This was the monthly info sheet sent to me from the fine folks at Cornell, as always some very interesting info.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Charlottesville, VA & Ithaca, NY——“BirdsEye is the best invention for birding since binoculars,” says Kenn Kaufman, renowned birder, author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America and team member of a partnership that has created BirdsEye, a new birding app for the iPhone® and iPod touch®. “It’s like having thousands of local birding experts in your pocket,” Kaufman says. The application was developed by Birds in the Hand, LLC, of Virginia, and brings together content from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, theAcademy of Natural Sciences, and Kaufman. BirdsEye is now available on the App Store℠

If you are in search of a particular bird, BirdsEye will show you where it has been observed, and even give you directions. If you are new to birding or an experienced birder who is on the road, BirdsEye will give you a list of birds seen nearby and a map of birding hotspots for any location in North America (the contiguous 48 states, Canada, and Alaska). The application includes images and audio for the 470 species most frequently observed in North America. Additional content is available for more elusive birds—for a total of 847 species. Bird sounds come from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library archive, the largest collection of bird and animal sounds in the world. Images are from the VIREO collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Acclaimed birder and author Kenn Kaufman wrote text for each species account—with a specific goal in mind.

“Even when you’re in the right location, it helps to know something about the bird’s behavior and habitat in order to find it,” says Kaufman. “Will you find this bird in flocks up in the treetops, or solitary individuals lurking in the thickets? Are you likely to hear it before you see it? I wrote each of these short accounts as if I were giving advice to a friend who was hoping to see this bird for the first time.”

BirdsEye provides real-time access to bird observations submitted to the eBird database at the Cornell Lab. eBird, a joint project of the Cornell Lab and Audubon, receives 1.5 to 2 million bird observation reports each month from birders all over North America. Ability to submit observations to eBird directly from BirdsEye is already in the planning stage.

“It’s amazing to have instant access to all the birds reported to eBird within a 30-mile radius of your location,” says eBird co-leader Brian Sullivan at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Anyone can step off a plane, turn on their iPhone or iPod touch to see what’s been reported, target the locations showing the best birding potential, and head into the field!”

“Our goal is to give people more great birding opportunities,” says Todd Koym, leader of the programming team and the person who first envisioned the power of building an iPhone app based on eBird. “BirdsEye is a means to an end–with the end being seeing more birds.”

Team member Pete Myers, former senior vice president for Science at the National Audubon Society, as well as a former Audubon board member, says, “BirdsEye combines iPhone ease and elegance with some of the most trusted and authoritative names in birding, helping make everyone’s birding experience richer and more fun. Experienced birders get a quick heads-up about opportunities to add birds to their life list. Beginning birders can quickly discover nearby hotspots to go birding.”

Portions of BirdsEye sales go back to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to help support its research, education, and citizen science projects focused on birds, and to the Academy of Natural Sciences to support VIREO, the world’s largest collection of bird photographs.

More information:

• BirdsEye: www.getbirdseye.com
• iTunes App Store: http://itunes.com/app/birdseye
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: www.birds.cornell.edu
• eBird: www.ebird.org

Contacts:

• Todd Koym, Birds in the Hand, LLC, (434) 327-8533, tkoym@birdsinthehand.com
• Kenn Kaufman, (419) 957-7790, kenn.kaufman@worldnet.att.net
• Brian Sullivan, eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (609) 694-3280, bls42@cornell.edu
• Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu

Get a load of this story

A Brooklyn Heights small business owner faces thousands in fines — even though she only posted one thing on a Court Street lamppost.

The owner of Sketch & Hammer, Susan Hager, freely admits that she taped an envelope containing 15 of business cards for her custom deck and garden design firm on that lamppost back in April.

But that’s where it gets interesting, read on and take note

Oh no, oh yeah: Consumers Expect Poor Customer Service says Forrester http://ping.fm/Ixohn

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A few years ago I did something that changed my life. It wasn’t massive, and it’s not the be all and end all, but I made an awful lot of friends and re-learnt a skill that I love.

I decided to re-acquaint myself with the Tarot.

OK, there are knockers out there; I’ve heard it all so don’t bore me with messages telling me how we are fake/charlatans/deluded etc. Each to his own.

I decided after years of wanting to learn properly to look for some way of studying to read the cards. I’d had one really good reading a few years earlier and a really bad one that made me laugh with its text-book card meanings and witchy paraphernalia – I knew just as much as the “witchy-woman” did and knew I could read the cards properly with a bit more experience. Needless to say I didn’t take her up on her offer of lessons in “how to set up an altar”!

So, I happened to be trawling the internet one day, a bit bored and just typed Tarot into that well known search engine…and found the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI). I’d heard of them after watching Jane Goldman’s series, one of which dealt with Tarot reading, and thought that if she could do it so could I. They had (and still do have) an on-line training course for beginners, (at this time available to non-members) so I entered my name as a potential student. Then I put it to the back of my mind. And got an e-mail to start the course a few months later.

It’s proper study and it’s not for those with already full timetables, but throughout the course duration I really got to know the cards and love them. My mentors were wonderful and the exercises make you think. And then I did my first e-mail reading and had a crisis of confidence. How the hell does it work? How can reading a deck of cards come up with such information? Is it all make-believe and self-delusion? I actually scared myself and went too deep into the process behind the reading of Tarot. But after reading Brian Bates “Way of Wyrd”  it actually made sense (the author put my own thoughts into words) and the worry just melted away. So I carried on and passed the course, and loved every minute of it.

I wasn’t really prepared for what came next though….without the course I wondered how I would keep up and not lose my skills, so I joined TABI as a member. At first it was a bit daunting, the Association used Yahoo groups to communicate back then and although I’m not backwards at coming forwards I was a bit shy when it came to “talking” to people. There was at the time a certain amount of sniping among members…I’d actually joined at a time when TABI was going through a rough patch, but I jumped into the fray anyway. And before I knew it I had enrolled on their Endorsement process and was taking my reading to the next level, reading for clients through TABI’s Free Reading Programme. This is where we carry out three-card Tarot readings for clients who ask for readings through the website; throughout the process we are mentored to make sure that our reading is of the appropriately high level demanded by TABI. We work to highly ethical standards and do not make predictions. Again I worked my way through the process with a wonderful mentor and eventually became an Endorsed reader for TABI.

