Dubai Petroleum Establishment came into existence on April of 1963, when the then Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum had the foresight and granted Continental National Oil Company a concession covering the offshore area of the Dubai Emirate to begin exploring for oil.
These efforts resulted in the discovery of oil in Fateh field in 1966 which His Highness personally chose the name for, meaning “good fortune” in Arabic. The discovery of the South West Fateh Field happened four years later, and Falah and Rashid after that. However, Dubai Petroleum Establishment faced a problem in storing the oil produced in the Fateh field because of the shallow waters in the area. This resulted in an innovative idea of building and transporting large floating tanks offshore to where the oil is produced and hence solving the storage problem. On the 22nd September 1969, the first tanker of oil was exported from Fateh Field, and thus enabling Dubai to finance its developments and enter a new phase in its modern history through a number of huge projects new to the Gulf and the Middle East Region.
In February 1986, Dubai loaded its 2500th tanker offshore, and by 1988 the cumulative production had exceeded 2 billion barrels of oil, thus confirming Dubai Petroleum Establishment’s two principal fields Fateh and SW Fateh as being classified within the category of ‘giant’ oilfields. 1990 marked another major success in Dubai Petroleum Establishment with the company’s first horizontal well drilled, allowing a greater section of the producing reservoir to be accessed. Despite encountering some difficulties, the well was completed and the experiences lead to horizontal drilling to become a standard practice on many platforms. One of the horizontal wells on Falah field marked a new drilling record with a total horizontal length of nearly 3 kms.


Geological Knowledge as humankind has had an intimate association with the Earth from the first tentative footsteps of those early hominids to our current insatiable need for minerals and fossil fuels. Undoubtedly our early ancestors were aware of geological deposits, whether they were a source of flint for hand tools or clay for cave paintings or body adornment and clearly the origins of the science stretch way back into the early history of man. Adobe to build dwellings or the source of ochre for cave paintings may have been the first venture into sources of materials for the use of mankind. Later stones and clay would have become important as building materials or for brick making. Certainly the ancient Egyptians were using bricks in their less ambitious constructions and to deny that there was no understanding of the local geology when it came to the quarrying of stone for the Egyptian pyramids would have been naive indeed. Herodotus, 484 to 426 BC, made many significant geological observations, speculating about the effect of earthquakes on landscapes, but ascribed their causes to Poseidon. Pliny the Elder (AD 23 to 79) lost his life tramping around the slopes of Vesuvius during the eruption that destroyed Pompeii. His reasoning was that earthquakes were a result of Earth’s resentment against those that mutilated and plundered her for gain.
Christianity put scientific enquiry literally into the dark ages due to an all encompassing theory for the cause of everything, and besides it was thought that the Earth was a very young place, doomsday was nigh, and therefore the study of the machinations of the planet would be a pointless exercise. Inconsiderately doomsday did not arrive which got some individuals wondering about the natural world. In addition the increasing preoccupation during the Middle Ages with alchemy kick started a scientific process which continues to this day. Leonardo da Vinci, Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, brave and brilliant philosophers and scientists all, drove some of the first nails into the coffin of ignorance, holding high the light of knowledge for those who would see.
However the first real attempt on a treatise on geology was made by Scottish farmer James Hutton in an inaccessible 1795 tome titled ‘A Theory of the Earth with Proofs and Illustrations.’ He might have passed into geological obscurity if it wasn’t for a certain John Playfair who rewrote the book on Hutton’s death, making it possible for mere mortals to grasp the concepts that Hutton had so obscurely written about. At that time natural philosophers were divided into two camps – the Neptunists, who believed that everything on Earth, including sea shells on lofty peaks, were due to rising and falling sea levels, and the Plutonists, who noted that volcanoes and earthquakes continually changed the face of the planet and that seas were not the agents which the Neptunists believed. Plutonists also raised difficult questions such to the whereabouts of all the water during periods of tranquillity, a period we are experiencing now. Hutton’s insights threw some light on the matter, thanks to his keen eye and a close identification with the land thanks to his farming background. He observed the formation of soils, and their erosion and transport to other locales. He realised that over time this erosion of the high ground and the infilling of the lows would leave a planet smooth and devoid of topography. However everywhere he looked there were hills and mountains, particularly so in his native Scotland. He realised that there had to be some process that renewed and uplifted the landscape the keep the cycle going. Those pesky fossils on the mountain tops had not been deposited by floods, but had been lifted there, along with the mountains themselves. Heat within the Earth was the driving force of all this activity, or so ran the thoughts of Mr Hutton. Interestingly some of these thoughts have only been vindicated in the last 40 years or so. More importantly however was the idea that these processes required immense periods of time – far more than anyone had as yet ever conceived.
At the same time, down south, William Smith was building canals and draining bogs for a range of clients as part of the expanding infrastructure driven by the Industrial Revolution. During his daily work he uncovered a myriad of fossils, and realised that each succeeding geological bed or formation had its own particular assemblage of preserved organisms. Spending huge amounts of time and money, he travelled widely across vast swathes of England and to some extent Scotland, mapping the various outcrops of the various strata wherever he went. His exertions damaged his health had his finances to the extent that he even spent time in a debtors gaol, and perhaps even more galling for him, his work was discounted and ridiculed by the supercilious aristocrats who had formed the Geological Society of London in 1807. However an examination of the map that Smith produced and now hangs in the Society’s headquarters in London reveals his genius. His map shows in amazingly accurate detail the geology of the British Isles and was the first ever geological map. Singlehandedly Smith had mapped out what the British Geological Survey, with hordes of geologists and government funding, couldn’t really improve on except by adding detail. And in a true Hollywood ending, Smith was eventually accepted and then lauded by the Society, and was granted a pension in his latter years, putting off forever the spectre of a debtors prison and a difficult retirement.
Charles Lyell then enters the stage. He had managed to wade through chunks of Hutton’s book, and was eternally grateful to Playfair for rewriting the work into something approaching readable. Lyell was the most influential geologist of his century, which was a time incidentally when the world was in thrall to all things geological. Geology was the central science and the older Royal Society was in danger of being eclipsed by the upstart Geological Society as the premier scientific society of the country, which at that time also meant the world. So popular was the science that when Charles Lyell travelled to America to lecture, 3000 people showed up to be enlightened on ponderous subjects such as marine zeolites and seismic perturbations in Campania. Back home, modern, thinking men would venture forth to do fieldwork dressed in top hats and dark suits, except for a Reverend Buckland of Oxford who preferred an academic gown. Lyell produced his masterpiece, The Principles of Geology, which built on the works of Hutton of a previous century and made his reputation. Charles Darwin carried a copy of his book on the Beagle voyage, writing afterwards “the greatest merit of the Principles was that it altered the whole tone of one’s mind, and therefore that, when seeing a thing never seen by Lyell, one yet saw it partially through his eyes.”
Between the time of Hutton and Lyell there arose another controversy that followed on from the great Neptunist-Plutonist debate. New lines were drawn between the Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism camps. The former adhered to the idea that the Earth was shaped by cataclysmic events – floods, mainly, while the latter camp believed that changes on Earth took place over immense periods of time. The Catastrophists found that their theory worked in well with the Noachian deluge and therefore did not fly in the face of any biblical beliefs. Lyell was a Uniformitarian and his influence remains right down to the present day. As an interesting aside however, rude Catastrophist brickbats still whizz down the length of 2 centuries to strike and the heart of Uniformitarian belief. These brickbats comprise meteorite impacts which are widely believed to have brought to a close the Cretaceous Period and the demise of the dinosaurs, and have been invoked as the cause of a number of other extinctions in Earth history.
Because British geologists were the most active in the early years of the science, British names were assigned to the geological time scale. The Devonian Period is named after Devon, the Cambrian after the Roman name for Wales, and the Ordovician after ancient Welsh tribes, the Ordovices and the Silures. However other names began to creep in from practitioners elsewhere – Jurassic from the Jura Mountains of southern France, Permian from the Russian province of Perm while the Cretaceous was named by a Belgian fellow with the eminently dashing name of J.J. d’Omalius d’ Halloy.
Initially the geological time scale was divided into 4 spans – Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Quaternary. The Tertiary is the last surviving member of this initial subdivision, although Quaternary does get a period outing. Lyell introduced additional units known as epochs or series to cover the period since the end of the Cretaceous. These were the Pleistocene, meaning ‘most recent’ Pliocene, the ‘more recent’, Miocene, ‘moderately recent’ and Oligocene ‘but a little recent.’ Nowadays geological time is divided into four great chunks known as eras – Precambrian, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cainozoic, which in turn are divided into Periods which some of you may be familiar with, viz., Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. (Camels Often Sit Down Carefully Perhaps Their Joints Creak is a useful acronym for remembering them).
These then were the main protagonists in the quest for geological knowledge. Although much has changed they were instrumental in changing people’s ideas about the physical world, and opening the way for additional enquiry. One wonders if for instance Charles Darwin would have reached half of his conclusions if he had not had on board HMS Beagle a copy of Charles Lyell’s Principles of Geology.


