View allAll Photos Tagged Executed
Air Force Nathan Higgins executes a push out for one point as Marine Alexander Holloway dances the line. The two competed in the 66 kg weight class March 17 at the Griffith Field House here. Higgins is stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom. He calls Fairbanks, Alaska, home. Holloway, a Marriette, Ga., native, is assigned to Headquarters Support Battalion at Camp Lejeune, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson/Released)
From the city’s perspective, events at the beach must be carefully planned and executed to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees. This may involve working with various agencies to ensure that the event meets all necessary regulations and guidelines. The city may also be responsible for providing permits for the event, ensuring that there are adequate resources such as EMS or law enforcement officials on hand to manage crowds and respond to emergencies. They may also be involved in coordinating transportation and parking, as well as addressing any concerns raised by local residents or businesses. Overall, the government has a crucial role to play in ensuring that events at the beach are enjoyable and safe for all, while also preserving the natural beauty and resources of the area.
Photography by Craig McClure
23114
© 2023
ALL Rights reserved by City of Virginia Beach.
Contact photo[at]vbgov.com for permission to use. Commercial use not allowed.
This piece is entitled "self portrait of ones entire life". I executed this piece with the a theory I developed that is called Dimensionalism . This theory has its inspiration form my experiences with pre-seizure events for I have epilepsy. In this state I become detached from reality and see time in a different construct,that of a hyper intensity. A hyper awareness of a moment and everything that constructs it from sounds,thoughts,things tactile . While in these pre seizure states, some instances time is slowed down/speed up or frozen. While in other instances I am forced away form all comprehension of what is in my present environment and reality takes on a totally foreign existence where all has to be re learned.
For the viewers of my piece all of life is in dimensions and how one moves through these dimensions of either large dimensional constructs such as ones life or to the minute dimensional construct of a simple word. Thus giving the viewer this new perspective of time and space. The suspended animation of the piece is only dynamic as the viewer views the piece from the narrower sides form either end where a visible play of time sequencing exists and ones eye is drawn into the piece...
A perspective of a Dimesionalist where one has a view of a moment with a gods eye/time traveler or a pure energy source . From looking at a simple word to a memory one has. All is captured in dimensions. There are other branches of my theory that further portray my experiences. Demensionalising and facitile dimensionalism. These ideas also play with the constructs of how one sees time/moment.I hope to execute these ideas in the future...........
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
Giulio Clovio: 1571-72
In 1570 El Greco moved to Rome, where he executed a series of works strongly marked by his Venetian apprenticeship. It is unknown how long he remained in Rome, though he may have returned to Venice before he left for Spain. In Rome, on the recommendation of Giulio Clovio, El Greco was received as a guest at the Palazzo Farnese, which Cardinal Alessandro Farnese had made a center of the artistic and intellectual life of the city. There he came into contact with the intellectual elite of the city, including the Roman scholar Fulvio Orsini, whose collection would later include seven paintings by the artist (View of Mt. Sinai and a portrait of Clovio are among them).
Unlike other Cretan artists who had moved to Venice, El Greco substantially altered his style and sought to distinguish himself by inventing new and unusual interpretations of traditional religious subject matter. His works painted in Italy were influenced by the Venetian Renaissance style of the period, with agile, elongated figures reminiscent of Tintoretto and a chromatic framework that connects him to Titian. The Venetian painters also taught him to organize his multi-figured compositions in landscapes vibrant with atmospheric light. Clovio reports visiting El Greco on a summer's day while the artist was still in Rome. El Greco was sitting in a darkened room, because he found the darkness more conducive to thought than the light of the day, which disturbed his "inner light". As a result of his stay in Rome, his works were enriched with elements such as violent perspective vanishing points or strange attitudes struck by the figures with their repeated twisting and turning and tempestuous gestures; all elements of Mannerism.
By the time El Greco arrived in Rome, Michelangelo and Raphael were dead, but their example continued to be paramount and left little room for different approaches. Although the artistic heritage of these great masters was overwhelming for young painters, El Greco was determined to make his own mark in Rome defending his personal artistic views, ideas and style. He singled out Correggio and Parmigianino for particular praise, but he did not hesitate to dismiss Michelangelo's Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel; he extended an offer to Pope Pius V to paint over the whole work in accord with the new and stricter Catholic thinking. When he was later asked what he thought about Michelangelo, El Greco replied that "he was a good man, but he did not know how to paint". And thus we are confronted by a paradox: El Greco is said to have reacted most strongly or even condemned Michelangelo, but he had found it impossible to withstand his influence. Michelangelo's influence can be seen in later El Greco works such as the Allegory of the Holy League. By painting portraits of Michelangelo, Titian, Clovio and, presumably, Raphael in one of his works (The Purification of the Temple), El Greco not only expressed his gratitude but advanced the claim to rival these masters. As his own commentaries indicate, El Greco viewed Titian, Michelangelo and Raphael as models to emulate. In his 17th century Chronicles, Giulio Mancini included El Greco among the painters who had initiated, in various ways, a re-evaluation of Michelangelo's teachings.
Because of his unconventional artistic beliefs (such as his dismissal of Michelangelo's technique) and personality, El Greco soon acquired enemies in Rome. Architect and writer Pirro Ligorio called him a "foolish foreigner", and newly discovered archival material reveals a skirmish with Farnese, who obliged the young artist to leave his palace. On July 6, 1572, El Greco officially complained about this event. A few months later, on September 18, 1572, El Greco paid his dues to the Guild of Saint Luke in Rome as a miniature painter. At the end of that year, El Greco opened his own workshop and hired as assistants the painters Lattanzio Bonastri de Lucignano and Francisco Preboste.
Having executed the tight 90 degree turn to starboard, the three Cunarders are now in line abreast straddling the River Mersey between the Liverpool and Birkenhead pier heads. 'Queen Mary 2' is nearest, 'Queen Victoria' in the middle, and 'Queen Elizabeth' on the far right. Copyright John Whitehouse - all rights reserved
This morning (Friday 23 August) police in Rochdale executed two warrants in the Freehold neighbourhood as they continue their relentless pursuit of those intent on causing harm to the local community.
Three men aged 14 – 54, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs. They remain in police custody for questioning.
Following a thorough search of the addresses, significant quantities of class A and B drugs were found, with an estimated street sale value of £51,000. We also seized several weapons, including two samurai swords, and several items consistent with a significant drugs operation.
This is the latest activity which comes under the district’s Operation Affect, the force’s latest Clear, Hold, Build initiative. Police are systematically dismantling and disrupting organised crime in the area, by pursuing gang members and criminals to clear the area, holding the location to prevent criminals exploiting the vacuum created by the original disruption, and working with partners and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) to build a prosperous and resilient community.
So far, the team have made 36 arrests, secured three full closure orders on nuisance properties linked to criminality, and seized large quantities of cash, drugs, and weapons.
Building on a successful community event held earlier this year, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) are working with local residents and partners to design out crime in Freehold and rebuild a stronger community.
The overall investment is anticipated to be around £5M and will keep residents safer and improve the overall look of the local area, including providing higher quality common areas and improving the condition of the buildings.
Inspector Meena Yasin, who is leading Operation Affect, said: “Since launching this operation we’ve seen a real concerted effort to disrupt illegal drug supply in the Freehold area of Rochdale.
"From speaking with residents, we know that drug dealing, and anti-social behaviour has been a particular area of concern for them.
“The seizures this morning means we have been able to take tens of thousands of pounds worth of illicit and harmful products off our streets and dismantle a significant drugs operation which has been blighting our residents.
“Our officers remain in the area to provide a visible reassurance for residents. If you have any concerns or want to share information about suspicious behaviour in the area, please speak to them, they are there to help you.
“You know your community best, and your intelligence often forms a large and crucial park of our criminal investigations, helping us to remove criminals from the streets.”
Hayley Stockham, RBH Director of Neighbourhoods, said: "We have zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour and criminal activity in our neighbourhoods. We're very grateful to the local community for supporting our joint efforts to stamp out this behaviour.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Police and at the Council, and we know that this is making a significant difference to the lives of local people. We encourage members of the community to continue to report crime and anti-social behaviour to RBH and to the Police.”
If you have any concerns about drugs in your area, let us know via our Live Chat function on our website, or by calling 101, so that we can take action.
Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, you can report it to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
(•) – The Lockheed Martin HC-130J Hercules The Combat King II is the U.S. Air Force's only dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform and is flown by the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and Air Combat Command (ACC). This C-130J variation specializes in tactical profiles and avoiding detection and recovery operations in austere environments. The HC-130J replaces HC-130P/Ns as the only dedicated fixed-wing Personnel Recovery platform in the Air Force inventory. It is an extended-range version of the C-130J Hercules transport. Its mission is to rapidly deploy to execute combatant commander directed recovery operations to austere airfields and denied territory for expeditionary, all weather personnel recovery operations to include airdrop, airland, helicopter air-to-air refueling, and forward area ground refueling missions. When tasked, the aircraft also conducts humanitarian assistance operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation, and noncombatant evacuation operations.
Features
Modifications to the HC-130J have improved navigation, threat detection and countermeasures systems. The aircraft fleet has a fully-integrated inertial navigation and global positioning systems, and night vision goggle, or NVG, compatible interior and exterior lighting. It also has forward-looking infrared, radar and missile warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, satellite and data-burst communications, and the ability to receive fuel inflight via a Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI).
The HC-130J can fly in the day; however, crews normally fly night at low to medium altitude levels in contested or sensitive environments, both over land or overwater. Crews use NVGs for tactical flight profiles to avoid detection to accomplish covert infiltration/exfiltration and transload operations. To enhance the probability of mission success and survivability near populated areas, crews employ tactics that include incorporating no external lighting or communications, and avoiding radar and weapons detection.
Drop zone objectives are done via personnel drops and equipment drops. Rescue bundles include illumination flares, marker smokes and rescue kits. Helicopter air-to-air refueling can be conducted at night, with blacked out communication with up to two simultaneous helicopters. Additionally, forward area refueling point operations can be executed to support a variety of joint and coalition partners.
Background
The HC-130J is a result of the HC/MC-130 recapitalization program and replaces Air Combat Command's aging HC-130P/N fleet as the dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform in the Air Force inventory. The 71st and 79th Rescue Squadrons in Air Combat Command, the 550th Special Operations Squadron in Air Education and Training Command, the 920th Rescue Group in Air Force Reserve Command and the 106th Rescue Wing, 129th RQW and 176th Wing in the Air National Guard will operate the aircraft.
First flight was 29 July 2010, and the aircraft will serve the many roles and missions of the HC-130P/Ns. It is a modified KC-130J aircraft designed to conduct personnel recovery missions, provide a command and control platform, in-flight-refuel helicopters and carry supplemental fuel for extending range or air refueling.
In April 2006, the personnel recovery mission was transferred back to Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, Va. From 2003 to 2006, the mission was under the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Previously, HC-130s were assigned to ACC from 1992 to 2003. They were first assigned to the Air Rescue Service as part of Military Airlift Command.
General Characteristics
Primary function: Fixed-wing Personnel Recovery platform
Contractor: Lockheed Aircraft Corp.
Power Plant: Four Rolls Royce AE2100D3 turboprop engines
Thrust: 4,591 Propeller Shaft Horsepower, each engine
Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (40.4 meters)
Length: 97 feet, 9 inches (29.57 meters)
Height: 38 feet, 9 inches (11.58 meters)
Operating Weight: 89,000 pounds (40,369 kilograms)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 164,000 pounds (74,389 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 61,360 pounds (9,024 gallons)
Payload: 35,000 pounds (15,875 kilograms)
Speed: 316 knots indicated air speed at sea level
Range: beyond 4,000 miles (3,478 nautical miles)
Ceiling: 33,000 feet (10,000 meters)
Armament: countermeasures/flares, chaff
Basic Crew: Three officers (pilot, co-pilot, combat system officer) and two enlisted loadmasters
Unit Cost: $66 million (fiscal 2010 replacement cost)
Initial operating capability: 2013.
Jacob Schwarz survives the Holocaust thinking his wife, Sarah, was executed by the Nazis at Auschwitz.
After liberation, he makes his way to an Allied resettlement camp where, to his great surprise, he finds Sarah alive and well. Overcome with joy, they do their best to rebuild their once-shattered lives. But Europe is reeling from post-war turmoil and they soon decide their hope lies elsewhere.
With nothing but their dreams to guide the way, they board the Exodus, a refugee ship, and set sail for Palestine where they are sure they'll find a future filled with hope and promise. At first the voyage is uneventful but as the ship comes in sight of the Palestinian coast, its engines lurch to a stop and British sailors seize control of the vessel. Suddenly Jacob and Sarah's dreams, and their lives, are ensnared by a web of international intrigue that threatens to be their undoing.
Their fate hangs in the balance as powerful forces wrestle for the souls of Palestine and the destiny of the Jewish nation. Can they find the strength to persevere one more time? Is this yet another replay of the misery they've experienced at the hands of Hitler? Or will they sacrifice everything to see their dreams fulfilled as the nation of Israel is born again?
To get your copy of Born Again: 1948 click here.
Gallipoli, Suvla, Green Hill cemetery. Private H. Salter. executed for desertion.
11 December : Execution of private Salter at 7.15 am. This youth barely 19 years of age was shot by twelve of his comrades for taking “French leave” from his Regiment on two occasions and attaching himself to the Anzacs. Not by any stretch of imagination could my comrades and I catalogue it as desertion, as ‘twas impossible to desert from the Peninsula even had he so desired. Our position in comparison to the position that the Anzacs held was a heaven compared to Hell. He therefore did not seek safety; he absconded because his life was made hell by the CSM (Company Sergeant Major) of my company (D). In barrack room parlance he was “sat upon”.
I was one of the firing party; he was marched from a dugout about 80 yards away, to a kind of disused quarry where the final scene was enacted. A clergyman preceded the doomed youth and his escort, reading prayers for the dying (the mockery of it all). The doomed youth was tied up to a stake, his grave already dug. His last request was, “Don’t blindfold me”. What followed I’ll leave to the reader’s imagination, in other words, I’ll pull the pall of oblivion o’ver the ghastly scene –“If I can ever forget it”. I only wish that the distinguished person who signed the death warrant, without taking into consideration extenuating circumstances, would leave his comfortable island residence and visit the men under his command who were “going through it”. Well, we’d have a bit more faith in our leaders and confidence in ourselves.
