The sad truth is that the world’s best loved, beautiful and fascinating species are being slaughtered by widespread and dangerous criminal networks that will stop at nothing to get what they want. And what they want are animal parts and products that for reasons no sane person really understands, are worth lots of money. There are plenty of synthetic substitutes for things like ivory and fur that don’t require the brutal slaughter of an animal to obtain, not to mention how hard it actually is to tell the difference between high-quality synthetic substitutes and the real thing. And do you mean to tell me no other dish in the world tastes as good as shark fin soup, and that we really have to mutilate live sharks and then throw them back into the ocean to die? Long story short, there is simply no excuse for the amount of animals being poached every year. And yet they are. In 2011 alone, for example, there were 13 large-scale seizures of ivory, and over 23 tons of ivory confiscated, which is equivalent to at least 2,500 elephants. A 2010 United Nations report suggests that gorillas could disappear altogether from large parts of the Congo Basin by the mid-2020s.
And it is not just the animals that are suffering. Park rangers get killed on a regular basis by poachers they’re trying to stop, and the local economies of entire towns and villages suffer terrible damage once enough wildlife is wiped out to make them irrelevant as wildlife tourism destinations. Corruption and intimidation are weakening law enforcement efforts. Unscreened wildlife and wildlife parts increase the risk of human health pandemics such as bird flu. Everyone involved is suffering.
A call to action was put out by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2012 to raise awareness and engage conservationists on Wildlife Conservation Day, December 4. During the “Wildlife Trafficking and Conservation: A Call to Action” event held at the State Department on November 8th 2012, Secretary Clinton outlined the White House’s strategy to address the global problem of wildlife trafficking. These efforts are estimated to cost between $7 and $10 billion dollars a year. “Wildlife cannot be manufactured. And once it’s gone, it cannot be replenished. Those who profit from it illegally are not just undermining our borders and our economies, they are truly stealing from the next generation,” she said.
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (noun) Formal and explicit approval. | ||
| Synonyms: | countenance, endorsement, sanction, warrant | ||
| Usage: | The candidate's campaign was bolstered by the imprimatur of New York's governor. | ||
thanks, Shelley
Idiom of the Day
king of the jungle— The lion, especially in cultural or artistic depictions. (Usually a misnomer, as lions typically inhabit deserts or dry forests, as opposed to jungles.) |
History
Led Zeppelin Officially Disbands (1980)
On September 25, 1980, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham asphyxiated on his own vomit and died after a day of heavy drinking. Two months later, the remaining members of Led Zeppelin issued a press release stating that the band would not continue without Bonham. For decades, rumors of the band's imminent reunion persisted, but the surviving members made only sporadic appearances to perform together. In 2007, they reunited for a single concert as Led Zeppelin.
Lillian Russell (1861)
One of the most popular stars of the musical stage in her day, Russell debuted in New York as a teenager and soon became a star. She was known for her flamboyant personal life, her hourglass figure, and her voice. Though she was married four times, her affair with "Diamond Jim" Brady has become legendary. She also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and was a popular lecturer.
St. Barbara's Day
| In parts of France, Germany, and Syria, St. Barbara's Day is considered the beginning of the Christmas season. In southern France, especially in Provence, it is customary to set out dishes holding grains of wheat soaked in water on sunny window sills. If the "St. Barbara's grain" grows quickly, it means a good year for crops. There is a similar custom in Germany and the Czech and Slovak republics, here cherry branches are placed in water and tended in the hope that they will bloom on Christmas Eve. In Syria, St. Barbara's Day is for feasting and bringing food to the poor. |
NASA's tire that doesn't go flat
Ever wish the tires on your car could never go flat? Well, NASA says it's invented a tire that does just that!READ MORE:
NASA's tire that doesn't go flat
1791 - Britain's Observer newspaper was first published.
1812 - Peter Gaillard patented the power mower.
1867 - The National Grange of Husbandry was founded.
1918 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson set sail for France to attend the Versailles Peace Conference. Wilson became the first chief executive to travel to Europe while in office.
1943 - Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis announced that any club was free to employ black players.
1961 - Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" was released.
1965 - The U.S. launched Gemini 7 with Air Force Lt. Col. Frank Borman and Navy Comdr. James A. Lovell on board.
1978 - Dianne Feinstein became San Francisco's first woman mayor when she was named to replace George Moscone, who had been murdered.
1988 - Roy Orbison gave his final concert in Akron, OH. He died two days later.
1991 - Paula Abdul was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1991 - Pan American World Airways ceased operations.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, December 4
Assertive, adventurous, and positive, you are an enthusiastic person who is not afraid of very much! In love, you generally dive right in and think about it later. You stand by your beliefs. With you, a debate can very easily turn into an argument! While you do strive to be tolerant, you are also very passionate about your own convictions. Although you are friendly and companionable, you are not afraid to be independent and to take a few risks. In fact, you are attracted to a challenge and enjoy taking some unexpected turns in the journey of your life. Famous people born today: Marisa Tomei, Tyra Banks, Jeff Bridges, Jay-Z, Tony Todd.
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2. Dec 3/4: Supermoon
The Full Moon on the night between December 3 and 4, 2017, coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth; also called perigee. This makes December's Cold Moon a Supermoon.
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PRIZM 2017
Dec 5-17, 2017 | Miami, FL
Mana Downtown|145 E Flanger StPRIZM is the organizer of a unique art fair coinciding with Art Basel in Miami, Florida. The event spotlights artists of African descent whose works seek to bring about social change and encourage socially and politically conscious dialogue. The art itself encompasses a variety of media including mixed media, painting and sculpture and showcases a diverse range of styles and artistic viewpoints.
further information: - Dec 17 - PRIZM Art Fair
4.