Structural discrimination continuing to the present
In 1879, the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, which had long engaged actively in commerce with China and the other countries of East Asia, was annexed by Japan's Meiji government against a backdrop of military force. Since then, Okinawans have faced human rights violations beginning with Japan's assimilation policies, followed by the Battle of Okinawa, in which more than 200 thousand lives were lost, and then the seizure of their land, compounded by accidents and incidents occurring under US military administration. Administrative rights over Okinawa were returned to Japan in 1972, but massive US military facilities remain to this day.
Okinawa used as a "sacrificial pawn;" 120 thousand civilian lives lost
While Japan and the U.S fought throughout the Fifteen Years War, the series of wars from the Manchurian Incident in 1931 to the Sino-Japanese War and Asia-Pacific War, the biggest battle ever waged between the two superpowers was the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The fierce ground battle engulfed civilians in bombing and bloodshed, killing more than 200,000 people. The toll includes 120,000 Okinawans - one quarter of the population at the time.
It was clear that Japan had no chance of winning from the outset of the battle, but it decided to sacrifice Okinawa in an effort to delay a U.S. attack on the rest of Japan to maintain the national polity.
Many local citizens lost their lives during indiscriminate attacks by the British and American forces. Some people died after being forced out of their shelters by Japanese soldiers who treated civilians as obstructions to the battle. Others were killed by Japanese troops when trying to surrender. Okinawans suspected of cooperating with Americans as spies, were also killed by Japanese soldiers.
Many Okinawans were directed to commit mass suicide by Japanese soldiers, who made them believe there was no other option.
Rainwater collects in holes made by the U.S. military's bombardment of the Japanese Imperial Army's position near the Shuri Castle in Shuri in 1945. (photograph taken by the U.S. military and kept at the Okinawa Prefectural Archives)
Marines with the 6th Marine Division wait after throwing a smoke grenade into a shelter where they suspected Japanese soldiers were hiding in 1945. (photograph taken by the U.S. military and kept at the Okinawa Prefectural Archives)
A boy walks towards a camp while nursing a wounded leg on June 19, 1945 (photograph taken by the U.S. military and kept at the Okinawa Prefectural Archives)
U.S. military charges anti-aircraft fire against the Japanese Army in April 1945. (photograph taken by the U.S. military and kept at the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum)
Domination and oppression by Japan and the United States
There is oppression in the form of colonial rule and human rights violations by Japan and the U.S. in Okinawa's recent history.
Okinawa was an independent nation until Japan forcefully annexed it in 1879. Japan abolished the old dialect and customs of Okinawa, and enacted assimilation measures designed to force military conscription and other government policies. It also promoted an imperialized educational system where citizens swore loyalty to the Emperor.
Before they realized it, Okinawan people came to be the very image of Japanese people. As a result, a sense of honor that puts one's country before one's own life took root in Okinawa, which led to mobilized Okinawan citizenry during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
After Japan's defeat, Okinawa fell under U.S. administration. Expansive military bases were established, and with accompanying issues such as crime and U.S. military aircraft crashes, Okinawan citizens' human rights came to be violated.
Okinawan inhabitants aim for a reversion to the Constitution of Japan stipulating pacifism and protection of Okinawan citizens' human rights. Although Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972, vast military bases remain, and even now a condition of consistent human rights violations persists.
Land seizures I violation of international treaties
Futenma Air Station, located in the center of Ginowan City, was originally an expansive civilian settlement area. In April 1945 U.S. forces removed inhabitants, occupied the region, and built upon it. U.S. forces took advantage of the disorder of the Battle of Okinawa to force construction of a base upon the region, seizing local inhabitants' land regardless of the fact that this action violated the Hague Convention respecting the Laws and Customs of Wars on Land.
After U.S. forces landed on Okinawa Island, local residents were sent to Nodake Refugee Camp and other places, and trespassing on air base grounds was prohibited. As the displaced residents of Kakazu, Ginowan Village were given permission to return in September 1946, they were approved to go back to the regions in which they had lived before. Those who had lived within the limits of Futenma Air Station, however, were not approved to return to their homes, and had to settle with taking residence surrounding the base. Villages such as Kamiyama, Nakahara, and Ginowan are still mostly retained by the U.S. military. Former scenes drom daily life such as abundant fields, local administrative offices, and natural monuments of the prewar days such as Jinon Nanmachi have been lost.
When Futenma Air Station was first established it was a U.S. army facility, but in April 1957 control was transferred to the air force. U.S. marines began transferring from mainland Japan in 1959, and in May 1960 Futenma Air Station became a marine base.
Futenma Air Station during construction, in June 1945 (provided by Okinawa Prefectural Archives)
The United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (USCAR) tried to sign a lease contract with landowners to continue using the bases after the Peace Treaty was signed in San Francisco in 1952. However, most of the landowners did not sign because the contract period was 20 years and the annual rent was low.
In 1953, the USCAR issued land acquisition procedures and forcibly took over the land in the districts of Mekaru and Gushi in Naha, the Isahama district in Ginowan, and the Maja district in Ie. In some cases, the U.S. military destroyed houses and seized land from the people, threatening them with bayonets and bulldozers. Residents protested against the land seizures all around Okinawa. In the Maja district of Ie, Shoko Ahagon was the leader of the nonviolent protest. In 1955, Ahagon and his fellow protesters carried out a protest march known as the "Beggar's March" in various parts of the main island of Okinawa to share the plight and sufferings of the Maja residents who lost their land.
In 1956, the United States aimed for a blanket purchase of the local land leased for bases, made in line with what is known as "Price Recommendations." This led to a struggle against the takeover of new land its permanent use, which became known as the shimagurumi-toso (all-island struggle), all over Okinawa.
In the Isahama district of Ginowan on July 18, 1955, the local residents were ready to protest against forcible acquisition of their land by the U.S. military. Their banner reads "money can be spent for a year; land lasts forever."
Heavy machinery with which U.S.militay built their bases after forcibly taking over the land of the Isahama residents (Photograph provided by Ginowan City Education Board).
Military bases and human rights
Many military aircraft fly over Okinawa, causing anxiety among citizens. A series of aircraft crashes and ongoing noise pollution have put Okinawans on edge both before and after the reversion of the prefecture from the U.S to Japan.
In 1959, when Okinawa was still under U.S. military occupation, a fighter jet plummeted onto private land, bounced on the ground and crashed into an elementary school, killing 18 people, including school children. Aircraft accidents continued to occur even after Okinawa was returned to Japan. There have been 46 accidents, the most recent one occurring in August this year. In April 2008, a helicopter crashed into the Okinawa International University building, which stands adjacent to the Futenma Air Station. There were no civilian casualties, but neighboring houses were damaged by debris from the aircraft.
Noise pollution is also a serious problem. Local residents, especially those living in the cities that host Kadena Air Base and Futenma Air Station, complain of impaired hearing, lack of sleep and other physical and psychological damage caused by the roar of aircraft flying at night and in the early morning. People living near the military bases filed a lawsuit, requesting a ban on military training flights. The court admitted that damage had been caused by the aircraft noise.
Despite the wishes of the Okinawan people to become free from the problems arising from military aircraft, Osprey helicopters were deployed in 2012. The Osprey is said to have a high risk of crashing.
Debris from a U.S. military helicopter can be seen scattered around the Okinawa International University campus after the helicopter crashed, bursting into flames in Ginowan, Ginowan City on August 15, 2004.
Status of Forces Agreemant restricts right
Okinawa's current U.S. military base concentration, 74% of U.S. Forces Japan base land, is allowed by the status of forces agreement (SOFA) between the U.S. and Japan, which entered into effect in 1960. Although the NATO SOFA Supplementary Agreement of 1959 with Germany (a supplement to the Bonn Agreement) has been revised 3 times (in 1971, 1981, and 1993), by comparison the U.S.-Japan SOFA has not been revised even once, and therefore a great limitation on Japan's rights remains in effect. Another example is the SOFA binding Italy and the U.S. since 1995, which differs greatly from the U.S.-Japan SOFA, in that the U.S.-Japan SOFA guarantees the U.S. exclusive administrative rights, giving the U.S. unrestricted use of military base facilities, whereas the SOFA between Italy and the U.S. has a framework placing U.S. military bases under Italy's command.
The NATO SOFA Supplementary Agreement has in essence adopted U.S. bases into German law. It is U.S. duty to conduct all operations with an evaluation of the environmental impact, and to allow officials of the commonwealth, individual states, and local authorities to enter base compounds for investigative purposes. The U.S. military is prohibited from risky and noisy activity such as low-altitude flying and nighttime training. Even though Japan and the U.S. have concluded a noise-prevention agreement, loopholes such as "operations take priority" are often applied. Low-altitude flights of U.S. military aircraft fall outside of Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act. Member of local administrative bodies must receive permission from the U.S. military before entering base compounds.
In Italy, the U.S. is obligated to announce the times of aviation drills and gives consideration to the custom of taking afternoon naps in the summer by suspending flights between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Additionally, should the U.S. military cause a public nuisance or health risk to daily lives of the people, Italy's commanding officers have the authority to immediately curtail the U.S. military's behaviors.
Never-ending crimes by US soldiers
Heinous crimes have been committed repeatedly by U.S. military personnel in Okinawa, where Japan's U.S. bases are concentrated. The U.S. military promises stricter discipline every time an incident occurs, but the situation remains the same.
In September 1955, a six-year-old girl was raped and murdered. The tragedy is known as the Yumiko-chan Incident. A sergeant of the U.S. Forces was tried by court-martial on charges of rape and murder and sentenced to death. The conviction was reduced to imprisonment after he was transported to the United States.
Despicable crimes targeting women and children have continued even after Okinawa returned to Japan in 1972. In 1995, three Marines raped an elementary-school girl, which prompted a major prefectural rally, with 85,000 citizens coming together to express anger against the case. In 2012, two sailors raped a woman in the central area of the Okinawa Island.
There have also been many hit-and-run cases. A service member who was driving drunk hit and killed a woman in Itoman City in 1970. He was found not guilty at a court-martial hearing, but later a confidential American report referred to the verdict as a "misjudgement." In November 2011, a car driven by an army staff sergeant hit and killed a man in Yomitan Village.
Sexual crimes perpetrated by the US military a threat to women
When US forces landed on Okinawa Island in April 1945, cases of rape by US forces were widespread. Now, 70 years after the end of the war, sexual crimes by US servicemen still occur, violating the human rights of women.
According to a record of sexual crimes committed against women by US military members on Okinawa compiled by the organization Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, in 1946, there were 439 incidents of crime committed against women, including rape, murder, and arson. In 1947, such crimes numbered 242. Suzuyo Takazato, co-representative of the organization, says that after the war, "women faced a new kind of battlefield."
Many of these crimes are perpetrated by groups, and victims have included those of all ages, including infants and children. They have occurred in fields, on roads, within base compounds, and in front of the victim's family's eyes. Some victims become pregnant and give birth. Almost all perpetrators have received only a light sentence, or no sentence at all. The brutality of these crimes became especially striking during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s, when one to four victims were strangled to death each year.
Takazato emphasizes that structural violence within the military is behind these sexual crimes. She states, "Soldiers become numb, and in order to run from their pent-up emotions, they take their stress out on those weaker than themselves. There's also a sense of discrimination in which they view Okinawa as a colony."
Suzuyo Takazato, co-representative of Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, an organization dedicated to spreading awareness of sexual violence committed by US service members (September 14, Naha)
[Okinawa Crying Out]
5862 US Military Crimes in 42yrs
After the reversion of Okinawa in 1972 when crime statistics for the prefecture became available, the number of crimes committed by members of the US military reached 5,862 in the 42 years through 2014. Of these, cases involving murder, robbery and other such atrocious crimes account for 571. There has been no end to incidents and accidents victimizing women and children. Over these 42 years, there have been 650 accidents involving US military aircraft, in which 35 people have died, 24 gone missing, and 30 injured.
Although statistics are not available for the days of the US Civil Administration of the Ryukyus prior to Okinawa's reversion, incidents and accidents involving the US military were a frequent occurrence. The prioritization of military affairs has trampled human rights. Ryukyu Police had to hand over suspects, who were soldiers, to the US military. Okinawa could not even exercise jurisdiction over them. Even when the crime was of a heinous nature, many of the court decisions rendered were disadvantageous to Okinawan people, and compensation was also far from satisfactory.
Even after reversion, the Status of Forces Agreement limited Japan's authority to investigate and prosecute crimes, a provision which has inflated prefectural residents' dissatisfaction. In his talks with Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on the 9th of May, Governor Takeshi Onaga urged the Minister to have the Japanese government and US military go to concerned municipalities after an incident or accident occurs to offer an explanation and listen to what people have to say.
[Okinawa Crying Out]
History of Protecting Prefecture Residents' Livelihood Originates in "Island‐Wide Land Struggle"
The struggle to protect prefectural residents livelihood from the US military sprang from the island-wide battle to protect residents' land after the war.
Immediately after landing, the US military started to take over land, and issued an official expropriation order in 1953. Armed soldiers removed any resident who resisted. Land was forcefully seized with "bayonets and bulldozers" that flattened houses to confiscate people's land for bases.
In March 1954, in response to the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyus' policy of lump sum payments for military land effectively allowing the USCAR to buy it up, the Legislature of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands set forth four principles the following April to defend people's land against this egregious move. After the 1956 Price Report negated the four principles, residents in 56 of the 64 municipalities simultaneously held rallies, bringing the struggle to a head.
The conflict brought a definitive end to hikes in military land rents and annual payments.
This is the history of popular movements that has led to today's rally.
In 1995, 85,000 people participated in a rally protesting the rape of a young girl by US soldiers. A 2010 rally demanding that MCAS Futenma be moved outside the prefecture and outside Japan gathered 90,000 people. 101,000 people united for a 2012 rally opposing deployment of the Osprey. A combined total of more than 300,000 people have joined rallies in a continuing plea to reduce the burden imposed by the US bases.


Jo-An Turman's Experience in Washington DC continues...
The entire experience was surreal. Meeting people from all over the world with the same, if not more excitement, hope and optimism then us because of our new President and administration was a site to see. Being there amongst the crowd when President Obama and Vice President Biden took their oaths was more emotional than I expected. Witnessing history after studying the Civil Rights movement and being involved in events over the years made this occasion especially personal.
My family was very fortunate, we attended several events including the “Obama That One” awards at the Newseum; the 2nd Annual “Realizing the Dream” awards ceremony hosted by Martin Luther King III; the opening “We are One” inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial; the inauguration at the Capitol; the Service Nation presented by The Artist and Athletes Alliance Reception; The Witness to History reception presented by NABJ (National Association of Black Journalist, in which our daughter is the President for Northwestern University and Regional President of the Midwest) with NY Governor Patterson and author Gwen Ifill; A Salute to Change dinner presented by the National Black Chamber of Commerce and National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation at the French Embassy in Georgetown and a couple of balls (Congressman Cummings “Celebration & Commemoration of this Moment Ball”; the “We the People” ball at the Capitol Hyatt and the SCLC ball at L’Enfant Plaza) we had a full four days of President Obama inaugural celebrations.
We were so glad that Vice President Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill volunteered at Habitat for Humanity
on the National Day of Service. We toured the Smithsonian’s African American Art Museum’s Civil Rights exhibit. Glynn
was called up to say a few words at most of the events unexpectedly when they found out he was in attendance. It was all worth it, the overpriced DC hotel (prime location though), the overpriced airfare, Glynn having to pose for a million pictures and us having to walk in the cold to get around. In the end we have a priceless memory that was shared by my family, we truly witnessed history and attended a once in a lifetime event.
Labels: capitol hill, civil rights, glynn turman, jo-an turman, president obama, presidential inauguration, vice president biden, washington dc


