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With the calling of the Federal Elections we now begin a season of prayer which will last up to and including the eve of the election itself on 18th May. Churches are encouraged to include the daily prayer points and readings in their Church notices each Sunday to encourage prayer for the election. Permission is granted (with due acknowledgment to source) for these prayer points to be distributed across other networks interested in having their people pray for the elections. Each Wednesday as part of our Australian News Newsletter until the election we will release prayer points for the week beginning the following Monday.
Day 1 – Monday 15 April
Pray for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit to bring a conviction of our personal sin as Australians and our corporate sin as a nation, resulting in a much needed awareness that as a nation we have turned away from Almighty God.
Scriptures: Jeremiah 2: 11-13 Colossians 2: 8-10
Day 2 – Tuesday 16 April
Asking God's forgiveness for where we have in the past failed to collectively pray for our national leaders and Government. Our prayers provide the prayer cover that is necessary for Governments to rule wisely, with Godly authority and in the best interests of all people who make up our nation. When it is not forthcoming, Governments can fall into chaos and confusion but when properly in place righteousness and justice can flow according to God's perfect will.
Scriptures: 1 Timothy 2:1-6 Romans 13:1-2
Day 3 – Wednesday 17 April
Pray for a Holy Spirit transformation of our minds, for a new way of understanding and thinking about the things of God, because as a nation we have failed to give God His rightful place.
Scriptures: Colossians 1:15-20 NLT
Day 4 – Thursday 18 April
Pray for a significant turn back within our nation to the person and teachings of the One true God resulting in a re-direction of the nation's ways and moral values.
Scriptures: Joel 2:12-13 Revelation 2:4-5
Day 5 – Friday 19 April
Pray for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit to ignite a greater desire in the Christian Church in Australia for the Word of God and the proclamation of the Gospel in our secular society. Pray that the voice of the Church will become a prophetic guiding light to our Governments at both State and Federal level.
Scriptures: Proverbs 11:25 Acts 3:19
Day 6 – Saturday 20 April
On the Day of Pentecost 14th May 1606 Fernandez de Quiros, in the name of Jesus Christ, took possession of The South Lands of the Holy Spirit, which included Australia. Pray for the restoration of Australia's Judeo-Christian heritage as the foundation of future governments in this nation.
Scriptures: Ephesians 1:16-18
Day 7 – Sunday 21 April
Pray for the Holy Spirit to lift the Christian Church into a greater place of authority and integrity in an increasingly secular society. Pray that a renewed Church will be able to take its rightful place in the authority structure of our nation.
Scriptures: Isaiah 40:31 Romans 12:2
Day 1 – Monday 22 April
God's Righteousness Cry out to God for His righteousness, just nature, and rulership to be established in Australia through the Government we elect, as it is in heaven.
Scriptures: Psalm 33:5 Psalm 36:6 Psalm 45:7 Psalm 71:19 Psalm 85:13 Psalm 89:14 Psalm 145:17 Jeremiah 9:24 Acts 17:31
Day 2 – Tuesday 23 April
Australia's Unrighteousness In the light of His perfect righteousness let us acknowledge our sin and failures as His people to pray for, and represent Him to, our nation. In repentance and humility let us cry out for His mercy to be extended to ourselves and our nation through the outcome of this election.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:17 Daniel 9:4-19 1 John 1:9
Day 3 – Wednesday 24 April
Our Righteousness before God Let us approach His throne of grace with confidence concerning these elections, to pray that our nation will receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Pray that the Church in Australia will be like Esther and find favour and approval with our King so that He will hear and answer our prayers. Pray that God would give His Church the prayers of Jesus so that we pray in righteousness, unity, and maturity.
Scriptures: Corinthians 1:30 Romans 10:10a Esther 2:17 Esther 7:2 Hebrews 5:13-14
Day 4 – Thursday 25 April
God's Promise of Righteousness for our Nation Pray for righteousness to come forth from the Federal elections. Pray that Australia would be known and respected in the forums of the world as a nation of righteousness and integrity, holding to and doing what is right regardless of internal or external pressures and short term expediency. Pray for a government we can trust to conduct our affairs righteously in every area of power.
Scriptures: Proverbs 14:34 Isaiah 26:2,9 Psalm 75:10 Isaiah 28:17 Isaiah 32:17 Malachi 4:2-3 Psalm 125:3
Day 5 – Friday 26 April
Righteousness in the Election Campaign Let us pray that this election campaign, however strongly contested, will be conducted with righteousness, decency and respect. Pray His Kingdom come and His will be done in this election. Pray that He will expose to the eyes of the nation any hidden, ruthless, unscrupulous, unrighteous motives of parties and candidates. Pray the electors see and take to heart what is right, honourable, just and true and let it prevail in the voting on election day: Pray that righteousness and truth rather than sensationalism will prevail in all reporting in the media.
Scriptures: Matthew 6:33 Romans 14:17-18 Amos 5:24 Psalm 85:13 Luke 12:2-3 Philippians 4:8 Psalm 85:13
Day 6 – Saturday 27 April
The Election of Righteous Candidates In prayer, call forth from each electorate into the Federal Parliament, those who will represent us in righteousness and will be open to the influence of His Holy Spirit.
Scriputres: Psalm 112:4-10 Isaiah 64:4-5a 1 John 3:7-10 Psalm 34:15 Psalm 37:29
Day 7 – Sunday 28 April
Pray for a Prime Minister and Government that would lead our Nation in Righteousness Pray in faith for a Prime Minister who will be an instrument of true righteousness in His hands. Pray for the election of a Government that will be under His authority so that Australia can fulfil in every way the calling He has for us. Pray that whoever is elected Prime Minister will lead Australia under His Lordship and authority and with His wisdom into paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Scriptures: Psalm 18:20 Proverbs 14:34 Proverbs 16:7 Proverbs 21:1 Proverbs 25:5 Psalm 11:3 Hosea 10:12 Psalm 85:9-13 Jeremiah 29:11-14a
Day 1 – Monday 29 April
Justice in the Church Let us pray for justice to be manifested in the Church. Let us repent of our prayerlessness for those in government, and for the times we have judged and criticized them, instead of praying for them. Pray that the Church will be faithful in praying for all members of Parliament, and their advisors, taking the time to find out the policies and intentions of those in their own constituencies standing for parliament, and ask the Lord to grant His grace and favour to those who would stand up for justice and truth to be elected.
Scriptures: Matthew 5:13-16 Col 4:2
Day 2 – Tuesday 30 April
Justice in our Communities Pray that the rights of the poor, the homeless, the marginalized, the aged, unborn children and refugees be upheld. Ask the Lord to raise up people in our government and amongst those who advise them, who will understand with godly wisdom, and implement with compassion, principles that will meet the needs of these people in fair and practical ways. Ask that those elected to government will honour, encourage and support Christian churches and organizations who care for the poor and homeless. Pray that no government legislation will attempt to compromise their Christian values.
Scriptures: James 2:5-9
Day 3 – Wednesday 1 May
Justice in Government Pray that the person called to be Attorney General in the next government will be a God fearing person of integrity, with a clear understanding of justice and truth, and a heart after God's own heart. That he/she and his/her department would have God's wisdom, strategies, favour and blessing in dealing with the issues of this portfolio. Some of those areas covered in this portfolio include:
- Australia's national security which includes Security intelligence and border protection
- Organised crime
- Promoting access to justice and protection of human rights. Also censorship.
- Indigenous law and justice
- Courts, tribunals and the Judiciary Appointments
- Family law
Scriptures: 1 Timothy2:1-4 Proverbs 24:23b-25 Prov 29:4a
Day 4 – Thursday 2 May
Economic Justice Let us bring before our Lord today, that the person of His choice will be elected as the Treasurer of our Nation. Pray that He would prepare the heart of this person and all who would advise, and head up the departments under this portfolio, to think and to act in the counsel of God regarding the financial policies of Australia. These areas include:
- Economic and fiscal policy and taxation
- Prices surveillance; competition policy
- Taxation
- Superannuation, banking, insurance, and foreign investment. Pray that the policies of both major parties regarding finances will reflect God's compassion for those in greatest need – the poor, the homeless, the aged, families etc. Also that they would research their financial responsibilities well and be accountable when implementing new policies. Especially pray that in the run up to election unattainable promises would not be made to win votes.
Scriptures: Romans 13:6-7
Day 5 – Friday 3 May
Justice in the Electorate Let us ask the Lord to move people's hearts to research the policies of the different parties and understand how those policies will affect them and their family's lives. Pray that voters will not look for money or favours for their own gain, but look to the real needs of the Nation. Ask that voters be given divine discernment to choose to vote for those candidates with godly principles.
Scriptures: Micah 6:8 (particularly in The Message)
Day 6 – Saturday 4 May
Justice in the Media Pray for all those who report, commentate, and opinionate in newspapers and magazines, on TV and radio. Ask the Lord to enable these people to be neutral and fair in their assessments of the policies presented, that deception and lies be exposed, that truth and righteousness be declared and encouraged, and those who are reading, listening and seeing these reports will perceive what is real, just and true. Pray too that political advertising will not demean personalities, but will concentrate on the policies and issues being presented. Pray that voters will not be influenced by people, but by God.
Scriptures: Proverbs 12:17-23
Day 7 – Sunday 5 May
Election of Just, Righteous and Honest Parliamentarians Please pray that the Lord would call and appoint those who are just, righteous, honest and with integrity to lead our country. Pray today for the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison and the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten. Wait on the Lord, and ask Him how you are to pray for our leaders and then obey Him in prayer. Pray also for all candidates standing on a Christian platform that they would truly reflect Jesus in their public life and that God would grant them favour in their constituencies, that many people would vote for them because of their Christian stand. Pray that those who will hold the balance of power in the Senate will be men and women of faith, integrity with a true sense of justice for all.
