Happy Holidays From Falcon and Dove-One Wish

Hello World Family,

Falcon and Dove wish you all the best of holiday seasons and a prosperous New Year! Be happy, healthy and generous of heart in 2009. Don't wait to share your love with friends and family. 2008 has demonstrated that things can change very quickly in the world, so don't hold your affections hostage to doubt, past wrongs, and misgivings; share and watch the magic happen! People can be transformed by the slightest gesture of kindness. If we all do our part, the world will benefit from our collective sharing.

Use your words to heal, not harm. We don't mean be nice in the face of atrocities; those should be handled with direct, forceful language. We should speak sternly and follow up with action that denotes our unwillingness to tolerate the intolerable. However, be careful of what you say, and know that your words may mean more than you think they do.

We mean don't use language that is petty or otherwise attempts to diminish the spirit of others. Speak the truth, and yes, there is one. There is an expression running around that has disturbed Falcon and Dove: Perception is reality. Well, no it isn't, it's perception.

What we perceive can be slight of hand; our senses can fool us. It is foolish to think that what we see as individuals or societies makes or truly perceives reality...it is simply what we can grasp at the time, but let's not kid ourselves into thinking that is 'real'.

Indeed, most of what we thank of as reality is truly illusionary. For example...the straight line. In reality, there are no straight lines in nature; everything has a bow to it. The strongest form in nature is an arch. Let's bridge-build with each other in ways that make us all stronger. Let's acknowledge that 'truth' is still elusive for us, and that what we perceive has some truth in it perhaps, but our perceptions are not reality; they are walking dreamtime...until we awaken to a greater truth, then the reality shifts.

Let's strive to live the highest, greatest ideals of our faiths: let's love each other and ourselves. Let's show an aptitude for gratitude. Let us be thankful for the blessings and for the trials, because we learn a great deal from both. Let's thrive... in the greatest sense of our spirit and our faith...and helps others to do so.

We hope that you have love and faith in your hearts...with an open hand to others, and not a closed fist. Embrace opportunities for growth and experience that will give you more to give to others. Don't allow anyone to limit your spirit. You have a lot to offer; let your sharing with others reveal how sacred you are.

That is our one wish for you this holiday season: that you see how truly beautiful you are.

Peace...good will to all,
Falcon and Dove

Fun this weekend!

Hello Everyone!
Falcon here. Are you wondering what you might do this weekend besides stress out on holiday shopping? Falcon and Dove have some suggestions:

PSO Holiday Concerts this weekend!
Check out the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and their Holiday Pops concerts. They start at just $20/ticket! It will be beautiful, fun, and you will walk away from the performance with some great songs in your head, ready for the upcoming holiday weeks.

Solstice Celebration at the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, 4pm

If you live near Pittsburgh or are visiting north of Pittsburgh near Dorseyville, PA, why not break up the holiday doldrums and come play some drums, sing, and celebrate the arrival of Winter on Saturday at 4pm at the Singing Winds Site of the American Indian Center, 200 Charles St. in Dorseyville. Special note: Coming to tho event will be easy' leaving a little challenging because of the Festival of Lights at Hartwood Acres, just a mile away. If you would like to attend the festival after the celebration, that would be great, and the traffic won't be a problem. If you would like to miss the traffic, turn LEFT when leaving the site, and make a right at Route 910. That will take you to Route 28 or the PA Turnpike and away from the line-up into Hartwood. By the way...it is FREE! The Rite-Aid Festival of Lights is $12 per car donation. Load up the car, come have some fun with your indigenous Brothers and Sisters, and see some pretty LED (going green this year) lights around the property on the three mile drive at Hartwood Acres. This will re-energize your focus on the Season of Light: Hanukah, Christmas, Yule, Kwaanza, and the New Year.

Christmas Carols
Okay, this is only for those who can sing...it is great to get together with friends and family and irritate your neighbors with your joyous song! A splendid time will be had by all, and take some pictures and put them on your FACEBOOK or MYSPACE page to show everyone your holiday spirit!