In Norfolk there is a class of sailing boats called a Yare & Bure One Design (called white boats locally as opposed to brown boats or norfolks..........) . There are now over 130 boats in the class, originally they were made of wood but now the hulls are GRP.
They are all named (well nearly all) named after butterflies or moths and the first boats were built over a 100 years ago. A friend of mine has just had No 3 restored which is called Purple Emperor and would have been named that over 100 years ago.
She was until this year in a very sad state.
So here is a picture of her - as my friend says a 102 year old memorial to our favourite creature, 30 minutes post pupate in April


general This splendid hotel is located in the city centre right across the historic and picturesque Verman Park The guests are just a few steps away from the historical centre of Riga and its numerous bars and restaurants Built in 1876 this sumptuous . . .
Cautarea nu a intors nici un rezultat!
Va rugam schimbati parametrii de cautare si incercati din nou!


Venus Wears Louboutin
Artist: Donna Grant
Based on The Venus of Willendorf perhaps one of the oldest statuettes known. It’s 11.5 centimeters high, made of oolitic limestone, and was found near Willendorf, a village in Lower Austria. Almost nothing is known about its origin, it has been estimated to have been made between 24,000 and 22,000 BC.


The Aurora Energy power plant has deep roots in Fairbanks history. The original facility, which has been expanded and modernized over the decades, was built in 1951 by the City of Fairbanks.
The 1950s was a period of enormous growth in Fairbanks, much of it fueled by the military expansion in Alaska during the Cold War. The city’s new power plant, located on the south bank of the Chena River, was designed to respond to the rising demand for power in the area.
The original plant consisted of three boilers (Chena Units 1, 2, and 3), three turbine generators producing electric power, and a distribution system that provided steam heat for buildings in downtown Fairbanks. Since its inception, the plant was designed as a “cogeneration” or “combined heat and power” (CHP) facility that simultaneously produces electric power and steam for district heating.


The Multi Lakes Association for Civil War Studies (MLACWS) was created in the winter of 1996 with the intent of recreating and representing the day-to-day strugles that citizens and soldiers had to endure during the American Civil War. Our organization represents the 4th Texas Company E, the 16th Michigan Company B, 1st Regiment NC Battery D, as well as the Citizens for Independence. Through the recreation of historical experiences, members of the organization travel for various educational events around the Great Lakes region and beyond. MLACWS members are mainly from Southeast Lower Michigan, but members come from all over the Midwest, as far away as Nevada and Southern Canada. If you would like to attend our events, click on the schedule link to view our upcoming appearances.
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Colesberg is a traveller's oasis and on the main Cape Town to Johannesburg route (the N1 Freeway). The town lies in typical Karoo veld and is surrounded by koppies and flanked by the famous Coleskop which can be seen from a distance of 40km. Early traveller's called it “Toverberg” (“Magic Mountain”) as it appears to get no closer. Colesberg was established as a town in 1822 and was named after Sir Lowry Cole. In sheep-farming area Colesberg breeds many of the country's top Merinos. It is also known for producing outstanding racehorses and still has a few stud farms, including one owned by legendary golfer, Gary Player.
In Colesberg there are fourteen bed and breakfast accommodation establishments, twenty three Guest Farms, eleven Self Catering accommodation establishments, with two main Hotels and two Backpacker accommodation establishments.
Colesberg-Kemper Museum is one of many national monuments. Among it's exhibits is the Kemper Collection dating to the 1880's, Anglo Boer War photographs and artefacts, a 19th century toy collection and a Karoo Nomad photographic exhibition. The Anglican Church built in 1854 and designed by Sophia Gray( wife of Bishop Gray) and the Dutch Reformed Church built in 1863 are of the many original buildings still in pristine condition. Also to be seen is Schutz and de Jager Building, the oldest building in Colesberg and Horse and Mill one of the country’s last working horsemills. Other attractions close to Colesberg are the 9 388 ha Doornkloof Nature Reserve, it is located on the south-eastern banks of the Vanderkloof, Gariep Dam where game viewing can be done in the reserve and an extensive range of watersport and a tour of the dam wall can be enjoyed. There are several hunting lodges in the area as well. Well marked mountain biking and hiking trails are open on many farms in the area.


Graduate School of Letters (MA/PhD)
Japanese and Chinese Literatures Course
The Japanese and Chinese Literatures Course offers programs to carry out highly specialized researches in Japanese Linguistics, Japanese Literature, and Chinese Literature.
Students not only acquire specialized knowledge in a specific field, but they can conduct research in other fields closely related to their major with wide and in-depth knowledge.
Having completed this course, many students go over to China to continue their studies or teach Japanese overseas, while quite a few Chinese students come to our School to study.
Making full use of this outstanding system for research and education, we aim to produce specialists including researchers and well-qualified teachers of Japanese who can deal with various subjects related to these three fields from a broader point of view.
English Linguistics, English Literature, and American Literature Courses
Our course offers PhD programs in English Literature, American Literature and English Linguistics.
In the fields of English and American Literature, students carry out research on the classics of British and American literature and the works of modern writers.
In the field of English Linguistics, students carry out research into English linguistics, English education and translation studies. We also offer German and French Literature to enhance our curriculum by taking into account American and European language cultures. All classes are small-group lessons with an emphasis on discussion and presentations to develop students' skills in self-expression.
With carefully planned guidance by advisers and a consistent system of research and education throughout the Master's and Doctoral courses, we cultivate international perspectives, excellent research abilities, and a high-level of English proficiency.
Historical Studies Course
The Historical Studies Course offers the following programs: Japanese History and History of Japanese Culture; Oriental History and History of Oriental Cultures; Occidental History and History of Occidental Cultures; Cultural Heritages Studies.
In the Japanese History and History of Japanese Culture course students make research on primitive, ancient and modern times, and develop their ability to carry out in-depth historical research.
In the Oriental History and History of Oriental Culture course and in the Occidental History and History of Occidental Culture course students make research on the history of East Asia and Europe.
In both the Master’s and Doctoral courses students level up their ability to carry out research on history and culture from ancient to modern times with an international perspective.
In the Cultural Heritages Studies Course, students establish new historical research on the basis of archaeology, geography, and historical information. Through the research and education in the Master’s and Doctoral courses, we cultivate researchers at universities and other research institutes, teachers with specialized certificate, specialists in cultural heritages, curators, archivists, professionals at international cultural research institutes.