But it didn’t end there, I’m also now the Editor of TABI’s monthly e-newsletter “Tracker” which is available for both members and non-members on a subscription basis…you subscribe and every month Tracker will hit your mail box (I’d like to have it making a card shuffle noise as it does so, but for now you’ll just have to imagine it).

See I said it changed my life. One random decision has made me a fully-fledged Tarot reader, who writes a newsletter and makes up spreads for others to use. Most of all joining TABI has made me some wonderful friends all around the world – it may be the Tarot Association of the British Isles but membership is open to everyone whatever their location. Whenever you see the TABI logo, you know that you have found someone who is dedicated to ethical readings, and someone who is part of one big Tarot reading family.

Oh there’s another thing I forgot to mention….I now have a certain addiction to Tarot decks. But that’s another story!

If you want to know more about TABI just pop along to the website www.tabi.org.uk

Bloomberg – The association that sets standards for the $605 trillion privately negotiated derivatives market is creating a committee to improve the way it governs itself as the industry seeks to fend off the toughest of regulations being debated by U.S. lawmakers.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association will start the committee to oversee market reform efforts, to act as liaison to regulators and “to ensure no undue dominance or preponderance on the part of any given firms,” according to an 11-page document posted on ISDA’s Web site yesterday. About one third of its members will be from investment-management companies, with the rest from derivatives dealers.

Congress is debating legislation that may restrict trading in the contracts, which are used to protect against losses from or to speculate on everything from interest rates to oil. ISDA has fought proposals that would force companies to post cash to cover trades and push over-the-counter trading onto regulated exchanges or exchange-like systems.

“They’re attempting to preserve the OTC market,” said Robert Claassen, a partner and derivatives lawyer in Palo Alto, California with Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. Improving the market’s structure and governance may help to deflect “rules that could potentially wipe out the OTC derivatives market,” he said.

About two-thirds of the ISDA Industry Governance Committee’s membership will be from dealers including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG, with the other third coming from investors such as hedge funds, asset managers and insurance companies.

Three Tiers

The committee will represent the top layer of a three-tier approach to governing the market, ISDA said in a statement. Steering committees overseeing four asset classes — interest rates, equities, credit and commodities — will make up the second tier. Two other steering committees will oversee collateral and operations issues. Implementation groups, representing the third tier, will carry out the agendas set by the committees, ISDA said.

“By emphasizing such a structure, the industry believes it can represent both sell- and buy-side interests in a cohesive and comprehensive manner to the regulatory community,” ISDA Executive Vice Chairman Robert Pickel said in the statement. Pickel was replaced Nov. 30 as ISDA chief executive officer by Conrad Voldstad, a former Merrill Lynch & Co. executive who earlier headed JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s first global swaps group.

More

Montreal Daily Star, 17 March 1886 page 4

St Patrick’s Day

The procession to St Patrick’s Church and the services there.

Shortly after nine o’clock this morning the various Irish societies of this city assembled at the corner of Craig and St Alexander Streets.  Here they formed in the following order for the march to the Church.

John Kennedy, Marshall in chief

Band-Banner

Hackmen’s Union of Montreal on horseback

Congregations of St Gabriel and St Henri- Bad; flag.

St Gabriel’s Young Men’s Society- flag

St Gabriel Mutual temperance society

Congregation of the Parish of St Anthony- Band-Flag

Young Men’s Society of St Anthony- flag

Congregation of St Mary’s of the Christian doctrine

Christian Brothers’ pupils of St Bridget-Band; O’Connell Banner

Mutual total abstinence society of St Bridget’s

The pupils of the Christian Brothers of St Ann’s

Congregation of St Ann’s Parish- band; flag.

Society of the holy family- Band: flag.

St. Ann’s Young Men’s Society- band: flag.

Young Irishmen’s Literary and Benevolent Society- Band: St Ann’s banner

St Ann’s total abstinence and benevolent society

The pupils of the Christian Brothers’ school of St Lawrence Street

Congregation of St Patrick’s- band; flag

Irish Catholic Benevolent Society- music; flag

Catholic Young Men’s Society- band; banner

St Patrick’s Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society- St Bridget’s banner; band and banner

St Patrick’s Society- The mayor, invited guests and clergy

St Patrick’s Church is said to hold 8000 persons.  When the processionists and their friends were in, the church was filled to the doors.  The body of the church was very tastefully decorated with a multitude of green and white banners.  In the chancel the various shrines were ablaze with incense burning in many colored glasses.  Beautiful hot house flowers also abounded and gas jets and lighted candles.

A solemn High Mass was chanted by His Lordship Mgr Fabre.  Rev Father Leibfritz, CSSR officiated as assistant priest and Rev Fathers S~~~~ of St Gabriel’s Church and Donnelly, of the Bishop’s Palace, as honorary deacons, Rev Father Fitzpatrick as deacon, and Rev Father Rodrigue, as sub-deacon.  Among other clergy present were noticed Rev Fathers Dowd, Lonergan, Bray, Schleghing, Laliberte, Orban, Degnire, Ripoche and Trole.

The musical portion of the service (Mozart’s Twelfth Mass) was sung under the direction of Professor Fowler by a choir of seventy voices with full orchestral and organ accompaniment.  The principal soloists were Messrs WJ O’Hara, JP Hammell, J Heenan, FJ Green and MM Cloran.  During the offertory the choir sang the “Sancte Pater Patrick” adapted to the music of Ireland’s national anthem.

Rev Father Licking CSSR preached the sermon.

After mass the procession reformed on Radegonde street and marched ~~~~  ~~~~ streets, St James, Place d’Armes Square, back by Craig street and Victoria Square to St Patrick’s Hall on McGill street. 

