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Tag Archives: paganism
Anthropology, Holidays, Irish/Celtic, Nature, Religion & Spirituality, Uncategorized
June 26, 2020 Jay Moody	Leave a comment
The Eight-Fold Wheel of the Year is a solar calendar marking the eight seasonal points of the ancient and indigenous western European holiday tradition.
It has always been vital for human survival to live in tune with the seasonal cycle in order to plan ahead and prepare for the various environmental changes that occur over a year. Our lithic ancestors needed to know when berries ripen, when herds migrate or when the snow comes just for basic survival. Along the way certain specific celestial events were noted that marked the beginnings and midpoints of the seasons and these dates were set apart as special. As civilization developed and farming became central to life, celebrations and holidays were created through tradition and the foresight of wise and creative participants. This is such an intrinsic part of our evolutionary heritage that our greatest holidays, those with long histories attached to them still carry these ancient seasonal and astronomical markers.
In the mid 20th century an uncertain group of Euro-traditionalist scholars combined the four-point seasonal holidays of the Germanic Anglo-Saxon tradition with a quite similar though differently organized traditional Celtic holiday calendar to create the Eight-Fold Seasonal Cycle. Though originally combined by neo-pagans to satisfy their need for a holiday cycle and to reclaim the old ways, it corresponds naturally with the holiday cycle already celebrated throughout Western civilization. It serves as a useful toolbox for those desiring to orient themselves with a more naturalistic or even indigenous outlook on life.
There is no "true" beginning or end to the Eight-Fold Seasonal Cycle, and different communities begin their year at different points for cultural and historical reasons of their own. Since I have a strong affinity for the Irish Celtic orientation I would normally begin with Samhain, but for this article I'll start at at a point that seems like a more natural beginning, Yule.
Each holiday is presented below in brief. Click on the name of each holiday to be taken to a full article describing that day in more detail.
Yule, Dec 21st
A Germanic holiday in its origin, Yule falls at the winter solstice. It's a time of new beginnings as the midpoint of winter. After two brutal months of winter the days are finally becoming longer once again and there is hope for a new summer just months ahead. It's a time to celebrate the birth of a new year, and new sun. Yule traditions coupled with traditions from the Roman Saturnalia and transferred into a Christian context have been handed down to us as the modern day Christmas.
Imbolc, Feb 1
Imbolc is an Irish holiday. It's the first defining evidence of the fulfillment of the promise made at Yule. The young earth is becoming fertile and the young sun has begun to show signs of his virility. This is when seeds that have lain dormant in the earth begin to show the first signs of sprouting. Life is starting to become more active after the hard winter. It is a time for lovers. The symbolism of Imbolc has been adapted into multiple different celebrations such as Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras.
Ostara, March 21st
Ostara falls on the Spring Equinox. At Ostara the Corn Mother is celebrated in her first stirrings of pregnancy. Agriculturally Ostara comes at the end of the Spring sowing season. Flowers are blooming everywhere and the animals are starting their mating dances as pollen wafts through the air. This holiday was wholesale converted, name and all into the Church as Easter and many of its symbolism such as rabbits and colored eggs were adopted along with it.
Beltane, May 1
Beltane is an Irish holiday and is also full of fertility symbolism. As the crops and herds are flourishing and pollinators are active, sexuality is pervasive through Beltane. Ancient customs recall celebrations in which lovers met in the fields, the forests, or along the shores for trysts and escapades. The Maypole with its phallic symbolism was commonly danced at Beltane.
Midsummer, June 21st
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, with the sun at its strongest, therefore Midsummer represents the triumph of light over darkness. It is the counterpart to Yule, the fulfillment of prophecy. The Solar Hero born at Yule rises to his destiny. He could be King Arthur, Lugh Lamfada or God.
Lugnasadh, Aug 1
Lugnasadh is the first real harvest festival. It means "The Wake of Lugh." As autumn approaches, summer day's become noticeably shorter as winter's grip is only a short way off and the sun begins to die. As a celebration many competitions and public dances are traditional.
Mabon, Sept 21
Mabon is the autumnal equinox. To some degree Mabon is a time of mourning. The Solar Hero is near death, and the cold grip of winter begins moving in steadily to rule the land. The powers of light and darkness are balanced one final time, allegorically locked in combat and the hero meets his doom.
Samhain, Oct 31st-Nov 1st
Samhain traditionally celebrates the last harvest of the season. It was the highest feast day on the old Celtic calendar and often regarded as the Celtic New Year. It represents the end of the active season and the beginning of the dormant season, the season of death as the solar hero lies slain. As such the date is associated with ghosts and dark themes eventually becoming the modern day Halloween.
As you see, the Solar Wheel follows the annual cycle through the activity of the sun and its relationship with the earth in order to sustain life. The symbolism associated with that has been built into allegories, mythologies and cultures, but at their core lays our genuine evolutionary nature. As natural beings, we are dependent upon this cycle of life, the dance between sun and earth. By living in tune with the seasonal cycle along with other traditions, customs and philosophies which I can only call Indigenist, I think we become more centered and grounded as human beings and more complete. With that completeness we lose a lot of insecurity, and anxiety about the meaning of it all and our place within it. This is just such a thing I think can help restore a bit of sanity to modern humanity.
anthropologyCelticChristmascultureheathenismhistoryholidaysindigenismIrishmysticismpaganismseasons
Anthropology, Holidays, Nature, Religion & Spirituality, Uncategorized
Easter is perhaps the most significant day on the Western liturgical calendar, celebrated in commemoration of the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead after his crucifixion on Good Friday. Many of the symbols and traditions of Easter have their origins in an older, Germanic tradition that is still celebrated to this day by Christians and neopagan revivalists alike, Ostara.
Ostara is traditionally celebrated on March 21, spring equinox as it is the solar compliment to Easter's lunar reckoning. It is one point on the Eight-Fold Wheel of the Year, and it is regarded as one of the four high holy days in modern Druidry called Alban Eiler: "the Light of the Earth."
The word Ostara derives from the old Anglo-Saxon word Eostre, the name of an obscure Germanic goddess about whom little is known today. Her name is linguistically related to the word for "east," giving further credence to the strong solar significance of the holiday. And from this name we also derive the word Easter.
In modern paganism Ostara is regarded as the Festival of the Trees, due to the regrowth of their foliage at this time of year, a strong metaphor for resurrection and rebirth. Agriculturally Ostara comes at the end of the spring sowing season. Flowers are blooming everywhere and the insect population is making a drastic comeback. The animals are beginning to start their mating dances and pollen wafts through the air fertilizing the crops. Colored eggs and rabbits are indicative of this season by virtue of their association with fertility. In such, this holiday is directly associated with the inner Cauldron of Incubation. This is a very inspirational time.
At Ostara the Corn Mother is celebrated in her first stirrings of pregnancy and often symbolically sacrificed as an expectant mother must sacrifice of herself to bare and care for her children. This is a consistent theme amongst many agricultural societies from the Anglo-Saxon John Barley Corn to various Native America manifestations of the Corn Mother.
It's not all just joy and the pleasures of fertility, however. Ostara also has certain themes of conflict associated with it. As the day that finally signifies the summer's conquest over winter, the conquest of darkness by light, and allegorically the conquest of evil by the good an d majestic solar hero. And so we see ritual competitive sports and ball games are traditional at this time. Amongst many Western European populations there will be a ritualized and symbolic battle between the seasons, often in the form of a sword dance wherein the participants act out the opposing roles as either teams or one on one.
Ostara may not be Easter, but the two holidays share a common history, symbolism and philosophical character that are significant to the natural cycles of life. The winter has finally ended. There is abundance in life and resources looking forward. The darkness has been conquered.
agricultureanthropologycultureheathenismhistoryholidaysmysticismnaturepaganismreligion
Anthropology, Holidays, Irish/Celtic, Religion & Spirituality, Uncategorized
Imbolc (St. Brigid's Day)
January 31, 2020 Jay Moody	1 Comment
Imbolc is an ancient Celtic Fire Festival traditionally celebrated on February 1st and heralds in the beginning of spring. For several hundred years this day has been the feast day of Saint Brigid of Kildare and before that of an Irish goddess by a similar name.
As the first day of spring, Imbolc is placed early in the season because Celtic people recognized that seasons begin upon their incubation rather than at their midpoint as the seasons are generally measured today. Similarly, the feast day itself as with all Celtic fire festivals begins the eve before the actual calendar date. Being a fire festival, Imbolc was marked by bonfires, hearthfires and candles. And as is traditional for the Irish any time of year, Imbolc would be celebrated with a solemn visit to sacred wells, or rivers
By Imbolc, the days have become noticeably longer since midwinter's darkness as the sun continues to mature in the sky. The young earth is becoming fertile and the young sun begins to show signs of his virility. Seeds that have lain dormant in the earth will soon sprout. Life is becoming more active as the cold winter fades away. The stag begins to regrow his antlers and shall soon be searching for his spring-time mate. This is the day for coming of age.
In its earliest incarnations, Imbolc was a shepherd's holiday likely called Oimelc, meaning "ewe's milk." At this time of year, the female sheep have often recently given birth and are lactating. Another proposed meaning of the name Imbolc would translate to "in the belly" carrying forward this theme of fertility, mating and pair-bonding.
Though Imbolc is still celebrated continuously in parts of Ireland and Britain, it was also adopted into the neopagan Eightfold Wheel of the Year in the mid twentieth century. In this progression, Imbolc is the first discernible evidence of the fulfillment of that divine promise of Yule, celebrating the returning of light and the fertility of the earth.
Anciently, Imbolc is the feast day of Brigid, patroness of poetry, medicine and metallurgy and celebrates her as the fertile virgin Earth-bride to be mated to the returning sun of spring personified as the youthful Green Man, an archetype of the springtime blooming. His hair and beard are usually represented as leaves and vines. His symbols are horns, vegetation and snakes. Though, the male hero plays an integral role in this relationship, Imbolc is truly in celebration of the Bride. Amongst her many epithets Brigid is referred to as "mistress of fire," "old lady of the whirling fire," and selchi shut emyss; "mistress of serpents." The Catholic saint is portrayed just as strikingly though far less romantically as a bride of Christ.