The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, usually in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. As early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it had become a festival with great significance. This day’s important activity is watching lanterns. Throughout the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Buddhism flourished in China. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would watch sarira, or remains from the cremation of Buddha’s body, and light lanterns to worship Buddha on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, so he ordered to light lanterns in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to Buddha on this day. Later, the Buddhist rite developed into a grand festival among common people and its influence expanded from the Central Plains to the whole of China.
People will eat yuanxiao, or rice dumplings, on this day, so it is also called the “Yuanxiao Festival.”Yuanxiao also has another name, tangyuan. It is small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour with rose petals, sesame, bean paste, jujube paste, walnut meat, dried fruit, sugar and edible oil as filling. Tangyuan can be boiled, fried or steamed. It tastes sweet and delicious. What’s more, tangyuan in Chinese has a similar pronunciation with “tuanyuan”, meaning reunion. So people eat them to denote union, harmony and happiness for the family.


Gianduja was created in 19th century in Turin, Italy. Home of the world famous hazelnuts. Ours is a combination of 35% hazelnuts from Piedmont, Cacao from Tanzania, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Bean and Salt. It is sliceable not spreadable, not to be confused with a spread. It can be melted quite easily though.


Another organizing success for the Histadrut – this time in a kibbutz factory
The Histadrut, Israel’s national trade union centre, has announced a third successful organizing drive in the last month and a half in the western Galilee region. This time, the target was the 150 employees of T.A.G. Medical Products, located at Kibbutz Gaaton.
The company, which makes surgical instruments, was founded on the kibbutz in 1949 as a subsidiary of the metal machines workshop. The kibbutz was established the previous year by Hungarian Jewish immigrants, members of the “May First” group.
No doubt back then the workers would have been members of the kibbutz, a socialist collective, and would have owned the factory they worked in. But that is no longer the case and the company is now privately owned.
The Histadrut is calling on T.A.G. to open negotiations leading toward a collective bargaining agreement.


James Larkin (Jim) was a native-born Irishman from Liverpool, England. He established the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU) which ultimately became the country’s largest known union at the time.
The Union made Irish history as the most-significant dispute within the transport and general workers industry which lasted for four years. When ITGWU was restructured due to the 20,000 workers creating the dispute, Jim relocated to the United States.
Jim is a legend and historical figure for his leading role in facilitating the disputes of workers. In 1907, because of his distinct organization of local disputes within Liverpool, he was chosen to lead the charge of the National Union of Dock Laborers (NUDL) in Belfast.
The British Union was the catalyst that Jim used to establish the sympathetic strike which is now known as solidarity action or secondary boycott. Learn more about Jim Larkin: http://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/big-jim-larkin-hero-and-wrecker/
The action involves an industrial industry that supports the union workers with the intent on distinguishing the dispute by workers through direct contact initiated by the employer. The action is widely used in today’s society in supply industries; however, only British and American workers are permitted to use the method against a direct employer.
Because of the moderate success in Belfast, Jim’s reputation was more known, and he became a public figure which caused contrast among businesses and companies. However, unskilled workers supported his efforts which allowed Jim to conduct a full-scale industrial dispute on behalf of workers.
Jim took the opportunity to establish ITGWU which later brought a social revolution and regular formation of trade unions. General strikes began to form all across the country.
His efforts enabled ITGWU to become the first union of an Irish trade industry to organize a strike for both skilled and unskilled workers. After the word spread throughout the community of Belfast of its success, other Irish communities set up the same formation to initiate unions.
Due to Jim’s eventual legacy for creating the worker’s right to dispute and unionize, the Irish Congress of Trades Union agreed to endorse his efforts and formed a Labor Party which established Jim as a labor champion of his time.


Nissan Engine Fluctuate for Nissan Skyline – RB20-RB24-RB25-RB26-RB30
The Nissan Skyline started the lifespan of the RB Engine line. The Technical Specs for the Line are as follows:
Widespread letter designations all through the range had been:
The first of the RB20 engines acquired right here inside the R31 Skyline in 1986. The first incarnations of these engines had two foremost variants. The earliest mannequin was twin overhead cam using a NICS (Nissan Induction Administration System), this was an injection system with twelve small consumption runners, it included a butterfly system that divided the air consumption ports for larger low end effectivity. This method was later modified with a system known as ECCS (Electronically Concentrated Administration System), this technique modified the twelve small runners in commerce for six larger ones although they nonetheless retained twelve ports on the cylinder head, these they divided with air splitter plates.
The utterly completely different variations of the RB20 by way of the years had been denoted by the addition of a letter code system.
The RB24 was a very unusual engine. It was mechanically constituted of utterly completely different engine parts inside the RB line. The block was from a RB25DE/DET, the cylinder head was from a RB30 and the crankshaft was from a RB20DE/DET with 34mm pistons. This engine was not injected nonetheless acquired right here with carburettors. This configuration allowed the engine to have mainly the similar displacement as a result of the RB25DE/DET nonetheless rev bigger.
The RB25 engine was mass produced in four foremost sorts:
From 1993, the RB25DE and RB25DET acquired right here outfitted with NVCS (Nissan Variable Cam System) this allowed the engine to supply additional torque and power at lower RPM ranges than was potential in earlier variations. Totally different modifications that had been made had been the addition of a revised electrical system, the turbo charger on the Rb25DET was modified from an aluminium compressor to a plastic one, the ignition system purchased an enhance with the introduction of ignition coils with in-built igniters, eliminating the need for a separate coil ignitor. Totally different modifications all through this time to the engine had been revised engine european, new cam angle and throttle place sensors and a newly designed mass air motion meter. Mechanically the engines had been equal in sequence 1 and a pair of engines.
The RB26DETT engine was produced all by means of 1989-2002 primarily for the Nissan Skyline GT-R. The consumption for the RB26DETT varies from the other RB sequence engines because of it makes use of six explicit individual throttle our our bodies as an alternative of a single throttle physique. It moreover makes use of a twin turbo system run in parallel. Every turbo chargers are of equal measurement and the wastegate is able to limit enhance to emphasize to 10psi. this engine is believed for its energy and power potential. It is not unprecedented to see people get 600hp from these engines with none modifications to the internals. Moreover from a reliability standpoint, these engines often hit 100,000 miles and even 200,000 miles as long as it is serviced often.
RB26DETT engines produced sooner than 1992 had been found to have an ordinary oiling draw back. The ground the place the crank meets the oil pump was machined barely too small, this lastly leads to an oil starvation draw back and oil pump failure at bigger RPM’s. Later variations of the engine mounted this draw back and aftermarket effectivity half producers make oil pump extension drives to take away this draw back.
The RB30 engine acquired right here inside the following configurations:
The RB30DET engine was not actually produced by Nissan, the RB30DETT demarcation actually refers to a turbo charged engine which typically had a engine block from a RB30E, this was mated to a Cylinder head from each a RB25DE, RB25DET or RB25DETT, RB20DE/DET heads weren’t used as a result of distinction in bore measurement.
You may have the ability to uncover barely utterly completely different variations of the above engines, these are typically made by engine builders with somewhat little bit of know how inside the topic. These engines are used fairly often when people are doing transplants into utterly completely different cars and intend to utilize them for effectivity features. The engines are extremely efficient and dependable and are in a position to producing huge portions of horsepower when constructed precisely.
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Contains 1 troy oz of. Features the iconic Walking Liberty image. 30th Anniversary of the American Silver Eagle coin. American Silver Eagles are so popular because they are considered secure and highly liquid, in both cases thanks to the US government.The American Silver Eagle is legal tender in the United States, and is the official silver bullion of the US Mint. The Silver Eagle has a face value of one dollar, but is independently traded on its silver content and rarity. According to the US Mint, bullion American Silver Eagles are the only silver bullion coins whose weight and purity are guaranteed by the US government. These 2016 American Silver Eagle coins celebrate 30 years of mintage. American Silver Eagle coins were introduced in 1986, along with its gold counterpart, as the official bullion coin of the United States.
Similar to the gold program, the United States Mint revived an iconic design from American coining history to feature on the obverse side of the coins. These 1 oz American Silver Eagle coins offer the opportunity to add. 999 pure silver to your collection. 2016 is also the 100th anniversary of the design that appears on the obverse of the coin, Adolph Weinman's Walking Liberty. The focal point of that design is Liberty, whose image takes up nearly the full diameter of the coin.
In it, Liberty walks toward the setting sun with the American flag draped around her shoulders. The reverse features US Mint Chief Engraver John Mercantis heraldic eagle. Echoing the images of the Great Seal of the United States, the image features 13 stars representing the original colonies, and a bald eagle behind the heraldic shield of America. Add Highly Liquid, Secure, Recognizable Silver to Your Collection Today. The item "2016 1 oz American Silver Eagle BU.
999 Fine Silver Coin (Set of 5)" is in sale since Monday, March 1, 2021. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Bullion\Silver\Coins". The seller is "pomares_coin_brokers" and is located in Sutton, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped to United States.