Among those who attended mass the following were noticed: J McAfee, president, and P Walsh, secretary of the Hackman’s Union, J O’Neill, president and, and J Coller, secretary, St Gabriel’s Mutual Temperance Society, J Coffey, President and J Farrell, Secretary Young Men’s Society of St Anthony, M Loughman and D Keily, Secretary St Ann’s Catholic Young Men’s Society, D Macdonald, President and JJ Manning, secretary St Bridget’s TA and B society, E Halley, President and WJ Hinphy, secretary Young Irishmen’s Literary and Benevolent Society; P Reilly, President and J Hagan secretary, St Ann’s TA &B Society; A Jones, President and Jos McCann, secretary, Irish Catholic Benevolent Society; PF McCaffrey, President; and JH Neville, Secretary, Catholic Young Men’s Society; E Murphy, President and JJ Costigan, secretary St Patrick’s TA & B Society, and D Barry, President and S Cross, secretary St Patrick’s Society.

The route of the procession was gaily decorated with the bunting of all nations, green and white largely predominating.  Two very handsome evergreen arches were also erected one near St Mary’s Church on Craig Street and the other near the CPR depot on Notre Dame Street.

Dec. 5: Southwest Writers Holiday PotLuck Party and Meeting, New Life Presbyterian Church, 5540 Eubank, NE, Abq., 10am-12 noon; all welcome. Rob Spiegel, (505) 275-2556, robspiegel@comcast.net, www.southwestwriters.com

Just in case you missed it yesterday….

My only question is how much did Gregg Larson pay this guy? ; )

I kid…I kid!

Montreal Daily Star, 26 January 1886, page 4

Burns Anniversary

A most successful celebration at the Windsor Hotel- Rev Mr. Barclay delivers an eloquent address upon Burns- Speeches by the President, Mayor Beaugrand and others- the musical programme

The falling snow last night did not check the enthusiasm of the Scottish citizens and their friends, and the celebration of Burns’ anniversary, arranged by the Caledonian Society, proved a success in every way.  Those entrusted with the arrangements this year made quite a departure from the usual style of celebration by combining a concert and at home, and an informal dance, and their efforts were rewarded with all the success due to their untiring exertions.  The meeting was held in the Windsor Hotel, and for some time before the commencement, the rotunda was gay with arriving guests, who gradually made their way to the large dining room.  Precisely at 8 o’clock the sound of the bagpipes announced the approach of the President and guests, who at once took their places on the platform.  The President, Lieut-Col Stevenson, wore the full Highland costume, and was supported by Mayor Beaugrand, Ald Stroud, President of St George’s Society; Mr D Barry, President of St Patrick’s Society; Mr Wm Hutchinson, President St Andrew’s Society; Mr Wm Dupuis, President of St Jean Baptiste Society; Mr McLeod Stuart, President of the Ottawa St Andrew’s Society; US Consul Anderson and others.

The President, in

Opening the meeting

Said that in view of the long and interesting programme, his remarks would be very few.  The Caledonian society was the oldest pioneer athletic association in the city, and he was pleased to see that its friend, Col Fletcher, was present with them this evening.  Its primary objective was to keep up the old Scottihs games, but its constitution provided for the celebration of St. Andrew’s Day and the anniversary of the birth of their national poet, Burns.  After alluding to the kindness of the Rev J Barclay for the address which he had prepared, and thanking the Young Men’s Reform Club for adjourning their meeting so as not to clash with this one, he asked the band of the 66^th to play.  The band then played a selection of Scotch airs, and were loudly applauded.

Mrs Olivia Campbell-Schafer, of Albany, NY sang “Robin Adair” so acceptably that she was recalled and gave “Bonnie Scotland.”

Mr S Sackville Bain received a great deal of applause for his rendering of “There was a lad.”

Next on the programme was a violin solo by Miss Blanche Loeb, a young lady not yet in her teens, but whose execution was very ~~~~ her performance was frequently interrupted by applause, and she had to yield to the determined demand for an encore.

Mrs Schafer’s second song was “Whistle and I’ll come tae ye” and she was thoroughly successful in this most difficult song.

After Mr Bain had sung, “a man’s a man for a’ that,” the chairman called upon the Rev J Barclay to give

An address upon Burns

The reverend gentleman was received with applause, which broke out again and again during the progress of his eloquent oration.  He alluded to the celebration of Burns’ birthday all over the world, Scotchmen in every quarter of the globe uniting in thus honoring their national poet.  Only lately had a bust of the ploughman poet been placed in Poet’s Corner in Westminster, contributions having been received from his countrymen all the world over.  The early ambition of the poet had been to do something for his native land, to “sing a song at least,” out how little did he realize how well he would succeed.  There are some who look upon him only as a drunken sensualist, but with these we have no sympathy, preferring to judge the man by his own kind pitying eye.  And this without palli~~~g his sins and follies, but rejecting the narrow minded judgement which looks only upon the dark side of his character.  Like David, the life of Burns showed many a slip and sin, but like David, his repentence was sincere and his humiliation deep.  His devotion to duty was shown in the way in which he performed the work, which was toilsome and distasteful to him.  His loyalty was strong, but tempered with his feelings of friendliness to the working people, whom he perpetually tried to benefit.  Truthfulness was

Written upon his face

And his hatred of hypocrisy was seen in his “Holy Fair” and other writings.  His poverty did not touch his independence, while his admiration of genius in others was unsullied by any trace of selfishness.  If his  creed were not strictly orthodox, yet his faith in immortality was a living one.  His writings were many and varied in style, and full of pathos, of fire and of power.  But his great success was due to the “Spark o’ nature’s fire,” that underlay and shone through all his works.

After the applause which followed the address had subsided, the rest of the programme was given, and in response to many calls, Mayor Beaugrand was called upon by the chairman.

His Worship said that the common opinion of his fellow countrymen was that Scotchmen made admirable business men but did not understand how to amuse themselves.  Any of his compatriots who were present this evening would be disabused of that idea.  He had been much puzzled, while learning English, by the curious Scotch language, but later he had learned more of it and could appreciate it better.