Pte Edward Roe quoted in "Diary of an old Contemptible", (Barnsley 2004), Peter Downham, p. 131-132
The central focus of FDR’s second term was developing and executing the New Deal to bring the country out of economic turmoil. In this room, there are three scenes depicting the state of American citizens in the United States during the Great Depression. In front of you, against the large central wall, a rural family is depicted suffering from the effects of drought, dust bowls, and poverty. Inscribed above the sculpture is the following quote from FDR’s second inaugural address: “I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.”
Turning away from this historic scene, visitors encounter two more sculptural vignettes by George Segal which exemplify the overwhelming issue of poverty. One scene, Appalachian Couple, captures a farm couple caught in what appears to be an unending cycle of despair. They appear in front of their barn, their only obvious possession a wooden chair.
George Segal
George Segal was born in the Bronx, New York City, in 1924. His parents had immigrated from eastern Europe. George exhibited an interest in art early and won honors for his work while still in high school. George was raised in New Jersey, where his family settled, and he helped his parents with their chicken-raising business throughout his teens. Later, he took over the farm and still lives there with his wife Helen. Today, the old chicken coops house his art studio.
Everyday life and everyday happenings form the basis of George Segal’s sculptures. His pieces are cast directly from live models, mostly friends and relatives. George’s method of sculpting is unique. It depends heavily on real-life events and people said within environments which he constructs from real elements and furnishings. Segal’s work is therefore figurative but it does not romanticize or idealize the people whom he casts.
As the critic Phyllis Tuckman explains in the book, George Segal: Recent Painted Sculpture, “Segal’s figures radiate an aura of the familiar. They look like the kind of people with whom you come in daily contact…. These slices of life’s scenarios belie or masked other aspects of this haunting art.” Segal’s environments express more than what is visible on the surface. They dig deeply and say much about the universal elements of life through their focus on simple tasks.
It was for these reasons that George Segal was chosen to work within the themes of the Memorial. George has strong feelings and deep empathy for the Roosevelt era. He quickly selected three everyday images that were descriptive of the essence of the Depression years in our country, which had such a deep influence on the character and quality of our culture. Within these depictions the message is one of inherent individual dignity in the face of overwhelming odds.
George Segal developed his very personal casting technique in the early 1960s. He starts by dipping cloth bandages in wet plaster and then applying them directly to a body or to an object. He spends time working with his models before casting, describing the gestures he is trying to achieve and choreographing the positioning of their bodies in space within the constructed environment. Artist and model work together to finalize the pose before wrapping begins. Once the format has been fixed, the bandages are fitted around the various parts of the body. Hardening takes only minutes and then the bandages are removed by splitting them into sections. Later, they are reassembled to form the final figures or, as was the case for figures in the Memorial, they become molds for the final bronze sculptures.
Detail of the Baptistry Window, a masterpiece of abstract stained glass designed by John Piper and executed by Patrick Reyntiens.
Coventry's Cathedral is a unique synthesis of old a new, born of wartime suffering and forged in the spirit of postwar optimism, famous for it's history and for being the most radically modern of Anglican cathedrals. Two cathedral's stand side by side, the ruins of the medieval building, destroyed by incendiary bombs in 1940 and the bold new building designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962.
It is a common misconception that Coventry lost it's first cathedral in the wartime blitz, but the bombs actually destroyed it's second; the original medieval cathedral was the monastic St Mary's, a large cruciform building believed to have been similar in appearance to Lichfield Cathedral (whose diocese it shared). Tragically it became the only English cathedral to be destroyed during the Reformation, after which it was quickly quarried away, leaving only scant fragments, but enough evidence survives to indicate it's rich decoration (some pieces were displayed nearby in the Priory Visitors Centre, sadly since closed). Foundations of it's apse were found during the building of the new cathedral in the 1950s, thus technically three cathedrals share the same site.
The mainly 15th century St Michael's parish church became the seat of the new diocese of Coventry in 1918, and being one of the largest parish churches in the country it was upgraded to cathedral status without structural changes (unlike most 'parish church' cathedrals created in the early 20th century). It lasted in this role a mere 22 years before being burned to the ground in the 1940 Coventry Blitz, leaving only the outer walls and the magnificent tapering tower and spire (the extensive arcades and clerestoreys collapsed completely in the fire, precipitated by the roof reinforcement girders, installed in the Victorian restoration, that buckled in the intense heat).
The determination to rebuild the cathedral in some form was born on the day of the bombing, however it wasn't until the mid 1950s that a competition was held and Sir Basil Spence's design was chosen. Spence had been so moved by experiencing the ruined church he resolved to retain it entirely to serve as a forecourt to the new church. He envisaged the two being linked by a glass screen wall so that the old church would be visible from within the new.
Built between 1957-62 at a right-angle to the ruins, the new cathedral attracted controversy for it's modern form, and yet some modernists argued that it didn't go far enough, after all there are echoes of the Gothic style in the great stone-mullioned windows of the nave and the net vaulting (actually a free-standing canopy) within. What is exceptional is the way art has been used as such an integral part of the building, a watershed moment, revolutionising the concept of religious art in Britain.
Spence employed some of the biggest names in contemporary art to contribute their vision to his; the exterior is adorned with Jacob Epstein's triumphant bronze figures of Archangel Michael (patron of the cathedral) vanquishing the Devil. At the entrance is the remarkable glass wall, engraved by John Hutton with strikingly stylised figures of saints and angels, and allowing the interior of the new to communicate with the ruin. Inside, the great tapestry of Christ in majesty surrounded by the evangelistic creatures, draws the eye beyond the high altar; it was designed by Graham Sutherland and was the largest tapestry ever made.
However one of the greatest features of Coventry is it's wealth of modern stained glass, something Spence resolved to include having witnessed the bleakness of Chartres Cathedral in wartime, all it's stained glass having been removed. The first window encountered on entering is the enormous 'chess-board' baptistry window filled with stunning abstract glass by John Piper & Patrick Reyntiens, a symphony of glowing colour. The staggered nave walls are illuminated by ten narrow floor to ceiling windows filled with semi-abstract symbolic designs arranged in pairs of dominant colours (green, red, multi-coloured, purple/blue and gold) representing the souls journey to maturity, and revealed gradually as one approaches the altar. This amazing project was the work of three designers lead by master glass artist Lawrence Lee of the Royal College of Art along with Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke (each artist designed three of the windows individually and all collaborated on the last).
The cathedral still dazzles the visitor with the boldness of it's vision, but alas, half a century on, it was not a vision to be repeated and few of the churches and cathedrals built since can claim to have embraced the synthesis of art and architecture in the way Basil Spence did at Coventry.
The cathedral is generally open to visitors most days. For more see below:-
Detail of the Baptistry Window, a masterpiece of abstract stained glass designed by John Piper and executed by Patrick Reyntiens.
Coventry's Cathedral is a unique synthesis of old a new, born of wartime suffering and forged in the spirit of postwar optimism, famous for it's history and for being the most radically modern of Anglican cathedrals. Two cathedral's stand side by side, the ruins of the medieval building, destroyed by incendiary bombs in 1940 and the bold new building designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962.
It is a common misconception that Coventry lost it's first cathedral in the wartime blitz, but the bombs actually destroyed it's second; the original medieval cathedral was the monastic St Mary's, a large cruciform building believed to have been similar in appearance to Lichfield Cathedral (whose diocese it shared). Tragically it became the only English cathedral to be destroyed during the Reformation, after which it was quickly quarried away, leaving only scant fragments, but enough evidence survives to indicate it's rich decoration (some pieces were displayed nearby in the Priory Visitors Centre, sadly since closed). Foundations of it's apse were found during the building of the new cathedral in the 1950s, thus technically three cathedrals share the same site.
The mainly 15th century St Michael's parish church became the seat of the new diocese of Coventry in 1918, and being one of the largest parish churches in the country it was upgraded to cathedral status without structural changes (unlike most 'parish church' cathedrals created in the early 20th century). It lasted in this role a mere 22 years before being burned to the ground in the 1940 Coventry Blitz, leaving only the outer walls and the magnificent tapering tower and spire (the extensive arcades and clerestoreys collapsed completely in the fire, precipitated by the roof reinforcement girders, installed in the Victorian restoration, that buckled in the intense heat).
The determination to rebuild the cathedral in some form was born on the day of the bombing, however it wasn't until the mid 1950s that a competition was held and Sir Basil Spence's design was chosen. Spence had been so moved by experiencing the ruined church he resolved to retain it entirely to serve as a forecourt to the new church. He envisaged the two being linked by a glass screen wall so that the old church would be visible from within the new.
Built between 1957-62 at a right-angle to the ruins, the new cathedral attracted controversy for it's modern form, and yet some modernists argued that it didn't go far enough, after all there are echoes of the Gothic style in the great stone-mullioned windows of the nave and the net vaulting (actually a free-standing canopy) within. What is exceptional is the way art has been used as such an integral part of the building, a watershed moment, revolutionising the concept of religious art in Britain.
Spence employed some of the biggest names in contemporary art to contribute their vision to his; the exterior is adorned with Jacob Epstein's triumphant bronze figures of Archangel Michael (patron of the cathedral) vanquishing the Devil. At the entrance is the remarkable glass wall, engraved by John Hutton with strikingly stylised figures of saints and angels, and allowing the interior of the new to communicate with the ruin. Inside, the great tapestry of Christ in majesty surrounded by the evangelistic creatures, draws the eye beyond the high altar; it was designed by Graham Sutherland and was the largest tapestry ever made.
However one of the greatest features of Coventry is it's wealth of modern stained glass, something Spence resolved to include having witnessed the bleakness of Chartres Cathedral in wartime, all it's stained glass having been removed. The first window encountered on entering is the enormous 'chess-board' baptistry window filled with stunning abstract glass by John Piper & Patrick Reyntiens, a symphony of glowing colour. The staggered nave walls are illuminated by ten narrow floor to ceiling windows filled with semi-abstract symbolic designs arranged in pairs of dominant colours (green, red, multi-coloured, purple/blue and gold) representing the souls journey to maturity, and revealed gradually as one approaches the altar. This amazing project was the work of three designers lead by master glass artist Lawrence Lee of the Royal College of Art along with Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke (each artist designed three of the windows individually and all collaborated on the last).
The cathedral still dazzles the visitor with the boldness of it's vision, but alas, half a century on, it was not a vision to be repeated and few of the churches and cathedrals built since can claim to have embraced the synthesis of art and architecture in the way Basil Spence did at Coventry.
The cathedral is generally open to visitors most days. For more see below:-
Detail of the Baptistry Window, a masterpiece of abstract stained glass designed by John Piper and executed by Patrick Reyntiens.
Coventry's Cathedral is a unique synthesis of old a new, born of wartime suffering and forged in the spirit of postwar optimism, famous for it's history and for being the most radically modern of Anglican cathedrals. Two cathedral's stand side by side, the ruins of the medieval building, destroyed by incendiary bombs in 1940 and the bold new building designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962.
It is a common misconception that Coventry lost it's first cathedral in the wartime blitz, but the bombs actually destroyed it's second; the original medieval cathedral was the monastic St Mary's, a large cruciform building believed to have been similar in appearance to Lichfield Cathedral (whose diocese it shared). Tragically it became the only English cathedral to be destroyed during the Reformation, after which it was quickly quarried away, leaving only scant fragments, but enough evidence survives to indicate it's rich decoration (some pieces were displayed nearby in the Priory Visitors Centre, sadly since closed). Foundations of it's apse were found during the building of the new cathedral in the 1950s, thus technically three cathedrals share the same site.
The mainly 15th century St Michael's parish church became the seat of the new diocese of Coventry in 1918, and being one of the largest parish churches in the country it was upgraded to cathedral status without structural changes (unlike most 'parish church' cathedrals created in the early 20th century). It lasted in this role a mere 22 years before being burned to the ground in the 1940 Coventry Blitz, leaving only the outer walls and the magnificent tapering tower and spire (the extensive arcades and clerestoreys collapsed completely in the fire, precipitated by the roof reinforcement girders, installed in the Victorian restoration, that buckled in the intense heat).
The determination to rebuild the cathedral in some form was born on the day of the bombing, however it wasn't until the mid 1950s that a competition was held and Sir Basil Spence's design was chosen. Spence had been so moved by experiencing the ruined church he resolved to retain it entirely to serve as a forecourt to the new church. He envisaged the two being linked by a glass screen wall so that the old church would be visible from within the new.
Built between 1957-62 at a right-angle to the ruins, the new cathedral attracted controversy for it's modern form, and yet some modernists argued that it didn't go far enough, after all there are echoes of the Gothic style in the great stone-mullioned windows of the nave and the net vaulting (actually a free-standing canopy) within. What is exceptional is the way art has been used as such an integral part of the building, a watershed moment, revolutionising the concept of religious art in Britain.
Spence employed some of the biggest names in contemporary art to contribute their vision to his; the exterior is adorned with Jacob Epstein's triumphant bronze figures of Archangel Michael (patron of the cathedral) vanquishing the Devil. At the entrance is the remarkable glass wall, engraved by John Hutton with strikingly stylised figures of saints and angels, and allowing the interior of the new to communicate with the ruin. Inside, the great tapestry of Christ in majesty surrounded by the evangelistic creatures, draws the eye beyond the high altar; it was designed by Graham Sutherland and was the largest tapestry ever made.
However one of the greatest features of Coventry is it's wealth of modern stained glass, something Spence resolved to include having witnessed the bleakness of Chartres Cathedral in wartime, all it's stained glass having been removed. The first window encountered on entering is the enormous 'chess-board' baptistry window filled with stunning abstract glass by John Piper & Patrick Reyntiens, a symphony of glowing colour. The staggered nave walls are illuminated by ten narrow floor to ceiling windows filled with semi-abstract symbolic designs arranged in pairs of dominant colours (green, red, multi-coloured, purple/blue and gold) representing the souls journey to maturity, and revealed gradually as one approaches the altar. This amazing project was the work of three designers lead by master glass artist Lawrence Lee of the Royal College of Art along with Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke (each artist designed three of the windows individually and all collaborated on the last).
The cathedral still dazzles the visitor with the boldness of it's vision, but alas, half a century on, it was not a vision to be repeated and few of the churches and cathedrals built since can claim to have embraced the synthesis of art and architecture in the way Basil Spence did at Coventry.