Scoil Mhaoilíosa is located on a picturesque site overlooking the historic Upton Valley. Cnoc an Bhile means the “Hill of the Sacred Tree”, and it is a fitting site for our school which seeks to nurture our greatest treasures: our children.
The current building was built in 1973 and prior to that the school was housed in the building which is now the Parish Hall. Indeed many of the past pupils have fond memories of playing on the site of the current school.
In 2008/2009 a large extension was built in order to cater for the growing number of children attending our school and this has now been completed.A further extension was completed in 2011 and oficially opened in 2012. These developments ensure that we will be enabled to provide the best facilities and accommodation for your children.


Lucky Charms General Mills cereals came to e-snacks.gr. Crunchy cereals with a delicious texture, what more could one ask for in life. So add colour and flavour to your breakfast with a bowl of whole grain cereal from the famous General Mills brand.
General Mills Lucky Charms
A bowl of cereal to start your day strong.
It’s time for our favorite …
Did you know that Lucky Charms was created in 1964 by product developer John Holahan.
As the management of General Mills challenged a team of product developers to make a new product both unique and tasty.
Somewhere here came Holahan who came up with the idea to mix Cheerios with pieces of peanuts.
In particular, an advertising company employed by General Mills and Company proposed the marketing of new cereals around the idea of charm bracelets.
Somehow, the charm of Charms was born. Lucky is the first cereal to include marshmallows in the recipe.
Of course, we would not leave out the Lucky Charms mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun, also known as Sir Charms.
The voice of the cartoon character was formed by the late vocal actor Arthur Anderson until 1992.
As well, piggy banks and plastic watches were introduced as cereal box shipping rewards as a marketing tactic to increase sales.
The recipe for cereals remained unchanged until the introduction of a new chocolate flavor in 2005.
Later, in 2012, General Mills introduced “Marshmallow Treats”.
To see more subscribe to our channel ! on YouTube and be the first to know the hottest news.
And if you want even more hot snacks, find them here .


No self-respecting Southerner uses instant grits.”
Growing up in the South, I have eaten my fair share of grits. They have always been a staple of my diet and even today I find myself reaching for the bag of grits on the shelf when I am looking for a hot comfort food that goes with just about anything. Many Northerners know about the South’s love affair with grits because it was a crucial part of the plot in the popular film “My Cousin Vinny.” Grits are a tradition in the South that European settlers learned from the Native Americans and in ages past many poorer Southerners survived on grits and not much else.
In the early 1900s, a horrible disease known as Pellagra (which is a niacin deficiency) became epidemic in the South, particularly in the poorer regions. Originally it was thought that Pellagra was caused by some germ or toxin in corn, but that explanation didn’t make much sense given that corn had always been a staple in the Southern diet. Why was this strange disease becoming a problem all of a sudden? Because the traditional method of making grits involved soaking corn kernels in lime water (the mineral lime, not the citrus fruit) before grinding them. This simple step makes niacin nutritionally available in corn, and therefore Native Americans and early settlers could survive on a diet of corn without many ill side effects. In the early 20th century, with the advent of so many new farming and milling methods in the South, the traditional method of preparing corn, including the preparation of grits, was replaced by what was thought to be a more sensible and faster method of just grinding the corn without soaking it. The results were disastrous: by 1916 approximately 100,000 Southerners had developed Pellagra and many died for the simple reason that they dispensed with an old tradition that they didn’t understand. The Native Americans didn’t know anything about niacin or specifically why soaking the corn in lime was important, they had just learned (undoubtedly through trial and error) that this was a step that needed to be taken.
I am always suspicious whenever any individual or group dismisses tradition lightly. It is a particularly nasty side-effect of so much wonderful innovation: we fall into the habit of thinking that the new way of doing things is always the better way, and it simply isn’t. Believe it or not, people have been having good ideas for a very long time. In our desire for creativity and innovation, we often forget the importance of wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge that comes largely from time and experience. If creativity is a spark, then wisdom is a slow-burning ember. We need wisdom because it keeps us from having to learn every one of life’s lessons the hard way. Tradition is one way in which the wisdom of our ancestors is handed down, but we have fallen into the belief that we must understand a tradition in order for it to be of value to us. We did not understand the purpose of washing corn kernels in lime water before milling them, but that doesn’t mean that tradition had no value. By dispensing with the tradition we were forced to learn the hard way just how important it was.
If the Pellagra outbreak in the South can teach us anything, it should be the danger of modern arrogance. Modern arrogance is the idea that we have only really figured the world out in the last 60 years or so and that every idea, every tradition and every practice of previous generations should be regarded with suspicion or condescension. Modern arrogance teaches us that people in the past were superstitious, ignorant and backward and that we, in contrast, are more enlightened and more clever. It just isn’t so. Next time you look at a medieval cathedral remind yourself that this building was built without power tools and calculators. How many of our modern buildings do you think will still be around in 500 or 1000 years? I am all for progress and innovation, but it should be done with humility and respect paid to tradition. We forget that traditions have had to stand the test of time, which is usually a far more severe judge than we could ever be. Give traditional ideas and methods a chance and don’t easily dismiss them. We may not understand everything our ancestors did, but that is probably more a sign of our ignorance than theirs.


This is a blog about photography, Adobe Photoshop (PS) and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. And a place to rant every once in a while. Occasionally I mention that I'm retired from (what I like to tell people when/if they ask) "a little west coast startup called Intel". (Well, it was at one point. 1969 to be specific.) One of my general interests has always been the history of the microprocessor and the computer. I was flipping around the smart TV the other day and found a content supplier I'd never heard of before. (I say "content provider" because it was closer to Hulu or Netflix than ABC or NBC.) It had a documentary about Apple Computer from the beginning to the iPad. The date of the show was about 2009. They interviewed a cadre of folks who were "there" through the good times and the bad. One of the people used extensively was Guy Kawasaki. An Apple evangelist back in the day and cofounder of Alltop.com. You may be reading this blog through Alltop. Don't get me wrong, I love Apple, all their computers and devices, but their fanboys (and Kawasaki was the chief fanboy) do get history a little skewed from time to time. At one point Kawasaki was talking about Apple "firsts". He had a pretty good list going and I agreed with most. The one that pulled me up short was saying Apple popularized the USB port. Ya wanna know the "real story"? Hit the "Read More"
Scenes from a Scout
20 hours ago