When the musical programme was finished, the band struck up a march and the guests were conducted to the ladies’ ordinary where a very elegant repast was spread.  When this had been duly enjoyed, a return was made to the large room where dancing was kept up until midnight when every one went away thoroughly pleased with the evening.

Arch for St Jean Baptiste day, Montreal, 1884

Montreal Daily Star, 24 June 1885, page 4

St Jean Baptiste

~~~~  

~~~~~

(From our own reporter)

St. John’s, Que, June 24.  The French national celebration here to-day was a fair success in every way.  Trains from Montreal brought in about 4000 visitors, which is far from being the 35, 000 expected by the Society.  The town was very elaborately decorated, several magnificent arches being erected, and all the streets being tastefully lined with evergreens and maple boughs.  High Pontifical Mass was chanted at ten o’clock by Mgr Fabre, assisted by Rev Messrs Plamondon, of Lacolle; Charbonneau of St Armand; Chagnon of Champlain; Moreau of Montreal; and Gravel of Montreal.  Rev Mr Belanger, one of the vicars here, preached a very eloquent sermon.  He contended that patriotism and religion should live side by side, and the true love for the mother country is inspired by religion alone.  He recalled the high deeds of their French Canadian ancestors, and concluded by affirming that he was certain that now that all present had, at the foot of the altar, given new vigor to their faith, they would live a life of right and be rewarded with eternal bliss.

The Procession

After mass the trades procession was formed.  It was a very elegant one and elicited much favorable comment.  It contained a historical cavalcade, similar to the one in Montreal last year, together with the Harmony, Farnham, Burlington, Malone, St Albans, and St Johns bands twelve allegorical wagons and representatives from the different French Canadian societies of Farnham, Burlington, Malone, St Albans, Montreal, St Hyacinthe, Sherbrooke and St Johns.  Among the persons present from Montreal were Mayor Beaugrand, Ald Mount, Hon H Mercier, Messrs JY Emard, Chas H Guimond, C Curry, D Gagnon, A Lamalice, Jos. Leclerc, A Deschamps, A Lemieux, R Beulac, and Rev Messrs Rouleau and Dugas of Montreal, Blanchard of Malone, and Cloarke of Burligton.

The Speeches

After the procession speeches were delivered from the City Hall square, and at three o’clock a grand promenade concert was given by the City and Harmony bands of Montreal.  At six o’clock a grand banquet is to be held in the City Hall, and several of the prominent orators of the day are to deliver speeches.  The day’s celebration will be concluded by a display of fireworks on the common adjoining the military school.  To-morrow a regatta and horse and foot races and general sports will be indulged in.  Lt-Col D’Orsonnens received the guests desiring to visit the Military Schools, and was kind enough to place at the disposal of visitors several of his men.  Many availed themselves of the opportunity.

Une trentaine d’associations humanitaires se sont données rendez-vous pour une “nuit solidaire“ à Paris vendredi dernier, dans le but d’exhorter le gouvernement à agir face à la crise du logement.

Pour la seconde année consécutive, des artistes se mobilisent pour cet événement festif, qui se veut aussi un lieu “d’alerte et d’interpellation” sur la violence de la crise du logement. Le chanteur Cali,  entre autres, a répondu à l’appel d’Emmaüs, de la Fondation Abbé Pierre, du Secours catholique ou d’ATD Quart Monde…

D’autres “nuits solidaires” sont prévues pour la première fois à Marseille, Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Cahors et Tarbes.

Un aperçu de cette nuit.

]]> http://instrumentsignpost.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/pact-again/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:17:52 +0000 instsignpost http://instrumentsignpost.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/pact-again/

Roadshow tours Germany
PACTware live training: breaking down the the barriers of proprietary configuration tools

Last year the PactWare Roadshow visited Ireland and was a great success. The Read-out account was entitled Fota opportunity, an appalling pun on the venue on Cork’s famous Fota Island.

The famous PACTware Wall

In several workshops, a live-operation multi-vendor demo wall featured numerous application examples, showing first-hand how commis-sioning, operation and maintenance can be considerably facilitated and speeded up using only one single tool for all communication and field devices via HART, PROFIBUS and Foundation Fieldbus protocol. Several discussions made clear that PACTware is assessed as being on the right track breaking down the the barriers of proprietary configuration tools and delivering the true value of devices

Montreal Daily Star, 29 February 1884, page 3

Gaelic

Rev. Dr. MacNish, the President, occupied the chair at the monthly meeting of the Celtic Society last evening.  Papers were read by Mr. Greig on the Britons, and Mr. JK Ward on the Isle of Man, its history, people, language and literature. An English translation of the Gaelic poem composed in honour of the formation of the Society was recited and also an original poem on the Falls of Niagara.  Professor J Stewart Blackie has given a copy of his “Language and Literature of the Scottish Highlands” to the Society and in a letter accompanying the gift the great author writes:- “ I am sorry that I can do nothing except send you one of my books which I do with great pleasure.  It is dispatched with this.  With respect to the Scottish Highlanders, MacKillop (the bard of the Montreal Society) is quite right- they are, in a great measure, to blame for not getting the Gaelic taught in the schools.  But they are over-ridden by strangers; fashion deludes and necessity compels.  They call their own language “common and unclean” (Acts X, 14); and whosoever presents himself to be kicked in this world, will surely get kicks enough.”

sudouest.com, Sébastien Darsy, le 28 Novembre 2009

ÉCOLOGIE. Un collectif de 26 associations béarnaises organise un sit-in permanent au centre-ville, dans une yourte jusqu’au 18 décembre. Son but : faire signer aux élus et habitants un « Ultimatum climatique »

CocliPau pousse sur le pavé palois

Une famille mongole aurait-elle décidé d’installer sa yourte cours Bosquet ? Que nenni. La tente, montée mercredi, est occupée depuis par des militants écologistes béarnais de tous poils. Leur objectif, par le biais de ce « symbole mongol signifiant le lien entre la terre et le paradis », est de relayer l’appel de l’Ultimatum climatique, lancé par un collectif d’associations écologistes de France et d’ailleurs (lire ci-contre) à l’intention des chefs d’État qui se réuniront du 7 au 18 décembre à Copenhague pour tenter d’endiguer le réchauffement climatique.