The cathedral is generally open to visitors most days. For more see below:-
The Liechtenstein Garden Palace is a Baroque palace at the Fürstengasse in the 9th District of Vienna, Alsergrund . Between the palace, where the Liechtenstein Museum was until the end of 2011, and executed as Belvedere summer palace on the Alserbachstraße is a park. Since early 2012, the Liechtenstein Garden Palace is a place for events. Part of the private art collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein is still in the gallery rooms of the palace. In 2010 was started to call the palace, to avoid future confusion, officially the Garden Palace, since 2013 the city has renovated the Palais Liechtenstein (Stadtpalais) in Vienna's old town and then also equipped with a part of the Liechtenstein art collection.
Building
Design for the Liechtenstein Garden Palace, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach in 1687/1688
Canaletto: View of Palais Liechtenstein
1687 bought Prince Johann Adam Andreas von Liechtenstein a garden with adjoining meadows of Count Weikhard von Auersperg in the Rossau. In the southern part of the property the prince had built a palace and in the north part he founded a brewery and a manorial, from which developed the suburb Lichtental. For the construction of the palace Johann Adam Andreas organised 1688 a competition, in the inter alia participating, the young Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Meanwhile, a little functional, " permeable " project was rejected by the prince but, after all, instead he was allowed to built a garden in the Belvedere Alserbachstraße 14, which , however, was canceled in 1872.
The competition was won by Domenico Egidio Rossi, but was replaced in 1692 by Domenico Martinelli. The execution of the stonework had been given the royal Hofsteinmetzmeister (master stonemason) Martin Mitschke. He was delivered by the Masters of Kaisersteinbruch Ambrose Ferrethi , Giovanni Battista Passerini and Martin Trumler large pillars, columns and pedestal made from stone Emperor (Kaiserstein). Begin of the contract was the fourth July 1689 , the total cost was around 50,000 guilders.
For contracts from the years 1693 and 1701 undertook the Salzburg master stonemason John and Joseph Pernegger owner for 4,060 guilders the steps of the great grand staircase from Lienbacher (Adnet = red) to supply marble monolith of 4.65 meters. From the Master Nicolaus Wendlinger from Hallein came the Stiegenbalustraden (stair balustrades) for 1,000 guilders.
A palazzo was built in a mix of city and country in the Roman-style villa. The structure is clear and the construction very blocky with a stressed central risalite, what served the conservative tastes of the Prince very much. According to the procedure of the architectural treatise by Johann Adam Andreas ' father, Karl Eusebius, the palace was designed with three floors and 13 windows axis on the main front and seven windows axis on the lateral front. Together with the stems it forms a courtyard .
Sala terrene of the Palais
1700 the shell was completed. In 1702, the Salzburg master stonemason and Georg Andreas Doppler took over 7,005 guilders for the manufacture of door frame made of white marble of Salzburg, 1708 was the delivery of the fireplaces in marble hall for 1,577 guilders. For the painted decoration was originally the Bolognese Marcantonio Franceschini hired, from him are some of the painted ceilings on the first floor. Since he to slow to the prince, Antonio Belucci was hired from Venice, who envisioned the rest of the floor. The ceiling painting in the Great Hall, the Hercules Hall but got Andrea Pozzo . Pozzo in 1708 confirmed the sum of 7,500 florins which he had received since 1704 for the ceiling fresco in the Marble Hall in installments. As these artists died ( Pozzo) or declined to Italy, the Prince now had no painter left for the ground floor.
After a long search finally Michael Rottmayr was hired for the painting of the ground floor - originally a temporary solution, because the prince was of the opinion that only Italian artist buon gusto d'invenzione had. Since Rottmayr was not involved in the original planning, his paintings not quite fit with the stucco. Rottmayr 1708 confirmed the receipt of 7,500 guilders for his fresco work.
Giovanni Giuliani, who designed the sculptural decoration in the window roofing of the main facade, undertook in 1705 to provide sixteen stone vases of Zogelsdorfer stone. From September 1704 to August 1705 Santino Bussi stuccoed the ground floor of the vault of the hall and received a fee of 1,000 florins and twenty buckets of wine. 1706 Bussi adorned the two staircases, the Marble Hall, the Gallery Hall and the remaining six halls of the main projectile with its stucco work for 2,200 florins and twenty buckets of wine. Giuliani received in 1709 for his Kaminbekrönungen (fireplace crowning) of the great room and the vases 1,128 guilders.
Garden
Liechtenstein Palace from the garden
The new summer palace of Henry of Ferstel from the garden
The garden was created in the mind of a classic baroque garden. The vases and statues were carried out according to the plans of Giuseppe Mazza from the local Giovanni Giuliani. In 1820 the garden has been remodeled according to plans of Joseph Kornhäusel in the Classical sense. In the Fürstengasse was opposite the Palais, the Orangerie, built 1700s.
Use as a museum
Already from 1805 to 1938, the palace was housing the family collection of the house of Liechtenstein, which was also open for public viewing, the collection was then transferred to the Principality of Liechtenstein, which remained neutral during the war and was not bombed. In the 1960s and 1970s, the so-called Building Centre was housed in the palace as a tenant, a permanent exhibition for builders of single-family houses and similar buildings. From 26 April 1979 rented the since 1962 housed in the so-called 20er Haus Museum of the 20th Century , a federal museum, the palace as a new main house, the 20er Haus was continued as a branch . Since the start of operations at the Palais, the collection called itself Museum of Modern Art (since 1991 Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation ), the MUMOK in 2001 moved to the newly built museum district.
From 29 March 2004 till the end of 2011 in the Palace was the Liechtenstein Museum, whose collection includes paintings and sculptures from five centuries. The collection is considered one of the largest and most valuable private art collections in the world, whose main base in Vaduz (Liechtenstein) is . As the palace, so too the collection is owned by the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation .
On 15 November 2011 it was announced that the regular museum operating in the Garden Palace was stopped due to short of original expectations, visiting numbers remaining lower as calculated, with January 2012. The Liechtenstein City Palace museum will also not offer regular operations. Exhibited works of art would then (in the city palace from 2013) only during the "Long Night of the Museums", for registered groups and during leased events being visitable. The name of the Liechtenstein Museum will no longer be used.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Liechtenstein_(F%C3%BCrstengasse)
In every sense, I did it right, maximized my experience, beat the crowds, etc. Throughout history, there's never been such a fantastically executed day trip to the famed ruins of Machu Picchu. I did it all; and I did it first.
Even so, I think that I missed out. Not that it was no fun to summit Montaña Machu Picchu before the first tourists or beams of heaven had touched the grassy plaza. Not that beating the first tour busses up to the park entrance wasn't gratifying. Not that pushing through hunger pains to reward myself with a huge lunch and Pisco Sour in Aguas Calientes wasn't worth it. It's not that. For me, those things are really great fun, but that's it: In my daily routine, I haven't had to consider the whims or comforts of another in over two weeks.
All considered, I'd bet the farm that the chubby mother of four, dripping in the 11 o'clock sun, passed by dozens, and gasping for the thin Andean air gets much more enjoyment, feels more awe and humility when she finally raises her head from between her knees, to see her waiting family sprawled on the beautiful precipice, ruins a mile below.
Perhaps the beauty is found more complete in the company of the most ordinary things. Perhaps the friendly flicker of headlights outside of the glass of the baggage claim is more beautiful than any mountainscape internalized in solitude. Perhaps the headlights only beautiful after so many mountainscapes, or perhaps neither is welcomed into memory without the other. There's something to the freedom I have to disregard the hindrances of diaper bags and cramps, but after these awe-inspiring experiences, sacked solitarily, I'm ready to feel the flicker of ordinary for a bit. I'm ready to make puns that I can calibrate, I'm ready to eat hot-wings.
Bogotá - 24.7.13
ATL - 26.7.13
Created for HonestReporting.com on Aug. 11, 2014. Image Credits: tryingmyhardist/3188443193
Please credit as "CC BY-SA HonestReporting.com, flickr/tryingmyhardist" (without quote marks) and link back to this page for attribution.
Original article: Hamas Executes Dozens of Tunnel Diggers.
This piece is entitled "self portrait of ones entire life". I executed this piece with the a theory I developed that is called Dimensionalism . This theory has its inspiration form my experiences with pre-seizure events for I have epilepsy. In this state I become detached from reality and see time in a different construct,that of a hyper intensity. A hyper awareness of a moment and everything that constructs it from sounds,thoughts,things tactile . While in these pre seizure states, some instances time is slowed down/speed up or frozen. While in other instances I am forced away form all comprehension of what is in my present environment and reality takes on a totally foreign existence where all has to be re learned.
For the viewers of my piece all of life is in dimensions and how one moves through these dimensions of either large dimensional constructs such as ones life or to the minute dimensional construct of a simple word. Thus giving the viewer this new perspective of time and space. The suspended animation of the piece is only dynamic as the viewer views the piece from the narrower sides form either end where a visible play of time sequencing exists and ones eye is drawn into the piece...
A perspective of a Dimesionalist where one has a view of a moment with a gods eye/time traveler or a pure energy source . From looking at a simple word to a memory one has. All is captured in dimensions. There are other branches of my theory that further portray my experiences. Demensionalising and facitile dimensionalism. These ideas also play with the constructs of how one sees time/moment.I hope to execute these ideas in the future...........
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
The Sanctury of the St Kilda Presbyterian Church features three beautiful 1880s Ferguson and Urie stained glass windows; Faith on the left, Charity in the middle and Hope on the right. All are executed in iridescent reds, yellows, greens and blues, to reflect the colour palate used in other Ferguson and Urie windows elsewhere around the church.
Built on the crest of a hill in a prominent position overlooking St Kilda and the bay is the grand St Kilda Presbyterian Church.
The St Kilda Presbyterian Church's interior is cool, spacious and lofty, with high ceilings of tongue and groove boards laid diagonally, and a large apse whose ceiling was once painted with golden star stenciling. The bluestone walls are so thick that the sounds of the busy intersection of Barkley Street and Alma Road barely permeate the church's interior, and it is easy to forget that you are in such a noisy inner Melbourne suburb. The cedar pews of the church are divided by two grand aisles which feature tall cast iron columns with Corinthian capitals. At the rear of the building towards Alma Road there are twin porches and a narthex with a staircase that leads to the rear gallery where the choir sang from. It apparently once housed an organ by William Anderson, but the space today is used as an office and Bible study area. The current impressive Fincham and Hobday organ from 1892 sits in the north-east corner of the church. It cost £1030.00 to acquire and install. The church is flooded with light, even on an overcast day with a powerful thunder storm brewing (as the weather was on my visit). The reason for such light is because of the very large Gothic windows, many of which are filled with quarry glass by Ferguson and Urie featuring geometric tracery with coloured borders. The church also features stained glass windows designed by Ferguson and Urie, including the impressive rose window, British stained glass artist Ernest Richard Suffling, Brooks, Robinson and Company Glass Merchants, Mathieson and Gibson of Melbourne and one by Australian stained glass artist Napier Waller.
Opened in 1886, the St Kilda Presbyterian church was designed by the architects firm of Wilson and Beswicke, a business founded in 1881 by Ralph Wilson and John Beswicke (1847 - 1925) when they became partners for a short period. The church is constructed of bluestone with freestone dressings and designed in typical Victorian Gothic style. The foundation stone, which may be found on the Alma Road facade, was laid by the Governor of Victoria Sir Henry Barkly on 27 January. When it was built, the St Kilda Presbyterian Church was surrounded by large properties with grand mansions built upon them, so the congregation were largely very affluent and wished for a place of worship that reflected its stature not only in location atop a hill, but in size and grandeur.
The exterior facades of the church on Barkley Street and Alma Road are dominated by a magnificent tower topped by an imposing tower. The location of the church and the height of the tower made the spire a landmark for mariners sailing into Melbourne's port. The tower features corner pinnacles and round spaces for the insertion of a clock, which never took place. Common Victorian Gothic architectural features of the St Kilda Presbyterian Church include complex bar tracery over the windows, wall buttresses which identify structural bays, gabled roof vents, parapeted gables and excellent stone masonry across the entire structure.
I am very grateful to the Reverend Paul Lee for allowing me the opportunity to photograph the interior of the St Kilda Presbyterian Church so extensively.
The architects Wilson and Beswicke were also responsible for the Brighton, Dandenong, Essendon, Hawthorn and Malvern Town Halls and the Brisbane Wesleyan Church on the corner of Albert and Ann Streets. They also designed shops in the inner Melbourne suburbs of Auburn and Fitzroy. They also designed several individual houses, including "Tudor House" in Williamstown, "Tudor Lodge" in Hawthorn and "Rotha" in Hawthorn, the latter of which is where John Beswicke lived.
The stained glass firm of Ferguson and Urie was established by Scots James Ferguson (1818 – 1894), James Urie (1828 – 1890) and John Lamb Lyon (1836 – 1916). They were the first known makers of stained glass in Australia. Until the early 1860s, window glass in Melbourne had been clear or plain coloured, and nearly all was imported, but new churches and elaborate buildings created a demand for pictorial windows. The three Scotsmen set up Ferguson and Urie in 1862 and the business thrived until 1899, when it ceased operation, with only John Lamb Lyon left alive. Ferguson and Urie was the most successful Nineteenth Century Australian stained glass window making company. Among their earliest works were a Shakespeare window for the Haymarket Theatre in Bourke Street, a memorial window to Prince Albert in Holy Trinity, Kew, and a set of Apostles for the West Melbourne Presbyterian Church. Their palatial Gothic Revival office building stood at 283 Collins Street from 1875. Ironically, their last major commission, a window depicting “labour”, was installed in the old Melbourne Stock Exchange in Collins Street in 1893 on the eve of the bank crash. Their windows can be found throughout the older suburbs of Melbourne and across provincial Victoria.
Cadets from 1st Platoon execute a hot load onto the helicopters that will transport them to the Situational Training Exercise (STX) lanes where they will spend four days in the field. Part of U.S. Army Cadet Command's Operation Agile Leader, the Task Force Boston/Maine Field Training Exercise (FTX) was held on Camp Edwards, Mass. from August 22 - August 31, 2020. | Photo by Brenadine C. Humphrey, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs
Auschwitz (33/44) - Memorial Wall where prisoners were executed - Panasonic DMC-FZ10 - Photographer Russell McNeil PhD (Physics) lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia where he works also as a writer and a personal trainer.
