am so certain Nigerians would not care wherever their President comes from as long as he or she can provide them with adequate security for their lives and properties, portable and affordable health care, solid social and capital infrastructure, quality and reasonably priced education, functional social welfare schemes, and sustainable jobs.
Unfortunately, the ruling party (the PDP), which FFK belongs, has been in power for over Fourteen (14) years and has failed woefully to deliver these basic dividends of democracy to Nigerians. If there is anything the party has done, it has only succeeded in making the lives of Nigerians miserable, through its anti-people policies and the regrettable encouragement and warm embrace the party extends to corruption. The recent withdrawal of the corruption charges against Mohammed Abacha, notwithstanding the heavily indicting evidences against him, is a sad reminder of the odorous romance of; and the impunity with which the PDP preside over the affairs of this country. Is it not also shameful that more than 74 days after the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok, Borno state, FFK's self-acclaimed righteous party, the PDP, has failed to deliver on its most important constitutional responsibility; which is to protect the lives of its people as every responsible government does?
On a daily basis, Nigerians are been killed by forces of darkness, either in the form of Boko Haram or by endemic corruption, sectarian violence, alarming poverty, unemployment, epileptic power supply, etc., and FFK's ruling party have continued to turn a blind eye to these 'madness'. The same also goes for the opposition APC in some of the states under their control and the Federal government, both of who now appear to have joined hands with Boko Haram to make education 'haram' or in some instances the exclusive preserve of children of the rich, courtesy of the very criminal and capitalist school fees been charged. The cases of LASU, LAUTECH, UNIPORT, OAU etc. are quite relevant in this regard.
Let it be noted for the avoidance of doubts that I am not, and do not intend to be a card carrying member of any political party in Nigeria, neither do I intend to be in the foreseeable future, but as a Nigerian, and Political Scientist by training, I feel obliged to set the records straight when politicians in their utterances and actions continue to play politics of ethnicity and religion for the purpose of scoring cheap political points. If this country is to ever move forward, our political elites must rise beyond their obvious short-sightedness or if you like, 'blurred vision' by playing politics according to the rules and by also placing Nigeria's unity and progress beyond personal considerations. This for me is the only way forward, not these highly sentimental and ethnically biased positions often advanced by politicians.
As we move towards the 2015 General elections, may the spirit which saw the Ekitis voting according to personality and principle pervade over Nigerians and guide them towards making the right choice(s) by electing responsible and principled leaders who can change the current tide of mis-governance across board in Nigeria.
Olumuyiwa Babatunde Amao is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Politics, University of Otago, New Zealand. He can be reached via [email protected]
Olumuyiwa Babatunde Amao
Politics No Sin In Buhari Having Cabal In Aso Rock –President's Spokesperson, Garba Shehu


With the world watching, the mountain began to fall apart.
Roger McCarthy at left, with Bruce Watt and Ken Moyle going over wind data, mid-1970s. George Benjamin photo.
That's right. Whistler was experiencing one of the most volatile avalanche cycles in memory, and we were just days away from hosting the resort's first ever FIS World Cup downhill skiing race.
A few days before the race, some FIS officials insisted on riding the gondola up to check on conditions. While standing on the loading ramp at the bottom of red chair they witnessed Goat's Gully shed its snow right to the ground. The avalanche even damaged one of the Orange Chair's towers. Further downslope, a slide on Lower Insanity had left debris piles five feet high on Coach's Corner. This was not the auspicious debut on the world stage that Whistler had planned for.
Still, mountain staff managed to clean up the mess and the forecast for race day was cold and clear. However, FIS officials deemed that safety requirements had not been met and the race could not run. As a new course with a relatively small budget, the safety infrastructure was not at the same level as some of the more established European courses, but some suspected politics as the true reason for the cancellation.
This was the era of the upstart Crazy Canucks trying to crack the European-dominated world of ski racing, and some feathers were being ruffled in the process. Regardless, with so much invested, it was going to be a major letdown for the organizers, the resort, the sponsors, and the tens of thousands of fans expected to be in attendance.
The night before the race, sensing it would be cancelled, Canadian ski racing legend Nancy Greene came up with an idea to salvage the event. They ran an exhibition Super G race, the first ever, instead. It wouldn't count as a World Cup, but as local writer Janet Love Morrison described in her book The Crazy Canucks, it would entertain the crowds, satisfy the sponsors, and demonstrate the spirit and ingenuity of Whistler, and Canada as a whole.
The Crazy Canucks at the race. From left to right, Dave Irwin, Dave Murray, Unknown (can anyone help us out?), Steve Podborski, Ken Read.
And just in case anyone was wondering how the racers really felt about the cancellation over safety concerns, when it was Crazy Canuck Ken Read's turn to race the exhibition course, he ignored the Super G gates and tucked the entire course at full speed, much to the crowd's approval.
Ken Read addressing the crowd, with Steve Podborski to viewer's left.
"Everyone—racers, fans, and media—had a good time," Morrison recalled.
And so, in 1979, with the ski racing world focused on Whistler, nearly everything that could go wrong did. But somehow we still managed to get things right.


