#Four Freedoms Park Conservancy

[goodgarbs]

Art| An In-Depth Look At Cj Hendry's 'Flower Market' Featuring Sightings of Martha Stewart & Many More

Over the weekend, designer and artists Cj Hendry was thrilled to introduce her most recent passion project in partnership with global luxury beauty brand  Clé de Peau Beauté and  Four Freedoms Park Conservancy. The grandiose multi-faceted artist brilliantly debuted Flower Market, a plush floral exhibition housed at a 20-foot by 40-foot greenhouse built on the lawn of the FDR Four Freedoms State…

[davestone13-blog]

Humanity and the Theater of War - FDR Four Freedoms State Park

Last week, on Roosevelt Island, the FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy and CEO Howard Axel staged Theater of War, an abstract from Sophocles’s Ajax. In a staged reading, a panel of stars rubbed raw the complexities between and within which humanity struggles in violent conflict. It was, at once, intimate and universal. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News All Photographs: Irina Hage,…

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - October 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles on Patreon!

1. EV owners volunteer to drive voters to the polls in 11 states (and you can too)

“ChargeTheVote.org is a nonpartisan voter education and engagement initiative to enhance voter turnout in the 2024 election by providing zero-emission transportation in electric vehicles (EVs) to local polling locations. ChargeTheVote will also host a webinar for those who are interested in participating this coming Tuesday, October 22 at 7pm Eastern time.”

2. Kenya moves 50 elephants to a larger park, says it’s a sign poaching is low

“The elephant population in the […”Mwea National Reserve”…] has flourished from its capacity of 50 to a whopping 156 […] requiring the relocation of about 100 of [them…. The] overpopulation in Mwea highlighted the success of conservation efforts over the last three decades.”

3. Australian start-up secures $9m for mine-based gravity energy storage technology

““We expect to configure the gravitational storage technology [which the company “hopes to deploy in disused mines”] for mid-duration storage applications of 4 to 24 hours, deliver 80% energy efficiency and to enable reuse of critical grid infrastructure.“”

4. Africa’s little-known golden cat gets a conservation boost, with community help

“[H]unting households were given a pregnant sow [… so that they] had access to meat without needing to trap it in the wild. […] To address income needs, Embaka started […] a savings and loan co-op[… and an] incentive for the locals to give up hunting in exchange for regular dental care.”

5. 4.8M borrowers — including 1M in public service — have had student debt forgiven

“That brings the total amount of student debt relief under the administration to $175 billion[….] The Education Department said that before Biden's presidency, only 7,000 public servants had ever received student debt relief through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. […] "That’s an increase of more than 14,000% in less than four years.””

6. Puerto Rico closes $861M DOE loan guarantee for huge solar, battery project

“The solar plants combined will have 200 megawatts of solar capacity — enough to power 43,000 homes — while the battery systems are expected to provide up to 285 megawatts of storage capacity. [… O]ver the next 10 years, more than 90 percent of solar capacity in Puerto Rico will come from distributed resources like rooftop solar.”

7. Tim Walz Defends Queer And Trans Youth At Length In Interview With Glennon Doyle

“Walz discussed positive legislative actions, such as codifying hate crime laws and increasing education[.… “We] need to appoint judges who uphold the right to marriage, uphold the right to be who you are [… and] to get the medical care that you need.””

8. Next-Generation Geothermal Development Important Tool for Clean Energy Economy

““The newest forms of geothermal energy hold the promise of generating electricity 24 hours a day using an endlessly renewable, pollution-free resource[… that] causes less disturbance to public lands and wildlife habitat […] than many other forms of energy development[….]”

9. Sarah McBride hopes bid to be first transgender congresswoman encourages ’empathy’ for trans people

““Folks know I am personally invested in equality as an LGBTQ person. But my priorities are going to be affordable child care, paid family and medical leave, housing, health care, reproductive freedom. […] We know throughout history that the power of proximity has opened even the most-closed of hearts and minds.”“

10. At Mexico’s school for jaguars, big cats learn skills to return to the wild

“[A team of scientists] have successfully released two jaguars, and are currently working to reintroduce two other jaguars and three pumas (Puma concolor). [… “Wildlife simulation”] “keeps the jaguars active and reduces the impact of captivity and a sedentary lifestyle[….]””

October 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[uwmspeccoll]

Whitewashing Lascaux, 2008. Leake Street Tunnel, Waterloo Station, London. Created for the Cans Festival, a 3-day street art street festival hosted and organized by Banksy in a tunnel under Waterloo Station.

Happy Choppers, 2002. Hoxton, London. Produced during the "Operation Enduring Freedom" campaign in Afghanistan.

Kissing Coppers, 2004. Originally in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, UK. In 2011, it was cut out and shipped to New York to be sold by art dealer Stephan Keszler at a 2014 auction in Miami for $575,000. A replica has replaced the original.

Sweeping it Under the Carpet, 2006. Hoxton, London where it appeared on the side of the White Cube Gallery, but has since been buffed.

Girl Searching Soldier, 2007. Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine. "Whilst the image is delightfully absurd, there is also a warning for Israeli occupying forces. One day, Banksy seems to be saying, our children will be investigating you for what you have done."

Police Sniper with Boy, 2007. Bristol, UK, but in 2012 was painted over with black paint and replaced by another work, the Queen as David Bowie, by a different street artist.

ATM Girl, 2007. Exmouth Market, Finsbury, London. Created a few months before the biggest financial crash since the 1930s.

Eavesdropping, 2014. Cheltenham, UK, a sleepy, conservative, quintessentially English market town in Gloucestershire, but just three miles away from the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

Park, 2010. Downtown Los Angeles on the side of designer Tarina Tarantino's showroom a few blocks from the Los Angeles Theatre, painted just days before the premiere of Exit Through the Gift Shop at the Theatre.

Photographer Rat, 2005. Islington, London. "Rats are a good role model . . . they have no respect for the hierarchy of society and the have sex 50 times a day." -- Banksy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Decorative Sunday: BANKSY

Decorative art, street art, fine art, political cartoon, all four? Where's B**ksy?, an unauthorized selection of works by the infamous street artist by street art specialist Xavier Tapies published by Gingko Press in Berkeley, California in 2016, is the first survey of Banksy's art career from 2002 to 2016. Arranged chronologically, every period has a double-spread world map showing where each of the stencils was painted, what happened to the work (destroyed/sold/auctioned/still there) as well as a summary of the direction Banksy’s art took in that period.

There is Always Hope, 2002. East staircase leading up to Waterloo Bridge, Southbank, London.

View more posts featuring Decorative Plates.

[richincolor]

We've found quite a variety of books being released today. There is romance, fantasy, music, murder, and more in the pages of these books. What will you add to your TBR pile?

Wild Dreamers by Margarita Engle Atheneum Books for Young Readers

In this stirring young adult romance from award-winning author Margarita Engle, love and conservation intertwine as two teens fight to protect wildlife and heal from their troubled pasts.

Ana and her mother have been living out of their car ever since her militant father became one of the FBI’s most wanted. Leandro has struggled with debilitating anxiety since his family fled Cuba on a perilous raft.

One moonlit night, in a wilderness park in California, Ana and Leandro meet. Their connection is instant—a shared radiance that feels both scientific and magical. Then they discover they are not a huge mountain lion stalks through the trees, one of many wild animals whose habitat has been threatened by humans.

Determined to make a difference, Ana and Leandro start a rewilding club at their school, working with scientists to build wildlife crossings that can help mountain lions find one another. If pumas can find their way to a better tomorrow, surely Ana and Leandro can too.

Saint-Seducing Gold (Forge & Fracture Saga #2) by Brittany N. Williams Amulet Books

The second book in the stunning YA historical fantasy trilogy that New York Times bestselling author Ayana Gray called “nothing short of spectacular”

There’s danger in the court of James I. Magical metal-worker Joan Sands must reforge the Pact between humanity and the Fae to stop the looming war. As violence erupts across London and the murderous spymaster Robert Cecil closes in, the Fae queen Titanea coerces Joan into joining the royal court while holding her godfather prisoner in the infamous Tower of London. Now Joan will have to survive deadly machinations both magical and mortal all while balancing the magnetic pull of her two loves—Rose and Nick—before the world as she knows it is destroyed forever.

Off With Their Heads by Zoe Hana Mikuta Disney Hyperion

Fans of Chloe Gong and Judy I. Lin will devour this Korean-inspired Alice in Wonderland retelling about two very wicked girls, forever bonded by blood and betrayal . . .

In a world where Saints are monsters and Wonderland is the dark forest where they lurk, it’s been five years since young witches and lovers Caro Rabbit and Iccadora Alice Sickle were both sentenced to that forest for a crime they didn’t commit—and four years since they shattered one another’s hearts, each willing to sacrifice the other for a chance at freedom.

Now, Caro is a successful royal Saint-harvester, living the high life in the glittering capital and pretending not to know of the twisted monster experiments that her beloved Red Queen hides deep in the bowels of the palace. But for Icca, the memory of Caro’s betrayal has hardened her from timid girl to ruthless hunter. A hunter who will stop at nothing to exact her On Caro. On the queen. On the throne itself.

