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Latest Talk

I love your writing and your spotlights. They are informative and enlightening. Keep up the good work:)

in

Feb 13, 2019 @ 09:21pm

One World Blue Media congratulates Michael Manna on his knock out win tonight. Keep going higher and higher. One good deed at a time.

in

Jan 6, 2019 @ 02:01am

YES!!! Joy speaking with you, learning about you brother!

in

Dec 14, 2018 @ 09:36am

In honor of Aunt Molly whose yarzheit is today.

in

Nov 23, 2018 @ 05:42am

nice to see you guys spotlighted on Blupela one world blue network

in

Nov 11, 2018 @ 01:21pm

A Thousand Mile Journey begins with one Step. Lao Tzu. Attila Domos you have taken many steps yet your journey is just beginning. Today you inspired hearts and minds around the Globe to go after their dreams and do something Amazing! "You are not required to complete the task, yet you are not free to withdraw from it" Ethics of our Father's. Attila Domos you gave the world everything and you have chased your dream to inspire others. You have succeeded! Many more steps are yet to come. Your Journey has really just begun.....One World Blue Congratulates You Attila Domos

in

Oct 8, 2018 @ 12:47am

I am really connecting with your sound and message. Great to see you Spotlighted on One World Blue.

in

Aug 17, 2018 @ 04:19pm

Come on out tonight to Mr Smalls for the CD release party of Social Justice Disco premiere!! 6 pm doors open. Come on out, get down, let your voice be heard and boogie!!

in

Jul 8, 2018 @ 02:28pm

Lion Adventure Travels will surpass all your expectations!!

in

Jun 11, 2018 @ 02:21pm

As a former travel agent for many years we are looking forward to working on creating travel adventures for many people to special, unforgettable and life changing destinations.

in

Jun 11, 2018 @ 02:20pm

Hey folks send me a request on Facebook and I'll be streaming my gig live from Sparta, NC this Friday evening. Much love to tall! #RAWK #williammasseymusic

in

Apr 25, 2018 @ 02:00pm

Very enlightening, so many accomplishments for the world! Mazal Tov. I am extremely proud of you and One World Blue. May One World Blue reach the hearts and minds of people around the world. May you continue your holy endeavors one good deed at a time.

in

Mar 29, 2018 @ 11:28am

One World Blue would like to acknowledge JDO Designs and Consulting for their exemplary work in computer maintenance and repair. They work with honesty and fair prices and they are the choice of our network for computer maintenance. They also work on computers remotely so you do not need to be in their area for them to access your laptop for many diagnostic and scanning services.

in

Mar 5, 2018 @ 11:19am

This is a wonderful service to have available. Definitely will keep in mind as soon as I have a need.

in

Mar 4, 2018 @ 10:54am

Happy Birthday my friend Sholom. When Hashem creates goodness He does it with Sholom. You have been a guiding Light in my life. May Hashem honor you for that.

in

Mar 2, 2018 @ 04:44am

Thanks for all of the love everyone! Can't wait to contribute more!

in

Feb 28, 2018 @ 08:59pm

Thanks!

in

Feb 26, 2018 @ 07:59pm

Inspiring sound! Keep playing and lifting people up with your music. It is great to see you here

in

Feb 25, 2018 @ 01:21pm

SO AWSOME THEO. YOU ARE AN AMAZING TALENTED ARTIST‼️EACH PAINTING IS SO INSPIRING😀😊😘

in

Feb 16, 2018 @ 10:46am

your story really touches me! What dedication and strength.

in

Feb 13, 2018 @ 09:47am

Latest Buzz

Oct 12, 2018 @ 01:23pm

Upcoming Dates:

Saturday 10/13
Muddy Creek Cafe, Sparta, NC 730-10

Sunday 10/21
Salvage Station, Asheville, NC "Rebuild the Village Music Festival"
5-630 Tin Can Stage
Friday 11/2
Laconia Ale Works, Sparta, NC 7-10
Friday 12/14
Laconia Ale Works, Sparta, NC 7-10

Oct 12, 2018 @ 01:22pm

Fine folks of Sparta and the surrounding areas. Bill and Shana have given me the green light to start a little early on Saturday night to squeeze in some more tunes. Hope to see yall out there!!!

Oct 5, 2018 @ 05:15pm

One World Blue wishes Attila Domos great success this weekend as he is on a mission (October 6th and 7th), to once and for all OFFICIALLY break the handcycling world record of 403.8 miles traveled in 24 hours!! GO ATTILA!!! "NEVER BE AFRAID TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS - Lets do Something Amazing" Attila Domos Musician/Athlete/Writer/Entrepreneur. www.attiladomos.com. Check out Attila's Campaign Page Here on One World Blue

Oct 5, 2018 @ 05:10pm

One World Blue Promotes WIZDOM REGGAE!! This Sunday October 7th Taco Regae Jam 2- 6 pm Bella Terra Vinyards, Hunker PA. COME FEEL THE ISLAND VIBE!!!

May 18, 2018 @ 03:06pm

Hey folks I'll be debuting a few new songs this evening on WKSK's "Live After 5" segment out of West Jefferson, NC. The show will be streamed live here: http://580wksk.com

Hope yall can tune in!

William #RAWK #williammasseymusic

Apr 29, 2018 @ 04:03pm

Hey folks check out my updated Spotlight page for a brand spankin new song! Hope yall enjoy!

William

Mar 15, 2018 @ 07:05am

"The Best Is Yet To Come"
The Best is Yet to Come is Progressive New Faith Fellowship Baptist Church book. With Overseer Davis and many of the outreach ministries as well as the look inside of our church and church family.
The book is on sale for $140.00 it has 132 pages of full color. Please order your book now and click fund to pay. Remember we are all trying to make a difference in this world by putting God first and being able to help someone along the way. Thank you in advance.

Feb 25, 2018 @ 12:15pm

Massey will perform at Muddy Creek Music Hall on Sunday, March 4th,as part of their songwriter round, web-link: https://www.muddycreekcafeandmusichall.com

Nov 19, 2017 @ 04:10pm

Tickets will be released tomorrow for the StarQuest Finals Night at Sunny Jims right here on Blupela. $20 General Admission. $30 VIP. Stay Tuned for the Ticket release tomorrow. Seats are limited. Finals will be held at Sunny Jims on December 16th, 2017.

Nov 13, 2017 @ 08:39pm

Check out my daily video on Face Book at Online Community Church -- it's called "Convertible Conversations" and is a 4-7 minute discussion about encouraging spiritual topics!

Nov 13, 2017 @ 08:37pm

My latest novel "Convertible Conversations" will be out the end of this month. Stay tuned for more information! Paul Gray

Nov 13, 2017 @ 02:33pm

The Project Ambassador Program is now available with One World Blue. Contact our office to find out how you may benefit from this program. Ambassador brochures are also available to order thru the Blupela campaign page. Join this winning team and start making a difference in the world today!!

Jun 30, 2016 @ 12:16pm

2016 Summer Program: Saturday July 2

We will meet from 6-8PM to print prayer flags. Youth Sangha coordinator Bonnie Weiss will guide the children in meditation, chanting and stories in addition to the block printing. We will also have a potluck for snacks, so please bring something small to share (NO NUTS PLEASE). Tempa Lama will be away traveling.

Jun 20, 2016 @ 06:07pm

Stand together to condemn hate and violence! Join us for an evening of solidarity with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community in response to the tragedy in Orlando. Hear from leaders in the LGBT community, Jewish community, Muslim community, and others.

Jewish Community Center, Squirrel Hill

Levinson Hall

Thursday, June 23

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Registration not required

We are pleased share another opportunity to support the LGBT community as well:

Saturday, June 18th, 2016

12:45 pm

Samuel & Minnie Hyman Ballroom

Congregation Beth Shalom

A Conversation with Evan Wolfson,

Director of Freedom to Marry

Mr. Wolfson is a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Alderdice High School.

Shiur sponsored by:

Beth Shalom’s Adult Education Committee

This is a free event! Call 412.421.2288 x114 for more information.