Scriptures: Proverbs 8:12-16 Psalm 72:1-4
Day 1 – Monday 6 May
Thanksgiving, Requests, Prayers and Intercession Let us begin this week by giving thanksgiving to the Lord for all who are standing for election. Pray and ask the Lord that He would lead us to pray His heart for them. Make your requests known to Him asking that all who seek to serve our nation would walk in truth, integrity and righteousness. Intercede that in the election process and outcome the Lord's will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven.
Scriptures: 1 Timothy 2: 1-6
Day 2 – Tuesday 7 May
That we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all Godliness and holiness Pray for the Peace of God to invade this Election and that Leaders & Candidates would experience God's peace. Pray and Intercede that they will receive visions and dreams of, and from, God. Pray for the Prophetic voice of encouragement to come alongside those standing for election, that they would speak truth in all their utterances.
Scriptures: Isaiah 60: 1-2
Day 3 – Wednesday 8 May
For there is one mediator between God and Mankind, the man Jesus Christ Remember in our prayers that Jesus gave His life for all mankind. Give thanksgiving and praise that Jesus gave himself as ransom for those standing for election. Pray for the salvation of all those who seek to serve us that they will not reject 'the truth' that Jesus gave His life for them. Pray that in the lead up to the elections many Leaders & Candidates who believe would publicly confess their faith in Jesus as Lord.
Scriptures: Hebrews 9: 11-15
Day 4 – Thursday 9 May
Do nothing out of selfish ambition and vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves Pray that those seeking public office would walk in humility not pride as they prepare to serve our Nation of Australia. Pray that Leaders & Candidates will live in love, humility & service to one another. That they be unified as one in purpose for the betterment of our nation.
Scriptures: Philippians 2: 1-11 Prov 14: 34
Day 5 – Friday 10 May
Praying for the character of God to emerge in those standing for election Pray for electoral success for all Leaders and Candidates who are prepared to walk in righteousness and justice. Pray that they would recognise the need to be in right standing with God in personal moral, spiritual, and relationship issues. Pray they would be faithful, thoughtful and wise as the Lord places them in strategic areas to serve our Nation.
Scriptures: Romans: 5: 1-5
Day 6 – Saturday 11 May
Immersing all candidates in His love Read today's scripture and pray that all who are standing for election would exhibit the qualities of love outlined in verses 4 to 7. Pray for the raising up of the banner of His love over all standing for election.
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8a
Day 7 – Sunday 12> May
Praying for our nation to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ Pray that candidates will acknowledge and honour the Christian foundations of our nation and continue to build around the Chief Corner Stone (Jesus Christ). Pray for believing politicians to stand firm and profess their faith in Christ. Pray that the Spirit of God would speak clearly to all who put themselves up for election bringing conviction of their need to rely on Him for all wisdom. Pray with confidence remembering that God works quietly and continuously to bring His kingdom on earth.
Scriptures: Matthew 21: 42-44
Day 1 – Monday 13 May
Pray for the Candidates Pray that all candidates standing for election will come to know the fear of the LORD. Pray that those elected will walk in wisdom throughout the period of the next Parliament. Pray for their families and their staffers. Pray that those elected would be energized and invigorated by the desire to serve the people of Australia.
Scriptures: Proverbs 9:10 and Ecclesiastes 12:13
Day 2 – Tuesday 14 May
Pray for the Voters Pray that voters will know and correctly discern the true character of each candidate for whom they are being asked to vote. Pray that they will choose wisely, each one being led by the Spirit of God. Pray that voters will have clarity, discernment and wisdom when they go to the polls on Saturday.
Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 12:14
Day 3 – Wednesday 15 May
Pray for the Media In these final days leading up to the election, intercede that each member of the print and broadcast media will report the policies of each party in truth, avoiding personal bias in their comments. Pray that God will make Himself real and personal in their lives. Pray that any editorial comment will be fair and represent truth and not be influenced by political motives.
Scriptures: Isaiah 50:5 Luke 19:10 Luke 12:2
Day 4 – Thursday 16 May
Pray for an Open Heaven on Election Day Pray that people will have clarity of thought and intent as they cast their ballots. Pray that confusion will be bound in the minds of voters and that they will not be influenced by lies, deception, dishonesty nor distortion. Pray that truth, honesty, integrity and ethical behaviour will abound in the final days of the election campaign.
Scriptures: Matthew 18:18 Romans 12:2, 1 Cor 2:16 Hebrews 4:12
Day 5 – Friday 17 May
Pray for the Elected and Defeated Pray that those elected tomorrow will accept their endorsement by the people with humility. Pray that they will be granted wisdom by God to perform their duties in the best interest of all Australians. Pray that those who lose will accept the verdict of the people with grace. Pray they will quickly find alternative employment as well as other opportunities to serve through other forms of community service.
Scriptures: Ephesians 1:17 James 4:6 2 Peter 1:2
Day 6 – Saturday 18 May
Today is Election Day Let us pray that as the votes are counted tonight and in subsequence days, that no ballots will be lost, that there will be no errors made in the counting and that adjudication on votes that are challenged by scrutineers will be fair and consistent in application. Pray that God's perfect will be done in the outcome of this election.
Thank you for taking part in this season of prayer for our Nation.Print This Page


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Blog Archives
Bookversary: Dancing in the House of the Moon
It's the 5 year bookversary of my devotional to the Norse God of the Moon, Mani. 🌛 Son of Mundilfari, brother of Sunna and Sinthgunt, this particular God is one that is greatly beloved by me. I keep an active altar to him in my house, and I couldn't resist having multiple prayer cards and icons for him in the Prayer Card Project either.
"Dancing in the House of the Moon" is a celebration and adoration of the Norse Moon God Mani. It is a collection of essays, prayers and poems word-pictures that summon a sense of His presence: ineffable, incandescent, and beautiful. This is a devotional for anyone wishing to know this God better, anyone who has tasted of the splendor of Mani, anyone wishing to throw themselves into His devotion. It is the expression of a cultus renewed and restored for the modern world.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SblhHV
So who has a copy? And if so, what's your favorite part?
3rd bookversary for the Asklepios devotional, To Rejuvenate and Nourish
My devotional to the Greek God Asklepios (Ἀσκληπιός ) is celebrating it's three year anniversary today!
Asklepios is the son of Apollo, and the Greek God of healing and medicine. His symbol, a snake entwined staff ⚕ remains a symbol of medicine today.
"To Rejuvenate and Nourish" is a novena booklet to the Greek God of Healing, Asklepios. It provides an introduction about this God and nine days of prayers in His honor.
Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32jBPlH
So who has a copy?
Pre-Order is Live for my new book, A Modern Guide to Heathenry
An accessible yet in-depth guide to this increasingly popular pre-Christian religious tradition of Northern Europe
Heathenry, is one of the fastest growing polytheistic religious movements in the United States today. This book explores the cosmology, values, ethics, and rituals practiced by modern heathens.
In A Modern Guide to Heathenry readers will have the opportunity to explore the sacred stories of the various heathen gods like Odin, Frigga, Freya, and Thor and will be granted a look into the devotional practices of modern votaries. Blóts, the most common devotional rites, are examined in rich detail with examples given for personal use. Additionally, readers are introduced to the concept of wyrd, or fate, so integral to the heathen worldview.
Unlike many books on heathenry, this one is not denomination-specific, nor does it seek to overwhelm the reader with unfamiliar Anglo-Saxon or Norse terminology. For Pagans who wish to learn more about the Norse deities or those who are new to heathenry or who are simply interested in learning about this unique religion, A Modern Guide to Heathenry is the perfect introduction. Those who wish to deepen their own devotional practice will find this book helpful in their own work as well.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2wMnVtt
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2IziCU0
Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/2Rcy4ZV
Deadline is Approaching to Enter the Giveaway
Don't miss your chance to enter the giveaway and have a chance at an awesome set of Norse deity Prayer Cards. Deadline, end of day Sunday, June 30, 2019 by 11:59pm EST (New York local time). Details at the link: https://krasskova.wordpress.com/2019/06/05/giveaway-time/
Autographed Copies of Living Runes
For anyone interested in an autograph copy of Living Runes: Theory and Practice of Norse Divination, I have a very limited quantity available (only ten remaining) for purchase at the shop. So better act fast before they are all gone!
This is the ONLY place to get autographed copies short of a face-to-face interaction with me.
This giveaway is designed for FACEBOOK, so that means entries must happen on facebook. Here's the direct link to the appropriate post: ( http://bit.ly/2WMLxNs ) . Deadline is end of the month, I wanted to give people a chance to get their copies in.
In case anyone is having problems viewing the image with the giveaway information above, I'm also including it below as text.
To celebrate the release of Living Runes: Theory and Practice. I've decided to run a giveaway. The prize consists of a set of 20 prayer cards featuring Frigga and her retinue (Saga, Eir, Gefion, Fulla, Sjofn, Lofn, Hlin, Syn, Snotra, Gna, Var, and Vor), as well as Odin and his sons (Thor, Baldr, Vidar, Bragi, Hermod, and Vali). I will select one US winner, and one International winner randomly from all valid entries. Each winner not only receives all those cards, but actually receives a duplicate set of those cards that they can gift to one very lucky friend or divvy up the awarded prayer cards to share among as many friends as they like. So, this is actually one giveaway that entering with your friends can increase your chances of coming away with something.
Here's how to enter:
Take a picture to share of Living Runes: Theory and Practice. This can be you reading it, or for those that don't like to post pictures of themselves you can show it on your bookshelf, in your reading nook, posed with your cat, beside a cup of coffee, with your runes–you get the idea. For those of you with ebook copies, just show the cover on your chosen electronic device. I'll even accept pictures in bookstores, or in libraries (for bookstore and library pic entries please be sure to list the name of the establishment and the city/state/country you found it in). Once your pic is ready:
Like and Comment on this giveaway post on the Galina Krasskova – Wyrd Ways FB Page: http://bit.ly/2WMLxNs
- include your Living Runes: Theory & Practice picture
- tag at least one friend
- include the name of the country in which you currently live
Share this post on FB (toggle the "include original post" option)
Deadline: June 30, 11:59pm EST
A Weekend Away and Some Theology
(This rambles…a lot lol. You have been warned).
So, I've been in New York City the last couple of days attending a theology conference. The title of the conference is "Faith, Reason, Theosis" and so far, it's been pretty amazing. The scholastic currents being discussed (at least in day one) are well outside of my wheelhouse so I won't discuss them here save to say that the entire idea of theosis makes me deeply uncomfortable. I did have an interesting talk with a Jesuit professor of philosophy (I took his course on Augustine a few years ago and it blew my mind) who agreed that, at least in part, ideas of theosis for Christians were influenced by pre-Christian concepts of deification. Still, it makes me deeply uncomfortable when it's applied as a goal of faith, especially when post-modernists remove the sacramental scaffolding and even at times "God" from the equation. Thank you, no. If I want that, I can listen to a ceremonialist drone on and on. Lol. (Granted, this isn't my area, so I may be grossly minimalizing the issues here and I'm drawing the questions and comments below largely from only a single day of speakers – there's still two more to go. At any rate, the focus of the conference is discussion of Orthodox and Catholic responses to the idea of theosis). I was tired when I arrived at the conference, and at first, despite excellent presentations, I was a little bored (Thomas Aquinas—not my thing) but then the Q&A started and that was absolutely fascinating. It was almost enough, almost, to make me want to hold another polytheist conference. Hah. Don't hold your breath.
Anyway, during the opening talks, I was scribbling notes and several questions arose from the speakers. Ignoring the pages of my journal where I kept noting that "Modernity=Nihilism", (I also made crazy little sketches of presenters – idle hands after all and all that) the relevant things I want to discuss here are as follows (I will reframe from the singularity of the Divine articulated by the speakers to a more natural and appropriate plurality in my responses):
• How can a conscious spirit be anything other than a desire for God?
• God owes His creatures grace within the terms of creation (the grace to achieve theosis) but it's a debt owed only to His own goodness.
• How can there be "excess" in loving one's God? Many modern philosophers/theologians seem to speak of the "excessive qualities of the cross" in ways that seem to imply that they want to erase their God from the process and goal of theosis and replace the sacramental scaffolding with the human ego.
The first question, I believe, comes from Neo-Platonic influences on religious (in the case of the conference, Christian) thought. I don't argue that our souls and the fullness of our being should be comprised, materia prima, of longing and love for the Gods. I think it is the only part of us that truly matters. When we peel away the dross and pollution of modern living (hell, just of living because let's face it, the ancients wrestled with these issues too), at our core I firmly believe that (when we are rightly ordered), our spirits are expressed longing for the Gods. I also think that every single thing in our current world teaches us to obscure, deny, and annihilate that longing.
I will admit, listening to this particular speaker, I did think "well, aren't you a bit of an optimist about the human condition" lol but it's important to remind ourselves not to mistake external ephemera for the true, essential nature of our beings. I also suspect that this statement: that at the core of a soul is longing for the Gods may make some readers angry. If so, consider why. Why would you not long for the Gods with every fibre of your being? I think the real challenge of our various spiritualities is not only the discovery of that longing, recognizing it as our essential state of being, but also cultivating it, tending that fire, stripping away the dross, feeding it, and allowing it to burn away everything else.
A day or so before I came into the city for the conference, I was watching a movie with my husband and a friend and the lead female reminded me strongly in appearance of a student – call her H.– I had over twenty years ago. This student was three or four days away from her initiation and bailed. She became pissy about it too, justifying her decision by trashing the idea of the experiential devotion inherent in the initiatory process (as being only relevant to specialists. "Not everyone needs to be a mystic" blah blah blah. No, not everyone does, but baseline devotion does not a mystic make). A friend of mine who was hanging out with us asked me why this woman would do such a thing. I said "at the eleventh hour she realized initiation would change everything." My friend agreed but didn't see the problem (unlike H. my friend is not a spiritual coward). I explained that "H. didn't want to make the Gods a priority in her life. She was afraid it might interfere with her secular, job-related priorities of climbing the corporate ladder and making money. She didn't want to become the kind of person she thought could live a devoted life and she didn't want to have to reprioritize her life." My friend asked the most salient question of the night, "Didn't she realize that putting the Gods first makes everything better? On the basest most crass level, They help us in our work in the world. They fill our lives with bounty and blessings." And that is the question. My only response was a poem by the Islamic poet Rabi'a:
O my Lord,
if I worship you
from fear of hell, burn me in hell.
If I worship you
from hope of Paradise, bar me from its gates.
But if I worship you
for yourself alone, grant me then the beauty of your Face.
(Rabi'a, "[O my Lord]" translated by Jane Hirshfield, from Women in Praise of the Sacred (New York: Harper Collins, 1994).)
I will let this stand for now and move on to the second question or comment really, since I wrote it down because I have very strong feelings that the Gods owe us nothing. They may give us everything but They don't owe us. We ought not give sacrifices and offerings just to get things, but because it is the right thing to do, because it honors Them, because those relationships are the most essential we will ever have and it is right and proper to make windows into the world through which the Gods may walk. It isn't and shouldn't be about us. Yes, at times offerings and devotion may follow a do ut des model – if I need something from a Deity, I won't approach with empty hands. It's rude. But that is not the only nor the most essential model of veneration. To imply that it is cheapens our traditions and frankly spits in the faces of our ancestors. It shouldn't be "I give in order to receive" but "I give because I have received" or maybe better still, "I give because I love."
Returning to the bullet points I noted, I was struck by the idea articulated in bullet point #2 that God owes humanity His grace by virtue of the contract of creation but the debt is NOT one owed to humanity itself but rather to His own goodness. In other words, God owes Himself. It's a nice reframing and re-articulation of an issue that plagues the Heathen community: the entitlement we all too often feel before our Gods. We are not owed a god damned thing for the paltry devotion we deign to show. We have been given everything and it is a debt we cannot hope to replay. The devotional relationships that we ought to cultivate with our Gods aren't for the purpose of getting things, or even with any hope of repayment of a contract. It is our natural, good, and rightly ordered state of being. It is our purpose, the highest and most natural expression of our souls.
Finally, one of the issues that kept coming up in post-modernist pushback against scholastic and pre-scholastic ideas of theosis was this language of "excess" in devotion. One source talked about the "excess of the crucifixion" rather the excess of devotional response to it. I see this in some modern Catholics. Case in point: I recently gave a Catholic relative L. Montfort's classic devotional text on Mary and while she is very devout she really struggled with it, because it wasn't Jesus focused in the way that many Protestant "devotionals" might be. The idea of giving reverence and specifically heart-felt devotion to the Mother of God—in the way that was traditional, licit, and universal within her tradition for generations– was uncomfortable (and I blame Vatican II and its bullshit for a lot of this but, not my circus, not my monkeys. I do find it complicated though. Gods know that the weakening of the organizational Catholic Church is not a bad thing for growing polytheisms, but then on the other side of that, I think that any weakening of devotional fervor is a win for evil and doesn't serve us in our devotions either so …my response to that all is rather complicated). It seemed "excessive" to her. Post-moderns would, I believe, cast any devotion as excessive. This is problematic.
Personally, I do not believe it is possible to be too excessive in one's fervor and love for one's Gods. That is exactly what ought to fuel our soul's longing, feed it, nourish it, encourage it. Whenever I hear Pagans or Polytheists (and especially Heathens) talk about how one is too excessive in one's devotions (and it happens, less now than a decade ago but it still happens) I really just want to laugh in their faces and tell them they are theologically unschooled. Not today, Heathen child, not today. This is a bullshit free zone. Still, I think it's important to think about what it is in our culture (that has seeped into our traditions) that would teach us that devotion, any devotion particularly the messy, emotional, embodied kind is 'excessive.' What does that mean? When loving the Gods is our souls' reason for being, how can there be any excess?
This last question I'm going to explore more fully and hopefully will have time to do so over the next couple of days. Right now, I'm going to bring this to a close since it's running rather long and I actually need to get my butt up and get out the door for day two of this amazing conference. Enjoy your day, folks.
Book Birthday! Living Runes Now Available
Living Runes: Theory and Practice of Norse Divination releases today! 🥳🥳🥳
Sample Living Runes: Theory & Practice of Norse Divination
*As a reminder, this is a re-release under a new name of my earlier work Runes: Theory and Practice.
Find it June 1, 2019 wherever books are sold.
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Polytheist vs. [Neo]Pagan
Last week an academic friend and colleague, who is soon to be teaching a class on Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire, asked me a rather complicated question. My friend L. plans to include a brief survey of contemporary Pagan and Polytheistic religions as part of the course, to show that these traditions did not completely disappear but continue to have import and impact in the modern day. As prep for the course, L. asked me, "What is the difference between Pagan (or Neo-pagan) and Polytheist?" I had previously mentioned that use of these terms is somewhat political and charged in our communities.(1) Here is what I told my colleague.