Fridge Art Fair 2017
Dec 3-10, 2017 | New York City, NY
The Branded Saloon|172 Norfolk St New York City
Fridge Art Fair is a critically acclaimed contemporary and modern art show. This art fair features popular galleries and artists at the height of their careers. Founded as a small project in 2013 by a young Miami artist, the fair has grown to attract attention in the art world while maintaining a very personal and fun atmosphere.
further information: Fridge Art Fair Events
5.
Peoples Gas Holiday Market 2017
Nov 17 - Dec 23, 2017 | Pittsburgh, PA
Market Square|23 Market Square Pittsburgh, PA
Come winter, the Market Square is transformed into a charming European-inspired holiday market complete with festive lights and wooden chalets! Guests can shop for themselves or for their loved ones, all while enjoying live performances and light shows! There's a lot of fun to be had at the Peoples Gas Holiday Market, so much so that even Santa himself makes an appearance!
further information: Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ – Downtown Pittsburgh for the Holidays
Girl in White is an oil painting on canvas by Vincent van Gogh. Completed in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, in 1890, it depicts a peasant woman dressed in white. The work is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Just a Train Going Across
the Wobbiest Tracks Ever Seen!
Maintenance on this track has been deferred for a very long time
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knit
knit, Christmas ornament or gift
thanks, Heide
knit
knit
knit, Christmas ornament
crochet
thanks, Helen
Winter Woods 12" Mitered Blanket Square
crochet
thanks, Sharon
crochet, Chanukah
crochet
crochet, Christmas ornament
Santa's Sleigh Ornament
CROCKPOT RECIPE ... Chanukah
thanks, Shelley
ADULT COLORING ... Christmas
CRAFTS ... Chanukah
thanks, Sally
Christmas Embroidery, thanks, Jennie
gazette94
thanks, Jill
gazette94
not picture, but similar
Brown Pony Jigsaw Puzzle
gazette94
| birdbrain burl capital clams cotton derivatives desperate doubt | extreme follow food forthright freeze goal grant hedge | insane invest liberal lode martial opening orbit | paper patent patter rash roar scheme seer sham | share shatter smooth sort stock team vigorous |
gazette94
solution:
gazette94
alternate/additional bottom part?
samplers-and-santas
CLEVER ... Christmas
BOOK ADVENT CALENDAR TO CHRISTMAS
We love to read and had a stack of Christmas books, so the book countdown worked out great for us this year. It was also great timing to have just gotten a few packages in the mail that had lots of brown packing paper inside. I saved this paper to make homemade wrapping paper last year. I knew it would be cheap and easy to use it to wrap the books. I wrapped 22 books and found 2 more later that needed batteries. I will add those books in soon. I had also considered adding a few winter themed books to make it 24. Some of these books are simple dollar tree Christmas books and others are ones we have been collecting over the years. This book countdown is already a big hit with the boys and we are only on night 2. So glad they can enjoy this countdown and we get to spend time together each night reading. I hope these memories stay with them a lifetime. I know I will hold them in my heart forever.
What I used:
24 Christmas books, brown wrapping paper, tape, scissors.
What to do:
Wrap each book. Then stack them on top of each other. I placed ours on a small table next to the tree. I added a bow to the top. Now each day or night let the kids open one book. With each book you open and read you are one day closer to Christmas.
I hope you and the kids can have fun with this Book Advent Calendar too.
thanks, Shelley
EYE OPENER ... Chanukah Facts
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Interesting Hanukkah Facts:
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The celebration lasts for eight days for historical reasons. When the Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple, there was enough purified oil to keep the temple lit for only one day. By some miracle, the light burned for eight days.
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| The ninth candle of the Menorah is usually in the center of the Menorah and is used to light the other eight candles each night. |
| The Menorah is also known as a Hanukiah. Although candles are used today to light the Menorah, they used to use oil. |
The candles are placed in the Menorah from right to left. They are lit from left to right.
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| Families eat potato pancakes (latkes) and sweet, jelly-filled donuts (Sufganiyot) and other foods fried in oil during Hanukkah. This practice of frying in oil is in remembrance of the sacred oil. |
| Hanukkah is also a time when children are encouraged to study their Torah. They are rewarded for their studies during Hanukkah with presents and money. |
Gelt is the Yiddish word for money. Today the children receive checks, bonds and small chocolate coins as their gelt.
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| The Dreidel is a popular toy during Hanukkah. This is a four-sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The four letters are shin, hay, gimel and nun. These letters mean Nes Gadol Hayah Sham in Hebrew, which means a great miracle happened there. |
The dreidel game is played with candy. The person who has all the candy in the end is the winner.
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The entire Hallel, psalms of praise, is recited during the eight days of Hanukkah.
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| The passage 'Al Hanissim' which expresses thanks to God for all the miracles during Hanukkah is added into prayer. |
Originally the Menorah was placed outside the front door, but today it is mostly displayed in the window.
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| The last night of Hanukkah in Germany was once very special. Great bonfires were lit from the leftover oil and wicks and people danced and sang around the fire. The festivities often lasted until the wee hours of the morning. |
Children in Yemen used to go from house to house with a tin to collect wicks for their Menorah.
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Hanukkah is similar to Christmas in that it is a time when families gather, share blessings, food, music and traditions. Both holidays are rooted in religious beliefs.
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Key chain sock pattern - thank-you!
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