Protester, marching in Giza heading to Tahrir, carrying an hung effigy depicting Field Marshal Tantawi...
----
Subscribe to my newsletter, where I post weekly commentary and reports on Egyptian politics: 3arabawy.substack.com
Officers forced entry into an abattoir on Higher Bury Street in Stockport on Thursday 30th January 2025, while a second warrant was executed simultaneously at a residential property on Merlin Road in Blackburn, Lancashire.
A man and a woman – both in their thirties – were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and an offence of slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour, contrary to S1 and s2 of The Modern Slavery Act.
A man also in his thirties was arrested at the abattoir after he tried to evaded police, fleeing from the site and hiding on a nearby roof. We discovered he was an Albanian national living and working illegally in the UK. He is now being processed by Immigration Enforcement.
This operation took place after we received disclosure alleging a man who previously worked at the abattoir was a victim of modern day slavery. The claims are that he was forced to live in the abattoir and work around the clock to pay off extortionate debts that were said to be associated with a sponsorship visa and travel expenses.
Detectives acted quickly, following lines of enquiry, gathering potential evidence, and coordinating a joint response with national agencies: the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and Home Office Border Security and Asylum. This included the Salvation Army and Crime and Justice charity.
The team involved in the late-night raid interviewed 30 employees onsite with a keen eye for spotting signs of exploitation. We also seized mobile phones, computer equipment and documentation as our investigations continue.
Detective Sergeant Lee Attenborough from GMP’s Stockport Challenger Team said: “We hope this robust and coordinated action taken in response a concerning report instils confidence in our approach to tackling modern slavery head on.
“Officers spoke with every employee working within the abattoir last night, they were receptive to our presence, and we engaged in good discussions around their working conditions, payment, and terms of employment.
“It’s so important we do this diligence and thankfully there were no further claims of exploitation. We have communicated the support that is available and how to access it should anyone choose to come forward.
“This activity forms one of several active modern slavery investigations within the force. In 2024 we supported more victims of modern slavery and held more offenders accountable for the misery they caused as 80 charges were laid – 40% more than the previous year – and 19 convicted were secured, up from seven, with several cases continuing to progress through the criminal justice system.
“Modern slavery is happening across Greater Manchester, and we encourage anyone who is a victim of this crime, or suspect someone they know could be, to report it. You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support is available.
“You can report modern slavery to us using our online crime reporting service."
Debi Lloyd, Head of UK Counter Trafficking Operations at Justice and Care, said: “Our Victim Navigators were deployed alongside police and other agencies on Thursday and it was fantastic to see a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to tackling alleged modern slavery.
‘Navigators are embedded in police forces across the UK and help survivors to rebuild their lives and secure justice against exploiters. We are supporting the survivor in this case and commend their bravery in coming forward.
‘If you are experiencing exploitation, please know you are not alone, and support is available.
‘Every person out there can play a part in fighting modern slavery by learning to spot the signs and reporting any concerns to police or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700.”
Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) Investigations Manager Michael Heyes said: “The GLAA works to stop the exploitation of workers in the UK and ensure that they are treated fairly. We have powers to investigate modern slavery offences and work with law enforcement and other partners to achieve this end.
“The GLAA has been involved in at least seven modern slavery and human trafficking investigations in Greater Manchester between April 2024 and January 2025.
“The GLAA is an intelligence-led organisation. Anyone with information or concerns about workers being exploited for their labour should email contact@gla.gov.uk or use the online reporting form which can be found at www.gla.gov.uk.”
Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army, Major Kathy Betteridge said: "The Salvation Army was on site today with Greater Manchester Police to make available specialist support for any potential victims of modern slavery identified. It is vital that victims’ needs are assessed, and they receive immediate access to protective care and specialised support, available through a Government contract operated by The Salvation Army.
“We work with survivors as they begin the long journey to rebuild their lives and their trust in humanity. Support provided by The Salvation Army can include intensive 24/7 support for people with high-level needs as well as safe accommodation, counselling and help with returning home, finances and finding employment.
"If you suspect that you, or someone you have come into contact with may be a victim of modern slavery and in need of help, please call The Salvation Army’s 24-hour confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733."
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle MP, said: “Modern slavery is an abhorrent crime that dehumanises people for profit. We are committed to tackling it in all its forms and giving survivors the support and certainty they need to rebuild their lives.
“We know that many people are sold lies about their ability to live and work in the UK and are often subjected to squalid conditions and illegal working hours for little to no pay.
“That’s why, as well as playing a critical safeguarding role, our immigration officers are also ramping up enforcement activity across the country to clamp down on illegal working and the exploitation of illegal workers to put a stop to the abuse of our immigration system and ensure those involved face the full consequences.”
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green, said: "Modern slavery is an appalling crime that has no place in our communities. Exploiting vulnerable people for profit is utterly unacceptable, and I fully support the efforts of our teams in bringing those responsible to justice.
"I’d like to welcome the way different agencies are working in partnership to tackle this disgusting crime. Through Programme Challenger, our partnership with GMP and a broad range of partners from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to tackle serious and organised crime, we are making a real difference, ensuring victims are protected and offenders face the consequences of their actions.
"We all have a part to play in spotting the signs of modern slavery. If something doesn't feel right, take action and report it. And I ask businesses specifically, please consider your supply chains and whether there may be a risk that modern slavery is happening where you access goods and services.
"Greater Manchester will not tolerate such exploitation, and we remain committed to rooting it out wherever it occurs."
You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
You can access many of our services online at www.gmp.police.uk
This piece is entitled "self portrait of ones entire life". I executed this piece with the a theory I developed that is called Dimensionalism . This theory has its inspiration form my experiences with pre-seizure events for I have epilepsy. In this state I become detached from reality and see time in a different construct,that of a hyper intensity. A hyper awareness of a moment and everything that constructs it from sounds,thoughts,things tactile . While in these pre seizure states, some instances time is slowed down/speed up or frozen. While in other instances I am forced away form all comprehension of what is in my present environment and reality takes on a totally foreign existence where all has to be re learned.
For the viewers of my piece all of life is in dimensions and how one moves through these dimensions of either large dimensional constructs such as ones life or to the minute dimensional construct of a simple word. Thus giving the viewer this new perspective of time and space. The suspended animation of the piece is only dynamic as the viewer views the piece from the narrower sides form either end where a visible play of time sequencing exists and ones eye is drawn into the piece...
A perspective of a Dimesionalist where one has a view of a moment with a gods eye/time traveler or a pure energy source . From looking at a simple word to a memory one has. All is captured in dimensions. There are other branches of my theory that further portray my experiences. Demensionalising and facitile dimensionalism. These ideas also play with the constructs of how one sees time/moment.I hope to execute these ideas in the future...........
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
This piece is entitled "self portrait of ones entire life". I executed this piece with the a theory I developed that is called Dimensionalism . This theory has its inspiration form my experiences with pre-seizure events for I have epilepsy. In this state I become detached from reality and see time in a different construct,that of a hyper intensity. A hyper awareness of a moment and everything that constructs it from sounds,thoughts,things tactile . While in these pre seizure states, some instances time is slowed down/speed up or frozen. While in other instances I am forced away form all comprehension of what is in my present environment and reality takes on a totally foreign existence where all has to be re learned.
For the viewers of my piece all of life is in dimensions and how one moves through these dimensions of either large dimensional constructs such as ones life or to the minute dimensional construct of a simple word. Thus giving the viewer this new perspective of time and space. The suspended animation of the piece is only dynamic as the viewer views the piece from the narrower sides form either end where a visible play of time sequencing exists and ones eye is drawn into the piece...
A perspective of a Dimesionalist where one has a view of a moment with a gods eye/time traveler or a pure energy source . From looking at a simple word to a memory one has. All is captured in dimensions. There are other branches of my theory that further portray my experiences. Demensionalising and facitile dimensionalism. These ideas also play with the constructs of how one sees time/moment.I hope to execute these ideas in the future...........
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
All these ideas/theories have a direct correlation with present day society...from the over abundance of information that is transferred by different technologies to the ways these technologies directly affect our existence and how it adds other dimensions of time to our lives.
I will be placing more info online in the future. and creating a temp website that fully explains all the details and shows examples of these theories as well as go into more details..
If you are interested in more info please feel free to contact ...efj@sbcglobal.net
Best best
Efj.
The central focus of FDR’s second term was developing and executing the New Deal to bring the country out of economic turmoil. In this room, there are three scenes depicting the state of American citizens in the United States during the Great Depression. In front of you, against the large central wall, a rural family is depicted suffering from the effects of drought, dust bowls, and poverty. Inscribed above the sculpture is the following quote from FDR’s second inaugural address: “I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.”
Turning away from this historic scene, visitors encounter two more sculptural vignettes by George Segal which exemplify the overwhelming issue of poverty. One scene, Appalachian Couple, captures a farm couple caught in what appears to be an unending cycle of despair. They appear in front of their barn, their only obvious possession a wooden chair.
George Segal
George Segal was born in the Bronx, New York City, in 1924. His parents had immigrated from eastern Europe. George exhibited an interest in art early and won honors for his work while still in high school. George was raised in New Jersey, where his family settled, and he helped his parents with their chicken-raising business throughout his teens. Later, he took over the farm and still lives there with his wife Helen. Today, the old chicken coops house his art studio.
Everyday life and everyday happenings form the basis of George Segal’s sculptures. His pieces are cast directly from live models, mostly friends and relatives. George’s method of sculpting is unique. It depends heavily on real-life events and people said within environments which he constructs from real elements and furnishings. Segal’s work is therefore figurative but it does not romanticize or idealize the people whom he casts.
As the critic Phyllis Tuckman explains in the book, George Segal: Recent Painted Sculpture, “Segal’s figures radiate an aura of the familiar. They look like the kind of people with whom you come in daily contact…. These slices of life’s scenarios belie or masked other aspects of this haunting art.” Segal’s environments express more than what is visible on the surface. They dig deeply and say much about the universal elements of life through their focus on simple tasks.
It was for these reasons that George Segal was chosen to work within the themes of the Memorial. George has strong feelings and deep empathy for the Roosevelt era. He quickly selected three everyday images that were descriptive of the essence of the Depression years in our country, which had such a deep influence on the character and quality of our culture. Within these depictions the message is one of inherent individual dignity in the face of overwhelming odds.
George Segal developed his very personal casting technique in the early 1960s. He starts by dipping cloth bandages in wet plaster and then applying them directly to a body or to an object. He spends time working with his models before casting, describing the gestures he is trying to achieve and choreographing the positioning of their bodies in space within the constructed environment. Artist and model work together to finalize the pose before wrapping begins. Once the format has been fixed, the bandages are fitted around the various parts of the body. Hardening takes only minutes and then the bandages are removed by splitting them into sections. Later, they are reassembled to form the final figures or, as was the case for figures in the Memorial, they become molds for the final bronze sculptures.
;
2 Grand Street Parade veterans stand in front of Needs.. they are looking forward to seeing Queen Annapolisa and the Apple Blossom Princesses in the Kentville Grand Street Parade that will soon be coming down Main Street .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
Following a 2 year absence due to Covi,, the 2022 Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival. (and Parade) will be held as per usual this year.. Unfortunately the Queen Annapolisa and Apple Blossom Princess competition has had to be postponed until next year due to time constraints.
.
.
Shocking news from ABF,
* There's been a stunning development at ABF. *
Apparently in a new younger generation there are those who harbor resentment towards our nations history, for English colonialism, and even for the Monarchy ? Other minority groups have voiced discontent over the diversity and inclusion issue ? And so it seems that the current ABF Board of Directors has listened to the concerns and complaints of a few small minority groups while apparently ignoring and excluding the overwhelming majority of Valley residents ? And it appears that this current Board of Directors chose to resolve such discontent by simply moving to implement and execute the nuclear option and the final solution ? And therefore after a highly successful lengthy run of 87 consecutive years in a row, the extremely anticipated, very popular, family oriented, inclusive and diverse, multi village Queen Annapolisa and Apple Blossom Princess Pageant along with the prestigious Royal Coronation crowning ceremonies held in Wolfville have all been terminated forever by this current board of Directors ?
Will a drag Queen replace an apple blossom Queen in Kentville ? www.nsbuzz.ca/life/kentville-all-ages-drag-show-draws-pro...
.
-----------------------It's The End of an Era-----------------------------
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."
Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival 2023 - ABF Board of Directors has announced drastic new changes in format and even deeper cut-backs to the annual People's Festival ? Concerns over ceremony, symbolism, the monarchy and colonialism, along with some complaints over inclusion and diversity may have had an influence on the current ABF board of Directors and they have seen a need to update the long running Queen Annapolisa and Apple Blossom Princess pageant in order to bring it up to a standard they view as being more relevant to the current times ? And so the Directors must have held an extremely private 'think tank' last Winter, and without notifying, caring, considering or consulting with any of the long time participating Valley communities, they had decided that rather than trouble themselves any further with this pesky issue, why not just take the easy way out and simply get rid of it ? And so it seems they made a final decision in private last Winter and moved to execute the final and fatal solution to their problem by ordering that the iconic 87 year old Pageant competition be immediately shut down and terminated forever ? And therefore, as a result of an uninclusive and uncontested decision made in private, one of the longest running, popular, identifiable, well known, highly anticipated, most inclusive and diverse, proud all family events that has ever benefited Valley residents of every age, has just been taken away ?
This unconditional act of finality will now end the long running 88 year reign of her royal Heinous Queen Annapolisa and will terminate all participation of the 7 to 10 Apple Blossom Princess contestants and their child attendants that represent 7 to 10 local Valley communities ? It will also mean the end of the many beautiful hand crafted award winning Princess floats that always highlight Grand Street Parade, and it will also signal the end of the ultra glamorous Queen and Ladies-in-waiting Crowning ceremonies held annually and televised each year from Acadia University in Wolfville ? This also puts an end to the many popular community Princess Tea events, and also ends all Royal Party visitations to local Schools, hospitals and old folks homes that are so welcome and appreciated by Students, Seniors and shut-ins ? This also signals the end of Royal Party appearances at Kentville Children's Parade, at the Memorial Park Friday night open air concert and fireworks, and all Royal attendances at many other events held annually throughout the Valley and the Province ?