"Oh, it's such a mess.
The two words, in my opinion, should be synonymous but in today's communities, they're not. Polytheist means someone who believes in and venerates the Gods as individual, Holy beings. The logical and necessary corollary then, is the rightness of regular devotion and cultus. One would think this is self-explanatory. The meaning, after all, is embedded in the etymology of the word itself: πολύ (many) θέοι (Gods). We have, however, had atheists who call themselves "Pagan" try to claim the identity "Polytheist" on occasion, but for now, every time they crop up, we manage to beat them back (rather like a demented game of whack-a-mole). It's almost as though the moment the devout make space for themselves, it comes under attack, and this isn't just an issue in polytheism (2).
While the definition of 'Polytheist' is self-explanatory, 'Pagan' is more complicated. Some polytheists will use the term. But maybe four years ago there was a huge inter community explosion over it.(3) There were growing attempts A) to allow for "Pagan" to include non-theist, anti-theist, atheists, etc. as well as pop culture 'pagans' who can't tell the difference between fiction and devotion and other questionable um…characters (Mind you, L., I'm hardly unbiased in this and I was right in the middle of these arguments.) and B) to force polytheistic traditions under the "Neo-pagan" umbrella, which at its core was an attempt to erase our traditions, esp. the piety of our traditions, and to force them to open their boundaries to anyone and anything.(4) The "battle" raged over blogs and newsgroups and finally many leading polytheists (against my better judgment) decided to yield the term 'Pagan'. So now anyone who has any connection to any god or goddess (regardless of whether or not they believe in Them to be archetypes as opposed to reality, or this nonsense about all deities being one, or whether they are only interested in nature or whether they're Marxists interfering in our communities for their own political agenda, or whatever kind of trash you may have) can claim the word without having a core of any type of tradition or devotion. So, 'Pagan' has become a catch all term.
Most devout polytheists I know, especially those who fought through this, won't use the term "Pagan" now. The Gods and Their devotion are at the heart of our practices. 'Pagan' has become a term where that is no longer necessarily the case. Of course, the moment we ceded the term, the non and anti-theists started trying to claim "Polytheist" too, but so far we've successfully beaten them back. It's never ending but there are those of us who will hold that line until we are all of us dust. Our Gods and traditions deserve that at least, from us.
I'd also add that part of the problem is that Polytheism involves traditions, which are closed containers. Neo-pagans scream that this is elitist and amounts to policing devotion (unless we're talking about one of the African Traditional Religions when they are less likely to complain, because that might be construed as appropriative and racist.). Polytheists respond: that's the way traditions work, either adapt yourself to them or fuck off. And so it goes. It's a nasty, ongoing feud with those who care about what their Gods might require and those who barely register that Gods exist.
So, unlike in the ancient world where 'Pagan' referred to someone practicing their ancestral tradition and/or initiated into various mystery cultus, today it refers to someone practicing any of the many …religions…which may or may not include devotion to the Gods…that grew out of Gerald Gardner's explorations into Wicca and occultism in the fifties and later out of the counter-culture movement in the 60s and 70s in the United States. It may also refer to those practicing and restoring various Polytheistic traditions like Heathenry, Asatru, Kemetic orthodoxy, Hellenismos, Romuva, etc. but in majority quarters, it is no longer the term of choice, particularly in the US community for such.
Heathenry, (Norse polytheism), always eschewed the term because it was always an umbrella term for a mishmash of traditions and practices, many excessively liberal, or diametrically opposed to devotion, or containing ethical standards (or lack thereof) that Heathens and other polytheists found problematic. The problem is more complicated in Europe where the various romance languages have ONLY the term 'Pagan' to cover a broad spectrum of traditions.
Basically, the conflict is about modernity, religious identity, and a push back against devotion and piety.
As a caveat, you will still find people who aren't very much online using 'Pagan' when they are very devout…it depends on how aware they were of the online arguments. Our hashing out of orthodoxy, because of how spread out our communities are, tends to happen online but one should not think that the online world encompasses the whole of any tradition or practice. There are many devout Polytheists (and probably Pagans too) whose practice centers around hearth and home, land, community, and their Gods and whose window into the greater world of practice doesn't necessarily come through the internet.
It should also be noted that there are Polytheists who obstinately refuse to cede the term Pagan and still use it, solely to spit in the eye of the impious. I like these folks. 🙂 And newbies coming into the communities also tend not to be aware of the political fault lines either.
It's always worth querying when someone says "I'm Pagan," what they mean by that. The answers might surprise you."
- Especially now since Isaac Bonewits is the one who originally pioneered usage of the terminology "Neo-Pagan."
- The problem isn't atheists per se. If someone wants to attend a ritual and behaves respectfully that's fine. The problem is ad nauseum, atheists who come into our communities, demand leadership positions, but refuse to accommodate the traditions or bow themselves to the beauty of devotion. Instead, they endlessly attempt to twist the religion to their own lowest common denominator. This isn't a problem only in Polytheistic traditions. It's happening in various Monotheisms as well. For a case in point see here. (I particular love how the minister in question complains her church puts theology over ethics. Um, yes. It's a religion. Theology matters and moreover, you've already proven you have no ethics by impersonating a Christian and minister).
- I would estimate between 2011-2014.
- Polytheisms tend to have far more traditional values, sexual ethics, and much more of a focus on devotional piety than any generic Paganism. They also tend to encompass mystery cultus, which are exclusionary by their very nature, solid lineages, and strict ways of doing things. They are not generally religions in which "anything goes" spiritually or morally, all too often unlike their Pagan counterparts.


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A legislative committee in Utah has approved a bill that would reward motorcycle riders for wearing helmets.
While the House Transportation Committee tabled a bill that would have required riders under age 21 to wear helmets, a bill sponsored by Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove, R-Garland allows motorcyclists cited for traffic violations to have $10 knocked off the fine if they were wearing a helmet.
Currently, anyone under age 18 in Utah is required to wear a helmet while riding.


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Perth Wedding Couple Anthony And Alana Tell Their Story
A Rustic Country Style Perth Wedding
When Anthony and Alana contacted us to provide ice pops and bar service for their Easter wedding we couldn't refuse a trip down to the stunning Lower Chittering Valley in Western Australia.
Weddings have to be one of our favourite events to work at – they are so intimate, relaxed and full of love. Anthony and Alana's wedding was no exception.
The happy couple officially started dating in January 2013, having previously met back in August 2002 on the Gold Coast.
"Neither of us remember our first meeting." said Anthony. There is a photo of us together in 2002 that was only recently shown to both of us."
Over ten years later they met again at a mutual friends social Sunday gathering at the Beach Hotel in Port Melbourne – which was when the chemistry started.
Having hit it off so well, a couple of years later Anthony was ready to pop the big question.
"I proposed to Alana in Paris, on the Pont de Arts bridge at 11pm as the Eiffel Tower sparkled."
According to Alana, Anthony is not a traditional romantic. "He really pulled it out of the bag to make the proposal extra special for me".
The Venue
Anthony: We decided to get married on Alana's father's property Moondyne Country Convention Centre in the stunning Lower Chittering Valley, Western Australia. We wanted a rustic country style wedding and the venue was perfect.
Alana: We had spent Easter there in 2013 and loved the burnt and rural Australian countryside. When we first threw our wedding ideas on the table we both agreed we wanted the wedding to reflect us. An outdoor, rustic, country, three day festival.
Anthony: It was a place we both loved. The trees, the valley views, the dry yellowish brown grass, the Kangaroos. It was a place big enough to fit 83 of us for the long weekend. I'm the last of 10 with over 40 nieces and nephews, so it was a perfect place for us all to relax.
Alana: Bringing 50 members of the Uechtritz clan together in one venue was a great way to unite our families. We got to fill the weekend with some really cool activities.
We had Human Rhythms welcome our 80 guests Friday night. Yoga and clay pigeon shooting on Saturday morning. Kids swam and played hide and seek. We did an easter egg hunt after breakfast on Sunday morning.
It was a magnificent place to spend our festive weekend together, even if it did rain.
The Dress
Alana: When I found my perfect dress I didn't cry or think 'this is the one', but I definitely knew it was the one I wanted.
I had left the dress quite late, so I was on a mission. With less than three months to go I was getting stressed. There was nothing taking my fancy.
Two separate girlfriends told me to go and look in Rachel Gilbert and although her dresses are mostly sequins she had this one dress – The Savannah Gown – that was all lace with a high neckline. That was what I was after. Not too sexy, not too nana. It was just right.
Flowers Make-Up & Photography
Alana: I ordered the flowers myself from Everbloom in Leederville then my mum and aunty did some magic with them. I was blown away with the outcome. I thought my flowers were just breathtaking.
The makeup artist I originally booked didn't show up but she sent someone in her place. She was lovely and I was really happy with my makeup. I don't even know her name or number to thank her.
Maz from Life Photography was just awesome. I saw her advert in Hello May and instantly wanted her to shoot our day. She was out of our price range so I kind of felt disheartened looking for an alternative. Anthony was very cute and made contact with her. He booked her as a surprise for me.
Maz was great on the day, very excited about the rain and came dressed in gumboots. We had quite an adventure going off to get our photos taken amongst the giant boulders on dads property.
Last Minute Nerves
Alana: Strangely, I didn't get last minute nerves. I felt so calm and peaceful. Eerily relaxed. I did get butterflies as we got in the car to travel the three minutes to the ceremony, so I just took a moment to enjoy that feeling. When I saw what the boys had done with the marquee I absolutely beamed! It looked magical and I was in heaven looking about at all the faces I love.