Fait inédit, en Béarn, 26 associations (lire par ailleurs) ont décidé, pour l’occasion, de se regrouper au sein du collectif CocliPau. L’idée est partie de l’un de ses porte-parole, Éric Cazenave-Tapie, natif de Pau, géologue… et « simple citoyen ». « J’ai pris connaissance de l’Ultimatum climatique et j’ai décidé de fédérer plusieurs associations locales, résume-t-il. J’ai alors contacté Sébastien Lamy de Greenpeace Béarn qui a été séduit par l’idée ».

Engagements drastiques

Le collectif oloronais pour la décroissance, (Gédeol), le Comité catholique contre la faim, la Sepanso Béarn, la Maison de la nature et de l’environnement de Pau et bien d’autres appellent les citoyens à se rendre à la yourte pour signer la pétition en faveur d’engagements drastiques contre les rejets de gaz à effet de serre responsables des catastrophes naturelles à venir (sécheresses, canicules, tempêtes…).

Des groupes de quatre personnes se relaieront en permanence pour les accueillir. Un sit-in rendu possible grâce à la yourte, copie quasi conforme de celle des habitants de Mongolie. Un habitacle relativement confortable, bien isolé et spacieux autour duquel des concerts et conférences sont prévues, histoire d’animer le lieu.

Cette occupation de l’espace public n’a rien d’illégale. Les militants ont traité avec les services techniques de la mairie qui leur a accordé cet emplacement, à côté du musée des Beaux-Arts. Au grand regret de Sébastien Lamy, de Greenpeace Béarn, qui aurait souhaité établir le « campement » sur la place Clemenceau, agora incontournable du centre-ville de Pau option « qui ne nous a pas été accordée ». « S’ils n’ont pas eu la place Clemenceau, se justifie de son côté la mairie, c’est parce qu’elle est occupée à partir du 4 décembre par les animations de Noël. »

Par ailleurs, le collectif regrette ne pas avoir traité directement avec la maire de Pau… élue qui ne fait, pourtant pas mystère au sein du Parti socialiste de ses préoccupations environnementales mais qui selon la mairie est fort occupée en ce moment.

Pain-bénit pour les élus ?

Les politiciens locaux, justement, sont concernés au premier chef par l’Ultimatum climatique relayé par CocliPau. « Pour porter haut et fort notre message en Béarn, spécifie Éric Cazenave-Tapie, le CocliPau transmettra par courrier ou en main propre un communiqué à l’ensemble des maires et des présidents de Communauté d’agglomération de Pau-Pyrénées, du Conseil général et du Conseil régional pour qu’ils signent la pétition de l’Ultimatum climatique. » Une initiative qui pourrait néanmoins se révélait être du pain béni pour les élus en mal de légitimité écologique. Ceux qui ont soutenu l’incinération, l’autoroute Pau-Bordeaux, le maintien du Grand Prix de Pau, l’agriculture productiviste, la création d’un nouvel axe Pau-Oloron seraient alors les mêmes qui appelleraient à limiter la pollution atmosphérique ? « C’est avant tout une question de valeur symbolique qui va faire évoluer l’opinion, se défend Éric Cazenave-Tapie. Et puis, l’engagement porté par l’Ultimatum est très contraignant : il s’agit de réduire de 40 % les rejets de gaz carbonique en 2020 par rapport aux émissions des années 90 ». Du coup, complète Xavier Bouchet, président de la nature et de l’environnement à Pau « ceux qui auront signé l’Ultimatum et qui feront par la suite le contraire seront facilement repérés ! ».

Mais « c’est sûr, il y a des disparités entre élus locaux, note cependant Jean-Marc Capdebosq, membre de Perseüs éco-énergie (association qui promeut l’habitat écolo). Il ne suffit pas de mettre quelques panneaux photovoltaïques sur le toit du Zénith, si d’un autre côté on promeut les autoroutes… »

L’Ultimatum climatique des 26 assos

Lancé notamment par WWF, Greenpeace, Action contre la Faim, la Fondation Nicolas Hulot et les Amis de la terre, l’Ultimatum climatique s’adresse aux chefs d’État qui se retrouveront à Copenhague le 7 décembre pour lutter contre le dérèglement climatique.

« Il faut impérativement stopper la croissance des émissions mondiales de gaz à effet de serre d’ici à 2015 avant de les faire décroître, y est-il écrit. Pour ce faire, les pays industrialisés, doivent s’engager à réduire leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre d’au moins 40 % d’ici à 2020 par rapport à 1990. » Les membres de CocliPau adhèrent à ce constat.

Le collectif béarnais est composé des associations suivantes : Greenpeace, Marché bio de Pau, Maison de la nature environnement, JurAMAPon, Gédéol, Santé & écologie, Amap Pau Tiron, ATTAC 64, Association de sensibilisation aux problèmes de l’environnement, WAO (association humanitaire étudiante), Comité européen pour la protection des animaux, Comité catholique contre la faim, Bureau de développement durable, WWF, Eco Mission 64, Les Amis de la Terre 64, Ligue des droits de l’homme, Terra ma Terre, Terre et humanisme, Perseüs Eco Énergie, Emmaüs, Collectif 21, AKARID (Aider à rompre l’isolement), Asso-cje (Coteaux de Jurançon et environnement) et GFAM Béarn.

When in trouble, whether it’s over a sinking economy, a highly unpopular health care plan, terrorist attacks on our own soil, climategate, spending us into oblivion, and countless other instances of fraud, deceit, and failure…

CREATE A DIVERSION! Enter: Tareq and Michaele Salahi… AKA “The Party Crashers”.

“Party Crashers” had five-year relationship with Obama before state dinner
Article: Canada Free Press

While the big gun media and American Secret Service are out there investigating “party crashers” Tareq and Michaele Salahi, no one’s telling the truth: Obama knew the Salahis when he was still an Illinois senator.