Lesson 1: Colonization to Independence
Identify the economic, religious and geographical factors leading to colonization of the New World and the developments which led it to seek independence.
Mission US - the site, subtitled " A Revolutionary Way to Learn History", is a multimedia project that immerses players in U.S. history content through free interactive games. Mission 1: “For Crown or Colony?” puts players in the shoes of Nat Wheeler, a printer’s apprentice in 1770 Boston. NEW APR 2013
History of the 13 Original Colonies - describes the founding of the original colonies
American Revolution - the History Place website provides a six part history of the American Revolution beginning with the settlement of the colonies through the signing of the Constitution.
American Revolution Unit - a total of 15 lessons comprises this unit on the American Revolution, each with its own activities and quizzes.
A Royal Charter from the King - a Problem Based Activity - gives students the task of developing a proposal to start a new colony
To Market To Market - a Virtual Museaum which studies the Colonial Economy from 1600-1750. Students will learn how the early colonial people earned a living by recreating a Town Square in which the student is the trades person. Topic areas include the market, trades, apprenticeship, mercantilism, and importing and exporting.
The Battle of the Battlefields - students act as members of a research group appointed by the President to determine which battle is to be designated the most important battle of the American Revolution.
Lesson 2: Confederation
Explain the reasons for, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of, the original confederation.
Articles of Confederation 1781 - complete text of the Articles of Confederation
Comparing the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutions - this article makes a point by point comparison of the articles of Confederation and the Constitution
Lesson 3: Framing the Constitution
Identify the primary elements of the U.S. Constitution and the historical reasons for its compromises and approaches.
Framing the Constitution
Bill of Rights - a discussion of each of the Bill of Rights, the original ten amendments which were added to the U.S. Constitution in order to guarantee individual liberties. The Amendment is printed first in bold black, then it is broken up into parts and analyzed in detail by the author. Includes many activities that will help students understand the meaning of the Bill of Rights.
Lesson 4: The Founding Fathers
Identify the competing political philosophies of the Founding Fathers and explain who these view were blended in the U.S. principles of government.
America's Founding Fathers


This 40-page book offers images and descriptions of a large and unique collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander historic artefacts as displayed by the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre in Queensland.
The term ‘lore’ refers to the customs and stories the Aboriginal peoples inherited from the Dreamtime. Aboriginal lore was passed through songs, stories and dance. It governed all aspects of traditional life. It is common to see the terms law and lore being used interchangeably. This book provides information around the collection of artefacts gifted to IWC as custodians. We in this present generation, by viewing these artefacts, are given an opportunity to reflect on what it must have been like to live in this beautiful country when these items were created.
It is hoped that as you view the artefacts and read this book you will be blessed to appreciate the history and meaning of what you see. They speak to us of their past, and the history of those who made them.
Artefacts of Ancient Australia
A4 book, 40 pages, full colour


For those of you who use the MAGNIFICAT magazine for your daily devotions, please turn to page 311 (yes, I'll wait...)
Blessed Pepin of Landen?
Thank you.... thank you very much!
For those who do not have their latest copy available, here is his biography:
BLESSED PEPIN OF LANDEN
Pepin served in the high office of "Mayor of the Palace" under three Frankish kings. In this station he distinguished himself as "a lover of peace, the constant defender of truth and justice, a true friend to all the servants of God, the terror of the wicked," and a "zealous and humble defender of religion." Pepin did not shrink from rebuking one of the kings he served, Dagobert I, after the latter had sunk into a life of vice. Pepin's censure ultimately led the monarch to repent of his sins. Before dying, Dagobert entrusted to Pepin the tutelage of his young son, Sigebert, who under the pious stateman's instructions became a saint. Pepin's daughters Gertrude and Begga are likewise venerated as saints. When after Pepin's death his body was transferred from its original resting place in Landen, Belgium, to the convent church of Livelles, it was noticed in the course of the procession that although a strong wind buffeted the participants, the lit candles they carried were not extinguished.
I am also a descendent of St. Begga.
So there you go!
I think it is amazing... and a wonderful testimony... that he is considered Blessed, he was married to a saint (St. Itta), and had two daughters canonized (St. Gertrude and St. Begga), AND taught the king's son, who also became a saint!


Who we are
Wright Construction Western Inc. has been operating in Saskatchewan since 1905 with projects ranging from British Columbia to Ontario. We represent the longest operating construction company in the Province of Saskatchewan and in the City of Saskatoon.
Wright Construction performs General Contracting, Design Build, Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) and Construction Management services. Wright excels in a variety of commercial, institutional, mixed use and industrial environments. Each year we complete hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail space for various developers and retail chains. Wright is a strong competitor in the institutional sector providing services to school and health boards across Saskatchewan and Alberta. In addition to this, Wright Construction has maintained a strong industrial division and have built the majority of Pre-Engineered Butler Buildings in and around Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.
Our commitment to process and technology allows Wright Construction to adapt to ever changing markets. We strive to keep our personnel equipped with the latest technology and training, so we can keep our clients up to date on the status of their project. Wright Construction Western Inc. represents an appropriate mix of modern construction techniques and innovation combined with the more traditional values of respect for the client and superior workmanship.
In 1905 Smith Brothers and Wilson Ltd. established offices in Saskatchewan and moved to Saskatoon two years later. From the outset of that company in Saskatoon, the Wright family was involved in a managerial capacity and later became substantial shareholders. The current President, Lorne Wright, represents the third generation of the Wright family to manage the operations in the province. In 1987 the Wright family assumed the responsibility for the operations in this province and eventually changed the name to Wright Construction Western Inc.
Over three generations, Wright Construction Western Inc. helped build this province. Along the way we have produced many Saskatchewan landmarks, including the original buildings of the University of Saskatchewan, Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina and the Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon.


On April 7th 2018 the Club of Rome celebrated its 50th anniversary. Aurelio Peccei, its founder, was not only a brilliant Renaissance man and a successful business person, but also
“Why the future is better than we think” by Mariana Bozesan During the 56. MMM-Congress, one of the biggest German trade and consumption industry gatherings attended by more than 700 participants,
Dr. Mariana Bozesan, international Club of Rome member, speaks at the Club of Rome Fundraiser and “Investors in Dialogue with the Club of Rome” Gala Dinner on October, 16th in Munich.