text:
Q: Linear Algebra - Matrix not Invertible - governing DOF I am an engineer working on a structural engineering analysis problem. It is quite simple: I have a 3x3 Matrix representing the stiffness of a 2D-structure (with the three degrees of freedom:
displacement in x-direction $u_x$,
displacement in y-direction $u_y$ and
rotation about z -axis $\varphi_z$).
The Matrix $K$ represents the Stiffness. With a given force vector $F=\{{f_x;f_y;\varphi_z}\}$. The displacement vector $U$ is calculated from $U=K^{-1}\cdot F$.
Now in some cases $K$ is not invertible, and I would like to find the degree of freedom, that is responsible for that. The structure may be kinematic in one direction or the rotation.
I know, that K is not invertible, if $det[K]=0$ or near $0$. But how do I calculate the eigenform using Singular Value Decomposition?
An example:

Thank You and sorry for my poor mathematic knowledge.


AUDENGE, France - French hospitals have long been using leeches to prevent blood clots after surgery and their use looks set to expand as scientists say the animal could in future be used to treat problems including rheumatism and osteoarthritis.
"In France, we're getting orders from all the hospitals with plastic surgery centres, whether it's Marseilles, Strasbourg or others such as the CHU hospital in Bordeaux," she said.
At Bordeaux's CHU hospital, Professor Philippe Pelissier explained how the leeches are used - mainly to prevent blood clots arising after plastic surgery.
"The principle is simple: after the repair of a finger it is necessary that the blood does its work, and for that it must be pushed out by the venous network. The leech allows one to do this by evacuating excess blood," he said.


Rooms come with modern furnishings and neutral colour schemes giving them a welcoming feel. Double rooms sleep up to 4, and for a bit extra you'll get a sea view from the balcony. 1-bedroom family rooms and 2-bedroom family rooms sleep up to 4, and all come with limited sea views.


text:
package org.tools.hqlbuilder.client;

public interface HqlServiceClientLoader {
    public HqlServiceClient getHqlServiceClient();
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This article is to discuss about the Major Details Of Trailer Delivery. In case you are thinking about acquiring a fresh vehicle or car, then you might be fretted about acquiring swindled. Every man or women has actually noticed stories about auto dealers, however should you be prepared with study as well as information, you could feel great regarding the decisions you help make. Read through this informative article to obtain which details.


Lancashire County Cricket Club and Emirates Old Trafford have increased the target for the Red Rose Floods Appeal has been extended to £20,000 after the initial aim of £10,000 was reached within seven days of the appeal being announced.
Members of the public from all over the United Kingdom have donated money which will be distributed to those who have been badly affected by the flooding which occurred in Lancashire just after Christmas.
Lancashire County Cricket Club joined forces with the Lancashire County Cricket Club Foundation and Lancashire Cricket Board to set up the Red Rose Floods Appeal with a view to raising £10,000 to help support those communities.
However, with the total online and offline now standing at over £11,000, which includes a £2,000 donation by the Club, officials have revised the target to £20,000.
Daniel Gidney, Lancashire's Chief Executive said: "To eclipse the Red Rose Floods Appeal's initial target of £10,000 inside a week was beyond our expectations. We are delighted by the generosity displayed by people from across the country and we have decided to double the target so that we can make an even bigger difference to those unfortunate people who have been badly affected by the flooding.
"As well as donating £2,000 to the appeal, the Club has also offered some fantastic hospitality prizes as auction items.
If you would like to bid for any of the above items, please emailfoundation@lccc.co.uk with Red Rose Floods Appeal as the subject line.


Help your students apply the five types of knowledge to nursing care! Knowledge Development in Nursing: Theory and Process, 10th Edition examines explores nursing knowledgetheory development and its links withapplication to nursing research and improved patient care. It examinesdescribes the principles of knowledge developmentpatterns of knowing, from the relationship between patterns of knowingthem to their use in evidence-based practice. Written by nursing educators Peggy Chinn and Maeona Kramer, this unique text is updated with new examples from clinical practice.