Polo Contacts Worldwide could make it easy for the investigating Secret Service by brown-enveloping them this picture:

Oh my God. He’s holding a Gobson Les Paul. It says “ROCK THE VOTE”. This disgusts me.

Hey Secret Agent Man, here’s Obama, the senator flashing his pearly whites with Randy Jackson, better known as a judge on American Idol. “Others pictured are Black Eyed Peas Rock Band; Tareq Salahi the President of the America’s Polo Cup; President Elect Obama, Fergie from Black eyed Peas and Michaele Salahi, posing this time as a former Miss USA and SuperModel.”

Interesting little detail for White House gumshoes: As the above photo was published in June 2005, Barack Obama was still Senator Obama and not the President Elect.

And with Michaele Salahi yesterday having been caught out—Facebook pompoms notwithstanding—as a bogus cheerleader for the Washington Red Skins and not a model for Victoria’s Secret as claimed, Canada Free Press (CFP) leaves it to FoxNews.com to find out if she ever was a “former Miss USA”.

We do know for a fact that among the slew of memberships on charitable boards, Tareq Salahi is a former member of The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP). The only way to know for a fact is because even though ATFP scrubbed all references to Salahi as a board member, he can still be found on Google cache. (Canada Free Press)

Sad that White House Secret Service are looking like Keystone Kops in the aftermath of Obama’s very first state house dinner in the tent.

Google has a thing for scrubbing anything that might shine a negative light on BHussein. They even removed the term “climategate” from their drop down search menu. It was there several days ago.

While the media is fixated on the hitch in Michaele Salahi’s git-along, there can be no doubt that these recently minted “party crashers” really get around.

We take you back to June 9, 2005 when Tom Nelson, operating officer of AARP, was summing up the Rock the Vote Awards night. According to the Washington Post “everyone from Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama to “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson and R&B singer Mya gathered in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall:

“You were probably wondering, as you sat down at your table, ‘What the heck is the AARP doing in a Rock the Vote Event?’” Nelson noted.

Time would soon tell that the AARP would show up in other fishy places.

And if there is anyone who must know that this weekend’s party crasher story is a crock it’s John McCain who was at the Vote Awards Night, and who along with Barack Obama, was honored with the Rock the Nation Award, Obama “for forming a multiracial coalition in winning his seat”.

McCain was handed his award for “his work on campaign finance reform”. “Just call me Funk Master McCain,” he told the audience of 1,000 in accepting his award.: (washingtonpost.com, June 9, 2005.

Hey, McCain. How about you stop cheezin’ it up over an award and tell BHussein how to work on a GODDAMN BUDGET. Yeah, I get it. Fat chance.

Meanwhile, don’t know why Obama’s long time associates possibly could be mistaken for party crashers when they came into the tent with a Bravo Reality TV Show “Real Housewives of DC” professional camera crew and makeup artist in tow unless he was hoping for a Reality gig for wife Michelle, CBS celebrity Katie Couric or Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Well, at least they didn’t use their child as a tool in order to get a spot on a Reality TV show. We ALL remember BALLOON boy. Fucking idiots.

Obama could end the “party crasher” goose chase for White House Secret Service in a proverbial New York Minute by coming clean on his almost 5-year-old social/political relationship with Tareq and Michaele Salahi.

It could save money in these recessionary times and put an end to the drama of Washington’s “unprecedented” first state dinner in a tent.

Wait; did THIS CanadaFreePress journalist just use “Obama” and “save money” in the same article? COME ON, NOW.

sudouest.com, César Compadre, le 29 Novembre 2009

LANGON. Girondins, Landais, Basques ou Lot-et-Garonnais, ils étaient 1 800 hier à manifester contre les futures LGV

« La vitesse, c’est dépassé »

De mémoire de Langonnais on n’avait vu une manifestation telle dans la sous-préfecture du Sud-Gironde. Certes, nous étions loin des 10 000 mécontents rassemblés à Bayonne le 17 octobre, mais les anti-LGV ne désarment pas. Au contraire, ils s’organisent.

C’est en effet l’épineux dossier des futures lignes à grande vitesse ferroviaires devant desservir le Sud-Ouest qui a mobilisé hier matin. Le tronçon Tours-Bordeaux (ouverture à l’horizon 2016), mettant la préfecture girondine à deux heures de la capitale ; comme les lignes Bordeaux-Toulouse et Bordeaux-Espagne, espérées vers 2020.

Mais sans attendre que « les bulldozers soient à l’ouvrage dans les salles à manger », et maintenant que des hypothèses de tracés sont dévoilées, le marteau-pilon des critiques était de sortie.

Des nombreux élus en tête de cortège aux fédérations de chasseurs, des écologistes aux associations de défense de l’environnement, des riverains des futurs tracés envisagés aux citoyens se disant engagés, ce fut une surenchère de propos plus durs les uns que les autres pour rejeter les futures lignes à grande vitesse voulues par la plupart des grandes collectivités locales et des acteurs économiques.

Le désert rural

« Écoles et postes ferment dans nos campagnes transformées en désert et on dépenserait des milliards pour quelques minutes gagnées entre Bordeaux et Toulouse ? Aménageons les voies existantes », plaidait le responsable de Très Grande Vigilance en Albret, association récemment créée en Lot-et-Garonne.

« Ce n’est pas un refus parce que les rails passeraient chez nous. Nous avons des contre-propositions pour repenser nos manières de vivre : la vitesse, c’est dépassé », a argumenté le maire de Landiras (33). « La France n’a plus les moyens de ses ambitions et le Pays basque serait défiguré par une nouvelle ligne », analysait un médecin d’Ascain (64) portant la banderole du Collectif des associations de défense de l’environnement (Cade). Après la réception d’une délégation par le sous-préfet, deux mobilisations sont annoncées : le 23 janvier à Hendaye et le 27 février dans le Lot-et-Garonne.

Some questions have come to my attention in regards to pool replastering procedures.

Q: When replastering a pool is it best to remove all the plaster or leave it?