When I finally got phone reception the next day I received the most beautiful message from Anthony that he had text me as he waited for me to arrive.
Anthony: Although I was absolutely exhausted I found a new bank of energy. I was very excited. I felt ready.
Seeing Alana walk down the aisle was like I was in a love story with the most beautiful girl who is kind, caring and everyone adores. It was like floating in the clouds – a magical moment.
I felt this overwhelming sense of comfort. I have never been so sure of anything.
The Wedding
Alana: I can definitely say the wedding was not what I imagined. Much of it did not go to plan.
Anthony came to me in the morning saying we needed to make a call about where we would move our ceremony to – because of the rain. He had been watching the satellite and it didn't look like it was going to clear.
I watched my beautiful friend and nephew Pete build the wedding arch. Then take it down and put it up again in a different spot, just in case we got a break in the rain. I was filled with love and gratitude for him.
Of course, seeing Anthony's delicious face the moment I stepped on to the aisle was the best feeling. During the ceremony I looked into the crowd and saw my friend Jane sobbing. I had to quickly glance away so I didn't join her.
The speeches were also something I will cherish. My dad's loving but nervous speech and the letter mum read from my absent 92-year-old nana. My stepsons heartfelt, humorous and tear jerking speech. My mother-in-laws welcome to the family and the thought of Anthony's dad Alf watching over us all.
Anthony: Alana planned everything to a tee – she had OCD!
We had not considered a wet weather plan as the chance of rain for that time of year was very low. We also thought if it did rain the worse would be a passing shower which would be ok.
Well it rained, we had no contingency plan so the morning of the wedding everything changed. We moved the ceremony which had its own location into the marquee – the same location as the reception. Alana had no idea how we had set up for the reception as it all happened while she was getting ready.
Our photographer loved the weather, she couldn't contain her excitement as we tromped around the property for our photos in the rain.
It turned out really well, the weather didn't dampen the celebrations one bit. A fun filled day with family, friends… And rain.
Wedding Traditions & Superstitions
Alana: My dad walked me down the aisle. We had flower girls and ring bearers. We had a reading, cut the cake, did a first dance. Gee, what traditions didn't we adhere to?
We slept in the same cabin and woke up together on our wedding day. That was a tradition I was happy to break. Anthony and I spend so much time apart because of his work, so I felt we had plenty of credit here.
Anthony: We hadn't planned on a first dance because every time Alana brought it up i'd be silly with some dance moves. She was afraid I'd do the same on the night.
It turned out that my niece's husband surprised us by performing his song 'When You Say Nothing At All' for our first dance which was pretty special. Oh, and I didn't pull any silly moves.
Personal Touches
Alana: I handmade all the bunting. Due to the rain it sadly didn't get to hang in all its glory, but I did admire it throughout the night and it made me smile.
We had a branch we found on the property which we covered in 'Happily Made Monkeys' – each with a guests name attached to them. This is a project that brings Cambodian village women's crafts to the café's and gift stores of Australia.
I bought vintage skipping ropes for the children to play with after the ceremony.
My nephews used dead trees from the property to put up the festoon lighting. God, it looked amazing.
Our food truck caterer Soul Provider were awesome. I cannot recommend Vital and his team higher. Everyone raved about the food so we couldn't have got that one more right.
Delish Ice & Hoffman Mobile Bar
Anthony: Delish Ice and Hoffman Mobile Bar provided the ice pops and bar service.
We were going for a 'country fair' style wedding, so Hoffman fitted the theme perfectly. Surprisingly, they were the most competitive too which really helps when there are so many other expenses to consider. The ice pops were a nice touch too.
Katie went above and beyond for us, which was really appreciated. She even went out and bought the ingredients for our chosen cocktail because I ran out of time due to the weather changing our plans. The cocktail was so good too, such a hit.
A Few Thank You's
Anthony and Alana would like to thank (and recommend) the stand-out vendors who helped make their day extra special.
Soul Provider
Not only did these guys provide the catering for the wedding they catered for the whole weekend too – breakfasts, lunches and dinners from Friday to Sunday. Vitals food was a hit, our guests are still talking about how good it was. We all tried to get him to stay for an extra day but he couldn't due to a prior commitment.
For more information visit soulprovider.com.au
Life Photography
Maz our wonderful, excitable, bubbly photographer was so much fun. She certainly helped make our day in the rain a fun experience. We couldn't be happier with the photos, they are awesome. Getting a good photographer is a must for a wedding.
For more information visit lifephotography.net.au
Her Hand Picked Harvest
They were so helpful and willing to go the extra mile to help us. Their selection of eclectic furniture props were extensive. A one stop shop for everything. I would highly recommend them.
For more information visit herhandpickedharvest.com.au
Are You Planning a Perth Wedding?
For the ultimate vintage wedding experience contact Katie at Hoffman Mobile Bar and Delish Ice today.


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Hello everyone and welcome to Episode Eight of Page Turn: the Largo Public Library Podcast! I'm your host Hannah. Today's library tidbit is brought to us by Pete Summers the President of the Pinellas Genealogical Society.
The Spanish Language Book Review begins at 21:44 and ends at 27:40
The English Language Transcript can be found below
But as always we start with Reader's Advisory!
The Reader's Advisory for Episode Eight is The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon. If you like The Pillow Book you should also check out: The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, The Confessions of Lady Nijo by Lady Nijo, and As I Crossed a Bridge of Dreams by Lady Sarashina.
My personal favorite Goodreads list The Pillow Book is on is Best Books to Read When the Snow is Falling.
Today's Library Tidbit comes to us from Peter Summers. Peter is the President of the Pinellas Genealogical Society. He also maintains the PGS Newsletter and coordinates between the different volunteers, consultants, and with us the library. I'm really happy to have Pete on today.
Thanks again for coming on the Podcast and giving us such great information about PGS Pete. You can find more information about the Pinellas Genealogical Society at the following links:
The Genealogy Tab on the Library's website
Pinellas Genealogy Society Website
Pinellas Genealogy Society Blog
Book Traveler, with Victor:
Hello everyone. My name is Victor and I am the Community Outreach Librarian here at the Largo Public Library. Today I am going to talk to you about a very popular book. Its movie version is currently in theaters. It is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
In short, the book is based on its protagonist Starr. Starr is a sixteen-year-old girl who lives between two worlds: the poor neighborhood of black people where she was born, and her school located in an elegant white residential neighborhood. The difficult balance between the two disappears when she witnesses the shooting death of her best friend, Khalil, at the hands of a policeman. From that moment, everything Starr says about the terrifying night that changed her life can be used as a weapon against her. And the worst part is that she is in the spotlight, putting her life at risk.
Since I read the synopsis of this book in English and saw that it was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, I knew that I would have to read it. It seemed to me like one of those obligatory readings and would be endlessly valuable. In addition, as the months went by, the popularity of this book began to increase and it has ended up becoming one of the biggest young adult books this year in the United States.
Starr is a sixteen year old girl who lives between two worlds: one is Garden Heights, the poor black neighborhood, where she was born and where her family lives. It is where her father has a small shop and where her childhood friends are. Garden Heights is her home, despite its tragedies and dangers.
The other world is Williamson, an institute of high society in the suburbs practically full of white people where Starr and her brothers study. There she has her own friends and a white boyfriend. Most of the time, she leads both lives separated and in each one she behaves differently according to the place where she is.
The parts of the book that show the conflict between the Starr of Garden Heights and the Starr of Williamson's is just one of the sub-plots that appear in this novel. That same plot also affects her parents, her older brother Seven, and her uncle Carlos. Concepts such as home, community, wanting to feel safe (and the guilt of leaving others behind) and personal responsibilities are recurring themes that are being built and developed in a fairly accurate way. It is part of what makes these characters exist, concepts that come into conflict when a horrible tragedy takes them by surprise.
Everything changes when Starr witnesses the violent death of her best friend Khalil by a white policeman. His death becomes national news, but all they use to justify his death is that he is a "thug", which opens the way to the search for justice, with Starr as the only witness. From the tragic event, Starr will be even more pressed between the two worlds and will have to decide whether to say what happened that night or to be silent forever. Whatever decision she makes, the affected side will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to protect their interests.
Starr starts out being neutral, but as the story progresses and after Khalil's death, she becomes brave, but at the same time fears for her life and the lives of those around her. At all times we can feel the pressure that falls on her to be between two completely different worlds, and although she fits almost perfectly in both, it seems impossible to unite them.
This story is a mirror that shows us how a person can find themself between two completely different worlds, that although the logical thing is that they coexist in peace and harmony, they do it with constant confrontations and abuses of power by the police. In addition, it is a reflection of how important activism is, the strength of voices when they unite in the struggle for a just cause and the power we have to stop injustices through our actions. But what we should not forget is that the story of Khalil is real, it is the story of each shot that goes through the body of a black person every time a policeman acts from ignorance, so we should not close our eyes and think that it is fiction, because it is the reality we are living in.
It should also be noted that this book not only focuses on the main plot, but also there are other secondary plots that reinforce it, such as the importance of friendship and love, whatever the color of the skin.
In short, The Hate U Give is a cry of hope and strength for us to fight against those things that should have remained in the past. With a hard and realistic plot, but necessary and powerful, Angie Thomas debuts in young adult literature with a book that goes beyond the paper and brings out the activist in all of us. Without a doubt, one of the most talked about books this year.