Come to an FBT roadshow to find out more about how the training and qualification process for barristers is changing.
How should we recover our costs for overseeing the new Bar training rules?
What if you are unhappy with the outcome?
BSB publishes its response to the CMA legal services market study's statement of scope.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) announces the appointment of a new Chair and lay members of the Independent Appointments Panel.


When you have posted a story, you might want to see how many have seen it and who they are.
Here, you'll be presented with the total number of people who have seen your story. You'll also be presented with the names of the people who have view it.
Only you are able to look at who's seen your story.


Every website is different, but most start with a similar foundation of basic files. HTML5 Boilerplate is one of several projects that aims to more rapidly kickstart a project and also, according to its creators, "pools the cumulative knowledge and best practices of many web developers, so that everyone can avoid making poor development decisions".
Primarily driven by Divya Manian, Paul Irish, Shichuan, Nicolas Gallagher and Mathias Bynens, who provided their thoughts to .net in collective hive-mind fashion, HTML5 Boilerplate has now reached its 2.0 milestone. "1.0 was released in March 2011 and we had many big fixes and additional features we wanted to add — between 1.0 and 2.0, we've committed over 250 changes," they said. "We were also emphatic about making sure H5BP delivers the best performance for all your projects, and the build script is primarily work to that effect."
According to the team, a major change has been "dropping the traditional 'bulldozer' reset in favour of targeted CSS normalisation," which benefits designers due to "the retention of useful browser defaults, a more consistent default experience, bug fixes for desktop and mobile browsers, and better documentation of the CSS code". Elsewhere, the latest release includes a custom build of Modernizr 2.0 that features Yepnope ("load your resources conditionally") and Respond.js ("to enable legacy browsers to support min/max-width media queries, helping H5BP be a good starting point for 'mobile first' development"). Additionally, the 2.0 release has the Chrome Frame prompt on by default for IE6 and offers significant build script improvements.
For the future, the team says there are always bug fixes to do and improvements to be made, and that "standards hardly stay the same, and so HTML5 Boilerplate will head wherever the open web heads to next".


I've posted a draft of my MA thesis, Aspects of Yaghnobi Grammar, on the Yaghnobi blog. I welcome any comments or suggestions. I will be submitting a final draft to the University of Oregon graduate school in a week and a half.


Broadway is a station that was built to bracket a transfer between proposed lines from Manhattan (under Worth Street and Houston Street) and some from points east of the station.
As such, it is much more spacious than it appears today. Most of the Broadway station's actual mezzanine has been shuttered. It had an exit that led to the northwestern corner of Johnson Avenue and Union Avenue. Further up was a staircase to a small upper level landing, which had exits to all corners of South 5th Street and Montrose Avenue and Union Avenue, except the southwestern one.
The station further featured a whole unfinished station to bracket for the proposed but unbuilt subway lines. The unfinished station has 6 trackways and 4 island platforms, but earlier plans called for different arrangements - one plan even proposed two levels! The unfinished station was roughed in above the G train tunnels north of the open station's platform level. It remains unfinished; there are no tiles, tracks, signals, signs or lights present at all.
To further bracket for the unbuilt subway lines, unfinished transfer passages from the G train platforms were built. They start from the north ends of both platforms and stretch out for a very long distance. Before November 2010, both passages were blocked by locked metal doors. Today, only the southbound platform's transfer passage's door exists in the Broadway station today; the northbound platform's transfer passage was completely sealed up with tiling and concrete in November 2010 after the photos of artwork from the "Underbelly Project" was discovered decorating the unfinished station's walls. Despite being tiled off today, the northbound platform's transfer passage had staircases to the unfinished station that were roughed in as steep slopes. The southbound platform's transfer passage has very difficult access to the unfinished station. Unlike the northbound platform's transfer passage, there are no signs of roughed-in staircases, and the only way to access the station is to ascend into a hole in the ceiling to one of four ledges, which then featured a few more ledges up to the level of the unfinished station. Additionally, while the northbound platform's transfer passage was partitioned off from the IND Crosstown Line's tracks by a concrete wall, the southbound platform's transfer passage was partitioned off by a chain-link fence that was strangely left open until 2010, and then replaced with a cinderblock wall in 2015 or 2016 after various explorers cut out holes from the fence.
The unfinished station's existence is complemented by the fact that the Broadway station's mezzanine features a giant staircase that led to an upper level mezzanine directly above the unfinished station. This upper level mezzanine has unfinished entrances that would have led to both northern corners of Messerole Street and South 4th Street. It is also shaped the same way as the unfinished station directly below it, but it strangely does have any staircases down to it.