A: 

The cost vs. benefit of removing all the existing plaster is more usually the overriding factor. Normally, the plaster would only be removed around fixtures and fittings and, if the waterline tile is not being replaced, a band about 3-4 inches below the tile is removed. This allows the new plaster to transition to these areas without being troweled too thin. The existing plaster should be examined for hollow spots and any delaminated areas removed as well.

In preparing the rest of the existing finish for recoating there are several alternatives. In each, the goal is to provide a rough surface for the new plaster to adhere to. Acid etching the plaster with muriatic acid will roughen the finish and using an acrylic boning agent in the new plaster is a common practice. Acid etching however presents the problem of disposing of the used acid. Sand blasting is another means, though it can be as expensive as the replastering itself. A growing trend is to pressure wash the existing plaster and apply a scratchcoat or precoat. Scratchcoat is a modified masonary product that bonds tenaciously with the existing finish and provides a rough finish for the new plaster. For more information please visit our website at: Pool Remodeling 

“As Pas de Loup” Independent non-profit making organisation, staffed by volonteers aiming to make as wide an audience as possible aware of the importance of safeguarding the environment.

Montreal Daily Star, 3 November 1886, page 3

The Caledonian Concert

A most successful entertainment in the Queen’s Hall- A Select programme of music and speeches by Hon. Mr. Thompson and others.

The thirty-first annual concert of the Montreal Caledonian Society in celebration of the time honored season of Hallowe’en was held last night in the Queen’s Hall which was filled to the doors with an audience which applauded every number of the excellent programme which had been prepared.  As usual at these concerts an air of friendship seemed to pervade the entire assembly and make all present feel thoroughly at home.  Shortly after eight o’clock the Society’s piper, Mr William Greig, marched on to the platform, playing a lively air, and was followed by the President, Col Stevenson (in Highland costume), Mayor Beaugrand, the representatives of the sister societies and a large gathering of invited guests, among whom were noticed Messrs MH Gault, MP; JJ Curran, MP; Villeneuve, MPP; John S Hall, MPP; Mayor Fell of Victoria, BC; US Consul-General Anderson; Redlere of St. George’s Society; -Thomas, of the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society; Donald Macmaster, QC, MP; RD McGibbon; R Dagleish; James Wright; Andrew Robertson; Rev. Canon Ellegood; Rev. Robert Campbell; Rev. Mr Jordan and a number of ladies.  Several of the Caledonian Society’s officers occupied seats on the platform.  The President Col. Stevenson, opened the entertainment with a short speech in which he welcomed those present and assured them of the desire of the society to cater for their amusement in the best manner possible.  He referred to the deaths of several noted Scottish vocalists and in particular of Mr. Kennedy, the sweet singer who so often delighted Montrealers.  He also spoke with regret the absence of the Rev. Dr. Stevenson, who was attending a final meeting of the members of his congregation.  The Colonel remarked that he had personal reasons to regret the reverend gentleman’s departure from the city, owing to the fact of their being namesakes, but added that Rev Dr Stevenson would be a Stevenson wherever he was and would

Do Credit to his Name.

The first song given was “McGregor’s Gathering,” by Mr JL Johnston, who also sang “Mary of Argyle” and “Scotland Yet.”  Mr Johnston has a pure tenor voice, of full compass and much sweetness, which he keeps well under control.  His style is finished, and he was warmly-applauded.  Miss Florence Forbes followed with “O Whistle and I’ll Come tae ye, my lad,” and responded to a recall with “Bonnie Prince Charlie” with a ~~~ and sweetness of intonation and expression which fairly captivated her hearers.  She has a soprano voice of richness and power, which was heard to great advantage.  She also gave “Doun the Burn Davie lad” and “Caller Herrin”.  Mr JJ Dawson, tenor, of this city, sang “Maid o’ the mill,” “O Nannie, wit thou gang wi’ me” and “Kathleen Mavoureen.”  The first, however, was his best effort.  Mr Cathcart Wallace, the Scotch violinist, is a new arrival here, having come out from the Land o’ Cakes only a short time since.  His style is good and his execution faithful and correct.  He performed Mayseder’s German air in F with variations, and “Recollections of Scotland” in a masterly manner.  Mr. William MacLennan, the champion Scotch dancer, gave a Highland Fling (and on being recalled, a Chantrews), Bucalossi’s waltz “Mia Cara” and “Parazoti”, for which he attired himself in a peculiarly fancy dress, described in the programme as “French costume,” a sailor’s hornpipe and also selections on the hairpipes.  Mrs T Charles Watson, who is ever a favorite with Montreal audiences, gave the recitations, “Cuddie Doon,” “Story told by an Engineer,” and to a recall, a “Description of a steeplechase.”  It is needless to add any praise to this charming lady’s many enthusiastic tributes, as to do so would be like an attempt to paint the lily.  Miss Seymour, a Montreal contralto, sang “Bonnie Sweet Bessie” and “Land o’ the Lead,” in a very pleasant manner.  A feature of the evening was a Scotch Reel and Highland Fling, by the little ones, Jessie and Wm Milne and Frank and W Stewart.  Mr. Herbert Patton acted as accompanist.

The event of the evening was, of course, the address by the Hon Mr Thompson, Minister of Justice, who was introduced by the Chairman.

Hon Mr Thompson

The Hon JSD Thompson, Minister of Justice, made a most eloquent speech which was warmly applauded by those present.  In referring to the old Hallowe’en legend of spirits roaming about under the influence of a spell, he said that the President had exercised a spell upon him and brought him from Nova Scotia to address them.  He said: “I will ~~~ my remarks to two points, first to deliver a message, and secondly to say a few words of humble advice.  I come to you with a message of kindness and Scotch fellowship from 150,000 brethren in Nova Scotia whose hearts are warmly beating for their countrymen here and all through our great Dominion.”  The Hon gentlemen then spoke of the enthusiasm that pervaded the Province with regard to Scottish character and traditions, the language, poetry and legends of “Auld Scotia” still being faithfully adhered to and venerated by the people.

He then spoke of the benefits derived from membership in the Caledonian and other kindred societies, the English and Irish societies of Canada.  “They have fostered among our people the love of home, the love of kindred, and the love of all that is bright and ~~~~ in the literature of the land of our fathers.  (Applause)  But they have done more than that.  They have developed brotherly love and brotherly charity wherever they have been organised.  I am sure it is with you in Montreal as is with us in Nova Scotia that these national societies enable the Englishman to help his brother Englishman, the Irishman to extend the helping hand to his fellow countryman in need, and the Scotchman to greet with warm heart and outstretched hand his brother Scotchman, aye, and that even the stranger who is not our countryman, is the brother of all.”

He quoted Burns’ remark “that the greatest of all the Divine attributes is to take away the tears from all ~~~” and warmly commended the societies for endeavouring to follow in the same steps.  This advice and suggestions which the learned gentleman gave to his audience were to the effect that as the societies grew in strength in the large cities they should extend their influence all over the country and establish branch organisations in every suitable locality.  He warmly advocated a federation of the kindred societies so that they would be united in the grand work of doing good and uniting the brethren in one bond of loving fellowship all over the Dominion.

Mayor Beaugrand, Mayor Fell and Consul-General Anderson expressed their pleasure at being present and cordially wished success to the Society.  “Auld Lang Syne” was then rendered in the way that only Scotchmen are capable of and the National Anthem brought to a conclusion one of the most successful gatherings the society had held.

cides.chorum.fr, NC, le 5 novembre 2009

Sondage CSA : les associations, des acteurs majeurs face à la crise

 « Les Français, les associations et la crise », tel est le thème du sondage réalisé par l’institut de sondage CSA pour Chorum, le Crédit coopératif et la Maif, et présenté au Forum national des associations et des fondations, le 5 novembre. Les résultats sont probants : les associations sont un acteur majeur pour faire face aux difficultés issues de la crise économique en ayant un rôle social fondamental et de lien social et un rôle important pour le développement économique régional ; elles devraient même relever d’un investissement stratégique dans le cadre de l’emprunt national révèle le sondage.

Dans la première partie du sondage qui porte sur les « associations, acteur social et économique », 68 % des personnes interrogées sur un échantillon national représentatif de 1010 personnes, estiment que « dans la période actuelle, pour agir efficacement face aux difficultés provoquées par la crise », les associations sont les plus efficaces, juste devant les citoyens eux-mêmes (65 %), et bien devant les entreprises (46 %), les syndicats (40 %) et les pouvoirs publics (38 %). Autres volets figurant toujours dans cette même partie : qui sont les acteurs les plus efficaces face à la crise pour le développement économique et social des régions ? Les collectivités locales (63 %) et les associations (63 %) arrivent en tête, l’Etat ne recueillant que 35 % de la confiance des Français ; le sondage approfondit ensuite les points précédents et une nette majorité (76 %) des personnes interrogées estime que les actions des associations en faveur des populations sont plus efficaces et plus adaptées que celles des entreprises, et que celles de l’Etat à 72 % ; dernier éclairage de cette première partie du sondage, il en ressort que dans un contexte de crise, les associations jouent un rôle certain en matière économique, mais elles sont toujours davantage perçues comme un acteur social (81 % dans l’aide aux personnes en difficulté, 79 % dans le maintien du lien social, et 61 % dans le développement des emplois).

La deuxième partie du sondage CSA aborde les « besoins de ressources des associations ». Dans le domaine du financement, une majorité de Français (55 %) considère que les associations n’ont pas les financements nécessaires pour mener à bien leurs missions et seulement 13 % « tout à fait ». Autre question en ce qui concerne l’emprunt national qui sera prochainement destiné à financer des investissements stratégiques, 50 % des personnes interrogées jugent nécessaire que l’on « y intègre le financement direct des associations ». Les deux derniers points du sondage ont trait au financement et à l’engagement des citoyens, 49 % des Français estiment que les associations ont surtout besoin de l’engagement des citoyens ; tandis que interrogés sur leur engagement personnel, ils privilégient en priorité la solidarité en direction de leurs proches (65 %), et une consommation plus responsable (59 %), devant une implication dans une association (28 %).

Pour plus d’informations :

Consultez la synthèse du sondage

Consultez le sondage (version complète 10.5 Mo)

Montreal Daily Star, 11 June 1884, page 3

St Jean Baptiste

The King’s Costume- General News

The rich costume for the king of the cavalcade has just been completed by Mr Beulian.  It consists in an imitation coat of mail made of cloth of gold, with polished steel greaves and elbow pieces.  The surcoat is of white satin with fleur de lys, with the red cross of the crusaders in the centre; the whole being adorned with an embroidery of gold and precious stones.  The belt is of crimson velvet with golden fleur de lys, and supports the sword which is of steel with golden hilt and velvet scabbard.  The regal robe is of blue silk velvet with gold fleur de lys, and is lined with ermine, being fastened on the shoulder by a gold cord finished with a heavy gold tassel.  The king will also wear a splendid gold collar, ornamented with precious stones, and the crown already described will complete his costume.  A movement is on foot to have the fountain on Victoria Square illuminated by calcium lights during each evening of the St Jean Baptiste celebration.

It is proposed to give signals of the progress of the procession by rockets, to be fired at the start, on reaching the east end and west end of the city respectively, and also at the close of the procession.

Mr. Baillarge, of Quebec, who has in his possession the flag of Carillon, has kindly consented to lend it for the day of the procession, the only condition being that while here it shall be deposited in some church or convent.  The old flag will be carried by Judge Chauveau.

The bakers have decided to attend the procession in a body if their employers will allow them to stay away from work on the night of the 25^th.

Hon Mr JC Blanchet, Provincial Secretary, has accepted the invitation to take part in the procession.

Mr. Vincent Lacombe has just completed the design of a splendid arch to be built at the corner of St Catherine and Visitation streets by the citizens of that locality.  This arch, which will cost about $600, will be 60 feet high by 60 feet wide and will form a square facing on both sides of each street.  The structure will be gothic, with four turrets and a large dome in the centre, on the top of which will be placed a large statue of St Jean Baptiste.