The Early Church in America
African American women played pivotal roles in the development of the North American Church. With nothing left to lose, they spoke with boldness and often served without recognition. While their stories are not prevalent, their influence is immeasurable. Tracing their history is not without difficulties. What follows is a collection of their stories traced throughout early North American history how the Church was and is influenced by their bravery.
In the 1700’s the early North American Christianity began to long for its own identity. For too long, Europe imposed what Christianity should look like. It was time for the New England Church to grow up and move out. The early Puritan movement found itself in chaos and slowly declining after leaving the Church of England to become a “city on a hill.” More and more, American Christianity turned westward while turning its back on the east.
Puritanism had indeed encountered a dark night of the soul and the need for revival was growing. The Great Awakening, North America’s first revival, began in the early 1730s; lasting over a decade. Later, the Second Great Awakening, occurring in the early 19th century, led to revival camp meetings where the Spirit of God fell upon many. Charles Finney, a revivalist, created “revival rules” that in part opened up the floodgates for slaves and women to be a part the established church movement. Although, the Spirit has been moving far before.
The Second Great Awakening made way for the camp meeting. “Those attending the camp meeting responded with conversions— and sometimes with spectacular spiritual manifestations, Contemporaries claimed that when people were overtaken by the Holy Spirit, they engaged in all sorts of bizarre behavior, ranging from involuntary contortions (called the “jerks”) and ecstatic singing to falling down and the “barking exercise.” The unfettered spiritual enthusiasm of the Great Revival provided a king of nascent equality on the frontier: everyone, including women and slaves, was equal before God.”
The charismatic movement created room not only in the pews, but also behind the pulpit. Those who had been without voice in society began to find their voice by preaching the gospel. Slaves, women, and other minorities found a place in which they were seen and heard; the Church. Yet it is important to also note: “The Second Great Awakening attracted black people because the emotive style resonated with their African spiritual heritage and the multiracial worship, in which some revivalists openly agitated against slavery. Yet again, openness to spiritual inclusiveness did not always translate to social inclusiveness.” Simply put, everyone got along as long as it was inside church events. This created a compartmentalization that is still in existence today.
Nevertheless, the pulpit was opened up to the brave minorities and the voiceless who chose to take it, including African American Women. While it is impossible to tell every story, we will start with a few.
Julia heard the voice of God calling her to preach the Gospel at a young age. She was so convinced that despite the disapproval of her pastor, parents, and husband she began holding services in her own home. She was the daughter of former slaves and was born in Schenectady, New York in 1823. Though she sought ordination early on in life she was denied. Six years before her death and after a long preaching career she received ordination a deacon in the AMEZ church. But she was never in ministry for the recognition or the title. She preached so often she ended up losing her voice and took a break from preaching to take care of her dying mother. She did not return to the pulpit for eighteen years. Yet, her presence only grew. After she returned, it is documented she preached to an audience of over five thousand at a holiness meeting in Lodi, Ohio.
After her amazing comeback, she asked her pastor Rev. Jemiel Beman permission to continue to preach. Instead of supporting her, he barred her from preaching and excommunicated her from the church. Unfazed, Julia continued on preaching despite lacking denominational and public support. She not only preached the gospel message, but also spoke out against racism and sexism. She was one of the first black women to speak out against sexism so blatantly. Julia empowered other women to consider the calling to preach; though many were fearful to accept it. Two of my favorite quotes by her:
“ Sisters shall not you and I unite with his heavenly host and this grand chorus? If so, you will not let what man may say or do, keep you doing from doing the will of the Lord by using your gifts you have for the good of others.”
“When Paul said, ‘Help those women who labor with me in the Gospel,’ he certainly meant that they did more than to pour out tea!”
Julia showed what true perseverance in the face of adversity looks like and demonstrated true courage. She also recognized that women need to empower other women. They are not competition, they are teammates.
Amanda Berry Smith
The Holiness movement created a “rich field for gifted black itinerant preachers to ply their vocational calling without being tied to the pulpit of a traditional congregation.” Moreover, the traditional church setting would have never allowed a black woman behind the pulpit. And so the camp meeting liberated the black women. The charismatic outbreak of the spirit bent the rules. The “no creed but Christ” mentality opened doors for many. They now had a voice and a few women chose to use it. One of those few was Amanda Berry.
“Amanda Berry was born into slavery at Long Green, Maryland. She was married in 1854 to Calvin M. Devine and her conversion followed two years later. After her husband died in the Civil War, she moved to Philadelphia and married James Smith, an ordained deacon at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. After visiting Green Street Church in Philadelphia, where she heard John S. Inskip, a prominent Wesleyan holiness leader, preach, she testified that she had received her sanctification there. Following the death of her second husband in 1869, she traveled as a holiness evangelist, becoming a popular speaker in many churches and camp meetings. Smith’s friendships included prominent holiness and prohibition movement leaders such as Hannah Whitall Smith and Frances Willard.”
Smith was one of the most well-known Holiness Evangelists and was known to address white congregations as often as she did black. Not only that, but she also began to travel internationally and became the first black woman to work as an international evangelist. Her travels took her across the world to India where she held large “camp-style” meetings where she preached the Gospel. “Her ministry in India was curious not only because she was a woman minister within this highly male-dominated culture but as also a black former slave within a highly stratified caste system.” An already oppressed woman went to an even more oppressive environment to preach the Gospel. Her incredible boldness led her into rooms where everyone would stare blankly at her. She would stand behind the pulpit knowing most did not want her to speak. Yet, she preached on….knowing God had called her to those hard places.
She later worked in Liberia and Sierra Leone to help establish temperance societies. Throughout her travels she earned the nicknames “The Singing Pilgrim” and “God’s Image Carved in Ebony.”
She was not supported everywhere she went, however. Amanda Berry Smith would not take no for an answer. Her missionary work was supported primarily by donations from friends and supporters. Despite her attempts, she was never ordained/appointed by her AME Church, despite her major contributions to growing the movement. Many opposed her as female preacher and missionary and were not hesitant to tell her so. Several judged that she was compelled to preach to white people. She often struggled with bouts of depression and her call was often lonely and uncelebrated. Today’s modern woman can certainly relate.
Ida B. Wells
The Second Great Awakening certainly ushered in a new spiritual realm of authority for black women. However, it never really translated into positional authority. As educational requirements for clergy grew and the revival movement simmered down so did the the black woman’s voice; at least, behind the pulpit. Women started to find their voices outside of the church speaking into social reforms. Since there was not space within the walls of the church, black women chose to rise and shout from the rooftops.
Maternal piety was at an all time high and the allure of the “cult of domesticity” for women was rampant. Gender roles grew more distinct and women grew in volunteerism. While men were are work women became involved in social clubs and bible studies. These type of gatherings led to the temperance movement of the early nineteenth century opened doors for women to lead at a civic level. Enter, Ida B. Wells.
She was born a slave prior to the Civil war. When she was fourteen, both of her parents were killed by an outbreak of yellow fever. She rallied the family together and supported them through teaching and continued her education at Rust College. From an early age she took on the role as caretaker.
While riding a train she was asked by the conductor to give up her seat and moved her to the “Jim Crow car” When she refused to move she was removed from the train. When asked about the event she shared, “I refused, saying that the forward car [closest to the locomotive] was a smoker, and as I was in the ladies’ car, I proposed to stay. . . [The conductor] tried to drag me out of the seat, but the moment he caught hold of my arm I fastened my teeth in the back of his hand. I had braced my feet against the seat in front and was holding to the back, and as he had already been badly bitten he didn’t try it again by himself. He went forward and got the baggageman and another man to help him and of course they succeeded in dragging me out.”
She filed a suit against the railroad company that went before the Supreme Court. After going through a devastating and long trial process that eventually was overturned she began to write and fight for justice for women and people of color. She began writing for newspapers telling her story.
A few years later three of her friends were lynched: Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell, and Henry Stewart. She bravely spoke out against the crime and ended up leaving town as she encouraged her readers to do as well, as it was unsafe for any person of color to stay. “In Chicago, she helped develop numerous African American women and reform organizations, but she remained diligent in her anti-lynching crusade, writing Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases. She also became a tireless worker for women’s suffrage, and marched in the famous 1913 march for universal suffrage in Washington, D.C. Not able to tolerate injustice of any kind, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, along with Jane Addams, successfully blocked the establishment of segregated schools in Chicago.” She also was passionate about her last name. When she was married her wedding made the front page because she did not take her husband’s name.
While the suffragist movement was primarily white, Ida B. Wells found her voice at the table. She was one of the first women to speak out against the explicit racism that still existed despite the 1875 civil rights act. She was only twenty-five when her career as an activist began and she led masses to speak out against racial tensions and sexist propaganda. If there was not a seat at the table for Ida, she simply created one.
Anna Julia Cooper
Another suffragette (among many other titles) around the same time was Anna Julia Cooper was born in 1858 to her enslaved mother Hannah Haywood. At the early age of nine, she petitioned to take classes traditionally only taught males. It should be noted that she got into the private school on a scholarship. As well, she protested that preferential treatment was given to boys for the ministry. From an early age, Cooper understood education to be the key to a black woman’s freedom. She continued her studies earning an a bachelor’s degree and an M.A. in mathematics in 1887. She went on to earn her doctorate at the University of Paris, making her the fourth black woman to receive such a high degree. All the while, she was teaching and raising five children. When she was asked to speak to the predominately white World’s Congress of Representative Women in chicago in 1893 she shared,
“The colored woman feels that woman’s cause is one and universal; and that not till the image of God, whether in parian or ebony, is sacred and inviolable; not till race, color, sex, and condition are seen as the accidents, and not the substance of life; not till the universal title of humanity to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is conceded to be inalienable to all; not till then is woman’s lesson taught and woman’s cause won–not the white woman’s, nor the black woman’s, nor the red woman’s, but the cause of every man and of every woman who has writhed silently under a mighty wrong. Woman’s wrongs are thus indissolubly linked with all undefended woe, and the acquirement of her “rights” will mean the final triumph of all right over might, the supremacy of the moral forces of reason, and justice, and love in the government of the nations of earth.
Anna Cooper not only fought for educational rights for women and African Americans, but she also joined the suffragist movement. She lived to be 105, living through slavery, the Civil War, the women’s movement, lynchings, segregation, and the revived feminist movement of the 60’s.
I am forever grateful to have learned these stories. I hope they inspire each of you to deepen your voice and commitment to listen to the voices often silenced. That is often where Jesus speaks the loudest.
“Anna Julia Cooper’s Biography – Anna Julia Cooper Center.” 2012. Accessed February 25, 2017. http://ajccenter.wfu.edu/about-anna-julia-cooper/.
Alexander, Estrelda Y and Estrelda Y. er. Black Fire: One Hundred Years of African American Pentecostalism. Downers Grove, IL, United States: Inter-Varsity Press,US, 2011.
Balmer, Randall. Evangelicalism in America. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2016.
Blair, Elizabeth. “‘Hidden figures’ No More: Meet the Black Women Who Helped Send America to Space.” December 16, 2016. Accessed February 20, 2017. http://www.npr.org/2016/12/16/505569187/hidden-figures-no-more-meet-the-black-women-who-helped-send-america-to-space.
Burrow, Rufus. Development of Womanist Theology: Some Chief Characteristics. n.p., 2015. http://place.asburyseminary.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1307&context=asburyjournal.
Custard, Orange. “Bio.” June 8, 2016. Accessed February 25, 2017. http://www.christenacleveland.com/bio.
Evans, Christopher. Histories of American Christianity. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2013.
Finke, Roger, Rodney Stark, Professor Rodney Stark, and Professor of Sociology Roger Finke. The Churching of America, 1776-2005 00 Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy. 2nd ed. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2005.
H, Gerald. “Smith, Amanda [Berry] (1837-1915).” March 20, 2013. Accessed February 25, 2017. http://www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/r-s/smith-amanda-berry-1837-1915/.
raswhiting, Peggy Brown, Gail Wallace, Hreen Sahan, Bev Murrill, ibdiva 0821, and Harriet Reed Congdon. “Home.” February 3, 2014. Accessed February 25, 2017. http://juniaproject.com/5-black-women-every-egalitarian-know/.
Williams, Terrie M. Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting: Real Talk for When There’s Nowhere to Go but up. New York: Scribner Book Company, 2008.
“Biographies.” Accessed February 25, 2017. http://digital.nypl.org/schomburg/writers_aa19/biographies.html.
“Ida B. Wells-Barnett(1862-1931) and Her Passion for Justice, Black Women, African American Women, Sufferage, Women’s Movement, Civil Rights Leaders.” Accessed February 20, 2017. http://people.duke.edu/~ldbaker/classes/AAIH/caaih/ibwells/ibwbkgrd.html.


When writing your narrative, you should consider Elie Wiesel's account in Night and Gerda Weissman's story in One Survivor Remembers. Pay attention to the "voice" of these narrators. You can also read, listen to, and watch other survivor stories in the links below.
SEVERAL SURVIVOR STORIES
Gerda Weissman, One Survivor Remembers (scroll down for film)
AUDIO survivor stories
Holocaust Education & Archive Research Team: Survivor Stories (print text)


Dining & Dancing in the Dark 2017: Guest Reservations and Sponsorship information available
You had a blast last year, or you've really been meaning to come to the Bond Hotel and be a part of it. Don't put it off. Reserve your seats now and assure your spot at Hartford's most glamorous fundraising event. It's intimate, it's rowdy and it supports Connecticut's only radio reading service for people who are blind.
Dining and Dancing in the Dark will be held April 29, 2017, 5:30-10:30. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Click HEREfor more information and to reserve your seats.
Ronni Zoback of Tolland sat in the back of a conference room with a dozen other teachers. "Has anyone here heard of CRIS Radio?"
Ronni's hand went up, and when pressed, she told her story. Hear it HERE.
We are so happy to be making a difference!
Jonathan Slifka, Gov. Malloy's tireless liaison to the disability community, was in the house promoting positive futures on the CRIS show with the same name. Twice a month, host Stephen Famiglietti interviews experts in the arena of employment to help those with disabilities identify the countless … Continue Reading ››
CRIS is excited to announce the launch of our new website. While you may not notice a big difference, we hope that it improves your online CRIS experience.
Our primary goal with our new website was to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, including those who are blind and have low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photo-sensitivity and combinations of various disabilities.
World War I Archives Made Accessible with Audio Recordings
CRIS Radio, the IDEAL Group, and the Connecticut State Library (CSL) are working together on a collaborative pilot project to improve access to archival records and historical documents for individuals with print disabilities. Read more.
CRIS is excited to announce the release of updated app for Android devices (2.0) and, finally, our brand new app for for iPhones and iPads (beta) that will give listeners a quick and easy way to take CRIS along. The application will allow you to get reminders when your favorite show is coming up, and it includes a program schedule. And of course, the CRIS mobile app works with your device’s voice-over accessibility option, delivering the text displayed on your screen to you audibly.
CRIS Radio recently launched its new program for museums at Mystic Aquarium. Press, dignitaries and museum-goers stood by for demonstrations and explanations of how this new services makes museums more accessible for people with disabilities. Read more
Serving all of Connecticut from five studios around the state.


I grew up hearing the mantra, “readers are leaders,” but today far too many kids fall behind in reading and get left behind. Especially this past year. Kids who aren’t successfully reading at grade level by the third grade are four times less likely to finish high school. Every year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school in the United States alone. That’s a student every 26 seconds—or 7,000 a day, and most of it can be blamed on a history of poor reading. More than 30 million adults read below a fifth grade reading level.
This summer take the opportunity to take a young relative or friend to read at your local library or volunteer to read during story time like I did. It will bless you and the ears that hear. And pick up a book the next time you’re bored with Netflix. I promise you it’s always better than the movie.


Original article | Innovational Research in ELT 2020, Vol. 1(1) 45-53
pp. 45 - 53 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/irelt.2020.311.5 | Manu. Number: MANU-2012-17-0003
Published online: December 17, 2020 | Number of Views: 202 | Number of Download: 504
Post method pedagogy can be regarded as a good way to deal with the lacks experienced by the usage of traditional methods. It compels us to restructure our view of language teaching both in pedagogical and ideological aspects. It requires that teachers should consider the essential components of post method pedagogy. As Kumaravadivelu (2006) forwarded, post-method pedagogy can be visualized as three-dimensional system consisting of three pedagogic parameters: particularity, practicality and possibility. This study aims to explore if English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, who are also Master of Arts (MA) students, have knowledge on Post-Method Pedagogy; to learn about their attitudes, beliefs and preferences towards it and to examine whether there was a probable relationship between these practising teachers’ attitudes and reflections on their classroom applications or not. To do this, 9 active EFL teachers pursuing their MA degrees at a Turkish state university, Institute of Educational Sciences, in English Language Education Master’s Programme were administered a survey. Findings indicate that the participants have knowledge of the post-method pedagogy and most of them have positive attitudes about the classroom practices regarding implementation of strategies and parameters. Participants’ responses indicated “particularity” as the most important parameter. In terms of the 10 macro-strategies, the participants gave the highest importance to the strategy of “raise cultural awareness”, while they reported to employ “activate intuitive heuristics” as the least.
Keywords: Macro strategies, particularity, pedagogic parameters, post-method pedagogy
|How to Cite this Article?|
APA 6th edition
Chicago 16th edition
Akbari, R. (2008). Postmethod discourse and practice.TESOL Quarterly, 42(4), 641- 652.
Anthony, E. M. (1963). Approach, method, technique. English Language Teaching,17,63–67.https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/XVII.2.63
Arikan, A. (2006). Postmethod condition and its implications for English language teachereducation.Journal of Language and Linguistics Studies, 2(1), 1-11.
Brown, H.D. (2002). English language teaching in the "post-method" era: Toward better diagnosis,treatment and assessment. In J. C. Richardsand W. A. Renandya (Eds.),Methodology inlanguage teaching (pp. 9-18). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Brown, H. Douglas. 2004. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy. London: Longman.
Can, N. (2009). Post-method pedagogy: teacher growth behind walls. Proceedings from the 10th METU ELT Convention.
Delport, S. (2010). Exploring Postmethod Pedagogy with Mozambican Secondary School Teachers. Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (1994). The postmethod condition: (E)merging strategies for second/foreign language teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 28(1), 27-48.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (2001). Toward a postmethod pedagogy.TESOL Quarterly, 35(4), 537-560.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (2003). A postmethod perspective on English language teaching, World Englishes, 22(4), 539-550.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (2003a). Beyond methods: Macro strategies for language teaching. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (2006). Understanding language teaching: From method to postmethod. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Prabhu, N. S. (1990). There is no best method- why? TESOL Quarterly, 24(2), 161-176.
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T.S. (1986). Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge, England:Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J.C., & Rodgers, T.S. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Stern, H.H. (1983) Fundamental Concepts of Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tığlı,T. (2014). Method vs. postmethod!: A survey on prospective EFL teachers’ perspectives. Unpublished Master’s thesis, Bilkent University, Turkey.
Tosun, B. C. (2009). A new challenge in the methodology of the postmethod era. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 5(2).
Wallace, M. J. (1991).Training foreign language teachers: A reflective approach. New York: Cambridge University Press.
December 2020All Articles


“Don’t take anyone’s writing advice too seriously” – Lev Grossman
No successful writer works in isolation, so the most useful thing you can do is share your work-in-progress with other writers. Find a local writing group or take a class if you don’t already know other writers. If I am to be your first reader, your book is not ready yet.
Read. As much as you can and as widely as you can. Never go anywhere without two books (you may finish the first one).
Speaking of which, here are some books for which it’s particularly worth finding time.
The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
How to make sure the best qualities of your writing are immediately apparent.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and EB White
Even approaching its centenary, this is still the finest style manual out there.
The Art of Fiction by James Gardner
An absolute masterclass, full of wit and insight.
Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande
First published in 1934, this is a unique look at personality and writing: how to develop the mind of an author.
Why I Write by George Orwell
Any example of Orwell’s writing is lesson in lucidity and elegance, but this essay is particularly eloquent on the writer’s duties.
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
The thoughts of the Pulitzer Prize-winning essayist are exquisite in their clarity, getting to the very heart of what it means to be a writer. Currently out in of print in the UK, but well worth tracking down.
On Writing by Stephen King
All the common-sense advice a writer needs in one place. (Never underestimate the wisdom of someone who’s sold 350 million books.)
From Pitch to Publication by Carole Blake
An expert guide to every stage of the publishing process, written by of one the trade’s legendary figures.
Story by Robert McKee
A book about the narrative structure of film whose lessons are easily adapted to prose.
The Gift by Lewis Hyde
Recommended to me by Man Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton, this is a remarkably insightful book on the pleasure and purpose of cultural activity.


Sunday, April 6, 2014
Because we have a family member who is struggling with dementia, my good friend Barbara recently lent me her copy of Pulling Taffy: A Year with Dementia and Other Adventures, by Tinky Weisblat. The author, a part-time resident of Hawley, MA, is not only a writer, but a singer, a humorist, and a food lover – and is especially attuned to how all of these good things can lift spirits and create community. Barbara reminded me that we met Tinky briefly about ten years ago when she was selling her Pudding Hollow Cookbook at an outdoor summer garden fest in Deerfield.
It was a surprise to find that what might be a tough or depressing subject in other hands became delightful reading in Tinky’s. This is not to say that she minimized the difficulties that both she and her mother had to endure in their last months together; but to a potentially heavy brew she added humor, insight, honesty, and a rich smattering of stories from her mother’s life. The result is a work that is both touching – and uplifting.
As a Feng Shui practitioner, the thing that struck me most about both Tinky and her mother Jan (affectionately called “Taffy”), was the quality of their personal energy, or chi. When a person’s chi is low, life can be hard or overwhelming; but when it is bubbling and moving, even the most challenging situations can be managed. It seems to me that both mother and daughter were able to find a vital source of refreshment within themselves, in spite of times that were certainly gray and bleak.
Tinky includes several photos of her mother in a variety of moments throughout her long interesting life. Here is clearly someone who was in LOVE with living! There is one of Jan as an infant sitting on her own mother’s lap – with a smile that spreads from ear to ear. This same smile lights up her 93-year old face, and makes us realize that it is a person’s ability to welcome life that defines their essence.
There are people among us who are inspiring because of their general cheerfulness and ability to appreciate the things around them. Tinky and Taffy were able to embrace the moment in their joy of simple things -- music, poetry, pets, food, sunshine and fresh air, the kindness of friends – certainly a recipe for good chi.


Kevin Michaels, Managing Director of AeroDynamic Advisory and author of “AeroDynamic: Inside the High-Stakes Jetliner Ecosystem” has received the 2019 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award.
The winning titles of this award are selected based on their excellence in scholarship and presentation, their significance of their contribution to the field, and their value as important treatment of their subject.
To celebrate this outstanding award, AIAA is featuring Kevin’s book in the library of flight.
Purchase your copy during the holiday sale for only $25!
Reprinted with permission from Choice Reviews. All rights reserved. Copyright by the American Library Association.


An 8-session course helping you explore the world’s bestseller. The course shows how the key events, books and characters all fit together. You?ll get to see the BIG picture and discover how the Bible applies to your life. Starting in September, Saturday 8th at 10.00am or Thursday 13th September at 7pm.
Are you interested in attending on a Saturday morning or Thursday evening? Please invite expressions of interest to sign up in St John?s Room.


Since the beginning of time there have been constant attempts to enslave and subdue the spirit of humanity. From Barbarian hordes streaming down the mountain to the Stasi secret police torturing those who dreamed to be free.
In this age of rapidly accelerating technology the threat to our liberties is a very real and present danger. Alex Jones is a unique voice that sifts through the information and exposes the underlying intentions. (To be taken with a pinch of salt)
Documentaries (links are to youtube video searches)
America: Destroyed By Design (1997)
“Find out how the sovereignty of the United States is being subordinated to the globalist interests, through such examples as the Foundations at the Presidio and the Panama Canal. See United Nations and Chinese Interests are affecting our nation. Witness the United Nation’s indoctrination of America’s children and watch exclusive interviews with witnesses of the Oklahoma City Bombing.”
America: Wake Up (Or Waco) (2000)
Documents how the U.S. Government grossly overstepped Constitutional boundaries, as well as the cover up that followed with the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas.
There are over 85,000 Federal and regional governmental institutions: school districts, water and power authorities, country and city governments — and they own over 70 percent of the stock market. The video includes an interview with Joe Banister, former IRS Special Agent, exposing how the IRS is a collection agency for the private, run-for-profit Federal Reserve.
Jones’ “Dark Secrets: Inside the Bohemian Grove” documented the first ever hidden camera incursion into the Grove and the bizarre pagan ritual, the Cremation of Care, practiced by its members, all men, including both Presidents Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Colin Powell, and Henry Kissinger to name but a few.
Police State 2000 (2000)
Exposes the growing militarization of American law enforcement and the growing relationship between the military and the police.
Police State 2: The Takeover (2000)
From children in public schools being trained to turn in their peers and parents to the National Guard and Army patrolling our country’s highways, The Takeover reveals the most threatening developments of police state control in our age.
9-11: The Road to Tyranny (2002)
Details the birth of a global police state, the history of government sponsored terrorism, the modern implementation of fear-based control, and the future plans of the New World Order.
The Masters of Terror (2002)
In two hours, Alex Jones reveals the Globalists’ master plan for world domination. In this powerful expose, Jones explains why the elite are using manufactured terrorism to drive the populations into accepting tyranny.
This film documents the nightmare rise of the Homeland Security dictatorship, Patriot Acts 1 and 2, the Total Information Awareness Network, government-run white slavery rings, the new prison surveillance economy and much more.
The Matrix of Evil (2003)
Matrix of Evil contains footage from speeches and conversations with Alex Jones, Congressman Ron Paul, Colonel Craig Roberts, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Frank Morales.
American Dictators is a 90+ minute expose chronicling the degeneration of America’s political process. Alex Jones rips away layer after layer of the false left-right paradigm and finally reveals the 2004 election.
From the frontlines of the Police State to the darkest sanctum of the secret society that controls it, Martial Law reveals the master plan of a group hell-bent on capturing America today — and tomorrow the world.
The Order of Death (2005)
Exposes the connections between the Bohemian Club and Skull and Bones and other occult secret societies. Jones explores the roots of the Grove and its links to occult networks dating back to ancient Egypt and Babylon.
Throughout history, criminal elements inside governments have carried out terror attacks against their own populations as a pretext to enslave them. TERRORSTORM reveals how, in the last hundred years, Western leaders have repeatedly murdered their own citizens while posing as their saviors.
Jones chronicles the history of the global elite’s bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest wars—creating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.
Including interviews with Jesse Ventura, Rosie O’Donnell, George Carlin, Willie Nelson and Martin Sheen, this film is unlike anything you have ever seen. The only question after viewing it is: will you become part of the Truth Rising?
Fabled Enemies (2008)
In addition to producing the above films, Alex had a cameo role in Richard Linklater’s Waking Life, a part that received a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival. He also appeared as the “street prophet” in Linklater’s 2006 film, A Scanner Darkly, based on the novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick.


Last week I had to write a very short essay to accompany a job application. I chose to answer the following question: If Mary did not have a little lamb, what type of animal would belong to Mary? Explain your selection.
The Uncensored Truth about Mary’s Little Lamb
Cover-ups are nothing new in America. For many years, erroneous information about Mary and her pet has been circulated. The following lines are from the original poem written in 1815:Mary had a big hippo. His teeth were white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went Hippo was sure to go.
The cover-up of the original poem occurred because Mary was cruel, Mary’s father was very powerful, and residents of the town were afraid of the Mayor.
Mary was very cruel. The child of the original poem’s author was constantly bullied by Mary. The author stated: “Mary was an egotistical and cruel person just like her father.” Mary realized at an early age that she could use Hippo’s size and her father’s power to intimidate and control the other children and their parents.
Mary’s father was the Mayor of the town, extremely powerful, and protective of his family and friends. He ordered the author to give all copies of the poem to him. The Mayor then ordered the local nursery rhyme company to write and publish a nursery rhyme that painted his daughter as a kind and benevolent child.
Since the town residents were afraid of the powerful Mayor, they turned over all copies of the poem to the Mayor. And, when the nursery rhyme was published, each resident bought a copy.
This was a major cover-up by a political figure. His daughter was cruel, he was powerful, and the town residents were afraid. This cover-up was not in 2012; it began in 1815. Cover-ups have been occurring for many years.
Full poem – “Mary had a Big Hippo”Mary had a big hippo. Its teeth were white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went Hippo was sure to go. It followed her to school one day Which was against the rule. It made the children run away To see Hippo at school. And so the teacher turned it out, But still it lingered near, Waiting impatiently about Till Mary did appear. “How can Hippo love Mary so?” The frightened children cry. “Why, Mary feeds Hippo, you know” The teacher did reply. –Dawn Cawthon Behrens
LOL, has not quite the same ring to it! Hippo and lamb Did you get an interview for the job?
That’s the point of the essay. Mary had to have a different pet. Hopefully, whoever reads it for the position will think it’s creative. 🙂 No interview so far. It was an application for a position at the local university. Sometimes they take a while to process applications.


MORE RECENT FILES POSTED TO THE WEB SITE
Memoriam - Brini Aruna, who passed away on 29th June 2019, at Kankhal Ashram. Here she is with Sri Ma at Kankhal at Navarathri time in 1981.In
Memoriam - Br Kesto, who passed away on 2nd August 2018 at a hospital in Delhi. Here he is serving Sri Ma at Kankhal Ashram in 1981
Memoriam - Anasuya Dave, who passed away on 12th July 2017 at the age of 91. Here she offers Guru-puja to Sri Ma, around 1959/61.
Memoriam - Swami Nirmalananda Giri (prev Br Tapan) who passed away on 14th February 2017 at Chandanagar, seen here in 1981 at Duga Puja and Samyam Saptah.
Memoriam - Nanduben Patel, who passed away suddenly on 6th September 2013 at the age of 89, at Pune Ashram. Here she is with Sri Ma at Kankhal in 1981.1.
2.**The Holy Chronicle; New comprehensive collection of all records of Sri Ma's lila, for the period 1958-1964.
**Br Gadadhar's Archive files of talks by Sri Ma, mostly translated into English, available on Andover-Harvard Theological Library website.
4.2017 Amrita Varta
5.*Several new books, at the bottom of the page, including Bithika Mukerjjee's "The Most Gracious Presence, Sri Ma Anandamayi"
*New videos of Ma's talks and other interviews relating to Sri Ma - Items No 67-73
*Updated details of an old and long-time devotee (Abhayda).
FILES OF INTEREST
Pages from the diary of P.C. Mehta.
Recollections of Sri Ma, by Kirpal Kaur.
Sri Ma - Question time at the Samyam Saptah-1. mp3 (3.5 mb,30 mins)
Sri Ma - Question time at the Samyam Saptah-2. mp3 (3.3 mb,28 mins)
Sri Ma - Question time at the Samyam Saptah - Text file.


DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY
Library is places where books or reading materials are procured, arranged, stored and disseminate the right information to the right reader, at the right time at the right place.
Library Building Layout
As per D.C.I. norms, the library total area is 4500sqft
|PARVATHARAJU. A.S||M.Lib.Sc, M Phil.||Chief Librarian|
|NARASIMHA MURTHY. H B||Lib, Sc||Asst, Librarian|


The original guide for NET nurses was prepared by the National Centre for Neuroendocrine Tumours at Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway, in cooperation with the patient association, CarciNor, NNTG (the Norwegian Neuroendocrine Tumour Group) and NSSF (the Norwegian Neuroendocrine Nursing Forum). The Norwegian authors generously granted permission to revise and update the booklet so that it could be made applicable to a wide European audience. While specifically published for nurses caring for NET patients throughout Europe, the guide is also a valuable tool for nurses caring for NET patients throughout the world. Please note that treatment options vary by country.
The guide includes the following chapters:
- Overview of Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Different Types of Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Symptoms Associated with Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Overview of the Investigation Phase
- Treatment Options for Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Nursing Considerations in Caring for Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Psychosocial Aspects
Click here to download the guide.


I thought I'd share some of the extras we've added to make it more interesting and interactive.
I am also posting this for my own self- so that I can pin it to my homeschool board after finding that some of these sites aren't "pinnable".
Mr. Conductor loved this online Jamestown Adventure from National Geographic.
National Geographic also has this great interactive resource for the older kids. Plus there's a National Geographic special on Jamestown available on Netflix. We're planning on watching it (a bit of parental previewing first though).
After finally figuring out that I had pop-ups blocked- we were able to get History Globe's Jamestown Online Adventure to work. I had Sassafras- my middleschooler play it. It was shorter than the National Geographic one and while the N.G. one was geared more towards Mr. Conductor, she liked it better as it was more interactive.
My kiddos have done a good bit of studying on Jamestown so the multiple choice questions posed by the History Globe site were easy to answer as they already knew what would have been the best choices based on their research, even Mr. Conductor thought it was too easy and prefered to make the worst decisions to see how things would end up.
Jamestown 400 is another site that offers some interactive pieces- it was created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown (which would have been in 2007). Ms. Books said it was "okay" but not as easy to navigate as she would have liked. There was quite a bit of tourism info attached to it, which really wasn't what we were looking for.
Ms. Books and I found this website on the history of Jamestown to be interesting. We liked the links to photos and more information. Ms. Books likes to dig deeper and read the back story.
Virtual Jamestown has some great maps, interesting 3-D images of the settlement and the complete writings of John Smith. This would not be for younger learners like Mr. Conductor but for middle school/high school level of interest.
These interactive links are great but I must share that we are having the most fun (and entertainment) listening to the audio version of this book
Elisa Carbone did an amazing job of taking research and historical fact about Jamestown and used it to weave an amazing story. Its a seriously good page turner- a must read in this house. We love the audio version with all the different voice inflections to pull the listener in. This blog right here was created as a book discussion.


In honor of International Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27th (the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp), the Arolsen Archives have launched a major participatory challenge under the hashtag #EveryNameCounts.
The goal of the challenge was to digitize the names of 30,000 former prisoners from the Stutthof concentration camp as well as information about their path of persecution within one week.
The ultimate purpose was to make the data accessible to people all over the world in their online archive and create the world’s biggest digital memorial.
Now the challenge has ended and Arolsen Archives drew a conclusion: They reached their goal and the response to the challenge was overwhelming.
Thanks to the help of over 15,000 volunteers from all over the world, they have managed to digitize the names of almost 70,000 victims of Nazi persecution recorded on documents from various concentration camps and from a search index from the early post-war period.
Assuming it takes an average of three minutes to process each document, volunteers have donated 10,500 hours of their time! (Considering the data has to be triple checked for quality assurance purposes, which means every document is processed three times.) (Source: Arolsen Archives)
#everynamecounts as school project
Numerous schools all over Germany used the #everynamecounts challenge as a way to approach the topic of Nazi persecution in class. Some of our AMeLiE partner schools took part in the challenge, too!
Even if the challenge is over, #everynamecounts continues: There are still millions of documents left that need to be digitised in order to expand the online archive. Arolsen Archives therefore continues to ask people all over the world for support in order to build a digital memorial to the victims and survivors of Nazism.
Read the whole press release of Arolsen Archives here: https://arolsen-archives.org/en/news/everynamecounts-challenge-ueber-15-000-freiwillige-waren-dabei/
Follow Arolsen Archives on Twitter or Instagram:


This page provides details of NCIN's work on Gynaecological cancers and of the Gynaecological Site Specific Clinical Reference Group (SSCRG). The Gynaecological SSCRG covers cervical, ovarian, womb, endometrial and vulval cancers.
Clinical Reference Group
The Chair of the Gynaecological SSCRG is Dr Andy Nordin, consultant gynaecologist / sub-specialist gynaecological oncologist. See the group Events, Membership and Resources.
NCIN (Sheffield) providas the analytical support for the SSCRG's work programme.
The Gynaecological Cancer Hub
The Gynaecological Cancer Hub is new to the NCIN website!
The aim is to improve the manageability, accessibility and visibility of the Hub content. It is also a natural move in preparation for transition to Public Health England, which supports greater alignment and integration of public health intelligence resources on the web.
For more information, contact firstname.lastname@example.org.


Pilgrimage to Rome and doctrinal combat
For the Jubilee Year, Bishop Fellay decided to take the SSPX to venerate the Apostles in Rome and thus to show our attachment to the center of Catholicity, to the papacy, as well as our refusal to let ourselves be locked in the schismatic category.
Thus over 5,000 people—a record for the Holy Year—came in the midst of August in Rome to make the pilgrimage to the major basilicas. A newspaper printed the headline: “5,000 excommunicated people in St. Peter’s Basilica!” underlying by this mild irony a striking character of the present crisis: those who try to keep the Faith and fight against the enemies of Catholicism are banished from the Church.
“Contacts” with Rome
The appointment of Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy at the head of the Ecclesia Dei Commission,  marked the establishment of closer “contacts.” A solution was suggested, however without any concrete formula being proposed. But once again, the limited comprehension of today’s members of the hierarchy as far as “Tradition” is concerned, showed clear limitations. Unfortunately, eyes have not yet opened to the depth and the origin of the formidable crisis that has been shaking the Church for 40 years already. Like Archbishop Lefebvre, we must repeat that the time seems not yet to have come for a full collaboration.
The doctrinal combat – The Problem of the Liturgical Reform
From the very beginning of his combat for the Faith, Archbishop Lefebvre justified and explained in conferences, articles and books the reasons for his stand. He never ceased as time went on to denounce evil and to propose remedies to heal the open wound caused by the recent council. Many authors, ecclesiastics as well as laymen, also placed their intelligence and their pen at the service of the defense of the Faith as soon as the first signs of the present disaster appeared. It would be too long to name them all. In order to carry on this necessary activity, the SSPX created press agencies, organized symposiums and congresses, it has given its support to reviews, to say nothing of all the publications aimed at the catechetical and doctrinal formation of the faithful.
For some years now works and publications have been delving deeper into the analysis of the causes and consequences of the spirit and letter of the council. The SSPX has especially produced a very strong work on the liturgical reform, and more specifically on the Novus Ordo Missae, which takes up again the criticisms leveled at this neo-Protestant rite. Addressed to the Holy Father and several cardinals as well as many bishops, to this day it has not been seriously refuted.
From Ecumenism to Silent Apostasy
In mid-January 2004, Bishop Fellay and his two Assistants (Fr Schmidberger and Bishop de Galarreta), with whom were associated the other two bishops (Bishop Tissier de Mallerais, and Bishop Williamson) sent to all the cardinals a letter on the ecumenical disaster, accompanied by a document entitled: “From Ecumenism to Silent Apostasy—25 Years of Pontificate.” Originally, this document was destined to be given to the pope on the occasion of his jubilee. But the state of his health caused the Superior General instead to address it to all the cardinals. Bishop Fellay presented the document in a press conference in Rome on February 2, 2004, attended by some 40 Vatican-watchers, who listened to him with attention.
Once again, this rigorous demonstration did not receive any noteworthy answer nor has it been refuted. And yet the subject is all-important; if according to the very words of the Sovereign Pontiff a “silent apostasy” can be diagnosed, especially in Europe, it must have a cause. Certainly, there is not only one cause, but it is not difficult to understand that ecumenism as it is conceived and practiced to day unavoidably engenders an indifferentism that leads precisely to this apostasy.


New technology and the use of the internet have given people a lot of new options to find information. Whether you are looking for valuable information or want to read something entertaining internet has it all covered for you. No matter how popular browsing the internet becomes nothing can beat and replace books. Books are irreplaceable and they cannot have an alternative. They are complete within themselves and can never be replaced with something else. This is the reason why millions of people around the world have a collection of their favorite books. Millions of people borrow books and visit libraries every day which proves the importance of books in people’s lives. If you are an avid book reader and have plenty of valuable books then you must preserve them well. The book packaging boxes can be perfect to store and preserve books safely inside your home. You can organize the books and also prevent them from all kinds of damage. Here are some of the top reasons why everyone prefers to use book packaging boxes to store their books.
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If you don’t have a spare shelf to preserve your books then getting book packaging boxes in Sydney may be the best choice. These boxes are ideal to keep your books organized safely inside the boxes. If you have a small room and cannot place your books inside the racks then these boxes can be the best alternative. The boxes can help you to organize your books and find your desired book without any hassle. If you store your books without any book box packaging then you might not be able to keep them organized. If your books are all over the place and you find it hard to find your favorite books then these boxes will help you to keep all your boxes in one place. You can organize your books and keep them in one line inside the boxes.
Great For Booksellers:
If you are a bookseller then getting Custom Printed Book Packaging Boxes would be a great idea. The printed boxes are ideal for marketing your brand efficiently in the market. These boxes are ideal for book publishing companies. The boxes are also perfect for authors who want their books to sell their books in the market. The book publishing companies want their books to sell in the market and wish to beat their rivals. Book packaging boxes in Australia are ideal to market your publishing company. You can share the details about the books on the boxes and can draw the attention of the customers. If you wish to capture the attention of the customers then it is best to market the books with the help of book boxes. You can also print a summary or synopsis of the book on the boxes to attract more customers to your books. It also becomes easier for you to share the company details with the customers.
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Whether you are planning to get a customized book packaging box for your personal use or want to use it to package the books of your company you always want the boxes to be affordable. It can get difficult to get an expensive book box as this may look like a waste of money. Nobody wants to spend so much money to preserve books and that is why they are looking for an affordable choice. The best thing about book packaging boxes in Melbourne is that they are highly affordable. These boxes can be purchased at affordable rates and this is why they have gained so much popularity. These boxes can be purchased at affordable rates and can also help you to protect your books safely inside the boxes.
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Everyone is using book packaging boxes wholesale because they can be customized according to your desires. The boxes are designed with additional safety features so that your books can be damaged from all kinds of damage. The boxes are designed with cardboard material that can help you to design durable and high standard boxes. The boxes can also be customized with additional safety layers. The custom foam inserts have gained a lot of attention as they help to preserve and store the books safely inside the boxes. You can also guide the box designers to use extra thick layers of cardboard material to design durable cardboard boxes for storing books.
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The book boxes have a lot of visual appeals and this is the reason why they have gained a lot of attention. The book boxes are designed using unique designs and layouts. The attractive look of the boxes helps the users to enhance the interiors of their rooms. The visually appealing boxes are also ideal for the booksellers because these boxes help them to draw the attention of the customers easily. The boxes can be customized according to your desires and you can create a unique book box of your choice. You can also choose to create boxes in different styles, designs, shapes, and sizes. The customers can get book boxes according to their specifications and desires and can create custom-fit boxes for them.


Video games are not a revolution in art history, but an evolution. Whether the medium is paper or canvas—or a computer screen—the artist’s challenge is to make something without depth seem like a window into a living, breathing world. Video game art is no different.
Drawing Basics and Video Game Art (Penguin Random House 2012) is a bestseller, having sold 10s of thousands of copies around the world, earned multiple 5-star reviews, and been translated into Japanese and Korean. It is first to examine the connections between classical art and video games, enabling developers to create more expressive and varied emotional experiences in games. Artist game designer Chris Solarski gives readers a comprehensive introduction to basic and advanced drawing and design skills—light, value, colour, anatomy, concept development—as well as detailed instruction for using these methods to design complex characters, worlds, and gameplay experiences. Artwork by the likes of Michelangelo, Titian, and Rubens are studied alongside AAA games like BioShock, Journey, the Mario series and Portal 2 to demonstrate perpetual theories of depth, composition, movement, artistic anatomy and expression.
Although Drawing Basics and Video Game Art is primarily a practical reference for artists and designers working in the video games industry, it’s equally accessible for those interested to learn about gaming’s future, and potential as an artistic medium.
This book supports my own 30-year crusade to demonstrate that games are an art form that undeniably rivals traditional arts. It gives detailed explanations of game art techniques and their importance, while also highlighting their dependence on artistic aspects of game design and programming.
JOHN ROMERO, co-founder of id Software and CEO of Loot Drop, Inc.
Solarski’s methodology here is to show us the artistic techniques that every artist should know, and then he transposes them to the realm of video games to show how they should be used to create a far more artful gaming experience … if I were an artist planning to do video game work, I’d have a copy of this on my shelf.
MARC MASON, Comics Waiting Room
This book raises my respect for the CGI artist. [Chris Solarski] is serious about great art which elevates video art to a serious and beautiful endeavour. So those who spend so much time on those games are also getting an aesthetic treat.
JANE LEED, 5-star Amazon review
I'm an art teacher who teaches foundations and I've been searching for years for a book that connects the import of knowing the basics and their application to today's technology and media. This is the book. A Rembrandt on one page, a Halo still on the other. Highly recommend.
COSMO TOPPER, 5-star Amazon review
These are the kind of books I wish teachers would use as textbooks for game art classes because it is a truly respectable piece of text.
EDEN PRIME, 5-star Amazon review
I just finished reading this book and absolutely loved it. I actually got it for my daughter who wants to be a video game artist. I started reading it myself and couldn't put it down. I would recommend it for any artist, not just people interested in video game design.


JT-IF Implementation Guidelines
Format: PDF (88 pages)
Publication date: 20. 12. 2018
The implementation guidelines and recommendations provided in this document are aimed to close the gap between the JT specification (JT DIN SPEC and ISO 14306) and “real world” implementation tasks. They are also aimed towards vendors with the objective to provide recommendations how to best implement certain aspects of the JT standards, by itself or in combination with accompanying formats such as STEP AP242 XML. The recommendations given in this document have been discussed intensively, and agreed on, by the JT Implementor Forum members and will be implemented by them as a means of enhancing interoperability of application using the JT format.
This document understands itself as a complement to the following documents:
- The JT File Format specification (currently: ISO 14306:2017; 2017-11), which defines the data model and file format itself.
- The JT DIN SPEC 91383:2018-09, JT Industrial Application Package (JTIAP), which defines the syntax and semantics of the JT file format and is compatible to the JT file format specification in ISO 14306 (in its version from 2012 and successors) as well as to the essential implementations currently available to the market.
- The JT Content Harmonization guideline (currently: version 2.1; 2012-12-07), which gives recommendations about property names (keys), property values, and configuration settings to be applied by users.
Consequently, the JT Implementation Guideline stands between the two documents listed above, as it gives additional information on the implementation of the JT File Format specification where the group feels the given information is not sufficient, or ambiguous. It is aimed towards the implement_x0002_ers of JT translators and documents agreements on a technical level. The JT Content Harmonization guideline, on the other hand, is aimed towards users and documents agreements on the levels of process and content. The issues mentioned here were raised by one of the following bodies:
- During the ISO ballot
- prostep ivip / VDA JT Workflow Forum
- prostep ivip / VDA JT Implementor Forum


by Ken Sehested
Mother’s Day is celebrated in many cultures. Although others are given credit for founding the observance, Julia Ward Howe led in establishing what some believe to be the first observance of Mother’s Day in the U.S. (2 June 1872) after witnessing the carnage of the U.S. Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War in Europe. The Mother’s Day festival, she wrote, “should be devoted to the advocacy of peace doctrines.”
Born in New York City in 1819, Howe—author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”—was a published poet, author, and advocate of better treatment for prisoners and those living with mental and physical disabilities.
Howe’s concept of Mother’s Day was considerably different from today’s celebration. Her idea was to mobilize women as agents of resistance against the policies that led to injustice and war. In her Reminiscences she wrote: “Why do not the mothers of mankind interfere in these matters, to prevent the waste of human life which they alone bear and know the cost?” Realizing it would require fundamental change to end war, she later wrote: “Let the fact of human brotherhood be taught to the babe in the cradle, let it be taught to the despot on the throne. Let it be the basis and foundation of education and legislation. . . .”
The final observance of Howe’s version of Mother’s Day was held in Riverton, New Jersey, on June 1, 1912. The printed invitation on that occasion noted that “this festival . . . is a time for women and children to come together; to . . . speak, sing and pray for ‘those things that make for peace.’”
Parallel efforts to establish a regular observance in honor of mothers were made by several others. Mary Towles Sassen, a Kentucky school teacher, started conducting Mother’s Day celebrations in 1887. Frank E. Hering of Indiana launched a campaign for the observance in 1904. Also in 1904, Anna Jarvis, regularly credited as the founder of the observance, began her campaign for a nationwide commemoration. She chose the second Sunday in May and began the custom of wearing a flower.
On May 9, 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed a joint resolution of Congress recommending that Congress and the executive departments observe Mother’s Day. The next year, the President was authorized to proclaim Mother’s Day as an annual national observance.
Information for this history was drawn from material created by Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament Education Fund.
©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org


This letter of recommendation was written by Robert H. Brown (1835-1909), the son of Nimmo and Agnes (Steven) Brown of McLean county, Illinois. In 1840, five year-old Robert came from New York City to St. Louis, Illinois, with his parents and after a few years they moved to central Illinois. Influenced by acquaintances with both Stephen Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, he read law while but preferred medicine and graduated from the Rush Medical College in Chicago before marrying in 1859 to Martha A. Pittman (1838-1892). He then set up a medical practice in Mahomet, Champaign county, Illinois. During the Civil War, he enlisted in June 1861 as an Assistant Surgeon in the 25th Illinois Infantry. “He was in the battles and sieges of Corinth and Stone River where he was slightly wounded, but remained on duty night and day for five days. He was also at the Battle of Chickamauga” and lesser engagements.
After the war, Robert relocated his practice to Kirksville, Adair county, Missouri, where he worked to establish the Normal School and where he was elected to the State Senate in 1870. He also authored the biography of Abraham Lincoln entitled, “Abraham Lincoln and the Men of his Time.”
From this letter we learn that Robert was working at the Washington U. S. General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in January 1864 where John W. Orendorff of Co. F, 103rd Illinois Infantry—probably a former acquaintance from McLean county, Illinois—had been detached from his regiment and laboring as a ward attendant. Not long afterwards, Robert returned to his regiment in the field and was with Sherman’s Army on the Atlanta Campaign. He was wounded in the foot while on the skirmish line in early June 1864 and was discharged from the service in July.
Washington U. S. Gen. Hospital
January 28th 1864
We the undersigned take pleasure in certifying that we have been acquainted with Mr. John Orendorff of the 103rd Regt. Illinois Infantry for 8 months during which time he has been on duty in this hospital for the last two months as Ward Master of Ward A. He has faithfully and efficiently performed his duties. His devotion and care for the sick and wounded has merited our highest commendation.
We can cheerfully recommend him as a skillful, competent, and trustworthy attendant, and that he is well qualified to perform the duties of ward master.
— R. H. Brown, A. A. Surgeon USA
— C. R. Langdon, A.A. Surgeon, USA
— Jos. W. Hayward, Medical Cadet, USA
— D. C. Lloyd, Medical Cadet, USA


After five years' work, the Goldberg Center has completed the process of transferring Harvey Goldberg's lectures from their current audio cassette format onto compact discs. The fruits of these labors are now available for listening in three formats: (1.) short audio samples can be found below; (2.) selected lecture series on Compact Discs (CDs) are available for purchase on the Goldberg CD page; and, (3.) the complete collection of original tapes and CDs, as itemized below, which are deposited in the Archives of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We thank Sidney Iwanter for his generous contribution of tapes from the 1970-1971 academic year.
Harvey Goldberg Audio Clips: (Audio Clip Transcription - pdf)
Lectures on Compact Discs:


Go Behind the Scenes of Rolling Stone Magazine During This Interesting Display
For artists, making the cover of Rolling Stone magazine has long been a coveted career achievement. For readers, the images of writers, filmmakers, and musicians have served as a window to rock ’n’ roll’s fantasy realm. Backstage Pass explores how Rolling Stone—through the work of Baron Wolman, its chief photographer from 1967-70—captured and helped define one of the most important eras in music history. See it for yourself at Central Library in Kansas City on Thursday, December 27th.
Through 35 framed photographs, contact sheets, and original magazine covers, Backstage Pass: Baron Wolman and the Early Years of Rolling Stone offers an opportunity to experience how Wolman and the magazine’s editors and other photographers guided the creation of the “rock star” persona from concert to cover to icon.
Feeding the heightened political and cultural climate of the time, featured artists Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Frank Zappa came to represent generational ideals through music, words, and visual imagery. Taking an unobtrusive approach with his subjects, Wolman’s techniques resulted in photographs and eventually magazine covers that capture a rawness and emotion of the artists and a generation. Together, Backstage Pass encourages our understanding of how images become iconic symbols of American history.
“Baron’s [photographs] are set apart for me because of the consistent humanity in his pictures. Whether it is in a studio portrait, a backstage document, or an on-stage performance shot, Baron’s subjects seem to embody the essence of themselves.”—Tony Lane, former Art Director of Rolling Stone
Get up close and personal with yesteryear’s hottest rock stars at this unique music media exhibit. Central Library in Kansas City offers free admission to all.
At The Royale at City Place Apartments in Overland Park, Kansas, we believe it’s important to integrate yourself into the community, which is why we suggest attending this event. Meeting new people, having unfamiliar experiences, and joining neighborhood activities is the key to an exceptional lifestyle.
Thursday, December 27, 2018—10:00 AM
Event Venue Location:
The Kansas City Public Library
14 West 10th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64105


A Surfside Story Nearing A Century!
The Singular Vision of William W. Riddell
La Casa del Camino was envisioned by its builder, local artist and city councilman William W. Riddell, as a spectacular destination along a spectacular stretch of sand at the heart of Laguna Beach.
In Riddell’s eyes this would be a place not only for travelers to rest, but a place for the community to gather, a place for art to be appreciated, a place where business and social clubs would flourish and help create a local landmark to proclaim to the world that Laguna Beach was now a destination, not just a stop along the way.
How La Casa del Camino Came to Be
The most wonderful part of the history of La Casa del Camino is that we have captured for the ages a written account of the events surrounding its construction, its grand opening, and the ongoing operation of the hotel and its amenities. Hidden among rolls of microfilm in the city’s library rest newspaper pages, frozen in time, where historic figures like Riddell come to life, and the reader is transported back to when hotel rooms rented for $3 a night, where Hollywood celebrities sipped cocktails in the hotel bar, and where, for nearly seventy years, local citizens, artists, and city officials enjoyed spectacular sunsets from the hotel rooftop lounge.
For a full historical account of La Casa del Camino’s early days, step back in time and check out the hotel’s earliest press coverage.
Work of art
A Home for the Arts
Shortly after the hotel’s opening, The South Coast News’ “Arts and the Artists” section published a glowing feature about La Casa del Camino, saying, “La Casa del Camino is Art Achievement”.
“Beautiful architecture, furnishings, pictures, music, sculpture, and drama were all blended in La Casa del Camino at the brilliant opening reception Saturday afternoon and evening, January 26. The building itself is a work of art. The color scheme is carried out in the most daring fashion possible to such artistic experience as is possessed by Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Riddell who have expressed their artistic feeling.”
The Place to Be in Laguna Beach
Even in its earliest days, La Casa del Camino brought people from far and wide to eat, drink, and revel in Laguna Beach’s magnificent views. From 1929 onward, the hotel’s lounge has been a retreat for local artists, a first class accommodation for those visiting the Laguna Beach area, and a premier location to conduct business and social events.
Hollywood notables were drawn to the hotel for its welcome atmosphere and its magnificent views of the California coastline. Many stayed at the hotel while making films in the area including such classics as “Evangeline” and “All’s Quiet on the Western Front” in 1929 and 1930 respectively. It is even rumored that J. Paul Getty and Howard Hughes once played a game of backgammon in the lobby. Such was the glamor of La Casa del Camino in the 1930s. The hotel had become a cornerstone of the community and a magnet for social life foretelling a new era of growth and interest in Laguna Beach.
Upholding a Legacy of Excellence
Historic Laguna Beach Accommodations
Experience the historic spirit of La Casa del Camino first hand when you reserve your room in Laguna Beach’s most legendary hotel! With comfortable, refurbished accommodations that evoke the historic charm of old Laguna, your room’s hand-carved wood furnishings and vintage accents bring together the hotel’s past, present, and future.
Book your room at the historic La Casa del Camino to enjoy:
- Vintage Charm in the Heart of Laguna Beach
- Comfortable, Clean, Nicely appointed Quiet Accomodations
- The Awe-Inspiring Rooftop Lounge
- Parking & WiFi Included


|AMS Media Center||
Fall Book Fair
The Fall Book Fair is Italy Themed with a lots of Italian trivia and games. Please stop in and check out what Scholastic has to offer. We have fun rewards and contests as well as great new books.
Buy 1 book: Get a mustache pencil
Buy 2 books: Get a mustache eraser set
Buy 3 books:Get a gelato cone pen
Make any purchase: Play the "Guess How Many" Game
Make any purchase: Try to answer the Italian trivia.
Bring in a Parent: Get entered in a drawing to win a free book.
Book Fair Goal
Last Fall we met our book fair goal of $4000 and Mr. Musgrove dressed up as a pirate. This year our goal is $4750 and we want him to dress up as a Gondolier driver. Please help us meet our goal and have some fun with Mr. Musgrove!!!!
Check out the online book fair!!!