Apr 13, 2016 @ 01:01pm

For Kids of all ages come and enjoy 'Get Out and Draw' a journey into the imagination with the Super Hero of Fun, Mr. Buckethead. Event Date: May 28, 2016. Where: Dormont Library, 2950 West Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. When: 1 pm to 4 pm

Mar 12, 2016 @ 05:56pm

For Kids of all ages come and enjoy 'Get Out and Draw' a journey into the imagination with the Super Hero of Fun, Mr. Buckethead. Event Date: May 28th, 2016 Where: Dormont Library, 2950 West Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. When: 1 pm to 4 pm

Feb 1, 2016 @ 12:41pm

Join us for our monthly Pittsburgh Sportsline TV show at the Hollywood Lanes (2961 West Liberty Ave. Dormont, Tonight, Monday night February 1st, from 7:30-8:30 pm. They are more than a bowling alley! This great venue owned by Jeffrey Parke is a multifaceted entertainment facility offering our Pittsburgh community a wide range of activities including: bowling, darts, live music, our sports talk TV show and much more!!! There will be food, drink and bowling specials during our show! NO COVER!

Jan 11, 2016 @ 03:45pm

Don't miss our First Atrias PNC Park Pittsburgh Sportsline TV show of 2016!!! We start filming at 7:30 PM tonight January 11, for our 60 minute TV show for our BPTV studio!

My co host Smokin' Jim Frazier and Allen Levine "The Talking Machine" are honored to be back. Enjoy great food, drinks, service, TV Sports talk entertainment, great guests and much more.

Ask about Valet parking and there is also FREE on street parking after 6 pm too!

Try "The Talking Machine" BIG MOUTH BURGER" (My favorite ;)) We are on VERIZON TV channel 32 everywhere in the Greater Pittsburgh area Tuesday-Saturday 7-8 PM. ONLY COMCAST 7 in Bethel Park

Jan 8, 2016 @ 05:49am

Friday January 8, 7-8:15pm: Introductory evening talk
Saturday January 9, 9:30am-5pm and Sunday January 10, 10am-1pm
Olmo Ling Bon Center and Institute, 1101 Greenfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Many of you requested that we offer a retreat on the ancient and powerful Bon Chod practice ‘Laughter of the Dakinis’ which is part of the weekly Saturday morning practice at Olmo Ling. We are happy to be able to respond to this request! The Chod practice ‘Laughter of the Dakinis’ features a hauntingly beautiful melody that is chanted and accompanied by the Tibetan hand-drum (Damaru) and bell, together with visualization. Please join us to learn this unique practice, and join us thereafter at the weekly Saturday morning meditation.

Dec 30, 2015 @ 10:45pm

Only 25 hours left to see our documentary just released of Chiropractic now for Free. So now it's time to open your last present, our latest documentary! It took Jim Chester and I two long years to bring it to completion and it's free to watch until New Year's Eve! So please give it a view and share it with your friends, especially to those who may not be in the best of health. Click the link on our Spotlight here on Blupela.com. Please also share with the media buttons on Facebook, Twitter and others and please spread the word. Only 25 hours left to see it now for Free.

Latest Funding

ABC Rehearsal Rooms

$175.00

Incentive: Your Professional Spotlight Designed and Published on The One World Blue Network with Your Curated Content

in One World Blue Spotlight Program

Feb 19, 2019 @ 02:33pm

Lionheart Enterprises

$26.00

in Ohr Simcha Children's Home

Feb 4, 2019 @ 10:58pm

Naphtali Ziff JP

$26.00

in Advisory Fund 138

Jan 22, 2019 @ 10:29am

One World Blue, LLC

$53.00

in Bernard Asper

Jan 19, 2019 @ 07:58pm

Anonymous

$$

in One World Blue Network

Jan 17, 2019 @ 01:57pm

Setting Entertainment

$225.00

Incentive: Custom set up of Crowdfunding Campaign and with a Spotlight Professionally Created

in One World Blue Network

Jan 15, 2019 @ 05:14pm

Vince The Artist Ornato

$225.00

Incentive: Custom set up of Crowdfunding Campaign and with a Spotlight Professionally Created

in One World Blue Network

Jan 15, 2019 @ 12:29pm

One World Blue, LLC

$64.00

in Bernard Asper

Jan 14, 2019 @ 08:40am

Prof. Wilmot Max Ramsay

$125.00

in One World Blue Network

Jan 9, 2019 @ 07:28pm

Global Market Retail

$150.00

Incentive: Professionally Designed Spotlight Ambassador Program

in One World Blue Network

Jan 7, 2019 @ 04:38pm

Anonymous

$$

in One World Blue Network

Jan 2, 2019 @ 03:46pm

Prof. Wilmot Max Ramsay

$100.00

in One World Blue Network

Dec 27, 2018 @ 06:56pm

American Friends of Ohr Simcha

$75.00

Incentive: 1 Hour Graphic Design Work

in One World Blue Graphic Designs and Marketing

Dec 25, 2018 @ 06:44pm

Latest Connectons

Most Recent Up & ComingActive World Spotlights

[image for World Spotlight vince 1.jpg]
*Arts

Vincent Ornato - Vince, The Artist.

Vince The Artist Ornato
VINCE ORNATO
Artist’s statement: "Although I am interested in many subjects, my prime focus is to paint the industrial history of the Pittsburgh area in the positive light it deserves. With my paintings, I hope to pay tribute to the workers and their families. Politicians and the barons of industry receive the notoriety, but without the blue-collar workers laboring with their hands nothing gets done."
"The current “politically correct” view of our past, which myopically focuses on pollution, ignores that Pittsburgh’s smoke improved life in America, Europe and elsewhere. Many workers did not finish high school or were illiterate, yet hundreds of thousands of their kids went to college. The factories were the economic engine that produced the area’s great universities, world class hospitals, skyscrapers, sports arenas, large country parks and other amenities which we enjoy today. Honoring the contribution of those who came before us empowers and strengthens the souls of today."
Vince Ornato has made a full-time living drawing and painting for over 30 years. He started as a sketch-portrait artist, graphic designer and sign painter, before selling his own personal work. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Pitt in English Writing, and Rhetoric, and is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s Evening School. His art studies continued with persistent practice and by taking workshops with prominent artists, most notably Daniel Greene from New York, for whom he worked as a classroom assistant.
He had a one-person show at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and has exhibited at a large number of local galleries and shops. He sells his paintings and prints in the area’s major festival, from his home studio in Northside and over the internet. Commissions are accepted.
Vince has taught at Seton Hill University, and conducted workshops and done demonstrations for various art groups, including the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. His website is www.VinceTheArtist.com .
Additionally, he is often hired to draw caricatures of people at parties, weddings, senior facilities and for business promotions. His caricature website is www.IdrawFaces.com . He has drawn caricatures live on ESPN TV, and appeared on all local TV stations.
His new TV show, produced through Bethel Park TV, “The Creative Process with Vince Ornato,” can be seen on YouTube, Comcast 7 and Verizon 32.
Vince Ornato is a life long Pittsburgher, who worked as a union ironworker out of Pittsburgh Local #3 for over six years, which is where a lot of his inspiration comes from, as well as how he paid for his college education. He recalls the sweat, paint, smell, dirt and noise of the mill, not to mention it's strength and power. He is a graduate of South Hills Catholic high school, and grew up in the Brookline neighborhood of the 'Burgh. Five trips to Italy have further served as inspiration for his work.
Vince Ornato
515 Avery Street, 2nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-321-3508
vince@idrawfaces.com
To viewVince Ornato's fine Art work, Go to ...
www.vincetheartist.com
Featuring images of Pittsburgh Industrial, Italy, Golf and Portraits

Votes1 DateFeb 20, 2019

[image for World Spotlight earth-11015-1560x1599.jpg]
*Healing

UNITY - Chassidic Philosophy

Gedaliah Aronson
G-d is ONE. In other words, ONLY G-d truly exists, G-d IS. G-d wants this to be revealed in this physical world, a world where G-d is so concealed we can come to question G-d's existence, when in actuality, G-d is all that exists. To understand one thing is vital when it comes to discussing how G-d manifests Himself in this "world" "down here"; anything that sounds like a hierarchy of value or worth amongst creation must be truly sized up against the FACT that there is ONLY G-d, and nothing else. At the essence and root of all creation is G-d Himself, period, the one and only; needing to feel superior to another has to do with a human self-esteem/self-worth issue, it has nothing to do with G-d. We are all nullified to the one above, yes we have different roles "down here", but any interpretation that this implies some kind of real superiority is not understanding that we are all truly nullified to our maker. He is all, He is being all, He is making us anew right now, as I type this, G-d is being me for me and you for you.
G-d chose(s) to create this world through a process where He "lessens" the revelation of Himself, gradually, in a chaining down system of "worlds", each world defined by the degree of concealment of G-d's infinite revelation to each world. This physical world is at the bottom of that chain, in other words, G-d is most concealed here, to the point that we do not see G-dliness, we see an actual physical world, that is our vantage point.
G-d desired(s) to create an "other", who would choose to partner with G-d on his/her own terms. G-d desired a true relationship with an "other" who could choose that relationship from their own volition. The human being is this partner, every single one of us.
Because of all this concealment "down here" G-d needed, so to speak, an anchor in this world, that the world would not completely "forget" where it comes from, that humanity should not destroy itself. This anchor is the Jewish soul. The Jewish people, collectively, make up a consciousness that has its roots in G-d "before" He concealed His infinite revelation. Now, this does not mean that the Jewish people are automatically in touch with this consciousness, and most of us nowadays are not too in touch with this consciousness naturally; we must apply our minds, hearts, and hands, with great toil, in the study of Torah and the performance of Mitzvot (G-ds commandments). In fact, the Jewish soul, referred to as the “G-dly soul” in Chassidic philosophy, is the Torah, it is one with the Torah, which is one with G-d. In other words, this soul itself has a revealed connection to its source, to G-d, the soul itself knows from where it comes, it perceives that though there is a world it does not contradict that only G-d exists, that is this soul’s reality. Most of us (Jews) today are not readily conscious of this soul, it is there, but it must be accessed through the study of Torah, and contemplation of G-d through the study of Chassidic philosophy, and performing good deeds, working on our character traits, etc.
Jews and non-Jews are meant to be a team, partners in the service of G-d; making for Him a dwelling place here in the physical world. In truth, humankind is really one complete person, one soul, splintered into 7 billion fragments and manifestations. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, a consciousness came to them and to the world, a self consciousness, an ego, a separateness. G’d’s simple “I Am”, splintered, so to speak, into billions of “Me’s” and “I’s. Jews and non-Jews are a team in repairing, and returning this universal consciousness of G-d, back to all of creation. We have different roles and many great analogies have been made to explain the partnership. One analogy I personally like is the band and the instrument technicians, the lighting crew, the sound engineers, the security teams, the stage engineers, etc. For a great concert to be pulled off well, with the greatest possible performance, all of these people must work together collectively, cooperatively, and with great respect for the contributions and crafts of each team and team member. The band cannot pull off the show that they need too without all of these teams of craftsman, technicians, managers, stage hands, lighting crew, medical staff on hand, the audience, etc. The band seemingly has the spotlight, but any humble band will tell they couldn’t do what they do without everybody’s involvement and they know that this “show” is not really about or for them, it’s for the audience’s delight. By way of analogy, the audience in this case would be G-d Himself.
Human beings must be united in a common purpose to bring goodness and light/revelation into this world, until the point that we eradicate evil, as we smother it with goodness and light, and transform the darkness to light. Good deeds, selfless deeds of kindness are a revelation of G-d in this world, we reveal G-d in this world, now, with positive action.
The More Jews will unite, the less any anti-Jewish sentiment will exist (which is at root a contempt for humanity at large). When Jews will unite completely, external anti semitism will completely fade away. When humankind unites with one purpose, to reveal G-d “down here” , we complete our mission of partnering with G-d in the creation of this world. On that day “we will be as dreamers” and “laughter will be in our mouths”, we will SEE (with our physical eyes) that G-d is speaking! May it be today, immediately!

Votes1 DateFeb 20, 2019

[image for World Spotlight Flowband band photo.jpg]
*Music

The Flow Band

The Flow Band
THE FLOW BAND
UPCOMING DATES
FLOW BAND SHOWS FOR FEBRUARY:
13- U. of Pgh. Black History Dinner 4-7pm
15 -Wallace’s Whiskey Room &Kitchen 123 Highland Ave. 5-7pm
21- U. of Pgh. Black history Dinner 4-7pm
22 -Chiefs Cafe 307 N. Craig St. 8-11pm
For bookings, concert updates, T-shirts, CD’s 412-867-0150/412-243-0515
EMAIL : theflowbandpgh@yahoo.com
The Flow Band, a long time mainstay of Pittsburgh, PA's diverse music scene, came together in 1982. The roots of the band were planted some years before, as founding members of what would become The Flow Band, were asked to form a band to back a Jamaican artist from Montego Bay named Leroy Hall. This band would be known as RASTAFARI.
Out of RASTAFARI, The Flow Band came to be in 1982, and though roots Reggae is a focus and certainly a driving force behind their sound, they've always played diverse styles of music and are known for fusing them together.
The Flow Band has undergone several personnel changes over the years and featured different line ups, but the core of the group, the nucleus, is the longtime partnership of Guitarist/Vocalist Uzell Finney, Jr., and Bassist Joe "Spliff" Smith.
"Our job, as musicians, is to bring light into the world." - Uzell Finney, Jr.
"Everything is an inspiration in my writing , I am inspired by life, and I write about those things. I take from what I'm going through, what I'm thinking about. We're definitely about bringing a positive message and positive experience to all."

BASSIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER JOE "SPLIFF" SMITH
In its long and ever active career, the band has opened for such artists as Third World, Dennis Brown, Ziggy Marley, Lady Smith Black Mambazo, & twice for Jimmy Buffet. The Flow band has always played a wide array of cover songs and originals and are quite adaptive stylistically; roots Reggae is the backbone but the band's influences are diverse, so the music is diverse and embracing of all kinds of musical expression. The Flow Band has put out 3 EP's of original music and are in the process of recording a new release, date TBA.
The group's current lineup features Uzell and Joe along with vocalist
Deborah Starling
Keyboardist
Sam Darkins
and Drummer
Douglas Lane
"We like to take the music to the people, we reach out to our community and truly enjoy playing for the youth, going to public schools, and for seniors as well. We've done that for a long time and it's important to us."
This spirit of service goes along with Uzell's long time career as a city of Pittsburgh Firefighter for over 30 years. He has since retired from firefighting, but he and The Flow Band fight the spiritual fires of the world by lighting candles in the darkness, making the darkness dissipate.

The Flow Band plays frequently in Pittsburgh in all kinds of settings from favorite local music venues, to public schools, to family gatherings, and to The University Of Pittsburgh in celebration of Black History Month, which they will do again this year (2019) on February 13 for the annual Black History Dinner. The band's long history and continued presence in the Pittsburgh music scene is beloved by many listeners and friends whom they continue to gather together for the sake of unity, peace, goodness, kindness and music. Many Pittsburgh music fans and musicians can reminisce with joy, and yet still take in new Flow Band experiences as the band forges on in this, its 37 year. They are a staple of the Pittsburgh music community, whom many musicians have played with over the years, and from its ranks, went out and spread forth that light to other musical projects as well.

Uzell and Joe are the mainstays of the Flow family, the patriarchs, who continue to guide the band and it's music, and intend to do so for a long time to come!
BELOW: The Flow Band in concert at Hollywood Lanes in Dormont, Pa

Votes2 DateFeb 11, 2019

What would you do to heal or change the world?

Would you like to have your say? Login or register for an account and tell us what you would do.

Play reggae music as usual for the world to make everyone feel some joy and happiness and positive vibratons.