The serpent is also a symbol of Imbolc. Much like the similar event of Groundhog Day which falls at this same time, the sighting of snakes at this time of year indicates the arrival of spring. Snakes brumate in the winter; a kind of mild hibernation. They return in the spring, making their reappearance a sign of springtime fertility. Snakes have been seen as symbolic of rebirth in many cultures due to the manner in which they slough their skin and are thus each time 'reborn.' The sighting of the first serpent of spring is considered a good omen bestowing virile blessings upon the seer. For this reason, the historical celebrations of Imbolc included the pounding of a serpent effigy and the pronouncement: "Today is the day of the Bride. The serpent shall come from his hole. I will not molest the serpent and the serpent will not molest me."
As an agricultural celebration and the first fertility rite of the year, Imbolc is a time to prepare the fields for the sowing. Traditional celebrations for this time include breaking ground for new crops or blessing the fields, the plows and other farming tools, and offerings were made of milk, honey or mead, and cakes or bread.
Historically, by this time the winter supplies would be dwindling. Few if any fruits or vegetables were available. Wild animals are quite lean in late winter and so were the people having dropped their summer weight as they entered the lean season the Church would eventually institute as the season of Lent. Since wild foods are scarcest and our favorites scarcer still, this time period has historically marked a time of fasting.
anthropologyCelticChristianitycultureheathenismhistoryholidaysIrishmysticismpaganismreligionScottish
Media, Movies/TV Shows, Religion & Spirituality
Midsommar, a Poor Rewrite of the Wicker Man
July 17, 2019 Jay Moody	1 Comment
When I first learned about the movie Midsommar, I was excited to see it, but I was skeptical that it would be another modern rewritten and renamed reproduction of the Wicker Man. I'm not talking about the 2006 abomination starring Nicolas Cage. That was awful. I'm talking about that original 1973 British masterpiece starring Edward Woodward, and Christopher Lee.
Unfortunately, it was just a rewritten Wicker Man, and not good one.
The plot is very simple. An exchange student from Sweden decides to take some of his American college buddies home to take part in the Midsummer festival in Hårga, a reclusive Swedish commune. After a long, drawn out and obvious setup, Hårga is revealed to be a murderous, psychedelic-infused pagan cult as the guests start disappearing one by one, culminating in a grand holocaust at the end. In and of itself, as a Wicker Man rip-off that sounds like it has some promise.
Promise broken.
Midsommar failed on every level. The movie just didn't make any sense and was full of plot holes and consistency errors, but the worst part was the awful pacing that rolled along like cold molasses. Scene after scene was just long, slow and drawn out, I suppose intended to create suspense, but instead created boredom.
If you could keep conscious through the slowest scenes, then you had to struggle through the lack of a compelling narrative. Once the main cast arrives in Hårga they indulge in eating psilocybin mushrooms, as is the custom of the village, and from then forward the cinematography is filled with psychedelic visuals rather than strong and original plot points. Actually that was the best part because other than visually, Midsommar also failed to deliver any psychedelic sensation thematically or philosophically. It was all just superficial like so much else in Midsommar.
The neo-pagan cult of Hårga was also poorly developed. There was no sense of a convincing philosophy at work that could compel a community to collectively engage in mass murder. The villagers followed a scripture consisting literally of crayon scribbles made by a severely deformed product of inbreeding. There was nothing more than a hack-job of mediocre imagery and costuming that came across as if it was cobbled together by someone who spent all of about thirty minutes researching paganism on the internet. It seems like they just ran with the most superficial aesthetics. In the Wicker Man, the paganism seemed sincere, and living. In Midsommar, it just seemed like post-Woodstock communal hippie LARPing.
The scenes that were clearly intended to be the most bizarre and mind-blowing or frightening more often came off as cheesy. The most noteworthy in this way was the breeding scene which almost came across like a bad comedy routine. Judging by the laughter from other audience members, I was not alone thinking this.
From beginning to end, Midsommar is a hack-job. The little that was good about it was done far better in the Wicker Man forty-six years earlier. All that was rewritten into that plot was poorly developed and thrown together, boring, or unintentionally comical. Not making any sense, especially after a post-viewing deconstruction is not the same as being mind-bending, or psychologically thrilling; it's just poor writing.
My final ruling is that Midsommar is nothing more than a long, slow, half-baked rip-off of the Wicker Man without any of the charm or cultural depth. It's not scary, not creepy and not a thriller, psychological or otherwise. And it tried way too hard to be all those things.
cultureheathenismHorrormoviespaganism
Beltane, Fire of Life
Here we are the beginning of summer. The earth is waking up and her creatures are becoming active once more. The sun sets later in the evening. Flowers are blooming. Bees are pollinating the crops. Birds are laying their eggs. The mating season is in full swing. Life is abundant. This is the season of Beltane.
Beltane is an ancient festival traditionally celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. This holiday coincides with the Germanic festival of Walpurgis. It is traditionally celebrated on May 1st. Ancient Gaelic tradition, much like Jewish tradition considered the beginning of each new day to be at sunset. Therefore, May 1st on the Celtic calendar really begins at sunset on April 30th of the Gregorian calendar.
The name Beltane is thought to be derived from a Gaelic term meaning the "fire of Belenos," referring to an obscure Celtic solar deity. This date is a celebration that officially kicks off the active summer season, fully separate from the dormant times of winter. It is the counterpart to and opposite or the season of Samhain.
Flowers and blossoms are especially symbolic of this date as the crops have set to full blossom, some even starting to fruit. For this reason, the Flower Maiden plays a central role in the theme of the season. Coming of age, the Lord in his guise as the youthful Green Man or Stag Lord regaining his antlers has arrived not only to court the Flower Maiden, but to consummate their relationship, in their symbolic roles of pistol and stamen. Here, the young maiden is transformed into a woman through the loss of her virginity.
Sexuality pervades the themes of Beltane. Ancient customs recall celebrations in which lovers met in the fields, the forests, or along the shores for sexual escapades. As the counterpart and opposite to Samhain, bonfires also characterize Beltane and many of these midnight trysts occur at the edges of the firelight. The Maypole was commonly danced at Beltane. Often times a new pole would be erected each year, while the previous year's pole was burned as part of a bonfire. The new pole would be allowed to stand all throughout the year. In some cases a live tree would be used instead.
Amongst herders, two fires would be built close beside each other. Then they would drive their herds between them as a means of purification, protection and fertility. The people would in some cases themselves also pass between the fires. Jumping over the fires to secure good blessings was also a custom practiced in certain parts of Ireland. These festivities often continued all throughout the night and culminated with the participants observing the sunrise, and bathing or washing with water touched by the first light of the season.
The boar hunt was another traditional activity occurring this time of year, held with great ceremonial significance. Ham and other pork dishes are traditional Beltane feast items. According to Alexie Kondratiev, the mythology associated with this holiday is Maponos (the youthful male) slaying the boar that will later kill him at Samhain. The boar in this case represents the forces of winter and death which are keeping the Flower Maiden (the earth) imprisoned. The young warrior as the solar hero defeats the dominating beast, sometimes a hag or wicked parental figure, freeing the earth maiden, symbolizing the spring. The conquest of the beast frees the earth to be the bride of the sun. In some traditions the hero must conquer the boar to retrieve his tusks, or some other item to use as a weapon to defeat the beast which imprisons the maiden. Here we obsere a common theme regarding the quest for a weapon that deals both death and life. Examples of such stories occur all throughout Celtic literature such as in the Welsh Mabinog, and can be seen especially in the marriage of Blodeuwedd and Lleu.
This is the beginning of the Celtic summer.
anthropologyCelticcultureheathenismhistoryholidaysIrishmysticismpaganismreligionScottish
Samhain (Halloween), Harvest of Souls
October 30, 2018 Jay Moody	Leave a comment
A Jack O'Lantern, an American twist on an ancient Halloween tradition.
Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. The spookiness, the costumes, and the troops of kids and families marching through the streets, shaking down the neighborhood for candy has left an indelible imprint upon my Autumnal expectations. Like most traditional Western holidays, Halloween and the rituals associated with it are descended from ancient traditions lost on most of modern society.
The name "Halloween" is actually a contraction of the phrase All Hallows Eve, but that is the later Christianized name for the holiday that stretches back into historical obscurity. The earlier and more indigenous form of the holiday is of Celtic origin and was known as Samhain (Sow-un) in Ireland.
Samhain is a three day festival that begins sunset on October 31 and ends at sunset on November 2. Traditionally, it celebrates the last harvest of the season and is often regarded as the Gaelic (Irish and Scottish Celtic) New Year. It was the highest feast day on the old calendar. Samhain translates from Gaelic for "Summer's End," and it represents the end of the active season and the beginning of the dormant season.
As a harvest festival Samhain is full of deep symbolism. The warm season is over. The season of light is at its close and darkness regains its dominion of the land. The last of the season's crops have been harvested. The fields, formerly lush and bursting with life now lay stripped of their bounty. The harsh autumn sunlight cast upon the barren fields creates an eerie atmosphere and a sense of dread as winter approaches. Amongst herding communities this is the time that traditionally concluded with the fall slaughters. This is also a time amongst many communities that kicks off the traditional hunting season.
Surrounded by dead fields, bloody slaughters, the turn toward hunting as a means of subsistence, the waning of the sun's influence, and the impending frost which will kill off what is left of the season's greenery makes the theme of death inescapable. These are often somber days, therefore it is important that this day is celebrated with much festivity and jubilation as things will only become darker and colder as times progress toward Yule.
The last sheaf of the harvest would be traditionally cut ceremoniously and fashioned into a corn dolly. The corn dolly is named for the corn mother and placed in a special location where she can watch over the household, hall, circle, or clan. She will serve to continue to bestow the blessings of the harvest upon the community all throughout the barren winter months.
Due to the spirit of darkness and death, Samhain is a time when the veil between this world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest. This time of year brings with it the highest potential for vision seeking and prophecy. This is a time for to meditate upon the subconscious powers of the inner cauldrons and the cauldron of Annwn.
There is much folklore associated with Samhain. Fairy mounds are abundant with the jubilance of the Shining Ones, the Fair Folk and the Sidhe. The Solar hero is slain in the boar hunt and lies dead until he is reborn at Yule. The Kernunnos archetype reigns from this time forward, leading the Wild Hunt through the skies and the countryside, herding the souls of those who died during the previous year and taken on animal forms. In Germanic tradition the Wild Hunt is lead by either Odin or Thor.
Traditional celebrations for this holiday are naturally enough centered on bonfires, torches, and lanterns. As the origin of the modern Halloween; masquerade balls and parades are also appropriate ways to celebrate Samhain. Revelers would march through the town streets from house to house singing seasonal songs. Soul cakes (little square cakes with currants) were given out to the roving bands, who would offer a prayer or song for the dead of that house. This is the origin of "trick or treat" in which young, costumed children venture from house to house collecting candy.
Harvest delicacies are abundant this time of year. Fresh fruits are traditional and symbolic. In Celtic countries apples are symbolic of the season. In America, corn and pumpkins are profound harvest symbols. In my celebration, all three are important. Corn and apples are paired as symbols of the old world and new world tradition and are the appropriate sacrifices for this day. Since Mabon is a traditional brewer's holiday, by Samhain the beer is usually well prepared and properly aged. Ales and ciders are especially traditional at this time of year.
Halloween is a great holiday. Its roots run deep and its symbols have profound spiritual and practical significance that have been watered down by a civilization whose people largely no longer live in a seasonal and agricultural society dictated by the changing seasons, but within the preserved customs of Halloween, the real meaning of Samhain can still be observed.
anthropologyCelticcultureHalloweenheathenismhistoryholidaysIrishmysticismpaganismreligionScottish
Anthropology, Holidays, Religion & Spirituality, Uncategorized
Mabon, Harvest of Heroes
September 15, 2018 Jay Moody	Leave a comment
The Festival of Mabon is the second of three harvest festivals attributed to the neo-pagan and Western spiritual revivalist's eight-fold Wheel of the Year. It is celebrated on or near September 21 and coincides with the autumnal equinox. The festival has also been adopted by Revival Druidry as Alban Elfed; one of the four High Holy days.
Mabon is an interesting festival to write about. Although the date on which Mabon falls is astronomically significant, a festival by this name did not exist historically. Notable academic and occultist Aidan Kelly named the equinox festival "Mabon" after the Welsh legendary figure and member of King Arthur's court, Mabon ap Modron. It's positioned right next to Michaelmas, the Catholic Church's Feast of St. Michael the Archangel who is said to be the most like God, and whose characteristics are perhaps the most reminiscent of the solar hero, complete even in archetype as a warrior and dragon-slayer.
Mabon is significant in that as the second of three harvest festivals it lies between two other significant historical Celtic holidays, Lugnasadh and Samhain (Halloween) and contains elements of both. The autumn equinox signals the end of the mythic cycle. With the sun's height being at Midsummer, it has now begun to wane. Together with the spring holiday Ostara, Mabon is one of two days of the year when the daylight hours are of equal length as the nighttime hours.
To some degree Mabon is a time of mourning. The powers of light and darkness are balanced one final time, allegorically locked in combat. The hero meets his doom as either the hunter is slain by his intended prey, or as Arthur mortally wounded on the battlefield defending his kingdom against the forces of darkness and chaos. It could be a myriad of turns on this theme. The Solar Hero is dying, and the cold grip of winter begins moving in stealthily to rule the land.
Much like the other harvest festivals, this is a time to reflect on the past, especially the past year. What have your efforts yielded? What positive or negative results have you experienced as a result of your choices and behaviors? What did you do that has had positive results in your life that you could do more or again? What changes would you make for the coming year in order to have even better results? Give thanks for life and all the good fortune you have no matter how difficult the past year may have been.
Equinox time is also a traditional time to begin brewing. Consider that the season's harvest of wheat and fruits is just now being gathered and distributed. The beers, wines, and ciders which are such a part of the Halloween and Yuletide traditions are begun at this time. Even as the summer's project of cultivating the fields comes to a close, it's time for the beginning of new projects.
anthropologyCelticcultureheathenismmysticismpaganismreligion
Anthropology, Native America, Politics, Religion & Spirituality, Uncategorized
Indigenism and Native Revivalism (2018)
August 7, 2018 Jay Moody	Leave a comment
The middle of the twentieth century saw an upsurge in Native Revivalism in western countries. Although exploration of ancient Western religious traditions had existed in Europe and America since at least the 17th century, it was mostly practiced by eccentrics in secrecy and never had the wider popular appeal we see today.
With the 'back to nature' trend sensationalized by the 1960's Flower-Power generation many doors were opened in the realm of altered-native religion. Many hippies, realizing the difficulty of being accepted within Native American communities began a quest for connections with their own roots religion, leading them into exploring occult practices which over time progressed into the modern cultural revivalist movement.
Primarily, there are three wings within this movement. I name them as such; Paganism, Heathenism and Indigenism. On the surface, they all share many similar qualities, but represent three very different attitudes and beliefs concerning roots religion.
This subcategory is the most common in the West and represents some of the most freeform and New Age spiritual ideas. In this group we have modern witchcraft, Wicca, the Faerie traditions and eclecticism. Typically the primary political interests of Pagans in general are those concerning freedom of religion issues, gender rights and ecological concerns.
Heathens are more geared toward recreating or revival of older and usually extinct religions. In this category are groups such as Asatru, Imbas and other reconstructionist organizations. Politically, heathens are often concerned with preservation of indigenous European cultural traditions, historical sites and language. Generally speaking it's also very important for Heathens to distinguish themselves from the more popular Wicca-oriented Paganism.
Indigenism
Indigenists represent living indigenous traditions of the world. These are usually people somehow connected to a traditional native or aboriginal community. This subgroup can easily stretch a bit to include communities such as the Vodoun, true Roots Rastafarians the Basques and certain Irish and Welsh communities of Europe. Indigenists are politically tend to be involved with Native sovereignty struggles, land claims issues, ecological activism and cooperative communities.
Many individuals in the movement for Native Revivalism somewhat begrudgingly accept being labeled as a 'pagan,' though inside they feel more drawn to heathenry's reconstructionist goals. This yearning for an authentic connection to their indigenousness coupled with the goals of building and maintaining cooperative communities based on this separates them from the vast majority of the revivalists. But it is when all these values become strongly aligned with and guided by the concerns and struggles of indigenous people in the world that they truly become Indigenists.
Indigenism is a little known term because in North America most Indigenists are Native American. Few if any people that are not directly involved in indigenous rights movements have ever even heard of the term. There are many dynamics and complexities involved in this philosophy. Indigenism is a spiritual perspective wrapped in a socio-political movement.
The socio-political dynamics of Indigenism and its relationship to Aboriginal people of the world is the driving force behind the movement today. This is perhaps the most rational and revolutionary perspective in circulation today for the manner in which it flies in the face of both global Capitalism and Marxism, confronting colonialism and imperialism from both camps in many parts of the world.
Spiritual Purpose
When we take notice of the similarities between Indigenous religions we are often prone to question from whence they came. Was there an original religion? The question has in many ways been a significantly motivating factor in a lot of my earlier religious pursuits. It makes for a great approach with solid, steady footsteps. It can also represent a sort of red herring. The answer to the 'real' question here just may be more in the modern Indigenist movement rather than in a quest for the 'original religion.'
A particular Indigenist view on the origin of religion is such; that there is in fact only one Truth, one reality. This Truth or reality is essentially the "Sacred Mystery," the "Great Spirit," or the "Creator." The 'Creator's' reality is and has always been (to the indigenous) interpreted to us through our geography, ecology and community. In essence, the creator's 'words' are interpreted to us by the Earth or regional 'divinities'. Through the regional variations (or nature's dialect) concerning the manifestation of these 'truths' and from our communities' organization in coping with them we established our traditions and our religions. This accounts for the similarities as well as the differences in indigenous religion.
Example; we must have water to survive. Water is sacred. This is a common theme in most religions. But there is a very different practical and therefore spiritual perspective regarding the type of emphasis placed on water by desert peoples than by tropical islanders or swamp-dwellers (in most cases) even though the basic thematic construct is the same. Naturally, this paradigm carries over into even deeper realms of religion.
Indigenist religion is as much about physical and social action as it is about faith and philosophy. And the truth it follows is the unobtainable truth that must be pursued continually through our lives. The 'Red Road' doesn't really have an end to it. It is a way of life, not just a belief system. If one gives up the pursuit, one effectively gives up the path. You put your arrows down, leave the wild hunt, succumb to stagnation and lose all the ground you've gained, resorting to crude methods to deal with a sophisticated life. This is why it is the 'Way OF enlightenment' not the 'Way TO enlightenment.'
Political Purpose
Indigenism in America is heavily influenced by the work of The American Indian Movement, Russell Means, John Trudell, The Zapatistas, and to a lesser degree Che Guevara brought "back to the fire" (as Creeks say). It is centered on 'tribal' communities and around Native struggles from the Americas to Africa, Scotland, Russia, Japan, Hawaii and anywhere else the Indigenous are oppressed, disenfranchised, or dispossessed.
The Indigenist perspective stresses social decolonization, and localism rather than assimilation and globalism as a means to our survival as a species. Differences between culture and religion are to be respected because the Creator gave us different cultures and religions the same way we were given different landscapes. Indigenism stresses more self-sufficient communities, ecologically sound commerce, and gentler kind of warfare. These ideas also cut deeply into national boundaries, especially those of a colonial nature.
Importance of Indigenism
In the old days survival and self reliance was of the utmost importance to our ancestors. And in a way this should still be a core concept in our religion today. We never really know when we may be separated from the 'tribe,' when we may become lost in the forest, stranded on an island or a survivor of a major cataclysmic event. If an individual's core philosophy and 'religion' is based on survivalist concerns and his relationship to his environment, he'll be more prepared to face his obstacles with the heart of a warrior rather than the ass of a couch potato. Couple this with an indigenous commitment to your community and you have the foundations of true indigenous religion, the heart of the 'original' religion – 'paganism' at its core.
Indigenism is a practical philosophy and way of life respecting human nature and its response to the modern world. It is not a utopian dream. It's not for everybody; it's for indigenous people and those with indigenous spirits. Colonial people and their respective governments will have conflicts with this perspective, being that there is too little emphasis on control of the individual and of the land. But this is our way of life. This is our faith. And this is what motivates us to act. We live as natural people gifted with our own freedom and ingenuity, keeping our roots as firm as our branches and remaining One.
(Originally written and published in 2005, now revised for 2018)
anthropologycultureheathenismmysticismNative Americanpaganismtribalism
Lughnasadh: Harvest of Life
August 1, 2017 Jay Moody	2 Comments
The Irish Celtic Festival of Lughnasadh is traditionally celebrated on August 1st but extends throughout much of the month. It is the first genuine harvest festival of the year and it coincides directly with the Anglo-Saxon holiday of Lammas.
The holiday is named for Lugh, the Irish hero of light. His name derives from the word for lightning and illumination. Amongst Germanic peoples, this day was sacred to the god Thor: the god of thunder, storms and agriculture. Thunder and lightning are obvious signs of rain and storm which are naturally an important ecological phenomenon for agricultural societies.
Lugh is of course more than a simple agricultural deity. As a patron of light, Lugh is the embodiment of all things light represents: intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment. Science and artistry are also considered to have been invented by Lugh. Considering his close association with the Roman god Mars, Lugh is a patron of martial prowess, which is perhaps best exemplified through his son Cuchulain. All of these attributes, whether agricultural or innovative attest to Lugh as a god of wealth, the guardian and benefactor of the tribe's prosperity. It is probably more than mere coincidence that this time of year in Anglos-Saxon tradition, bondsmen would pay their rent.
This holiday, along with Imbolc, Beltane and Samhain represent the four main festivals of the medieval Irish calendar. As the first true harvest festival in the seasonal cycle, Lughnasadh has certain associations with death. In fact, the name itself translates roughly as "the wake of Lugh." Whereas holidays in the earlier seasons coincide with increasing life, harvest festivals are the first signs of the summer's demise. With the summer day's becoming noticeably shorter at this time, it becomes quite obvious that winter's grip is only a short way off. Although the theme of a wake is a significant part of the festival, the overall atmosphere is generally one of joy and revelry.
The legends tell us that Lugh established the harvest fair of Lugnasadh in honor of his foster-mother Tailtiu at the Town of Teltown in County Meath. Tailtu's death was a necessary component in establishing the growing of the crops and the abundant harvest that follows. These celebrations quite often resembled today's Scottish Highland Games. Lugnasadh often involved horse races, and martial arts displays or competitions. Competitive games such as chess were also a part of the festivities, representing Lugh's victory over the Fomorian King Bres who previously controlled the powers of the Harvest, establishing the Irish agricultural tradition.
Lugh is the hero of Light. For this reason he is often compared with the Sun, since the Sun is the greatest source of light with which humans and earthly crops interact. As a hero of Light, Lugh is also called Samh-ildánach, "the many gifted one," because of his multiple skills in all the arts and trades. Just as darkness represents ignorance, Light represents knowledge, and in this case knowledge of many, if not all things. In the old legends we find that Lugh (representing the Sun) conquers the Fomorians (representing darkness, ignorance and oppression). When this is done, Lugh wrestles from the King of primitive darkness the knowledge of cultivation and the harvest.
This is a celebration of the Harvest. On this day families gather together to give thanks for the bounty of the Harvest and to reenact the mythological event that brought the Ancestors from a life of oppression and into a life of abundance with the knowledge of agriculture. It must be remembered that it is only with this knowledge that humankind has managed to not only survive, but to thrive in even inhospitable environments. It is agriculture that has allowed human beings to settle lands, build defensive structures and over all make life safer for acquiring food. This has allowed civilization to flourish and become specialized, developing art, literature, economics, and other remarkable aspects of material culture.
anthropologyautumnCelticcultureFolkheathenismhistoryholidaysIrishmysticismpaganismreligionScottish
Anthropology, Irish/Celtic, Music, Religion & Spirituality, Uncategorized
Finnegan's Wake, a Glance at Irish Mysticism through Lyrical Satire
July 1, 2017 Jay Moody	Leave a comment
Finnegan's Wake is amongst my favorite traditional Irish songs and it has been a staple of the Irish balladeer's repertoire since the middle of the 19th century. Over the past several decades it has been covered by great and legendary Irish bands like The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, The Dubliners, the Pogues, and most recently the Massachusetts-based Dropkick Murphys. However, like much of Irish lyrical tradition stretching back to the ancient bards "Finnegan's Wake" is in reality a work of deep esoteric value cleverly disguised as a silly drinking song that only the initiated were likely to fully comprehend.
At Face Value
The story tells of Tim Finnegan, a poor construction worker with a love for the liquor who drank a bit too much before work one morning, fell from a ladder, broke his skull and died. Upon the eve of his wake his friends and relatives arrive at his home to mourn him. Biddy O'Brien begins crying loudly and is essentially told to shut up by one Paddy McGee.
Once Maggie O'Connor gets involved in the exchange telling Biddy she's wrong, Biddy punches her in the mouth, leaving her 'sprawling on the floor." Then all Hell breaks loose as the entire house becomes engaged in a brawl "woman to woman and man to man," brandishing their shillelaghs, the classical Irish club.
A bottle of whiskey is thrown across the room, just barely missing Mickey Maloney, and instead landing on Tim Finnegan's bed with the whiskey scattering all over his body. At that point Tim revives and "rises from the bed," and delivers the punch line of the ballad; "Whittle your whiskey around like blazes, Thanum an Dhul![1] Do you think I'm dead?"
The Mystery Unveiled
While this ballad is typically considered a comical drinking song, it actually gives us a glimpse into an old Irish and western mystical tradition.
Tim Finnegan is a construction-worker. Although this was a common vocation amongst Irishmen throughout the 19th century, there is much more being said here than meets the eye, or ear. As the lyrics clearly tell us "to rise in the world he carried a hod." A hod is a tool used for carrying bricks and mortar, telling us that Mr. Finnegan was, in fact a mason. Since no later than 1717 AD the repository for esoteric wisdom in Western countries has been the order of Free and Accepted Masons who trace their historic origins to the medieval stone masons guilds, and from there symbolically to the ancient builders of Greek, Egyptian and Israelite temples.
Let us also take note that Tim Finnegan carries his hod "to rise in the world." In Freemasonry, it is said that a candidate is "raised" to the degree of a Master Mason. Freemasonry also makes use of the symbolism of death and resurrection through the allegory of the architect Hiram Abiff.
Architecture, construction work and craftsmanship have been metaphors for mystical knowledge going back thousands of years. In ancient Irish mythology the three brothers Luchta, Goibniu, and Credne are known as the Trí Dée Dána (the three gods of art). Each represented the respective trades of carpentry, blacksmithing, and silver-smithing, and they crafted the weapons which the Tuatha Dé Danann (Irish ancestor gods) used to conquer the Fomorians (Irish beings of chaos and darkness).
In ancient Egypt, the god Ptah was the patron of craftsmen and architects, and he was closely associated as an aspect of the dying and resurrecting god Osiris. Both of these deities were incorporated by the Greeks into the god Dionysus, well known as a patron of wine and spirits. It is more than coincidence that Jesus of Nazareth, perhaps the most well-known dying and resurrecting god is often cited as having been a carpenter before he began his spiritual mission and he, much like his forebears also had an affinity toward life-giving and preserving drink.
A further look at the lyrics of this ballad reveals that at the wake of Finnegan they placed a gallon of whiskey at his feet and a barrel of porter at his head. This sentiment is echoed in the Irish ballad "Jug of Punch" in which the balladeer requests upon his death "just lay me down in my native peat with a jug of punch at my head and feet." This is a particularly Irish rendition of the tradition found amongst the world's cultures of making sacramental offerings to the dead. The making and pouring of libations is well documented in European traditions.
As mentioned previously, Jesus, Osiris and Dionysus are not only associated with death and resurrection, they are all three also closely associated with drinking rituals. Amongst other things, Dionysus is a god of wine. Osiris is said to have taught the world the art of brewing. Jesus turned water into wine. Similarly, the Irish craftsman-god Goibniu also brewed the beer of immortality.
The English word whiskey is derived from the Irish Gaelic uisce beatha which translates as "the waters of life." So when the whiskey scatters across the corpse of Tim Finnegan, it literally, magically and sacramentally imbues him with life; a spiritual conception which stretches back through centuries of esoteric tradition.
The dying and resurrecting god is not just a rhetorical device for dramatic affect. To ancient civilizations death and rebirth are symbolic of the annual cycle, the dying and rebirth of the summertime, the growing season and of the sun, so often symbolic of divinity. This symbolism has been revised, reincorporated and redistributed as a multitude of myths, legends and doctrines throughout the world in order to teach each civilization or cult's particular perspective on the meaning of creation.
A creator god's primary attribute is creativity, and this trait has been imitated through the creative works of humans whom are believed to be made in the divine image. Art, music, agriculture and most especially architecture has long been associated metaphorically if not literally with godliness, and enlightenment.
Finnegan's Wake is far more than just another drinking song. It is a humorous retelling of an ancient initiation myth. Tim Finnegan is not just a drunk construction worker who died and came back to life. He is the personification of the mystery of the dying and resurrecting god represented in the form of Irish lyrical satire.
[1]d'anam 'on Diabhal. a common curse: your soul to the Devil, from the Irish D'anam don Diabhal
anthropologyCelticcultureEgyptenlightenmentFolkFreemasonryheathenismhistoryIrelandIrishmedievalmiddle agesmusicmysticismpaganismreligionspirituality


text:
Репо Терсіус Малепе (,  18 лютого 1997) — південноафриканський футболіст, опорний півзахисник клубу «АмаЗулу» та національної збірної ПАР.

Клубна кар'єра
Малепе є вихованцем клубу «Орландо Пайретс». У сезоні 2015/2016 він на правах оренди виступав за клуб «Морока Своллоуз». 22 серпня 2015 року в матчі проти «Кейптаун Олл Старз» він дебютував в другому за рівнем дивізіоні ПАР.

Влітку 2016 року Терсіус повернувся в «Орландо Пайретс», але в основний склад пробитися не зміг через наявність в ньому більш досвідчених гравців і протягом більшої частини сезону 2016/17 виступав за команду дублерів. Наприкінці серпня 2017 року він був відданий в оренду до кінця сезону клубу «Аякс» з Кейптауна. 12 вересня 2017 року в Малепі футболіст дебютував у південноафриканській Прем'єр-лізі у матчі проти рідного «Орландо Пайретс». Загалом за сезон взяв участь у 18 матчах чемпіонату і забив один гол, після чого наступні два сезони провів у іншій місцевій команді «Чіппа Юнайтед».

У жовтні 2020 року перейшов до українського футбольного клубу «Минай», ставши першим гравцем з Південної Африки в історії українського футболу.

Виступи за збірні
У 2017 році в складі молодіжної збірної ПАР Малепе взяв участь в молодіжному (U-20) чемпіонаті Африки в Замбії. На турнірі він зіграв в чотирьох матчах і забив 1 гол, допомігши команді посісти 4 місце та кваліфікуватись на молодіжний чемпіонат світу 2017 року в Південній Кореї. На турнірі він зіграв в усіх трьох матчах, але команда посіла останнє місце і не вийшла з групи.

Захищав кольори олімпійської збірної ПАР на футбольному турнірі Олімпійських іграх 2016 року у Ріо-де-Жанейро. Там він зіграв у одному матчі проти збірної Іраку, який африканці зіграли внічию 1:1 і посівши останнє місце у групі покинули турнір.

2019 року у складі збірної ПАР до 23 років взяв участь у молодіжному (U-23) чемпіонаті Африки в Єгипті, на якому зіграв у всіх п'яти іграх і став з командою бронзовим призером турніру, кваліфікувавшись таким чином на другі для себе Олімпійські ігри 2020 року у Токіо.

22 червня 2016 року дебютував в офіційних матчах у складі національної збірної ПАР в півфінальному матчі Кубка КОСАФА проти збірної Свазіденду, який його команда виграла 5:1 і вийшла до фіналу. Там Малепе теж зіграв, допомігши команді перемогти 3:2 Ботсвану і здобути трофей. Наразі провів у формі головної команди країни 11 матчів і забив 1 гол.

Примітки

Посилання

південноафриканські футболісти
Гравці олімпійської збірної Південно-Африканської Республіки з футболу
Гравці збірної Південно-Африканської Республіки з футболу
Футболісти «Морока Своллоуз»
Футболісти «Орландо Пайретс»
Футболісти «Аякса» (Кейптаун)
Футболісти «Чіппа Юнайтед»
Футболісти «Миная»
Футболісти «АмаЗулу»
південноафриканські футбольні легіонери
Футбольні легіонери в Україні

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Any occasion, be a birthday, anniversary or a graduation celebration, the team at White Cliffs Cafe, Brighton can cater to your needs. Click here for breaks to Brighton.
Celebrate in style as White Cliffs Cafe is located right near the coast, with stunning views all round, in either the open air location or the separate function room, suitable for 25-250 guests. Any event is welcome to experience the sea breeze and luxurious location in East Sussex, with a range of balconies suitable for everybody.
Arranging with an experienced team means you can plan your party with ease as they work with you to handle the intimate details that will make your event special. See: Party Venue Hire.
Caterers can host elegant cocktail parties, to themed parties, as well as dance and DJ events. If you hire during the night, or day then the food/drinks can be altered to your style and needs. With talented caterers, they can host any diverse event that you want, and can meet your expectations.
A massive selection of food, drinks and beverages is available for visitors, quality and perfection will be oozing from the first sight. Read about specialist cakes – perfect for every event.
Thinking about entertainment for the night?
No need to fret, as a team are able to arrange any entertainment of your choice throughout your party. This can be from live to music to stand up comedy. No act is too small or big as the stage at White Cliffs Cafe can be altered with lighting and seating. Give your night some creativity and stand out from any other party. Discover live party entertainment.
How about for the end of the night?
Fireworks are a great way of finishing the night as they can help to bring the night to a close, or can even get the party going. More information.
Purchase your fireworks online for cheap and affordable prices. You can experience the joy of barrages, rockets and fountains all with amazing sound and visual effects to attract your guests.
What else happens at White Cliffs Cafe?
The team offer themed nights, such as traditional Greek evenings, as well as many other themes. Their events are of high quality with nights planned to the smallest details. Each of their nights are individual and are made for their guests. You won't experience anything like it anywhere else in Brighton. Contact us.
Gumbet is a resort popular for its nightlife and water sports.Located at the southwest corner of Turkey , Gumbet is centrally located to all the lively beach resorts of Turkey and Greece.
There are varied range of water sports available at Gumbet, the beach of Gumbet is sandy , long and curvy.
On the way to beach you can encounter a great number of restaurants, bars, nightclub, shopping centre and discos at Gumbet.
Night life of Gumbet are musical and bubbly.
You can get the best food whichever you like Chinese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Thai or Turkish food at these restaurants that are located close to the sea shore.
You can also do a lot of shopping at Gumbet, there are shopping centre and markets behind the beach.
You need to do a lot of bargaining to get the actual cost of items ,shopping can be done for cloths, carpets, shoes , bags , metal wares or gold .
You can buy carpets from the villages ,close to Gumbet ,where you can reach by a Dolmus bus.
Direct Flights from other countries operating to Bodrum are charter flight with most flights during the summer season.
Many other charter flights operate to Istanbul, the flights are always quick and rarely ever delayed due to the mass of people wanting to visit these beautiful locations.
From Istanbul you can take a domestic airline to reach Bodrum Milas Airport, it takes 45 minutes from Istanbul to Bodrum-Milas airport.
Cost of flight are in lira and can come to $ 125 .
From the Bodrum-Milas airport you need to take a taxi as there are no minibuses available, taxi can cost you up to $50 to reach Gumbet.
So there's no more excuse that the flights cost too much!
Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce– Chamber is the voice of Brighton & Hove's business people. It's a voice that helps its members build successful businesses and be part of this great city's community and economy.
Chartered Accountants in Brighton & Hove, Sussex.– They provide Annual Accounts, Preparing Budgets and Business Plans, Operation of UK Payroll , Company Secretarial Services and Registered Office.
Computer Plus- Your local service centre, supporting homes and businesses in Eastbourne and the wider Sussex area since 1991.
For your business in Brighton it's important to ensure that your employees have a clean and safe working environment. In Brighton Smartcleanservices provide excellent cleaning services for very reasonable prices that only produce great results.
As part of the Hastings Fat Tuesday 2017 celebrations, the team are proud to present the inaugural SXSE (South by South East) Saturday, inspired by the similarly named, hugely successful, SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas.
The event will take place on Saturday March 5 at the Hastings venues Brass Monkey and Crypt where a shortlist of 12 of the most talented bands from across the Southeast region will vie for the attention of the judging panel in a hectic play-off.
The two venues conveniently situated next to each other enables the acts to piggy-back so that as one band finishes downstairs there is just time to refresh your glass and compare notes as you head upstairs to catch the beginning of the next set. The event will run from 2pm until 08.30pm when the winning act will be announced.
The criteria for the competition is that each set will be a maximum of 20 minutes long and must contain at least one original number, the judging panel will in advance give each act a lucky dip cover to perform, the oldest member of the band can be no older than thirty (ish!) and the acts have to be available on Tuesday 8th March to be included in the FT celebrations should they win. The acts will have been shortlisted by the panel of judges after submitting demo tracks, biographies and band photos via myspace and email.
The judging panel will consist of 6 music industry professionals including at least two producers and a Brighton based independent promoter. The acts will be scored by each judge for musicianship & tightness, lyrics & melody and stage presence & charisma. There will be a short consultation at the end of the competition while the judges make their final decision.
First prize will be to headline SXSE @ The Carlisle, a days' recording in a professional local studio, a mastering session in a well known London Studio and the chance to support a major UK touring act at the Concord or Albert in Brighton. The 2nd and 3rd place runners up will be the support acts for SXSE @ The Carlisle on Fat Tuesday evening.
SXSE @ The Carlisle is a Fat Tuesday spin off event and A&R interest is expected in the event as well as the Fat Tuesday Tour.
If you wish to be considered for the shortlist then please email a short biography of your band, a band photo and a myspace link to sxse@hastingsfattuesday.co.uk. Closing date for entries is January 31st 2011.
Japanese nightlife comes to Eastbourne on Saturday evening, as the Towner Gallery is transformed into a living recreation of the Tokyo streets.
Club Tokyo will fill every level of the gallery with music, film, art and cuisine, inspired by the Towner's current exhibition of lifelike wooden sculptures by Japanese artist Tomoaki Suzuki.
J-pop karaoke sessions will be backed by a live band, while traditional Japanese musicians create more tranquil sounds in a separate chill-out space. Other live music appears in a unique minature 'gig-in-a-box', offering a one-on-one listening experience between the performer and listener.
The experience is completed by neon projections simulating Tokyo's street atmosphere, Japanese food and drink tasting, and more music from the Club Tokyo DJs.
A fashion photographer will be on hand to document visitors who take advantage of Club Tokyo's optional dress-code: Japanese Street, Harajuku or Manga styles.
Club Tokyo is promoters Melting Vinyl's second Towner takeover, following last October's successful Studio 54 event at which Brighton electronic pop group Kovak joined London's Hatcham Social and DJ LA Knight for a recreation of New York's disco heyday inspired by the Towner's groundbreaking Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition.
Club Tokyo tickets cost £8, doors 8.30pm, Saturday, March 5 2017.
The Towner's Tomoaki Suzuki exhibition – the artist's first solo show in the UK – concludes on Sunday, March 6. Opening hours 10am – 5pm, admission free.
Pirates are planning to descend on Hastings from all over the world, with visitors from the Ukraine, USA and Europe already confirmed.
Piratical events throughout the day are planned for Hastings Town Centre, Hastings Old Town and St Leonards. The atmospheric Old Town will be transformed into a scene from the 18th century, alive with music, re-enactment camps, themed market and even a performance of the Pirates of Penzance.
Priory Meadow will be the place for pirate sword fights, live music and a full day of activities.
On the beach the stage will showcase sea shanties, pirate-themed Afro-Caribbean music and terrific stunt action with more stuntmen than ever before, all set with the sparkling sea as backdrop.
The climax of the celebrations is the pirate procession. Numerous drum groups from all over Sussex will lead thousands of costumed pirates in procession, with the aim of creating a 'Mile of Pirates', as they march through the town.
This is a real family day out so start polishing off your wooden legs and cutlasses and practising your 'Ooh-aahs', ready to join in the fun on August 5th.
Where will your inspiration come from?
Looking for something to keep the kids occupied this Easter? Then why not pack a picnic, and head on down to the fishing area of Hastings Old Town where you and the whole family could take part in a Design a Deckchair Workshop.
The workshops take place between 11-15th April as part of a competition launched by the Rich Education project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
On Monday 11th April, Thursday 14th April and Friday 15th April there are workshops at 11am and 2pm for 5 – 8 year olds and their parents at the Blue Reef Aquarium in their specially designed education room. For a special one off offer of £7.95 one child and their accompanying adult can take part in an hour and half long professional artist led workshop together. All art materials are included and you will also get entry to the aquarium all day, so you can really make a day of it. There are only 12 slots available for each workshop, so booking is a good idea.
On Tuesday 12th April we will be running two £1 workshops in his studio for 8 – 16 year olds and on Wednesday 13th April there will be £1 workshops for adults at 11am or 2pm. For any of these sessions.
All deckchair designs can be entered into the Stade Education Project's 'Design a Deckchair' competition. Entries will form part of an exhibition and will be judged by Peter Brown a public artist from Salisbury.
The theme of the competition is the main promenade – its culture, its environment and its heritage, so get down to the beach, have a ramble about and explore the museums to see what inspires your creative juices this Easter.
The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of the best of food and drink available in Sussex and is growing from strength to strength in the 'city of festivals' annual line up.
Over 50,000 people enjoyed our foodie events last year and our 2016 festival will be bigger and better than ever before, with Sussex food and drink producers and city restaurants and bars at its heart.
For 2016 we have a brand new and exciting event throughout the month – Open House Dining – and we are looking for you foodies out there who are willing to host dinners, in the style of tv programme 'Come dine with me', to sign up NOW – go to Pretty Clever to find out all about it.
The 2016 festival will run throughout September with major public events every single weekend.
Are you organising yours or your friends Hen night or thinking of booking Hen Nights entertainment for your office party or birthday? Perhaps you just want a girls night out! Then why not book the Smithtime Cabaret Show in Brighton Bournemouth, Newcastle or London!
Hen nights from all over the UK are coming to see this funny and original concept in Hen Nights entertainment that will leave you laughing and wanting more! With impressions, amazing dance routines and a touch of class our studs have got what it takes to make your Hen Party Night an evening to remember.
To be put, with hire limo Brighton, there is not a newest fleet of stretched limousine like it in the whole United Kingdom and to add, not a team more dedicated or more passionate to making sure your special occasion is one you will never forget. From the moment you ring for your quote, right the way through to your special day of our bespoke stretched limousine hire service's, you will know you are in the right hands. Whatever the event, occasion, you can rely on Hire Limo Brighton to make sure your special event runs smoothly, safely and stress free.
Simply the up most impressive 8 passenger stretched limousine ever to be produced. This one of a kind, amazing stretched limousine is ONLY available through Hire Limo Brighton. If you want something to stand out in, and it's HIGH IMPACT you are looking for, then look no further. Our Demon & Panther Dodge Charger stretched Limousines are head turning rocking stretch limos, and are always the star of the show wherever they go.
The awesome Icon 120 stretch Demon & Panther Dodge Charger stretched Limousine's is here to make a scene, and ready to hire……No other 8 seater stretch limousine compares to these absolute stunners!
It's Brand Spanking new, it's HUGE, & LEGAL…The Grand Illusion Party Bus Limo has now become reality and can carry up to 16 passengers! ONLY through your favorite limo hire company; Hire Limo Brighton.
Why waste any time…Let The Party Begin!!
Do you have a bigger party of guests? And want to travel all together? Then our stunning, brand new LEGAL 16 passenger party bus's are going to kick start your night with a bang. Our stunning High Impact 2010/11 party bus style limousines are just incredible and are considered to be the future of large passenger carrying limousine hire.


No getting around it here, in having Adrian Peterson switch (get it?) teams A1 got a top player who is arguably the 1st overall pick in a redraft league for a really good price. In exchange A1 only dropped 6 rounds from 4 to 10. Therefore, his motives are obvious. Silverfox's require a little more thought. For starters, this is an extremely shallow draft. Only 3 players have been forced back into the draft pool from last season's rosters. One of them will likely be drafted by Silverfox 1st overall (Jamaal Charles), one will be drafted shortly thereafter in the early part of Round 1 (Demaryious Thomas), and the other is likely never going to play another snap in the NFL (Wes Welker). Accordingly, the 4th round pick acquired by Silverfox should provide a useful, starting caliber and go a long way towards building depth.
An interesting game to play all season long will be to see if Silverfox would have been better off starting his season with 3 top 10 players in AP, likely keeper Odell Beckham Jr., and Charles versus whatever alternative is created by the keeper who will take AP's place and the additional 4th Round pick he garnered from this trade. Depth matters, at least that's the motto Silverfox followed in making this move.


THE White Mills Marina on the Nene at Lock 9 at Earls Barton will be celebrating its first birthday next month.
The 141 berths marina will celebrate the occasion with an Open Weekend on Saturday 1st April and Sunday 2nd April from 10am to 4pm.
"We have really been bowled over by the amount of interest and support we have received from boaters over the past twelve months. With the number of visitors to the Nene increasing year on year, we are delighted to now be part of that river cruising experience.
"We have had some tremendous feedback and are looking forward to our facilities building which will include ladies and gents showers and toilets, disabled facilities and a community meeting room to be up and running by the Summer.
"Being a purpose built marina, White Mills Marina has all the services a discerning boater has come to expect including fast and unlimited Wi-Fi, electricity and water direct to each berth, laundry, diesel, gas, coal, Elsan disposal and pump-out."


text:
package edu.sfsu.worldofbalance.atnsimulator;

import org.apache.commons.math3.ode.events.EventHandler;
import org.junit.Test;

import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;

public class SimulationConstantSteadyStateDetectorTest {
    private final double SURVIVING = 1;
    private final double ALMOST_EXTINCT = ModelEquations.EXTINCT * 1.1;
    private final double EXTINCT = ModelEquations.EXTINCT * 0.9;
    private final double t1 = 0.9;
    private final double t2 = 1.1;

    private ModelEquations equations;
    private SimulationConstantSteadyStateDetector detector;

    // Note: switching function g() modifies the state of the detector
    // to enable the eventOccurred() method to determine what type of event occurred

    @Test
    public void testSwitchingFunctionTotalExtinction() {
        makeSingleConsumerModel();
        assertTrue(detector.g(t1, new double[] {ALMOST_EXTINCT}) > 0);
        assertTrue(detector.g(t2, new double[] {EXTINCT}) < 0);
    }

    @Test
    public void testEventOccurredTotalExtinction() {
        makeSingleConsumerModel();
        double[] biomass = new double[] {EXTINCT};
        detector.g(t1, biomass);
        assertEquals(EventHandler.Action.STOP, detector.eventOccurred(t1, biomass, false));
        assertEquals(SimulationEventHandler.EventType.TOTAL_EXTINCTION, detector.getStopEvent());
        assertEquals(t1, detector.getTimeStopped(), 1e-20);
    }

    @Test
    public void testSwitchingFunctionLoneSaturatedProducer() {
        makeProducerConsumerModel();
        assertTrue(detector.g(t1, new double[] {nearCarryingCapacity(0), EXTINCT}) > 0);
        assertTrue(detector.g(t2, new double[] {carryingCapacity(0), EXTINCT}) < 0);
    }

    @Test
    public void testEventOccurredLoneSaturatedProducer() {
        makeProducerConsumerModel();
        double[] biomass = new double[] {carryingCapacity(0), EXTINCT};
        detector.g(t1, biomass);
        assertEquals(EventHandler.Action.STOP, detector.eventOccurred(t1, biomass, false));
        assertEquals(SimulationEventHandler.EventType.CONSTANT_BIOMASS_PRODUCERS_ONLY, detector.getStopEvent());
        assertEquals(t1, detector.getTimeStopped(), 1e-20);
    }

    @Test
    public void testSwitchingFunctionConstantBiomassWithConsumers() {
        makeProducerConsumerModel();
        holdConsumerBiomassConstant(1);
        assertTrue(detector.g(t1, new double[] {nearCarryingCapacity(0), SURVIVING}) > 0);
        assertTrue(detector.g(t2, new double[] {carryingCapacity(0), SURVIVING}) < 0);
    }

    @Test
    public void testEventOccurredConstantBiomassWithConsumers() {
        makeProducerConsumerModel();
        holdConsumerBiomassConstant(1);
        double[] biomass = new double[] {carryingCapacity(0), SURVIVING};
        detector.g(t1, biomass);
        assertEquals(EventHandler.Action.STOP, detector.eventOccurred(t1, biomass, false));
        assertEquals(SimulationEventHandler.EventType.CONSTANT_BIOMASS_WITH_CONSUMERS, detector.getStopEvent());
        assertEquals(t1, detector.getTimeStopped(), 1e-20);
    }

    private void makeSingleConsumerModel() {
        makeSingleNodeModel(NodeAttributes.NodeType.CONSUMER);
    }

    private void makeSingleProducerModel() {
        makeSingleNodeModel(NodeAttributes.NodeType.PRODUCER);
    }

    private void makeSingleNodeModel(NodeAttributes.NodeType nodeType) {
        FoodWeb web = new FoodWeb();
        web.addNode(0, new NodeAttributes(nodeType));
        ModelParameters parameters = new ModelParameters(web);
        equations = new ModelEquations(web, parameters);
        detector = new SimulationConstantSteadyStateDetector(equations);
    }

    private void makeProducerConsumerModel() {
        FoodWeb web = new FoodWeb();
        web.addProducerNode(0);
        web.addConsumerNode(1);
        web.addLink(0, 1);
        ModelParameters parameters = new ModelParameters(web);
        equations = new ModelEquations(web, parameters);
        detector = new SimulationConstantSteadyStateDetector(equations);
    }

    private double nearCarryingCapacity(int nodeId) {
        return equations.getParameters().carryingCapacity[nodeId] * 0.9;
    }

    private double carryingCapacity(int nodeId) {
        return equations.getParameters().carryingCapacity[nodeId];
    }

    private void holdConsumerBiomassConstant(int nodeId) {
        equations.getParameters().metabolicRate[nodeId] = 0;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Guinness celebrates 200 years in the USA - Happy Anniversary!
The love affair between America and Guinness. "Keeping a friendship alive for 200 years require genuine mutual respect".
@GuinnessUS
St. James' Gate in 1817 - Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Guinness in America. Guinness
This year Ireland and United States celebrate the 200th anniversary of Guinness in America. Since the first eight casks of porter arrived in October 1817, Guinness and America have cultivated quite the love affair. Here's to the next 200 years.
The story begins on October 16, 1817 when the first eight barrels of Guinness porter arrived in South Carolina. As the Irish continued to arrive on the shores of the United States so too did Guinness and this year the St. James's Gate brewers are celebrating this great history. The master brewers at Guinness are introducing limited-edition Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout; bringing back a few favorite stout releases for a festive variety pack; and also hosted a pair of public events in New York City and Los Angeles to mark the occasion.
Emma Giles, Guinness Brand Director, said: "Two things have always been at the heart of the Guinness brand since our founding in 1759: brewing great beer and sharing our story.
"When we started brewing beer for America 200 years ago, that story became a shared one. Now, every time you share a pint with someone else, another chapter begins."
Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout is the latest beer created by the Open Gate Brewery – the pilot brewery located at St. James's Gate in Dublin – where Guinness brewers experiment with new styles and reinterpret historical brews. Inspired by a recipe Benjamin Guinness – the son of Arthur Guinness – originally developed in 1817, this beer is brewed with Black Patent Malt and Golding Hops and has a 6% ABV.
"We took a look at that export stout's recipe from 1817 in our brewing records and used that as our inspiration here, but it's not just an homage to who we were as brewers then or who America was as a country," said Peter Simpson, Head Brewer at the Open Gate Brewery in Dublin. "We're also using this beer as a way to show how much we're looking forward to the next 200 years. We knew it had to be special, and we really think this throwback recipe captures exactly what we wanted from 1817 all the way through 2017."
Peter Simpson, Head Brewer at the Open Gate Brewery in Dublin holding the Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout.
In October Guinness also released its newest limited-edition Guinness Draught cans, featuring artwork from the legendary Guinness ads from the 1930s and the 1950s that featured various zoo animals. Previous limited-edition cans have featured the much-loved Guinness toucan and tortoise, among other works.
The 200 Years of Stout in America Mixed Pack – also on its way from Guinness – will bring back a few favorite stout recipes to add to the festivities.
The full list of celebratory releases include:
- Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout – A deep, dark, authentic export stout with smooth, rich flavor; brewed with Black Patent Malt. (MSRP: $8.99, 6-pack)
- Guinness Limited-Edition Mount Rushmore Cans – Classic Guinness Draught stout in limited-edition cans depicting everyone's favorite toucans flying across the iconic American monument of Mount Rushmore from a rarely seen Guinness ad from the 1950s. (MSRP: $8.99, 8-pack)
- Guinness 200 Years of Stout in America Mixed Pack – A collection of brews in honor of America's love of stouts – Guinness Original, 200th Anniversary Export Stout, Antwerpen Stout and Foreign Extra Stout – all of which have been exported to the U.S. over the past 200 years. (MSRP: $21.99, 12-pack)
Along with Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout, these brews will be available in stores nationwide.
While the past 200 years are the reason for celebration, the next 200 years have even more possibility. The newest chapter in this Irish-American story will be set in Maryland, where the first Guinness brewery on U.S. soil in more than 60 years will open in 2018. The brewery's name, the Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, is a combination of the pilot brewery at St. James's Gate and a nod to the plan for this new brewery to be a center for barrel-aging beer. The new home for Guinness in the U.S. will also be the permanent brewing site for Guinness Blonde American Lager and other new beers created specifically for the states.
Whether you're celebrating the 200th anniversary of Guinness in the U.S. or toasting to the next 200 years, please remember to drink responsibly.
Related: Guinness

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


After a great start to our journey and a long night of world cup celebrations in Amsterdam, we passed out on the train heading east to our next destination.
Taking a step inside of Baxpax downtown hostel brought on even more surprises. The entrance to the 5 story hostel resembled a sports bar, with a comfortable lounge area surrounding a bar, several flat screen TVs for prime World Cup enjoyment, an outdoor patio, and a game room with foosball and ping pong tables. Just as we thought that it couldn't get any better, we discovered that there was a rooftop lounge area with another bar, hammocks and even more flat screens. It would be a challenge to leave this environment over the ensuing days! As difficult as it was, we did eventually make our way into the city. Looking back on our time in Berlin, most of our activities consisted of eating, relaxing, walking, and sightseeing, in order of time dedicated to each activity. So, let's proceed in that order. Our revered idol, Anthony Bourdain, deserves most of the credit for influencing our gastronomic excursions. After watching his Berlin episode of "No Reservations", we made the hike out to two fairly remote locations. The first was to experience the well known and applauded German fast food dish, currywurst, which consists of steamed and fried Wurst, or pork sausage, served with fries and curry ketchup, usually considered street food. Following in Bourdain's footsteps, we found Konnopke's Imbiß situated underneath a metro line and squished between three busy streets. The fries were definitely no Chipsy King, but with the combination of delicious sausage and spicy ketchup, we were all pleasantly satisfied and went back for seconds (and thirds)! To wash it all down, we headed to an absinthe bar just down the street, one for Bourdain to add to his list. Our second hike took us to a residential district on the outskirts of Berlin where we found the locally (and thanks to Bourdain, internationally) praised Rogacki Delicatessen.
With major culinary activities out of the way, on to relaxing! Our second day in Berlin coincided with Germany's "Round of 16" World Cup match against England. As it was a Sunday, football fans in Berlin took to the streets to watch the game on the big screen, which was set up near the city center. We joined the hoards of excited fans who were equipped with horns, hefeweizen and German flags, and marched along. Although we couldn't work our way through the hundreds of adamant spectators to see the game, the energy and celebration was ubiquitous, so we joined in the cheering as Germany soared to a 4-1 win!
A fair amount of our time was spent near our hostel, discovering the surroundings with a few new friends. One particularly eventful evening, we decided to head to a venue nearby that promised to have a local band performing. A fellow traveler at our hostel who had discovered this place the previous night gave us the address and very detailed directions, but once we arrived within a block of our destination, all we could see was a relatively empty street of closed shops and old buildings. Just as we were about to head back to the hostel, we decided to wander into the dilapidated warehouse located at our given address. The photo below shows a part of the stairwell that led to the third floor.
It all seemed bizarrely similar to the setting of a horror movie. And when we heard muffled noises coming from the floors above, we continued making our way up the stairs (this is usually the part of the movie where everyone thinks "STOP, don't keep going!"). Probably not among the smartest decisions made during the trip, but it turned out to be one of the best! Upon reaching the third floor, we opened the door that was barricading the noise and found ourselves in a crowded dance floor. Working our way through the dancers, we continued through more dark, labyrinthine corridors and stairways until we eventually found what we were looking for, but not what we were expecting. The huge backyard of the warehouse resembled a scene fit for a Corona commercial, filled with sand and littered with chaise longues, deck chairs, and mini bars resembling beach huts, all surrounding a central stage. It was truly an incredible find, especially in such an isolated and unfrequented part of the city. Our timing was also perfect, as the band was just preparing to begin their performance! Listening to great music until the early hours of the morning, we ended up meeting quite a few interesting people and enjoying what seemed to be a popular yet well-hidden local hangout.
Our walk eventually brought us to the Holocaust Memorial, a large array of rectangular, grey concrete slabs (2, 711 of them), each with equal horizontal lengths but varying heights. The field of steles rests on a Cartesian outlay of sloping paths that visitors wander through, becoming engulfed by the towering blocks surprisingly quickly as one advances through the structure. This was one of the features that struck me the most about the design, whether it was an intentional characteristic or not. From a distance, the canopy of undulating, grey roofs is a calming presence, but when one enters the memorial, either by getting lost in the paths below or hopping along the roofs above, the rising facades that line the paths and the large drops that suddenly form below the surface become a frighteningly overpowering presence. Unlike most memorials I have seen, the "Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe" is integrated into the foundation of the city without acting as an obtrusive barrier to the ebb and flow of daily life, but rather becoming a part of it. Despite the long controversy behind its construction, I have great respect for this commemoration and the ability of its presence to draw people in and impart a unique meaning to each.
Our day of site-seeing ended at the Reichstag Building (Reichstagsgebäude), an elaborately designed structure that historically served as the meeting place of the German parliament, a role it still maintains today. A fitting representation of Germany's engineering and technological prowess, the building, with the completion of a full restoration in 1999, incorporates a large glass dome that not only provides a 360 degree view of the surroundings, but also utilizes an intricate arrangement of mirrors to direct natural light into the parliament floor. Further, the dome is equipped with an electronic sun tracker that shields direct sunlight from blinding parliament members and visitors.
Our time in Berlin ended up being very laid-back, taking on a slower pace than our days in other European cities, while still managing to provide a plethora of good eats and pleasant surprises.


text:
Telsource finalises Cesky Telecom stake sale
The Telsource consortium, which comprises KPN and Swisscom, has finalised the sale of its 27% stake in Czech incumbent Cesky Telecom to institutional investors for USD826 million, paving the way for the possible privatisation of the state-controlled PTO next year. The government currently holds 51% of the operator, which has over 3.6 million fixed lines in service and offers mobile services through its Eurotel Prague subsidiary; the cellco had over 3.95 million subscribers in mid-2003. The consortium went ahead with the sale despite efforts from the government – Cesky's largest shareholder – to hinder the process by refusing to release commercial information on the operator to potential buyers. The sale proceeds represent just half the USD1.46 billion KPN and Swisscom paid in the partial privatisation of Cesky Telecom in 1995.
Czech Republic, O2 Czech Republic (incl. CETIN)


text:
FAC Names Leading California Media Figures to Board of Directors
Cheryl Brown
Sewell Chan
Linda Jue
The First Amendment Coalition today announced the election of leading California media figures — Cheryl Brown, Sewell Chan and Linda Jue — to its board of directors.
"We are overjoyed to have these three leaders in California journalism join our board of directors," said FAC Executive Director David Snyder. "Cheryl, Sewell and Linda are joining FAC at a crucial time, both for our organization and for our state and country as a whole–we couldn't be more fortunate to have their expertise and energy as FAC continues to grow to meet new challenges."
Cheryl Brown is a former California Assemblywoman, newspaper publisher, small business owner and current California State Commissioner on Aging, who has devoted the majority of her life to public service.
Brown served in the California State Assembly representing California's 47th District located in the heart of San Bernardino County and before that on the San Bernardino County and City Planning Commissions for 17 years. She was the county's first Black professional planner.
In 1980, she and her husband, Hardy Brown Sr., founded Brown Publishing Company to circulate a community newspaper called the Black Voice News. The newspaper, now owned by Brown's daughter Paulette Brown-Hinds is published weekly and serves Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Browns were recognized as the only living publishers to be included in the 175th anniversary of the Black Press of America.
The Browns created California Black Media (CBM) in 2001, a network of 22 African American newspapers and media enterprises across the state, a statewide initiative to better inform, educate, and advocate for the African American community, as well as help promote ethnic-owned news organizations.
Sewell Chan is the editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times, overseeing the editorial board and the Op-Ed and Sunday Opinion pages. "He was named to the position in April 2020, following his time as a deputy managing editor, during which he oversaw the homepage and audience engagement teams and then foreign and national news.
Before joining The Times in September 2018, Chan worked for 14 years at the New York Times, where he was a metro reporter, Washington correspondent, deputy Op-Ed editor and international news editor. Chan began his career in July 2000 as a reporter at the Washington Post, reporting on local government, education and social services. He has also written for the Wall Street Journal and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
A native New Yorker, Chan grew up in an immigrant family and was the first in his family to finish college. He graduated from Harvard with a degree in social studies and received a master's degree in politics from Oxford. Chan is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Pacific Council on International Policy, and PEN America, which defends free expression. He serves on the board of the News Leaders Association (formerly the American Society of News Editors) and the Board of Incorporators of Harvard Magazine.
Linda Jue is editor-at-large for the investigative news site 100Reporters, where she works with reporters to develop and edit long-term investigative stories. She is also a contracted writing and reporting coach to grantees of the Fund for Investigative Journalism, and a consultant on race and media for the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, where she's worked to redefine its role in bringing change to major news outlets.
Previously, Jue was founding director and editor of the G.W. Williams Center for Independent Journalism, which developed regional and national reporting projects to support more journalists of color, women and youth in pursuing public interest and investigative journalism. She was associate director and founding staff member of the Independent Press Association, where she directed several national journalism programs, including a consortium of New York City ethnic media. Before that, Jue directed San Francisco State University's Community Press Consortium, the country's first advanced professional training program for reporters and editors working in community and ethnic media.
Jue's work has appeared in a wide array of local, national and international news programs and publications. And her advocacy for journalism and ethnic media has made an impact in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. She served as president of the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, reviving it to make it the first SPJ chapter to actively engage its membership on issues about the future of journalism and the role of technological innovations to help preserve the profession. She also led the chapter in co-founding and fundraising for the Oakland-based Chauncey Bailey Investigative Reporting Project, a multiple award-winning journalism collaboration made up of Bay Area and national news and journalism organizations.
Jue served for 10 years as a board director of the Media Alliance and on the executive committee of the Media Consortium, among other journalism organizations.
Brown, Chan and Jue join a board of 29 directors composed of working and retired journalists, publishers, lawyers, executives and community leaders.
The First Amendment Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing free speech, a free press, a more open and accountable government and public participation in civic affairs. Bookmark our free Legal Hotline, resources on accessing public records and meetings, and Subpoena Defense Initiative that serves journalists in need.


Great experience, will be using again in the future. Thanks again!
Used you twice and both times delivery and office people were outstanding. Thanks!!
Delivery Driver - "Biker Jim" did an excellent job explaining the equipment, setting it up, cleaning it and picking it up.
Another great experience! Thank you party was a success! Once again Hippie Jim was awesome a true professional!
I would recommend you to anyone in need of your services! You all were great! Thank you so much!
We have been using Blaster Bouncer for 8 years. We love them and would never rent from anyone else!!
We needed to place our order at the last minute and Chanel and our delivery driver made it possible for us to have a great event with their excellent customer service. Bouncer Blaster is the best!!


text:
13-Year-Old Who Filmed Father's Arrest by ICE Struggles With His Absence
Leighton Akio Woodhouse
March 8 2017, 5:57 p.m.
On February 28, Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez drove to Academia Avance, a small charter academy, to drop off two of his daughters at school. Academia Avance is located in Highland Park, a predominantly Latino, rapidly gentrifying neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles, where pupuserias and undercover garment factories have struck an uneasy truce with gourmet bakeries and vintage vinyl record stores. After dropping off one daughter, Romulo was pulled over by ICE agents, who were unaware that 13-year-old Fatima was still in the backseat. Over uncontrollable sobs, Fatima filmed the arrest with her cellphone.
Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez had a DUI charge from eight years ago, which had long been resolved, at least according to the rules that existed before Trump took office, and he was once charged with driving without a license. (Prior to 2015, undocumented immigrants could not obtain driver's licenses in California.) He also purchased a used car nearly 20 years ago, without knowing it bore a registration sticker that had been stolen from another car. For this he was charged with "receipt of stolen property."
These details of Romulo's life have come to define him in the eyes of the government, rather than other more meaningful details such as the fact that he gets up at 5 a.m. every morning, often after returning from work well after midnight, to take his daughters to running practice. Or the fact that his niece, who views him as her father, is both class president and valedictorian, and thanks to his coaching will be running the Los Angeles Marathon later this month along with Fatima. In the Trump administration's view of the world, an undocumented immigrant who has committed any legal infraction, however frivolous and however long ago, is a "bad hombre" — even one whom anyone else in the world would recognize only as a hard worker and an exemplary father.
Romulo's story has received international media attention, probably because of the video Fatima shot from the backseat of her dad's car. Thanks to that attention (and due to a quarantine in response to a chickenpox outbreak at the detention facility where he's being held), he has not yet been deported. Attorneys are fighting for his release, and his fate is still up in the air. In the meantime, many more men like Romulo are being shipped away in the night outside of the media's fickle gaze, without access to legal counsel, often without even appearing in court. Romulo's family is both lucky and unlucky.
Leighton Akio Woodhouse[email protected]leightonwoodhouse.com@lwoodhouse


Where did the Tiffanie come from?
The Tiffanie breed, not to be confused with the Tiffany/Chantilly, is a fairly new breed. It is also referred to as the Long-haired Burmilla. The Tiffanie is a result of an accidental mating between Burmese and Chinchilla Persian breeds. The Tiffanie made its first appearance in the United Kingdom.
What does the Tiffanie look like?
The Tiffanie is a medium size cat weighing between 8.8 and 15.4 lbs. Head is wedge-shaped. Eyes are yellow to green. Ears are tufted and can be either medium or long. Tail is plumed. The coat is medium long, fine and silky with no wooly undercoat. Color is silver and can be tipped with black, blue, brown, chocolate, lilac, red, cream or tortoise, giving coat a shaded appearance. The fur doesn't tangle but should be brushed once a week. Lifespan can be 17 years and more.
Does the Tiffanie make a good pet?
The Tiffanie is affectionate with a calm, gentle temperament. It will bond closely with it's person following wherever that person goes, vocalizing along the way. Tiffanies are intelligent, very curious, friendly and playful. Most can be taught to fetch as well as other commands and can learn to open doors. Because they are curious and can get into trouble, they should remain indoors or in a secure yard. They get along with everyone and other pets too.
No known health issues at present.


Submit one copy of your transcript. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Admitted students may be asked to provide official copies.
Scanned transcripts from a college registrar or scanned printouts from your student information system are preferred. If you don't have access to a scanner and choose to copy and paste an online transcript into a Word document, pay special attention to formatting. It's necessary that grades, courses and the semester that they were taken are legible and appear together.
Transcripts should be sent in one of the following formats: PDF, JPEG, PNG, TIF or Word Document. We cannot download a web page.
If you have transcripts from multiple institutions, you don't need to send transcripts from each institution as long as relevant transfer courses are listed on your current transcript. If the courses are not listed, however, you'll need to provide transcripts from each institution attended.
To submit your transcript, send an unofficial copy to ccoleman2@unl.edu with your last name and Summer Research Program application ID in the subject line. You'll receive that application ID upon submission of the online application.
Your name and the name of your school appear on the transcript.
File size is less than 1 MB.
If your SSN appears on your electronic transcript, we will redact (remove) it upon receipt. You are welcome to redact your SSN from your document before sending it, but do not redact any other information.


If you're looking for a super speedy, yet delicious and hearty meal, this is perfect. I love Orzo, and always keep some in the house. It cooks in only 6 minutes and is great on its own or added to soups. To keep the timing of this meal to a minimum I bought pre-sliced mushrooms.
Cook the Orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water. With 3-4 minutes remaining, add the beans.
In a separate pan, cook the mushrooms in a tiny bit of oil (add garlic if you like) until all of the water is evaporated – around 7 minutes.