Thanks everyone for listening some upcoming library events to keep track of:
December 3 Learn to Make Challah Bread at 6:00pm in Jenkins Room A
December 4 New York Times Online at 3:00pm in Jenkins Room C
December 4 Maintaining a Florida-Friendly Landscape at 6:30pm in Jenkins Room B
December 11 Android Tablets for Beginners at 3:00pm in Jenkins Room C
December 12 Ukulele Workshop – Strum & Sing Jam at 6:30pm in Jenkins Room A
December 15 Might Our Ancestors Have Met at 11:00am in Jenkins Room A & B
Remember the library will be closed December 24 and 25 for Christmas and we will be closing early (at 5:00pm) on December 31st and be closed on January 1st for the New Year.
Have a great month everyone, we hope to talk you again soon.
For everyone interested our intro music is by Break the Bans and the outro music is by Jahzzar, both artists can be found on Free Music Archive.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:06 — 29.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS | More


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Ash From Rainbow Six Siege
Eliza "Ash" Cohen is an Attacking Operator featured in Ubisoft's first-person shooter game Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. Ash's unique ability is being able to wield and shoot the M120 CREM with 2 breaching rounds which will burrow into a surface and detonate automatically.
Ratonhnhaké:ton Kenway
In Assassin's Creed, Ratonhnhaké:ton, adopted name Connor Kenway, is a master assassin active during the American Revolutionary War. Born into the Kanien'kehá:ka tribe, he is an ancestor of Desmond Miles, who goes on to relive the lives of Altair and Ezio.
Jason Brody
In Far Cry 3, Jason Brody is vacationing with friends on the Rook Islands when they're captured by pirates. Following his near-fatal escape, he follows the path of the warrior and develops his skills so that he can rescue those he left behind.
Ajay Ghale
In Far Cry 4, Ajay Ghale is a young Kyrati-American of Nepali origin who returns to his native country to spread his mother's ashes. His mission is interrupted though when his bus is attacked and he finds himself caught between the violent king's royal army and the rebels of the Golden Path.
Aiden Pearce
In the video game Watch Dogs, Aiden Pearce hacks computer systems in order to bring justice to those responsible for his niece's death. Don't let the baseball cap fool you — Aiden is a gray hat hacker all the way.
Ezio from Assassin's Creed II
In Assassin's Creed II, Desmond uses an improved version of the Animus to view Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a nobleman from the late 15th century in Florence. Ezio witnesses the execution of his father and brothers by order of a corrupt official named Borgia and sets out for revenge against him and the Templars.
Altair from Assassin's Creed
In Assassin's Creed, Desmond Miles uses a machine called the Animus to control the actions of his genetic ancestor Altaïr ibn-La'Ahad. Altaïr must keep a low cover while assassinating ten Knights Templar, all while the Third Crusade rages in the background.


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Here, we take a look at the Mud Hero obstacle course race options, and which one suits which individual. What do you want from the Mud Hero race? The first question you should be asking yourself is, "Why am I racing?"
If you're here with a group of friends, looking for a fun day that also gives you a solid workout, then you are probably best suited to participate in the 6K Classic obstacle course race. That said, if you do exercise on a regular basis and are looking for as much of a challenge as you want fun, then perhaps the 10K Ultra is more your speed – but then which race can your friends handle?
If you're less interested in your friends, more interested in making new ones, and are used to running long distances, then the 10K Ultra obstacle course race is probably the right fit.
Finally, if you're at Mud Hero because you are looking to qualify for the Obstacle Course Race World Championships, then the 10K Ultra is certainly what you need: only those that can complete every obstacle in the 10K Ultra course are eligible for qualifying to the OCRWC. Be sure that your run is also timed in order to be qualified.
(Take a look here at our article on How Best to Prepare for a Mud Hero Event)
What are the differences between the two Mud Hero courses?
Besides the obvious length involved in each course (6K Classic versus 10K Ultra), the real difference comes in the number of obstacles set up on each course. There are at least 18 obstacles on the Classic course; whereas there are at least 25 on the Ultra course. (Take a look here at the types of obstacles at a Mud Hero event.)
Typically, the Classic course takes a little over an hour to complete. Some contestants will take about 2 hours to complete the course, but some will also finish it in 30 minutes. The Ultra course, on the other hand, is usually completed in an hour and a half. Generally, contestants will complete it at any time between an hour to two and a half hours.
So which obstacle course race is right for you is really, of course, up to you! Knowing what you're participating for and what your body can handle are the keys to entering the right race for you. But whether you've made a mistake or not in this selection, you are sure to have a fun and rewarding day of obstacle course racing at Mud Hero.
It's a muddy mess of fun that we can't wait to see you enjoy!
Register for the right course for you here.


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Submit an Event
Thanks for submitting your events, camps and classes to our Mami in Miami Family Fun Calendar! We aim to publish all events that fit our criteria within two weeks of submission. We receive many submissions; we process them as quickly again but prioritize events that are happening in the near future. If your event is happening soon and it's still not on our calendar, feel free to email us at calendar@mamiinmiami.
Important: Please search our calendar before submitting to make certain your event is not already there. Contact calendar@mamiinmiami.
We do not guarantee free publication of any event. Events that require payments are also charged a fee. Paid advertising are available for these type of events and we will be happy to send you our Media Kit with More information.


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11 Oct "I Have A Dream" Boulder County Luncheon
Posted at 16:15h in News
Last Thursday marked the "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County's donor luncheon. Smiles, tears and echoing of cheers were in abundance during the meal while both adult speakers and "dreamer scholar" children were brought on stage to share their unique stories. A Spice of Life served over 1,000 meals for attendees to enjoy while listening and soaking in the tales of struggle, triumph and success. It was an honor to serve those who are part of such an incredibly well rounded and philanthropic organization. A Spice of Life is proud to have donated $15,000 worth of food for the celebration. We aspire to work with organizations such as "I Have A Dream" to give back to our community and continue to feed our philanthropic passion.


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I came of age in the early seventies, when people were burning their bras, free love meant have sex with anyone who caught your fancy and white women screamed about being feminists and liberated…there were a few sisters, but mostly white women…anyway…I mostly wore my bra, had enough sense to know that nothing was free and I definitely wasn't going to indiscriminately give away my goodies and have a bunch of brothers talking up under my clothes…well, no…and as to being liberated and all, all the black women I knew were liberated…my grandfather died in 1935, right before social security was a law and my grandma still had seven kids at home ranging in age from 14 to 2 and she fed, clothed and sheltered them all by herself and they turned out pretty good…
And my mama and aunts were all hard working, and in some cases hard partying divas, who raised their kids, handled their business and took no prisoners…they didn't have time to burn any bras or go on any marches…they had jobs to do, children to raise and lives to live…with no expectations from anyone from themselves…and they were all smart enough to know that they liked, loved enjoyed men, but when no man was there, they did what they had to do…LIBERATED…
By the mid-eighties, I was married with two boys and many in my life didn't consider me to be liberated enough, I didn't always have a full-time paying job at that time…though I always worked, part-time, attended college, raised me kids, held the fort down at home while my soldier husband was deployed hither and yon…I didn't give a care what they were saying, they didn't know me or my business…
Since then I have worked and worked hard, forged many careers and gotten a bit more education hither and yon…and I will tell anyone who asks, I love being married, I love my man, am all about family…and I have the option, surely I do of working less hard or not at all but you know what…in my opinion those who could should work…
And as to feminism, I consider myself to be at the front of that line, because I am all about the empowerment of young sisters, telling them to respect themselves and to not allow anyone to bulldoze them into to doing things they don't want to do. Saying no to sexual activity is just as powerful as sleeping with any and everybody, moreso in fact…because it means you are owning yourself and your body…it is precious…
And to this day I will not apologize to those women who think that being feminist is loud or a way of looking, I speak quietly, I love being feminine, having my man rub my feet or open a door for me is a wonderful thing…
I guess I am trying to say that being liberated or any other such label has to be defined by the woman who is living within her own skin and knows what is best for her and those she loves…and that no one, not even other women get to tell her how to be…LIBERATED…
Angelia Vernon Menchan
Angelia Vernon Menchan is an author, publisher and public speaker who owns two publishing companies, MAMM Productions and Honorable Menchan Media. Mrs. Menchan is also a Budget Officer and former Job Corps Counselor. To date she has published twenty-three books of her own work, both fiction and non-fiction and more than eighty ebook novellas on amazon.com. You can access her bibliography on www.amazon.com search words: Angelia Vernon Menchan
Contact information:
Website: http://acvermen.blogspot.com
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Phone numbers: 904 714 2272 904 303 2679
Contact information:
Website: http://acvermen.blogspot.com
Email: email@example.com
Phone numbers: 904 714 2272 904 303 2679
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Is She Liberated?
2 comments:
- Unknown said...
So many young sister don't know what it is to be liberated and free.
I always dance to the beat of my own drum, love having my man put out my chair at the table, Love to work because I want to and not because I am forced to.
I never understand burning the bra thing. Liberated? Yes I am.
Thanks for sharing
- May 27, 2010 at 10:19:00 AM PDT
- Poetic Genesis said...
Wonderful blog! It's validation for us who feel the same way and are usually thought to be just 'going along the grain' of thangs... Every battle is not my battle; especially since I know a little about who I am and who I am not...
Have a wonderful Memorial Day...get you some rest
- May 30, 2010 at 9:19:00 AM PDT
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Can Biochar Improve Rwandan Agriculture? Aid for Africa Endowed Scholar Wants to Know
In a village about an hour outside of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, Jamie Fanous wanted to know if there was a simple way to improve Rwanda's agriculture for subsistence farmers. She had learned about biochar, which converts agricultural waste into a loose charcoal substance that, when added to soil, is thought to provide soil nutrients, hold water, and boost food security.
Fanous, the fifth Aid for Africa Endowed Scholar, and, a graduate student at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, undertook her work in Rwanda with support from the Aid for Africa Endowment for Food and Sustainable Agriculture, a partnership between Tufts' Nutrition School and Aid for Africa.
Fanous said that Rwanda has high rates of child malnutrition and agricultural environmental degradation as well as a declining rate of agricultural productivity. Many small-scale farmers, who are primarily women, struggle to produce higher food yields and healthy foods. Fanous worked on a demonstration farm in collaboration with the U.S.-based Gardens for Health International (GHI) to undertake her research project.
"I was working with biochar—a charcoal-type material made from plant waste through a process called pyrolysis, in which the waste is burned in a process that restricts oxygen. This high-carbon material is believed to improve soil quality and the yields and quality of foods."
Through GHI, local women farmers receive seeds and attend workshops focused on farming techniques, health and nutrition. According to Fanous, amaranth, corn, and peppers, as well as fruit trees are distributed for planting in the women's home gardens.
But Fanous added that this will not be the end of the story. Producing biochar in sustainable quantities within low-income communities may be a challenge. "I want to look into biochar stoves and other solutions for producing it, "she said. "While it will not be the answer to poor soils and low productivity," she said, "it can be part of the solution."
Fanous noted that while undertaking research with limited resources was challenging, it provided real insights into what Rwandans face daily.
Learn more about the Aid for Africa Endowment for Food and Sustainable Agriculture on our website.


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United States District Court, D. Maine
June 28, 2017
ALAN J. PERRY, NINA PERRY, LAURA PERRY, Plaintiffsv.JULIET ALEXANDER AND PETER TINKHAM, Defendants PETER TINKHAM AND JULIET ALEXANDER, Plaintiffs and Counterclaim Defendantsv.LAURA PERRY, Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff
C. Nivison U.S. Magistrate Judge
consolidated matter is before the Court on Defendant Juliet
Alexander and Peter Tinkham's motion to amend their
answers to assert counterclaims. (Motion, ECF No. 128.)
Through the motion, Defendants seek to assert an eight-count
counterclaim.[1] Plaintiffs oppose Defendants' request
citing in part the timing of Defendants' motion.
a review of the parties' submissions and after
consideration of the parties' arguments, the Court denies
the motion.
matter was removed to this Court on August 5,
2015.[2] Following the resolution of
Plaintiffs' motion to remand, which resolution included
proceedings before the First Circuit, the Court issued a
scheduling order that established August 11, 2016, as the
deadline for amendments to the pleadings and designated
October 27, 2016, as the discovery deadline. (Order, ECF No.
32.) After the close of discovery and following the First
Circuit's dismissal of Defendants' interlocutory
appeals (Judgment, ECF No. 84), the Court scheduled the
matter for a final pretrial conference. At the conference,
held on April 7, 2017, the Court scheduled the matter for
trial in June 2017. (Order, ECF No. 99.) On May 18, 2017,
Defendants moved to amend the scheduling order to re-open
discovery, which motion the Court denied. (Motion, ECF No.
104; Order, ECF No. 130.) The matter is now set for jury
selection on July 10, 2017, with trial to commence on July
15(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure permits a
litigant to amend a pleading "once as a matter of
course, " subject to certain time constraints. In the
case of an answer, freedom to amend without leave of court is
permitted within 21 days of the date on which the answer was
filed. Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(1)(A). Thereafter, leave of court
is required, though leave should be granted "freely . .
. when justice so requires." Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a)(2);
see also Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962).
The standard is elevated, however, when the motion seeking
leave to amend is filed after the deadline for amendment of
the pleadings found in the Court's scheduling order. A
motion to amend that is filed beyond the scheduling order
deadline requires an amendment of the scheduling order. To
obtain an amendment of the scheduling order, a party must
demonstrate "good cause." Johnson v. Spencer
Press of Maine, Inc., 211 F.R.D. 27, 30 (D. Me. 2002);
El- Hajj v. Fortis Benefits Ins. Co., 156 F.Supp.2d
27, 34 (D. Me. 2001); Fed.R.Civ.P. 16(b)(4). A court's
decision on good cause "focuses on the diligence (or
lack thereof) of the moving party more than it does on any
prejudice to the party-opponent." Steir v. Girl
Scouts of the USA, 383 F.3d 7, 12 (1st Cir. 2004).
"Particularly disfavored are motions to amend whose
timing prejudices the opposing party by 'requiring a
re-opening of discovery with additional costs, a significant
postponement of the trial, and a likely major alteration in
trial tactics and strategy.'" Id. (quoting
Acosta-Mestre v. Hilton Int'l of P.R., Inc., 156
F.3d 49, 52 (1st Cir. 1998)). It falls to the court's
discretion whether to grant a late motion to amend, and that
discretion should be exercised on the basis of the particular
facts and circumstances of the case. Id.
principal issue generated by Defendants' motion is the
potential impact on the scheduled trial of claims that have
been the subject of protracted litigation. Plaintiffs argue
the proposed amendments introduce new claims, which would
require discovery and thus result in a significant delay in
the trial. Defendants maintain that little, if any, discovery
would be necessary because the proposed counterclaims are
based on events and conduct that are the subject of the
claims that have been litigated throughout this case.
Defendants' arguments are unpersuasive.
proposed amendments add several new claims to Defendant Peter
Tinkham's counterclaim, [3] and add a new counterclaim
plaintiff (Defendant Juliet Alexander). The proposed
amendments thus include additional substantive claims,
another claimant, and claims for additional damages. The
amendments would undoubtedly result in further discovery and
a notable delay in the trial. In addition, most, if not all,
of the facts upon which Defendants rely to support their
counterclaims were known to Defendants for many months and
years prior to the filing of the motion to amend. Defendants
have not offered a compelling reason for the timing of their
request to assert the counterclaims. Under the circumstances,
Defendants have not demonstrated good cause to amend their
answers to assert additional counterclaims at this late stage
of the proceedings.
on the foregoing analysis, the Court denies Defendants'
motion to amend their answers to assert additional
[1] Defendants filed two separate proposed
amended answers. (ECF Nos. 128-1, ...
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A collection of restaurant related news from all over South Africa
Twankey Bar - One of 10 handpicked Cocktail Venues to host SA Cocktail Week 2017
29 September 2017
Twankey Bar is one of ten handpicked cocktail venues in Cape Town to host SA Cocktail Week in 2017.
The Twankey Bar, which is part of the luxurious Taj Cape Town hotel, is spearheaded by Cape Town Mixologist, AJ Snetler, winner of numerous mixology awards and custodian of the decadent, crafted cocktail menu.
Using intriguing cocktail-making methods from wood-chip smoking and blazing to teapot brewing, every ingredient is freshly made on the premises: every infusion, syrup and garnish is made from scratch.
The Twankey Bar also serves the finest Cape wines, sparkling wines and a selection of locally-produced craft beers.
SA Cocktail Week information:
The week-long summer festival showcases the vibrant local cocktail community. This year's event will see 10 of Cape Town's top cocktail venues go head to head in the spirit of winning the best in categories such as Most Loved Cocktail Bar, Top Bartender, Most Enthusiastic Brand Ambassador, The People's Favourite Brand and most of all Best Signature Cocktail.
Date: Saturday, 4 November 2017
Time: 16h30-22h00
Venue: The Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village, Green Point, Cape Town
*All events attendees must be 21 years of age to participate. ID will be checked
Phase 1: R250 – Sold Out
Phase 2: R300
Phase 3: R350
Webtickets link: www.webtickets.co.za
Facebook: SA Cocktail Week
Twitter: @SACW_sip
Instagram: @SACW_Sip
Website: www.sacocktailweek.co.za
Official hashtag for 2017: #SACW17
The Twankey Bar
Cape Town Central, Western Cape Asian, Cocktails, Contemporary, Cosmopolitan, Fusion, International, Light Meals, Tapas
Housed on the corner of Wale and Adderley Streets in Cape Town, The Twankey Bar is in indeed a rare find in the historic part of the city. The bar's update is strongly influenced by pro...


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Takata Corp. has agreed to pay $71.3 million to settle antitrust charges filed by United States federal prosecutors over price fixing on seat belts sold to carmakers, the company has revealed. The proposed settlement is the latest in an investigation by antitrust enforcers in several countries into price fixing on over 30 types of vehicle parts -- seat belts, radiators, windshield wipers, air-conditioning systems, power window motors and power steering components. Twenty companies and 21 executives have already agreed to plead guilty in the US. The companies have also agreed to pay $1.6 billion in fines. Gary Walker, a Takata executive in the US, previously agreed to plead guilty to price fixing. Walker agreed to serve 14 months in US prison and pay a $20,000 criminal fine, the US Justice Department disclosed in September. Walker was director of sales when he retired from Takata on July 31, 2012, the company said in a statement.
The price fixing case will see Takata chief executive Shigehisa Takada take a 30 percent cut in his compensation, the company said, adding that other directors will take a 15 percent cut.
According to Takata, it will incur an extraordinary charge of around $72 million (JPY 7 billion) against its earnings in the July-September period. It currently sees a net profit of JPY14.5 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2014. In September, the Justice Department disclosed that nine Japan-based companies had agreed to plead guilty and to pay almost $745 million in fines for their roles in conspiracies to fix the prices of parts sold to US carmakers.


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Week 1 Hope
Isaiah 2:4-5
We are a people of hope living in the world with anticipation of how God would desire for it to be. Our participation in this desire of God always draws us closer to Him and brings it closer each day.
The scripture points out that He will settle disputes between nations and people. Not the power of our armies, or the strength of our weapons. The true judge will render that unnecessary, for both his judgement and justice will be true and final.
The repurposing of time, energy, and resources will move us from death to life. Swords used for killing will now be turned into plows for tilling the earth to plant crops and sustain life. Spears turned into a means to provide life.
Nation will not need to train and study war anymore. Training for what is no longer necessary. Not need to become efficient in the art of death, destruction, power, and might.
Come people of God, let us walk in the light of the Lord. We have walked in a way for so long it seems like it is just "the" way of the world. Nations must be prepared to fight and defend. While other nations carry that on to conquering and expanding their borders and influence. When the righteous judge of nations comes to us it will no longer be necessary to study war anymore.
When the Lord comes, we will walk in the light of the Lord. Yes, come quickly Lord that we may walk in your light.


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Greenwich Senate candidates spar over guns
GREENWICH — Gun control has emerged as an issue in the race for the State Senate between incumbent Republican L. Scott Frantz and Democrat Alexandra Bergstein.
The two have gone back and forth over Frantz's record on gun laws during the past two weeks, including in a competing Op-Ed and paid advertisement in Greenwich Time. Bergstein has said Frantz attempted to weaken gun law reforms which were put in place after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Frantz says he was strongly invested in those laws and making them appeal to a bipartisan Legislature.
Speaking during a Democratic candidates' panel on gun violence last week, and writing in a Sept. 27 Op-Ed, Bergstein said Frantz had attempted to weaken the Sandy Hook reforms and what is known as the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, which prohibits the possession and purchase of firearms by those subject to temporary restraining orders.
Bergstein said Frantz tried to pass "strike amendments" to undermine the legislation.
"These actions reveal Scott Frantz's true allegiance," Bergstein wrote in her Op-Ed. "He stands with pro-gun Republicans and will sacrifice our safety for political gain."
Bergstein pledged her commitment to strengthening existing laws and fighting attempts to weaken them.
Frantz responded in an Oct. 7 ad in which he wrote there is no such thing as a "strike amendment" and that he had no idea why she would make up the term.
There is such a thing as a "strike all-amendment" but that would have entirely gutted the bill, Frantz said, adding he had no interest in doing so since he helped craft the legislation as part of the Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety Task Force. Frantz said he was "charged with helping to craft a bill that would not only include the strongest gun laws in the country, but one that would receive bipartisan support."
Bergstein said on Tuesday she chose the term "strike amendment" deliberately.
"When I researched Scott's full record on gun safety, I learned that the kind of amendments he introduced and voted for when the bipartisan bill came for a vote on the floor are referred to in the Senate as 'killer amendments,'" Bergstein said. "As the term suggests, the intention of such amendments is to delay, derail or kill a bill. I purposely chose not to use this term because I felt it was inflammatory and disrespectful for an Op-Ed on gun safety."
Bergstein added she felt the amendments Frantz introduced were "not intended in any way to strengthen the bill or draw more support" because there were bipartisan votes against all seven of the amendments and the final bill had "overwhelming bipartisan support."
On Wednesday, Frantz again took issue with Bergstein's interpretation of what happened, saying there is no such thing as "killer amendments."
"There's nothing like that at all," Frantz said. "There's no killer amendment or strike amendment. I don't think she understands how it works. There is a strike all amendment but there's no reason I would use that on my own bill. This is something I put my heart and soul into to make sure it was bipartisan. Why would I want to kill my own bill? That makes no sense."
In his ad, Frantz said Bergstein was "trying to mislead" the voters "in a dangerous way" about his record. Frantz voted in favor of both the post-Sandy Hook reforms and the Lori Jackson bill.
Frantz said the amendments he offered were designed to get that bipartisan support because sport shooters, like himself, felt shotguns didn't need to face additional restrictions. He also tried to carve out 22 caliber guns, which are used by Boy Scouts and, Frantz said, not a safety issue. Another ammendment would have limited magazines to 17 rounds, instead of the approved 10, because professional security guards "were begging on their knees" for him to push larger clips as a safety precaution, he said.
"Since I never heard from Ms. Bergstein when we were working to pass this legislation, this appears to be a new issue for political gain for her and it is revealing that she would be spreading misleading information," Frantz wrote.
Frantz said that he felt the closing weeks of the election would be more about economic issues in the state.
"We're trying to get them to focus on the elephant in the room which is Connecticut's fiscal crisis," Frantz said. "We made some progress with our bi-partisan budget, but if we don't get the right people back up in Hartford, we could be facing some very serious problems in the not-so-distant future."
Bergstein said she believed many issues would be on people's minds.
"I think voters deserve more credit than that," Bergstein said. "In all of my conversations, they express concern about the real issues that face Connecticut and how they affect them and their families."


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On their trip to Poland, Regina and Pat take in two important cities of Europe: Warsaw and Krakow. This is an old culture and country, and there are many examples of its past and current glories, including three restored palaces that represent one of Polish history's most powerful kings. Krakow, "The City of the Dragon,"…Watch Now >>
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Aclara opens new Headquarters for International Operations in Bilbao, Spain and new facility in Cambridge, UK
ST. LOUIS, May 15, 2017 – Aclara Technologies and its Affiliates, including Aclara Meters (collectively "Aclara"), leading suppliers of smart infrastructure and metering solutions to electric, gas and water utilities, have taken a significant step to support their growing international businesses with the opening of a new headquarters for international operations in Bilbao, Spain and a new office in Cambridge, United Kingdom (UK).
It encompasses all product lines with an emphasis on the electric and water sectors, and is home to Aclara's center for developing meters that comply with IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) requirements. The state-of-the-art facility also features a full support meter development test lab on site. Located nearby, a second facility is dedicated to meter manufacturing and logistics.
The Cambridge office supports Aclara's expanding business and its technical support team in the UK. The facility is the hub for rolling out smart meters to Aclara's energy customers and the growing smart grid sensor business that serves distribution network operators in the UK, as well as Aclara's growing gas and water business in Europe.
"These developments are an important aspect of our transformation into a new Aclara, as we strategically expand our global reach in Europe and other parts of the world, and increase the breadth of our offering to span game-changing, end-to-end solutions for electric, gas and water utilities around the world," said Allan Connolly, Aclara's President and Chief Executive Officer.
Aclara, which serves more than 800 utilities globally, has been aggressively growing its business in Europe and other parts of the globe.In December 2015, Aclara acquired the electric meters business operating within GE Energy Management's Grid Solutions subdivision and in August 2016 Aclara purchased the award-winning grid monitoring platform from Tollgrade Communications, Inc., which includes smart grid sensors with Predictive Grid® Analytics software.
Demand for smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) that harness the power of leading-edge software continues to accelerate around the world. An example is Europe 2020, the European Union's growth strategy that addresses sustainability. As part of this initiative, the majority of EU member countries have agreed to roll out gas and electricity smart meters to 80 percent of the population by 2020 and 100 percent by 2022. In the UK alone, the government is encouraging utilities to complete installation of 53 million smart meters by 2020.
These EU regulations in electricity and gas smart metering pave the way for national policies to include smart meter solutions for water utilities. Other specific water meter and non-revenue water reduction mandates in some markets also support water smart meter development. With the drive to decrease non-revenue water, water meter deployments across Europe are expected to increase by 28% from an installed base of 11 million meters by 2026. In the UK alone, the smart water metering market is forecasted to grow 12% over the next five years.
The UK has also taken the lead as Europe's fastest-growing solar market, set to double its use of renewable energy to meet its 2020 carbon reduction goals. Achieving this goal will necessitate that Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) increase grid edge intelligence and agility in the distribution network to manage renewables intermittency, shifting loads, capacity constraints, and bidirectional power flow.
"As utilities around the world seek smart solutions to propel them forward into the future, Aclara is ideally poised to bring best-of-breed solutions to distribution operators that will benefit from our technological edge and deep experience," Connolly noted.
About Aclara
Aclara Technologies is a world-class service provider of smart infrastructure solutions (SIS) to approximately 800 water, gas, and electric utilities globally. Aclara offers a robust end-to-end solutions portfolio including meters and edge devices to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), headend and consumer engagement software, installation services, provision of labor and data analytics to equip operators with the actionable intelligence needed to manage their distribution networks. This comprehensive suite of products and services provides a single point of contact to address the needs of Aclara's utility partners from initial planning to implementation and beyond. In 2017 Aclara won a Frost & Sullivan Global Smart Energy Networks Enabling Technology Leadership Award and was named a finalist in three categories of the 2016 Platts Global Energy Awards. Aclara is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners. Visit us at Aclara.com, follow us on Twitter @AclaraSolutions or read our blog.
Aclara Media Contacts:
Nancy Talley Ann Seamonds
Aclara Seamonds & Company
440-528-7287 978-764-5528
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Pew Research Center recently released a report showing that Americans have difficulty distinguishing facts from opinions. Jeffrey Gottfried, Senior Researcher at Pew Research Center, told Bold TV they conducted the study to answer "concerns about whether facts and opinions have become increasingly blurred in today's news media environment." Gottfried said the results showed that Americans have "a bit of a challenge with this basic task." The study also revealed "large differences" among population groups, including political parties and education levels. For example, researchers found "Republicans and Democrats were more likely to classify both factual and opinion statements as factual when they appealed most to their side." Mairead McArdle, National Review reporter who covered this study, also weighed in.
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