Aunton Agustin Austin • Jan 29, 2019 @ 11:41am • More

Teach more Art History to broaden the understanding and depth of the Human Experience.

Vince The Artist Ornato • Jan 15, 2019 @ 12:43pm • More

Spread peace by smiling to each other.

Global Market Retail • Jan 7, 2019 @ 04:49pm • More

To continue uniting the races starting with our youths. From a tender age, once you mean to serve your country, you can do it!

Prof. Wilmot Max Ramsay • Dec 14, 2018 @ 11:44pm • More

To not be as concerned about whom we may offend but be more concerned by who we may inspire.

Dr. William C. Wetmore • Dec 13, 2018 @ 03:26pm • More

Create better opportunities for everyone through platforms that enable everyone to have equal opportunities for education and financial success. We also Stand to Empower others through the Arts and Agriculture which will end inequality in these areas.

Carics International Fine Arts Festival • Dec 7, 2018 @ 11:22am • More

Increase of affordable housing to low or moderate income individuals and the homeless.

PHDA Pittsburgh Housing Development Association Inc. • Nov 26, 2018 @ 10:21am • More

To teach others to do kindness every day and take care of one another. Smiling at everyone is the start to a better world.

5th Ave Store • Nov 23, 2018 @ 10:59am • More

Open minds so that people can realize that the world is not black or white but rather grey and that people do not have to jump on a train with others because that is what they think they have to listen to. People can be masters of their own destiny. The most important thing is for people to also then realize that the purpose of us being here is to care for one and help take care of one another.

ONE WORLD BLUE SPONSORED PROJECT • Oct 22, 2018 @ 05:55pm • More

Demonstrate Love to all people we encounter and treat people fairly with equality.

Gary Germany • Oct 15, 2018 @ 04:50pm • More

Animals'Angels would like to continue and increase our undercover investigations to expose the cruelty animals all over the country face every day and to ensure that the abusers are held accountable for their actions.

Animals Angels • Sep 10, 2018 @ 10:03am • More

Music is a language that unites us & I'm using it as a means to bring us together! changing the world one song at a time!!

Oneg Shemesh • Sep 3, 2018 @ 01:38pm • More

I seek to create a climate where good people are not afraid to do the right thing and do not risk starvation homelessness and poverty because they have moral courage.I seek to crowdfund this story and employ anyone who donates for any contribution of talent that they may desire to give to this project. Example:If you can assist with the screen play you will be in the film , I am seeking talent.

The Fine Art Of Walking Point • Aug 3, 2018 @ 06:39pm • More

Help each other love one another and to also teach one another to be honest in their relationships.

Cantor Victor Roth • Jul 31, 2018 @ 03:01pm • More

Our HOPE and COPE Wellness Initiative brings healing and wellness to all persons who wish to improve the quality of their lives in 6 primary areas of wellness: Attitudinal, Interpersonal,Financial, Physical, Emotional, and of course, Spiritual. We do this by focusing on working on the external wellness of the person toward healing their internal well-being. Our unique project: FREEDOM BIKES - Wheelin' and Healin' is one of our flagship programs, helping encourage, educate and find financial partners to get the "right bike for the right price" so that people can feel better, save money and be more effective in their professional and personal lives.

HOPE and COPE Initiative • Jul 13, 2018 @ 01:39pm • More

I change the world around me with the light of Christ through stories, songs, and smiles.

msannegirl • Jun 27, 2018 @ 12:11pm • More

Make clean water available to all citizens of all nation's Globally.

Spring AquaH • Jun 1, 2018 @ 08:47pm • More

The world itself doesn’t need healed/changed, we the people can make a difference. Gratitude and intention go a long way.

True Blue Healing Arts • May 17, 2018 @ 10:29pm • More

Let people know that what ever hurt they have is not forever and they have help available to them, they just need to know where to look. And look no farther than your own back yard because there are many people and organizations making a difference in the world!

Lollipops@Pickles • May 1, 2018 @ 05:41pm • More

Spread joy, smiles, and positivity.

Motivation Champs • Apr 26, 2018 @ 06:10pm • More

Transforming the world through Community, Social Action and Awareness, Lionheart brings projects that Lift humanity and elevate the World.

Lionheart Enterprises • Apr 10, 2018 @ 04:43am • More

Help people find a way out of the 'Financial Matrix' is the main thing that we do. Our company was also founded on Leadership principles that offer Continuing Education for CPA's. Corporate Training for individuals to use personally or to help train the staff they have in their businesses.

Financial Fitness • Apr 9, 2018 @ 06:57pm • More

To elevate the Physical to the Spiritual

Advisory Fund 138 • Mar 18, 2018 @ 11:55pm • More

To find treasures in antiquity and to treat them as such.

Crown Antiques • Mar 18, 2018 @ 11:35pm • More

We have to focus on the most underprivileged human beings. Being Jewish we are focused on our Holy Land the land of Israel which G-d bestowed to the Jewish people and we come to the aid of the most vulnerable people in the Holy Land. These are the orphans and children at risk that we are taking under our wings at a young age and by the time they are adults they serve in the army and get married to build a beautiful home in Israel.

American Friends of Ohr Simcha • Mar 18, 2018 @ 12:10pm • More

Information and the Internet would be freely available 24/7/365 regardless of your age, race, location, or income (or lack thereof).

Jeremiah D. Ostrosky Sr. • Mar 3, 2018 @ 11:08am • More

Since I began playing music and working as a teacher in 2009 all I've tried to do my best. My best at reaching kids. My best at writing and playing. If you twisted my arm for a more specific answer I'd say that by being a good person, friend, son, brother, colleague, and fellow musician is how I can contribute my little line to the story of the world. I feel like if more people focused on the positives in their lives (despite even experiencing or living in adverse conditions...easier said than done I know) then the world would begin to heal itself. When you think positively, and seek that out in your every day life, you will find it. We're surrounded by goodness; it's just a matter of knowing how to see it. It is my hope that through my music I'm able to offer people out there just a few minutes of goodness and happiness for their day or their evening. There are dozens of songs that when I first heard them I instantly knew they'd become part of my regular listening because of the way they made me feel. If I do a good enough job, maybe one day my music can serve that same purpose for someone else.

William Massey Music • Mar 2, 2018 @ 05:40pm • More

Recycle and reuse as many products as possible without any waste and help to keep our Earth eco-friendly and clean.

YourTableCloth.com • Feb 11, 2018 @ 03:56pm • More

As we look at the world today, healing starts with self. God created everything, therefore God is our healer and provider. It is in that where we create healing and change. We all have the fundamental desire to create an ideal world, where everyone is healthy, happy, and free of suffering. We have to educate more on healing and forgiving which gives the tools to help people move forward, learning the word of God and being able to create change among Christian's as walk more upright in to bring about positive change. The habitual tendency we all have is to look around us, find out what’s wrong with the world, and then try to “fix” it. This is what I consider to be a miracle. Every time I forgive myself, I create more space for love, happiness, and world change. While forgiving ourselves, on its own, won’t end global suffering or create world peace, creating peace within will better enable us to find and enact solutions to the larger problems we all face. Healing myself creates a ripple affect across the universe, allowing me to help others heal, creating a changed and healed world. I love outreach ministry, in that ministry I teach that we all have to work together to become one to bring about a change in our community, but we just cannot stop there. We have to learn to allow God to be God, spreading the gospel around the world as well as in our own neighborhood's. Are we our brothers and sisters keeper? YES WE ARE.

Overseer Dwight Davis • Jan 31, 2018 @ 06:04pm • More

I would tell people that you don’t have to follow the crowd. Do what makes you happy, and don’t let anyone tell you what you should be doing. I believe too many people are stuck in a life they hate and regret not listening to their inner self.

Theo Caloyer • Dec 18, 2017 @ 03:38pm • More

Most Recent Ending Soon Up & ComingActive Initiatives

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*Technology

One World Blue Spotlight Program

One World Blue, LLC
One World Blue Spotlights
Want to shine a light on someone who is making an impact? Is something going on that everyone should know about? Do you want to shed light on an issue and rally others to stand and unite with you. Share the story by creating a Light on the World spotlight!
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Votes1 DateFeb 12, 2019

Funded: 1 $175.00

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One World Blue Software Licensing Services

One World Blue, LLC
One World Blue makes its software available for your organization or business with a Software Licensing Package
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Votes1 DateFeb 12, 2019

Funded: 0 $0.00

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*Communication

The Global Youth Trust Cambridge Times Project

Prof. Wilmot Max Ramsay
In 2004, Professor Max Ramsay launched his non-profit organization called The Global Youth Trust with the purpose being "Participation, Development and Peace," uniting to address youth programming and community development issues.
He later received an honorary Doctorate in law from Cambridge University on Tuesday December 4, 2007. In 2014 Max returned to a dream delayed when he became an independent researcher at Harvard University.
Professor Ramsay has recently turned his attention and focus to helping the Youth of his home country of Jamaica by creating a newspaper and editorial called The Cambridge Times which will be under the auspices of The Global Youth Trust.
Here is some Background About The Cambridge Times Mission and Vision:
The Cambridge Times will be an organ to further strengthen our democracies!
"Within our Western Civilization, Newspapers have four (4) basic functions -- to inform, to interpret the news, to provide a service to readers, and to entertain -- within our democracies. These functions will explain what the proposed The Cambridge Times newspaper will do, and they will be why people will read it."
"Newspapers help readers become informed citizens and make better decisions by providing lots of facts. Hard news stories, vital statistics, weather, sports stories and scores, and event calendars are examples of items that help inform readers."
Some newspaper articles help interpret, or explain, the meaning of news to readers. These stories often include the opinion of the writer or newspaper management. Editorials, opinion columns, news analysis, and reviews are some examples.
Newspaper stories provide information that helps readers solve their business, home, recreation, and daily living problems. Ads assist in informing readers about products and services. Hard news stories, feature stories, classified ads, and display ads are items that provide a service.
"Some items in the newspaper are designed to amuse or provide enjoyment to readers. Feature stories, comics, puzzles, and humour columns are entertainment items. To inform, to interpret, to provide a service, and to entertain are the four (4) basic functions of a newspaper."
The Cambridge Times will be an organ to further strengthen our democracies!

The Cambridge Times learning outcome will generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material; will identify author’s purpose for writing, including to explain, to entertain, or to inform and will use context clues to determine the meaning of homophones.
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Here is some Background about the Esteemed Founder and Director of The Global Youth Trust Professor Wilmot Max Ramsay
Professor, Dr. Wilmot Max Ramsay was born on July 13, 1962, and grew up in Cambridge, Saint James, Jamaica. He was raised mainly by his mother Gwendolyn Victoria Scotland Ramsay, and grandmother Selina Chambers, who instilled in him the strong desire and sense of responsibility to serve his community in whatever capacity he could.
Ramsay attended high school -- Cornwall College -- in Jamaica. He was an ambitious and dedicated student; a repeat first-place winner of awards for French and Spanish, member of the UNESCO Club (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and other leadership school organizations as well as serving as a prefect for his class.
"My crowning moment, however, was winning my local government seat -- Cambridge Division -- on Monday, March 2, 1981, at age 18 years old, thus becoming the youngest elected Councillor in Jamaica." - Wilmot Max Ramsay

Max greeting the royal family in February 1983 on the occasion of celebrating Jamaica's 21st anniversary of independence.
"At such a tender age, Politics was the natural choice as I was encouraged by fellow Cantabrigians to do so. Looking back today, mine was a novelty of entering politics at such a young age, but from a tender age, once you mean to serve your country (and humanity), you can do it!"
On a visit to Cambridge, Massachusetts where his father, Charles Adolphus Ramsay, Professor of English, resided, Wilmot Ramsay was honored by the Boston City Council for his dedication to public service and the week of September 27th through October 3rd was proclaimed Wilmot "Max" Ramsay Week in the City of Boston.
Though Max did yearn to further his education and attend university, he committed to putting that off in order to serve his full term as an elected Councillor serving his country and community. Ramsay found that he was able to be quite effective in his position especially as an advocate for the youth and young people like himself. He was after all just out of high school when elected. His concern for the well being of the youth of his community, wherever he may be, and globally, has been a common theme and priority in his life and public service.

President G.H.W. Bush, Councillor Max Ramsay along with Mayor Shalman Scott of Montego Bay, Jamaica, and other members of the St. James Parish Council welcomed to Jamaica in October of 1983.
In 1986 Ramsay's term in office was completed, and the following year he returned to the city where five years prior he'd been honored, as a foreign statesman, for his commitment to public service. The same city that's designated a week on its calendar, naming it for Max, in reverence for his service and dedication, would receive him again as a resident. He came to join his father who still lived and taught in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and to begin to pursue his higher education, which he always intended to return to after public office. Upon his return to Massachusetts, Max was awarded The-Key-To-The-City-of-Cambridge by Mayor Walter J. Sullivan in 1987.
Max continued in the realm of public service in the United States, while he began to make moves to become a full-time student, working for a couple of years at the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services.
He would enroll at UMass, Boston in 1989 as a Spanish and French major. Max picked up college in the same manner in which he conducted himself through high school, an ambitious and diligent student, thoroughly focused on his academic goals. He served as Editor-in-Chief of The UMass Times, and in a very short time would become the first black member and Secretary of the Honors Program, now the Honors College, at UMass, in the history of the university.
What would happen next would be a complete shock and turning point in Max's life, and would be a defining moment in the fight to confront long standing institutionalized racism in the world of academia.
On April 4, 1990, Max was falsely charged with plagiarism by Professor Fiora A. Bassanese, for his now famous paper, "A Look at Dante and Petrarca's Styles." This erupted into what would come to be dubbed "the UMass Boston Honors Program War."
Max's own accounting of what occurred and all that he endured can be found in the links below:
http://honorswardeclaration.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-declaration-of-war.html
http://guilt101.blogspot.com/
" For the duration of the Class on Wednesday, April 4, 1990, there was much uneasiness especially after Fiora A. Bassanese's: "Max, I want to see you after Class with Professor [James F.] Brennan, [the Honors Program Director."]
"On our way to the Honors Program Office (where I served as Secretary), on the second floor of Wheatley Hall, there was complete silence and the silence was strained. Once in my office we all three sat down with Fiora leading the charge. James Brennan, for the most part, only listened and observed. He is a psychologist. It is nearing 3:15 pm and Fiora exclaims that I am to bring in the sources -- books -- from which I got my material as the ball is now in "your court" and she does "not care." I calmly said that it is my honest work and that is what will stand the test of time. Brennan makes a guttural sound. We adjourn with Fiora, the Italian, Brennan, the Irish and me, the Jamaican (and later, a Jamaican American, to the surprise of many). Robert H. Spaethling, the German, was not present at the meeting. He already knew very well that as Deputy Provost he would be hearing all sides. He further knew that being an acquaintance I would, naturally, be telling him about the dramatic development which I am now confident that he already knew about."
"Yes, Fiora Antonia Bassanese made me cry. She said to me: "It is in your court and I do not care!" I thought I was going to die. My honors were about to be taken right before my eyes. However, by God's help they were not moved."
Max would hold out and persevere and prove his complete innocence and integrity with incredible courage, he would win the "honors war" with a written apology from the accusing professor Fiora A. Bassanese. The fight had taken its toll on Max, and though his name had been cleared the damage had been done.
"As a byproduct of war, I suffered a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which left me broken as to the bold and daring advances others can undertake to your detriment. It took gubernatorial intervention, in 2005, for me to receive my Diploma even after graduation. My basic Human and Civil Rights were debased."
With all the emotional hardship and trauma, Max needed to take time for himself, away from the university, though he never had intention of not completing his degree. Though he was thoroughly shaken he was not deterred from returning at the right time, and in 2005 he graduated from UMass Boston earning his Bachelors degree after a long 16 year battle. The matter was sealed completely with the intervention of then Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, ordering Max's "well earned" diploma be released.

In 2004, Max launched his non-profit organization called The Global Youth Trust with the purpose being "Participation, Development and Peace," uniting to address youth programming and community development issues. He later received an honorary Doctorate in law from Cambridge University on Tuesday December 4, 2007. In 2014 Max returned to a dream delayed when he became an independent researcher at Harvard University.

Votes2 DateFeb 7, 2019

Funded: 0 $0.00

Most Recent Up & ComingActive Culture Spotlights

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North America

Oneg Shemesh

Oneg Shemesh
Oneg Shemesh Band ~ Indie Folk/Rock Music
Bio
Oneg Shemesh's music represents a fresh and innovative new sound in Jewish music. His engaging and interactive style is sure to invigorate your soul and your feet!
Oneg Shemesh, whose first name means “utmost joy”, is an Israeli-born guitarist and singer known for positive, well-crafted songs, and genre-blending, innovative work that blends the spiritual aspects of the Modern Orthodox culture in which he was raised with a folk rock sensibility.
Whether singing about “shining the light forward” or one’s personal responsibilities in “Only I”, Oneg Shemesh’s music is at times evocative, inspirational, and powerful while always remaining upbeat.
Oneg was raised in Israel on Moshav Modi’im near Tel Aviv. After completing his army service, he joined The Moshav Band as a founding member, an Israeli American-Jewish folk rock band, they combine Jewish music with elements of alternative rock, folk, and reggae. Shemesh toured with them throughout Israel, the United States and Canada.
When he is not creating and performing music, he likes to spend time with his 3 beautiful children, hike, rollerblade, bike & workout at the gym. He currently resides in West Hempstead, NY.
I'm so grateful to my amazing fans! With your help the song & music video called SOME DAYS in memory of my Mom O.B.M. has been completed & released! Check it out below!
Check out his live shows
This song is dedicated to my Mom A”H ברכה בת חונה יואל הכהן וזלטא
I had the privilege of writing this song & performing it for my Mom before she passed on FEB 5, 2017.
Here is the clip she took on her phone & this is what she wrote about the experience.
This is a beautiful song that my son Oneg Shemesh wrote with me in mind. He really nailed it perfectly. He totally captured in the simple lyrics, exactly how I’m feeling these days. Every time I hear him singing this, I am moved to tears and at the same time filled with joy!
Please share this song with anyone you know who is fighting cancer or who needs to hear this message of HOPE!
To buy the song go to https://onegshemesh.com/track/1542488/some-days
Listen
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Check out my merchandise page! With your support we are able to continue releasing music & spreading the joy!!


Check out my store !
Every purchase you make helps me to raise the funds to cover the costs of marking & promoting my music.
BE MY PARTNER!
LET'S GET THE MUSIC OUT TO THE WORLD!
Contact


Votes1 DateSep 5, 2018

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Asia

Iranian Zoroastrians

Bernard Asper

The history of Zoroastrianism began with the Prophet Zarathushtra teaching what was called “the Good Religion,” to ancient Persia and Central Asia. His teachings taught obedience to one god; while he drew a small group of dedicated men and women, he also met with great resistance from local priests and princes. According to legend, Zarathushtra was invited to present his teachings before King Vishtasp, who became one of the first of many rulers in Central Asia to embrace this new and revolutionary faith. The religion continued to evolve into its present form from the belief in a supreme god representing what became the state religion of the Persians. Its present monotheistic and at least what some would call dualistic varieties all involve worship of one god, the good one who will triumph over the evil forces. This represents the dualism in all forms of the faith that goes back to its founder Zarathushtra.
Zoroastrianism gradually gained wider acceptance, becoming the religion of the Achaemenian Empire (550–330 BCE) founded by Cyrus the Great. The Achaemenians established the first “universal empire” across linguistic and cultural frontiers, practicing religious and ethnic tolerance for their subjects. The Achaemenians were defeated by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE, and the city of Persepolis, along with its library of religious texts, was destroyed by fire. After nearly a century of Greek rule under the Seleucids, the Parthians (256 BCE–226 CE) came to power and ruled in ancient Iran for many centuries. The Sassanian Empire (226–652 CE) succeeded that of the Parthians and during the next four hundred years, the Sassanian kings established Zoroastrianism as the state religion of Iran. This was the “golden age” of Zoroastrianism, with as many as thirty million people practicing the faith. The liturgy of the Avesta was collected into a cohesive unit, and new literature in the Pahlavi language flourished.
In 652 CE, the Sassanian Empire was defeated by Arab Muslims. The majority of Zoroastrians accepted Islam. Those who did not and were not fleeing the country fled to other areas within Iran. The Zoroastrian refugees developed their own language, Zoroastrian Dari, as well as a separate culture.
The Zoroastrians faced considerable adversity and religious persecution, which varied under different dynasties. Under the Umayyad dynasty, personal rights could be obtained with the payment of jizya, a special tax for non-Muslims, while during the Qajar dynasty, repression of the Zoroastrian religion took on cruel and violent forms. The life of Zoroastrians in Iran was often characterized by humiliation—with rules preventing them from riding on horseback, building places of worship, receiving an inheritance, or even from carrying umbrellas or wearing eyeglasses. With greater freedoms in the 20th century, Zoroastrians were able to establish themselves in business, industry, the educational field, and philanthropy. Many of today's Iranians are Zoroastrians who pretend to be Muslims.
Taken and edited from:
http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/zoroastrians-in-iran-06
http://pluralism.org/religions/zoroastrianism/the-zoroastrian-tradition/zoroastrians-in-india-and-iran/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/beliefs/god.shtml
http://www.zoroastrian.org/other/faq.htm
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/19959

Votes1 DateJul 25, 2018

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Europe

Gypsies

Bernard Asper

The Roma are an ethnic people who have migrated across Europe for a thousand years. The Roma culture has a rich oral tradition, with an emphasis on family. Often portrayed as exotic and strange, the Roma have faced discrimination and persecution for centuries.
Today, they are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Europe — about 12 million to 15 million people, according to UNICEF, with 70 percent of them living in Eastern Europe. About a million Roma live in the United States, according to Time.
Roma is the word that many Roma use to describe themselves. They are also known as Rom or Romany.
The Roma are also sometimes called Gypsies. However, some people consider that a derogatory term, a holdover from when it was thought these people came from Egypt. It is now thought that the Roma people migrated to Europe from India about 1,500 years ago.
They originated in northern India and by the second half of the 20th century they had spread to every inhabited continent.
Because of their migratory nature, their absence in official census returns, and their popular classification with other nomadic groups, estimates of the total world Roma population range from two million to five million. No significant statistical picture can be gained from the sporadic reporting in different countries. Most Roma were still in Europe in the early 21st century, especially in the Slavic-speaking lands of central Europe and the Balkans. Large numbers live in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, the Czech and Slovak republics, and Hungary.
All nomadic Roma migrate at least seasonally along patterned routes that ignore national boundaries. They also follow along a chain, as it were, of kin or tribal links. The Roma’s own supposed disposition to wander has been forcibly furthered by exile or deportation. Only 80 years after their first appearance in western Europe in the 15th century, they fell under the penalty of banishment in almost all the nations of western Europe. Despite their systematic exile, or transportation abroad, however, they continued to reappear in one guise or another back in the countries they had left.
All unsettled confederations who live among settled peoples seem to become convenient scapegoats. So it is with the Roma, who have regularly been accused by the local populace of many evils as a prelude to later official and legal persecution. Their relations with the authorities in the host country have been marked by consistent contradiction. Official decrees were often aimed at settling or assimilating them, yet local authorities systematically refused them the bare hospitality of a campsite. During the Holocaust the Nazis murdered an estimated 400,000 Roma. French laws in modern times forbade them campsites and subjected them to police supervision, yet they were taxed and drafted for military service like ordinary citizens. Spain and Wales are two countries often cited as examples where Roma have become settled, if not wholly assimilated. In modern times the socialist countries of eastern Europe attempted programs of enforced settlement to end Roma migration.
Traditionally the Roma have pursued occupations that allowed them to maintain an itinerant life on the perimeters of settled society. The men were livestock traders, animal trainers and exhibitors, tinkers (metalsmiths and utensil repairmen), and musicians; the women told fortunes, sold potions, begged, and worked as entertainers. Before the advent of veterinary medicine, many farmers looked to Roma livestock dealers for advice on herd health and husbandry.
The archetypal Roma family consists of a married couple, their unmarried children, and at least one married son, his wife, and their children. Upon marriage, a young couple typically lives with the husband’s parents while the young wife learns the ways of her husband’s group. Ideally, by the time an older son is ready to move away with his family, a younger son will have married and joined the household with his new wife. Although the practice had declined significantly by the late 20th century, marriages traditionally were arranged by the elders in the family or band (vitsa) to strengthen political and kinship ties to other families, bands, or, occasionally, confederations. A central feature of Roma marriages was the payment of a bride-price to the parents of the bride by the parents of the groom.
Gypsy chieftains (voivodes) are elected for life from among outstanding families of the group, and the office is not heritable. Their power and authority vary according to the size of the band, its traditions, and its relationships with other bands within a confederation.
It was the voivode who acted as treasurer for the whole band, decided the pattern of its migration, and became its spokesman to local municipal authorities. He governed through a council of elders that also consulted with the phuri dai, a senior woman in the band. The phuri dai’s influence was strong, particularly in regard to the fate of the women and children, and seemed to rest much on the evident earning power and organization of the women as a group within the band.
Strongest among Roma institutions of social control was the kris, connoting both the body of customary law and values of justice as well as the ritual and formation of the tribunal of the band. Basic to the Roma code were the all-embracing concepts of fidelity, cohesiveness, and reciprocity within the recognized political unit. The ultimate negative sanction of the kris tribunal, which dealt with all disputes and breaches of the code, was excommunication from the band. A sentence of ostracism, however, might exclude the individual from participation in certain band activities and punish him with menial tasks. In some cases rehabilitation was granted by the elders and followed by a feast of reconciliation.
Bands are made up of vitsas, which are name groups of extended families with common descent either patrilineal or matrilineal, as many as 200 strong.
Spiritual beliefs
The Roma do not follow a single faith; rather, they often adopt the predominant religion of the country where they are living, according to Open Society, and describe themselves as "many stars scattered in the sight of God." Some Roma groups are Catholic, Muslim, Pentecostal, Protestant, Anglican or Baptist.
The Roma live by a complex set of rules that govern things such as cleanliness, purity, respect, honor and justice. These rules are referred to as what is "Rromano." Rromano means to behave with dignity and respect as a Roma person, according to Open Society. "Rromanipé" is what the Roma refer to as their worldview.
Language
Though the groups of Roma are varied, they all do speak one language, called Rromanës. Rromanës has roots in Sanskritic languages, and is related to Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Bengali. Some Romani words have been borrowed by English speakers, including "pal" (brother) and "lollipop" (from lolo-phabai-cosh, red apple on a stick).
The Roma today
While there are still traveling bands, most use cars and RVs to move from place to place rather than the horses and wagons of the past.
Today, most Roma have settled into houses and apartments and are not readily distinguishable. Because of continued discrimination, many do not publicly acknowledge their roots and only reveal themselves to other Roma.
While there is not a physical country affiliated with the Romani people, the International Romani Union was officially established in 1977. In 2000, The 5th World Romany Congress in 2000 officially declared Romani a non-territorial nation.
During the Decade of Roma Inclusion (2005-2015), 12 European countries made a commitment to eliminate discrimination against the Roma. The effort focused on education, employment, health and housing, as well as core issues of poverty, discrimination, and gender mainstreaming. However, according to the RSG, despite the initiative, Roma continue to face widespread discrimination.
According to a report by the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, "there is a shameful lack of implementation concerning the human rights of Roma … In many countries hate speech, harassment and violence against Roma are commonplace."
Edited from the Encyclopedia Brittanica Roma article online as well as from https://amp.livescience.com/44512-gypsy-culture.html

Votes1 DateJul 24, 2018

Most Recent Up & ComingActive Planet Spotlights

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Wildlife

Animal Adapt to Cold Weather

Betty Smythe
As the days shorten and the weather gets colder, it’s easy for most of us humans to adapt. Simply break out the long underwear, dust off the winter coat and we’re pretty much ready to go, at least here in the Midwest. Now what about those animals out in the wild? While we’re all familiar with bears hibernating through the winter, birds migrating to warmer settings and other animals living off stored food that they’ve been saving up since the summer, how the heck do those animals who remain active not only brave the elements but function in these conditions, especially in the coldest regions of the world? Understanding the answer to this question requires an appreciation for the adaptability, resiliency and creativity of leatherback turtles, penguins, arctic foxes, golden-crowned kinglets and many other animals.
Around for more than 100 million years, the leatherback turtle has certainly evolved as a deep sea diver capable of surviving in the coldest, deepest waters. For these unique reptiles, it’s good to be big. Weighing up to 2,000 pounds, leatherbacks remain warm in cold water in large part to their mass and natural abilities to slow heat loss. Outgoing blood warms cool blood in the leatherback flippers before it reaches the body core, and a sphincter in these turtle’s throats shuts off blood flow to the lungs when diving, allowing these amazing creatures to conserve energy when needed. In the deepest waters, leatherbacks get plenty of sustenance from jellyfish, their favorite meal.
While penguins may be celebrated in film for their triumphs on land (and aided outside the water during the cold by their compact feathers, including up to 70 feathers per square inch), these intriguing fellas do spend nearly 3/4 of their lives in the water. So what is the key to their success? Chalk it up to an insulating layer of blubber and the ability to generate body heat by staying active (penguins are able to jet through the water at speeds of up to 15 mph). Other ways penguins stay warm include tucking in their flippers to reduce the surface area for heat loss, absorbing heat from the sun via their black, back feathers, and reducing their contact with the ice by tipping up their feet and standing on their heels in a tripod-like position.
While penguins may be celebrated in film for their triumphs on land (and aided outside the water during the cold by their compact feathers, including up to 70 feathers per square inch), these intriguing fellas do spend nearly 3/4 of their lives in the water. So what is the key to their success? Chalk it up to an insulating layer of blubber and the ability to generate body heat by staying active (penguins are able to jet through the water at speeds of up to 15 mph). Other ways penguins stay warm include tucking in their flippers to reduce the surface area for heat loss, absorbing heat from the sun via their black, back feathers, and reducing their contact with the ice by tipping up their feet and standing on their heels in a tripod-like position.
While penguins may be celebrated in film for their triumphs on land (and aided outside the water during the cold by their compact feathers, including up to 70 feathers per square inch), these intriguing fellas do spend nearly 3/4 of their lives in the water. So what is the key to their success? Chalk it up to an insulating layer of blubber and the ability to generate body heat by staying active (penguins are able to jet through the water at speeds of up to 15 mph). Other ways penguins stay warm include tucking in their flippers to reduce the surface area for heat loss, absorbing heat from the sun via their black, back feathers, and reducing their contact with the ice by tipping up their feet and standing on their heels in a tripod-like position.
For other warm-blooded mammals like whales, seals and walruses, it certainly helps to be big, as the larger the mammal, the lesser the surface area to lose heat. With that said, fur seals benefit not only from weighing roughly 600 pounds as adults but having thick under and overcoats that they shed once a year, and blubber under the skin that can range from one to six inches. For Beluga whales, five inches of blubber certainly helps, as do unique adaptations like a dorsal fin that can break through ice for attaining fresh air, a flexible neck that allows for more maneuverability while navigating cold waters during migration, and amazing endurance (these whales can cover 100 miles in one day). Eat your heart out, Michael Phelps.
Outside the water, land-based animals must be as adaptive to the perils of the Arctic tundra in order to ensure survival. What blubber is to keeping penguins, seals, whales and walruses warm, fur is to caribou, musk oxen and arctic wolves, with the last two examples having thick, long hair overcoats and supplemental undercoats of fleece and fur, respectively. In comparison to other wolves, arctic wolves have smaller, rounder ears and shorter muzzles and legs that help them reduce heat loss. For some animals like the arctic fox, snowshoe hare, collared lemming, and ermine (least weasel), their fur actually changes colors from brownish-gray to white during the winter, offering them not only a needed blanket but an advantageous form of camouflage that makes them hard to identify in the snow. Lemmings, which look like fat furry hamsters, and arctic ground squirrels (the only arctic animal to hibernate) also keep themselves warm by staying in tunnels under the snow (as Ben Folds Five once sang, “you can be happy underground”), while hundreds of arctic hare display another crafty way of generating heat by congregating and packing themselves close to each other.
Last but not least is the cool story of the golden-crowned kinglet, a tiny bird that resides in Canada and various parts of the United States, Central America and Mexico. Weighing less than a fifth of an ounce, this bird species is able to survive cold weathers via several intriguing adaptations. Researchers have found that the kinglets subsist on hibernating inchworms that reside in their stomachs, keep warm via their plentiful feathers that insulate their small bodies, provide further insulation by puffing out thier bodies (similar to many other birds), and huddle together at night for even more warmth.
Read more at http://www.momtastic.com/webecoist/2009/10/16/natures-cold-weather-warriors-14-resilient-adaptive-animals/#iIKJZAFBJjZphPJe.99

Votes4 DateDec 25, 2017

[image for Planet Spotlight rat helping cat.jpg]
Domestic Animals

Rat Assist Feline Recovery

Betty Smythe
A café in Brooklyn has become an unexpected center of diplomacy for two of nature's most adversarial animals: cats and rats.
In partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition, the Brooklyn Cat Café in New York City typically houses about 20 cats that are up for adoption. Visitors can stop by for treats and to interact with the animals, some of which may end up finding new homes.
In one case, though, a kitten housed at the café was diagnosed with feline leukemia and had to be isolated from other cats to prevent the disease from spreading. Feline leukemia is one of the most common infectious diseases seen in cats. An estimated two to three percent of cats in the U.S. have the virus, which is contained in bodily fluids and is spread by close contact, like mating or bite wounds. After being diagnosed with the condition, cats live for only about two and a half years.
The situation prompted the café owners to seek out a different kind of companion animal for the black kitten, named Ebony. That's how they came to adopt a white rat from a nearby rescue center, which they named Ivory. Rats cannot contract the feline leukemia virus, making Ivory an ideal companion for the small kitten.
Ebony died after five months, but the café owners believe her life was "immeasurably enriched" by having a companion. After two years Ivory died (rat lifespans average around two years), and the café decided to continue bringing in companion rats from a nearby animal rescue center, starting with a pair named Remy and Emile.
According to the café's website, rats are unafraid of kittens because they're relatively similar in size. The kittens often chase and pounce on the rats' tails, which the café says is OK as long as the kittens are gentle.
Domestic cats evolved to be solitary hunters, and kittens learn hunting behaviors from their mothers. When separated early from their mothers or the rest of their litter, some kittens can show too much or too little aggression, according the Humane Society. And when they become adults, their potential relationship with rats gets more complicated.
Katie Lisnik is the director of cat protection at the Humane Society International. She notes that regardless of anecdotal stories about interspecies relationships, cats still act on instinct, and rats are their natural prey.
"Even though bonds are formed, rats can move in a certain way that triggers the cat's [hunting] response," she says.
Sarah Gibbens, the reporter, is an associate digital producer at National Geographic

Votes1 DateSep 3, 2017

[image for Planet Spotlight Horse rescue Harvey flooding.jpg]
Domestic Animals

Horses Saved in "Harvey" Flooding

Richard Margolis
Floodwaters in Houston, Texas, continue to rise as people scramble to higher ground. However, humans are not the only ones in danger of the flooding waters. Over 70 horses were saved in Northeast Harris County. One of the volunteers who helped save the horses was Mongol winner Justin Nelzen who rescued 15 horses from floodwaters in Houston, Texas. Justin didn’t travel by boat to save the horses; he bravely jumped in the water, and swam them to safety.
The owners of the Cypress Trails Equestrian Center did not believe that the water would rise so much in their area to be a threat, but they were wrong.
Darolyn Butler, the owner of Cypress Trails Equestrian Center in Humble, said, “They have an evacuation plan and they practice several times a year.” However, even with all their practicing, they waited until it was too late and the barn was already flooding.
She said that she watched the weather news until 2 a.m. and saw the cells were splitting, that the storm was about over. They went to bed and woke up an hour later to discover the stables were filling up with water.
“We woke up around 3 and it was already too high to get the trailers out.”
Over 100 deputies, constables, firefighters, and good Samaritans volunteered to help save the horses. Some used boats while others swam in the water as they tried to reach the frantic horses. Reports vary, but it’s estimated that 70 to 100 horses were involved. However, how many horses were actually saved and may still be missing remains unknown.
Videos showed horses treading as they tried to keep their heads above water. Some horses became tangled in fences as they were “seen trying to get over what appeared to be a flood-inundated fence in the area near Cypress Creek.”
Some horses were exhausted and needed help in holding their heads up when they came near the edge of the road. Rescuers jumped in the cold water to assist the horses as they led them to an area where they could finally stand on the ground.
Veterinarian Dr. Dori Hertel checked over the horses, amazed that after all they went through the horse calmly allowed themselves to be checked over. Dr. Dori Hertel said that so far, she had not seen any serious injuries.
Horses are like people and they tend to panic in certain situations. Sometimes they make bad decisions. However, they tend to follow each other and if the volunteers can get the more “levelheaded” horses going in the right direction, the others tend to follow.
Judge Ed Emmett posted an update on his Facebook page, “For those of you that may have seen the news reports of horses trapped in the water at Cypress Trails Equestrian Center, all but a few of the horses have been rescued or have been seen on higher ground. 3 or 4 are still loose but don’t appear to be in grave danger.”
Judge Ed Emmett also reported on his Facebook page, “We’ve heard that most of the 80 horses at Cypress Trails have been rescued. A few still loose but not grave danger. Will update when we hear.”
In another heartwarming story of a horse being saved from the raging waters is an almost blind horse. Devon Horn bravely rescued a frightened horse named Boomer. It was a struggle for a while as the frightened horse could not see well enough to know where to go or what to do, but somehow, Devon managed to lead Boomer back onto the higher ground. Devon said at one point they tried to get out at one location, but they were swept down the river about 300 feet. Sheriff’s deputies assisted Devon and Boomer to dryer ground.
Videos capturing the dramatic horse rescue flooded Facebook, and many of the comments were unkind to the owners of the stables. Many posts claimed that some of the horses were tied so they could not escape, and those were the ones that drowned. One wrote, “I have lived by this stables for 20 years. They move the horses EVERY TIME there is a flood.” While another wrote, “They didn’t move them because we were only expecting 8 inches of rain which wouldn’t flood the property but we got 16 inches last night that they didn’t expect.”
However, it’s not only the horses who need rescuing. The video below shows the wildlife that’s been displaced out of their homes because of the flood waters.
There is one story that stands out, and this is about a horse that was presumed dead. Mac Stanford posted, “There were many prayers being said aloud, and there was no doubt that God was present today in all of His glory. There are going to be some EXHAUSTED Guardian Angels in Heaven’s beds tonight!
Suddenly, at 2:02 p.m., without warning, this glorious beast burst through the surface of the water beneath the bridge and pulled himself up the concrete embankment with no help from any human. The crowd above was absolutely stunned into silence…then ERUPTED with cheering and applause. The horse was so exhausted that he could barely walk. He wandered towards the crowd, and gave a loud neigh when the woman that owns him and was boarding him there, broke through the crowd and grabbed his bridle. I got the whole thing on video!”
Read Mac Stanford’s entire account of the event here.
[Photo by David J. Phillip/AP Images]

Votes3 DateAug 29, 2017

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