Make a Gingerbread House
So...maybe your aren't a baker. Here's a fun alternative. Use graham crackers and icing for house glue! Perhaps get a gingerbread house kit. They run about $7.99. You may be able to find a kit for less than that at a dollar store. Candy is much better on the house you won't eat than always in the children's stomach, so got for it! It will be fun...I know, you are thinking that the house won't stand. It will. Falcon will now reveal one of the secrets of the universe!
Guess what?! Your kids really don't care how much you spend on Christmas gifts; they just want to spend time with you. It the house stands, great. Making a mess with your child regardless of age (well, from around 3 and up) is priceless! If you can spare some time from work and holiday planning, your children or grandchildren will thank you for doing something zany with them.


Be a Secret Santa
Note: not a stalker, a Secret Santa. Give a present to a person who is shut-in, or a senior in a care home, or a child in a hospital (with the parents' permission, of course). You will feel better, and they will feel much better.

Pray
This is a great time to drop all the materialistic stuff and give yourself some prayerful downtime. That is what the season is all about, eh? Go to church at a session you normally may not attend, meditate, take a yoga class, or visit a friend's church for something new and fun. You may make some new friends, and get some new insights about your current situation. Falcon finds that when she needs enlightenment or guidance, it comes from everywhere, and visiting your church, temple, synagogue, or a place of worship is a great place to start.

Most importantly, whatever you do this weekend or holiday season, don't drink and drive. Ever. Falcon lost a great friend many years ago (okay, lover) in a car accident after he was killed by a drunk driver. Just take a cab...or call a friend...or ask another sober party-goer for a ride home. Get creative, but don't get behind the wheel. Please. Falcon and Dove love our World Family, and we want you around to email and call us for years to come. As Indiana, PA native Jimmy Stewart found out, it is a 'wonderful life', and we would miss you.

Have a great weekend, World Family. By the way, Seven Pounds, Tales of Desperaux, YES Man, and The Wrestler open this weekend, so enjoy those new offerings as well.

Next week, Falcon and Dove will talk Golden Globes (lots of our movie recommendations made the nominations, and we are very happy about that!), things to do that honor the holiday spirit, and the year in review (sort of).

Stay safe, and stay strong.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Gizmo is Missing!!! Can you help?

Hello PIttsburgh Family!
Falcon here. Jimmy Krenn, a familiar face and brother here at WDVE 102.5 FM has a missing family member...his Rat Terrier, GIZMO.

He ran off yesterday, (Tuesday) after being attacked by two other dogs and went into the woods in Banksville Park, Crane Ave... GIZMO did have his sweater on, but it has been cold, so let's find him quick!

He has a face like a small Doberman; black with brown markings and large, upright ears. His body is mostly white. He has an Animal Friends tag.

If you see Gizmo, or find him, please call Animal Friends at 412-847-7000. Thank you!!!

Peace dear Family,
Falcon and Dove

UPDATE: GIZMO IS FOUND!!!! Very late Wednesday evening! Jimmy says thank so much to everyone who got the word out and who help search for Gizmo.

Falcon: One holiday prayer comes true. Now, on to that World Peace one I wish for every year...

Middle-earth Cooking at Borders Books Dec.3

Hello Everyone,
Falcon here! Dove and I hope you have had a chance to listen to our holiday podcast, and want to remind food fans that Emerald Took will be doing a cooking demonstration and book signing at Borders East Side (East Liberty) in Pittsburgh Dec. 3 from 6:30-8:30pm. There will be Vegetarian food, as well as dairy-free hot chocolate (there really should be a law, as good as this is!) and bison for carnivores. Come out and find our about holiday ideas that are inexpensive and easy, sustainable farming, winter urban gardening, etc. as well as any pressing questions you hard core Lord of the Rings fans may have. There are only a limited number of cookbooks available at this book signing, so if you want a copy for a holiday event or birthday before Christmas, come early!

See you there!

ALSO: Falcon and Dove encourage our World Family to support your local non-profit organizations during this season of giving. There are more people than ever in need this year, so anything you can spare, please give.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove