Australia. A country. A continent. A land of pristine beaches and merciless deserts, adorable koala bears and murderous great white sharks. The sixth largest country in the world, with but 21 million inhabitants. Closer to Asia than any other continent, so close that many “pop over” to Bali for the weekend, yet bearing virtually no resemblance to Asia whatever. And as comedian Victor Borge put it, “When it’s midnight in Australia, nobody knows what time it is anywhere else.” To most people, Australia is a land of mystery, danger and majestic beauty. All who have been there come back astonished at the number of things they didn’t know existed before going there, and those that decide to stay there rarely look back. That’s why it goes without saying that this unique continent more than deserves its own day. Right mate?
The History of Australia Day
Australia Day is celebrated annually on January 26th, as that marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at New South Wales as well as the raising of the flag of Great Britain at that location. In present-day Australia, however, celebrations focus much less on the arrival of the aforementioned ships, and instead concentrate more on the diverse society and landscape of the nation. Many community and family events are organised, as well as various celebrations welcoming new immigrants. Australia is a relatively young country, as federation occurred just over 100 years ago in 1901, so it was not until 1935 that Australia Day was actually celebrated. Due to the rapid decline of the indigenous population after the arrival of British ships on Australia’s shores, some prefer to call this holiday “Invasion Day” as a way of remembering the many that died from various diseases in the 18thand 19th centuries.
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (noun) A collection of objects laid on top of each other. | ||
| Synonyms: | cumulation, heap, pile, cumulus, agglomerate | ||
| Usage: | At one point upon the bosom of the Thames there rises a few feet above the water a single, disintegrating mound of masonry. | ||
Idiom of the Day
look (someone) off— In sports, especially American football, to mislead an opponent with one's eyes as to one's intentions in a given play. |
History
Decomposing Whale Explodes on Crowded Taiwan Street (2004)
After a sperm whale became beached on the coast of Taiwan, researchers decided to perform an autopsy on the creature to determine its cause of death—later found to have been a collision with a ship. It took three cranes half a day to load the whale onto a truck, during which time gas continued to build up in the decomposing carcass. While passing through Tainan on the way to a wildlife preserve, the whale exploded, spattering onlookers and nearby cars with gore.
Maria Augusta von Trapp (1905)
Born in Austria and orphaned at a young age, Maria Kutschera planned to become a nun in Salzburg. Instead, she met Baron Georg von Trapp while tutoring one of his seven children. They were married in 1927 and had three children together. After financial trouble, the family began to sing professionally, then fled Nazi Europe for the US. Today, the family operates a lodge in Vermont. Maria's 1949 memoir was adapted into The Sound of Music.
Mystery deepens over mass die-off of antelopes
A mass die-off of wild antelopes in Kazakhstan was triggered by environmental factors, scientists believe. More than 200,000 saiga antelopes collapsed and died suddenly in 2015, wiping out most of the global population. The deaths were found to be ...READ MORE:
Mystery deepens over antelope die-off
1784 - In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the eagle as the symbol of America. He wanted the symbol to be the turkey.
1788 - The first European settlers in Australia, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, landed in what became known as Sydney. The group had first settled at Botany Bay eight days before. This day is celebrated as Australia Day.
1837 - Michigan became the 26th state to join the United States.
1875 - George F. Green patented the electric dental drill for sawing, filing, dressing and polishing teeth.
1905 - The Cullinan diamond, at 3,106.75 carats, was found by Captain Wells at the Premier Mine, near Pretoria, South Africa.
1911 - Inventor Glenn H. Curtiss flew the first successful seaplane.
1934 - The Apollo Theatre opened in New York City.
1940 - In Rockford, IL, Frank Sinatra made his first public appearance with the Tommy Dorsey band at the Coronado Theater.
1956 - At Decca Records' Nashville studios, Buddy Holly's first official recording session took place. "Blue Days, Black Nights" was recorded and became his debut single.
1961 - U.S. President John F. Kennedy appointed Dr. Janet G. Travell as the first woman to be the "personal physician to the President".
1979 - The ‘Gizmo’ guitar synthesizer was first demonstrated.
1988 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Phantom of the Opera" opened at Broadway's Majestic Theater.
2010 - It was announced that James Cameron's movie "Avatar" had become the highest-grossing film worldwide.
If You Were Born Today, January 26
As strong as you are at business and practical matters, you have a philosophical bent and love learning and sharing what you know with others. You are very personable and extroverted for the most part, enjoying good company and good conversation. Financial success is likely with both your people skills and your executive ability. You are active and a true individualist. Others readily follow your cause. You age gracefully, truly growing more and more comfortable in your skin. Famous people born today: Ellen DeGeneres, Eddie Van Halen, Eartha Kitt, Paul Newman, Gene Siskel, Wayne Gretzky.
1.
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering 2018
Jan 29 - Feb 3, 2018 | Elko, NV
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is six days of poetry, music, dancing, workshops, exhibits, conversations, food and fellowship, rooted in tradition but focused on today’s rural West. The Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering began 32 years ago as a place where Western ranchers and cowboys could come together to share poems about their lives working cattle. From the beginning, it was clear these men and women had found their tribe, an artistic community that few knew existed. Three decades later, the tribe has grown to a small nation of Western poets, musicians and storytellers, performing across the country, sharing their stories of hard work, heartbreak and hilarity, and what it means to make your way in the rangeland West. The Elko Gathering was renamed the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering thanks to an act of Congress. Known simply as Elko to many, the Gathering embraces its role as a pilgrimage destination for thousands of ranch folk and others who love the West and come to learn and experience art that grows from a connection to the rhythms of earth and sky. Join us in Elko to celebrate the arts and cultures of the American West.
further information: National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
2.
Siembra: Latino Theatre Festival 2018
Feb 1-4, 2018 | Albuquerque, NM |
National Hispanic Cultural Center|1701 4th St SW![Siembra Latino Theatre Season: El Corrido de Jorge @ National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque [from 1 to 11 February]](http://abq.carpediem.cd/data/afisha/o/50/91/50912ebbb4.jpg)
Siembra: Latino Theatre Festival brings multiple theatre companies in New Mexico together to showcase Latino and Latina playwrights. The festival hosts multiple productions from September through May, and works presented span all genres including short plays and monologues.
3.
Washington University in St. Louis Lunar New Year Festival 2018
Feb 2-3, 2018 | Saint Louis, MO
Edison Theatre|6445 Forsyth Blvd
Washington University students come together to celebrate and promote awareness of the Asian culture with the Lunar New Year Festival! The show is run entirely by students of all different cultural backgrounds who all come together to find a way to highlight different facets of Asian American heritage. With different performances including martial arts, theater, and dancing, viewers are sure to get an exciting look at the culture, while also learning about the different issues in the world that are important to the Asian American community.
further information: Lunar New Year Festival| Edison Theatre|Wash U
Pictures of the day
The Quai Saint-Michel and Notre-Dameis a 1901 oil painting on canvas by the French artist Maximilien Luce. Luce was part of the Neo-Impressionist movement between 1887 and 1897 and used the technique of employing separate dabs of color for the painting, one of ten he undertook of Notre-Dame de Paris. The Musée d'Orsay in Paris, which holds the image, note that it was completed as Luce was moving from his Neo-Impressionist period to his later Populist period.
Interesting Moment
Museum visitors curiously watching Rembrandt’s painting ” Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild” where it gave the illusion that the people on the paintings too are curiously watching the visitors.
knit
thanks, Nancy
knit
thanks, Judith
knit
crochet
thanks, Nancy
crochet
thanks, Adele
crochet
Platypus Potholder
crochet
crochet
RECIPE
thanks, Heide
Chicken Puffs
CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Anna
Crockpot Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Recipe! {5 Ingredients}
SWEETS
thanks, Shelley
ADULT COLORING
CRAFTS
thanks, Zoey
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... sewing
thanks, Betty
PUZZLE
Pinscher Dogs Jigsaw Puzzle
WORD SEARCH
| alien allegations angle ashore assist brass | check comment cream crumb drake drill energy event | island magic malice music number resign reveal | sere shame shred slate solitary strange swift | tare today tonic toolshed tradition watch |
SUDOKU ... medium
solution:
QUOTE
CLEVER
EYE OPENER
thanks, Anna
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