Ask The Experts
Below are some of the foremost experts in chiropractic who have taken the time to answer some of the more common questions. Please click on the doctor's image below, or select another question from the list on the right.
How does a chiropractic adjustment work?
Description: Dr. Colloca explains how chiropractic adjustments specifically and scientifically correct spinal subluxations.
Is chiropractic cost effective?
Description: In this video, Dr. Fogarty describes the cost effectiveness of chiropractic and how chiropractic actually saves you money by increasing your health and decreasing your need for over the counter medications.
Is there more to chiropractic than...
Description: In this video Dr. Slocum describes the different phases of chiropractic care and the expectations and benefits of each of those phases of chiropractic care.
What is a subluxation?
Description: The "Subluxation" is a fundamental in chiropractic care. Dr. Plummer explains in basic terms the fundamentals of a subluxation and its affects on the human body.


Subject: ProActive General Mailing List.
Description:The ProActive mailing list is the general mailing list for ProActive
users. It is used for any question about ProActive, bug reporting,
annoucements, problems, contributions, etc.
ProActive is a Java library for parallel, distributed, and concurrent
computing, featuring mobility and security in a uniform framework: an
Active Object pattern. ProActive provides a comprehensive API
simplifying the programming of applications that are distributed on
Local Area Networks (LAN), on clusters of workstations, and on the
A graphical interface, IC2D, allows the remote monitoring and steering
of distributed applications. Based on a simple Meta-Object Protocol,
and on standard patterns, the library is extensible, making it open
for adaptations and for new functionalities. ProActive can also
inter-operate with other OW2 softwares (e.g. JOnAS, JOTM).
For more information on the ProActive project, have a look at:


Some people prefer to get their education online, reading through various courses and listening to audio lectures, not to mention watching videos. A large part of learning, still, to this day, comes from books. Books are important because more often than not, they present a coherent collection of thoughts, meant to tell a story or convey a message, which the reader will hopefully understand, or at least enjoy.
Runners often do not have time to do much else, because they spend most of their time running. Well, this is not specifically true, but many people would think that long distance runners are always running. Most professionals and serious hobbyists know a thing or two about running, yet they still have time to enjoy a good book. Running books are especially interesting. Here are the best running books for runners.
Range – David Epstein
This book is quite interesting in the sense that it is advocating a more general approach to everything. It is also a book which makes for an excellent parenting guide, among other things. Not everyone should be a specialist and know only a single thing, but perfectly. Generalized, balanced approaches to everything, like running and even life, can make people happier and a lot more successful. In this book, Epstein explores the world of successful people, athletes and scientists alike, finding that a more general approach helps people in an unpredictable world.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running – Haruki Murakami
A man with many novels and many of them very successful, Murakami is a writer as well as an avid runner. As such, he talks of his experiences as a runner, making very clear connections with spirituality, or rather, getting to know oneself through running. Running makes for great exercise, but also opens a pathway to meditation and exploration, of both the outside and inside world. This book can help many runners start again or dedicate more of their attention to running, if not time.
Born to Run – Christopher McDougall
The book has more to its name but to get to the gist of it, McDougall, a frequent runner with even more injuries, decided to change his life a lot. He traveled to Mexico to find the Tarahumara, people who often run either barefoot, or with a very thin layer of protection, nothing close to modern day running shoes, which are by comparison, soft pillows. They are powered by their native plant, and they eat its seeds for energy, chia seeds. This sparked a chia craze and barefoot running craze, which has taken many people. Chia is healthy but barefoot running in urban areas can have serious consequences.
Once a Runner – John L. Parker, Jr.
Released in 1978, this novel tackles a runner obsessed with breaking under 4 minutes in a mile and trying to remain successful in their academic and personal life. Oh, protesting the Vietnam War got the protagonist kicked from their running team. Things are complicated in the mind and life of a professional runner with huge goals.
These are the best running books every runner should read.


A Brief History of St. Lucian Culture
A Rich Heritage and Storied Past
From the first inhabitants, the Arawak Indians, to the Caribs who fought them off the island, St. Lucia has been coveted, fought for, and won over many times during its longstanding history. First explored by Spain, then France, and finally becoming a British territory in 1814—after an Anglo-French rivalry that lasted over a century and a half—St. Lucia today is a thriving, fully independent country, having parted from its British ties in 1979.
The British played a pivotal role in influencing the language, educational system, and legal and political structures of St. Lucia, while French influences are prominent in the island’s art, music, and dance and even the Creole patois language which is widely spoken by locals, in addition to St. Lucia’s primary language: English. With the introduction of African culture shortly thereafter, the result is the diverse St. Lucia of today, built on innumerable influences, cultures, traditions, and beliefs.
From the local cuisine to the arts to everything in between, the diverse history of St. Lucia continues to permeate its culture today.


Rabat – The House of Councilors is determined to continue strengthening parliamentary cooperation at the level of the various geopolitical regions with a view to defending Morocco’s strategic issues, at their head the first national issue, said its president, Enaam Mayara, on Tuesday in Rabat. Rabat.
Speaking at the closing of the second session of the legislative year 2022-2023, Mr. Mayara indicated that the Chamber participated, within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy, in the activities of various regional, continental and international parliamentary organizations. , citing in this regard his participation as President of the Association of Senates, Shouras and Equivalent Councils of Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA) in the work of the 10th consultative meeting of this body held in the Kingdom from Eswatini.
He recalled, in this regard, having had, on the sidelines of this meeting, talks with parliamentary and government officials from Eswatini, adding that during this visit, alongside the President of the Senate of this country , upon signing a memorandum of understanding. This event was an opportunity, according to Mr. Mayara, to hold coordination meetings with several presidents of senates.
He also recalled the participation in the second ordinary session of the sixth legislature of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) which was held in Midrand, South Africa, noting that talks were held with government and parliamentary figures headed by the President of the Union of the Comoros, current President of the African Union.
Referring to the inauguration of the extension of the space of the King Mohammed VI Library at the headquarters of the Parliament of Latin America and the Caribbean (Parlatino) in Panama City, Mr. Mayara welcomed a large-scale event, which took place in the presence of the First Lady of Panama and a large number of parliamentarians, ambassadors, ministers, academics and journalists.
He also indicated that the participation of the House of Councilors in the 3rd summit of the Afro-Latin American Parliamentary Forum “AFROLAC” was an opportunity to meet with the Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, adding that this participation was crowned with a speech delivered to the General Assembly of the Parlatino. Mr. Mayara also took part in his capacity as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) in the work of the 49th meeting of the Bureau of this body held in Rome last June.
He also indicated that the permanent authorities and the delegations of the Chamber of Councilors participated, during this session, in the work of all the commissions of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), the Assembly Parliament of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) and ASSECAA.
Regarding regional and international events, the Speaker of the House of Councilors recalled that the Moroccan Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) organized, last June in Marrakech, the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI. This conclave was marked by a royal message which provides information on the values of tolerance that distinguish Morocco, a land of coexistence and living together.
At the bilateral level, Mr. Mayara recalled talks with governmental and diplomatic personalities, presidents of parliaments, in addition to international institutions and organizations.
He also specified that within the framework of the implementation of the partnership agreement between the Moroccan parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans residing abroad, represented by its Diplomatic Academy , the national legislative institution organized four conferences last May and June on “the foreign policy of the Kingdom of Morocco”.
Regarding the contribution to societal dialogue, the Chamber of Councilors organized, on Monday, the inaugural session of the Parliamentary Forum of Professional Chambers under the theme “Professional chambers and the challenges of promoting investment”, noted Mr. Mayara, welcoming the organizational efforts made by the parliamentary groups and the permanent and thematic committees.
In addition, the Speaker of the House of Councilors returned to the celebration of the Throne Day as a step to review the achievements made by Morocco under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. In this sense, he highlighted the dynamics of growing international support for the Kingdom’s legitimate and historic rights over its southern provinces, noting that it is in this context that the Israeli decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara that the Sovereign considered “fair and far-sighted”.
And to conclude that these achievements defeat the fallacious and false allegations conveyed around the artificial conflict around the Moroccan Sahara.
This article is originally published on mapexpress.ma


We hope you’re planning a trip to browngrotta arts in Wilton, Connecticut to visit Still Crazy After All These Years…30 years in art between April 22nd and 30th. If you have some time, here are a few other nearby activities to consider:
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, just up the street from browngrotta arts at 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut, is presenting Suzanne McClelland’s exhibition Just Left Feel Right—a collection of McClelland’s selected artwork that spans her more than two-decade career. Now through September 4, viewers can witness how these textured art pieces collaborate to capture the eruptive and disparate voices of a shifting American vernacular and its effect on the ways humans communicate in our hyperkinetic time. Also on display at the museum is Beth Campbell’s My Potential Future Past. Campbell’s art forms range from drawings to sculptures and installations. She uses a series of objects to exploits the “what ifs” associated with the choices we make and how those choices shape who we eventually become.
Wednesday through Monday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Dr. Seuss, Political Cartoons & the Battle over Isolationism vs. Intervention
Wilton Historical Society:
224 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
Through compelling cartoons and historic prints, Wilton Historical Society’s Dr. Seuss, Political Cartoons & the Battle over Isolationism vs. Intervention exhibition illustrates the history of America’s shifting attitudes toward foreign policies and two major world wars. Now on display until October 15, this collection explores how, through creative cartooning, artists—like Dr. Seuss—portrayed America’s efforts to remain neutral during WWI, as well as its engagement in WWII.
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Also in Wilton next weekend,
Gigantic Spring Book Sale Fundraiser
137 Old Ridgefield Road
Wilton, CT 06897
April 22nd 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
April 23rd Noon–5 p.m.
April 24th 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
April 25th 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
The Wilton Book sale, Wilton library’s annual gigantic book sale, features more than 70,000 items sorted into more than 50 categories—mysteries, gardening, travel, and science fiction; gently used, collectible, rare books, DVD’s, CD’s and books on CD.
Picturing Love: Photography’s Pursuit of Intimacy Exhibition; Interactive Picture Wall
Katonah Museum of Art:
134 Jay Street–Route 22
Katonah, NY 10536
Now until June 25, the Katonah Museum of Art is presenting Picturing Love: Photography’s Pursuit of Intimacy. This collection includes photography from forty renowned and anonymous artists that have captured portrayals of intimacy among various people and relationships. Through these candid photographs, the exhibition investigates the formidable history of photography and how love is presented and imparted through the single act of taking a photo.
Inspired by its Picturing Love exhibition, the museum is also featuring a new interactive picture wall that transports guests into a real working photo studio. Guests pose for photographs and choose from a variety of themes, backdrops and materials to create images that express affection.
Tuesday through Sunday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.


Inscrit le: 08 Mai 2016
Moyenne de points: 1,00
|Posté le: Dim 9 Juil - 17:01 (2017) Sujet du message: Talent Fright Edge Monsters Like Us
Follow the adventures of Sam (a zombie), Lin (a werewolf) and Danny (a demon) as they attempt to get through school without eating the teachers, running wild or raising hell. In Talent Fright: Sam, Lin and Danny put on a show for the Hangem High School talent night. It's going to be a real show stopper...with eye-popping results! Talent Fright has been levelled at book band 7 Turquoise. Monsters Like Us is a series of funny, accessible stories set in a familiar setting that will really give readers a boost up. Perfect for use with younger children, struggling readers or EAL students in a guided setting, or with independent readers looking for a confidence-boosting quick read. This title is published by Franklin Watts EDGE, which produces a range of books to get children reading with confidence. EDGE - for books kids can't put down.
publisher: Franklin Watts Ltd; Illustrated edition edition (April 27, 2017)
isbn: 1445152533, 978-1445152530,
weight: 3.5 ounces


Search engines hold the key to business success because most online experiences begin with a search query. When it comes to search results, 92.58% of all searches are made on the Google search engine—making it a gateway to success. It is also common knowledge that despite changes in Google’s algorithms, websites with intelligent Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies increase click rates by 437%. So, what is the trick to consistently showing up on the first page of Google, driving more traffic, and lighting up your sales pipeline? Here is a selection of the best SEO books to help you yield long-term brand equity.
Top SEO Books for Marketing Professionals
1. The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization
Written by: Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer, Jessie Stricchiola, and Rand Fishkin
Goodreads Rating: 4.09/5
This is a 400-page testament of SEO truth written in lucid language. In fact, the book tackles head-on all the different aspects of SEO optimization and their intricate interplay, simplifying the technicalities of the continual evolution of web technology. “The Art of SEO” successfully remains relevant today as it has amassed thousands of online resources accompanying every chapter. Moreover, they help you remain on the cutting edge with advanced methods for driving user engagement, website traffic, and sales.
2. Search Engine Optimization All-in-One for Dummies
Written by: Bruce Clay
Goodreads Rating: 3.78/5
If you are looking for end-to-end, strictly organized, foundational SEO books on website building, “Search Engine Optimization for Dummies” should be your go-to starting point. Neatly divided into 10 mini-handbooks, Bruce Clay covers all the intricacies of SEO for websites—the function of search engines, the importance of keywords, search marketing, generating original content to boost website traffic, SEO-optimized web designs, backlinking, inbound marketing, analyzing website traffic, etc. Additionally, you can take down all the lessons you need to notch up your website in search engine results.
ALSO READ: How These 10 Local SEO Strategies Can Attract More Business
3. SEO Like I’m 5: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization
Written by: Matthew Capala
Goodreads Rating: 3.56/5
More than packing keywords, product sales, and website success depends on promoting compelling content and establishing a consistent value-driven social media presence. This is why this book is an indispensable resource for budding marketers, solo entrepreneurs, and small business owners looking to scale up. Matthew Capala takes a workshop-style approach spiced with short pragmatic quotes that teach us the power of ingenuity over technology. It is an activity-oriented, goal-driven study about the creative challenges behind compelling website monetization techniques. The practical step-by-step instructions are supported by screenshots that help you build a future-proof and agile SEO strategy.
4. SEO for Growth: The Ultimate Guide for Marketers, Web Designers & Entrepreneurs
Written by: John Jantsch and Phil Singleton
Goodreads Rating: 4.06/5
A First Guide report suggests that there are close to two billion websites in the world. How do you beat the steep competition in an age of decreasing human attention span? How do you keep your social media presence alive while continually engaging with your target market? John Jantsch—author of “Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide”—and Phil Singleton answer every abstract question with a substantial step-by-step analysis of different SEO strategies and their applications. In fact, every business has different needs, and this book walks you through the essentials of integrating SEO with your online presence and organization goals.
5. SEO 2021 Learn Search Engine Optimization with Smart Internet Marketing Strategies: Learn SEO with Smart Internet Marketing Strategies
Written by: Adam Clarke
Goodreads Rating: 3.82/5
Even experienced digital marketers struggle to find the best-selling SEO strategies, especially for local businesses. This is one of the few SEO books that focus on the monopoly of Google in search engines and how it is constantly evolving its ranking strategies. In the most recent edition, they have highlighted three major changes that Google rolled out in its search algorithm—the Page Experience Update related to reducing intrusive ads and preference for HTTPS protocols; the December 2020 Core Update, which changed how search results are ranked; and the revised regulations for website/business owners in the aftermath of the COVID crisis. This book has become a much-needed practical guidebook to check on the various ranking methods daily.
While books are always the most trustworthy resources for theoretical knowledge to start with, online courses on SEO learning help enhance your practical training so that you ace your digital marketing portfolio right from the first day at your job. Inculcate and promote the best digital marketing practices and end-to-end optimization techniques with these latest online digital marketing courses by Emeritus.


By Fred A. Reed
Great is the temptation, in advanced age, to look to the past as a place of residence. This week, I found myself visiting there when I learned of the death of Robert Fisk. He was 74.
To mention his name on a blog staffed by eminent journalists would not be, I figured, a risk. Who in the trade was not familiar with the Fisk by-line, first in the Times and then, for decades, in the Independent? Intrepid, daring, unassuming: Fisk was the antithesis of big-name international correspondents with their retinue of flacks, finders, satellite phones and network budgets. He lived in Beirut and from there ranged across the Mideast, covering the numerous Israeli invasions of Lebanon and the ongoing tragedy of Syria, to name but a few. He operated alone; spoke fluent Arabic and thus needed neither interpreter nor fixer. Dug among the ruins of bombed houses and traced the origin of the bombs used. American, most of them.
This is how I came to meet him:
It was the fall of 2003. My book Shattered Images had just come out. It was about the rise of the iconoclast movement fourteen centuries ago in what is now Syria, but was then contested ground between the Byzantine Empire and the nascent Islamic one. My purpose was to present copies to all those who had helped me, both in Lebanon and in Syria.
There was no physical risk or danger. Bashar al-Assad, who had inherited Syria from his despotic father Hafez, was enjoying a honeymoon with the long-suffering people. So I hand-delivered the book to friends in Damascus. Then came back to Beirut to meet some local journalists, who were not impressed.
And now, the back story.
Two years earlier, in 2001, a film called Kandahar galvanized audiences with its account of a young woman’s efforts to find her sister in Afghanistan. It was a true story, told by the film’s protagonist, Nilofar Pazira. As she travels through “Afghanistan” in search of her sister, she encounters a black American doctor in a refugee camp.
The doctor was played by a man known variously as Hassan Abdulrahman or Davud Salahuddin, or in the film’s credits, Hassan Tantai: a convert to Islam who had assassinated an Iranian diplomat in Washington DC in 1980 at the behest of Iranian revolutionaries. A man I’d come to know and esteem in the course of my frequent visits to Tehran.
He had introduced Nilofar to the Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makmalbaf, who had been a guest at our Outremont home several years before.
Meanwhile, Fisk had begun a romantic attachment with Nilofar. She was a striking woman, with piercing blue-grey eyes.
Knowing these things, I asked my friend Hassan to persuade her to hand Robert Fisk a copy of my book. This she did; he read it. She prevailed upon him to meet me; he did.
So I knocked at the door of his apartment in Beirut, on a side-street just up from the Corniche. Stylish but not extravagant. “I read your book,” he said. “Excellent volume.”
We chatted for a couple of hours, mostly about what reporters should do and how they should do it. “Don’t get involved with analysis,” he warned me. “Stick to the facts as you can document them.”
When rumours of a massacre in Hama by Syrian government forces in 1982, began to circulate, Fisk travelled there by taxi at great personal risk. The rumours were true. Government forces killed at least 10,000 citizens and razed the city center before crushing the uprising. Fisk saw it; wrote it.
My book was all analysis: of past events and their impact on the present. Years later I visited Hama, and looked down from the citadel upon the empty quarter left to posterity as an example.
But Robert Fisk was not dispensing lessons. His was a name recognized and respected in the world of English-speaking journalism. Mine was obscure, as only that of a free-lance contributor to La Presse could be.
He found time to share with me and for that I’ve always been grateful.
Robert Fisk was of ordinary appearance. That appearance masked an uncommon determination. To get the story and to get it right. To say: “I was a witness, and this is what I saw.”
Now, some twenty years later, in this modest tribute to Robert Fisk—that great reporter—I am applying his maxim.