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The "Kudamulukku Peru Vilaa" (Maha Kumbhaabishekam) of the "Gangaikondacholiswarer Thirukkoyil" built by the greatest "Tamil Chola Emperor - Rajendra Chola (A.D.1012-1044)" of Tamil Nadu - India - was held on the 2nd of February 2017
The birth of Rajendra Chola - 1 as the son of Rajaraja Chola - 1
Rajendra Chola - 1 was born on the Thiruvathirai Nakashathiram of the month of Adi (from mid July to Mid August) as the son of Rajaraja Chola - 1 (A.D.985=1014) by his 'second' Queen Uthaiya Piraatiyaar Thambiran Adikal - Vaanavan Maadeviyar 'also known as' (alias) Thiribhuvanamadeviyaar, and was named as Mathuraanthahan. During his young days he learnt all aspects of warfare and administration in addition to the religious, philosopical and literary compositions under his Guru Esaana Siva Pandithar. He successfully completed his studies and earned the title the 'Panditha Cholan'. In the year A.D.1012 he was made the 'heir apparent' (Ilavarasan = Uvaraja) to the Chola empire by his father Rajaraja Chola - 1.
Rajendra Chola's war expedition towards Purvadesam and Gangetic region in the North-West and Northern-East of India
Rajendra Chola - 1 with his capture of many regions in the Indian mainland, after a lapse of two years he became more ambitious in conquering the north-eastern and north-western regions of India. He commenced his war expedition in this direction in the year A.D.1021 with his capture of Sakkarakkoattam the south Chhattisgarh. From here he split his forces in to two and sent the first expedition in the direction of Ganges river in the north and the second expedition in the north-western direction, while he stationed himself at Sakkarakkoattam until the two expeditions were complete.
The first expedition went towards towards river Ganges in the north from Sakkarakkoattam and captured the regions of Odda Vishayam of Orissa, Kosala Naadu the north Chhattisgarh, Thandabuththi in north Orissa , Thakkana Laadam in south Jharkhand, Vangala desam the Bangaladesh, Uttara Laadam of north Jharkhand and reached the great river Ganges. The first expedition was lead by the Chola Commander Sri Mahanayakan Rajendra Chola Pallavaraiyan Rajaraja Maaraayan. (SII - Ins No: 1351, P.age 491 - Inscription on Mahendra Malai in Orrisa State)
The second expedition went towards the north-west of India from Sakkarakkoattam direct to the Mathuramandalam [u\crossing the Kalachuria, Chandella and Paramara kingdoms in between, enabled by the friendly ties the Cholas had with these countries[/u]. Chola forces thus captured the kingdoms of Mathuramandalam the west Uttar Pradesh, Namanaikkonam of north Haryana, Panchappalli of east Punjab (of Pakistan) Maasunidesam of north Punjab (of Pakistan) and Athinagar (the Purvadesam - Purva means ancient) of south Kashmir.
"......Udaiyar Sri Rajendra Choladevar "Uttarapadathu bhupatiyarai jayittaruli" (Uththarapathathu Poopathiyarai jayiththaruli) 'yuddh-otsava' vibhavattal Gamgra parigraham (Ganga parikiraham) panni yarulina Gamkai-konda Solan (Gangaikonda Cholan ennum thiru namattal it tiru murrattil vaitt-arulina uttam-agram Gangai-konda Solan' unnum anaitu Vedamum, Apurvamum odum Brahmacharigal......"
Inscription on the vertical face of the base at the temple Alagiya Narasingha Perumal temple at Ennayiram, South Arcot, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.
Epigraphia Indica - Vol 39, Ins No 34
The Map showing the regions conqured in the North-West and in the North East regions of India by Rajendra Chola - 1's Forces
The above Inscription of Rajendra Chola - 1 very positively confirms that his forces have won over the the kings of Uththarapatham. The last four regions towards North-West India namely Naamanaikkonam, Panchappalli, Masunidesam, and Athinagar were the regions of Uttarapatham. Rajendra Cholan - 1 claims in one of his inscription from Kulampandal that he also won the "kings of Uttarapatham". Dharmasastra of Manu states Uttarapatham lies to the west of the place where river Sarawathi disappears. Great Indian Epic Mahabharata states ".....the Yavanas, Kambojas, Gandaras, Kiratas, and Barbarahs who were born in Uttarapatham......", which were all situated in north-western India. Nepali Manuscripts says "....Purushapuram territory in Uttarapatham.....". Purushapura is the present Peshawar in the upper Sind valley region of present Pakistan. Kaviya Mimansa states the Uttarapatha lay on the western side of Prthudaka. The Prthudaka was formerly situated north of present Delhi. The great Kerala Tamil Epic - Manimekalai specifically states that "Purvadesam - was in the Gandhara country" which encompassed the south Kashmir region. Further Al-Beruni states "....Udunpur in Purvadesa.....". Udunpur is undoubtedly the present Udhampur of south Jammu & Kashmir - a derivation from Udunpur to Udhumpur and then to Udhampur. The foregoing indicates to us somewhat accurately the regions covered by Uttarapatham, which was conquered by Rajendra Cholan - 1
The confedaracy that existed between the Bhoja king of Malawa and Rajendra Chola - 1 is 'confirmed' by an inscription from Balagamve in south Maharashtra which refers to Cholas "as the greatest of kings". Another inscription from Kulenur in Karnataka confirms this confederacy was not only between Bhoja of Malawa and Rajendra Chola, but also inclusive of Gangeya of Kalachuria.
Evidence on the above References:
"......Bhojadeva - together with the moon of Kalachuris - worshiped full of fear like a pupil, (this) master of warfare (the Vidyadhara) who has caused the destruction of the king of Kanyakubja......" (inscription dated Saka 941)
Inscription of Vidyadhara the Chandella king, on slab from Mahaboba, presently at Lucknow Museum in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Epigraphia Indica - Vol 1, Page 219.
".......O Kundiga when they name thee in respect of courage what further praise can others give? Is it not what is said by the troops of elephants of the Chola, Gangeya and king Bhoja with open mouths as they flee away in the battle where they are pressed by (thy) elephants.....in the cyclic year Vibava the 950th (Year) of Saka......"
Inscription of Jayasimha-2 the Westeren Chalukiya king, on stone behind Hanuman temple at Kulenur in Dharwar district, Karnataka state, India.
Epigraphia Indica - Vol 15, Page 333.
"......that famous king Jayasimha - a moon to the lotus which was king Bhoja glorious as sun, a very lion to the elephant which was Chola the greatest of kings - was esteemed the supreme king of kings.....having searched out , beset and pursued ground down and put to flight the confederacy of Malava......Kundama the chieftain .....(in the year of the Saka era 941 repaired the temple of God Nandikesvaradeva......"
Inscription of Kadamba Chieftain Kundama on stone slab at Balagamve in the extreme lower Maharastra State, India.
Indian antiquary - Vol 5, Page 17/18
The Indian Mainland expedition of Rajendra Cholan - 1 commenced in the year A.D.1019 and ended in the year A.D.1020 in one single expedition and the names of all countries conquered by his forces from Sakkarakkoatam onwards upto the Gangetic region and river Gangai in the east of North India, and Purvadesam (Gandara country) of Pakistan in the west of North India were included in his Meikeeththi (true glory) only from the year A.D.1021 and in it's short format as "Purvadesamum Gangaiyum konda Ko-Parakesari Rajendra Chola Devar".
With the return of his forces from their great expedition in the north-east and north-west, he very soon embarked on his overseas war expedition towards South-East Asian Countries in the year A.D.1022. With the same vigor, vitality and enthusiasm created by these great victories. He immediately thereafter sent a large force overseas in many ships (alai kadal meethu pa Kalam seluthti) on a great war expedition towards Kadaram kingdom (Kedah Region) and other kingdoms of Malaysia, and Sri Vijaya kingdom in (Palembang Region) and other kingdoms of Sumatra Indonesia, and the other South-East Asian Countries including the regions of the present Thailand and Miyanmar etc. These forces very successfully conquered all these overseas countries by A.D.1024 and their names were further added to his Meikeerthi (True Glory) from the year A.D.1025. These victories condensed in a short format were also included in many of his Inscriptions as "Purvadesamum Gangaiyum Kadaramum konda Ko-Parakesari Rajendra Chola Devar".
Construction of Gangaikonda Choleswarer Temple
It was from this year onwards Rajendra Chola - 1 retired from all his ambitious war expeditions in the Indian mainland and Overseas, which is confirmed by the very fact that there were no other countries have been included in his Meikeerththi upto his death in A.D.1044. It was during the period from A.D.1025 Rajendra Chola - 1 could have given his full concentration in the construction of the Gangaikonda Choleswarem temple - a great divine edifice to God Siva, under his complete purview.
We are aware the first endowments of Rajendra Chola - 1 himself were granted to the Gangaikonda Cholaeswarem temple built by him in the year A.D.1035 (as per Virarajendra Chola's Inscription on these endoments at this temple). Hence we are certain that the construction of the Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Temple by Rajendra Chola - 1 commenced in the year A.D.1025 and was completed in the year A.D.1035 after 10 years and the first Kumbaabishekam too would taken place in this same year., the year Rajendra Chola -1 made his first endowments to this temple - "being the first among all other Kings who made endowments to this temple".
With his return Rajendra Cholan - 1 from his expedition towards the great Ganges river region in the year A.D.1022 claimed a new title as "Gangaikondaan", and gave the title "Gangaikonda Cholan" (the Chola who captured Gangai) to his younger brother who lead the Gangetic expedition. Subsequently in the year A.D.1025 he commenced building the Great Divine Edifice to God Siva named the "Gangaikonda Choleswarer Temple". The presiding Deity of this Temple is refered to in the Inscriptions of Virarajendra Chola, Kulothunga Chola - 1, Sundera Paandiyan - 2, Vikkrama Paandiyan and Kulasekara Paandiyan in this very temple - as "Gangaikondacholapuraththu Udaiyar Gangaikonda Cholaiswaramudaiyar....."
In this great temple "Gangaikonda Cholaeswarem" built by him, the presiding deity of the Karuvarai (Sanctum Sanctorium) was known as the "Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer" also known as "Peruvudaiyar" - the God Siva in the form of Lingam, the biggest Lingam among the Siva Temples both in India and Worldover, having a height of 13 ft and 20 ft in circumferance. The Goddess was known as Periyanayaki
Note: Only during the subsequent period in the fourteenth century during the perid of Nayakkar kings at Thanjavur the changed the name of Peruvudaiyar as Birahadeeswarer and Periyanayaki as Brahmanayaki.
The Essalam Copper Plates of Rajendra Cholan - 1 specifically states that with the conquest of the Gangetic region, it was Rajendra Cholan - 1 who constructed the new city the Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the great Gangaikonda Choleswarer temple, and the sacred Cholagangam Tank (at the Udaiyar Palaiyam region of Ariyalur district).
".....Gangaam thunga payotharam kunavatheem isvethesm iprathi
praapthasri sa Bakeeratham ivyajayatha
akruruch raaptha Gangaa jala.
Rajenththro ivyathitha sa Gangaikoanda
Cholapuryaam sathkunanithi aathmanaa ikruthaayaam
'than naamaa-varapavana Maheswarasya'
bakthyaa thath patha yuga paarijaatha iprunga......"
"......the Ganga with straight breast and of good nature he brought to his country. He of grace who obtained without difficulty the Ganga waters considered as won Baghirathan. The Rajendran the wealth of good nature, built a temple to Sivaperumaan (God Siva) at Gangaikonda Cholapuram (already) constructed by him, having the same name (Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer). He remained a fly at the feet of Sivaperumaan......"
Cholar Cheppedukal - by Ve. Mahadevan & Ka. Sankaranarayanan, Thanjavur University, Tamil Nadu.
Esalam Copper Plates (A.D.1037) of the 25th Year of Rajendra Chola - Page 912.
Among the 'available Inscriptions' of Rajendra Chola - 1 which refers the "royal orders" given by him from his various Royal Palaces in Tamil Nadu, the first "royal order" that has been given by him from Gangaikonda Cholapuram Palace was for a grant by him to Thiribhuvanam Chathurvedimangalam in A.D.1029. Hence we could conclude the construction of the Rajendra Chola's Royal Palace at Gangaikonda Cholapuram was completed by the year A.D.1029 (as pointed out by the Scholar in Chola Epigrapical Studies Dr Daud Ali). However there is another earliest dated Inscription of Rajendra Chola - 1 of the year A.D.1032 is found at the Thanjavur Rajarajeswarem temple on a "royal order" for grant from the palace "Mudikondan Cholan Thirumaalikai" at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. (SII, Vol 2, Part 1, page 1060)
Further we note the first set of Inscriptions inscribed on the Kumuda of the central Shrine of Gangaikonda Choliswarem Temple of Virarajendra specifically states that the first endowments made by Rajendra Chola - 1 to this temple was in the year A.D.1035. Hence we could conclude that the completion of construction of Gangaikonda Choliswarem Temple was in the year A.D.1035.
Three other temples named "Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer" were built in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to commemorate the Chola victory over Gangetic region
During this period of Rajendra Chola - 1 'three other' small temples also named as "Gangaikonda Choleswarer" were built by his two Army Commanders, and his Guru to celebrate this great occasion.
Gangaikonda Choliswarem - at Kolar District in Karnataka State
During the great war expedition of Rajendra Chola - 1 towards Gangetic region, one of Army Commanders Paalaiyan Kamundan who participated in same, after the successfull Gangetic war expedition was given the honourary title as "Gangaikonda Chola" and was known as 'Paalaiyan alias Gangaikonda Chola Kaamundan'. He to celebrate this event constructed (eduppitta) a temple named "Gangaikonda Choliswaram" Udaiya Mahadevar Koyil at (the present Sidalaghatta Taluk), at Kolar District of Karnataka State
Epigraphia Carnatica - Vol 10, (Tamil) Inscriptions of from Sidalaghatta Taluk No:....
Gangaikonda Choliswarem - at Ariyalur District in Tamil Nadu State
In the year A.D.1024 (the 12th year of reign of) Rajendra-Chola I, a grant was made being an allowance of paddy and gold for (maintaining) twenty-four dancing-girls at Gangaikonda Choliswarem stone temple at Kaaliyur Koattam of Paakurnadu built by "Isanasiva-Panditar".
From the Siva Temple at the village Kulambandal (on the road from Kanchipuram to Wandiwash at a distance of five miles south of Mamandur).
The Epigraphic Journal which carries this information is not known. Nilakantha Sastri in his book on "Cholas" mentions that the above information of "Isaana Siva having built this Temple and the grant being made for twenty-four Dancing Girls at this temple is found in the SII - Vol 7, Ins No; 1407. But in actual fact this information is not found in this Inscription.
"....Isaana Pandithar Kaaliyur Koattaththu Paakur naattu Gangaikonda Cholapuraththu eduppiththa Thirukkattrali "Esvaramudaiya Mahadevar....."
Author Chandramoorthy in his book titled "Tamilnaattu Sivalayangal" gives the above reference.
Gangaikonda Choliswarem - at Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu State
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer "at Gangaikonda Cholapuram" Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Chola Kings
Rajendra Chola - 1 (Parakesari) : A.D.1012-1044
Rajendra Chola - 1 with his victory over the "Kadaram kingdom" (present Kedah of Malaysia) named a region adjacent to the Mannaikonda Cholavalanadu of Cholanadu as Kadaremkonda Cholavalanadu. He built his new capital city Gangaikonda Cholapuram in a region carved out partly from the Mannaikonda Cholavalanadu and partly from the Kadaremkonda Cholavalanadu. He constructed the Gangaikonda Choliswarem temple in the region of Gangaikonda Cholapuram which fell under Mannaikonda Cholavalanadu, and the Cholagangam Tank which fell under Kadaremkonda Cholavalanadu.
During the period of construction of the Gangaikonda Choliswarem Udaiyar Temple by Rajendra Chola - 1, 'Sembikula Maanikkattar' an Anukkiyar (close female attendent) of the King, 'caused to be made' the 'palakaippatai ("[carved] layer [of granite] slab") outer frame' - to be fitted in-front of the plain niche housing the Kooththaadum Thevar (Aadavallaan = Nadarajar) on the south outer wall of the Karuvarai (the Sanctum Sanctorium) of God Siva in his dancing form.
In the year A.D.1035 and A.D.1036 Rajendra Chola made the first endowments to the Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil. Possibly 'Sembikula Maanikkattar' the Anukkiyar of the King after the 'Kudamulukku Peru Vila' (Kumbaabishekam) of the Gangaikonda Choliswarer Temple, too provided gifts inclusive of a lamp, two cows for it's maintenence, and gold for it's ornaments. Rajendra Chola - 1 also gifted a land at Thiruvellarai (in the present Thrutchi district) as an endowment to this temple in the year A.D.1036.
Inscription on the of kumuda, padma and jagati of the north and west walls of central shrine of the Gangaikonda Choliswarem temple.
The Epigraphical Legacy at Gangaikondacholapuram : Problems and Possibilities - by Dr Daud Ali Ins No: 1, 35, 36, Also Page 22, Ins No: 2, SII - 4 Ins No: 529
Inscription on the side wall of the entrance of the East Gopuram of Gangaikonda Choliswarem temple.
The Epigraphical Legacy at Gangaikondacholapuram : Problems and Possibilities - by Dr Daud Ali Ins No: 1, 32, 33
Inscription on the side wall of the entrance to the East Gopuram of the Gangaikonda Choliswarem temple.
The Epigraphical Legacy at Gangaikondacholapuram : Problems and Possibilities - by Dr Daud Ali, Page 25, Ins No: 32
Inscription on the west wall of the central shrine the Siva temple, at Thiruvellarai.
Topograpical List of the Inscriptions of the Madras Presidency - V.Rangacharya, Vol 3, Page 648
Rajadhiraja Chola - 1 (Rajakesari) : A.D.1018-1054
Subsequently in the year of death of Rajendra Chola - 1 in A.D.1044 his son Rajadhiraja Chola - 1 made much more endowments to the Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Temple (possibly for the merit of the Soul of his father Rajendra Chola - 1). He also made further endowments to this Temple in A.D.1048.
Virarajendra Chola - 1 (Rajakesari) : A.D.1060-1070
Note: Virarajendra Chola's 3rd Year was equivalent to the 6th year of Rajendra Chola's -2 6th year as per Inscription ------ Further we are aware that Rajendra Chola - 2 ruled from A.D.1054-1063. Hence it is clear Virarajendra was a 'yuvaraja' from A.D.1060-1063 and only in the year A.D.1063 Virarajendra became the successor to the Chola empire and ruled untill his death in A.D.1070.
All the endowments that have been made both by Rajendra Chola - 1 and his son Rajadhiraja Chola - 1 verbally were recorded on Ola Leaves by the Olai Nayagam witnessed by high Officers of these kings and records were well preserved. However it was only during the period of Virarajendra Chola - 1 these details from Ola Leaves were inscribed on the basement of Outer Walls of the Karuvarai and Mahamandapam falling within the second Pirakara of the Gangaikonda Choleswarer Temple, on the instructions of Virarajendra Chola - 1 fourth Son of Rajendra Chola - 1. Further the donations made to this Temple by Virarajendra Chola - 1 himself in the year A.D.1068 too were inscribed in the same place, following the details of the endowments made by his 'father and elder brother' referred in these Inscriptions as 'Iyyer and Annar'. This long Inscription of Virarajendra - 1 is the 'longest and the earliest' inscription that has been inscribed in this Temple.
Adirajendra Chola - 1 (Parakesari) : A.D.1066-1070
Note: Adirajendra Chola's latest Inscription available was in A.D.1070 which was refered to as his 4th year. Further we are also aware that Virarajendra Chola - 1 ruled from A.D.1063-1070. Hence it is clear Adirajendra was a 'yuvaraja' from A.D.1066-1070, as he too demised in A.D.1070
During the rule of Adirajendra, Marutan Sivakolunthu of Thirumanjanattar Velam (royal bathing unit) his Anukkiyar (close attendent) and Pendatti (wife) provided gift of gold for burning of a perpetual lamp at Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple. Further two merchants of Thiribhuvanamadevi Per-Ankadi (big market), one being Ativitantakan provided with this gift of gold on his undertaking to pay interest for same to the Gangaikonda Choliswarer Temple for maintaing the lighting of a perpetual lamp at this temple, while the other trader Tutuvan had stood as surety for same.
In the year A.D.1066 Adirajendra Chola made an Order issued from his palace at Gangaikonda Cholapuram remitting some of the taxes from the village Selai in Kakkalur Nadu as devadana to the temple Thiruppasur (at Chengalpattu district).
Kulothunga Chola - 1 (Rajakesari) : A.D.1070-1120
With the demise of Virarajendra in A.D.1070 and Adirajendra in the same year with no successors in the male-line the Kulothunga Chola - 1 from the female-line of Cholas became the successor to the Chola empire and ruled for fifty years untill his death in A.D.1120.