It appears now that current ABF Officials led by President Logan Morse along with Kentville town rep Lindsey Young have not only interrupted the Pageant in 2022 when they temporarily postponed it, but have now in 2023 moved to terminate this prestigious event forever explaining that their radical decision has been made to improve, include, modernize and evolve the famed beauty pageant ? This final act of termination ends almost 90 years of royal pageantry and also leaves a huge gap in the Festival itself ? It will also negatively affect so many of the nearby Valley communities who always participate and enter contestants in the Pageant ? The ending of such an important multiple community event and the taking away of the better half and Star of the Apple Blossom Festival brings forth the question of what replacement is planned, and what are local towns and villages that always play major roles in both the Queen and Princess competition suppose to do now ? And what about Valley youth and the childhood dreams of one day becoming a child attendant or an Apple Blossom Princess or even a Queen ?
You have to marvel at the level of ego and disrespect shown by this latest Board of Directors who have dared appoint themselves as the ones that will end the Pageant and then to think that Valley residents are stupid enough to believe that by cancelling and taking away a cherished and long running event, that they have in some perverted way of thinking moved the Valley forward or improved and modernized anything ? It seems far more likely that they have taken the Valley on a giant step backwards and they have robbed the people of a much beloved, long running, multi community, all inclusive, local production that has always been a highly anticipated all Valley highlight for the past almost 90 consecutive years ?
Why current ABF Management who have applied themselves to be the stewards who are in charge and responsible for the promotion and presentation of this event, appear as unable to perform their duties and do the job they are compensated to do and do what their predecessors have always done so well before them each and every year for the past 87 years often in far more trying circumstances and in far less prosperous times, is hard to understand ? And you have to wonder, Whatever happened to the # 1 rule in business that says that if you can't do the job because of inexperience, immaturity, inability, incompetency, bias, or just plain stupidity, then,, You're all FIRED ! (and a Class action recovery suit may be forthcoming ?)
Logan Morse and a bold revolutionary ABF Board of Directors break the hearts of families and especially the Children all over the Valley when they terminate the historic Queen Annapolisa and Apple Blossom Princess Pageant forever after an 88 year run ? Directors show no remorse, only saying that bold action was needed to improve, evolve and modernize the pageant ? www.pressreader.com/canada/annapolis-valley-register/2023...
May 26, 2023 - We Are the Ones ! An unusual display of disrespect shown when the beloved Valley proud Peoples Pageant is cancelled without consideration or consultation ? A new modern generation of ABF Directors with new ideas have proclaimed themselves to be the generation that is to interrupt and end 88 years of wonderful multi Valley village Queen Annapolisa and Apple Blossom Princess pageant history ?
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/apple-blossom-festival...
Without warning, the Valleys' beloved Peoples Pageant has suddenly been cancelled without giving notice, consideration, consultation, respect, or compassion ? Directors say they are taking the bold action that is necessary to improve, evolve and modernize the Valley's favorite and most well known yearly event ? www.saltwire.com/atlantic-
Valley residents lose a long time major public entertainment event after the popular Apple Blossom Festival Airshow is terminated ? The traditional ABF Greenwood Airshow will be no more. Fast forward to Aug 24, 2024, and corporate greed ? Air Show Atlantic Inc. now charges big bucks to see taxpayer owned aircraft in an inferior airshow ?
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/52345513615
Kentville,, an identity crisis , help, Can a Superhero emerge to save Kentville ? www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/51811175986/in/album-7...
The controversial 2017 Grand Street Parade - Has Kentville once again become a target for exploitation ? After Warden Brothers, (Greenwood ) and Liberal MP L Glavine (Kingston) had all but hijacked Waterville Airport and then relocated it to their own home riding in the Kingston/Greenwood area, it seems that the town of Kentville must face yet another attack from the Kingston area when Alxys Chamberlain, the Kingston Apple Blossom Princess, and ABF Directors attempt to take yet another major source of revenue and major attraction away from the town of Kentville ?
Et tu, Madama Chamberlain ? The unconscionable attempted hijacking and recovery of Kentvilles's most beloved yearly event ?
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/18506181065
2023 Kentville Grand Street Parade - Disregard for safety shown as unrestrained Senior citizens are precariously perched atop an unshaded, no sided, stop and go, large unstable jerking motion moving platform ?
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/53900780519/in/album-7...
Exploiting a Queen in a photo op ? Politicians at the official opening of the 2023 Apple Blossom Festival pretend there's still a Pageant while knowing full well that Queen Annapolisa has been terminated forever and will no longer be a part of the Festival ? www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/53755100811/in/album-7...
2023 Kentville Grand Street Parade ABF stewards defy the Trudeau call for inclusion and diversity ? Many participating Valley towns that always normally attend are now excluded from the parade ? The subsequent denial of so much valued diversity has also been felt ? Where is Canning, Digby, Annapolis Royal, Hantsport Greenwood, Windsor ? Where's Queen Annapolisa ? Where's the Apple Blossom Princesses and all of the individual Town floats including Princess Kentville ? To view the complete 2023 Kentville Grand Street Parade press here, www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lchie www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lchie
It's the sad ending of an Era ? Organizers create a non diverse and non inclusive 89th Kentville Grand Street Parade May 27th 2023 - www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/52934419451
Facebook, Friends of Kentville - The site Administrator, a new arrival from PEI, says she wants to see Kentville as the queerest town in all of Nova Scotia ? www.facebook.com/groups/2588266877982288
Will a drag Queen replace an apple blossom Queen in Kentville ? www.nsbuzz.ca/life/kentville-all-ages-drag-show-draws-pro...
Nov 16 2023 - Apple Blossom Princesses call for a return of Queen Annapolisa,
www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/communities/former-apple...
The Town of Kentville has moved to cut back and terminate more of the Towns long time public entertainment ? The citizens of Kentville are once again punished by cost saving cut backs and cancellations made to numerous days of long time outdoor public entertainment events that are always held at Memorial Park as a major part of the Apple Blossom Festival celebrations ?
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/52094784785
A medley of guest Tribute bands that have performed at Memorial Park Kentville - Always free of charge in the past at the Apple Blossom Festival : Petty Larceny, Fleetwod Mix, Keep the Faith, Stones Tribute, Green River Revival, Viscious, Eddy's Basement, Matt Minglewood,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x5hqti9
Mean corporate greed shown by ABF directors in this years Apple Blossom Festival ? Instead of providing a free guest Tribute band at the free Memorial Park Friday night concert, it's now going to cost you 50.00 pp to see the 'Queen' Tribute band performance. that's 50.00 per ticket in 2025 ? acadiau.universitytickets.com/
Town of Kentville rips off its own citizens ( and right at Apple Blossom Festival time) ? A cool, unfriendly attitude and new extreme form of cheapness is shown by the Town and the current ABF directors ? Citizens are to be burdened with a charge of TWENTY DOLLARS each just to attend an outdoor dance held on the taxpayer owned public streets of downtown Kentville during the Apple Blossom Festival ? Is there no shame ? www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/54546051832/in/photost...
She's Ruined It ! Our great Festival is no longer even recognizable ? How could anyone take a world class event and turn it into something that can only be described as stupid ? President Erica Gillis has to be the worst ever ?
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/54493011308/in/dateposted
A brief 45-minute and very limited Kentville Grand Street Parade this year ? zero large marching street bands and majorettes invited , no Scottish pipers, zero Royalty and royal floats, many regular Valley village participants were missing, zero horse and wagon , zero from the military, etc etc, ? And yet the Guest parade announcer proclaims in,, quote @ 29:17, " this parade is the largest in Canada, incl Toronto - it's the longest with the largest route and has the most entries. " wha-a-a-t wth, ?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQuaIdrQi00
2025 Kentville Grand Street Parade - A New Royal Rider rolls down Main Street at Apple Blossom Time ? The new Mayor of KVille graces the royal throne on the Kentville Apple Blossom Princess float ? 'somebody get that king a crown and scepter '
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/54557663677/in/dateposted
they've ruined it part 2 ? May 31st, 2025 Grand Street Parade - From 100,000 down to 10,000, Parade attendance shrinks and hits all time low, www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/54568017261/in/photost.... Also see, They've ruined the Festival and the Parade too ?
ABF Directors may disapprove and have terminated the beloved Queen Annapolisa pageant and multiple village Apple Blossom Princess competition but Valley residents will always admire, support, respect and remain fond of the British Monarchy. The majority of Valley citizens are delighted to hear that his Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla are invited and will be coming for a royal visit to Canada on May 26 and 27, 2025. This year's incomplete and now Royal-less ABF starts on the 28th, www.cbc.ca/news/politics/king-charles-canada-visit-1.7524946
The long proud history of past Queen Annapolisa and Apple Blossom Princess winners has been removed from sight and erased from the official Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival website ? A special honorary history page devoted to acknowledge all previous Queen Annapolisa winners from 1933 thru 2019 has been taken down and apparently replaced with jumbo size portraits of the newcomer President and ABF directors that have taken over and ruined the world famous Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival ? www.appleblossom.com/history/past-queens
Meet the directors,
May 30th, 2025 - High level security enforced at this years Memorial Park Friday night rock concert ? must have taken up most of the budget ? Town of Kentville brings in outside police, closes roads, and sets up manned traffic guard posts to provide extra tight security for their Friday night Memorial Park Apple Blossom outdoor concert that in the past had always featured guest rock bands, interesting displays, and a Royal visit following a prestigious coronation ceremony in Wolfville, but is now severely cut back and has deteriorated into some kind of an outdoor romper room type family show featuring food trucks, fireworks and minimal live local entertainment ? Reports that a parking violator was apprehended thanks to the high level of security and strict traffic control set up around the event route perimeter ?
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/54558198569
May 30th, 2025 Memorial Park Kentville - Seniors and those with disabilities are made to walk long distances in order to reach this year's vastly downsized Princess and Royalty-less ABF Friday night rock Concert that didn't bring in a rock band, nor much of anything else ? www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/54558198569/in/photost...
.
.
An Identity Crisis ;
Can an identity crisis be looming in the town of Kentville ?
A proud, neighborly salt of the earth working class community with generous hard working friendly citizens and a rich historic Railroad, agriculture and farming background is losing many of its longtime local traditions, themes and trademarks while elected Town officials, many of them new arrivals, just stand still, watch, and even enable ? Having always been identified as a main Provincial railroad center ever since the old Dominion Rail days dating back to 1869, the town has since lost all of its passenger and freight train rail service in and out including a modern passenger Dayliner service that traveled back and forth to Halifax every day ? And after the railway had been shut down it seemed they couldn't clear out the now useless brand new station, dig up the tracks and demolish the old roundhouse fast enough ? And so now, in what seems to be cruel mockery, the only railroading in Kentville left over from past glory days and from what was once the largest and most important and active railroad center west of Halifax, is just an old and faded hand painted train mural etched onto the weather beaten side of one of the downtown business establishments ?
Unfortunately the loss of the railway wasn't the last humiliating major transportation loss forced on the people of a small rural town as Kentville was soon to become even more isolated from the outside World when for no apparent logical, rational or reasonable reason the aviation community at Waterville municipal Airport CCW3 were told to get out when they had done nothing wrong and had no where else to go ? This long time invaluable contributor to the local area economy was lost when an established municipal airport, a well known Canadian sky diving facility, and an internationally known pilot training and licensing academy, and many privately owned aircraft with local owners, and many other established aviation businesses were told to get out ? The cold hearted eviction also left our young Air Cadets over at Camp Aldershot without a base to train on and so now the next generation has to grow up without their nearby aviation training and education facility ?
And so, a group of out-of-towners that mostly don't even live in this community had transformed an active thriving local Aviation business center that had taken decades to build and establish, into a barren and useless place where unsupervised Michelin children now ride bikes and dodge weeds poking their heads thru a deteriorating asphalt runway that was once a platform for private and commercial aircraft to fly in and out of the local area on a daily basis ? To add salt to the wound, this unwarranted calculated forced closure and loss of a vital member of the local economy was to be hailed by the executioners at Kings Council, ( and also by the prestigious Ivany Report Committee ) as being a bold and brilliant business decision that will greatly improve and benefit the local area ?
After months of homelessness and uncertainty over the future, a few evicted tenants found new sites elsewhere and relocated at their own expense to start all over again, while others just quit, while others were finally redirected to a new location in Greenwood which just happened by chance to be the Kings Council County Warden's home riding ? And so, in the end this devastating loss for Kentville and local area became a windfall for the Kingston Greenwood area, and, Kentville was left to carry on without either a Railway or an Airport ?
When the original KCA town School closed down, existing high school students were separated from their home school and had to be bused to the nearby town of Canning ? This would leave only the Grade 1 to 8 age groups to now identify Kentville as their home school, an education reality that still exists in Kentville ? There is no longer a movie theater in Kentville as the downtown movie theater has been closed forever, and the popular Edge sports bar, eatery and pool hall also closed down and never replaced ? Harvey's Hamburgers drive thru closed down and it never was replaced ? The longtime bowling alley in New Minas was bought out by developers, torn down, and replaced with a business office complex ? We lost the local salvage, reclamation and disposal site in South Alton when ordered shut down by the Provincial Government, but these same people who shut it down never ever offered to replace it with another leaving the community without this vital facility ? One day a portion of roof blew off the long time town funeral home and it never re-opened leaving only one such establishment left in town ? And, just as the citizens of Kentville were learning that both the Apple Blossom Princess and the Queen Annapolisa pageants were to be cancelled after 87 consecutive years, at the same time there was an all age Drag Queen show getting ready to entertain at the Kings Arms Pub in a total flip flop from the popular Irish Rovers or Scottish pipers that most Kentville citizens identify with at this time of year ? Numerous local restaurants and small businesses have all come and gone - mostly gone - and the main town supermarket Jasons IGA had a fire and was forced to close down for over a year so there was no supermarket to provide groceries for the local citizens ? The ever popular multi venue Wandlyn Inn burned down with all venues now lost to the community ? It wasn't replaced after the fire and now there's just a fast food MacDonald's take out to replace all of Wandlyn's many facilities including hotel rooms, indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and sauna, nightclub, dual convention centers and dual restaurants ? Not a very good exchange for the community ?
The traditional July 1st Canada Day town sponsored party event of fun, food,speeches and local entertainment held each year at the wading Pool was curtailed by the Town due to budget considerations ? And so now, if you want to enjoy July 1st entertainment or fireworks you have to go to New Minas, Hantsport or Berwick ? Access to clean drinking water is well known as one of the most identifiable entitlements provided by a town ? Billions are currently being spent by the Canadian taxpayer to provide First Nations people with free safe drinking water ? Yet the Kentville water commission charges the customer 10,000 dollars just to turn their town water on at roadside ? And then after this rather large up front financial layout paid for by the brand new customer, he will still have to pay for all of his yard trenching and household plumbing work ? And in return for this large initial forced surcharge, the valued new customer will be rewarded with a water bill courtesy of the town of Kentville each month hereafter ?
They even managed to take away Kentville's most famous of all and most instantly identifiable town landmark in the hotel name Cornwallis Inn ? Cornwallis Inn is a well known trademark hotel name that is synonymous World wide with the name of Kentville, and this name represents a multitude of fond memories for the local area residents and for other residents living all over the Valley ? It was hard to understand why the Town would ever allow this historic name to change,, and also hard to understand why a previous Town of Kentville planning dept would ever allow subsidized apartment units to be built onto the side of such a respected Town centerpiece and also block the access lane to the rear parking lot while doing it ? The Cornwallis Inn will always be an important Valley landmark and a future protected Canadian heritage site ?
They have even changed well known identifiable names of some Streets and even the local traffic bridge traversing the Cornwallis River ? And so now many local residents and delivery drivers don't know what they're talking about when these stupid new names are used ? This name change is especially hard on Kentville's Seniors who can become confused with such absurd name changes and has in some cases, created safety hazards ?
In 2017 ABF Directors tried to move Kentville's 87 year old yearly Grand Street Parade to different location in the Valley, and the town was forced to claw and battle its way just to get its own local yearly parade returned back home to them after hosting it for the last 90 years ? And in yet another major step backwards that same year, ABF and the Town decided to cease and desist all public ABF Wednesday, Thursday and weekends of fun, food, music, displays, amusements, local student performances, etc. etc. held at Memorial Park during the Apple Blossom festival week ? No explanation was given and no replacement or apology was ever offered by the Town for such a devastating loss to be absorbed by the citizens of Kentville ? Kentville has now lost its most identifiable of all citizens, that being their beloved Apple Blossom Princess Kentville, when newcomer ABF Directors had shown an uncommon degree of disrespect, as well as their disregard and insensitivity when presuming to appoint themselves as the ones entitled to end the long running iconic 88 year old iconic Queen Annapolisa and Apple Blossom Princess competition ? This termination means all public Royal party appearances including the Princess Teas, Kentville Children's Parade, all Royal visitations to schools, shut-ins, Seniors, and hospital attendances that are normally made by Queen Annapolisa and the Royal Princesses are now cancelled and no longer take place ?
In 2022 the Kentville Grand Street Parade was quite understandably very limited and downsized following the 2 previous Covi year cancellations, but this year's 2023 effort wasn't much better ? The immense contribution and the wonderful diversity supplied by nearby Valley communities from Windsor to Digby was no longer included in the Parade ? Apple Blossom royalty and all Princess floats were no longer included in the Parade ? And many local residents expressed disappointment when Apple Blossom Princess Kentville and her child attendant were no longer seen or to be included in the Town Parade ? It seemed that Kentville had lost yet another identifiable citizen and wonderful Ambassador that always performed her official duties including advertising, promoting the town and representing Kentville with charm, grace, dignity, talent and beauty wherever she went ?
After the long running 3 consecutive Apple Blossom weekdays of afternoon and evening mid week entertainment at the Park were all cancelled and Apple Blossom Week entertainment was cut down to a bare bone single Friday night affair, ( which btw will no longer include the highlight of the evening Royal Party visitation and rock music by Eddy's Basement ), it seems Officials were still unsatisfied and found yet another way to take away even more ? And this year they want to charge inflation stressed locals a fee to see entertainers like Matt Minglewood and Kevin Davison at private shows when in the past these entertainers appeared on a public stage free of charge ? Cut backs were also apparent in fireworks, (which btw will no longer be started by Queen Annapolisa at her official Royal Party visitation to the Park following Coronation ceremonies in Wolfville) ?
And so, in summing up, the citizens of Kentville are frustrated with cutbacks, the many steps backwards, and the cancellations and closures that never seem to be replaced once gone ? Both the Provincial Railway and municipal Airport are now permanently closed down and even Acadia Van lines inter provincial bus transit no longer stops ? The Wandlyn Inn complex and all of its popular hotel and restaurant services were lost by fire and never replaced ? Extreme cut backs were made to the historic Apple Blossom Festival that saw a week long fun filled period of public entertainment at Memorial Park reduced to one minimal Friday night affair followed the next day by a shortened mundane parade of less than an hour ? Concerns also remain about the absence of an in-Town High School for Teens, the loss of a key funeral home, the loss of the Pool Hall, the absence of a movie theater, the loss of Harveys drive thru burgers, the loss of one of the 2 dt Tim Hortons, the loss of the dt pizza parlor, the loss of Chinese food take out, the loss of the local fruit and vegetable market, the absence of a 7/24 convenience store, the closure of the bakery, and also the loss of the local disposal site when no replacement was ever offered by the Government that shut it down ? There was also the shocking cancellation and heartbreaking termination of her royal heinous the Apple Blossom Princess Kentville and the end of the pretigious Acadia U Coronation ceremonies in Wolfville ? There was also the erasing of, and then the changing of the name of Kentville's biggest most identifiable internationally known Cornwallis Inn name logo that is instantly recognizable world wide and symbolically married for decades to the Town name of Kentville ? There remains the problem of a serious local shortage of rental rooms and local dining spots for tourists created when the Wandlyn hotel complex burned down and when not one of these many hospitality, business, tourist, restaurant, hotel, night club, and recreational venues were ever replaced ?
And now, in a more recent issue, we are seeing more and more small businesses located all over the Valley that have not only provided local employment but also served as popular meet and greet gathering spots for friends and neighbors for years and years now, changing hands after being bought out and turned over to total strangers that are not from Halifax or from N.S. nor even Canada but have come here from another Continent ? A strange new phenomenon of foreign take-overs has arrived in the Valley that includes replacing the management, assuming full control of the business and taking over the labor force of many traditional Valley fast food, gas, and coffee businesses ? Some of these now include : the Petrocan in New Minas, many Valley Tim Hortons, the Subway, KFC, DQ, Burger King, and the Mary Brown's in New Minas to name a few ? And in another concern, because many newcomer employees are unfamiliar with the currency it is advisable to count your change carefully if paying by cash ? There are also some indications that nepotism is now being shown in the hiring of employees once these establishments are taken over by new foreign management, and that our local students can't get Summer jobs any more ? Another major local employer, Eassons Trucking, also seems affected by the current influx of new foreign workers with some reports of untrained, unlicensed, unqualified, (and Government subsidized) drivers behind the wheel, and rumors of some units with multiple drivers on board having a hole drilled in the floor of the sleeper cabin to accommodate a long piece of ABS plumbing pipe used to transfer raw shidzen sewage directly from the interior of the truck down onto the open highway below to avoid pit stops at the Big Stop ?
And, from the looks of a recent Town municipal election, most candidates that ran are relatively new to this area and as such might be unfamiliar with the Town's long time traditions, customs, character, and past history ? Some candidates had even naively described the town as a kind of happy go lucky, blissful, Hallmark or Who-ville movie set place that is teaming with busy villagers and joyful munchkins frolicking up and down picturesque cobblestone streets lined by colorful quaint shops and internationally known boutiques and eateries which does not present an accurate description of the Town ?
And apparently the new Mayor who is also a new local business owner, appears to have befriended ex- Kings County Warden Brothers who doesn't live in Kentville but resides in the Kingston/Greenwood area and who had previously sold out Kentville when leading the charge to shut down and evict the local municipal Airport, the well known skydiving academy, the international flight training academy and many other prosperous Waterville airport aviation businesses ? And then there's the Mayors' recent New Year's message of congratulating himself on enlarging the size of his downtown retail store and expressing his own personal happiness over a new (taxpayer funded) installation of a brand new sidewalk in front of it, but failing to mention town issues like the terrible poverty and youth unemployment, the drug problems, the cost of living crisis, the homeless problem, the devastating cancellation of the historic Princess Kentville competition, the vacationers concerns about no place to stay, and the much needed indoor town recreation facility, (no one wants to get their daily exercise by hiking down crude outdoor trails while attacked by mosquitos or witnessing a homeless user shoot up in the privacy of the forest) ? There was also the recent eradication of the Apple Blossom Festival and decimation of the world famous Grande Street Parade ? And there's also the current Town housing crisis, the high increases in rent, and the alarming rate of downtown business failures, and also the need to honor Kentvilles glorious past railroading history with a museum and outdoor display of some sort ? Adding to this there appears to be a newly elected Town Council that has immediately started to cancel and cut back on important traditional town public events when, ( due to a drop of rain ) they cancelled this year's Military march-on and (best in the area) outdoors Remembrance Day ceremonies traditionally held at the Memorial Cenotaph on Park Street ? There was also this years' poor presentation of a Grande Street Parade and one unsafe situation in the newcomer Parade where normal residents (incl Seniors) were seen perched precariously aboard a stop and go, open air, jerking motion, no sided vehicle without restraining devices, water or protection from the sun ? There was also the ridiculous changing of many of the long time well known town names including the most famous of them all the Cornwallis Inn ? There's also the local residents plea to 'bring our high school students back home again' , and some complaints about the Town failure to provide public outdoor entertainment events exceeding the grade school level ? There was also the controversy over the hanging up of the biggest pride flag money can buy above the main entrance to the honored heritage site Cornwallis Inn, and of course, there was also the recent down town flood crisis ? The mayor did not address the question of why a Provincial Government would force the local reclamation and disposal site to permanently close down its operation and then those who caused this major loss, did not offer to replace it but just left the area without such a facility ? And, there was no mention of the need for an inquiry into the exorbitant five figure fee charged to the customer by Kentville water commission just to turn water on at the road ? And there are also concerns over the recent rash of sudden and unopposed takeovers of small businesses by newly arrived foreigners from Asia when locals here can't find work ? And what about growing concerns over the recent issue of the formation of an exclusive Ontarioville newcomer type town growing within an already established town ? There were also many concerns over the Spring pothole epidemic that had made some of the streets unfit to drive on, at a time when a brand new double lane sidewalk was being installed in front of Phinneys that was smooth as a baby's bum ?? And then there was the refusal by the Town to help citizens with expensive auto repairs caused by their dangerous unattended potholes ? And there was also the inadequate street lighting and residential streets and sidewalks still in need of attention ? There was also the inconvenience felt by local residents when ultra slow motion repairs on Canaan Ave moved at a three legged turtle racing speed causing this vital access route to remain closed to traffic, incl emergency vehicles, for many many Months, (very much unlike the speedy workmanship and high priority given to the new downtown sidewalk installation in the front of Phinneys) ?
And so, can it be time to stop newcomer mentality, and to make it mandatory for all candidates bidding on these important Town governing positions to be born and raised and reside in Kentville in an effort to respect, protect and retain the Town's unique character, history, diversity, identity, and many longtime local traditions ?
OUCH ? ( could someone please remove the daggers from our back ), Et tu, Warden Brothers and u tu Leo ? March 10th 2014 - A Date That Will Live on in Infamy - Warden Brothers, (Greenwood riding) and the Kings County Council use a calculated forced eviction to shut down the Waterville Airport aviation complex and then relocate some components to the Kingston/Greenwood area ?
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/28588465413/in/album-7...
Newcomer ABF directors trying to erase history ? The page showing all past Queens and Apple Blossom Princesses has been removed from the official Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival site ? The popular history page honoring all past Queen Annapolisa winners 1933-2018 with photos and bios has been taken down and apparently replaced with huge portraits of the newcomer directors ?
Meet the newcomer directors,
Kentville IS the Cornwallis Inn and the Cornwallis Inn IS Kentville ! If you were to google the 2 words Cornwallis Inn you will get over 600,000 entries with almost all of them married to the word Kentville.. (what a great promotional tool) . The world famous Cornwallis Inn is the source of many fond memories for local and Valley residents.. "It was the centre of everything’: The past and present of Kentville’s iconic Cornwallis Inn"
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/lifestyles/it-was-the-centre...
.
.
.
On the recent 2023 edition of the Grand Street Parade :
"it looked as if some spectators along the route just joined in and began to walk along and make themselves a part of the parade ? "
May 27th, 2023 - Dismay, disillusion and extreme disappointment prevail in Kentville over shocking changes and many missing regular entrees in this years 2023 Grand Street Parade ? Where is our famous Queen Annapolisa and where are the many Apple Blossom Princesses and their child attendants riding in their beautiful hand crafted decorated floats ? Where's the town criers ? And what about the dazzling majorette groups, the Scottish pipers and large multi instrumental marching bands that always come ? And where are the Hantsport and Windsor floats and their large delegations ? And where are Digby, Aylesford, Annapolis Royal, Canning, Middleton, Wolfville, and more ? Why are so many towns and villages that normally participate in the parade not included this year ? It was also a major disappointment when for the first time ever Kentville's own Apple Blossom Princess, (aka Miss Kentville) was no longer included in the parade as many toen residents young and old identify with their chosen Apple Blossom Princess at this time of year ? However the now royalty-free Princess float was still used to transport a grouping of normal everyday town residents sitting around together in a social scene meant to identity Kentville as being a diverse and inclusive place ? The New Minas float also did not include an Apple Blossom Princess for this year, however her float was transformed into an advertisement for the famous New Minas UFO incident which all New Minions identify with. The Berwick float didn't include a Princess Berwick this year either. but was altered to proudly identify with the town's upcoming Centennial celebrations. And the Kingston float was also missing an Apple Blossom Princess this year but was instead promoting their long running Kingston Steer Barbecue that all Kingstonians readily identify with. It was good to see an RCMP contingent again although they sent far less officers this year than usual ? And it was notable that only 1 other large marching band appeared in the parade when usually 4 or more big bands, many with many pipers usually attend after traveling up from places like Cape Breton, Bridgewater, Dartmouth etc ? And where have all of the pets and animals gone ? There's no horse teams, wooden wagons, riders or livestock this year ? Even the usual greyhound dogs weren't there ? Also noticed that some spectators must have just joined in and began walking along within the parade, and others must have come over from the Children's parade with their strollers to join in ? There was a variety of advertisers, most from out of town but some local ? There were various Political parties represented with the largest delegation coming from the Liberals ? All in all, this Year's parade seemed a bare minimum weak effort that was really missing the usual royal pageantry and 7 to 10 spectacular Princess floats, and the large marching bands and majorette groups that usually enter, and the usual agriculture horticulture and livestock component, and the very popular Scottish pipers bands that always attend, and the many large out of town contingents that always participate ? This was not the famous grand street parade that patrons are accustomed to and did not come near to the high standards and professionalism set by previous Grand Street Parades ? It became clearly obvious that what they were hailing as a newer, bolder, more inclusive and more diverse parade was instead the exact opposite ? This Grand Street Parades has lost the inclusion, diversity and major contribution given by the many Valley communities and their Princess contestants with Child attendants that come to participate in the Queen Annapolisa competition, the Friday evening coronation gala at Acadia University in Wolfville, the Princess Teas and Royal attendances at schools hospitals, senior citizen homes and shut-ins, as well as the Friday night Memorial Park outdoor concert, the Saturday morning Children's Parade and the Royal trip down Main street Kentville in the famous Grand Street parade ?
And so, to quickly sum up, can this strange, incomplete, hastily thrown together, shortened, newcomer mentality version of our world famous Kentville Grand Street Parade that is now missing all of the Queen Annapolisa Royalty and missing all 7 to 10 Apple Blossom Princesses and their 7 to 10 beautifully handcrafted individual Town Princess floats, and also missing the unique character and diversity brought forth by the many absent Valley villages and communities that are no longer included in the parade, and that had also failed to include many out of town large marching bands and pipers that usually attend, and that had also been lacking in the representation of local farming, agriculture and livestock displays, now signal the end of the once glorious Grand Street Parade era ?
Previous parades :
2011 Grand Street Parade Kentville 79th ABF
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVgh3Dh2xn8&t=208s
2012 Grand Street Parade Kentville www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB1VBx50b18
2014 Kentville Grand Street Parade www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEo14IZKxp8&t=11s
2015 Kentville Grand Street Parade
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBifeG2SdPY&t=47s
2016 Kentville Grand Street Parade www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2wedvN5_Iw&t=8s
2017 Kentville Grand Street Parade www.youtube.com/watch?v=JozwyGpvfSY&t=1978s
2018 Kentville Grand Street Parade www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOK1GmiLmNk&t=986s
2019 Kentville Grand Street Parade www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMdEx8Zf-q0&t=1492s
The exclusion of so many participants and denial of diversity have marred the 2023 edition of Kentville Grand Street Parade ? Many nearby Valley communities were missing when these longtime participants weren't included in this year's parade ? Where is Canning, Digby, Annapolis Royal, Hantsport Greenwood, Windsor ? Where's our Queen Annapolisa ? Where's the Apple Blossom Princesses and all the individual Town floats including Princess Kentville ? To view a complete (newcomer version) of the world famous Kentville Grand Street Parade press here www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lchie www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lchie
..
.
.
******************
..
Public entertainment held at Memorial Park Kentville during the Apple Blossom Festival ;
A medley of some of the bands that have performed at Memorial Park Kentville, Apple Blossom Festival - Petty Larceny, Fleetwod Mix, Keep the Faith, Stones Tribute, Green River Revival, Viscious, Eddy's Basement, Matt Minglewood,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x76pn9b
www.dailymotion.com/video/x5hqti9
,
Fleetwood Mix;
in concert 2015,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbltesRRCNk&t=390s
Don't Stop www.dailymotion.com/video/x3o6auu
Gold Dust Woman
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3o5xbg
Edge of Seventeen
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3lpjb7
Everywhere
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3lo7rz
I don't wanna know
www.dailymotion.com/video/x2t85mg
Sisters of the Moon
www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gfold
Fleetwood Mix medley - 2015
www.dailymotion.com/video/x2sfjm1
Seven Wonders
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jxnas
The Chain
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jxnao
Rainbows End
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jxnaq
Just like a runaway girl
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jxnau
Tusk
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jxnfs
Viscious comes to Kentville ;
www.dailymotion.com/video/x8blaup
.
Green River Revival at the 2012 A B F ;
studio.youtube.com/video/Q2rO8pG5Mkk/edit
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2rO8pG5Mkk
.
Eddy's Basement in Kentville Thursday at the Park,,
Just another brick in the Wall
www.dailymotion.com/video/x7u402l
No Time, Comfortably Numb, Tied to the Whipping Post, Sin City, Twilight Zone, Roller, Smokin,, Money, Just Another Brick in the Wall..
www.dailymotion.com/video/x7u672h
Comfortably Numb,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3lmbgf
Sin City,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3ot59g
Roller,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3lm5z5
Whippin Post
www.dailymotion.com/video/x3o5o5o
.
Bluesmobile in Kentville ; ;
Forget About It,,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x4f58y3
25 or 6 to 4,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x4lfjyc
Knock on wood, Proud Mary,, etc = Memorial park Friday night show
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f8WN0_OHz8&t=37s
Without Love
www.dailymotion.com/video/x4f1rgs
Caledonia_by Uncle D
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jv7ua
Superstitious
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jv7xy
All about the base
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jv7qs
No woman no cry
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jv7xw
Mustang Sally
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jv7y0
Bluesmobile on stage Gimme some luvin
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jv74i
Friday Bluesmobile on stage Memorial Park 1/2 hour
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jv6s0
2016 Bluesmobile on stage Friday Memorial Park Pt 1
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jxo5m
2016 Bluesmobile on stage Friday Memorial Park pt 2
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jxnhm
Bluesmobile in Kentville - 25 or 624
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9k6cma
An ABF Guest Tribute band,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x81qbxd
.
Keep the Faith,
We got it going on,,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fs7xm
Its my Life,,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x2yxwbw
Keep the Faith in Kentville medley 3 songs
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9jvbli
.
Petty Larceny
www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gq64d
.
Matt Minglewood at Kentville Memorial Park ABF 2018, -
www.dailymotion.com/video/x6y6tww
2016 84th Apple Blossom Festival ;
The traditional Royal Party visitation to Memorial Park in Kentville following the Coronation Ceremonies at Acadia University in Wolfville,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x8zb7zg
Some bad news - Drastic cutbacks to public entertainment by the Town of Kentville will punish citizens and end the enjoyment of these guest Tribute band performances ? In an ongoing decline in content and quality of Kentville town entertainment, all normal mid-week public displays and entertainment that were always held at Memorial Park during the Apple Blossom Festival week have been curtailed by a new generation of administrators ? These Cost saving frugal decisions will conserve Town money by inflicting public entertainment cut-backs on citizens ?
More bad news, Drastic cutbacks by the Town of Kentville will end a long-time tradition of mid week Apple blossom open public entertainment normally held each year during the Apple Blossom Festival down at Memorial Park ? And so ever since these major entertainment cancellations backs in 2017, instead of an interesting and fun filled evening for the residents of Kentville, there's just a silent empty Park on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Kentville's Memorial Park during the Apple Blossom Festival ? No explanation, replacement, substitution or apology was ever offered ?
A Thursday at the Park,,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x81qbxd
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/52087619256
Thursday at the Park - local students
www.dailymotion.com/video/x8blaur
Thursday at the Park - local music students performing at ABF
www.dailymotion.com/video/x8blaus
Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival Theme
www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gq8bx
Queen Annapolisa at the Park
www.dailymotion.com/partner/x15x1lv/media/video/details/x...
Thursday at the Park 20m Central Kings High drum core, www.dailymotion.com/partner/x15x1lv/media/video/details/x...
www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/52091143986/in/album-7...
Thursday at Memorial Park - Kentville Grade school kids perform,
www.dailymotion.com/video/x9k6c5c
Celebrate www.flickr.com/photos/74039487@N02/54544345629
Kentville is an incorporated town in Nova Scotia. It is the most populous town in the Annapolis Valley. As of 2021, the town's population was 6,630.
The photo is executed in technique «LightGraphic » or «The painting of light», that assumes illumination of model by small light sources in darkness on long endurance.
Thus, all lightcloth (composition) - is one Photo Exposition, is embodied on a matrix of the camera in one click of a shutter.
Sketches from the series "Reflections ..."
Short story (in russian) here:
Seated Buddha, Tang dynasty (618–906), ca. 650
China
Dry lacquer with traces of gilt and polychrome pigments
Buddhist images executed in dry lacquer were highly valued by the Chinese because of their costly and time-consuming process of production. There are so few surviving examples that this seated Buddha is especially precious. To fashion the body of the image, the craftsman made a rough form of the sculpture in clay and then applied at least three layers of hemp cloth, each secured with a paste made of raw lacquer (the sap from the lac tree, Rhus verniciflua) and a fine powder of bone, horn, shell, ceramic, stone, or carbon. Each layer had to dry thoroughly before the next could be added. The clay core was then removed from the lacquered image. The head and hands were likely modeled separately, using the same technique as that used for the body, and then attached to the sculpture. The surface was finished with several coatings of pure lacquer and then painted.
Portrayed as a youthful figure, the Buddha sits in the full lotus position, with his legs tightly interlocked, though the lower part of the sculpture is missing. The position of the damaged arms suggests that the hands performed the gesture of contemplation. The columnar form and lean gracefulness of the figure recall the style of Buddhist sculpture of the late Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386–589), but the attempt to render anatomical differentiation and, in particular, the emotional impact of the Buddha's expression are distinguishing features of early Tang style. The traces of brilliant red and blue, vividly combined to form a stylized floral pattern in the hem of the undergarment crossing the chest, and the remains of shimmering gilt on the surface are evidence of the sumptuous effect of this once colorful figure.
Text from www.metmuseum.org
Another where I had the concept and the photo ready early, but couldn't execute until 11 pm and not sure it quite turned out like I had envisioned. But it's too late now, off to bed!
Legible journaling will go on back:
I am the woman behind the camera, because I don’t like having my picture taken...
I am the woman who occasionally hands the camera to my husband because someday he might just want to remember what I looked like (though he always manages to get butt shots or me putting food in my mouth, argh)
I am the woman who seldom speaks of her hopes and dreams because she’s not sure if she can handle the disappointment of failure.
I am the woman who is realizing that there are things I thought I had time for, but will probably never happen now. Most of those things are very physical. It’s more of a philosophical realization than a disappointment.
I am the woman who has never lived completely alone and on her own.
I am the woman who maintains the fantasy of running away from home and kids to live in a barn with horses. Or a tiny apartment in the city. I think this is related to the item above ; )
I am the woman who struggles constantly with focus/ADD issues which cause others to believe I’m just flaky. I have embraced the label and paired it with Artist. It works for me.
I am the woman who is finally realizing that she can be an artist without painting like a photo.
I am the woman who has trouble finishing a piece of art because I’m afraid I will mess it up right at the end.
I am the woman who is realizing that if you don’t share your hopes and dreams, others won’t be able to help you make them come true.
I am the woman who can’t wait until my children are old enough to hear about the trouble I got into in my teens and twenties. Don’t want to give them any ideas or permission right now!
La Chiffonniere (Rag Lady), was executed by Jean Dubuffet in 1978 and installed in Justin Herman Plaza, located at the foot of Market Street at the Embarcadero, in 1981. The 19-foot, 8-inch tall painted stainless steel sculpture depicts a full-length female figure, outlined in black "puzzle" pieces.
Auschwitz (41/44) - Zyklon B gas canisters - the gas was invented by chemist Bruno Tesch (executed by the British in 1946) - Zyklon B was handled by Dessauer Werke für Zucker and Chemische Werke, which acquired the stabilizer from IG Farben - Photographer Russell McNeil PhD (Physics) lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia where he works also as a writer and a personal trainer.
The monument, executed by Sir William Goscombe and erected in 1933, to Evan & James James.
Evan James (Bardic name Ieuan ap Iago), was a weaver and poet. His son James James (Bardic name Ieuan ap Iago), is said to have thought up the tune for Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers) as he walked along the bank of the River Rhondda one day in 1856. He gave the tune to his father Evan, who composed the lyrics. The song became the National Anthem of Wales.
The monument depicts two Celtic figures, a boy playing a harp representing music, and a girl representing poetry. The faces of Evan & James are between the figures. Evan is shown as younger than his son, due to these being the only photographs available to the sculptor. In front of the group is the coped ledger stone from Evan's grave. When the Carmel Chapel was demolished, the remains of Evan and his wife Elizabeth were transferred to the foot of the monument, with the stone.
Situated beside the Kirkintilloch to Kilsyth Road, about a mile from the Kirkintilloch boundary, sits this monument to two executed Covenanters, John Wharry and James Smith, who were put to death for their faith.
700 Uighurs executed, 16.000 imprisoned... who stands up for language, culture and religion of the Uighures gets marked as "Terrorist" by the Chinese government. Alone since March 23, at least 760 Uighures were arrested.
Occupied in 1949, East Turkestan is just one of the countries (besides Tibet and Inner Mongolia) that has been overrun by the Chinese Army more than half a century ago and now gets claimed to always have been Chinese...
At least Chinese authorities try everything that it once will be "really" Chinese. In 1949 only five percent of the population of East Turkestan was Chinese.. By official Chinese statistics, Xinjiang (as East Turkestan got named by the Chinese) now has 8.7 million Uighurs and 7.5 million Chinese. In reality the number of Chinese is supposed to be even larger than of the Uighurs.
Furthermore, every year children are being brought to China mainland to get "educated" there, or rather re-educated or "brainwashed", as Rebiya Kadeer says.
If that all wasn't enough girls and women get taken away from their homeland, under false pretenses to provide them with work... which is less than half the truth, because in labor camps they have work, but also don't have a choice to leave, not to mention other rights. This is the way how the Chinese government wants to increase these people's population...
The Treatment Rooms, a mosaic work by Baroness Carrie von Reichardt, Fairlawn Grove, Chiswick. The garden wall is a memorial to Luis Ramirez who was executed by the state of Texas.
While rereading what I originally wrote for this post back in 2014, I couldn't help but feel that I had left so much out. Only part of the story was told, so I feel it only makes sense to rewrite this, and give Barbie's friends the spotlight they deserve. It's also fitting since the original photograph was also redone, to better represent the vision we originally had, but couldn't execute. There are two parts to this tale--how it all began, and what it became when I started collecting dolls as an adult. Early on, I was enamored by the friends of Barbie. Teresa, Kira, Christie, Midge, and those random one off characters always captured my attention. It was these characters of various ethnic representations who stood out to me. As a blonde little girl, I wasn't interested in playing with a doll that looked like myself. No, instead I desired to live vicariously through my plastic companions. So it became a trend very early on in my life that I collected/hunted down Barbie's friends.
The very first friend of Barbie I owned was a Sun Jewel Kira. She wasn't a doll I picked out myself--instead she was chosen by my sister. It was Colleen's birthday, most likely in 1994, when Dad took her out to the store to choose a doll. Of course since I was so young, Dad and Mom wanted to make sure I wouldn't get jealous of Colleen's new dolly, so Dad had her get one for me too. Colleen was drawn to the sparkling Sun Jewel line--for herself she elected Barbie, and for me, she opted to choose Kira. Why Kira? Colleen knew of my deep obsession for princess Jasmine, and Kira's black hair was reminiscent in a very small way of my favorite Disney character (that and her huge earrings). Colleen picked well, because for a while, until I got a real Jasmine doll, Kira was my stand in. While I can no longer remember the specifics of those early days, Colleen recalls the times she caught me red handed with some of her Jasmine doll's things on my "hideous" Kira doll. Kira was notorious for stealing Jasmine's golden necklace...and probably dating Colleen's Aladdin doll who I also "borrowed" without permission (which is how his head came off). Kira took a beating, despite being my very first store bought doll. Unlike her comrades of the olden days, she is no longer here. Somehow my secondhand friends outlived her. Kira's earrings broke off, her face paint rubbed away, her body became so limp it couldn't hold a pose....and there was that dreaded mullet hairdo I gave her for some reason. Of course I can't forget to mention Kira's decapitation--that time I let a little girl at the beach borrow her, and she lost Kira's head in the water. Instead of helping us search, she promptly handed me Kira's body and walked away. Luckily, Colleen and I were able to retrieve Kira's head in the murky pond waters somehow. Even with all my current knowledge of doll restoration, there was no way I could have possibly breathed life into my dear old friend. But I'm grateful to have a reincarnation of her, shown in this photo--a lucky flea market boxed find from years ago! Kira will always be a pillar in my doll collection, and as I re-immersed myself in to the world of dollies, I was quick to add more of her to my growing hoard. Even though she's not always the doll I find the most aesthetically pleasing, I can't help but feel a great attachment to Kira. Like my WNBA girl, who I longed for as a kid since she reminded me of my favorite figure skater, Kristi Yamaguchi. There was also Ocean Friends Kira, who I found in 2013 still sealed in her box. She was another one of those childhood dreams, who I almost picked over Barbie. But Barbie, aka Deenie, won out simply because she was packaged with the Orca whale, my favorite animal.
Kira was the doll who started it all for me, but there were other friends of Barbie who strengthened this obsession. I'd say that Christie was one of the very first characters I ever went out of my way to collect. Although I would have denied being a collector back then, as it felt like a stuffy, money motivated word to my younger self, that's precisely what I was doing. My Bathtime Fun Kelly and my American Girl Addy sparked an interest in African American dolls within me at a very young age. I still recall my fantasies of owning a dark skinned Barbie to pair with little Kelly, aka Kelsey. I finally got my hands on my dream doll, Pearl Beach Christie, after I managed to save $8 of my allowance up for her. So she wasn't the fanciest Christie I could have picked, but the fact that she was from a beach collection just like Kira, was a major bonus. For a time, it was this Christie who reigned supreme....until a woe begone Dentist Barbie came into my life and stole the spotlight. But Christie did regain popularity in several waves over the years, which is how she ended up with this short bob haircut that you can see in the photo. I wanted her to have a "summer" inspired hairdo...it was a terrible idea, but I love her nonetheless. From there I built up a trio of Christie dolls, which included Glam 'n Groom, Pearl Beach, and Happenin' Hair (who I picked out for my eighth birthday). Only my original Pearl Beach Christie still survives...the other two were given away during a regretful doll purge in the early 2000s. By the age of eleven, it became routine for me to pick Christie dolls out on those Friday night pizza/doll runs with Dad. His way of handling the loss of Mom was to constantly be out of the house, and to make up for his rageful outbursts by buying each of us dolls on the weekends. During those first few years without Mom, I collected Sunsation, Rain or Sun, Chair Flair, Rio de Janeiro, Hollywood Nails, and Dance Flex Christie. Most are still part of my collection, although a few of them were sold off at a yard sale in 2011. There were also the African American dolls who I thought were Christie, who turned out to be just an ethnic variation of Barbie, like the infamous Bead Blast "Christie." Oh how I pined for that doll, ever since the day I got a McDonald's miniature of her with my Happy Meal. It wasn't until 2015, when one finally came my way. I know she's technically Barbie, but Bead Blast will always be Christie in my heart.
I had many other favorite friends of Barbie growing up. Teresa was the beauty queen in my young eyes. Although Christie was usually the one I bought from a line first, I played more with Barbie's Hispanic friend. I had quite the hoard of Teresa dolls back then, even after giving away several of my dolls. There was also my Generation Girl binge of the late 90s, which was ignited when I first laid eyes on Chelsie at Toys 'R' Us, the same day I picked out Happenin' Hair Christie for my birthday. I spent over a year, closer to two, tracking down all six original Generation Girls. To this day, the Generation Girl line is one of my absolute favorites to ever exist, and I still squeal with delight when I find a Gen Girl I don't already own. There was also my Happy Family bender of 2003/2004--I quickly became obsessed with Midge, Alan, and their little family. In a very short span of time, I managed to get my hands on quite a few dolls/playsets. Strangely though, I think of all the heavily played with Barbie friends of my childhood years, it was a random character who left the greatest impact. Becky was a doll that only appeared three times over the years---Paralympic, Share a Smile, and I'm the School Photographer (I have all three now). I was at a friend's house one afternoon when I spotted a unique redhead in her messy pile of dolls. This gal was extra exotic since she was marketed with a wheelchair. By the end of the afternoon, I knew it was my destiny to get my very own Becky. In the coming months, Becky finally came to fruition. I saved my allowance up for her, and picked her out at a local Toys 'R' Us, the day Colleen chose Awesome Skateboard Janet. In an ironic twist of fate, my very own Becky doll just didn't do it for me like my friend's had. I don't know if perhaps my doll was just less attractive, or maybe the novelty had worn off. But she was cast aside not long after acquiring her. Little did I know that Colleen was secretly green with envy over Becky. She was always one who had a morbid fascination with illnesses and handicaps. I recall being very young and forced to be the make believe character in a wheelchair, to suit Colleen's inner medical daydreams. Sometime in 2001, we started one of our most infamous doll games of all time--the "Refugee Game." It was during this role that Becky stole the show, and Colleen got to rewrite her script. It began innocently enough--my beloved Tarzan Jane doll was cast as the older sister to Colleen's AA Kid Kore Katie, Holly. She ran a salon from inside the house, and a host of odd personalities always showed up to have their hair done. Jane's crazy, ditzy friend Ariel worked at the salon with her. Colleen decided to make Becky one of the rude clients. While at the house, Becky revealed her dirty little secret...she could walk after all! She made herself pizza in the kitchen and took a long, relaxing bubble bath while chowing down on her snack. Somehow, Becky became a "good guy" when the dolls had to run away to escape the villain, Barbie (Holiday Singing Sister), who was out to imprison Kid Kore Katie for being a "Fakian." Instead of turning Jane in for having a clone sister, she joined Ariel, Jane, and Katie in the Golden Dream Motorhomes as they fled for safety. This is where the inspiration for this photo was derived from. In the coming years, Becky became a staple in our doll family--she was older sister to Leroy, aka Water Jewel Magic Aladdin. Of course Colleen decided to make Becky authentically disabled in later scenarios. She spent much of her time wearing our doll hospital gown, grousing in the makeshift french fry box bed, constantly complaining of her many ailments.
The dolls of my younger years are the foundation for my interest in Barbie's friends. However, surprisingly the one I feel the deepest fondness for was not one of these ladies. Interestingly enough, the friend of Barbie who tugs at my heart strings the most would have to be Francie. Francie came and left the Barbie world long before I was even born. I don't know that I had any prior knowledge of her existence, until that fateful day my 1996 reproduction joined the family. It must have been sometime in 2004 when I spotted a mint in box Francie repro at a huge indoor flea market we frequented back then. I can't really say what it was about this doll, but I was compelled by her. Dad offered to get me Francie, but I politely declined for whatever reason....I probably didn't know what I'd do with her. Fate had a different plan for me though, because several minutes later, I happened upon an authentic, vintage Francie house. Being an absolute sucker for Barbie playsets, especially very old ones, I HAD to get Francie's case style vinyl house. Before leaving the flea market, Dad insisted that we double back and buy the boxed Francie. His logic was, "Well you need the Francie doll to go with the house!" It's a moment in time that has been frozen, and just thinking about it brings me to tears. I'm not sure what it is about my repro Francie, but nobody can quite hold a candle to her, much like that random Jammin' in Jamaica Nolee doll Dad bought me in 2003, when I had to have teeth pulled for braces. In that minute, it didn't seem like a big deal, just another occasion in which Dad wanted to spoil me rotten with dolls. Francie didn't even get played with until I was a teenager. It was a secret affair--Colleen and I conspired to break out the dolls when Dad was sick a few years later, probably when I was eighteen. We hadn't touched our plastic friends in several years, but for whatever reason we were compelled to do so. Francie took on the role of "Sara" and dated Pet Pals Kevin, aka Charlie. Although I don't remember much about the given scenario anymore, Francie kept her Sara persona after that game. Of course it's not shocking that as an adult collector, my fondness for Francie has grown. In the early days, I found Malibu and "Baggy" Francie in the "70s Bin" which we acquired on New Year's Day 2012...most likely the last flea market dolls Dad ever bought us when he was alive. Every time I stumble upon a Francie doll, I can't help but feel a certain sense of nostalgia and magic. I have a tendency to save ones that probably aren't worth while...like one of my blonde bendable leg gals who has a pixie cut, split legs, and missing eyelashes (ironically, she's one of my faves). There was also the day I found my dream doll, the 1965 "Straight Leg" Francie. I had seen others of her before, but they were far too expensive. I found my gal tucked away in a stinky, vintage Barbie case with a handful of ancient, authentic clothes, for just $5/$6. The reason I was so drawn to this particular doll was because of her resemblance to my beloved repro. Despite her yellowing face and the fact that I don't own a stitch of her original outfit, she's one of my personal favorites in my collection.
Barbie's friend circle is absolutely massive, so it's impossible to give each character I've connected with her own stage time. So while this passage highlights some of the most memorable, many dolls weren't mentioned, and some have their very own separate "My Story" write ups (like My Scene). There was also Ballerina Cara, who wooed me from an eBay listing at the tender age of 12. Her arms fell off immediately upon arrival in the mail, and it wasn't until 2012 that she was fixed. I think of all the African American characters ever created, Cara is the most breathtaking. Let's not forget about Jazzie, Barbie's oddly sized cousin who first captured my attention when I found the Sun Sensation one in a scruffy container of dolls at the flea market. She took on the name of Leanne, and I was set on adding more of her kind to my collection as an adult. Likewise there is Shani and co., much like the S.I.S. line of more modern times. Reading about Shani in my doll books made me covet my own that much more--I'll never forget Father's Day 2012, when I found Sun Jewel Shani and "1st Edition" Asha while at a huge outdoor flea market with Dad's best friend. The Mystery Squad drew me in when the dolls first hit store shelves in 2002. Kenzie became a childhood favorite, even after I made the mistake of brushing out her kinky curls (luckily I figured out how to fix them as an adult). I still recall the day that Dad bought me Kenzie, and then I was stuck going to a sleepover at a friend's house. How I longed to be at home with Colleen and her favorite Katie, playing dolls instead (or going to see a movie in theaters with Dad and Colleen). In my adult years, P.J. wormed a special place in my heart. I was magnetically drawn to her gorgeous, closed lipped head mold and her bold, wide eyes. Words cannot describe how hard I fell for Malibu P.J., the day I found her entangled in the "70s Bin" with a bunch of re-bodied dolls. I can never resist buying P.J. dolls whenever we cross paths at flea markets. Summer and Raquelle were two of the few store bought Barbies I purchased since my resurgence back into dolls. Although initially disinterested in the Life in the Dreamhouse franchise, I soon found myself lusting for them....and when they went on sale, I just couldn't help myself! There were also the Fairytopia friends, who once upon a time I found ever so creepy. I recall tossing Crystal into the garbage bag when we found her stained with mold in the "Lagoona bin" of 2013. But something called me back to her, and after a bath and stain removal treatment, she became one of my most prized possessions. Monster High dolls made me see that the Fairytopia friends really weren't all that bizarre, and now I look forward to adding more of these colorful creatures to my collection whenever they turn up in lots. Whether it is a one time appearance friend, or a character that spanned the decades, they are all wonderful in their own ways. While I do feel a certain affection for the dolls that graced store shelves in my childhood, I also feel the same nostalgia for characters like Francie, Whitney, Miko, and Jazzie who all preceded my youth, but were part of my childhood too. While I don't purchase many Barbies brand new these days, that doesn't mean I don't love her new generation of friends just the same. While it is sad to not see familiar faces like Christie and Kira, I will say that the likes of Summer, Raquelle, and Nikki get me just as excited. My love and devotion to the friends of Barbie is as eclectic as the dolls themselves--each decade, each generation brought something new and refreshing to the table, and without them all, Barbie's world would be a lot less colorful!
This plaque in Llandovery town marks the spot of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan's death. He had led the army of King Henry IV on a 'wild goose chase' under the pretence of leading them to a secret rebel camp and an ambush of Owain Glyndwr's forces. Henry had him half hanged, disembowled in front of his own eyes, beheaded and quartered - the quarters salted and dispatched to other towns for public display. There is also a magnificent faceless 16ft high statue (unveiled in 2001) of Llewelyn on the north side of Llandovery Castle, overlooking the place of his execution in 1401 (see below).