But there’s a secret about the Saints the Queen’s been guarding, and a volatile magic at play even more dangerous to Icca and Caro than they are to each other…

Lush, terrifying, and uncanny, Zoe Hana Mikuta—author of Gearbreakers and Godslayers —takes a delicate knife straight through the heart of this beloved surrealist fairytale.

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Los Angeles, 1932: Lulu Wong, star of the silver screen and the pride of Chinatown, has a face known to practically anyone, especially to the Chow sisters—May, Gemma, and Peony—Lulu’s former classmates and neighbors. So the girls instantly know it’s Lulu whose body they discover one morning in an out-of-the-way stable, far from the Beverly Hills mansion where she moved once her fame skyrocketed.

The sisters suspect Lulu’s death is the result of foul play, but the LAPD—known for being corrupt to the core—doesn’t seem motivated to investigate. Even worse, there are signs that point to the possibility of a police cover-up, and powerful forces in the city want to frame the killing as evidence that Chinatown is a den of iniquity and crime, even more reason it should be demolished to make room for the construction of a new railway depot, Union Station.

Worried that neither the police nor the papers will treat a Chinese girl fairly—no matter how famous and wealthy—the sisters set out to solve their friend’s murder themselves, and maybe save their neighborhood in the bargain. But with Lulu’s killer still on the loose, the girls’ investigation just might put them square in the crosshairs of a coldblooded murderer.

Punk Rock Karaoke by Bianca Xunise Viking Books for Young Readers

When life gives you guitars, smash them!

School is out for summer and Ariel Grace Jones is determined to make it one for the books! Together with their bestie bandmates, Michele and Gael, Ariel believes they’re destined to break into the music industry and out of Chicago’s Southside by singing lead in their garage punk band, Baby Hares.

But before Baby Hares can officially get into the groove, the realities of post grad life start to weigh on this crew of misfits. Ari begins to worry that it’s time to pull the plug on their dreams of making it big.

Just when all hope feels lost, a fellow punk and local icon takes an interest in their talent. It seems like he might be the only one Ariel can rely on as frustrations between bandmates reach at an all-time high.

Punk Rock Karaoke is a coming-of-age tale that draws upon the explosive joy of the underground scene, while raising questions about authenticity, the importance of community and what it means to succeed on your own terms.

Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin Feiwel & Friends

Xue, a talented young musician, has no past and probably no future. Orphaned at a young age, her kindly poet uncle took her in and arranged for an apprenticeship at one of the most esteemed entertainment houses in the kingdom. She doesn’t remember much from before entering the House of Flowing Water, and when her uncle is suddenly killed in a bandit attack, she is devastated to lose her last connection to a life outside of her indenture contract.

With no family and no patron, Xue is facing the possibility of a lifetime of servitude playing the qin for nobles that praise her talent with one breath and sneer at her lowly social status with the next. Then one night she is unexpectedly called to the garden to put on a private performance for the enigmatic Duke Meng. The young man is strangely kind and awkward for nobility, and surprises Xue further with an irresistible offer: serve as a musician in residence at his manor for one year, and he’ll set her free of her indenture.

But the Duke’s motives become increasingly more suspect when he and Xue barely survive an attack by a nightmarish monster, and when he whisks her away to his estate, she discovers he’s not just some country noble: He’s the Duke of Dreams, one of the divine rulers of the Celestial Realm. There she learns the Six Realms are on the brink of disaster, and incursions by demonic beasts are growing more frequent.

The Duke needs Xue’s help to unlock memories from her past that could hold the answers to how to stop the impending war… but first Xue will need to survive being the target of every monster and deity in the Six Realms.

Blood Justice (Blood Debts #2) by Terry J. Benton-Walker Tor Teen

Cristina and Clement Trudeau have conjured the impossible: justice.

They took back their family’s stolen throne to lead New Orleans’ magical community into the brighter future they all deserve.

But when Cris and Clem restored their family power, Valentina Savant lost everything. Her beloved grandparents are gone and her sovereignty has been revoked—she will never be Queen. Unless, of course, someone dethrones the Trudeaus again. And lucky for her, she’s not the only one trying to take them down.

Cris and Clem have enemies coming at them from all directions: Hateful anti-magic protesters sabotage their reign at every turn. A ruthless detective with a personal vendetta against magical crime is hot on their tail just as Cris has discovered her thirst for revenge. And a brutal god, hunting from the shadows, is summoned by the very power Clem needs to protect the boy he loves.

Cris’s hunger for vengeance and Clem’s desire for love could prove to be their family’s downfall, all while new murders, shocking disappearances, and impossible alliances are changing the game forever.

Welcome back to New Orleans, where gods walk among us and justice isn’t served, it’s taken.

[mariacallous]

There’s an international socialist conspiracy afoot, and it wants to make it easier to walk to the shops. Fringe forces of the far left are plotting to take away our freedom to be stuck in traffic jams, to crawl along clogged ring roads and trawl the streets in search of a parking spot. The liberty of the rush-hour commute, the sanctity of the out-of-town shopping centre and the righteousness of the suburban food desert is under threat as never before. The name of this chilling global movement? The “15-minute city”.

Westminster can often seem like a badly scripted spoof of itself, but rarely has parliament descended into parody as far as it did last week, when the Conservative MP for the South Yorkshire constituency of Don Valley, Nick Fletcher, launched a plucky tirade against the concept of convenient, walkable neighbourhoods. “Will the leader of the house please set aside time for a debate on the international socialist concept of so-called 15-minute cities and 20-minute neighbourhoods?” he asked, in an ominous tone. “Sheffield is already on this journey, and I do not want Doncaster, which also has a Labour-run socialist council, to do the same.”

It is not the first time that an online conspiracy theory has made it into the Commons chamber, but it may be one of the most surreal. Simply put, the 15-minute city principle suggests you should have your daily needs – work, food, healthcare, education, culture and leisure – within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from where you live. It sounds pleasant enough, but in the minds of libertarian fanatics and the bedroom commentators of TikTok, it represents an unprecedented assault on personal freedoms.

“Creepy local authority bureaucrats would like to see your entire existence boiled down to the duration of a quarter of an hour,” warned a furious presenter on GB News last week, as if describing a plot line from Nineteen Eighty-Four. The 15-minute city, he suggested, was a “dystopian plan”, heralding “a surveillance culture that would make Pyongyang envious”.

Never before has a mundane theory of urbanism been such a lightning rod for outrage. It’s like suggesting that public parks are part of a sinister plant-worshipping plot to demolish our homes and replace them with grass. Or that public transport is the work of a satanic bus cult. Some online forums have claimed that the 15-minute city represents the first step towards an inevitable Hunger Games society, in which residents will not be allowed to leave their prescribed areas. They see it not as a route to a low-traffic, low-carbon future, but as the beginning of a slippery slope to living in an open-air prison.

As one irate TikToker shrieked, while jumping around his room in disbelief: “You’re going to have to apply for a fucking permit to leave your zone!” (Although he also ascribed the 15-minute city plans to the Tories, so it’s not quite clear which deranged Reddit forum he got his information from).

There are lots of good reasons to interrogate the cute logic of the 15-minute city – could it actually lead to further social segregation? Would wealthy residents, and their money, remain in the prosperous enclaves? Who is providing the services and where do they live? – but the threat of our rights being curtailed by travel permits isn’t one of them.

The conspiracy theory pot was given a powerful stir in December, when the Canadian rightwing culture warrior Jordan Peterson decided to get involved. “The idea that neighbourhoods should be walkable is lovely,” he tweeted, in a post that has since clocked up 7.5m views. “The idea that idiot tyrannical bureaucrats can decide by fiat where you’re ‘allowed’ to drive is perhaps the worst imaginable perversion of that idea,” he continued, “and, make no mistake, it’s part of a well-documented plan.” Peterson quoted a tweet that featured the telltale hashtag #GreatReset, referring to the World Economic Forum’s post-pandemic economic recovery plan – widely used in the stranger corners of the internet as a byword for a shadowy global conspiracy intent on robbing us of our freedoms. The anti-vaccine, pro-Brexit, climate-denying, 15-minute-phobe, Great Reset axis is a strong one.

So where did the fear come from? Many of the UK conspiracy theorists highlight that these “un-British” ideas of urban walkability emanate from France, so they must be distrusted on principle. Worse than that, they point out, the ideology has been driven by a bearded Colombian scientist with radical roots. The ideas had been around since the 1920s, but the 15-minute city phrase was coined by Carlos Moreno, esteemed professor at the Panthéon-Sorbonne in Paris, who was once a member of a leftwing guerrilla group in the 1970s. And now he’s coming for your cars.

“Their lies are enormous,” Moreno said in a recent interview , describing some of the claims made by his critics. “You will be locked in your neighbourhood; cameras will signal who can go out; if your mother lives in another neighbourhood, you will have to ask for permission to see her, and so on,” adding that they “sometimes post pictures of concentration camps.”

Moreno first promoted his concept of la ville du quart d’heure in 2016, but it gained international attention when the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, adopted it as part of her re-election campaign in 2020. She promised she would close off roads and turn them into public plazas, plant more trees and turn schools into the “capitals of the neighbourhood”, open to everyone for sports and recreation in evenings and at weekends.

The pandemic proved to be a powerful trial for how a 15-minute city might work in practice, and led to bodies such as UN Habitat, the World Economic Forum, the C40 Global Cities Climate Network and the Federation of United Local Governments championing the cause – which also helped to boost unhinged fantasies that it is all part of a grand global scheme of totalitarian oppression.

More recently, the principles have gained traction in the UK, with Oxford, Birmingham, Bristol, Canterbury and Sheffield councils considering 15-minute city ideas. Cue outrage from those with no other cause left to flog. “The climate change lockdowns are coming,” tweeted Nigel Farage, in response to Canterbury’s innocuous traffic filtering scheme, while Oxford’s plans triggered similar ripples of incredulous fury.

“Oxfordshire County Council yesterday approved plans to lock residents into one of six zones to ‘save the planet’ from global warming,” screamed one alarmist headline. “The latest stage in the ‘15-minute city’ agenda is to place electronic gates on key roads in and out of the city, confining residents to their own neighbourhoods.” The claims had zero basis in fact, but they poured further fuel on the fire of those battling low-traffic neighbourhoods, and their fellow band of assorted culture warriors.

It seems fitting that a leaflet drop warning against Oxford’s traffic filters plan was organised by Not Our Future – a new pressure group led by none other than Fred and Richard Fairbrass of 1990s band turned anti-vaxxers Right Said Fred. Too sexy for their car? Maybe they could try cycling to the shops instead.

[allthingsmobility]

Rediscovering Freedom: How Mobility Scooters Empower Lives Amid Arthritis and Chronic Joint Pain

Living with arthritis or chronic joint pain can be a daily battle. Simple tasks that once seemed effortless—like walking to the mailbox, grocery shopping, or enjoying a stroll in the park—become painful and, in some cases, impossible. If you’re experiencing these challenges, know that you’re not alone. Millions of people around the world grapple with mobility limitations due to chronic conditions, and many have found a life-changing solution: mobility scooters.

The Struggles of Living with Joint Pain

Arthritis and other chronic joint conditions are not just about pain; they also impact mental and emotional well-being. Losing the ability to move freely can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and even depression. The physical limitations rob you of independence and make you rely heavily on others for basic activities.

But what if there was a way to reclaim that independence, reduce the strain on your joints, and regain control over your life?

Mobility Scooters: A Gateway to Independence

Mobility scooters are more than just devices; they are tools that empower individuals to navigate the world on their terms. These innovative machines are specifically designed for people with mobility challenges, offering them a practical, safe, and comfortable way to move around.

Here’s how mobility scooters can help people living with arthritis and joint pain:

1. Ease of Movement Without Strain

Walking can be a significant source of pain for arthritis sufferers, especially over long distances. Mobility scooters allow users to travel without putting stress on their joints. Whether it’s navigating a shopping mall, a local park, or just getting around the neighborhood, these scooters eliminate the physical toll.

2. Reducing Fatigue

Chronic pain conditions often come with fatigue, making even short walks exhausting. A mobility scooter conserves your energy, enabling you to focus on enjoying your outings instead of worrying about how far you can walk.

3. Boosting Confidence

The loss of independence can negatively impact self-esteem. A mobility scooter provides a sense of control, allowing individuals to participate in activities they may have avoided due to mobility issues.

4. Safety and Stability

Modern mobility scooters are designed with safety features like anti-tip mechanisms, comfortable seating, and easy-to-use controls. For people with arthritis, this means less worry about balance and stability.

Real-Life Impact: Sarah’s Story

Take Sarah, for example, a 62-year-old retired teacher who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis five years ago. Before she got her mobility scooter, Sarah’s world had shrunk to the four walls of her home. Walking to the grocery store was out of the question, and even joining her grandchildren at the park was a distant dream.

Investing in a mobility scooter transformed Sarah’s life. Now, she can shop for her favorite groceries, attend community events, and enjoy family outings without worrying about her pain. Her mobility scooter gave her back something priceless—her freedom.

Choosing the Right Mobility Scooter

When considering a mobility scooter, it’s essential to choose one that suits your specific needs. Factors like portability, battery life, terrain compatibility, and comfort features should be top priorities. Many models cater specifically to arthritis patients, with ergonomic designs to reduce strain on hands and wrists.

Take the First Step Toward Freedom

If you or a loved one is living with arthritis or chronic joint pain, don’t let mobility challenges define your life. A mobility scooter might be the solution you’ve been searching for to rediscover independence, confidence, and joy.

Life doesn’t have to stop because of arthritis. With a mobility scooter, you can embrace the freedom to move, explore, and live fully.

Ready to make the change? Explore a range of mobility scooters tailored to your needs and take the first step toward reclaiming your independence today!

[dankusner]

Judge blocks AG’s lawsuit against counsel

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Trump-appointed justice said state’s argument ‘unserious’

A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas has rejected the state’s attempt to temporarily block special counsel Jack Smith from destroying records related to his investigation into President-elect Donald Trump, calling the state’s argument “unserious.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had asked U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to order Smith to preserve the records, including any communications Smith’s office had with a “range of outside parties” and information regarding the cellphones assigned to Smith’s team, among other items, according to the complaint.

Such requests can be a routine first step in congressional inquiries, law enforcement investigations and litigation.

Three days after Trump was elected president, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., asked Smith’s office to preserve all records of his classified documents and election interference probes, an early sign that they were planning to investigate his work.

But Paxton does not have any clear jurisdiction to launch such an investigation.

He said in his lawsuit that he had requested the records under the Freedom of Information Act and that he was concerned Smith has destroyed, is destroying or plans to destroy the records.

As proof, Paxton cited “widely shared photos” showing a paper-shredding truck parked outside Justice Department headquarters in Washington.

Kacsmaryk dismissed Paxton’s claim on Monday, noting that the truck could have been there for a variety of reasons.

“This claim is unserious,” Kacsmaryk wrote in the four-page order.

“Defendants could shred paper for many legitimate reasons, and Plaintiffs have proffered nothing to suggest more nefarious intentions.”

Paxton’s office did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday morning.

Smith’s federal prosecutions of Trump are winding down now that Trump is returning to the White House, because Justice Department policy has long prohibited bringing cases against sitting presidents.

Conservative groups and Republican officials like Paxton have targeted Kacsmaryk’s courthouse in a practice called “judge shopping,” knowing any lawsuits they file there will be assigned to the judge and believing that he probably will rule in their favor.

But the Texas judge did not do so.

In his lawsuit, Paxton had also argued that the Federal Records Act of 1950 — which governs the collection, retention and preservation of federal records — prohibits Smith from destroying documents related to the special counsel investigation into Trump.

“Under the FRA, federal records may not be disposed or destroyed without authorization from the National Archives and Records Administration,” Paxton wrote.

“Prior to destroying any federal record, the head of each agency must submit to NARA a list of any federal records that do not appear to have sufficient value to warrant their continue[d] preservation.”

However, Kacsmaryk said he had no reason to believe Smith was failing to comply with the Federal Records Act.

“The Court must presume that, absent evidence to the contrary, Defendants act in accordance with their foregoing duties,” he wrote.

[brookston]

Holidays 11.11

Holidays

Air Day

Baccharis Day (French Republic)

Battery Day (Japan)

Cheese Day (Japan)

Children’s Day (Croatia)

Chopsticks Day (Japan)

Concordia Day (St. Marten Island)

Cuppy Day (Nigeria)

Death/Duty Day

Economist Day (Russia)

Eleven Eleven Eleven Day (Netherlands)

11-11 Make a Wish Day

Energy Conservation Day (Kazakhstan)

Four Ones Day

Freedom Fighters’ Remembrance Day (Latvia)

Garaetteok Day (South Korea)

Graphics Information Systems Day

Guang Gun Jie (Bare Sticks Day, or Singles Day; China)

Heir to the Throne Day (Tuvalu)

Hollantide (a.k.a. Hallow-tide; Isle of Mann)

Homunculus Awareness Day

International Day of the Cuckold

International Energy Saving Day

International Singles’ Day

James Bond’s Birthday

Kaga-Boucha Day (Japan)

King Jigme Single Wangchuck Day (Bhutan)

Lāčplēsis Day (a.k.a. Lacplesa Day; Latvia)

Lunantishees Day (Ireland)

Metal Day

Mortens Day (Denmark)

National Athleisure Day

National Black Travel Day

National Chase Day

National Collegiate CPR Day

National Day of Bookstores (Spain)

National Education Day (India)

National Forestation Day (Turkey)

National Indiana Day

National Isabelle Day

National Lei Day

National Metal Day

National Timothy Day

Nigel Tufnel Day

Old November Eve

Ones Day

Origami Day (Japan)

Pepero Day (South Korea)

Puerto Princesa Underground River Day (Philippines)

Red Lipstick Day

Remembrance Day (Cayman Islands)

Republic Day (Maldives)

Route 66 Day

Singles’ Day (a.k.a. Guanggun Jie; China)

Soccer Day (Japan)

St. Martin's Day [patron saint of tavern-keepers] (a.k.a. ... 

Beggar's Day (Netherlands)

Funeral of Saint Martin

Jum San Martin (Malta)

Mardipäev (Estonia)

Märtekuu (southern Estonia)

Mārtiņi (Latvia)

Martinigians (Sursee, Switzerland)

Martinje (a.k.a. Martinovanje; Croatia)

Martinloben (Austria)

Martinmas (Old England)

Martin Přijíždí na Bílém Koni (Czech Republic)

Martinstag (Germany)

Old Halloween

Old Hallowmas Eve

Saint Martin (Austria)

St. Maarten Day (Sint Maarten)

Tear-Stomach Day

Tori No Ichi (Rooster Day #1; Japan)

Veteran Champion International Awareness Day

Victory Day (Monaco)

Women's Day (Belgium)

World Day of Shopping

World Hair Transplant Repair Day

World Origami Day

World War I Victory Celebrations (a.k.a. ... 

Armistice Day (Belgium, France, New Zealand, Serbia)

Death/Duty Day

Independence Day (Poland; from Austro-Hungary, Prussia & Russia, 1918)

National Parks Free Day (US)

Poppy Day [also Last Monday in May]

Remembrance Day (UK, Commonwealth of Nations)

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Day

Veterans Day (f.k.a. Armistice Day; US)

Veterans of Foreign Wars Day (Micronesia)

Victory Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Bean Sprouts Day (Japan)

Bonza Bottler Day

Cheese Day (Japan)

Chokladens Dag (Chocolate Day; Sweden)

International Pocky Day

Kölsch Day

National Sundae Day

Noodle Day (Japan)

Pocky & Pretz Day (Japan)

Independence & Related Days

Abrus (Declared; 2015) [unrecognized]

Anastasia (Declared; 2015)

Angola (from Portugal, 1975)

Cartagena Independence Day (Colombia)

Cristo (Declared; 2010) [unrecognized]

Kaz (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Pannonia (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Poland (Restoration of independence after 123 years of partitions by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, 1918)

Rhodesia (from UK; 1965)

Washington Statehood Day (#42; 1889)

2nd Monday in November

American Education Week begins [Monday of 2nd Full Week]

Bank Holiday (Canada) [2nd Monday]

Barack Obama Day (Perry County, Alabama) [2nd Monday]

Marinara Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Meditation Monday [Every Monday]

Mindful Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Monday Musings [Every Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Obama Day (Kenya) [2nd Monday]

World Orphans Day [2nd Monday]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 11 (2nd Full Week of November)

Dear Santa Letter Week [2nd Week]

National Bullying Prevention Week [2nd Week]

National Traffic Incident Response Week (thru 11.15) [5 Days Starting 2nd Monday]

National Young Reader’s Week (thru 11.15] [5 Days Starting 2nd Monday]

Festivals Beginning November 11, 2024

Distillers Grains Symposium (St. Louis, Missouri) [thru 11.13]

Sustainable Ag Expo (San Luis Obispo, California) [thru 11.13]

Vets Aid (Elmont, New York)

VGIK International Student Festival (Moscow, Russia) [thru 11.15]

Web Summit (Lisbon, Portugal) [thru 11.14]

Feast Days

Bartholomew of Grottaferrata (Christian; Saint)

Calan Gaeof (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Carlos Fuentes (Writerism)

Carnival Session begins (a.k.a. Fasching or Karneval; Austria, Germany, Netherlands)

Charlie Manson Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Day of Remembrance of the Volhvs (Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Day of the Heroes (Pagan; Wicca; Everyday Wicca)

Edouard Vuillard (Artology)

Einherjar (Feast of the Fallen; Norse)

Fasching begins (a.k.a. Karneval; Austria, Germany, Netherlands)

Feast of Dionysus

Feast of the Fallen (Norse)

Feast of the Fallen Warriors (Pagan)

Frans Snyder (Artology)

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Writerism)

Guru Nank Jayanti (India, Nepal)

Indian Summer [Traditional Start 11.11 thru 11.20]

Isaac Bashevis Singer (Writerism)

Kurt Vonnegut (Writerism)

Louis XI (Positivist; Saint)

Lunantishees Day (Celtic Faery Day)

Margarete Bagshaw (Artology)

Martinmas

Martin of Tours (Roman Catholic Church) [tavern-keepers] *

Mary Gaitskill (Writerism)

Maskarade, by Carl Nielsen (Opera; 1906)

Mennas (Christian; Saint)

Mercurius (Coptic)

Paul Signac (Artology)

Quarter Day (Scotland)

Ragtime, written by Igor Stravinsky (Piano Composition; 1918)

Roberto Matta (Artology)

Roger Slifer (Artology)

Samson (Muppetism)

Small Furry Creatures Appreciation Day (Pastafarian)

Søren Kierkegaard (Lutheran Church)

Theodore the Studite (Christian; Saint)

Turn It Up To Eleven Day (Pastafarian)

Victory Over Pinks VP Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Vinalia (Honoring Bacchus; Ancient Rome)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Binary Day [1111] (9 of 9)

Lucky Day (Philippines) [62 of 71]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Amateur Nite (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1929)

An American in Paris (Film; 1951)

Arrival (Film; 2016)

Bad Moms (Film; 2016)

Beep Prepared (WB MM Cartoon; 1961)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Film; 2022)

Buddy’s Beer Garden (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

Desire Under the Elms, by Eugene O’Neill (Play; 1924)

Dietetic Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

An Early Frost (TV Film; 1985)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson (Magazine Article; 1971)

Fearless, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2008)

Coming to America (Film; 1988)

Fearless, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2008)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 (Film; 2010) [#7]

Holiday Land (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1934)

I’m Eighteen, by Alice Cooper (Song; 1971)

Interview with the Vampire (Film; 1994)

It’s Not Unusual, recorded by Tom Jones (Song; 1964)

Lego House, by Ed Sheeran (Song; 2011)

Magic Mike (Film; 2012)

Men at Arms, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1993) [Discworld #15]

Mull of Kintyre, by Paul McCartney & Wings (Song; 1977)

My Best Friend’s Girl, by The Cars (1st Picture-Disc Single; 1978)

The Noodle (Super Chicken Cartoon; 1967) [#10]

The Open Road, by Jean Giono (Novel; 1951)

Pecos Pest (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Pride & Prejudice (Film; 2005)

Ratatouille (Animated Pixar Film; 2007)

Semi-Tough (Film; 1977)

Slapstick, or Lonesome No More!, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Novel; 1976)

Smith of Wootton Major, by J.R.R. Tolkien (Short Story; 1967)

Spirited (Film; 2022)

Sprinkle Me Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Stratus Fear (Ub Iwerks Willie Whopper MGM Cartoon; 1933)

Tarantula, by Bob Dylan (Novel; 1970)

Ted (Film; 2012)

That’s the Way It Is (Elvis Presley Concert Film; 1970)

The Trouble I’ve Seed (George of the Jungle Cartoon; 1967) [#10]

The Twist, recorded by Hank Ballard (Song; 1958)

The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien (Novel; 1954) [Book 2 of The Lord of the Rings trilogy]

The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Andersen (Fairy Tale; 1843)

Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, by John Lennon & Yoko Ono (Album; 1968)

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Film; 1988)

Working for Peanuts (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Today’s Name Days

Martin, Menas, Senta (Austria)

Minka, Minko, Viktor, Viktoriya (Bulgaria)

Davorin, Martin, Viktorin (Croatia)

Martin (Czech Republic)

Morten (Denmark)

Alev, Elev, Elvo (Estonia)

Panu (Finland)

Martin, Vérane (France)

Leonie, Martin, Mennas, Senta (Germany)

Drakon, Minas, Minos, Victor, Viktoras, Vincent (Greece)

Márton (Hungary)

Martino (Italy)

Nellija, Ojars (Latvia)

Anastazija, Martynas, Milvydė, Nastė, Vygintas (Lithuania)

Martin, Martine, Morten (Norway)

Anastazja, Bartłomiej, Maciej, Marcin, Prot, Spycisław, Teodor (Poland)

Mina (Romania)

Anastasia (Russia)

Maroš, Martin (Slovakia)

Martín (Spain)

Mårten (Sweden)

Mina, Stephania, Victor, Vincent (Ukraine)

Chandler, Dallas, Jalen, Johnathan, Johnathon, Jon, Jonatan, Jonathan, Jonathon, Jonte, Jorel, Jorrell, Lincoln (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 316 of 2024; 50 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of Week 46 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 11 (Ji-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 10 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 9 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 16 Wood; Oneday [16 of 30]

Julian: 29 October 2024

Moon: 78%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 8 Frederic (12th Month) [L'Hôpital]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 50 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of November

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 19 of 30)

[bbg100]

I didn't get to do anything for my sweet sixteen. I know 16 is usually a party, by not an alcohol one, so maybe it doesn't apply so much. But because at the time, Texas would take parents of students with too many absences to court, I had to go. I didn't even want to party- I just wanted a day to be inside.

I went to a school event for my younger brother, for maybe 6th or 7th grade. At the speech section, the principal stressed the importance of enrolling kids in extracurriculars, especially band, so they don't 'roam the streets' after school. The streets, in this case, were residential neighborhoods with lots of parks and libraries, with a near zero local crime rate.

When I moved, my friend told me not to do my homework at the library, because they kicked out unaccompanied teenagers.

My college made everyone get out of the fountain at the 'wildest party' we were allowed. It wasn't even meant as rebellion- they had put pool floaties and toys inside. But it was meant for the illusion only. Signs were put up all around it threatening action if anyone got in. I didn't even get a turn.

My siblings can't walk anywhere, because of the danger of cars, and because nobody goes anywhere anyway. The local teen gathering spot is Target. When I was a teen I was one of four kids who walked home instead of taking the bus. Nobody else walked around the streets after school.

A neighboring college to mine had a bar block. Police went to break up a fight between two people (fraternity drama) and hit three bystanders with their car. At once.

My grandma tells stories of dodging police curfew enforcement helicopters by running under bushes with her best friend. My mom jumped off roofs for fun and had her friend tattoo fuck on her wrist.

When I was in middle school, I had my phone taken a lot. $15 to get it back from the school. Once, I got it taken up when I wasn't caught. My friend had my name on his contacts, they looked up my name and found what class I was in, then told the teacher to take my phone. I had finished my work. It was art class.

My senior prank, which I didn't get to participate in because it was formalized by the school, a prank done with police permission, was to put balloons in the hall. They still got in trouble. Balloons. Normal balloons.

I went to the principals office for calling my friend a bitch where a teacher could hear. I didnt enjoy prom because there were so many chauffeurs we couldn't even gossip. I didn't ride in the bed of a truck, or steal a sign, or go to a bar. I don't know if I wanted to. But I never got the choice.

Maybe there's some sort of trend. Maybe it's 9/11, or a decrease in lead paint, or DARE, or conservative values. But instead of my life being characterized by what I did, it feels like it's made up of what I didn't do. I'm not getting that time back. COVID took even more. But no, I didn't have the freedom to make mistakes and dye my hair green and crash a car into a hedge. I didn't wander around with my friends after school, and smoke by the lake, or any of the boring things from pre 2000s. I didn't do a lot of things. I didn't get the option to.

Maybe this is the wrong platform to pose this question given the average tumblr user but

Is it just me or did our generation (those of is who are currently 20-30 ish) just not get the opportunity to be young in the 'standard' sense?

Like, everyone I talk to who's over 40 has all their wild stories about their teens and 20s, being young and dumb, and then I talk to my friends and coworkers and classmates, and we just... dont.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 11.11

Holidays

Air Day

Baccharis Day (French Republic)

Battery Day (Japan)

Cheese Day (Japan)

Children’s Day (Croatia)

Chopsticks Day (Japan)

Concordia Day (St. Marten Island)

Cuppy Day (Nigeria)

Death/Duty Day

Economist Day (Russia)

Eleven Eleven Eleven Day (Netherlands)

11-11 Make a Wish Day

Energy Conservation Day (Kazakhstan)

Four Ones Day

Freedom Fighters’ Remembrance Day (Latvia)

Garaetteok Day (South Korea)

Graphics Information Systems Day

Guang Gun Jie (Bare Sticks Day, or Singles Day; China)

Heir to the Throne Day (Tuvalu)

Hollantide (a.k.a. Hallow-tide; Isle of Mann)

Homunculus Awareness Day

International Day of the Cuckold

International Energy Saving Day

International Singles’ Day

James Bond’s Birthday

Kaga-Boucha Day (Japan)

King Jigme Single Wangchuck Day (Bhutan)

Lāčplēsis Day (a.k.a. Lacplesa Day; Latvia)

Lunantishees Day (Ireland)

Metal Day

Mortens Day (Denmark)

National Athleisure Day

National Black Travel Day

National Chase Day

National Collegiate CPR Day

National Day of Bookstores (Spain)

National Education Day (India)

National Forestation Day (Turkey)

National Indiana Day

National Isabelle Day

National Lei Day

National Metal Day

National Timothy Day

Nigel Tufnel Day

Old November Eve

Ones Day

Origami Day (Japan)

Pepero Day (South Korea)

Puerto Princesa Underground River Day (Philippines)

Red Lipstick Day

Remembrance Day (Cayman Islands)

Republic Day (Maldives)

Route 66 Day

Singles’ Day (a.k.a. Guanggun Jie; China)

Soccer Day (Japan)

St. Martin's Day [patron saint of tavern-keepers] (a.k.a. ... 

Beggar's Day (Netherlands)

Funeral of Saint Martin

Jum San Martin (Malta)

Mardipäev (Estonia)

Märtekuu (southern Estonia)

Mārtiņi (Latvia)

Martinigians (Sursee, Switzerland)

Martinje (a.k.a. Martinovanje; Croatia)

Martinloben (Austria)

Martinmas (Old England)

Martin Přijíždí na Bílém Koni (Czech Republic)

Martinstag (Germany)

Old Halloween

Old Hallowmas Eve

Saint Martin (Austria)

St. Maarten Day (Sint Maarten)

Tear-Stomach Day

Tori No Ichi (Rooster Day #1; Japan)

Veteran Champion International Awareness Day

Victory Day (Monaco)

Women's Day (Belgium)

World Day of Shopping

World Hair Transplant Repair Day

World Origami Day

World War I Victory Celebrations (a.k.a. ... 

Armistice Day (Belgium, France, New Zealand, Serbia)

Death/Duty Day

Independence Day (Poland; from Austro-Hungary, Prussia & Russia, 1918)

National Parks Free Day (US)

Poppy Day [also Last Monday in May]

Remembrance Day (UK, Commonwealth of Nations)

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Day

Veterans Day (f.k.a. Armistice Day; US)

Veterans of Foreign Wars Day (Micronesia)

Victory Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Bean Sprouts Day (Japan)

Bonza Bottler Day

Cheese Day (Japan)

Chokladens Dag (Chocolate Day; Sweden)

International Pocky Day

Kölsch Day

National Sundae Day

Noodle Day (Japan)

Pocky & Pretz Day (Japan)

Independence & Related Days

Abrus (Declared; 2015) [unrecognized]

Anastasia (Declared; 2015)

Angola (from Portugal, 1975)

Cartagena Independence Day (Colombia)

Cristo (Declared; 2010) [unrecognized]

Kaz (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Pannonia (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Poland (Restoration of independence after 123 years of partitions by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, 1918)

Rhodesia (from UK; 1965)

Washington Statehood Day (#42; 1889)

2nd Monday in November

American Education Week begins [Monday of 2nd Full Week]

Bank Holiday (Canada) [2nd Monday]

Barack Obama Day (Perry County, Alabama) [2nd Monday]

Marinara Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Meditation Monday [Every Monday]

Mindful Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Monday Musings [Every Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Obama Day (Kenya) [2nd Monday]

World Orphans Day [2nd Monday]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 11 (2nd Full Week of November)

Dear Santa Letter Week [2nd Week]

National Bullying Prevention Week [2nd Week]

National Traffic Incident Response Week (thru 11.15) [5 Days Starting 2nd Monday]

National Young Reader’s Week (thru 11.15] [5 Days Starting 2nd Monday]

Festivals Beginning November 11, 2024

Distillers Grains Symposium (St. Louis, Missouri) [thru 11.13]

Sustainable Ag Expo (San Luis Obispo, California) [thru 11.13]

Vets Aid (Elmont, New York)

VGIK International Student Festival (Moscow, Russia) [thru 11.15]

Web Summit (Lisbon, Portugal) [thru 11.14]

Feast Days

Bartholomew of Grottaferrata (Christian; Saint)

Calan Gaeof (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Carlos Fuentes (Writerism)

Carnival Session begins (a.k.a. Fasching or Karneval; Austria, Germany, Netherlands)

Charlie Manson Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Day of Remembrance of the Volhvs (Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Day of the Heroes (Pagan; Wicca; Everyday Wicca)

Edouard Vuillard (Artology)

Einherjar (Feast of the Fallen; Norse)

Fasching begins (a.k.a. Karneval; Austria, Germany, Netherlands)

Feast of Dionysus

Feast of the Fallen (Norse)

Feast of the Fallen Warriors (Pagan)

Frans Snyder (Artology)

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Writerism)

Guru Nank Jayanti (India, Nepal)

Indian Summer [Traditional Start 11.11 thru 11.20]

Isaac Bashevis Singer (Writerism)

Kurt Vonnegut (Writerism)

Louis XI (Positivist; Saint)

Lunantishees Day (Celtic Faery Day)

Margarete Bagshaw (Artology)

Martinmas

Martin of Tours (Roman Catholic Church) [tavern-keepers] *

Mary Gaitskill (Writerism)

Maskarade, by Carl Nielsen (Opera; 1906)

Mennas (Christian; Saint)

Mercurius (Coptic)

Paul Signac (Artology)

Quarter Day (Scotland)

Ragtime, written by Igor Stravinsky (Piano Composition; 1918)

Roberto Matta (Artology)

Roger Slifer (Artology)

Samson (Muppetism)

Small Furry Creatures Appreciation Day (Pastafarian)

Søren Kierkegaard (Lutheran Church)

Theodore the Studite (Christian; Saint)

Turn It Up To Eleven Day (Pastafarian)

Victory Over Pinks VP Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Vinalia (Honoring Bacchus; Ancient Rome)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Binary Day [1111] (9 of 9)

Lucky Day (Philippines) [62 of 71]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Amateur Nite (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1929)

An American in Paris (Film; 1951)

Arrival (Film; 2016)

Bad Moms (Film; 2016)

Beep Prepared (WB MM Cartoon; 1961)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Film; 2022)

Buddy’s Beer Garden (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

Desire Under the Elms, by Eugene O’Neill (Play; 1924)

Dietetic Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

An Early Frost (TV Film; 1985)

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson (Magazine Article; 1971)

Fearless, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2008)

Coming to America (Film; 1988)

Fearless, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2008)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 (Film; 2010) [#7]

Holiday Land (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1934)

I’m Eighteen, by Alice Cooper (Song; 1971)

Interview with the Vampire (Film; 1994)

It’s Not Unusual, recorded by Tom Jones (Song; 1964)

Lego House, by Ed Sheeran (Song; 2011)

Magic Mike (Film; 2012)

Men at Arms, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1993) [Discworld #15]

Mull of Kintyre, by Paul McCartney & Wings (Song; 1977)

My Best Friend’s Girl, by The Cars (1st Picture-Disc Single; 1978)

The Noodle (Super Chicken Cartoon; 1967) [#10]

The Open Road, by Jean Giono (Novel; 1951)

Pecos Pest (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Pride & Prejudice (Film; 2005)

Ratatouille (Animated Pixar Film; 2007)

Semi-Tough (Film; 1977)

Slapstick, or Lonesome No More!, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Novel; 1976)

Smith of Wootton Major, by J.R.R. Tolkien (Short Story; 1967)

Spirited (Film; 2022)

Sprinkle Me Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Stratus Fear (Ub Iwerks Willie Whopper MGM Cartoon; 1933)

Tarantula, by Bob Dylan (Novel; 1970)

Ted (Film; 2012)

That’s the Way It Is (Elvis Presley Concert Film; 1970)

The Trouble I’ve Seed (George of the Jungle Cartoon; 1967) [#10]

The Twist, recorded by Hank Ballard (Song; 1958)

The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien (Novel; 1954) [Book 2 of The Lord of the Rings trilogy]

The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Andersen (Fairy Tale; 1843)

Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, by John Lennon & Yoko Ono (Album; 1968)

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Film; 1988)

Working for Peanuts (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Today’s Name Days

Martin, Menas, Senta (Austria)

Minka, Minko, Viktor, Viktoriya (Bulgaria)

Davorin, Martin, Viktorin (Croatia)

Martin (Czech Republic)

Morten (Denmark)

Alev, Elev, Elvo (Estonia)

Panu (Finland)

Martin, Vérane (France)

Leonie, Martin, Mennas, Senta (Germany)

Drakon, Minas, Minos, Victor, Viktoras, Vincent (Greece)

Márton (Hungary)

Martino (Italy)

Nellija, Ojars (Latvia)

Anastazija, Martynas, Milvydė, Nastė, Vygintas (Lithuania)

Martin, Martine, Morten (Norway)

Anastazja, Bartłomiej, Maciej, Marcin, Prot, Spycisław, Teodor (Poland)

Mina (Romania)

Anastasia (Russia)

Maroš, Martin (Slovakia)

Martín (Spain)

Mårten (Sweden)

Mina, Stephania, Victor, Vincent (Ukraine)

Chandler, Dallas, Jalen, Johnathan, Johnathon, Jon, Jonatan, Jonathan, Jonathon, Jonte, Jorel, Jorrell, Lincoln (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 316 of 2024; 50 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of Week 46 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 11 (Ji-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 10 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 9 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 16 Wood; Oneday [16 of 30]

Julian: 29 October 2024

Moon: 78%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 8 Frederic (12th Month) [L'Hôpital]

Runic Half Month: Nyd (Necessity) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 50 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of November

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 19 of 30)

[decorworks]

CJ Hendry moves "100,000 plush flowers" installation overnight

Australian artist CJ Hendry was forced to move her Flower Market installation of 100,000 "plush flowers" overnight from a New York City island to a Brooklyn warehouse due to overcrowding. The Flower Market installation took place over a September weekend and was, at first, located on an embankment of the Louis Kahn-designed FDR Four Freedoms State Park memorial on Roosevelt Island.

Artist CJ Hendry created a "Flower Market" installation located on Roosevelt Island in New York CityOpen from 13 to 15 September, the event was shut down by police on the second day due to overcrowding and was moved overnight to a studio in Brooklyn's Industry City. New York-based CJ Hendry apologised for the closure in an Instagram reel posted to her page on 14 September, promising visitors "we're finding a new location, we're building a new exhibit overnight".

Boxes of "flowers" lined a greenhouseThe installation was re-installed in a large, industrial space in Brooklyn's Industry City, where it "ran smoothly" over the course of 15 September, according to the New York Post. "Industry City for Sunday was a great shift because it's this creative hub, and it gave the final day a different vibe – more industrial, more grounded, but still very much alive," Hendry told Dezeen. Flower Market was originally designed for the FDR Four Freedoms State Park memorial, designed in 1974 by architect Louis Kahn and completed in 2012 to honour a 1941 State of the Union Address by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Toy-like flowers were made of wiring and wrapped in a plush materialThe installation was a partnership between Hendry, Japanese beauty brand Clé de Peau Beauté and the park's organising non-profit Four Freedoms Park Conservancy. "When the architect Louis Kahn designed this memorial, he said, 'The garden is somehow a personal kind of control of nature,'" said Hendry.

The different flowers represented the botanical ingredients of beauty brand Clé de Peau"A lot of my work, and in this exhibition especially, is about manipulating my environments and building a space that takes participants out of their ordinary. I hope Flower Market inspires joy and beauty well after the greenhouse is empty, every time we see flowers – plush or otherwise." The original installation consisted of an industrial greenhouse tent measuring 120 by 40 feet (36 by 12 metres) filled with boxes of "plush flowers" that guests were invited to "meander" through.

Home Pharmacy is an interactive wall hanging infused with essential oils

The "flowers" are made of metal and wiring covered with a soft, plush material and designed to resemble a range of flower species, including rose, lily, and peony. The choice to create the flowers was driven by botanical ingredients used in Clé de Peau Beauté products, while others were informed by the Roosevelt family, such as a tulip to symbolise the family's Dutch heritage.

Different flower species also represented the Roosevelt familyThey were manufactured by the "biggest plush manufacturer in the world" according to the team. Hendry's use of plush material is in line with her overarching work, which often features a "childhood aesthetic".

Visitors could purchase the flowers"She was just struck by the idea of taking these flowers and these delicate and natural elements and being able to increase the longevity and enjoy them for a long time," CJ Hendry studio director Dylon Harbottle told Dezeen. "Mixed with the childhood aesthetic, we came up with plush and that was kind of the beginning of Flower Market."

The installation was shut down by police on its second day. The photo is by Antonio AjamThe project was two or three years in the making, with Hendry eventually landing on a greenhouse concept. "We had a few iterations before we landed on the greenhouse," said Harbottle. "Everything that we were discussing didn't hit that scale marker."

The team moved the installation overnight to the second location in Brooklyn. The photo is by Antonio Ajam"As soon as CJ was like, 'We just have to go big or not do it at all' – that's how Flower Market was really born." In its Industry City location, the boxes of flowers were spread out over the floor of the space, sans greenhouse.

The last day of the installation took place in a Brooklyn studio in Industry City. The photo is by Antonio AjamCJ Hendry is New York-based Australian artist known for her hyper-realistic drawings and "engaging and thought-provoking" exhibitions. Other large-scale installations in recent weeks include a giant inflatable astronaut for the MTV VMAS 2024 and a four-poster bed to honour Paris' interiors for the city's design week. The photography is by CJ Hendry Studio unless otherwise stated Read the full article

[rvtravellife]

8 Vital RV Appliances Make You Comfortable and Provide Convenience

by Benjamin Venegas In this detailed guide, we'll talk about the 8 indispensable RV appliances that can make your journey more comfortable and convenient..... Imagine setting off on an adventure, exploring the breathtaking landscapes across the country, yet enjoying the comfort of your own home. That's what hopping into a Recreational Vehicle (RV) feels like - it's essentially taking a slice of home with you wherever you go. In this detailed guide, we'll talk about the 8 indispensable RV appliances that can make your journey more comfortable and convenient. Plus, we have some suggestions for smaller appliances that will enhance your camp cooking experience. Courtesy: Dometic Corporation Appliances in an RV and Their Importance to a Comfortable Journey An RV is equipped with living space and amenities found in a home. It's a mobile abode that offers the liberty to travel far and wide without leaving behind the comforts of home. Imagine the freedom to cook your favorite meal in the middle of a scenic park or brew some fresh coffee while watching the sunrise over a lake. That's the kind of convenience an RV provides! to truly appreciate the RV lifestyle, equipping Your RV with RV appliances is Essential However, to truly appreciate the RV lifestyle, equipping it with essential appliances is key. Just like a house isn't merely four walls, an RV becomes a 'home' when it has all the necessary amenities. Let's explore the vital appliances that can help transform an ordinary RV trip into an extraordinary, comfortable journey. Kitchen Appliances for RVs RV Refrigerators Courtesy: Dometic Corporation The first item on our list of RV appliances, and arguably the most important, is an RV refrigerator. Unlike regular refrigerators, RV fridges are specially designed to withstand the rigors of road travel. They keep food fresh and beverages cool and can run on various energy sources, including gas, when electricity isn't available. Invest in a good RV refrigerator to ensure you always have access to fresh food, thereby saving on eating-out costs and enabling healthier dining choices. PlayRV Refrigerator Tips and Tricks Types of RV Refrigerators When it comes to RV travel, having a reliable refrigerator is essential for a comfortable and convenient journey. After all, who wants to eat warm food or deal with spoiled groceries while on the road? In this blog post, we'll explore the two main types of RV refrigerators: absorption and compressor refrigerators. Absorption refrigerators are commonly found in RVs and use the heat generated by propane or electricity to cool the interior. They work by utilizing a combination of ammonia, hydrogen gas, and water in a continuous cycle. The heat source is used to create a chemical reaction that cools the refrigerator's interior.One of the advantages of absorption refrigerators is their ability to operate using different power sources. They can run on propane when you're boondocking or electricity when connected to a power source. This versatility makes them ideal for RVers who enjoy off-grid camping or frequently travel to places without electrical hookups.Compressor refrigerators, on the other hand, use a compressor to generate cold air. They work similarly to residential refrigerators, with a motor-driven compressor that circulates refrigerant through the system. Compressor refrigerators are known for their ability to cool items quickly and efficiently, making them a popular choice among RVers.One key advantage of compressor refrigerators is their energy efficiency. They consume less power compared to absorption refrigerators, making them an attractive option for RVers who prioritize energy conservation. Additionally, compressor refrigerators have a wider temperature range and can maintain colder temperatures, allowing for better food preservation.Now that we've explored the two main types of RV refrigerators let's take a look at some additional features and options you may encounter:Two-way vs. Three-way refrigerators Some absorption refrigerators offer the option to run on either propane or electricity (two-way), while others can also run on 12-volt DC power (three-way). Three-way refrigerators can automatically switch between power sources, providing more flexibility.Two-door vs. Four-door refrigerators RV refrigerators come in different configurations, with two-door and four-door options available. Two-door refrigerators have a separate freezer compartment and refrigerator section, while four-door models typically have additional storage space and separate temperature controls.AC/DC capability Some RV refrigerators are equipped with AC/DC capability, allowing them to run on both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power sources. This feature enables you to power your refrigerator using either shore power or your RV's battery.In conclusion, choosing the right type of RV refrigerator is crucial for a comfortable and convenient journey..... Read More... Read the full article

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Cj Hendry’s Flower Market: An Immersive Floral Experience Inspired by the Lush Botanicals of Clé de Peau Beauté and in Partnership with Four Freedoms Park Conservancy

Guests are invited to wander the Flower Market at FDR Four Freedoms State and “pick” a free plush flower keepsake Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it.” Contemporary artist Cj Hendry not only sees the flowers, but has designed a greenhouse filled with 100,000 plush flowers as her meadow, and invites us to meander. Cj is thrilled to…

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Viewing the prosecution of Sterry as an early skirmish in Toronto’s free speech struggle reframes the entire issue. The first chapter of Betcherman’s The Little Band gestures in this direction by explaining the religious and cultural outlook of Toronto’s elite and their defenders: conservative Protestant (usually evangelical in outlook), British or anglophile, Tory, staunchly imperialist, royalist, and pro-capitalist. Business owners, Conservative politicians, army officers, clergymen, the Orange Order, and the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire were core components of this swath of Canadian society. A.E. Smith, the clergyman-turned-communist, bluntly described Toronto as “the citadel of reaction and religious Toryism,” while J.S. Woodsworth called the city “smug,” “intolerant,” and “village-like.”

If, prompted in part by the Sterry trial, we view the Toronto free speech struggles not simply as another Red scare but more specifically as an attempt by the Anglo-Protestant elite to keep Toronto locked into late-nineteenth-century cultural patterns, we begin to see more clearly the reasons why rationalists and radical Christians were repressed alongside communists. One telltale connection is the presence of Emerson Coatsworth as the presiding judge in Sterry’s trial. He was also the dominant voice on the Toronto Police Commission, and a key supporter of the Toronto-based Canadian Christian Crusade (CCC), an anti-atheist organization formed in 1929.

….

On 5 May 1929, the police broke up a street meeting organized by the Rationalist Society of Canada. Founding members Lionel Cross [Toronto's first Black Canadian lawyer], Styles, and Leavens promptly lodged a complaint with Chief Draper and the police commissioners. They asserted that police had orchestrated the situation “by aiding and abetting persons to create a disturbance at their meetings and then [intervening] under the guise of a ‘breach of the peace being imminent’ to justify their action.” The RSC officials insisted that, “in matters of fundamental rights and liberties, they [would] permit no one to abrogate,” and they would continue holding open air meetings, just as they had for “the past four years.” They were aware, however, that Toronto’s elite, despite their frequent praise for “British freedoms,” did not believe that liberal principles protected radicals or blasphemers. On 4 August the Star published a letter from Cross spelling out this contradiction:

“I have been trying to reconcile our ideas of British liberty with the attitude of the police in breaking up the meetings on the street of those with unconventional ideas, while religious gatherings are undisturbed.”

Cross was told by an inspector that both the public and his men found rationalist speeches objectionable, and that was reason enough. Admitting that appeals to the authorities had been a waste of time, Cross asked the readers of the Star: was it possible to “arouse an enlightened public sentiment to correct this?”

On 13 August 1929, policemen forced a crowd out of Queen’s Park, in an effort to forestall a communist meeting that had not even started. The violence meted out to communists and bystanders alike shocked many of those present and sparked a furor in the press. While this incident has been discussed in the existing historiography of the “free speech struggle,” another case only a few days later has been overlooked. On the following Sunday night (18 August), police ordered an “atheist” meeting of almost five hundred people near Massey Hall to disperse. This was almost certainly a gathering of the RSC. “The crowd took exception” to the interference of the police, and “as they walked slowly towards Yonge Street they jeered [at] the officers and called upon them to stop a religious meeting” being held on a nearby street corner. Indeed, members of this “throng” themselves interrupted the religious gathering, which ended in disorder.

While this confrontation was not violent, the way it was reported in the next day’s Globe reveals the extent to which Toronto’s unbelievers were characterized as an existential threat to Canadian values, alongside communists and “foreigners.” First of all, the paper argued that police action had been entirely justified because the rationalists had blocked the street. More significantly, however, its coverage of this story was surrounded on all sides by bold headlines warning Torontonians of the dire threat they faced from depraved agitators. The rhetorical question, “‘Is It to Be Bolshevism or Constitutional Government?’” spanned the top of the page. Another headline trumpeted: “Communism Spells Murder, Pillage, Merciless Tyranny, Says Shields, and Would Eliminate Civilization.” That lengthy article praised the eloquence and logic of a sermon by the fundamentalist Baptist minister T.T. Shields, who denounced atheism, communism, modernism, anarchy, and the Toronto Star. The adjacent piece interviewed four prominent Conservatives: Anglican canon H.J. Cody, war veteran and businessman J.J. Shanahan, politician Alfred Morine, and publisher S.B. Gundy. Not unexpectedly, all four praised the police and condemned leftists. “Exaggerated Stories on Reds, Distortion of Report Alleged,” was the title of a nearby article about the police action in Queen’s Park the week before. It reprinted a letter from someone who claimed to have been present and asserted that the police had had no choice but to break up the “sullen,” “ugly” crowd, composed of threatening “foreigners” who would have become violent if given the opportunity; concerns over police brutality were simply the product of “scare headlines” and “gross misrepresentation” orchestrated by the Star. In the Globe’s coverage, the rationalists were merely one element of an ominous outside force that sought to overthrow “Toronto the Good.”

Rationalists, radicals, and their allies contested this view of events. On 2 October 1929 a heated meeting (which according to the mayor threatened to become “a regular donnybrook”) was held at city hall to address concerns over the public exercise of free speech. Chief Draper and Judge Coatsworth were present and subject to intense cross-examination by R.E. Knowles, Salem Bland, and others. Hard questions were aimed at Coatsworth in particular. After the judge explained that only seditious meetings were prohibited, an unnamed voice called out, “What about a man’s religion?” Coatsworth replied, “I don’t interfere with any man’s religion,” but he went on to caution that blasphemy would not be permitted either. One audience member pointedly asked him, “Aren’t you connected with a religious organization?” (The judge was a prominent member of the United Church of Canada.) Coatsworth responded, “I’ve been connected with a religious organization all my life, but it interferes with none in their religion.”

William Styles attended that 1929 meeting as the RSC representative. He argued that his group had “inalienable rights” to hold meetings in public places, and that “any trouble in the parks has been caused by the police themselves.” He complained about “a hysteria among certain people in the city that there is going to be a revolt.” Styles said he had seen many socialist meetings and had never witnessed a riot; but “now every meeting is construed as being unlawful.” He went on to declare that the rationalists would not “submit to a dictatorship,” defiantly concluding, “I submit that the chief of police is the servant of this city and not a dictator.” When a Free Speech Conference was called for 12 October, the “Canadian Atheist Society” was listed among its supporters, alongside Bland, Knowles, and a number of communist-affiliated organizations.

The conflict was played out well beyond the streets. Direct police pressure in 1929 led to theatre and hall owners reneging on their arrangements with communists and other leftist groups; it is possible the same thing happened to the rationalists. Early in the year, the RSC suddenly moved their meetings, going from the Victoria Theatre on 16 February to the Occident Hall a week later. After indoor lectures resumed in the fall, there were a number of other rapid venue changes: from the College Assembly Hall to the Brunswick Hall, and then, after a gap in the schedule, a move to Winchester Hall for the winter and spring of 1930. RSC officials never publicly addressed the changes but, given the timing, it is certainly conceivable that they were having trouble finding people who would rent them space.

…

That would change early in 1931, when the Globe declared, “The eyes of atheism and the eyes of bolshevism in North America are fixed for the moment on Toronto.” This renewed burst of outrage was provoked by Emanuel Haldeman-Julius, luminary of the American freethought movement. His Kansas-based company, Haldeman-Julius Publications, was enormously prolific in its production of affordable books, pamphlets, and newspapers. His series of “Little Blue Books” would become particularly influential across North America. The publisher was himself a socialist and an atheist of Jewish descent who never shied away from controversy. Upon hearing reports of the Toronto free speech battle, he decided to support local unbelievers and test the authorities by printing an “Atheist Special Edition” of his American Freeman newspaper and distributing “copies numbering in thousands” in the city.

This provoked the ire of the Globe, which denounced not only Haldeman-Julius’s atheism but also his support for “companionate marriage.” An editorial entitled “Keep This Trash Out” declared:

the atheist and the ‘Red’ have so much in common that it behooves Christian people to be on guard against their insidious style of propaganda. Their methods are so similar that general direction from Moscow is more than a suspicion.

The aim of both was the same: “the overthrow of established conditions that have been developed through the centuries.” Something had to be done. Canadians could not reasonably be asked to tolerate “widespread circulation” of arguments in favour of companionate marriage and “blatant, scoffing atheism.” Fortunately, something could be done: censorship. Crown attorney Eric Armour believed that the Atheist Special Edition of the American Freeman contained blasphemous libel and that anyone who distributed or kept it “would be subject to a criminal charge.” Indeed, he believed many American publications should be barred from Canada. Chief Draper agreed that the Freeman should be kept from circulating by mail, and pronounced that if it were sold from the city’s newsstands “police action” would be taken.

Haldeman-Julius was not intimidated. He responded by sending a telegram to the Globe a few days later. It began:

Please announce in your columns that I am coming to your city for lecture in hall to be announced soon. Will explain to your people why I am an atheist and why atheism will make Toronto a more civilized city. Will defy your Chief Constable to stop my meeting. Will also print extra edition of Freeman for free circulation and will send friends of mine to every house in Toronto to deliver free copies of paper.

The publisher also said he would attempt to bring Clarence Darrow with him because he anticipated trouble from Chief Draper, “who I understand is a tinpot tyrant and a small edition of Mussolini.” Haldeman-Julius then sent a message to Draper himself, asking if the chief would guarantee his safety at a Sunday afternoon meeting “explaining the philosophy of atheism and the falsity of Christianity and the corruption of the Catholic Church.” He took pains to stress the fact that “this special campaign is not being financed by Moscow, but by myself personally as a great believer in free speech and free assembly.”

…

Haldeman-Julius seems to have changed his mind about visiting Toronto, but he did produce a special “Canadian Free Speech Edition” of the American Freeman for distribution in the city. In it he declared, “If there isn’t free speech for an atheist in Toronto, then there is no free speech in Toronto.” Since the man himself remained out of reach, the Globe decided to use Haldeman-Julius’s example as a stick with which it could beat local free speech advocates. Earlier in the year sixty-eight professors from the University of Toronto had signed an open letter arguing that the actions of Draper and Coatsworth violated the British principle of freedom of speech. The Globe’s editorial writers claimed repeatedly (and without evidence) that Haldeman-Julius was allied with these professors and that militant atheism was the natural outcome of their line of thinking.

One reason that the Globe took this approach was that it fit popular pre-existing narrative whereby orderly Christian Canada was threatened by irreverent and destructive outsiders. This narrative was extremely common when communists were being targeted, but it was invoked to explain and belittle the rationalists as well. The reader will recall Rev. F.C. Ward-Whate having employed the reliable rhetoric of outside agitators (“mongrel curs”) during the Sterry case and calling for the rationalists to be immediately jailed and deported. At that time the Evening Telegram stressed the links between Canadian and American rationalists. In a breathless article entitled “U.S. Is Controlling Centre of Toronto’s Rationalism,” it warned that “organized atheism in this city is receiving support via the same channels as does Communism.” As proof, the Telegram pointed to the RSC’s friendly relationship with Franklin Steiner and his American Rationalist Association of Chicago, “whose horrible doctrines are a derivative of the black atheism of Moscow and Berlin.” In Ontario this type of anti-American imagery dated right back to the time of the United Empire Loyalists.

Toronto’s rationalists resented this line of attack and took pains to refute it. Cross “denied with considerable warmth” the claim that he had come from the United States. “I was born in the British West Indies, saw war service overseas and am now pleased to call myself a Canadian,” he told a Star reporter. When the Sterry incident began, Styles made a point of stating that the Rationalist Society stood for “the integrity of the British empire.” He and Leavens also strongly rejected the allegation that they were outsiders, insisting that they were, respectively, third- and fourth-generation Canadians. Styles derisively pointed out that it was Ward-Whate who was the immigrant. The clergyman would probably have seen no shame in that: he was a Briton, and Toronto was a British city. It was Americans and “other” foreigners who were the problem. We may, however, detect a certain irony in the fact that Canadian authorities wanted to eject Sterry from the body politic, even though he was a British citizen who had lived in Canada for seventeen years. The quality of “Britishness” was claimed by both Toronto’s elite and by the rationalists. It was frequently invoked by Toronto’s elite as a marker of their authority, but they hastily distanced themselves from it when it became a limitation or a liability."

- Elliot Hanowski, Towards A Godless Dominion: Unbelief in Interwar Canada. Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024. p. 142-149.

[eyssant]

Mount Rushmore: A Monument of American Greatness

Perched majestically amidst the rugged terrain of the Black Hills in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore stands as a testament to American ingenuity, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of democracy. Carved into the granite face of this iconic mountain are the stoic visages of four of the nation's most revered presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Completed in 1941, this colossal sculpture is not merely a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship but also a profound symbol of national identity and unity.

History of Mount Rushmore:

The genesis of Mount Rushmore can be traced back to the early 1920s when historian Doane Robinson envisioned a grand monument in the Black Hills to attract tourists to the region. Robinson's vision gained traction when he enlisted the expertise of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, renowned for his work on several large-scale projects across the United States. Together, they selected Mount Rushmore as the ideal site for the sculpture due to its solid granite composition and its prominence within the landscape.

Work on the monument commenced in 1927 and spanned 14 years, employing hundreds of workers who labored tirelessly under dangerous conditions to bring Borglum's vision to life. Using dynamite, jackhammers, and chisels, Borglum and his team meticulously carved the 60-foot-high faces of the presidents into the mountain's surface, enduring harsh weather and logistical challenges along the way.

Importance of Mount Rushmore:

Mount Rushmore holds profound significance for Americans as a symbol of national pride, unity, and the ideals upon which the nation was founded. Each of the presidents depicted on the monument played a pivotal role in shaping the course of American history:

George Washington: As the first president of the United States and a founding father, Washington led the nation to independence during the Revolutionary War and established many of the precedents that would shape the office of the presidency.

Thomas Jefferson: A visionary statesman and author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's presidency saw the expansion of the nation's territory through the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt: A champion of progressive ideals and conservation efforts, Roosevelt's presidency ushered in an era of reform and activism, including the establishment of national parks and the construction of the Panama Canal.

Abraham Lincoln: Often regarded as one of America's greatest presidents, Lincoln guided the nation through the tumultuous period of the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, paving the way for the abolition of slavery.

Beyond honoring these esteemed leaders, Mount Rushmore serves as a symbol of American exceptionalism and the enduring values of democracy, freedom, and opportunity. It stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before us and the principles that continue to define the American experience.

Keystone, The Gateway to Mount Rushmore

The quaint town of Keystone, South Dakota, serves as the gateway to Mount Rushmore, located just three miles from the monument. Despite its small size, Keystone boasts a rich history and serves as a bustling hub for tourists visiting the area. Visitors to Keystone can explore a variety of attractions, including museums, art galleries, and scenic hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding Black Hills.

Overall, Keystone experiences a diverse range of weather conditions throughout the year, offering something for every season and making it an attractive destination for visitors year-round. Whether you're seeking sunny days for summer adventures or snowy slopes for winter sports, Keystone's weather ensures an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Black Hills.

In conclusion, Mount Rushmore stands as an enduring symbol of American greatness and the indomitable spirit of its people. As visitors from around the world gaze upon the monumental faces carved into the granite cliffs, they are reminded of the ideals and principles that have shaped the nation and continue to inspire generations of Americans. May Mount Rushmore forever serve as a beacon of hope, unity, and the enduring promise of a more perfect union.