Kulotunga Chola - 1 too have made endowments to this temple the details of which are missing in an inscription on the mukamantapa of this temple. However the normal prelude on the king Kulotunga - 1 are found in the two Sanskrit verses which refers to his victory over the contemporary Paandiyan king the capture of his fort, and setting up of the pillar of victory. In the year A.D.1017 Kulothunga Chola - 1 gifted the village Tirundadevangudi at the present Veppattur in Kumbakonam Taluk as devadanam to Gangaikonda Cholisvaram Udaiyar Temple.
Inscriptions on East Gopuram along outer wall of the second Thiruchuttru of the Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple.
Annual Report on Epigrapy - Ins Nos: 328, 329, of 1965
Inscription on south wall of mantapa in front of central shrine at Karkatesvara temple, Veppattur, Kumbakonam.
Topograpical List of the Inscriptions of the Madras Presidency - V.Rangacharya, Vol 2, Page 1289
Vikkrama Cholan (Parakesari) : A.D.1120-1163
During the period of rule of Vikkrama Chola in the year A.D.1121, a sluice has been constructed to the lake "Cholagangam" built in the region of Gangaikonda Cholapuram carved out from the Kadaremkonda Cholavalanadu. In the year A.D.1124 "Thirubhuvanamadevi" the step-mother of Vikkrama Chola and one of the queens of the Kulothunga Chola - 1 donated money to the Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple from the interest of which a lighting Santhi Villaku daily at this temple was maintained. In the year A.D.1027 a land was acquired for the temple and the "Poopadai" Vilaa (Festival) was held in the region of Gangaikonda Cholapuram of Kadaremkonda Cholavalanadu.
Kulothunga Cholan - 2 (Rajakesari) : A.D.A.D.1133-1150
Rajadiraja Cholan - 2 (Rajakesari) : A.D.1163-1178
Kulothunga Chola - 3 (Parakesari) : A.D.1178-1218
During his period Thunthanatudaiyaan Ekavasakan Kulothungar son of Chandramauliyalvar a queen of Kulothunga Chola - 3 gifted to the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple 482 Kalanju (a measure of) gold in the name of his mother in the year A.D.1187 who came in the main line of Kulothunga Chola - 1 the Sungam Thavirtha Cholan (the Chola who waived off customs levy on imported trading goods). In the year A.D. 1189 Ammangaiyalvar the daughter of the Kulothunga Chola - 3 gifted two flywhisks to the deity at Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple made of 8 mari (a measure of) gold. In the same year one flywhisk made of 20 pon of 8 mari by Pukaliyalvar the daughter of Vanavan Mateviyalvar another queen of Kulothunga Chola - 1 to the deity of the same temple. (An Inscription of Kulothunga Chola - 3 (Ko-Parakesarivarman alias Thirubuvanachakravarti) at the Chidambaram Temple, states Ammangai was the daughter of Kulotunga-Sola-deva - confirming the inscription at Gangaikonda Cholapuram)
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Paandiya Kings
'Maravarman' Sunthara Paandiyan - 1 : (A.D.1216-1253)
It was in the year A.D.1236 Maravarman Sunthara Paandiyan sent his forces on war expedition to Cholanadu, which destroyed setting fire to the great Thanjavur (Thanjai) and Uraiyur (Uranthai) the and present former Chola capital cities. On seeing same Rajaraja - 3 who ruled from Thanjavur went into hiding in fear while Maravarman Sundara Paandyan who celebrated his Viraabishekam at the Chola abisheka mantapam named Ayiraththali at Thanjavur. However Maravarman Sunthara Paandiyan recalled the Chola king and offered him the Chola kingdom to rule but as his subordinate paying tributes. Rajaraja - 3 who earlier ruled from Thanjavur with much damage to Thanjavur changed his capital to Palaiyarai which was also known as Mudikonda Cholapuram.
He after some years Rajaraja - 3 defied paying tributes and Maravarman Sundara Paandiyan, and the latter invaded Palaiyaarai captured the capital city and conducted his second Virabishekam at Mudikonda Cholapuram (Palaiyaarai).
After his initial destruction of Thanjavur and Uraiyur had marched to Chithambaram temple for worship of God Siva, and on his way has not inflicted any damages to the city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and its temple Gangaikonda Choliswarer as this capital was not the seat of rule of Cholas during the period Rajaraja - 3, who changed back to the former city of Thanjavur as his capital and as Gangaikonda Cholapuram city too have come under his authority.
Among the two "Sunthara Paandiyan" kings who bore the title "Thiribuvana Chakkaravarththi Konerimaikondan" are Maravarman Sundera Pandiyan - 1 and Sadaiyavarman Sundara Pandiyan - 1.
'Sadaiyavarman' Sunthara Paandiyan - 2 : (A.D.1251-1270)
Sadaiyavarman Sunthara Paandiyan - 2 in the year A.D.1253 invaded and captured the Chola country and Rajendra Chola - 3 the son of Rajaraja Chola 3 met his death. With his death the Chola country came under the full control of Sunthera Paandiyan. Thus came the end of the great Tamil Chola empire of Tamil Nadu, after nearly four centuries from it's inception.
He visited the Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple, and made much endowments to the temple and arranged for the daily Saanthi Pusai valipadu (worship) named as 'Sundarapaandiyan Santhi' (Saanthi)" after his regnal name to Gangaikonda Choliswarer.
For the expenses for the Amuthu-padi and Saaththu-padi for the daily worship as devadanam he provided a land - at Kulothunga Nallur bound by Aanaivettuvaan channel of Mathuranthaha vadavaru river in the west, the Vallaba Nagar in the east, and Kollapuram in the north, and a land - in the Rajendra Chola Nallur north of Kulothunga Chola Nallur bound b Athikainayakan channel of Mathuranthaha vadavaru in the west, the Rajarajan highway (peruvali) in the east, Kollapuram in the south - measuring twenty veli (veli measure of land).
'Sadaiyavarman' Vira Paandiyan - 2 : (A.D.1253-1275)
'Maravarman' Kulasekara Paandiyan - 1 : (A.D.1268-1311)
During the period of rule of Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan - 1 who bore the title "Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal" the northern region of Tamil Nadu was still under the sway of Paandiya kings, and Gangaikonda Choliswarer Temple too continued to be under the purview. In the year A.D.1272 Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan arranged purchase of Urnaththam, houses, the agrarian lands, the land to channel Eari (Tank) water, the village ponds, the tall shady trees, and water wells bought as temple properties at the (prevailing) prices, bound by the land Thevanipuththoor at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Pattru of Mannai Cholavalanaattu of Vikkrama Cholavala Nadu in the east, the lands named Kurungkudi, Mannar Thiruvidaiyattam Viranarayana Nallur Thiruvaalikakallukkum, Kannamangalam in the south, the lands Virarajendra Cholapuram at Kannamangalam, and Thevanallur in the west, the land Malavatharaiyanallur in the north, and planted thirisoolams as the boundry limits in this village and gifted same to Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple as temple properties.
In the year A.D.1273 the people of the regions arranged sales of their lands to the temple authorities in the name Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple, the agrarian lands, Urnaththam, houses, .......as temple bound by properties at the (prevailing) prices
'Maravarman' Vikkrama Paandiyan - 2 : (A.D.1283-1296)
Maravarman Vikkrama Paandiyan - 2 was the brother and co-ruler of northern region of Tamil Nadu under his elder brother Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiya - 1. He was ruling the northern regions of Tamil Nadu on behalf of Maravarman Kulasekara Paandiyan. Accordingly the Gangaikonda Cholapuram region came under purview of Maravarman Vikkrama Pandiyan (regnal name). While he was ruling this region in the year A.D.1289 he arranged for the daily Saanthi Pusai valipadu named as "Raasaakkanayan" Santhi (Saanthi)" (after his real name) to Gangaikonda Choliswarer.
For the expenses for the Amuthu-padi and Saaththu-padi for the daily worship levied revenue tax on the (general) cultivatable land, the cultivateble house gardens, oil producing units and the connected lands, the water channels (outside the fortress), - within (main) Gopura vaasal Naaraasaththu (of the Gangaikonda Choliswarer) in the east, the Suthamalli Naaraasaththu in the west, the Rajendra Cholan Theru in the south and Vembukudi vaasal in the north.
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Vijayanagara kings
With the invasion of Tamil Nadu by Malik Kafur a commander of forces of Alaudin Khilji the Mugal Emperor of Delhi in the year A.D.1311, the Chola Nadu and Pandiya Nadu fell into their hands. It was during this period the Gangaikonda Choliswarer Temple Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Chola country underwent a raid of it's wealth and partial destruction. Further from the year A.D.1333-1364 it was in hands of the independent Muslim Rulers, and the Hindus underwent persecution under them.
During this period the newly formed Vijayanagara Hindu kingdom of Karnataka was ruled by Bukka - 1 of Sangama dynasty, and seeing the prevailing conditions at Paandiya country sent his son Kumara Kambannan to invade Tamil Nadu in the year A.D.1365 to save the Paandiya Nadu from the Muslim Rulers, and on his way also relieved the Chola country from the Muslim forces and appointed a Viceroy to over look this region.
In he year A.D.1397 during the rule of Vijayanagara king Hari Hara - 2 there had been an agreement made between the Naattar and the Thanthimaar of Paraiyur Nadu, and the temple management (sthanaththar) of 'Gangaikonda Choliswarem Udaiya Nayanar' of Gangaikonda Cholapuram of Chola country, at this temple regarding some temple lands.
In the year A.D.1462 during the rule of the Vijayanagara king Mallikarujna son of Devaraya - 3 there had been some donations made to Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple.
During this period a Gangeyar Chieftains who ruled over a small region named Vaippur in the close proximity in the north-west of Thiruvarur as the viceroy of the Vijayanagara king gained control over a larger region in the north of Vaippur beyond Kollidam river which included the region Gangaikonda Cholapuram, with the Gangaikonda Choliswarem Temple too coming under their control.
In the year A.D.1483 during the rule of the Vijayanagara king Virupaksharaya - 2 son of Mallikarjuna who claims himself as Cholamandala Sthapanachaiyan, one Chanthira Athithan provided land at Chettrur in Cholaavalanadu as donation and a provision of house and water tank to Thirumalai Raasa Saamanthan to conduct the 'Sirukaala Saanthi' daily ? at Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Gangeyar Chieftains
In the year A.D.1462 while being the viceroy of the Vijayanagara empire the Gangeyar Chieftain who ruled the larger region from Vaippur to Gangaikonda Cholapuram named Thiruvenkadamudaiyaan Ehambaran made his donations to the Gangaikonda Choliswarer temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Kalaakal Chola Udaiyars Kings
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under French
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Nawab of Arcot Kings
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under English
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Kalaakal Chola Udaiyars Kings (2nd Phase
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Indian Government
Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple) under Kalaakal Chola Udaiyars Kings
Previous to last Kudamulukku peru Vilaa (Maha Kumbhaabishekam) (A.D.1932) Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil (Temple)
Last Kudamulukku peru Vilaa (Maha Kumbhaabishekam) (Jan/Feb - A.D.2017) Gangaikonda Cholaeswarer Thirukkoyil
(4) Basic Architecture and the General Layout of the Gangaikonda Cholaeswarem Temple
The great temple "Gangaikonda Cholaeswarem" as originally built by Rajendra Chola - 1 comprised of the Karuvarai (garbagriha = sanctum anctorum) with Vimaanam (tower over Karuvarai), Sikaram (Crown-head), and Kalasam (pinnacle), Muha Mandapam (intermediate hall between Karuvarai and Maha Mandapam) with connected Maha Mandapam having two levels (main hall for religious rituals & discourses), and the Nandi Mandapam. In front of the north entrance to the main temple was the small Chandesvarar shrine. The main temple was surrounded by a large paved courtyard and a Thiruchchuttru Maalikai (surrounding cloister), connected to a single Gopura Vaayil (main gateways with 'ornate towers' i.e. Gopurams).
The Karuvarai (sanctum sanctorium) is built on a square basement measuring 92 1/2 ft per side externally, with its four walls rising to a height of 70 1/2 ft in two levels, from where the Vimanam (Tower rising over Karvarai) rises tapering to a height of 185 ft in nine tiers upto a truncated basement of the tapering Vimanam measuing approximately 5 ft per side externally. On this basement was laid a single spherical stone estimated to be of a weight of ---- tons, and going to a further height of 6 ft with a Seppuk (copper) Kalasam adorning it at it's crown.
The Seppuk (Copper) Kalasam laid covered with gold sheets and placed on the temple by the Saiva Acharya..... of this temple on the occasion of the Kumbha Abishekam of this temple.
However my own description of the "General Layout" of the "original construction" is as follows:
(a) Karuvarai with Vimanam, Sikaram and Kalasam
Karuvarai of this temple was built on an Upa-Peedam (platform) measuring 150 ft square and of 8 Ft height. Karuvarai measuring 100 ft square outwardly is going to a height of 54 ft (22 ft + 32 ft) in two levels. Within this Karuvarai was consecrated the presiding deity of this great temple the "God Siva" (God - as Siva) in his 'aru-uruvam' form of Lingham, and was known as "Rajarajaeswaram Udaiyar" and also as "Peruvudaiyar". This is the second biggest Lingam among the Siva Temples both in India and Worldover, having a total height of 9 ft and of 23.5 ft in body circumferance .
Between the inner walls and the outer walls of the Karuvarai there are two Unnaalikai (corridors), one running around the Karuvarai above the 'ground floor level', and the other running around the Karuvarai above this corridor at the 'first floor level'.
From the top level of the top corridor of the Karuvarai, commences the pyramidical shaped Vimanam going to a further height of 113 ft vertically having thirteen levels and ending up in a truncated square basement of 26 ft square at the top.
Unlike the southern, western and northern faces of the Vimanam, the lower part of the eastern face has a large stone panel depicting God Siva, Goddess Parvathi and Gangai depicted as a Mangai within three Thiruvaasikal (ornamented arch - behind the rear head of the God Idols), and Pillaiyaar on their left, and Murugan with Valli and Theivayanai on their right without any Thiruvaasikal - all depicted as residing on the Meru mountain (the Himalayas in the north).
This concept seems to have deeply embedded in the mind of Rajaraja Chola - 1 for long and re-created by him on the Vimanam and known as "Dakshina Meru Vithankar". From the Inscriptions in this temple it is also known that Rajaraja Cholan had presented a bronze statue similer to this panel in a miniature form also named as Dakshina Meru Vithankar to be consecrated within the temple.
On the truncated square basement of the Vimanam was the ornate Sikaram - with a vertical cylindrical stem over which is an Ettumuha Thalam (octagonal plinth). Above this plinth continues another cylindrical stem but flaring up at the top all round, to hold a inverted "Arai-koala Mudi (hemispherical dome) having total height of 28 ft, with a crowning copper Kalasam (pinnacle) of 13 ft covered with "gold plates". Thus the total vertical height of the Upathalam, Karuvarai at two levels, Vimanam, Sikaram and Kalasam totals to height of 216 ft.
However in our normal reference, the term "Vimanam" is loosely used to denote the entire structure over the Sancturm Sanctorium, and it's total height too is indicated loosly as the "height of the Vimanam of this temple, from the (outside) ground floor level" being 216 ft.
(b) Artha Mantapams with connected Maha Mantapams
The Artha Mandapams is in between the Karuvarai and the Maha Mantapam, and have four levels vertically, with three entrance doors at first three levels and a large window at the fourth level all facing towards east.
(1) at the ground floor level
At the ground floor level the relevent door facing towards east opens into the existing Maha Mantapam. There are two Dwarapaalakar (guardian deities) on either side, of the door entrance falling into and within the Maha Mantapam.
The Artha Mantapam at this level also has two other small doorways within and adjacent to each other on the right side, when facing the Karuvarai.
The first doorway leads to the Unaalikai (corridor) rightround the Karuvarai where you find the Chola period paintings on the vertical wall panels right round.
The second doorway has a Padiththalam (stairway) leading to the first floor level of Artha Mantapam and also to the Maha Mantapam of this level (which now remains as an open terrace).
The Muha Mantapam at ground floor level has two further large doorways on the either side with two sets of Padiththalam leading to the outside of the Karuvarai, and the temple as a whole.
(2) at the first floor level
At the first floor level corresponding door facing towards east opens into the open terrace, which undoubtedly was another Maha Mantapam of the same area as the existing ground level Maha Mandapam that was there during the time of Rajaraja Chola - 1, but it appears the structure of this Mantapam has been damaged and got dismantled at a subsequent period, as we could see part of the front two corner walls of same still remaining.
At the first floor level too there are two Dwarapaalakar on either side of the door entrance falling in to and within the Maha Mantapam confirming the existance of this Maha Mantapam.
At this level too on the side of the Karuvarai there is a doorway leading to a second corridor right round the Karuvarai which has the beautifull Natya Karanas depicted carved out on the stone wall panels. It is to be noted that only 83 of the 108 Natya Karnas have been fully sculptured while other not completed for reason unknown.
(3) at the second floor level
At the second floor level the relevent door of Artha Mantapam facing towards east opens into the second level walled Thiranthaveli Thalam (open terrace) over the full area of the ground level Maha Mantapam which undoubtedly existed during Rajaraja's time, but now this floor which also served as the roof of the first level Maha Matapam with columns too have been possibly damaged possibly and was dismantled.
There are two narrow stairways on both sides of the entrance door on the outer walls of th Artha Mandapam within the Mahamandapam going from the first floor level to the second floor level exists even today though the second floor no longer exits.
The existance of this second floor level is confirmed by the fact the existing outer perimeter walls on both sides of this level have slotted holes to lock in position similerly the other consecutive granite wall panels going right round having the locking system.
All the Artha Mandapams at the three levels are remaining even today unlike the second Maha Mantapam and walled "Open Terrace", and are of the same width when viewed from the main entrance (i.e from east).


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subset: commoncrawl


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Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot
Also known as Ceccoli Tarot
The Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot has 78 ethereal, dreamlike cards created by the Italian artist of the same name. Her tarot world is haunting, a little melancholy, a place of dollhouses and child-like storybook imagery where only the rules of imagination apply.
Created by
Nicoletta Ceccoli
Tarot Deck - 78 Cards - Lo Scarabeo 2014
Read reviews of the Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot
Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot review by medusawink
Childhood is a curious country - our lives ,while we are there, are equal parts magic, mystery, and fear - and once you leave its borders you can never return. It is this bittersweet sensibility that infuses artist Nicoletta Ceccoli's Tarot.
This deck utilises pre-existing artworks by Ceccoli, that have been recast sometimes rather forcibly, as tarot cards. Some of the image choices are very clear, especially for the Major Arcana and suit of Swords. Other choices remain fairly obscure until you match the little white book (LWB) description to the picture. It is in relation to the meanings ascribed in the LWB that the potential (and charm) of the cards becomes apparent. Take the 4 of Cups - a snow dome encases a rather indifferent mermaid lounging in a shell - the LWB advi... read more reviews.
Similar Decks to Nicoletta Ceccoli TarotTheme: Fantasy
Creator: Ceccoli Tarot Mini by Nicoletta Ceccoli
More About These CardsName: Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot
Alternate Names: Ceccoli Tarot
Creators: Nicoletta Ceccoli
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo 2014
Deck Type: Tarot Deck
Cards: 78
Major Arcana: 22
Minor Arcana: 56
Suits: Cups, Swords, Wands, Discs
Court Cards: Knave, Knight, Queen, King
Card Size: 2.60 x 4.72 in. = 6.60cm x 12.00cm
Card Language: None
Card Back: Reversible
Back Design: Design of a leaf pattern with red berries,
Companion Material: 64-page booklet with instructions by Lunaea Weatherstone in English, Italian, Spanich, French and German.
More Decks on Aeclectic
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Home > Decks > Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot > Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot Reviews


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Soak the halibut in the buttermilk for several minutes, then remove and dredge in the flour. Whisk together the buttermilk and egg in a stainless-steel bowl. Dip the halibut into the liquid, and then remove and dredge in the breadcrumbs until coated. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Heat the canola oil in a straight-sided saucepot to 325 degrees F. Submerge the cheeks in the oil and fry until golden brown. Season with the cayenne and salt and serve with spicy mayonnaise for dipping.
This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional. It has not been tested for home use.
Recipe courtesy of Chef E. Michael Reidt, Area 31 Restaurant, EPIC Hotel, Miami, FL


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Big changes are coming to my life in 2015. After 5 years of working second shift in the lab, I am finally moving to day shift! Technically, I have already started working a few day shifts, but I will have no more second shifts at all starting January 3rd. It is something I have been longing for ever since I started working at the hospital. I am already finding that while it took me almost two whole years to get used to 2nd shift, after only one week I am already used to being a morning person again (hello 4am). While I am very tired lately and slightly bummed that I am not feeling too ambitious this year for Christmas stuff, I know that things will all settle out soon and I will be used to it again. The going back and forth between the two shifts is confusing my body a little right now.
Today my sister and I had a cookie-making day. Lots of laughs and lots of mess, as usual. When I took the dog out for a bathroom break I brought my camera out with us. I love cold and grey days. The starkness of it always struck me as beautiful somehow. While out tromping through the long grass by the train tracks I was suddenly stuck with how glad I was that my mom and sister lived in such a place. It isn't the country at all, not nearly as far out as I want to be, but there is more space and more fields than many other people have, especially when they are renting, like my mom and sister are.
Part of the reason I am thankful is also because, up in that last picture, behind those trees, is our old house. It is the house I lived for most of my life. It is the house we lost when my dad died. It is hard and it hurts, and I have not actually driven on that road in over two years and hope to never have to again, and I am glad I can't see the house, and when I am feeling beaten down and at my worst, my thoughts are, "I want to go home." Even though I am an adult and my dad is gone and nobody can ever go back in time, part of me will always think of that place and those days as "home." And I am thankful because even though we lost so much and have gone through a lot, I can sill look around and see how much I still have. It is so easy to get wrapped up in one's own hurt and forget that there are others out there that are hurting even worse. It doesn't take away your own pain, but I think it makes you so much more grateful for what you DO have.
It was but a moment, but it struck me greatly, and I am glad for what I do have today, in this life.
I try to take a page from Kira's book: no matter what, when you are with the pack and can run around outside, life is good.


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The digitization of this finding aid was made possible - in part or entirely - through the Canadian Culture Online Program of Canadian Heritage, the National Archives of Canada and the Canadian Council of Archives.
|Fonds/Collection Number:
|J. Roby Kidd collection
|0.06 m of textual records
|Biographical Sketch/
Administrative History:
|James Robbins Kidd (1915-1982), educator and author, was born in Canada and educated at Sir George Williams University, McGill and Columbia University where he obtained the PhD. Kidd served as associate director and later as director of the Canadian Association for Adult Education (1947-1961). For a time in the 1960s he worked as secretary-treasurer of the Social Science Council and the Humanities Research Council before becoming the head of the Adult Education Department at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (1966-1972). He became the chair of the Canadian Studies Department at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and was instrumental in bringing Canadian studies to the public school system in Ontario. Kidd's interest in adult education made him an early proponent of the need for adult higher education in the province and this led to his membership on the Organizing Committee of York University in 1958.
|Scope and Content:
The collection consists of photocopied correspondence, papers, agendas, minutes of the Organizing Committee of York University, and of the Provisional and regular Board of Governors of the same institution, 1958-1961.
|Location of originals:
|These materials were microfilmed in 1974. Originals of these documents can be found in the Canadian Association for Adult Education Archives, in the Archives of Ontario.
|Restrictions on
Access and Use:
|No restrictions on access.
|Finding Aid:
|File list available.
|URL of Finding Aid:
|The collection comprises the following accession: 1974-009. Further accruals are expected.
|Related Records:
|For related records see York University. Organizing Committee of York University fonds (F074); York University. Office of the President fonds (F073); Edgar Tilden Alberts fonds (F0253); and Arthur Hackett fonds (0 318).
|Provenance Access Points:
|Kidd, J.R. (James Robbins), 1915-1982
Date of creation: 2002/04/04
Date of last revision: 2003/04/30


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Mexico's Mayakoba resorts developed with nature in mind
The players' assistant pulled up beside me as I was standing in the middle of the fairway on the first hole of the El Cameleon Golf Course. I was only one shot into my round, so I knew he wasn't coming over to tell our foursome that we had already fallen behind the group ahead of us. No, it was my inquisitive look at the obstruction in front of me that brought him over.
"It's a 'cenote'," he told me, pointing to the natural limestone sinkhole in front of me that was home to a monstrous sand trap about six metres deep. "You don't want to go in there."
Unfortunately, my playing partner hadn't heard this advice early enough and now found himself in the middle of it. After a minute of consideration, he opted for the "hand wedge" to get himself out of this unique bit of trouble.
"The cenotes are all over the course," the assistant informed me, referencing the 18 holes that are home to the PGA Tour's OHL Classic every November. "They built the holes in and around them. And if you're not careful, the 'Aluxes' will come out and steal your ball."
The Aluxes, he informed me, are mythical Mayan gnomes who live in the forest. Their role is to protect Mother Nature. Treat the Earth well, and the Aluxes will treat you well. If not, the vengeful Aluxes will curse you and your land.
I felt fortunate that no Aluxes were seen throughout the balance of my round, even though my ball certainly found its fair share of cenotes.
The El Cameleon Golf Course in the heart of the Mayakoba region on the doorstep of the Fairmont Mayakoba, along with five other luxury resorts. This part of the Mexican Riviera, on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula just south of Cancun, is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. And for good reason.
Mayakoba was the dream of Spanish construction company Obrascon Huarte Lain (OHL) back in the mid-'80s, when it purchased 1,500 acres of undeveloped jungle and beach. The concept to develop an ecologically sensitive tourism destination was led by Salvador Linares, who developed the master plan for the area. It eventually saw shovels hit the ground in 2003 with the development of the Greg Norman-designed El Cameleon golf course one year later, and the Fairmont Mayakoba in 2006.
Other resorts have since followed, and all have reciprocal agreements with each other. In other words, you are welcome to visit, eat and drink at the Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Andaz Mayakoba, all within walking distance, and charge the cost back to your room.
Most of the Mayakoba development today lies on nearly 600 acres of land on the coastal side of Highway 307, but construction is soon to begin on the west side of the highway as well. The long-discussed Ciudade de Mayakoba [City of Mayakoba] (www.ciudadmayakoba.com) will come to fruition over the next decade.
This commercial and residential development will be the first single-family home community planned in the Playa del Carmen area. At its heart is El Pueblito, home to restaurants, shops, art gallery and a church, along with arts, culture and entertainment spaces.
The sprawling property that makes up the Fairmont Mayakoba is a perfect example of why the area is so special. Visitors to the property can take a series of hiking trails to truly appreciate the ecological diversity of the area — from the jungle-like entrance to the resort to the canals that intersect the property to the white sand beach bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
When they built the Fairmont, the canals did not exist. Once excavated, groundwater filled the canals and the overhanging mangrove trees took on new lives, growing to twice their original size because of this new-found water source. The resort takes a lot of pride in its environmental practices, and a guided canal tour (an extra cost outside of the resort's all-inclusive package) is a great way to see the many examples of this.
Getting There
WestJet (www.westjet.com) has direct flights from Calgary to Cancun International Airport, which is about 40 minutes north of Playa del Carmen. That said, this is still a long flight — five and a half hours there and just over six hours home — so be prepared to watch about three movies on the plane or find another way to kill time.
It is strongly recommended that you reserve in advance ground transportation to Playa del Carmen. There are many companies that provide this service, but we chose Canada Transfers (www.canadatransfers.com), mainly because of the name. For a family of five, it will run you about $200 Cdn round-trip, and you can pre-order drinks. Your driver will meet you outside the exit of the airport, holding a sign with your name on it. This will come as an instant relief to you when you see the crowd upon your arrival, offering everything from cab rides to tours of Cancun.
Where to Stay
The Fairmont Mayakoba (www.fairmont.com/mayakoba) was the first resort to be constructed in the area and it continues to be the jewel. There is a diverse range of accommodations to be had at the resort, depending on preferences and budget.
Canal-facing rooms, some with king beds and some with two queens, range from $445 Cdn per night in low season to $1,835 Cdn per night in high season. Add in an all-inclusive package, which includes food and beverages at all the restaurants on site, and your nightly rate ranges from $640 Cdn per night in low season to $2,790 Cdn per night in high season.
Ocean-side rooms, with their own splash pools, range from $1,800 Cdn in low season to $4,410 Cdn in high season with an all-inclusive package built in depending on the season.
Where to Eat
The Fairmont Mayakoba has five restaurants on site, each providing a different take on Mexican cuisine.
Brisas Coastal Latin Grill is on the beach, about a one-kilometre walk from the main resort area and, not surprisingly, both its lunch and dinner menus have a heavy seafood focus. Like all the restaurants on site, the menu was curated by Chef Richard Sandoval. Raised in Mexico City, Sandoval is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and his menus showcase contemporary Latin cuisine.
El Puerto, in the lower level of the lobby overlooking the central pond, specializes in modern Latin cuisine, and would easily be considered the flagship restaurant of the resort. Besides an assortment of chef's specialties, there's also a sushi bar.
And La Laguna, beside the main pool, is the most popular breakfast spot in the resort, offering both a buffet and menu items. With a focus on modern Mexican cuisine, this restaurant proved to be our family's go-to venue — the tacos and enchiladas easily being the most popular items on the menu.
For those travelling with children, the Fairmont has been very smart in that it maintains the same kids' menu at all its restaurants — pizza, spaghetti, hamburgers. The lack of diversity was perfect for our eight-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son.
What to See
A trip into Playa del Carmen is highly recommended. While there are no shuttles from the Fairmont to Playa del Carmen, you can order a round-trip cab to take you on the 10-minute ride there and back for about $40 Cdn.
Most tourists head straight to Fifth Avenue where a wide variety of merchants will try to sell you everything from dresses to handbags to coffee mugs. While it's an interesting experience for about 30 minutes, you would be encouraged to take the time to visit some side streets or head toward the public beach.


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It's a pinning party! Come see my favorites this week and add your own, I'd can't wait to see what you've been up to!
Pins of the Week Party #4
Happy Friday and welcome to Pins of the Week Party, I'm so glad you stopped by! I love Pinterest and I can't wait to see what y'all have been up to this week. Remember to link to your PIN, not the post. Now, let's get pinning!
This week I'm loving these pins:
Mark your calendars and come back every Friday at 7pm CST to share your best pins, we love to see what you've been up to!
Want to see our favorites every week? Follow our Pins of the Week Party Board on Pinterest!
Follow My Pinning Obsession's board Pins of the Week Party on Pinterest.


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Nearly 300 million people live in the US. How many of them does it take to make an "orphan works problem"? Apparently 215 (give or take a few). That's the only conclusion we can draw from the Report on Orphan Works released by the Copyright Office in 2006.
In their testimony to Congress, the Copyright Office stated they had received "over 850 letters" to their Orphan Works Study. Yet they failed to note that 600 of those letters had to be dismissed as irrelevant or too vague to determine their relevance to orphaned work.
That information can be found, if you look for it, in their own Report on Orphan Works. http://www.copyright.gov/orphan/orphan-report.pdf:
"The Office received an overwhelming response (by comparison to past studies), receiving 721 initial comments, and 146 reply comments." - Page 17Or a total of 867 letters. So much for the talking point. But read on to page 21:
"A large portion of the comments (about 40%) did not identify a specific instance where a copyright owner could not be identified or located. Another portion (10%) presented enough specific information for us to conclude that the problem presented was not in fact an orphan works situation. (Italics in original.)In other words, 24% of 867, or about 215 letters.
"Still, approximately 50% of comments did contain information that could fairly be construed as presenting an orphan works situation, and a significant number of those comments (about 45%, or about 24% of all comments) provided enough information about a specific situation for us to conclude that it presented an orphan works situation." (Emphasis added)
On the basis of these letters - out of a country of nearly 300 million people, Copyright Office attorneys have deduced an orphan works "problem" so serious that US copyright law must be be rewritten behind closed doors and rushed through Congress without an open and transparent public debate.
And remember:
- Many who responded to the Orphan Works Study no doubt thought they were contributing to a study of true orphaned works – not promoting a bill that would legalize the commercial infringement of new work from the moment it was created.
- The "interested parties" who worked with the law students in drafting the bill's "legislative blueprint" were well aware of the Copyright Office study and filed comments supporting the recommendations they had worked on.
- But individual artists, design firms, and other small businesses never knew the study was being conducted and therefore had no voice in the study.
- An exception was the statement submitted by the Illustrators' Partnership, signed by two thousand artists and endorsed by 42 national and international visual arts organizations. It spelled out the need for maintaining existing copyright protections and warned that a bill drafted too broadly would undermine intellectual property rights and spread uncertainty in commercial markets. Yet although the Orphan Works Report was 127 pages long, the Copyright Office never found space to mention that statement. http://www.copyright.gov/orphan/comments/OW0660-Holland-Turner.pdf
Yet based on these 215 letters, the Copyright Office report set off an Oklahoma land rush for orphan works domain names. According to an excellent paper by the Advertising Photographers of America:
"Within two weeks of the issuance of the [Orphan Works Report January 23, 2006], nearly all the domain names associated with orphan works were registered by commercial interests in preparation for the profit-taking that will result if this legislation is passed." – Page 10, The "Come-And-Get-It" Factor, The Orphan Works Dilemma, by the Advertising Photographers of America http://www.apanational.com/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=3864Come-and-get-it, indeed.
- Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner, for the Board of the Illustrators' Partnership
Tomorrow: "Meow" or Moving the Cats' Food
The Orphan Works Act of 2008 (H.R. 5889) has not been passed by the House of Representatives, but could be placed on the Suspensions calendar and passed by the lame duck session of Congress scheduled to re-convene next week. The Illustrators' Partnership is asking lawmakers to hold the bill over to the next session of Congress, when rightsholders can have an opportunity to have their case heard before the full Judiciary Committee.


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The Team
CrossFit Personal Training Gives a New Meaning to Work and Play
Our coaches truly thrive in their element. With a passion for healthy living and a desire to help others, our team of professional and inspiring coaches embody fitness. And not just because of their own lean physiques, but because they have a special knack for bringing out the best in our members. They'll encourage you to work hard and have some fun while you're doing it.
All our coaches hold multiple CrossFit certifications and have numerous fitness related accomplishments that have given them the experience to excel at CrossFit personal training.
Alex Possamai
With years of experience and many CrossFit certifications, Alex is a CrossFit leader. He's built his business around the enjoyment of being with people that share his passion for fitness and nutrition.
Alex currently holds the following CrossFit certifications:
- CrossFit Course proving the ability to teach the CrossFit Method – 2007
- CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting Certification – 2009
- CrossFit Basic Barbell Certification – 2009
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate – 2010
- CrossFit Powerlifting Trainer Course – 2011
- CrossFit Kids Trainer Course – 2011
- CrossFit Strongman Trainer Course – 2012
- CrossFit Kettlebell Trainers Course – 2013
- CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer Course – 2014
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Kathy Ljubicic
With numerous CrossFit triumphs, Kathy offers her hard-earned knowledge and experience to improve other people's health.
Credentials and Accomplishments:
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- Can-Fit-Pro – Personal Training Specialist
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) – Certified Personal Trainer and Exercise Therapist
- National Council for Exercise & Fitness (NCEF) – National Certificate in Fitness and Fitness Instruction: Level II FIS; Level III PTS
- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Certificate
- Numerous workshops in Kettlebell Training, Powerlifting, Strongman Training, etc.
- CrossFit Games Open – Canada East Women's Masters Category – ranking (as of April 2013): 1st Place
- Worldwide ranking: 5th Place
- CrossFit Gymnastics Seminar
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- KettleBell Workshop, The Strength Shop
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- SMR (self-myofascial release) Workshop
- 2017 Wodapalooza, Miami FL., Masters 45-49, Second Place
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- 2016 Granite Games, St. Cloud, MN., Masters 45-49 Second Place
- 2015 Granite Games, St.Cloud, MN., First Place, Masters 45-49
- 2015 NorCal Masters, Richmond, CA., First Place, Masters 45-49
- 2014 Crush Games, Orlando, Fl., Second Place, Masters 40-49
- 2014 Pump Games, Hanover, NJ, Second Place, Female Rx
- 2013 Raid Games, Orlando, FL., Female Rx, 4th place
- 2013, Garage Games, Suwanee, GA, First Place, Masters 40-49
- 2012, Garage Games, Integrity's Revenge, Charleston, SC, Second Place, Female Rx Team
- 2012, 2 bars 1 snatch, First place, Team Comp, Woodbridge, ON
- 2010, Life-As-Rx Tour, Chicago, Ill., Fourth Place, Female Rx
- CrossFit Games Open:
2016- 1st- Canada East
2015- 1st- Canada East
2014- 1st- Canada East
2013- 1st- Canada East
Jimmy Schutz
Taking pride in motivating his clients to reach and exceed all their health and fitness goals, Jimmy strives to improve any individual's performance in the gym and in their lives, through education, hard work and dedication.
Jimmy currently holds the following CrossFit certifications:
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- 2012 Two Bars, One Snatch Team Competition, 1st place
Chris Elliott
Overweight and out of shape in his teens and early 20s, Chris knows first hand that physical activity can transform lives. He works hard to ensure that his clients and members achieve more than they thought possible and have fun doing it!
Chris currently holds the following CrossFit certifications:
- CPTN Certified Personal Trainer (CPTN-CPT)
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- Fitness Leadership Award (Sheridan College)
- Standard First Aid with CPR-C
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Degrees and Certificates:
- Can-Fit-Pro – Personal Training Specialist
- Can-Fit-Pro – Healthy Eating and Weight Loss Coach
- Can-Fit-Pro – Fitness Instructor Specialist
- TRX Instructor
Don't let Misconceptions of CrossFit Culture Steer You Wrong
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By Amanda Green
Another entry in our Write Across Sussex competition.
"The daffodils are blooming
And spring is on its way…"
The old 78 was so scratched there was more crackle than song, but Rob didn't mind. He smiled as he gently lifted the needle and swung the arm back into place. Once the record stopped turning he picked it up and slid it into the paper sleeve, taking care not to touch the fragile surface. Then he looked again at the faded picture on the sleeve, a pretty face smiling in soft focus above the words "Elspeth St John in Springtime Review 1946." It had to be her.
He hadn't even been searching for her, not really. Mrs Evans from the Hospice Shop always rang when they had any old records donated, and this week there'd been two boxes, buried in a huge pile of stuff dropped in by some hot shot city type whose old aunt had passed away. Mrs Evans said it was as if he'd just emptied the contents of her bungalow into his fancy car and then dumped it at the first charity shop he came across. He couldn't wait to sell the place and get his hands on the money.
So Rob had two new boxes in his music room and the delightful anticipation that they might contain something to add to his collection. He'd sell the rest online, for more than they'd get in the shop, and hand all the profit straight back to Mrs Evans.
He didn't tell many people about his hobby, his passion for old musicals from the thirties and forties. He collected film posters and photographs of the stars, but the records were his real love. He had hundreds, all carefully arranged on purpose built shelves covering three walls of the music room (previously the dining room) in his small house. Two ancient phonographs were set up to play them and to Rob there was nothing finer than listening to a record and being transported back to the very moment when the orchestra played and the song was sung.
A secret crush on Deanna Durbin didn't really go with his day job as a landscape gardener. It was his Gran's fault – he'd lived with her years ago after his mum died and dad was struggling to cope. He and Gran would have 'Matinee Afternoons' watching videos of the old musicals and soon he was hooked. Deanna was his first love, and first love never truly fades.
And so it was some rare Deanna gem, or perhaps an unusual arrangement of a favourite tune he was hoping for in the two boxes, but instead there was Elsie, smiling up at him and singing of daffodils.
He'd first seen Elsie almost as soon as they'd started working up at The Lawns, a slight figure gazing out of a ground floor window. It was a big contract, landscaping and replanting the grounds of a sheltered housing complex and it would take at least six weeks his boss said, getting the place looking nice before spring. Rob enjoyed jobs like this, staying in one place for a while and seeing a real transformation at the end of it.
His first task had been clearing the ground in front of one of the accommodation blocks, and when he'd stood up from his digging to stretch out his back she'd been there, watching. Her bright scarf had caught his eye even through the glass, and when he looked more closely he could see that all her clothes were unusual, an exotic array of rich colours and fabrics. He was no expert, but it didn't look like the drab skirt and cardigan that most of the other old ladies seemed to wear. And neither were the other ladies draped in jewellery like that, nor did they have a cloud of long white hair.
Rob only ever saw her at that same window though, she was never walking in the grounds, or sitting in the lounge when he went inside to the canteen for a coffee. After a week or so he asked one of the staff about the lady in the window.
"Oh that'll be Elsie" the nurse smiled, "amazing clothes and dripping with jewels?"
"Yes that's right," Rob sipped his coffee, "what's her story? She's always at that window but I never see her anywhere else, and she seems so lonely."
"She hardly ever leaves her room, and do you know she never speaks?"
"What, never?"
The nurse put down her own coffee cup, glad of the chance to tell the tale.
"Well I've been here five years and never heard her say a word. She was a theatrical type, singing on the stage, and even made a couple of films I heard. Apparently," she leaned in towards Rob conspiratorially, "she got married and her husband made her give it all up but then not long after he dropped down dead. She came here about eight years ago."
After his coffee break Rob made a point of walking past Elsie's window, even though he was now working on the other side of the grounds. Feeling rather foolish he smiled at her and gave a little wave, but she showed no response.
Over the next couple of weeks Rob often walked by the window, and always smiled at Elsie. By the second week he felt sure she was watching for him, but she gave no outward sign when he passed by. In the meantime he had got her surname from the chatty nurse and had searched online but found nothing. He only had her married name though, and if her husband had not let her perform there might well be no record of Elsie Crawford in the archives.
The days started to lengthen and winter's chill was fading. They were taking delivery of a mountain of new plants from the local nursery and there were only the last finishing touches to the landscaping work to go.
Rob couldn't really say why, but the silent lady was still in his thoughts. There were parallels with his beloved Deanna of course. She had disappeared from public view after her marriage and moved to France, but somehow that always seemed a happy outcome while Elsie looked so sad.
He had a kind heart, and he couldn't stand to think of Elsie alone, the only resident who never had a visitor according to his informant. Nurse McBride now sought him out at coffee time, happy to have someone new to talk to. Finally Rob asked her if he could visit Elsie. The nurse didn't see why not, and so later that same afternoon Rob took two mugs of tea and sat across a small table from the old lady. She watched him silently with still bright eyes as he put a plate of chocolate biscuits down between them.
"Help yourself," he said, but she didn't.
"My name is Robert." He felt awkward, almost as if he was intruding, but he decided to ignore any misgivings and began to chat.
He told her about the gardening work, the new footpaths and flowerbeds he was creating, but she didn't seem to hear him, gazing unseeing into the middle distance. He tried something different.
"I hear you were a singer Mrs Crawford, back in the days when there were proper singers, not like all that racket they call music nowadays."
There was still no response but he persevered.
"Deanna Durbin's my favourite. I've loved her since I was twelve," he looked down at the table, picking at a sticky mark with his thumbnail, "I used to imagine I was Franchot Tone…" he tailed off into embarrassed silence and then looked up. Two piercing blue eyes were fixed on him – now she was listening, he was sure of it.
Rob carried on talking, about his favourite films and songs, his Gran, and his record collection. Eventually he'd drunk his tea and eaten all the biscuits. Elsie had touched neither, but her unwavering gaze had not left him until a member of staff suddenly bustled past rattling a tray of crockery. Then she immediately seemed to retreat back into herself and the blue eyes looked vacant again, but Rob knew he'd got through to her.
The next day was Saturday so he wasn't working at The Lawns, and that was when Mrs Evans had rung about the boxes. Now it was Sunday afternoon and Rob was holding a picture of a young and beautiful Elsie in his hands. It didn't take much research on the computer to find out more. The nurse had been right, Elspeth St John was a musical theatre performer who had suddenly abandoned a promising career after just a few recordings and one film – Springtime Review. Unlike Deanna there were no fan clubs or societies devoted to her, just a few passing mentions on theatrical history website.
On Monday morning Rob packed the record into a bag and took it with him to The Lawns. He spent most of the morning checking in the final consignment of plants and then on the phone to the nursery sorting out the inevitable mistakes. As soon as he could he slipped away from the planting and made his way to Elsie's room. He knocked at the door but there was no response so gently he turned the handle. The room was empty and the bed had not been slept in. His stomach did a flip flop as he closed the door and went to the nurses' canteen. Nurse McBride wasn't there, she was working nights this week, so he swallowed nervously and asked one of the others.
"Excuse me, has something happened to Elsie Crawford?"
"Why do you want to know?" This nurse was not suspicious not chatty.
"I have something for her," Rob held up the bag.
"She had a fall. For some reason she decided to take herself outside for the first time in years yesterday morning and slipped over in the garden."
"Is she alright?"
"Oh yes," the nurse sounded kinder now, "they took her up to the hospital as a precaution but she'll be back on Wednesday."
"Right. Thanks." Rob retreated and took the record back to his van. He felt terrible, what if it was his telling her all about the new gardens that had prompted her to go outside and fall.
He went back to work, thinking hard as he got on with the last of the planting. There must be something he could do to make amends. Then his phone rang, it was the nursery about redelivering, and suddenly Rob knew exactly what he was going to do.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, for the second night in a row, Nurse McBride made two mugs of tea, and then looked carefully around to make sure she wasn't spotted before taking one of them outside. She was going to need a lot more tea to keep her going – she'd swapped shifts with a colleague and was doing a double so she could be there when Elsie returned.
At half past ten Nurse McBride wheeled the elderly lady from the ambulance back to her room where the bedside light glowed and the curtains were drawn. Rob had told her what to do and when she'd settled Elsie in the chair by the window she turned to the strange looking box now sitting on the chest of drawers. Gingerly she lifted the lid and peered inside at the delicate mechanism. Her hands were shaking but she remembered what he'd shown her just before dawn.
As the crackling sound filled the small room the nurse smiled and opened the curtains.
"Look outside Elsie, this is all for you."
"The daffodils are blooming
And spring is on its way…"
And Elsie looked out onto a magical carpet of yellow flowers covering the lawn beneath her window, and for the first time in sixty years she heard her own voice singing of springtime. The heart she thought had died a long time ago filled with joy, and she turned shining blue eyes first to the nurse and then to the diffident young man standing shyly in the doorway.
"Robert," she whispered, "thank you."
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Science News
Curated by RSF Research Staff
New footage of unidentified advanced propulsion craft captured by the U.S. navy has been released
To The Stars Academy has released a third authentic video, obtained from official US military sources, showing trained military personnel tracking an advanced propulsion craft of unknown type and origin.
CNN's Eli Watkins reports:
Washington (CNN): A new purported military video of an unidentified aircraft has been made public, following the Pentagon's acknowledgment last year that it had shelved an initiative devoted to identifying unknown objects in aerospace.
To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science -- an organization leading on the issue that includes a former head of the now-defunct Pentagon program and was co-founded by former Blink182 musician Tom DeLonge -- released the video titled "GO FAST" on Friday.
The group said it is Defense Department footage from an F/A-18 Super Hornet's video of the "high-speed flight of an unidentified aircraft."
The Pentagon declined to comment about the footage to CNN, and To The Stars Academy said multiple government organizations reviewed the video for release, and that anyone could obtain the video using a Freedom of Information Act request.
The publication of the purported military footage follows revelations last year from The New York Times and Politico about the past Pentagon effort on unidentified aerial phenomena and the publication of two videos showing Navy pilots' encounters with unidentified objects.
Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program who now works at To The Stars Academy, told CNN on Monday that the newly released video provides further evidence of what he said is likely a much larger cache of Pentagon materials about unidentified aerial phenomena and underscored the need for a public conversation around the issue.
"These are just three videos now that have come out that everybody's looking at," Elizondo said. "But there is far more compelling evidence that I was privy to that -- you know, I think you're looking at the tip of the iceberg."
Elizondo said the organization obtained the video through "reporting channels," but declined to get into detail about the group's "sources and methods." He said they followed the "proper process" to get the video and that "the Department of Defense approved the release."
In an acknowledgment of the program last year, the Pentagon said the initiative ended in 2012, and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Times its funding came from "black money" -- meaning appropriations for covert programs.
"It was determined that there were other, higher priority issues that merited funding, and it was in the best interest of the DoD to make a change," Pentagon spokesman Tom Crosson told CNN at the time.
CNN Safety Analyst David Soucie, who has worked in civilian aviation agencies, said he was taken aback in particular by the lack of heat indicated in the video by the object and bemoaned the project's reported ending.
"There is literally no explanation for this in my mind," Soucie said.
On Monday, Elizondo also noted "eerie similarities" between the new video and the ones released last year, including the location in US airspace, the presence of US Navy pilots, the "Tic Tac" shape of the object and other signatures he said the videos shared in common.
Elizondo said he did not believe the object was necessarily "a little green space alien," but that they couldn't rule anything out, and that even if the object is simply a foreign aircraft, that alone should be alarming.
"It could be anything, so I wouldn't rule anything out, and that's why I think we need to look at it," Elizondo said. "I mean it could be Russian. It could be Chinese. It could be little green men from Mars. We don't know what the hell it is."
CNN's Ryan Browne contributed to this report.
Article: Video shows Navy jet's encounter with a UFO, group says
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Reese Witherspoon stunned as she was honored with the 29th American Cinematheque Award on Friday, October 30. Donning an off-the-shoulder Dolce & Gabbana gown, the 39-year-old was the picture of grace and elegance as she made her way down the carpet with two of her best accessories, children Ava, 16, and Deacon, 12.
Reese Witherspoon at the American Cinematheque Awards Photo: Getty Images
Celebrity makeup artist Molly R. Stern created the actress' glowing beauty look and is sharing with HELLO! how we can do it, too. "I wanted Reese to have her iconic glowing skin and flushed cheeks with a sophisticated, sexy eye and bright nude lip," she said. "Fresh skin always being key."
Here, Molly shares the steps to Reese's look:
Step 1:
To prep the face, I stimulated her skin with a rosewater balancing mist.
Step 2:
I applied a rich moisturizing serum by Révive and topped that off with an oxygen moisturizer from Natura Bisse for added suppleness.
Step 3:
For a dewy, luminous complexion I applied EX1 Invisiwear Liquid Foundation to even out her skin tone and give me a beautiful base to build her look from.
Step 4:
I popped some highlight to the outer edges of the cheek bones and bridge of the nose using the TRUE Isaac Mizrahi Radiance Boosting Pen.
Step 5:
Using EX1 blush in JET-SET Glow, I contoured the hollows of her cheeks and then added a fresh modern peach flush to the apples of her cheeks using EX1 blush in PRETTY IN PEACH.
Reese completed her look in a black fitted gown Photo: Getty Images
Step 6:
Wanting to keep the rest of her look simple and crisp, I lined the very base of her lash line using a dark navy cream liner. Then I softened that definition by smudging the line using Laura Mercier eyeshadow in Deep Night. I added a pop of light to the lid of the eye with a bright iridescent beige .
Step 7:
I curled Reese's lashes using my trusty Shu Uemura lash curler and and coated her lashes twice with jet black mascara, concentrating on the center of her eyelashes to add an opening effect to the eye.
Step 8:
For her lips I applied a bright peachy nude with a touch of golden gloss at the center. And to finish off the look, I dusted EX1 mineral powder to ensure she was flawless until the honors ended.


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The philosophy department is proud to say that some of the best students at the University of Alabama study here. Should you take a philosophy course? Well, are you:
- Smart?
- Inquisitive?
- Interested to get to the bottom of things?
- A good writer?
- A careful reader?
- Looking for an intellectual challenge?
Then perhaps you should give philosophy a try. Why study Philosophy?
You should also know:
- If you're thinking about law school, philosophy majors do better on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) (average LSAT scores by major) than:
- Political science majors,
- English majors, or
- History majors
- If you're thinking about medical school, philosophy majors do better on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) than:
- Biology majors,
- Health science majors, or
- Nursing majors
More information on philosophy majors and the MCAT
- If you're thinking about graduate school, philosophy majors score the highest on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) (composite GRE scores by major).
- If you're thinking about a Masters in Business Administration, philosophy majors do better on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) (average GMAT scores by major) than:
- Economics majors,
- Statistics majors,
- Finance majors,
- Accounting majors
Wondering why that is? Want to find out why? Take one of our classes. Check out what the students' Philosophy Club is doing. Stop by and have a chat with one of our faculty members.
There's always something interesting going on in the philosophy department.
– Stuart Rachels


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I have sad news. Jennifer Scantlebury-Vienneau has decided to step away from her responsibilities as blog coordinator and regional representative. I will miss her hard work and the somewhat acerbic emails we sometimes exchanged. It was good to have someone with a great sense of humour with whom to share information and decisions.
Jen had been a member of SAQA for one day(!) when she volunteered to spearhead an effort to make our blog more useful to the members. I have no doubt that you all know how hard she has worked to gather material and to encourage you to consider the blog a tool for communication. She will be a hard act to follow but I hope someone will consider stepping forward to pick up where she left off. You do not need to be familiar with blogging or the software we use. I can get you up to speed in no time and I will always be available to adjust things were necessary.
At this time we won't be recruiting a new regional representative but there are several other slots where volunteer help is needed. My main concern is that we still don't have anyone to look after the main SAQA trunk show when it comes to the region in December. Please contact me if that's something you would consider doing.
In closing, let's all raise a virtual glass to Jen and salute her with our thanks for amazing service over the last two years. She set an incredible example in her commitment to SAQA and to her responsibilities and has earned whatever new and creative activities she can now fit into her life.
28 July 2015
More on the SAQA mentorship program
For those of you who are not on the main SAQA Yahoo group, Sue Bleiweiss recently posted an update on the mentorship program. I think you'll agree that the list of participating mentors is impressive. I am sure that many more equally qualified artists will step forward as the program gains momentum. If you have not already done so, please consider submitting an application to the program. You can find details at the link in Sue's note.
I am beginning work with my own mentor next week. I plan to write a series of posts/updates about the process and will post them here and on my personal blog.
Chris Nielsen
From Sue Bleiweiss:
Now that the mentorship program has been underway for several weeks I thought I would post an update on how it's going and provide some statistics and other information about it.
So far 12 matches have been made and all the mentees have met with their mentors at least once via Skype, FaceTime or telephone to talk about their objectives and goals and to set up a regular communication schedule with each other. Everyone is very excited about their new partnerships and I couldn't be happier about that.
You might be wondering who these mentors are so I am going to tell you! I'm sharing their names with their permission of course and they are:
Pamela Allen
Sue Bleiweiss
Lisa Call
Jenny Bowker
Sherri Culver
Kathleen Loomis
Alison Schwabe
Pamela Druhen
Carol Ann Waugh
Susan Polansky
Phylis Cullen
Each of them have signed on to work with at least one mentee and a couple are working with more than one. I am grateful for their willingness to sign on to be a part of this program because the success of the program really hinges on having enough mentors. And that brings me to my next statistic…
I have 9 mentees on the waiting list waiting to be matched up with a mentor. I need more mentors!
So I am once again putting out the call for mentors. Now I know that being a mentor isn't for everyone and I absolutely understand and respect that but I'm guessing that there are some of you out there that are thinking you might be interested but your not sure about it because you are not sure how to be a mentor or what areas or categories you can mentor someone in. To answer those questions, just pop over to the SAQA website here. All the information about the program is there and if you take a look at both the mentor and the mentee applications (regardless of which you want to apply for) those will also help answer your questions. If you still have questions or your unsure, then write to me at email@example.com. I will be happy to talk with you about the program and how you can be a part of it.
The mentorship program is just one of the programs brought to you by the SAQA membership committee. The committee is chaired by Diane Wright and is made up of volunteers Clara Nartey (Secretary), Sue Bleiweiss, Paula Huffman Brown, Sharon Buck, Christine Hager-Braun, Candice Phelan, Allison Reker, Desi Vaughn, and Martha Wolfe. We meet once a month to discuss, brainstorm and develop programs and initiatives related to areas of membership. Watch for updates about the committees other programs and initiatives in future emails.
By the way - if you're curious about what other commitees that SAQA has you'll find that information on the SAQA website here.
Sue Bleiweiss
MA/RI regional co-rep
Membership committee volunteer
Mentorship program coordinator
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FINAL-Crowhurst Neighbourhood Plan
Steering Group
Consultation Process
Neighbourhood Plan Meetings
Task Groups
Data Protection
Young People and Schools Page
Community Gallery
Neighbourhood Plan GroupMeeting
6th December 2015
Village Hall
24 people attended the meeting
Will Kemp welcomed those attending and explained the purpose of the meeting which was to put together an initial group of people wishing to be involved. This was to start identifying priorities for the Plan.
Everyone present explained why they were interested in a Crowhurst Neighbourhood Plan.
Will then went through the main points from the intitial Village meeting held on 22nd November (see attached notes).
Gail clarified that the group was not going to be led by the Parish Council, but by the Village with a number of Councillors supporting it. The Parish Council had agreed to support the development of a Neighbourhood Plan at their previous meeting on 5th October 2015.
Following discussion, the name of the group was agreed to be the Crowhurst Neighbourhood Plan Group. It was decided that:
There was going to be a Facilitator rather than a Chairperson and that this role would be shared across the group.
That each role would have two people partnering in the role.
That there would be flexible meeting times to include all eg mid week and weekend meetings.
That a number of Working Parties would be set up around the areas of : tasks/prioties and of skills.
Updates and information would be provided through email contacts, phone contacts, minutes/notes of meetings, bulletin boards, the Crowhurst News and other local newsletters.
Alan Collins spoke about the Crowhurst Eye website being more of a Village Forum (changing from the Road to Nowhere website) and thus providing an opportunity for communication and to express and discuss ideas.
We also spoke about finance and the £8,000 grant and applying for this in 4 stages, although most other groups have applied in 2 stages. Applications relate to budgetted expenditure. The Parish precept was discussed and it was felt that we would only need to ask for £2,000 to be made available and only if needed which would therefore not contribute to an increase in the precept. This was because it was felt that we could raise funds ourselves through regular fundraising activities. This would also bring the Village together.
It was agreed that there should be Terms of Reference put together by those involved in the group.
A discussion about the skills and tasks such as surveys was held. This led to some coming forward with personal skills and interests they were happy to contribute.
A list of skills and areas of interest was gathered from group members. It was agreed that this should be an ongoing activity as other became involved or wished to contribute.
The following skills amongst the group present were identified as a starting point:
Street Champions
Grant Applications
Project Planning
Liaison with others and other villages
Report writing
IT Skills and Surveys
Community Development
Needs analysis
Environmental Skills
Presentations and Talks to groups within the village to inform and involve them
Typing documents
Printing facilities
Planning knowledge and experience
Following a discussion about how to include all ages and people, it was suggested that there could be made available:
a hearing loop,
stable seats with arms for elderly/disabled,
a venue that was user friendly to those hard of hearing,
offers of transport where needed.
Next Steps were identified as follows and to be prioritised at a future meeting:
A call for housing sites across all residents and landowners.
Establish good communications eg website, Crowhurst news and other newsletters with care taken to include those not on line.
Set up Street Champions working in pairs and respresenting certain areas or streets.
Building a skills register within the Village which gave positive re-inforcement to people's contribution.to the Plan.
The importance of surveys/research and the value of different types of surveys eg on line, door to door.
Setting up a bank account and establish procedures with the Parish Council.
Involving young people of all ages including schools and school based consultations including Claverham and all youth groups within the village.
Presentations and talks to groups within the village to inform and involve them.
Build a volunteers list to pull in people when and as needed.
Research good practice and learn and share with other NP groups to avoid re-inventing the wheel.
Hold regular raffles, cake and refreshments at meetings to raise funds
Plan regular fundraising activities and encourage other groups to participate.
Keep minutes or notes of all meetings as appropriate and share note taking.
The following areas of interest were identified:
Greenways and footpaths
Designated wildlife areas (for non development)
Road safety
Community shop with volunteers and meeting area with refreshments and post office
Allotments and community garden
The pub
Call for sites
Village Hall
Village groups
Youth organisations and facilities
Church and chapel
Link and support for vulnerable residents
Vigilance regarding potential threats and developments
The meeting ended with agreement to meet again in the new year.
The date set is Thursday, 20th January from 7.00 – 9 pm in the Village Hall.
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A Neighbourhood Plan for Crowhurst
Click here to read about the background of the Crowhurst Plan and why we need it.
The Final Crowhurst Neighbourhood Development Plan. The referendum on this important document will take place in the summer.
Contains links to the archived Reg. 16 and Reg. 14 consultation and submission pages.
Archive-REG 14, 16
The Minutes from the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group meetings are very important working documents. They are a monthly record of the process and progress of our Neighbourhood Plan. They provide easily accessible updates on what each of the Task Groups have been doing and how the village surveys and public responses are all feeding back into the process. If you need to know where we are with our Neighbourhood Plan then these minutes are essential reading.
Here you will find information,
minutes and from all
Neighbourhood Plan Meetings plus dates and agendas for the future.
This page contains all documents relating to the Consultation Process including village survey results and longlisted and shortlisted sites feedback. It will be updated as the process continues.
There are several task groups in which Crowhurst resident volunteers work on issues like communications, land use, heritage and the environment These groups will make a huge contribution to the final Neighbourhood Plan document.
Towards the end of 2016 we met with staff and pupils at Crowhurst Primary School and Claverham. Their valuable and interesting views can be seen here on dedicated website page about our school visits.
This page contains the legal stuff! Our policies, data protection information, terms of reference and frequently asked questions about the Neighbourhood Planning Process
Your pictures of our village. Views, buildings, sheep, trees, dogs..... we want to see what makes you happy about Crowhurst.
Please send you photos to :
[email protected]
This blog is mostly to enable you to engage directly with feedback, comments and questions. If you are unable to attend the regular meetings in the village hall and need a place to comment then please do so here.
Useful links:
For more information on the Crowhurst Neighbourhood Plan application please see:
Rother District Council
For more information on our Neighbourhood Plan process and to access minutes of all previous meetings please see either of the links below:
Crowhurst Eye
Crowhurst Parish Council