The Mont-Saint-Michel is the pride of Normandy. The rock - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - rises up higher in the bay with every spring tide. The abbey built on the rock invites you to visit. Come and watch the richly decorated halls and cloister. This masterpiece of medieval architecture symbolizes the expertise of the 13th century builders.
Perched on a hill above the Varenne Valley, the medieval town of Domfront, founded in the 11th century, has preserved many testimonies from its rich past. The charming squares and alleys invite you to stroll. The 12th century Romanesque church, the keep of the old castle set in a beautiful park, the towers and ramparts, the picturesque half-timbered houses, the mansions or the courtyards will enchant walkers. In addition to these discoveries, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside from the Place du Panorama and the castle garden.
Waterfall of Mortain
The largest waterfall in western France is located at Mortain. The Grande Cascade is more than 20 meters high. A little further down the trail is our personal favorite the Petite Cascade. The latter lies in a deep gorge cut by the Cançon (tributary of the Cance) and consists of several small waterfalls.
The surroundings of Mortain are laden with legends, starring King Arthur, fairies, gnomes and forest ghosts. The story goes that the Rocher du Dolmen would be the work of a giant!
One of the prettiest villages in France
The village of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is one of the most beautiful villages in France and is located on the banks of the river Sarthe. Nestled in the heart of the Alpes Mancelles, in the Normandy-Maine Regional Natural Park. Romantic at will, this charming place inspired a number of famous painters, such as Corot, Courbet and Harpignies. The picturesque bridge over the river, the pretty stone houses, the Romanesque church and the Gothic chapel of the Petit Saint-Céneri are all treasures to discover during your walk.
Enjoy fresh oysters in Cancale
As a fishing port and oyster center, Cancale is famous for its flat oysters that make many seafood lovers happy. Cancale, located in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, is a seaside resort where you can stroll on the quays and piers of the harbour of La Houle or relax on the beaches. Or come and taste the famous oysters on the pier. Fresh from the sea on your plate. Don't forget to bring a bottle of white wine or bubbles. From the top of the church tower, the view of Cancale, its harbour, beaches and the bay of Mont-saint-Michel, is magnificent.
A perfectly preserved medieval castle
Nestled in the heart of the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park, the characterful town of Lassay-les-Châteaux is worth a visit for several reasons. The medieval castle, the two fishponds, the wash houses and granite houses, which makes the town incredibly photogenic. A particularly harmonious castle, which will certainly appeal to lovers of old buildings! The castle fortress of Lassay, from the 14th and 15th centuries, is a remarkable example of medieval military architecture with stone galleries and eight towers.
Privateers town of St-Malo
The sea-facing privateers town of Saint-Malo is now a famous seaside resort. The closed city of Saint-Malo, surrounded by ramparts, was rebuilt wonderfully identically after it was destroyed for 80% in August 1944. The city of Saint-Malo is a beautiful whole, with its ramparts, castle and beautiful buildings. A walk on the ramparts is inevitable and offers a magnificent view of the sea, the sandy beaches at the foot of the ramparts, the National Fort (a work of Vauban), the harbour and the buildings of the city center.
Discover the castle of Fougères
The largest fortress in Europe with an impressive castle can be found in the city of Fougères. It is an great example of the development of medieval military architecture and was intended to protect the Duchy of Brittany from invasion. The city was originally enclosed by wooden defensive walls since the year 1000. The now stone imposing city walls with carved galleries connect the towers. The castle is built in three levels, the outer castle, the courtyard and the castle walls.
Bagnoles de L'Orne
Nestled in lush greenery, in the heart of the Andaines forest are the thermal baths and spa's of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne. Known for its beneficial water sources. Bagnoles-de-l'Orne is a bustling place with a lot of charm and art deco architecture. You will find casinos, hotels and villas on either side of the beautiful park with swan lake.
Hiking at La Fosse Arthour
The legendary King Arthur is not dead. Local tradition has it that the king sleeps in a cave on a stream in the department of Orne between Domfront and Mortain. There is La Fosse Arthour. At the foot of a large rocky outcrop is a stream where a water spirit lived (or still lives?).
This water spirit had separated King Arthur from his wife: since then they each resided on one side of the water. Only when the sun had set were King Arthur and his wife allowed to be together. One day Arthur opposed this ban. Before nightfall he went to stream. But as soon as he set foot in the water, he was carried away by the water. Desperate, his wife committed suicide.
Taste and buy Calvados from the neighbors
Our village Mantilly is the capital of the poiré (pear cider). The Route Poiré also passes through our village. On the route you will find many places where you can taste and buy calvados, cider, poiré and pommeau. Calvados from our region is very special. In addition to apple, it also contains pear (at least 30%). This method is called Domfrontais.
Tour de Bonvouloir
In a mysterious and mythical place near the town of Juvigny sous Andaine stands the tower of Bonvouloir, the last witness of the old castle of Bonvouloir. Listed as a historic monument, the tower was built at the end of the 15th century by Guyon Essirard, the steward of the Duke of Alençon. The story goes that Guyon Essirand fathered more than ten children. With each new birth he had the tower built a few meters higher.
The peaks of Swiss Normandy are 300 meters high, no real mountains, but the landscape here is unmistakably reminiscent of the Alps. Nature has been shaped by the rivers and the forest. The slopes of the deep, green valleys are steep and the water has often carved surprising shapes into the rocks. And to complete the picture, some picturesque villages have been stuck in the valleys or against the flanks of the hills. Here walkers can indulge themselves.
In addition to the trips you can make, we have also selected a number of nice walks for you. All walks are within half an hour's drive of the campsite. This way you can discover beautiful Normandy on foot. Walking across fields past picturesque castles, rivers and villages. All our walks are easy to do and between 4 and 6 km. ATTENTION, Follow the maps of the hikes, do not rely entirely on dashes and markings on the route. Attantion, Follow the maps, do not rely completely on the markings on the route. These can be other walks.


Beginning of poker playing is exceptionally discussed, but late unearthing loan some assistance to the uncertainty about its beginnings. Cards in Egypt have been tracked down having a place with the late twelfth century while one more way of thinking credits India to the land where poker began. There are different bits of proof that propose that poker probably would not have started in Egypt or India however in the western world. Reports kept up with since early days in the American development show that poker was a much preferred game with the privileged residents. Rumors from far and wide suggest that the game started in New Orleans and spread the entire way to Ohio and Mississippi. It was additionally promoted when broad rail networks started to create all through the land. The game went through a few alterations to be called by epithets like stud, straight and draw poker which acquired distinction during the hour of the Common Conflict.
In Europe, the destruction of poker was set apart as the year the special case idea was presented. An illustration of the special case was the Joker card and it prompted further alteration of the poker game. Court administering in Nevada announced games including wagering as unlawful and card sharks could be captured for engaging in such demonstrations. California anyway preferred this game, and gave it genuine grounds to play the game. Draw situs dominoqq poker was inclined toward in light of the fact that, the player’s expertise made a difference most and the laws that forestalled betting anyplace inside the state were frail against it. Stud poker was not that leaned toward because of its reliance on karma of the player over his expertise.
Because of this, draw poker turned into the country’s beloved game and Nevada obliged the tide, dropping the laws that prohibited the game. It ventured to such an extreme as to legitimize betting in gambling clubs. From these pieces of proof it very well may be gathered that the poker game has gone the distance is as yet individuals’ top pick. In spite of the fact that it is an exceptionally changed structure that is being played now, it is generally rich, with its own arrangement of stories and riddles. During its early stages, just the privileged men played poker principally due to the affordability and setting the high stakes. The everyday citizen was a simple observer to it and the circumstance was more regrettable for the individuals who had quite recently started playing.


'The Spirit of the Treaty'
In many of the deliberations set down by the Waitangi Tribunal this `spirit' was referred to and clarified.
`the Tribunal itself pronounced firmly that `the spirit of the Treaty
transcends the sum total of its component written words and puts narrow and
literal interpretations out of place''
`the Treaty was not a finite contract but a developing social
Orakei and after...
` major references were to the idea of partnership, the duty of partners to
each other, the need to safeguard the honour of the Crown and the Treaty as a
basis of an evolving social contract.'
give effect to the expressed intentions of the parties of the Treaty
bear in mind the Treaty's overall aim and purpose
treat neither text as superior but to give considerable weight to the much
more numerously signed Maori version ( this was supported by the American
Supreme Courts `indulgent rule' by which treaties with indigenous
peoples should be construed in the sense in which those people would have
apply the `contra proferentum rule' by which ambiguities should be
construed against the party framing the provision in question
From the texts of the treaty, and especially from the meaning of the Maori
version, the tribunal concluded that
the kawanatanga ceded to the Crown meant in the context less than
sovereignty, although the cession of sovereignty was `implicit from the
rangatiratanga and mana are inseparable so that Maori received the
impression that they would retain full customary control of their lands
the Crown and the Maori people were partners in the Treaty and as
such were obliged to act reasonably and in good faith towards each other
` it was possible that the courts could apply the principles of the Treaty even
when it was not invoked in the relevant statute, because those principles had
become part of the fabric of society, of the way in which New Zealander
thought about itself.'
Claims to the Waitangi Tribunal p75 p76 p77 p78 p81. W H Oliver.


The congregation was founded in 1775 and is the second oldest in St. John’s. Sixth and seventh generation members of the families who had served the congregation for almost all of 200 years took part in the bicentennial services. These families continue their strong representation in the congregation. Known originally as the “Dissenting Church of Christ”, the congregation later became part of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. In 1938 it was received into the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The move to the present church, its fifth building, was made in 1959.
Check out the Church History DVD “The Dissenter’s Way” done for our 235th Anniversary by Dr. Steve Bruneau. The following links are posted on YouTube: