The Falcon and the Dove

Check Out Scholarship Opportunities on Falcon's New Blog

2011-04-08T10:52:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family, Falcon here with the new blog connected to my book release: http://parentsstudentsdebtfree.blogspot.com Check out this blog for the latest in undergrad, graduate and doctoral scholarship, internship and stipend opportunities. I just posted three new opportunities NOW! Check them out. All this is in anticipation of my new book, DEBT FREE COLLEGE: GET IN, STAY IN, GRADUATE DEBT FREE There will be TONS of valuable information in the book for less than the price of coffee for a week. One book, save thousands....sound like a good deal? Why did I write this book? Because Dove and I learned a lot during the process of her education, especially about what families are NEVER TOLD about looking for scholarship opportunities, study and organizational skills, working with admissions offices, etc. We want you to know what we learned because it will save you money. Thank you for your loyal support of Falcon and Dove. Now, students, get over to the new blog and check out all the cool stuff! Keep an eye on it. Subscribe if you will. After all, it is FREE! Peace, Falcon and Dove

Acceptance week for college students:What to do right now!

2011-03-29T12:11:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family of students about to go to college! NOTE: There was a computer glitch when posting, so none of the paragraphs came out correctly. Sorry about the giant blob:) The information is too important to miss, so I went ahead and posted it anyway. I will correct the problem as soon as I can-thanks, Brothers and Sisters.! This is the week! Many high school students who have applied to college in the standard admission cycle are now about to receive their answer on acceptance to various universities in the U.S. Some important points: Evaluate your acceptance letters (and possibly the accompanying financial aid-merit aid information0 carefully. Sit down and review the literature carefully. Take all costs into account and remember to include meal plan and campus housing costs. If a merit aid scholarship provided by the school includes a scholarship for housing, this is a very good thing. If it doesn't, or you don't know if it does or doesn't, contact your admissions counselor and find out immediately. This is a very important issue. Be ready to pay that matriculation fee in the next 30 days or so. It could be hundreds of dollars, so make sure you set aside some cash to pay it. IT YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE FEE, CONTACT YOUR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR IMMEDIATELY! There may be money available to cover than expense for a student who intends to attend that given school. Ask, there is no problem with that. Everyone today understands money is tight for everyone. Ask for what you need, and don't be afraid to ask. If you also have a grants-in-aid award (sports award for DI, DII, and NAIA; DIII does NOT award sports grants-in-aid. Please see http://www.ncaa.org/ or http://www.naia.org/.) find out if this is a full, half or amount centered award. Make sure your GPA stays up along with your standardized test scores to ensure that you stay eligible your freshman year for participation. It is also important because many universities have an 'automatic merit money' system that entitles you to scholarships based on getting a certain score on your SAT or ACT along with maintaining your GPA. DO NOT SLACK NOW! Many top schools make your acceptance contingent on continuing to perform well through the end of the year. Don't slip now. ACCEPTED STUDENT VISITS If you can go and visit, Falcon recommends that you do so. Don't visit every school you are accepted to if you visited them for consideration when you applied, but absolutely visit your First Choice school again to ensure that they really are the best match. Every one should be very nice to you on these visits. If they aren't, consider your attendance there. After all, this may well be the best you and your family are ever treated there. If they aren't nice now, what will they become later? You need to know they appreciate your presence. After all, you are going to spend thousands of dollars there. You may spend more money in college that you do on your house. You need to feel that they appreciate your investment and future accolades for that university. If they don't...reconsider your choice. It's about you, not the name of the school or the so-called prestige. If they aren't doing their best for you....next. SEE THE RESIDENCE HOUSING-not just the model. Freshman students often can only stay in certain dormitory housing. See where you are actually going to live. EAT AT THE CAFETERIA-find out how good (or not) the food is now. That may determine what kind of meal plan you choose, if you have a choice. Find out if it carries over from semester to semester or if it expires. Unused meals mean lost money-make sure you know what the circumstances are. BEFORE YOU GO TO VISIT: Make an appointment to see the Career Services department and have a sit-down. Even if you don't know what you major will be, you need to know that this department is as sharp as the academic departments at your chosen school. Education is essential, but if the career services department of your university is weak, it will make it harder for you to get a job. Not good. Schedule a meet with financial aid, especially if you have gaps in your financing. See if they have a little more money for a department scholarship, alumni, etc. that can help you close the gap without loans. LOANS SHOULD BE USED AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE! You will carry that debt forever until you pay it off. Bankruptcy will NOT get rid of it. If a school seems less interested in giving you merit money for your excellent performance in high school and more interested in steering your parents towards a PLUS loan, run for the door! Make sure you tell them why you are running for the door. They may suddenly realize they may have additional areas to tap that reduces your loan liability. Many schools for years had agreement with lenders and did very little to help alleviate that initial funding gap. The rules have changed, the market has changed, and so that behavior must change. It is easier for them if you just get a loan. That is not easier for your life. Knock down that funding gap as much as possible as soon as possible. Don't sign ANYTHING involving loan funding you don't understand. Have it explained and if needed, take it home and have a family discussion or high school guidance counselor discussion before signing your life away. FALCON'S NEW BOOK: I will have a book out in April on this subject as well as trying to attend college debt-free. It can be done. THE PARENTS/STUDENT'S GUIDE TO DEBT FREE COLLEGE: GET IN, STAY IN, GRADUATE DEBT-FREE will hit the streets (and the kindle, iPad, and other electronic device) soon! It will be cheap-less than a week's worth of fancy coffee, so get it! The advice will save you $$$. Continue to do your scholarship applications on sites like fastweb.com Always ask the university if there is something else you can apply to to garner more scholarship money. One more thing... If you didn't get in to the school of your dreams, the dream is not over. You should have applied to several universities-First Choice, Good Match, and Safety. If you didn't, apply to a rolling admission school ASAP. The situation will be fluid so stay on top of things. One school doesn't make your destiny. You are the magic behind the effort. You can do well someplace else. DO NOT GET DOWN ON YOURSELF!!!!! Hear me?! This is Falcon Mommy speaking! You are awesome and have a lot to offer. Take your best game to the place you are meant to be. If it's not your First Choice, so what?! This is not an obstacle, this is a opportunity. Grab it. Peace, Falcon and Dove

Our Statement to Allegheny County Council

2011-03-09T23:15:00.004-05:00

Infrastructure Compromise

by Stephanie Simmons

Part of sensible terra-based risk assessment analysis includes the evaluation of the collective geology of a given region, and its existing assets or detriments to a given approach or technology.

In the case of unconventional horizontal acquisition of natural gas in the Marcellus black shale, there is no evidence that real world environmental hazards and their history as well as legacy were included in the assessment. Apparently, nor were migration problems, structural integrity, or transfer and transport incidents. At a 4.5% accident rate, this particular form of gas acquisition has exceeded the mere 1.4% accident rate of coal mining over its entire historic existence. This does not include the number of accidents that may have a gas migration and contamination component. No one wants to think of the implications of that.

Even in the vacuum that was black shale gas acquisition assessment by the industry, risk was labeled as high by those consultants paid to assess this approach: high risk to workers, and even to the shale itself. Supporting documents are included.

An already aging infrastructure in the commonwealth does not lend itself well to a geological approach that would without a doubt advance deterioration of said infrastructure by increasing instability of the sedimentary layer and strata, as well as filling substrate vacated by gas vapors with sand insufficient to support between 7,000 and 10,000 ft of low and high volatile bituminous coal, anthracite, various combinations of soil, limestone, quartz, the presence of Cd, Cs, Pb, Hg, Strontium, radon, methane, aquifers, underground streams, the Wisconsin Glacier and the proverbial partridge in a pear tree.

The process of acquisitioning the natural gas within the shale along a pre-Jurassic fault line releases salts that are highly corrosive and acid pH so low that macroinvertebrates and macrophytes cannot thrive in it. Soil pH is impacted as well, creating a highly undesirable environment for any infrastructure that touches air, soil, and water in this region.

To exacerbate this already critical element, water treatment plants have been changing their preferred method of treatment away from chlorine to other water purifiers that are more stable, but high acid themselves. This is due to the presence of bromides that come hand in hand with this development. Some forms of treatment already in use in Allegheny County will dissolve rubber, leech old sediment, heavy metals including lead, and other hazards out of aging pipes and directly into businesses and households. Remediation equipment is cost prohibitive per household in a county with the largest population of elders on fixed income in the nation, whose remaining population (thanks to legacy pollution) is living on average 10.34 years less than our comparable neighbors.

For infrastructure in our region, this is the Perfect Storm of stupid, as threats come from every angle originating from a single source-a pebble drop called black shale natural gas acquisition that has concentric circles of impact so profound that it will impact the infrastructure of every community. The endocrine disrupting chemicals used by the dozens in this industry also have an impact as they combine further with legacy challenges like AMD and now the 21st century xenobiotics.

This industry evaluated its turn of the 20th century technology that was abandoned long ago by those thinking it was too dangerous and resurrected it for profit based on short sightedness and flawed science whose shabbiness will lead us to a domino effect incidence-one that will put first responders, 80% of whom are volunteers in this commonwealth in harm's way without proper equipment, training, compensation, or reimbursement.

Water is our sacred currency. We cannot survive without it, and WE are the infrastructure than cannot be replaced.

OSCAR PREDICTIONS; CBS and Coyote Medicine

2011-02-25T16:31:00.016-05:00

Hello World Family,
Falcon here. We have two big entertainment issues to tackle today: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and the CBS network karma of irony. Let's start with the latter.

There is someone in the upper eschelons of the CBS network right now that is wondering if maybe the network can get a do-over for the season. First, they cancel shows that are actually popular with heavy viewership (think 'Ghost Whisperer" and the NBC transfer "Medium"), and then the principle actor for one of their biggest cash cows "Two and a Half Men" does a meglomaniac self-implosion and they have to cancel taping for the rest of the season for 'reasons'.

This is what ya call ironic. CBS took two shows that had nearly 8 million viewers each and cancelled them with episodes still in the hopper. Why? Good question. I have a feeling someone doesn't necessarily like either show's subject matter, but you know what? Nothing speaks louder than ratings. What was Wednesday night's number three cable show in prime time? Syfy's "Ghost Hunters". Yeah, the plumbers from Rotor Rooter with an established hunt gone to television. They rock. The viewers certainly think so...so must the advertisers. I love that ghost hunting Turbo Tax commercial...hysterical.

And there lies the problem: it's about the money. CBS stayed quite vested in a sit-com that has Charlie Sheen playing....well, er.., um...himself. He's the highest paid actor on television (that's acting?). He has now tanked: addiction he believes he has conquered single handedly, a marriage eroding and Charlie's mouth on speed-spill about what he REALLY thinks about his bosses. Yikes...maybe the women centered murder shows with ghosts and psychics WERE alright after all:) Let's be honest here: when did 8 million viewers per show become a fail? 'Lost" had that many when they decided to renew for another season at ABC. Is it because they were shows were the protagonist was a woman? Now, before you dismiss that, name the other CBS shows with women at the center of the narrative plot...take your time....oh yeah, "The Good Wife". That's more ensemble, really, but you gotta love the title.

If I were an executive at CBS, and I was looking to May sweeps, I MIGHT consider bringing those "Medium" episodes out of the vault (or get them shot on the lot this late winter) and put that back in its usual slot. After all, what have you got to lose? Right now, on Fridays at 8pm, I am watching the Travel Channel...

One lesson may be learned from this: maybe a narrative program with 8 million viewers won't get cancelled again for awhile.

That's what you call karma, CBS...ain't that a b----?!
Hey, well, it's all good! You still have NCIS! Love that show!

Now, on to the Oscars! What will win, how many, and who may get passed by?
First of all, if you are nominated, you are awesome! Second, great hosts-Anne and James-how cool! So who do Falcon and Dove think will win?

Best Picture: The King's Speech
Best Director: probably Tom Hooper, but the Coen Brothers may pull off an upset for "True Grit"
Best Actress: Annette Benning, "The Kids are Alright" very tough category.
Best Actor:very, very tough category, but it's his time: Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
Best Supporting Actress: impossible category; would love Helena, but Melissa or Amy got this.
Best Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush...Christian Bale or Mark Ruffalo would be cool, too.
Best Animated Feature: "Toy Story 3", but we would love to see a tie with "How to Train Your Dragon"
Best Foreign Language Film: "Biutiful"
Best Original Screenplay: The Fighter or The King's Speech
Best Adapted Screenplay: "127 Hours" or True Grit"
Best Documentary Feature: Well, now here's a tough one. We hope "Gasland" wins, but we know what a hard category this will be. "Waste Land" and "Exit Through the Gift Shop" may compete.
Best Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, "The King's Speech"
Best Visual Effects: Go old school-"HP: DH 7" or "Inception"
Best Cinematography: "Black Swan" or "The King's Speech"
Best Sound Mixing: "Inception" magnificent job
Best Sound Editing: wow...this is tough. Pittsburgh's shot, "Unstoppable" was extremely well done. "True Grit" was incredible, and "Inception" was a masterpiece.
Best Costume Design: "The Tempest"
Best Art Direction: Can't we just give it to all of them?:)
Best Make Up: "The Wolfman" old school wins again

We didn't do every category...some are just too close to call, and some we didn't see enough films in the category to make a real assessment.

We wish all the nominees well, and are so glad there was such a strong group of films, actors, and performances in both skilled and technical areas this year.

Enjoy!
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Charles Constantino Publishing Acquires Song Catalog

2011-02-15T09:09:00.003-05:00

Charles Constantino Publishing acquires song catalog of Core808 record label

By Core Media House L.L.C.

Dated: Jan 12, 2011

Charles Constantino Publishing becomes exclusive administrator of catalog of original songs released onCore808 labelCharles Constantino Publishing has become the exclusive publisher of the catalog of original songs released on Core808, the California-based record label and multimedia-production company.

The original songs released on the Core808 label include As Close as This, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Paul “LP” Yang, and Jason Zulueta; Childhood Games, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Travis Stine, and Paul “LP” Yang; and Easy, written by Brian Gallagher, Tony Anthony, Paul “LP” Yang, and Renee Hums. The original songs also include Know My Name, written by Jonathan Jury and Alex Taimanao, and Miss Us, written by Taisen Abreu, Tony Anthony, Duncan Osorio, Paul “LP” Yang, and Jason Zulueta.

The recordings by Pure N8ive of As Close as This, Childhood Games, and Miss Us are available on the Internet at iTunes.com. Easy, performed by artist Core808, is available at Amazon.com. Know My Name, performed by Pure N8ive featuring J. Jury, Alex Taimanao, and Travis Stine, is available at iTunes.com. In addition, Pure N8ive has a merchandising deal with Lost Kingdom Klothing. Charles Constantino Publishing—a member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers—is also the exclusive publisher of the songs, Free Your Mind (Tara Na) and Today or Tomorrow. Charles Constantino, Chad Gontkovic, and William Rose wrote Free Your Mind (Tara Na), performed by Somerhill and available at Amazon.com. William Rose and Charles Constantino wrote Today or Tomorrow, also performed by Somerhill and available at Amazon.com.

The Recording Academy selected Free Your Mind (Tara Na) and Today or Tomorrow for inclusion on the 52nd Grammy Entry List in the categories of Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song. “The Core808 record label approached me with the idea that Charles Constantino Publishing administer he original songs released on the label,” says Charles Constantino of Charles Constantino Publishing. “I welcome the Core808 label to Charles Constantino Publishing.”

Visit Core808, the record label and multimedia-production company, at

http:// www.facebook.com/Core808?v=wall

Visit Charles Constantino Publishing at http://www.charlesconstantino.com/

Listen to clips of Pure N8ive at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pure-n8ive/id412034920

Listen to a clip of Easy at http://www.amazon.com/Easy/dp/B002CDCW8G /ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294780602&sr=301-1

Listen to a low-fidelity clip of Free Your Mind (Tara Na) at

http://www.amazon.com/Free-Your-Mind-Tara-Na/dp/B001NS9D7E/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294781376&sr=301-1

Listen to a low-fidelity clip of Today or Tomorrow at http://www.amazon.com/Today-Or-Tomorrow/dp/B001OKJOJI/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=12947813

Tags charles constantino publishing, core808, pure n8ive, somerhill

The Region of Champions

2011-02-06T00:00:00.004-05:00

Hello Black and Gold Family,
Wherever in the world you are, this is a time of reflection for us all. I know, there's a Super Bowl to be played, and another championship to be won. Stairway to Seven. I suggest that the championship has already been won. How? We have a team that exemplifies all that we are in this region and beyond: Champions.

This region is the place where sacred rivers meet to form a third that feeds the soul waters of a hemisphere. This is the place where an entire revolution was forged and wars were won. I congratulate the Pittsburgh Steelers for their talent, versatility, humility, faith, and determination. I also congratulate Steelers Nation, no matter where you are on the earth. This team is you, my brothers and sisters. They are you.

Do we make mistakes? Yes, and we take responsibility for them, too. We don't always get a fair shake, but we don't let that stop us. We are like a phoenix, rising out if its own ashes to rebuild, reinvent, rediscover ourselves...so is our team. Our teams are a reflection of us.

We expect greatness, we get it because we expect it. We fight, kick, and scratch for every bit for as long as we have...so does our team. Those men reflect what we inspire, and in turn, they inspire us. It is a symbiotic relationship. The Steelers have a foundation of the Rooney family, a coaching staff of tireless warriors, and a team of steel giants. I have news for you: so are you.

You, Steelers Nation have sacrificed and fought and built and thrived in some of the worst conditions imaginable to build a global world that understands the meaning of sacrifice and solidarity. We built ships, barges, unions, and green initiatives. We helped win wars, and even stopped a few along the way. We fight to honor our elders and our children because we know every person makes a contribution. Black and gold is not just our team colors, it is a symbol of who we are.

Our hands are blackened with work and sweat, but we don't complain. We sacrifice and struggle, but we get up and keep fighting. We have mined coal, dug ditches, climbed poles, changed diapers, stocked gunpowder and raised our fists high. We may have been afraid, but we never ran. We have died for what we believe. We have stood proud when victorious. We have prayed for winners and strugglers. We let go of regrets.

Our hearts are pure gold. Yellow means illumination and enlightenment, hope and constancy. We are black and gold. We are introspective, hard-working, and hearts of pure delight. We are the embodiment of passion.

This is who WE are. This is who the Steelers are. We are all one family. We always have been.
Where we are, goes the walk of champions. We are strong, and our teams reflect that, from little league and high school to college and professional sports.

They are us, Champions. They are we. Celebrate today. Celebrate every day. We are living the dream.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED!

2011-01-25T11:43:00.032-05:00

Hey World Family,
Falcon here with the assessment of the Oscar nominations announced this morning in Hollywood. No surprises with the Best Picture nominations, but some surprise snubs.

THE KING'S SPEECH, a film I absolutely loved gets the most at 12 nominations, with TRUE GRIT in at 10, no shock there. TOY STORY 3 becomes only the third animated film in history to be nominated for Best Picture, but we also have an expanded category to 10, so that also helps.
BLACK SWAN, FIGHTER, THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, WINTER'S BONE, INCEPTION, 127 HOURS, THE SOCIAL NETWORK, all expected, and in the running...but with 10 films the category for Best Director remained at 5, so someone would be left out.

Christopher Nolan did not get a Best Director nomination for INCEPTION. Who did?
Aronofsky for BLACK SWAN
Russell for THE FIGHTER
The Coen Brothers for TRUE GRIT
Tom Hooper for THE KING'S SPEECH
David Fincher for THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Here's where the real surprises begin:
BEST ACTOR
Javier Bardem (Buitiful)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)...WHAT?????????????
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
James Franco (127 Hours)

I bet Jesse is just as shocked as we are! Personally, I am torn between his performance in ZOMBIELAND and ADVENTURELAND (filmed at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh-West Mifflin, PA) as some of his best;) Yes, my tongue is firmly in my cheek, but this is so cool! Good for him!

Early predictions in this category are tough, and Dove and I will do our usual Oscar prediction blog right before the big event, but I am going with Jeff Bridges because we all love him so much. If I were going on performance alone, I would give it to Colin Firth. He outdid himself in this role.

BEST ACTRESS

Annette Bening (The Kid's are Alright)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

All as expected, and this is a very difficult category. I love Jennifer Lawrence, but no one can ignore Natalie Portman's chilling portrayal. Annette Bening was delightful and convincing, so this will be a category to watch.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christian Bale (The Fighter)
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)....WHAT???? Seriously? They love you, Jeremy!
Mark Ruffalo (The Kid's are Alright)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)

So...basically some of my favorite actors are up against each other in this category. I am so glad Mark Ruffalo got a nom here...and Geoffrey Rush and Christian Bale are two of my favorite actors as well. John Hawkes made a believer out of me with his performance...
This category is a complete toss up...

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Melissa Leo and Amy Adams are up against each other (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

This is a fierce category. Jacki Weaver totally rocks, and I hope American audiences will see more of her. ANIMAL KINGDOM is one of those films you only really need to see once...that strong. You should see it, however. Hailee had HUGE shoes to fill, and she did it. Melissa and Amy have delivered two very different, but authentic performances...this will be tough. Helena-I don't care what role you are playing, you put a thousand percent in every portrayal, although my favorite is the completely barking mad Belatrix Le Strange:)

This category is too close to call.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

How to Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3

I know, TS3 has this wrapped up, but I really, really loved HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

BEST SCREENPLAY (Original)

Another Year
The Fighter
Inception
The King's Speech
The Kids are Alright

BEST SCREENPLAY (ADAPTED)
127 Hours
Toy Story 3
The Social Network
Winter's Bone
True Grit

I am sure Dove and I will discuss this at length. Very tough category.

BEST IN ART DIRECTION

Alice in Wonderland
The King's Speech
Inception
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1)
True Grit

This is an impossibly difficult category, witnessed by the fact that we have 5, where in the past some of these technical categories are reduced to three nominations (I don't like that). Every single one of these films is beautifully shot...in very, very different ways. Personally, I would like to give an Oscar to every single one.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Inception
True Grit
The King's Speech
The Social Network
Black Swan

This one kinda has Falcon's feathers up...because of her personal BFA in Cinematography. Inception should definitely be here...as should Black Swan and The King's Speech. True Grit is a great film....in this category, I would have put something else in it's place. The Social Network...are you kidding me??? Come on?! Seriously?! Were there not other films during this year whose cinematography was not superior to this film? I can think of a few...more on that later.

COSTUME DESIGN

The Tempest (LOVE this film)
The King's Speech
I am Love
Alice in Wonderland
True Grit

Very difficult category.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Gasland
Restrepro
Waste Land
Inside Job

Being from PA, obviously HUGE props to Josh Fox for this nomination for GASLAND. We are fighting for our lives here literally in PA and 22 other states with black shale gas acquisition and production. Water is sacred and the industry apparently doesn't mind poisoning us for profit...again. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP is mighty strong, so this category rocks, as usual.

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT

The Confession
The Crush
Na Wewe
God of Love
Wish 143

This is the best category of the best films of this year, in Falcon's humble opinion. NA WEWE takes place in Burundi in the early 1990s around genocide time. 'Nuff said. THE CRUSH proves 15 minute short films can change your life as you watch an 8 year old fight over his emotions...and his teacher. WISH 143 is directed by Ian Barnes and shows a lot of depth in a compressed space. All of these films are Oscar worthy.

SOUND EDITING
Inception
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Unstoppable
TRON: Legacy

This is an extremely difficult category to make the final cut. High praise for UNSTOPPABLE, (shot in and around Pittsburgh) because it definitely deserves to be on this list. INCEPTION was magnificent, nearly flawless. TRON: Legacy was extremely well edited (even with that 1980 electronica soundtrack running nearly throughout, but that honors the original, so I can't complain too much), and TRUE GRIT has its work cut out for it. TOY STORY 3...look, guys, animation is done differently than live action where sound is concerned...I just don't think these are in the same group together. Seriously, HP:7.1 (Deathly Hallows) should be here instead. It just isn't the same thing. Maybe there should be a separate category for animation and sound...this just isn't it.

SOUND MIXING

Inception
True Grit
Salt
The King's Speech
The Social Network

All of these films had excellent efforts in this category. I wish this one could go to 10, too! :)

VISUAL EFFECTS

Alice in Wonderland
Inception
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part one)
Hereafter
Iron Man Two

Okay, here is a real heavyweight category. ALICE is great in so many ways; we all know Tim Burton is one of the greatest creative geniuses of our time on film, and he just thrived with his team in this area. Inception is visually challenging and had some of the most challenging on location shoots of the year. Everything was seamless and a lot of this was OLD SKOOL-extremely high praise for this. HEREAFTER was beautifully rendered, especially recreating a tsunami; Iron Man II-fierce! HP: 7.1 has some of the strongest houses on the planet working on visual effects, and it was extremely impressive. Tough, honestly deserving films.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Biutiful (Aljandro Gonzalaz Inarritu) Mexico
Dogtooth (Giorgos Lanthimos) Greece
In a Better World (Susanne Bier) Denmark
Incendies ( Denis Villeneuve) Canada
Outside the Law (Rachid Bouchareb) Algeria

Those of you who frequent the blog know Falcon loves BIUTIFUL and I think this may be the winner...but, wait! How about the 2009 release DOGTOOTH which took forever to get here, but is worth the wait! I am so stoked that OUTSIDE THE LAW made the noms-A magnificent film by a director previously nominated for an Oscar, Rachid Bouchareb about Algiers fight for independence from France through the eyes of three brothers. Then, there is the Canadian film INCENDIES which takes place more in the Middle-east than Canada. Although in French, the film has a global, yet personal message for us all-family, trust, truth, and fight. This is a very strong category.

For a list of all the nominations, visit some of our favorites like:
http://www.imdb.com/

SEE THESE FILMS! See as many as you can. It is very important for small, independent films to be seen. If you haven't seen BLACK SWAN, do Aronofsky a favor and see it; his team had a hard time getting this out in major distribution in a timely manner. It is worth the price...go.

There will be more from us as the time for the awards draws near.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

SUPER BOWL TRAVEL: Need a place? Check These Out!

2011-01-24T13:54:00.004-05:00

Hello Steelers Family,

Falcon here with some breaking news for those who are traveling to the Super Bowl near Dallas, TX and need a place to stay. Falcon has some special hideaways for you!:)

Here are some great spots in Arlington, TX to stay where you can practically walk to the Super Bowl!!! They aren't cheap, but that's not new news. Are they beautiful? You bet!

http://www.homeaway.com/

This is one of Falcon and Dove's favorite sites to acquire overnight stay in some beautiful places at great prices. Go to the site and put in the numbers below and call FAST to get these extraordinary offers before they are gone!

HOME ON A LAKE

#348047

5 Bedrooms/3 baths, sleeps 11

Great property near a lake, golf course, restaurants, and of course...the stadium!

Grab this one!

$2,500/night

WALK TO THE SUPER BOWL

#327682

3 Bedrooms/1 and 1/2 baths, sleeps 8

PET FRIENDLY!!!!!

Yes, you can avoid parking fees and walk from this property to the big game! Beautiful kitchen, lovely bedrooms, and only 12 miles from the airport. This is a STEAL! GET THIS PROPERTY NOW!!!

$2,989 for the entire weekend!

That's $373.64 per person for the entire weekend!!!

REMODELED TOWNHOUSE

#360468

3 Bedrooms/ 2 full baths and one half bath, sleeps 6

Ultra sleek and lean, very nice upscale property in the heart of it all. For discriminating tastes.

Price for 4 nights Super Bowl Weekend:$10,000 with a 10G deposit.

This property is not privately owned, but under management. To contact the manager:

Brad Kennedy, between 9am-5pm CST 817-784-8351

Wanna see more?! Go to http://www.homeaway.com/

Have fun, Steelers fans!!!

Stay Warm-Tips for Bundling Up

2011-01-22T09:48:00.005-05:00

Hello World Family,
Falcon here with some tips to help you stay safe and warm this weekend in these frigid temperatures. Many of you work outside in this brutal weather, and you probably know how to keep yourself warm. Lots of you in the US may be outdoors for the AFC Championship in Pittsburgh, or the NFC Championship in Chicago. Let me tell you, it is going to be very cold with some significant winds at times, so here's some tips to keep your fingers and toes attached:)

One: dress in layers. Now, I know you all dress in layers, but here's the thing: in this case, natural fabrics may be your enemy. Cotton and fleece hold on to moisture, and that means when you sweat, you stay wet. That will make you feel colder. Get out the wool, or the wicking insulated long johns to stay warm (you pick your brand), and you will be much more comfortable.

Two: take a piece of carpet or cardboard around 18-24 inches square with you to your outdoor tailgate or to the game to stand on. That will keep your feet warmer...really.

Three: wear gloves, not mittens to keep fingers warmer and safer. I know it is harder to hold your...apple cider;) when you have on mittens, but think of the years of pleasure those fingers will give you when you protect them.

Four: Cover your head with multiple layers, too. Cover ears with one layer, then a close fitting hat, and then your black and gold Steelers hat for the game...er..um..whatever additional adornment you may need to wear during this frigid weekend:D

Five: Wear a thick, insulating coat over your multiple layers of warmth. Down feather coats are good, long wool coats, or down alternative. A scarf is mandatory.

Six: put hand warmers in your gloves and boots. I have even put one up around the back of my neck between the coat and scarf. This provides warmth on a significant pressure point that will help to warm your entire body. When you put on the hand warmers, make sure that a part of them touches the inside of your wrists (as long as it is comfortable). Again, touching pressure points that keep you cool in summer, but warm in winter.

This is a tip that most of you won't want to hear but...don't drink alcohol. I know, a waste of time, but seriously, it really isn't good in weather like this. Beer is better than hard liquor. If you're going to have a nip, scotch is better than just about anything else. (Note: This is Falcon's personal opinion, and should not be associated with any health tip whatsoever.)

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. Please, people...have a designated driver, get a taxi, call a friend...just don't get behind the wheel and drive if you have been drinking. Seriously.

Enjoy your activities safely and securely. Keep you limbs happy and GO STEELERS! I mean, have fun this weekend...yeah, that's it...

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

BREAKING NEWS: Judge Holds Up Treaty in Cherokee/Freemen Case; Appeal Expected

2011-01-14T18:35:00.003-05:00

Hello World Family,

Busy day. Yeah to Judge Cripps-boo to my tribe still trying to expel people on the basis of blood. I say, let's get out the swabs and do EVERYBODY'S cheek...

I wonder how many of them FBIs (Full Blooded Indians) would there be then, eh?

I am willing to bet that there are more Cherokee with more blood than we know...and those who think they have no Native blood, probably do...among other things.

From our nation's news:

www.cherokee.org/NewsRoom/FullStory/3464/Page/Default.aspx

Praying for acceptance and peace,

Falcon and Dove

No, There are NOT 13 Signs in the Zodiac; Here's Why...

2011-01-14T17:22:00.004-05:00

Hello, World Family!
This is why astrologers and modern astronomers don't talk so much...because sometimes they just don't know enough about certain things to comment on them, and yet, someone did...

Just to historically clarify, the Sumerians made the first mathematical associations to astrology, not Babylonians. The xenophobia continues...

Two, Astrology is NOT constellation associated, although I know it seems that it is. It is all about the math.

Three, the reason the Babs got so upset with the whole snake thing had more to do with matrifocal issues and the rise of male arrogance than with the sign itself.

Four, we have 13 moons a year, always have; we only have 12 signs because the seasons are three FULL moons each, and fall in the Cardinal aspects.

This is why I follow the ancient calendars of my ancestors (the Mayan and the Sumerian Saturn Return charts) rather than more modern measurements. The Pleadian and Southern Hemispheres charts of India are also MUCH more accurate.

Since the most recent medical studies in Seasonal Effect Disorders have affirmed the basic premises of astrological associations of predispositional biological and personality imprints, much of this seems moot, but since I happen to know a very good astrologer, and he just emailed me some information, I am sharing with you, with his permission, what this is all about, in his humble opinion.
I personally am done with all the amateur hour.
I know one thing...I am NOT a Libra;) Anyone who knows me knows I am not a Libra...

Here is what an authority says:
http://www.starself.com/the13thsign.txt

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

A New Year, A New Natural Frito Lay

2011-01-11T10:16:00.009-05:00

Hello World Family,
Falcon here with some good news (I figured at this point, I don't need to go over the bad; you already know).
The Lay's line of products has not only devised a quieter green product bag for 2011, they are going all natural...well, everybody but two-I'll explain.

The entire line of products: Sun Chips, Frito's, Potato Chips (Baked, too), etc. will be completely natural in 2011...that's right, the msg will be gone! This is huge news for those who either can't snack or wouldn't because of certain ingredients. Here are the exceptions:
Cheeto's
Dorito's Nacho Cheese Flavor

Now, before you panic-here's the thing-it's some of the cheese components may contain artificial ingredients, but that's it.

Hey, BIG props to them for making an effort to rid an entire product line of all that is unnatural.

No preservatives, all natural oil, no trans fat, and in bags that biodegrade-that is HUGE!

The company is focusing on a 'zero landfill' goal. they have reduced waste by 90% at some plants and have one that in 2011 will be completely run on renewable energy-the good stuff, not the fossil fuel crack. They are reducing their water usage and recycling water. That is something you know Falcon greatly admires since water is our sacred currency for the planet, anyone making a sincere effort to reduce that use stands tall to me.

They are using organic fertilizers, maintaining as much natural habitat at growing sites as possible, use oven heat recovery systems, and remember Family: they were one of the first companies in North American to start recycling their shipping containers...in 1939!!!!

Do you know about TerraCycle? Frito Lay is asking large institutions to recycle their snack bags to TerraCycle. They will even pay for the shipping and donate 2 cents per bag to a school or non profit institution! For more information, please go to:
www.fritolay.com

We rarely compliment companies here on the blog, but we give Frito Lay and their parent company, Pepsico big props for their bag design and Pepsi's THROWBACK line made with all natural sugar and no HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). Recent research has shown just how horrible the additive HFCS is to the human body, and you have heard our call to have it removed from everything. We cheer Frito Lay and Pepsico for their efforts to reduce energy use, switch to renewables like solar, reduce landfill waste, and recycle water while reducing use...and making:

GREAT TASTING CHIPS!!!!!!

Keep up the good work...and make Throwback ALL YEAR! Please?! Pretty Please?!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

2010: Top Picks and Best Wishes

2010-12-30T19:51:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family,
Falcon here with the annual year-end report. What did Falcon and Dove love and...well, not love? Here's the list. Let's start with the bad news:

We don't like FRACKING! We think poisoning the environment for a couple burbs of natural gas and calling it an energy strategy is an outright lie. Attempting to make it legal (notice the word attempt) is vile and disgusting. People, rise up and ban this schtuff before you can't drink your water. If you don't have water, you don't have life. By the way, nice job City of Pittsburgh for standing up to the greedy bullies...cause that's what they are. Get off the crack of fossil fuels and start investing in things that work, without creating a catastrophe. Energy is all around, harness it safely without putting workers, emergency responders and communities at such high risk. Don't make excuses. Unconventional horizontal acquisition of black shale is MORDER IN DISGUISE. It kills, and its technique will ruin whole states. Stop it.

Two, don't drink and drive. It's stupid. We want you around for 2011.

Three: Extended Stay America, Savannah, GA Midtown: get a new staff. A new manager who actually has the capability to lead would be nice. Just because most of your contracts are with traveling workers and the military is no reason not to respect the people staying in your hotel. They deserve better. Give it to them.

Four: Bullies-you suck. You always have. Stop using other people as the scapegoats for your problems. Grow up. Victims of bullying: stop giving your power away. Tell someone of authority to act and stop the abuse. If they won't listen, call the media-they are aways looking for a good story. Those on the sidelines watching the spectacle: get a moral compass and speak up.

Five: MTV- you and your producers are barking mad to put a young mother clearly distressed and beating up the father of her child on television as entertainment. You should have gotten her some help and gotten the family counseling. Very, very poor decision making. You videotaped a crime committed in front of a toddler. What were you thinking?!

Ah....yes, now-on to the goodies:
One: City of Pittsburgh-you passed a comprehensive ordinance banning fracking in the city-next the state of PA. Let's do it!

Two: All the lives saved this year by first responders! You guys and gals completely rock!!! you put yourselves out there every day. I would also like to include the K-9 units and all dogs and pets who saved lives this year. You are all made of AWESOME!

Three: Movies: The best, and we predict, award contenders/winners: THE KING'S SPEECH (Falcon's favorite movie for 2010), CARLOS (yes, it is 6 hours long, but it is worth it.)
BLACK SWAN-mighty good; BIUTIFUL-simply beautiful; THE FIGHTER-very well shot and excellently acted; THE TEMPEST-Helen Mirren doing it right-Shakespeare lovers unite!!! Julie Taymor, you are a visionary. What a cast! Must see! THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT (not The Who film) and 127 HOURS better see some Oscar buzz.

Four: Good deeds. We have seen so many this year! The latest on my mind is the number of people who stepped forward to help a little girl whose pony was shot. Her family barn also blew down in a recent storm. There was a battle from complete strangers to get her a new pony, and now there is a plan on to help build the family a barn from donated goods and volunteer sweat. We are so proud of the millions of humans who do acts of kindness everyday.

Five: The arts. There have been so many great concerts, musicals, a capella performances, dancing, painting...fantastic pieces of work!

We are grateful to have seen so many wonderful efforts this year...and blessed for surviving the trails. We are most grateful to have you:)

Happy New Year, ALL!!!
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Principal of Astrology Proven Scientific

2010-12-12T17:01:00.006-05:00

Mike Adams - (NaturalNews.com) Mention the word "astrology" and skeptics go into an epileptic fit. The idea that someone's personality could be imprinted at birth according to the position of the sun, moon and planets has long been derided as "quackery" by the so-called "scientific" community which resists any notion based on holistic connections between individuals and the cosmos.

According to the conventional view, your genes and your parenting determine your personality, and the position of planet Earth at the time of your birth has nothing to do with it.

Then again, conventional scientists don't believe the position of the moon has anything to do with life on Earth, either. They dismiss the wisdom that farmers have known for ages -- that planting seeds or transplanting living plants in harmony with the moon cycles results in higher crop yields. Even the seeds inside humans are strongly influenced by the moon, as menstruation cycles and moon cycles are closely synchronized (28 days, roughly).

Researchers demonstrate scientific principle of astrology

Skeptics must be further bewildered by the new research published in Nature Neuroscience and conducted at Vanderbilt University which unintentionally provides scientific support for the fundamental principle of astrology -- namely, that the position of the planets at your time of birth influences your personality.

In this study, not only did the birth month impact personality; it also resulted in measurable functional changes in the brain.

This study, conducted on mice, showed that mice born in the winter showed a "consistent slowing" of their daytime activity. They were also more susceptible to symptoms that we might call "Seasonal Affective Disorder."

The study was carried out by Professor of Biological Sciences Douglas McMahon, graduate student Chris Ciarleglio, post-doctoral fellow Karen Gamble and two additional undergraduate students, none of whom believe in astrology, apparently. They do, of course, believe in science, which is why all their study findings have been draped in the language of science even though the findings are essentially supporting principles of astrology.

"What is particularly striking about our results is the fact that the imprinting affects both the animal's behavior and the cycling of the neurons in the master biological clock in their brains," said Ciarleglio. This is one of the core principles of astrology: That the position of the planets at the time of your birth (which might be called the "season" of your birth) can actually result in changes in your brain physiology which impact lifelong behavior.

Once again, such an idea sounds preposterous to the scientifically trained, unless of course they discover it for themselves, at which point it's all suddenly very "scientific." Instead of calling it "astrology," they're now referring to it as "seasonal biology."

How to discredit real science

It all reminds me of the discovery of cold fusion in 1989 by Fleishmann and Pons, who were widely ridiculed by the arrogant hot fusion researchers who tried to destroy the credibility (and careers) of cold fusion researchers (http://www.naturalnews.com/025925_cold_fusion_Amazon_research.html). After the very idea of "cold fusion" was attacked and demolished by these arrogant scientists, it soon returned under a new name: Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR).

LENR has now been verified as true by none other than the U.S. Navy -- along with hundreds of other researchers around the world (see link above). And yet, even today, the conventional scientific community still insists cold fusion doesn't exist and cold fusion researchers are frauds.

Just as there is a solid scientific basis for LENR, there is a scientific basis for astrology, too. The relationship between the Earth, Moon and Sun naturally alter light exposure, temperature, gravitational pull and other conditions that may be sensed by living organisms. To believe in astrology, all that's really required is to grasp the basic concepts of the interrelationships between all living things. Does the position of the sun or moon influence life on Earth? Of course it does: Life as we know it wouldn't even exist without the moon tugging on Earth and preventing its rotational axis from shifting around to the point where radical changes in seasonal temperatures would make life far more challenging. (The moon, in other words, is one of the key "stabilizers" of life on planet Earth because it tends to stabilize the seasons and keep the Earth on a steady rotational plane.)

None of this, of course, means that the position of Saturn today is going to make you win the lottery or find a new love. That's the tabloid version of astrology, not real astrology.

Don't confuse tabloid astrology with real astrology

Even astronomy has its tabloid versions, too, which are entirely non-scientific. For example, every model of our solar system that I've ever seen is a wildly inaccurate tabloid version of reality, with planet sizes ridiculously exaggerated and planet distances not depicted to scale. These silly, non-scientific solar system models imprint a kind of solar system mythology into the minds of schoolchildren and even school teachers. Virtually no one outside the communities of astrophysics and astronomy has any real grasp of the enormity of not merely our solar system, but of our galaxy and the space between neighboring galaxies.

To show a giant sun the size of a basketball, with a depiction of the Earth as a marble-sized planet three inches away is the astronomical equivalent of a gimmicky horoscope claiming you're going to win the lottery today because you were born under the sign of Pisces. Both are fictions. And both are an insult to real science.

In fact, even the whole idea that an "electron" is a piece of physical matter, made up of other "particles" is an insult to real science. The sobering truth of the matter is that "particle physics" doesn't have much to do with actual particles at all. It's all about energies that might, on occasion, vibrate in just the right way so that they momentarily appear to take on the illusion of a particle as measured by our observers -- observers who inevitably alter the outcome of the entire experiment, by the way, once again proving the interrelated nature of things in our universe, including observer and experiment.

The horoscope predictions in the Sunday paper -- as well as much of the hilarious mythology found in the modern description of an atom -- are both simplified, comic-book versions of a larger truth -- the truth that we live in a holistic universe where every bit of physical matter, every bit of energy and every conscious mind impacts the rest of the universe in subtle ways. There is no such thing as an individual who is isolated from the cosmos, because we are of the cosmos and we exist as the physical manifestations of energies that, for our lifetimes, are momentarily organized as beings.

We are made of star stuff, says Carl Sagan. He he's right: We are not only made of star stuff, we are influenced by that stuff, too. And finally, modern science is beginning to catch up to this greater truth that astrologers have known since the dawn of human existence on our tiny planet.

Learn more: http://www.NaturalNews.com/030698_astrology_scientific_basis.html

PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL BANS GAS DRILLING!!! South Fayette does, too!

2010-11-16T15:51:00.005-05:00

Hello World Family,
Today, the City of Pittsburgh, lead by an ordinance drafted by Councilman Doug Shields, took the unprecedented step to ban unconventional horizontal gas drilling in the city limits of Pittsburgh, PA, becoming the first city to do so.

Citing obvious concerns about the environment, safety, and public welfare, President of Council Darlene Harris was quoted as saying that the jobs that would be brought to the region wouldn't be high paying jobs in the gas drilling industry, but " funeral homes and hospitals. Is it worth it?" she said.

Falcon and Dove would like to applaud the 9-0 decision by council, recognising the risks far outweigh the benefits. Bromides recently detected in the water from the Monongahela River that cannot be removed by current water treatment plants in the region demonstrate that concerns for public welfare are legitimate. Bromides cannot be processed with chlorine, a much more dangerous water treatment with chloramine must be used that is a huge health hazard for people with certain health predispositions. Only through a complete and total moratorium can this industry be studied in full and sensible, lucid, science with full risk analysis, including remediation can be put into place. It may well be that the risk far outweighs the benefit that only seems to help large land owners (who will eventually be the ones held liable if there are problems from gas drilling on their property), foreign investment in companies and the bottom line on the quarterly report for shareholders. The process is fraught with problems, high risk, accidents, and a lack of liability and tax compensation to the communities who need it most.

What's wrong with fracking? Well, it uses millions of gallons of fresh water, without any compensation to communities and cities. That water is NEVER replaced. The water that is recaptured from the fracking process, (about 20%) is contaminated with salts, chemicals, radioactive shale and metals, and possibly, migrating methane and gas. Well casings made with concrete can fail if not allowed to sufficiently cure. Replacing the spaces in the cracked shale with sand is insufficient to hold substrate and formations in place. We have to remember that this formation was made because it was highly pressurized on a fault line. With the legacy of old abandoned mines, current mines and land subsidence, it is foolish at best to think that this process would protect the environment and communities.

Then there is the surface risk. Water is rarely treated by the industry and is dumped in all sorts of places: rivers and streams, lakes, occasionally into abandoned mines (this has been documented) and in the winter, on roads in townships that have a general permit to dump frackwater as liquid salt! Imagine where that goes : groundwater, topsoil, runoff into sewers, yards, and underneath your automobile. This fluid is very acid and corrosive. That will compromise your vehicle, your infrastructure in your town; businesses who recycle water that work with road equipment like care washes, etc. Who issues those permits? DEP. How much frackwater is allowed on area roadways and where? Who knows? I have asked several DEP officials on many occasions, they cannot tell me how many permits and to whom they have issued. There seems to be no limit on when and where this frackwater can be used. Ah...this is bad.

Accidents: there have been way too many already. The industry has a 95% safety rating, which sounds good until you realize that one in every 150 or so wells could have big problems.

Leaks, blow outs, capture pond failure or overrun, migration of fluids and gases, etc. Our first responders in PA are mostly volunteers (80%). They are our first line of defense to protect us in the unfortunate instance of a disaster. They are not properly trained, equipped, or suited to respond to many of these well problems. Jobs that pay well are going to those from other states. The gas company will pay you $15 and hour to drive and truck and poison the air with diesel and haul frack fluids that are highly dangerous. Where's your gear? Guess what? You don't get enough. You should be in a HAZMAT suit. It you have a leak, that is exactly who will come to your rescue, guys in the suit. Let's not forget trains hauling iso-butane (we just had a leak in September in a railyard). Extremely dangerous. At this point, the gas industry is not liable: not for the spills, the hazards, the leaks, the damage to the roads, or if your water well blows up, or if gas runs into your sewer lines and blows a manhole cover off, or causes a massive subsidence in your backyard. If will never be their fault.

Pittsburgh City Council did the sensible thing. Bravo! Now if the short sighted industry that sees profit over people would begin to show just a glimmer of a conscience or a reflection, and dialog along issues of risk rather than hide behind severe misinformation (Falcon is open to a debate with Ms. Marcellus Shale Coalition anytime, but she keeps bailing out on engagements every time we get a chance for a sitdown), we the citizens of Pittsburgh and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be ready to listen. But we set the rules. After all, this is our land, and according to our constitution, you cannot have it or its resources without OUR permission. We did not give it.

Falcon and Dove

Reusable Bags from Popular Retailers May Contain Lead

2010-11-15T17:25:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family,
Do you have a reusable bag from Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, Winn-Dixie, etc.? If so, it may be contaminated with lead. Yes, lead!!! The more decoration on the outside of the bag, the more likely it is contaminated. Less decoration means reduced lead levels. You may wonder why there is lead in them at all...well, China has a play in this one.

Apparently, there are no regulations concerning lead paint use in bags intended for food use, and many of these bags come from China. What should you do? Don't use them.

I know...that sucks.

How was this discovered? Researchers in Tampa, FL

Put the bags away, and go back to using recycled paper bags, that can be used again.
UGH!...
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

THE PIPE: New Irish Film-See the Preview NOW!

2010-11-09T12:06:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family,
Here is a preview of the new documentary THE PIPE, about an Irish village torn apart by natural gas found near their village and their fight against Shell Oil and their own government to preserve their way of life.

www.thisisirishfilm.ie/trailers/the-pipe

I hope we can get this important film screened in Pittsburgh. Falcon will follow up with you on this issue. The film will be released to theaters in Ireland next month.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

The First Fifty: What a Wonderful Ride

2010-11-07T19:21:00.004-05:00

Hello Cousins,
Yes, it has happened: Falcon has turned 50! I know, some of you will find this very hard to believe, but you know...Dove is in her twenties, so...

How does it feel?! Awesome! It is amazing to have lived half a century. It is wonderful to have lived this long; so many I have known did not make it to this age. I am honored and blessed that I have had had the opportunity.

And what a ride I have had so far! I have completed many items on my Bucket List, and some things I never dared to imagine I could do I have done. It is amazing!

What do I value the most about the ride: being healthy, happy, and surrounded by awesome people! I am not regretting any experiences, since all of them have taught me something I wouldn't have known otherwise. It is a blessing to learn, give, expand, and grow.

I have much I still would like to do, Great Spirit willing. Travel, books, food, experiences...on the list.
Greatest blessing: people to love who love me as well. Isn't that what it is all about?!

Has it been hard a times? Yes, extremely. Watching other people's pain has been the worst.

Are you writing your memoir? Yes, I am. Friends have convinced me that there has been a lot of miles there, and there are many stories worth telling. It will be my story, not anyone else's so....friends with secrets in my trust, yours is safe with me;)

Any juicy tidbits? Of course, but you will have to wait:)

Thank all of you who sent the bazillion birthday wishes! That was really, really cool. You are all very precious. Thank you so much for taking the time out to share your blessings with me. I hope to always return the favor.

Peace,
Falcon

Tom Shadyac Presents 'I Am' at the Savannah Film Festival!

2010-11-02T19:31:00.007-05:00

Hello everyone! Dove (Areya) here! Today, I experienced Tom Shadyac's new documentary, 'I Am' at the Savannah Film Festival. I must say that everyone needs to see this film. It was moving, inspiring, and enlightening and I cannot wait to see it again when it comes out in February!

Here's a synopsis of the film: I Am is the story of a successful Hollywood director, Tom Shadyac, who experienced a life-threatening head injury, and his ensuing journey to try to answer two very basic questions: "What's wrong with our world?" and "What can we do about it?" Tom visits some of today's great minds, including authors, poets, teachers, religious leaders, and scientists searching for the fundamental endemic problem that causes other problems.

The film acknowledges the wisdom of ancient Native American and other indigenous cultures and shows how their traditions and the belief that we are all connected is now being proven today with quantum physics. This is the first documentary I have seen drawing a connection between these two subjects (something I myself and my partner, Falcon, have been doing for years) and I thanked Tom profusely when I had the pleasure and honor of meeting (and hugging!) him today. I recorded the Question and Answer session following the screening of the film and Part 1 is below for your viewing pleasure (and enlightenment). Parts 2 and 3 will be posted to YouTube in the next few hours. Enjoy!

VOTE Your Conscience, Not Your Fears

2010-11-02T09:22:00.004-05:00

Happy Voting Day, Americans!
Let's put aside all that garbage you have seen and heard over the past few months and get down to the nitty-gritty of it all: Most of it sucks! We are in a bad situation here in the U.S. and it didn't begin overnight. Don't blame the new guys for what a legacy of irresponsibility produced. Frankly, they did all they could to prevent The Great Depression II. I know some of you may not believe this, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

Today, vote with your higher principles, even if you believe the politician you are voting for doesn't have any. You will make that person accountable because you are aware and not going to take this stuff lying down one minute more. Do not vote for someone completely incompetent because your fear has overridden your reason. There are some real underlings out there, and they are not going to rescue you or this country. Only you can do that. YOU are the superhero you have been waiting for! You still live in a country (for the moment) where your vote does count (despite what unreliable machine you may be casting your vote on). Your obligations don't end today: they begin today.

You must stay active in the political process:local to international. When you don't, you give permission to low life persons to abuse the power you have entrusted them with-plain and simple.

You don't like something, do something about it. Go to meetings, protest, and see if legal action can be taken against those who have violated your trust. ACT ON THAT!

It's time to be an adult about the political system. It is our system. This is our country. If you don't like something, it is time for you to use your constitutional rights and every legal avenue available to you to do something about it. Put the damn remote down, and the beer, and make a conscience effort to vote your highest principles...and then see to it that others do your biding. After all, an elected official is a public servant-THEY WORK FOR US!

Make them do their job. Vote your highest and best today.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Hado: An Alternative Energy

2010-07-11T00:19:00.006-05:00

This post is just as important as the previous one. I got this in my email this morning. PLEASE read it all the way through. I cannot overemphasize how crucial this is. Feel free to repost it. Spread the word!

Encouragement of Hado Study

Dear Friends,

I would like to share some very important information with you. I feel two incidents which are coincidentally happening at almost the same time in the Western and Eastern part of the world (the oil spill in Gulf of Mexico and Foot and Mouth epidemic in Miyazaki, Japan) are something that the creator of nature is telling us to pay attention to.

The Gulf of Mexico of course is an issue regarding energy and the case of Miyazaki is an issue of a virus out of control. Modern science does not know how to cope with these issues and subsequently they are not yet solved. There is a growing loss of many lives in the Gulf of Mexico and already 270,000 cows and pigs have been put to death in Miyazaki, Japan. We have no idea when this will come to an end.

I am recognized as "Dr. Emoto, the Water Crystal researcher" in the world, but before that I was a researcher of Hado, which is subtle energy, literally the blue print of this material world. The world of Hado was not visible, nor measurable by modern scientific technology so it was hard to be accepted even though I described it in great detail. Since I wrote the first HADO book, I have published more than 10 additional books about Hado theory from major publishers in Japan, including "The Prelude of Hado" in 1992. In these books, I actually predicted different kinds of problems that the human race would face in the future. I also wrote how we can cope with these problems. For this, we would need HADO technology. It has been 15 years since then. In the interim, my books, Hidden Messages in Water and Messages from Water became bestsellers and a lot of visionary citizens have accepted the Hadoway of thinking and Hado technology. However, government does not support the idea at all because scientists who support the government deny my theory and ignore it. I am not asking them to understand the theory and implement the technology at a governmental level right now because I know it takes time. The problems that I described in my books are happening now, so we don't have a time to wait for government and corporations to understand. So, I believe we citizens, each one of us, have to prepare ourselves because it is an urgent issue now. The preparation is not difficult or complicated it simply takes a basic understanding of what Hado is. However, you may think that it is not possible to understand the Hado principals with only images or causes, and you want to see concrete Hado effects clearly. I am writing this now for people who think in this way. Recent discoveries confirm that energy can be extracted from water and water can be made into medicines via HADO. There are 2 major innovative ideas that have now come to light!!

At the first day of the "Water and Peace" Global Forum which was held from March 20th to 22nd this year, Mr. Ryushin Omasa, the president of Japan Techno Co, gave a lecture about his technology which extracts alternative energy called Ohmasa gas from water. This alternative energy can be substituted for petroleum energy. He applies specific low frequencies to water and agitated it to chemically dissolve the water. The oxygen and the hydrogen generated a unified oxy-hydrogen in a safe format, and this oxy-hydrogen solution can create fire to weld with and energy to run a motor. They already succeeded in running a motorbike with this Ohmasa gas. See this video clip which explains the technology:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUPE0Z9V82E&feature=player_embedded

I have been waiting for this technology to become a reality for 20 years. I have known this technology was possible for many years because water is H2O, and oxygen and hydrogen are a good source of energy. And it is a good thing that such a wonderful energy source exists abundantly everywhere. I came up with the idea to take water crystal photos from water in 1994 and succeeded. I have done a number of various studies since then. The most beautiful water crystal photo that we have ever taken is a water crystal created when the words of love and gratitude were exposed to water. I published the photo in my book, Messages from Water in 1999. Furthermore, I published my hypothesis that the H of H2O represents love and the O of H2O represents gratitude in my book, Hidden Messages in Water, published in 2002 and this book became a bestseller in many countries. Since then, a lot of people have resonated with those ideas and words, and love and gratitude are more frequently used in a daily life among spiritual people around the world.

Mr. Omasa who invented this innovative technology actually has been a regular reader of my books and he asked our institute to take water crystal photos from his water "Alpha Torino water" several years ago. So I assume he naturally received my hypothesis about the mysteries of water and I believe his Hado way of thinking may have lead to his amazing discovery of which energy can be extracted from water. Perhaps he is not the only one who was inspired by my work with water crystals. There may be a lot of people like him in the world trying to create something new and good for the planet and the human race. The water created from his technology is called "Alpha Torino water". It also gets rid of viruses and microorganisms and is now available. It is also a kind ofHado medicine that I have proposed for long time. Water seems to be very effective to prevent pandemic phenomenon, which might happen in the near future and of course a virus like the Foot and Mouth Epidemic, which is already happening. However, this type of revolutionary technology could not be initiated by government or major companies in Japan because it would cause an inconvenience to certain people or companies who don’t want this technology to succeed, because it would destroy their current greed based money-making businesses. But I am certain that we need this type of technology for our planet and the people of the world, and we can spread it out, and make it known by ourselves. One way to get prepared is by studying Hado, and preparing ourselves for the year 2012 when an energetic shift will require our focused attention. We will be having the 13th Hado Instructor School in Aso city of Kumamoto in Japan from August 22nd to 26th and we will be congratulating the Fiver Colored Grand Festival at Heitate Shrine. Mr. Omasa will be there to present his technology as well. It will be a life changing event that I hope you will attend.

For the information about the school, please click the following link:

http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/hado_instructor_event.html

With love and gratitude,

Masaru Emoto
Office Masaru Emoto, LLC

Spread the word! Thank you, and remember to always spread love and gratitude, 2 of the most powerful forces in the Universe!

Dr. Masaru Emoto's Healing Prayer For The Gulf

2010-07-03T14:22:00.002-05:00

This post is extremely important. PLEASE read on with an open mind. If you are already familiar with Dr. Masaru Emoto's water research, you can skip the first 5 paragraphs.

Dr. Masaru Emoto has become famous for his experiments on water. A scientist from Japan, he came to some very fascinating conclusions about the nature of water. In his experiments, Emoto took many clear bottles of water and placed labels with various words on them. The words faced inwards, so that the water could 'read' the words. He then froze the water overnight. The next day, he analyzed the water molecules using a dark field microscope. What he found has forever changed many people's attitudes toward water, including mine.

Emoto found that the molecules from each bottle of the same water were strikingly different depending on what word was placed on each bottle. Positive words such as 'love', 'gratitude', 'happiness', 'earth', and 'wisdom' resulted in strong, defined, hexagonal crystal molecules. Negative words such as 'kill' and 'hate' resulted in discolored, misshapen, structurally weak crystal molecules.

He took his experiments further by showing the water photographs, having people say different things to the water a certain number of times, playing music for the water, and other methods. He even studied the effect of electromagnetic waves. All had similar effects; soothing and classical music resulted in strong crystals, heavy metal and rap music resulted in weak crystals. Positive pictures (as well as pictures of various celestial bodies) caused defined, hexagonal crystals, whereas negative images caused deformed crystals. And on and on it went.

Emoto concluded from this extensive research that thoughts, words, emotions, sounds, and actions have stronger effects than previously believed. Such things actually alter the molecular structure of water, no matter what kind of water. Since our bodies are 90-50% water (depending on your age), what we experience in our lives (sights, sounds, thoughts, and feelings) affect our bodies on a molecular level, either positive, negative, or a combination thereof. It is reasonable, therefore, to state that if the water in your body has a stronger molecular structure, your body is healthier.

There is other research out there that supports Emoto's findings. We've known for many years that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression have negative effects on our health. Our psychological health has a direct connection to our physical health (mind-body connection). We've also known for years that plants respond best to classical and relaxing music. It's not surprising, then, to learn that such music has positive effects on a molecular level, and not just on plants.

NOW THAT I'VE BROUGHT YOU UP TO SPEED, I would like to share a very important message that I received in my Inbox (Dove's) this morning from Dr. Masaru Emoto himself, in regard to the tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico. This has been done before in other areas of the world impacted by tragedy, with incredible results. Those areas with contaminated water were prayed for by a group of hundreds of people thinking and/or saying the same prayer. The water was tested before and after the group prayer. Immediately after the prayer, the water was clear, free of all contamination. PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG:

Dr. Masaru Emoto's Healing Prayer for the Gulf

Focusing our energies in response to the Gulf tragedy and for healing the waters and its inhabitants -

Yesterday at our spiritual center we read a letter from Dr. Masaru Emoto who many of you will recognize as the scientist from Japan who has done all the research and publications about the characteristics of water. Among other things, his research reveals that water physically responds to emotions.

Right now, most of us have the predominantly angry emotion when we consider what is happening in the Gulf. And while certainly we are justified in that emotion, we may be of greater assistance to our planet and its life forms, if we sincerely, powerfully and humbly pray the prayer that Dr Emoto, himself, has proposed.

"I send the energy of love and gratitude to the water and all the living creatures in the Gulf of Mexico and its surroundings.

To the whales, dolphins, pelicans, fish, shellfish, plankton, coral, algae, and all living creatures . . . I am sorry.

Please forgive me.

Thank you.

I love you. "

We are passing this request to people who we believe might be willing to participate in this prayer, to set an intention of love and healing that is so large, so overwhelming that we can perform a miracle in the Gulf of Mexico.

We are not powerless. We are powerful. Our united energy, speaking this prayer daily...multiple times daily....can literally shift the balance of destruction that is happening.

We don't have to know how.......we just have to recognize that the power of love is greater than any power active in the Universe today.

Please join us in oft repeating this healing prayer of of Dr. Emoto's.

And feel free to copy and paste this to send it around the planet.

Let's take charge, and do our own clean up!

Never underestimate the power of the human consciousness. Please pass it on... :)

Pitch in for Areya's Senior Film!

2010-06-17T11:14:00.004-05:00

Areya (Dove) is entering her Senior year at Savannah College of Art and Design and preproduction is in full swing on her Senior Film, 'Life Path'! Everything she has learned at film school has led up to this. Any contribution you can make to this short film is greatly appreciated! As extra incentive, anyone who donates $25 or more will receive a Funder credit in the film! Anyone who donates $100 or more will receive a Funder credit in the film, and a FREE ticket to see 'Life Path' and many other senior films at the SCAD Senior Showcase at the 2011 Savannah Film Festival in October, 2011!

What People Are Saying About Life Path!

“Very well written”

“I love the story!!”

“I could not put it down”

“beautifully written”

“I loved the script!!!”

“I feel a strong connection to the characters”

“Very original and very unique and I enjoyed it”

“both female characters are strongly written”

“It’s very unique”

Synopsis

‘Life Path’ is a spiritual film about reincarnation. Fia remembers her previous life. In that life, she died at the age of 8, which her father was partially to blame for. After having dreams about her own death, Fia joins a group called Life Path, whose members all recall at least one previous life and try to help with one another’s past life issues. With the support of fellow member Aleta, Fia seeks to find her old father so that they can both heal. Meanwhile, Aleta has a story of her own…

Over the years, interest in reincarnation has risen rapidly. To many cultures in the east, reincarnation is nothing new and is accepted without question. It is a topic that is not often addressed in films, much less treated with an entire story written around it. This film will have a very mysterious and spiritual feel throughout. It doesn’t bother with the whole ‘Is reincarnation real or not?’ issue. We go right into it with the assumption that the soul has continuity and is capable of remembering multiple lifetimes. Many stories can be written based on such an assumption, and this is one of them.

TARGET SHOOTING DATES: OCTOBER 15, 16, & 17, 22, 23, & 24 AND 29, 2010

Will be filmed entirely in Savannah, Georgia and nearby Skidaway Island area.

LENGTH OF FILM: 12 Minutes

SHOOTING FORMAT: Canon 7D – 1080p High Definition Video

'Life Path' will be submitted to hundreds of film festivals worldwide! Let’s all come together and create a film everyone will remember!

For more information, go to www.LifePathFilm.com!

Please Chip In through PayPal below! THANK YOU!!!

www.AreyaSimmons.com

COLLEGE FUNDING CRUNCH TIME: What to do Right Now!

2010-06-15T10:53:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family,
As June 30 approaches, millions trying to qualify for grant money and scholarships begin to realize there may be a gap to attending their First Choice university. BEFORE YOU GIVE UP, and decide to go to a runner up because it's cheaper, try these last minute, but extremely effective tactics:

First, get yourself on FASTWEB.COM right now, and check and see what scholarships you are eligible for. It is NOT too late! There's a ton of stuff out there that is easy to do and can get you a few quick bucks! DO IT! you have nothing to lose.

Second, talk to your First Choice University's Admissions Counselor and then Financial Aid office right away. Find out if there is anything additional that you are eligible for and see if they will give you some MERIT MONEY (think discount). Also, if you are an athlete, and may not be playing the NCAA sports, but maybe a club sport, see if the school offers some money for athletes in that particular interest. You never know until you ask.

Did you belong to a specific club in high school, see if there is a scholarship for your interest in college. Are yo a sci-fi fan, there may be a scholarship out there for your area of interest at your school. Find out! Don't let pride get in the way.

Third: Does your family belong to any special civic or ethnic organizations? The Rotary Club, a social club, NAACP, Urban League, etc. all have scholarships. Ask about applying. Deadlines have not passed; you still have time. Go for it!

Fourth: Parents, are you throwing your graduate a party? Are you attending a party of a high school graduate? Here's a clue about what you can get them for a gift:

MONEY!!!!!!

Look, if ten relatives and friends give that young student $100, that's $1,000 right there! Don't buy them plaques, pens, and expensive athletic shoes, give them their gap funding. you will be the biggest super hero ever in helping a student meet that gap. Next year, they may have that gap filled after they prove themselves academically on the college level. In the mean time, they have to get there. They have earned the honor of attending college, DO NOT LET THOSE DREAMS DIE!

Give...and give generously to the grad!

There are various need-based scholarships offered at universities. Here is a secret: many private schools have more support for financially struggling students than public schools. Don't be afraid to ask. There is no loss of pride here. Hold your head up high. Parents: you have helped your student get to this point. Students: you have worked hard and deserve to follow your passions where you will do your best job.

AS A LAST RESORT:
Get those loans, public and private. Borrow as little as possible, because you will have to pay it back. You cannot discharge these debts in even bankruptcy, so only borrow what you need, but use it wisely, and make your investment work for you.

Falcon has a book coming out later this year, called : THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO DEBT-FREE COLLEGE: Get in, Stay in, Graduate Debt-Free

We will let you know when the book is available to the public. It will be very reasonably priced so that you can afford to get it. Save this advice because this is a sample of some of the helpful information you will find. The book will be great for those with young children, middle school aged, and of course, high school age.

The important thing to remember World Family:
Start saving early for college. Keep it in the parent's name, rather than the child.

Good luck, families.
Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2010!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Rally and March for Jordan Miles 12 Noon Today

2010-06-12T07:58:00.003-05:00

Hello Pittsburgh Family!
It will rain later today, but it will be fine this morning. It's a great time to rally for a wonderful young man at noon at Freedom Corner in The Hill District. Jordan is a resilent young man: honor student, college bound from CAPA. He was walking from his grandmother's home to his house one evening when he was brutally attacked by three men who turned out to be undercover police officers who thought Jordan was a drug dealer. All charges against Jordan were wisely dismissed, but the officers want the DA to refile. Why ? Probably pride. It certainly doesn't have anything to so with justice.

Come out today and walk with Jordan and let him know that it's still legal for a young African American man to walk home at night in the US. He should be able to make that walk anywhere, regardless of where he lives, without fear or immediate suspicion.
Peace, Jordan. Have a great time at college. We are very proud of you!

Falcon and Dove

GASLAND: Documentary Film Screening in Pittsburgh June 5

2010-06-02T23:12:00.004-05:00

Hello Cousins,
Well, Falcon and Dove are together again back in The Burgh for the summer break, and we have to let you know about this startling film that is showing on Saturday, June 5 at the Byham Theatre in downtown at 6pm.

GASLAND is a strong documentary by director Josh Fox showing the process and some of the hazards associated with unconventional horizontal gas well in PA for Marcellus Shale extraction. June 5 is United Nations World Environment Day, and Pittsburgh is the North American host city. This is an important film for our region, but also for our world.

Falcon has seen portions of this film. It is well shot, and goes for first person accounts. No re-creations or set-ups that I have seen.

In town? Come check it out. Also, look and see if the film is screening in your area in the near future. Your future, and your quality of life may depend on you being informed, and proactive.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law: Its Impact and the Pennsylvania Connection

2010-05-13T09:49:00.003-05:00

Hello World Family,
THis event is for those in the greater Pittsburgh region, but its issues should concern us all:

Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law: Its Impact and the Pennsylvania Connection
Monday, May 17, 2010
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Friends Meeting House
4836 Ellsworth Ave. (at Neville) in Oakland

Arizona’s new law is a watershed moment for its blatant disregard for
America’s most fundamental values of fairness and equality.

This unconstitutional law encourages racial profiling and betrays
American values. It puts Arizona completely out of step with American
values, undermines public safety, erodes trust between Latinos and law
enforcement, and essentially turns Arizona into a police state.

The law makes all of its Latino residents, and other presumed
immigrants, potential criminal suspects. It's implementation means is
that to avoid arrest, citizens will effectively have to carry “their
papers” at all times.

With state Representative Daryl Metcalfe’s announcement that he
intends to introduce similar legislation in Pennsylvania, it is
absolutely critical to understand what this law means for civil
liberties and how we can work to ensure this doesn't happen in our
state.

Presentations by:

VIC WALCZAK
ACLU-PA Legal Director and lead attorney in challenging
Hazelton, PA’s anti-immigrant law

DAVID HARRIS
University of Pittsburgh Law Professor, ACLU-PA Pittsburgh Board
Member and Nationally-Recognized Racial Profiling Expert

Panel Discussion with:

CHRISTINA POWERS
Pennsylvania Immigrant Resource Center (PIRC) Board Member and former
Staff Attorney with the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
in AZ

JACKIE MARTINEZ
Immigration Attorney and member of the Pittsburgh Interfaith
Impact Network (PIIN) Racial Profiling Task Force

SISTER JANICE VANDERNECK
Sisters of St. Joseph and member of the PATH to Justice committee of
the Religious Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh

SAFDAR KHWAJA
Council on American-Islamic Relations, Pittsburgh Chapter

For more information, call: 412-681-7736, email: info@aclupgh.org or
visit www.aclupa.org/pittsburgh. To get the latest updates on the
legal challenge to repeal SB1070, visit:
www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights.

Also, please help us get the word out on Facebook – here’s a link to
the event page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123476074334365&ref=mf

Dear Mr. Rooney: Ben Must Go

2010-04-19T13:04:00.005-05:00

An Open Letter to the Rooney Family and The Pittsburgh Steelers:

Dear Mr. Rooney,
The mother and daughter team known as Falcon and Dove, born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA ask you to consider our following thoughts:

First, we applaud your caution and restraint during the period of heightened examination of the Steelers organization, and of a couple of players in particular. You have not escalated the media circus, and we appreciate that.

Secondly, we would like to mention that we recognize that this has been a difficult time, an we know that you have struggled with decisions concerning some of our most prominent and successful players, and some off the field behavior that has called their conduct into question. In the matter of Ben Roethlisberger, we humbly ask that you let him go from this franchise to pursue his career elsewhere. We understand that there are contract considerations, and we respect whatever solution you deem fit working in tandem with others to come to an equitable outcome, but for the sake of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, Ben must move on.

Our reasons are: we simply do not trust this man to do the job he is in this city to do. We do not trust his moral code, and more alarmlingly, he seems to be able to cajole other men to become co-conspirators in his breech of conduct; whether in covert or overt acts, or by simple measures of denial-this is most disturbing.

The kind of leadership we expect of members of the Pittsburgh Steelers is high. We do not believe that Ben has exhibited an full understanding of that fact, and he seems more interested in being able to lie and deny, whether it is underaged coeds that he is buying drinks for, (apparently to take advantage of them), or to media, he shows a complete disregard for the high standards of this organization. He doesn't belong here.

We feel that he can make a better start elsewhere, learn from his mistakes, and hopefully, get help for what is apparently a compulsive and vile dysfunction.

Charlie Batch is a fine football player, and a good quarterback. He could be a great quarterback if given the chance. We know that during the draft, you and the organization will recruit players of high caliber and moral conduct, who understand what is expected of them. It is more important to have a great team of character that can win Super Bowls than a team of low conduct with a good win-loss record.

Thank you for your continued leadership.
Sincerely,
Falcon and Dove

Wilma Mankiller, former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, passes

2010-04-06T18:55:00.002-05:00

Hello World Family,
From our Cherokee Nation:

Wilma Mankiller, former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, passed away this morning. Mankiller served 12 years in elective office at the Cherokee Nation, the first two as Deputy Principal Chief followed by 10 years as Principal Chief. She retired from public office in 1995. Among her many honors, Mankiller was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.

"Our personal and national hearts are heavy with sorrow and sadness with the passing this morning of Wilma Mankiller," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We feel overwhelmed and lost when we realize she has left us but we should reflect on what legacy she leaves us. We are better people and a stronger tribal nation because her example of Cherokee leadership, statesmanship, humility, grace, determination and decisiveness. When we become disheartened, we will be inspired by remembering how Wilma proceeded undaunted through so many trials and tribulations.

Years ago, she and her husband Charlie Soap showed the world what Cherokee people can do when given the chance, when they organized the self-help water line in the Bell community. She said Cherokees in that community learned that it was their choice, their lives, their community and their future. Her gift to us is the lesson that our lives and future are for us to decide. We can carry on that Cherokee legacy by teaching our children that lesson. Please keep Wilma’s family, especially her husband Charlie and her daughters, Gina and Felicia, in your prayers."

Mankiller requested that any gifts in her honor be made as donations to One Fire Development Corporation, a non-profit dedicated to advancing Native American communities though economic development, and to valuing the wisdom that exists within each of the diverse tribal communities around the world.

Tax deductible donations can be made at www.wilmamankiller.com as well as www.onefiredevelopment.org.

The mailing address for One Fire Development Corporation is 1220 Southmore Houston, TX 77004. Her memorial service will be Saturday at 11a.m. at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds in Tahlequah.

May your journey be bright. Your suffering on this plane is done.
Our prayers are with you and your family, and all our relations.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Marcellus Shale Well Drilling is Highway to Hades for Pennsylvania

2010-03-29T21:28:00.003-05:00

World Family,
This may look like a post for Pennsylvanians, but actually it is for 23 U.S. states, and anyone who cares about environmental responsibility and natural resources. For years, Falcon has been talking about alternate energy and global environmental responsibility. Many would think that natural gas (nat gas) would be a part of that formula: after all, it has less emissions than coal for sure, and is domestically available. Local is good, right?

Well, traditional gas wells have their problems, and it certainly isn’t as simple as the industry would like you to believe; but the recent explosion in unconventional well extraction, aka horizontal well drilling popular to extract gas in the Marcellus Shale…well, that has millions of problems, and it starts with the millions of gallons of water that it takes to perform the extraction.

Each frac of each well takes about a million gallons of water to operate. This is not the last ditch effort before a well goes dry employed in the past since the turn of the 20th century to get that last bit of gas out; this is going 5,000-10,000 feet below the surface of the earth, making a hairpin turn and then blasting water (called hydrofracking) to break up the shale and release the gas. The cracks are filled with sand. There can be up to ten fracs per well. This year alone, there are nearly 5, 200 permits under consideration for the commonwealth!

You may wonder, World Family, where the water comes from. Here is one of the biggest problems (I did mention millions of problems). The water is simply taken from streams, ponds, creeks, and rivers (which brings up an interesting fact: water is a resource that belongs to everyone in this state, not a government entity who has permission to give it away en masse), hauled away in trucks, and used, and then when it is filled with frac water (a combination of a litany of highly toxic chemicals and Total Dissolved Solids -TDS- a fancy term for heavy duty salt, four times saltier than the water in the ocean) and deposited back into rivers, streams, and ponds. Of course, all of the water isn’t recovered, less than half in most places, depending on topography. In Pennsylvania, the soil and sedimentary layers, along with quartz, limestone, oh, and radium (yes, Marcellus Shale contains radioactive radium) make the landscape hard to predict, and even harder to recover frac fluids. If one recovers 50% of the frac waters, that is impressive. The rest of that water stays in the ground…and permeates. Where it goes is obvious, even to the scientifically challenged, but oil and gas companies will tell you that there is ‘insufficient evidence’ that the fluids migrate. So have you ever seen totally contained fluids in soil? Me either, it moves, that is kind of the point. So, groundwater is impacted, and so are aquifers…to think that they won’t be or can’t be is idiotic.

Here is what I can tell you. Falcon works in risk assessment. Once upon a time, I did consulting work for the Department of Energy. I can tell you a LOT about how to remediate things out of water: organics, chemicals, TNT, even radionuclides, but it is very, very hard to remove that which is contaminated underground, and it is very difficult to improve the quality of water that is not only TDS contaminated, but also highly acid, like fracwater can be.

That is what happened to Dunkirk Creek in the late August-September of 2009. Someone dumped a lot of fracwater into the creek and killed everything: 155 species, gone. In just 20 days, it was a dead zone, except for a very interesting algae, not indigenous to the region, that gave away the very equipment from Texas that was used to dump the contaminated water. The pH was extremely low. Need a comparison. Take a can of soda (pH of around 2.0) and pour it into your bathtub water. Wanna get in? No? Well, neither does anything else. I am not even talking about the HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) that is probably in that can of soda as well.

Which brings up another problem I have not heard discussed anywhere except in my nearly 4 times a week lectures and workshops in various places around PA, NY, WV, and OH: what about everything else in the water? What happens when those chemicals used in fracwater (of which we have no list or concentrations because the oil and gas industry doesn’t have to tell us) combine with some other things in our water, like…xenobiotics (fancy word for pharma drugs that people like to dump down their toilets when they are out of date, or just used and expelled in the usual fashion, if you know what I mean), HFCS, or a variety of other substances? What happens? Who is responsible for remediation and clean-up? What happens when animals and humans ingest this combo-water? We don’t know. And here is something even scarier…
No one and nothing. Yes, you understood me correctly. Well, here is the starting point. You can get angry at the person or family that allowed the drilling on their land that is effecting your drinking water miles away, and you may want to sue them, but they don’t have any real money-they were paid junk by the gas companies. That $100,000 that looked so good to them at the beginning won’t cover squat as they and their children and their animals get sick, or the frac pond in their backyard overflows during a slow moving rainstorm, runs into their neighbors yards and contaminates everyone’s sewer and wells. Don’t look at the oil and gas companies: they are exempt. That was a gift from the Bush Administration back in 2005.

You can get mad at your municipality for not remediating the water, but they don’t even know what’s there (unless someone’s running water from their faucet catches on fire-then, they might have a clue that there is at least natural gas leaking into the system, but maybe not anything else. Yes, that has happened, and continues to happen). The municipality is responsible to the sewer authority (here in Allegheny County, it is ALCOSAN) to clean up anything they know about…but how do they know? No one is required to tell. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP in PA) can only do so much because the laws are not in place to protect the resources, but you would think that we a name like the Department of Environmental Protection, they would certainly do more than they do…which in this issue, is frankly, no offense, not much. They are trying to change regulations, but not fast enough. Permits are being issued with language clearly stating that water will be transported out of the various basins that are protected (a clear violation of Commerce laws), but no one is halting permits on the basis of those indications. Since the water of the commonwealth belongs to the people, and the water is being used without the people’s permission, then who is responsible?

Right now, no one and nothing…not unless the people begin to make their elected officials, and those who are appointed to do various jobs involving environmental responsibility live up to their mission statement. Does it feel like a horror movie yet? It does to me. It is a waking nightmare for millions of people, and we can’t wake up from it.

Hey, but it’s all worth it, right? We get energy independence! Not so fast. Many of those oil and gas companies touting American presence are increasingly being acquisitioned by foreign interests. The same BS that happened in oil will happen in gas-it already is. And about those jobs…the industry itself says it will only make 25-27,000 in the next 5 years…that is in the entire state! Wow…isn’t that like the population of a Pittsburgh neighborhood? We could employ 5 times that in alternative energy, and those would be union jobs, with good training, good pay, and we would still be able to drink the water!

There has been one other thing (like these aren’t enough to worry about) that has concerned me, and when I have brought it up in lecture, sometimes I get a strange look. Today, however, my email box was full with people who heard the same thing I did: that there was an earthquake in WV. Yes, this region is actually capable of having earthquakes, but hadn’t for a real, real long time. I have been concerned that based on the soil’s constitution, the number of holes already in PA (like Swiss cheese) and the combinations of other types of fossil fuel acquisition, along with ground gases (methane, radon, gas leaks, and a partridge in a pear tree) that we could have major upsets to groundwater, seismic activity, and even underground explosions if the proverbial ‘perfect storm’ of wrong conditions came together.

Here’s my question for the oil and gas industry: has anyone ever calculated the actual cost of what it takes to do horizontal well drilling? The answer would be no. No one included the cost to resources, to agriculture, to forestry, to hunting, to fishing, to quality of life. It’s time that those concerns were made part of the equation. I know, that may be uncomfortable for some, but it must be done. Water is our sacred currency. It is the key to life. I am not willing to sacrifice my state and 22 other states of this country to become a dead zone so someone else can make a dollar. It is not acceptable. It is not negotiable.

Is the industry truly aware of the risks? Most of them probably aren’t, but some are aware enough to have sold their acres of mineral rights to other companies (we will call them suckers) to remove themselves from the liability and possible inglorious lawsuits yet to come when large waterways are impacted and the drinking water of millions becomes effected. That could happen as early as this summer, 2010. Dominion sold their land because they didn’t want the liability-they are happy providing the lines for transport. Consol bought it, thinking it will all be okay. Hmmm…

So, what are the options? What are the solutions? Well, first of all, there needs to be a moratorium on all additional permits. Let me say it plainly:

STOP ALL NEW PERMITS INVOLVING HORIZONTAL WELL DRILLING AND HYDROFRACKING!

Pennsylvania will be enough of a guinea pig and its natural wildlife and pristine streams subject to lab rat techniques while this issue is examined by the DEP and now, EPA. Yes, it is time to let scientists, not activists, lobbyists, or corporations look at the science and risk involved in this process. They must be objective, lucid scientists whose soul has not been bought by the devil (like one geologist told me, “ it’s a fine practice, just don’t ask me about the water”-yeah, right). There can be plenty of looking over each other’s shoulder; an improved system of checks and balances is desired.

Can this type of drilling be done safely? Well, at the turn of the 20th century, no one thought so. That deep extraction has serious implications, especially with chemicals that have huge health impacts. Can well linings be made securely enough, and wells allowed to cure long enough to be safe, not prematurely used causing cracks? Maybe, but that doesn’t stop the migration of contaminated water left in the soil. Can this process be done without those chemicals? Probably, but not as effectively. Even the remediation plants in the state can’t keep up with the amount of contaminated water, and even if you have a phytoremediation site (3 pools with various beds of indigenous substrate designed to remediate what we know is there: TDS, heavy metals, etc.) for every municipality in the commonwealth, there is no telling what happens when all of these chemicals meet each other in the open river, or meet xenobiotics, or for that matter, the pH problem. Taking water and replacing that water with contaminated water and thinking nothing will go wrong is ridiculously foolish.
It already has. It will continue until several steps are taken.

One: All chemicals (including the proprietary ones) must be identified in concentration and frequency to the DEP and EPA. No one can treat the water if they don’t know what’s really in it.

Two: Algae could become our friend in bioremediation to correct pH, but we can’t do that without more research. That we just don’t have yet. Only one percent of the world’s algae has been researched for bioremediation that could also allow the algae to be used as biofuels, in certain instances (obviously, heavy metals must be attenuated or incineration employed, and that is probably still not a comfortable place for most people to be).

Three: More regulation (duh) needs to be in place BEFORE this process continues. My personal opinion is that other techniques and other fuel sources be introduced to companies that just can’t get out to the fossil fuel mind. There are other areas that they could employ that would make more money with less risk: biofuels (that are not food), sites that could be natural bioremediations and those plantings used for biofuels, since they would be inert if they were phytodegradators (ok, I know…too much science now, but I want to present solutions so that you know there are other options out there), and that has a trifecta: cleans up the mess, remediates the air, reduces carbon footprint. Yes! Employs more people, for less risk, improves the bottom line for the company, and makes for happy shareholders: by shareholders I mean those that hold those pieces of paper, and those that swim, fly, walk on two legs and four, because we are all ‘share holders’. We all have a stake in what happens to our resources.

Everyone: stand up. Put down the remote, and start to pay attention to what is happening to your resources. Maybe you can’t get your head around climate change. Can you get your head around the fact that it is time to make your politicians (public servants, remind them of that), your corporations, and your community work more effectively for you? Get selfish! These are your resources we are talking about! New York residents-are you ready to have horizontal well drilling effect the drinking water of 16 million people? Are you willing to risk that future-not 30 years away, but more like three-to a process that we clearly know doesn’t have enough regulation, and all the severance taxes in the world won’t save if there is even a small catastrophe?

ACTION: Write the EPA and let them know you support their investigation of this process, and you want vociferous attention paid to how this industry impacts your community, your state, and your planet.

This is my last post in my position as chair of my nationally recognized non-profit, who has a history of fighting for environmental issues. My last day is March 31. I will still belong to the organization, but I will not be a Water Chair who must defend the organizations’ decision to say that this kind of drilling is fine as a bridge fuel. It isn’t. It is the highway to Hades. I cannot and will not defend that position to anyone. Many, many people have told me they think that this group has lost its focus, and forgotten its origins of protecting wildlife, conservation, exploration, and sustainability. I would agree. They have decided to make one type of fossil fuel very evil (and it has its problems, believe me) in favor for another that has just as many drawbacks when ALL of the risk is added up. I got tired of people asking me if this organization had lost their minds. I am a scientist before an activist, and I am a sister of the earth before I am anything else.

My people go back centuries in these, the oldest mountains on earth. I know these rivers and streams, as did my grandmothers and grandfathers before me. I want this land, these hills, valley, and streams to be beautiful for my grandchildren’s grandchildren. I will defend them. There is no compromise of one devastating environmental practice over another devastating environmental practice. If they both suck, they both suck. Let’s do something that doesn’t suck. We have the technology, and we have the ability to start today.
This water is NOT FOR SALE, AND YOU CANNOT TAKE IT FOR FREE.

Let’s begin…so that we and all that we love can continue.

Peace,
Falcon

EARTH HOUR IS TONIGHT! 8:30-9:30pm EST

2010-03-27T15:38:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone, Dove here! Earth Hour happens TONIGHT from 8:30pm to 9:30pm EST! During this hour, people, organizations, and businesses all across the globe will be turning off their lights. I will be participating as well, from my dorm room here at SCAD. Every student here has been notified about Earth Hour. I already try to reduce the amount of electricity I use in my dorm, and tonight, I will be turning everything off, including unplugging most of my electronics (because just having something plugged in but off can still consume electricity, costing you hundreds over the course of months and years!).

THANK YOU to those who have already participated in Earth Hour in your respective time zone. I encourage everyone across the globe to continue the wave of conservation in their time zone tonight. It's easy and it's fun! Light some candles and relax or read. Turn on some flashlights, and tell ghost stories with your kids! If the weather is nice, go outside and look at the stars! If many in your area are also participating, there probably aren't as many lights blotting out the sky's celestial bodies. If you have an outdoor fire pit, roast some marshmallows! There's so much that you can do with this hour! Enjoy it!

This is just one easy thing that all of us can do to help the cycle of conservation and keep our natural resources and habitats lush and bountiful for centuries to come! Ideally, this kind of thing should be done every day, but maybe we can all try to do this once a month. Imagine the impact that would have if everyone on Earth committed to THAT! Our wallets would be much fuller, and our Earth would be greener, that's for sure!

Happy Earth Hour!

Take A Stand for Civility

2010-03-25T09:49:00.004-05:00

Hey World Family,
Please take a moment, no matter where you are, to sign this petition, and send a strong, clear message. Thank you.
Thanks to our Brother Benjamin Todd Jealous, and our sister Anita for bringing this to our attention.

Falcon and Dove

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/2446/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2423

You may have heard by now that over the weekend some opponents of health care reform used shocking racist and personal epithets against members of Congress who disagreed with their position and supported the bill.

Last Saturday, while Representatives filed through a House office building on their way to watch President Obama deliver a health care speech, some extremist protesters turned vicious. Civil rights legend and Georgia Congressman John Lewis was repeatedly called "ni**er" by the crowd, while fellow Congressional Black Caucus member Emanuel Cleaver was spat on. Longtime NAACP champion and openly gay Representative Barney Frank was called a "fa**ot." This is not only outrageous behavior -- it is un-American.

Stand with Representatives Cleaver, Lewis and Frank. Sign our Petition today and let it be known these outrageous personal attacks have no place in our nation's political discourse. Saturday's incident is just the latest evidence that a lack of civility is undermining our democratic process. Last August protesters painted a swastika on the district office of Georgia Representative David Scott. Later that fall Congressman Joe Wilson shouted, "You lie," as President Obama delivered a speech before the joint Houses of Congress. These sorts of outbursts serve only to bully our elected officials and undermine our democracy.

Like many of the hot-button political issues of our day, health care reform has inspired passion in supporters and opponents alike. Indeed, it is this passion that kept us determined to keep fighting for reform, even on the days when it looked like we might not win. While the NAACP respects the passions that inspire political movements of all kinds, we know that when civility breaks down, communities of color are often the first to be hurt.

Please, join me in signing the civility petition today. Stand alongside Representatives Cleaver, Lewis and Frank, and take a stand for civility in our political discourse.

Sincerely,
Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP

Bridgestone Safety Scholars

2010-03-22T22:49:00.006-05:00

Hello Students!
Falcon, here with some great scholarship news!

If you are age 16-21 and planning on attending college or already there, here is a great scholarship opportunity!

It's simple: Make a video under 55 seconds long about driving safety, and you could qualify to win a scholarship for $5,000!!!

Three students will qualify for the big money:)

From our friends at Bridgestone:
Grab your camera – it’s time for the fourth annual Safety Scholars Video Contest, now accepting entries until July 1. This is your chance to jump in the director’s chair and show how we can all be safer behind the wheel. If you’ve got a compelling, creative idea related to safe driving, make a short video (25 or 55 seconds) about it, and submit it here:

http://safetyscholarsvideo.com/

Your video could be broadcast on television by Bridgestone Americas as a public service announcement on stations around the country. Ten finalists will win a new set of tires.

Okay, so Falcon called Bridgestone offices yesterday, and got all the important details you won't find anywhere else, so here are the answers to all the big questions.

First, you must be between 16-21 yearsw of age and be a licensed driver. If you are going to win tires, you should be a driver, right?

You should be accepted to a college, trade school, or university...now you can be a junior and apply...unless you are a Home School student. If you are, apply when you have an acceptance to college, okay?

Undergraduate and graduate students may apply!!!

The scholarship can be used for ANY COLLEGE EXPENSES THROUGH YOUR UNIVERSITY!!!!

This is HUGE, students! That means, tuition, books, computers, materials...any school related education expenses, including housing and that all important meal plan can be paid for with this scholarship!

So...ENTER NOW! The deadline is July 1, 2010.
For more information:

http://safetyscholarsvideo.com/?

Thanks to Michael and Courtney for giving us the heads up on this great opportunity.

This is an important time of year for our college hopefuls. Keep your heads, gang! Stay positive, and remember, there is always a PLAN B-make it work for you! Take advantage of every opportunity!

Remember your scholarship aggregator:
www.fastweb.com

Free, and lots of scholarships are available for you! DO it!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

World Water Day

2010-03-22T10:48:00.002-05:00

Brothers and Sisters,
Monday, March 22 is World Water Day, and this year World Environment Day events held by the United Nations will be held in Pittsburgh, PA June 5. Their theme this year is also water.

It is ironic that during this time when world organizations are focused on the ever increasing crisis in water world wide that Pennsylvania's water quality would be challenged.

Right now, Marcellus Shale horizontal well drilling is threatening the water quality of the entire commonwealth. Here's why:
It is completely unregulated-thanks to a 2005 decision by the Bush Administration to stop regulating oil and gas operators through the Clean Air and Water Acts.

It takes a million gallons of water, per frack, to operate a horizontal well. There can be up to 10 fracks per well! That is 10 million gallons of water per year per well, and there are 5,200 well permits up for consideration for 2010! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that this is a problem. All that fresh water comes from the rivers and streams unabated. No one asked our permission to use it, yet the water of Pennsylvania belongs to the people-that is what our charter says.
The water that is recaptured is contaminated with extremely high levels of salt-4 times saltier than the ocean, and very acid pH. It is toxic to nearly everything, except certain forms of algae.

It is also contaminated with radium...yes the same thing that produces radon gas. PA residents are already adversely effected by radon, and lung cancer from radon is a top killer in some regions of the state. All this to garner a small amount of natural gas that will not be U.S. autonomous-foreign companies are already buying into the shares, so the same thing that happened in oil production will happen in domestic gas production...only this time, our collective water quality will be destroyed in the process.

This is not a small problem. There are a variety of 72 chemicals being added to that water, but we don't know how many or in what concentrations, because the companies are not required by law to reveal that information. Municipalities who think they will make tax revenue on this type of drilling will find themselves in deep to the sewer authority who will require that water remediated before it hits the plant. Right now, it is being dumped untreated, right back into our rivers.

Anyone who wants to write a horror story, here it is, and this one is very real.
Call write, or loudly complain in the most public way to your local and state and federal officials: this is our resource, water is sacred, you cannot continue to violate our rights in this manner.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

SWPA Flooding Concerns: Tips for Everyone

2010-03-09T12:33:00.002-05:00

Hello Family,
As you know, a slow moving stormfront can play havoc for us here in Southwestern PA. We are expecting some rain for the next few days, and that along with rising temperatures has the National Weather Service, and some local officials concerned that flooding could occur.

Falcon has some tips for EVERYONE, regardless of where you live, because stationary water and stormwater runoff are a problem everywhere.

First- if you live in a flood prone area, clear your basement or ground floor of as many valuables as you can.
Keep fresh water bottles on hand ( enough for 3 days or more) and have food, medicines, etc. on higher ground and bagged to keep moisture out.

Second-make a pass through your property and community today while it is dry. Remove loose debris from areas where is could collect in rising waters and become a real problem. Check the sewers in your neighborhood. Make sure they are clear of debris and trash. Those items could block sewers, cause streets to pond and put lives at risk. It could also cause water to back up into basements and yards.

Three-get sandbags for areas around your home prone to flooding.
Get battery operated radios or crank radios and chargers in case the power goes out.
Keep a medical kit for cuts and bruises handy. Check flashlights, and CHARGE YOU MOBILE PHONES!!! Keep them charged.

Four-let family and friends know where you are and what you are doing. Social networking is very handy for that. If you haven't heard from someone, when you safely can, check on them, particularly if they are elderly or living alone.

For more information on what you should have in case of an emergency, go to:

www.redcross.org

Peace, and stay safe.
Falcon and Dove

Artist Tim Farrell on ECHOES this Weekend! Upcoming Concert in Pittsburgh on March 12!

2010-03-04T00:41:00.001-05:00

Artist Tim Farrell on ECHOES this Weekend!
Upcoming Concert in Pittsburgh on March 12!

Hello Family,
Guitarist Tim Farrell, whose new CD CODAS is currently Number 4 on the ECHOES list, is coming to Pittsburgh on March 12 for a benefit concert to promote science education to young people in the extended tri-state region. I also just heard that he will be featured on the program this upcoming week:

One-check out our ECHOES broadcast on Sunday evenings from 9-11pm on WDUQ-FM, 90.5

Two-Tim’s interview and concert should air on Tuesday, March 9, but check www.echoes.org to see when it will air where you are, or play the website.

Then you can come out Friday night in Pittsburgh (the snow will be melting, the air warming) by the confluence of the three rivers and see Tim with his buddies Ken Bonfield, and Steve Davison at the Carnegie Science Center for food (free beer!) music, and all for a good cause: science education.

Just go to this link to purchase your tickets:

http://members.carnegiemuseums.org/anacousticevening

Falcon and Dove: Oscar Predictions 2010

2010-03-02T23:00:00.011-05:00

Hello World Family,
It's an annual event, and of course, this year is no different. It is time for our Oscar predictions: what we think will win, and what we wish would win.

We will keep it simple. This is a powerful year. We feel going to 10 films under consideration for Best Picture was a good idea, since there certainly are enough great films this year consider.

Best Picture-It is going to be a very tough category, but we feel AVATAR will win BEST PICTURE, although we think THE HURT LOCKER will give it a run for its money, and both are fine films. PRECIOUS is nominated, and were there not an AVATAR, this would be our choice for Best Picture.

Director-Kathryn Bigelow did a fantastic job, and of course, Lee Daniels was awesome. We would love to see Lee upset this category, but we are also fine with James Cameron getting his Oscar.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role should be Mo'Nique. She was devastatingly magnificent.

Best Actress-this is a very tough cetegory, and will probably be won by Sandra Bullock. Is it her best effort or role...well, no. This is a feel good category. Every single woman in this group did an extraordinary job this year.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role-probably Christophe Waltz

Best Actor-probably Jeff Bridges, but we would also like to give props to Colin Firth, whom we enjoy tremendously.

In technical categories, we would like to see awards for the following films: AVATAR, STAR TREK, HP: HBP, and The Secret of Kells.

Best Animation will probably be UP, but the best project this year was CORALINE.

Best Original Screenplay- It's a toss up: THE HURT LOCKER and THE MESSENGER

Best Adapted Screenplay-PRECIOUS should win-we will see

Best Visual Effects-AVATAR, period, seriously

Music-Randy Newman may get a win here for work in Disney's THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG

Best Documentary-FOOD, INC.

Doc Short-CHINA'S UNNATURAL DISASTER

Best Animated Short-FRENCH TOAST or WALLACE AND GROMMIT

Best Live Short-THE NEW TENANTS

It is truly a wonderful year for film. See as many of these great films as you can on screen, or on DVD.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

The Earth has been Knocked Off its Axis!!! Frank Sarris dies

2010-03-02T17:41:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family,
The Chilean earthquake 14 miles
below the surface of the earth has knocked the planet about 3 inches off where it was before.

That has made out days shorter by 1.26 millionth of a second. You probably won't notice it, but the earth spinning faster does leave one pondering...

Speaking of knocked off our axis...

FRANK SARRIS DIES SUDDENLY

Chocolate icon of southwestern PA Frank Sarris has passed away suddenly.
Falcon and Dove are very sad to hear this news, and offer our prayers and sympathy to the Sarris Family and employees and friends.

Falcon thinks of Sarris as family-many, many school and sports fundraisers, church groups, and holiday shopping have all involved Sarris.
Frank was at work yesterday! A visit to their ice cream shop and store is an annual event for our family. I had the best chocolate ice cream cone ( the size of Rhode Island on a sugar cone, I want you to know) with chocolate jimmies ( sprinkles for you non-yinzers) of my life there during last December! Absolutely awesome!!! The dark chocolate Covered apricots are one of the things dreams are made of! And then there's the giant candy castle! Oh, and all the stuffed animals and novelties! Sarris has always been a special, family owned business in Cannonsburg.
Frank-we love you dearly and will miss you muchly.
He was 78 years young.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE-8.8 MAG-TSUNAMI WARNINGS-HI, NZ, AUS

2010-02-27T07:57:00.003-05:00

Hello World Family,
there has been a amassive earthquake signigicanly more powerful than the Haiti quake. As of this posting, there are 78 deaths, and a state of catastrophe has been declared. There are Tsunami warnings from Chile, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. It is still dark, so it's hard to tell how extensive the damage is-wake up your friends in Hawaii-let them know about the warning.

Our prayers go out to our Brothers and Sisters in Chile. We hope for calm seas.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

THIS JUST IN: FLIR Thermal Imaging Coming to SciTech Green Tech Event!

2010-02-26T16:57:00.004-05:00

World Family,
This has just been confirmed! According to Falcon and Dove's source within the Carnegie Science Center, FLIR-the Thermal Imaging film that does so much work with infrastructure, water, homeland security, and yes, ghost-hunting is coming to Pittsburgh with their Mobile Training Unit!!! It is a HUGE RV that can hold 10-12 people at a time, filled with all the latest FLIR toys-thermal imaging, broad spectrum cameras, the works!

Want a peek?! you can have access normally only reserved for corporations, police, fire, security firms. On Friday, March 12, if you are coming to the wonderful SciTech GreenTech Concert, you will have access to the FLIR Mobile Training Unit!

The FLIR vehicle will stay in Pittsburgh through Saturday, March 13 for the public day at the Carnegie Science Center from 10am-4pm.

What a unique opportunity to have access to some really cool gear!
Young people-looking for a career??? Come look at some of this equipment, and be inspired.

These guys are coming all the way from Charlotte, NC just to be in Pittsburgh for SciTech/GreenTech!

To Roy and all the gang at FLIR...big thanks!!!

For details on the fundraiser, please see below.

Concert and delicious light fare for a good cause

Friday, March 12
Carnegie Science Center

7 pm Reception featuring food by Sausalido (a bistro in Bloomfield) and one free drink ticket (beer, wine, and soft drinks)
8 pm Concert

After the concert, the musicians will autograph and sell their CDs.

Guitarists Ken Bonfield, Steve Davison, and Tim Farrell will perform exquisite guitar music ranging from country blues, ragtime, and folk, to traditional Celtic, jazz, classical, contemporary, and even a couple of rock covers! Acoustic guitar fans know that having these three distinguished musicians appear together is a rare event.

A Good Cause

Proceeds from this event will benefit the environmental education programs of Carnegie Science Center and the Allegheny Sierra Club’s Water Committee. These funds will support educational programming and allow students from underserved schools and neighborhoods to participate, become inspired, and learn about career opportunities for their future.

The cost is $60, and tickets are sure to go fast.
Tickets must be purchased online by 4 pm, March 12; no tickets will be sold at the door.

To purchase tickets, just follow this link:
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/newsletters/acoustic.html

Falcon has enjoyed the offerings of Sausalido and I can tell you, they completely rock! Dove and I saw these gentlemen in concert, and were blown away.

Remember, the St. Patrick's Day Parade is the next morning, so come on into Pittsburgh early Friday do the concert and the parade, come back to the Science Center with the kids, and enjoy a great weekend.

GREEN TECH DAY
Saturday, March 13
10 am to 4 pm
Carnegie Science Center

‘Tis the day for Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the wearin’ of the green. At Carnegie Science Center, visit Green Tech Day to learn about “green” technologies and careers, and why Pittsburgh is a leader in this field.

Each year, SciTech Days attract thousands of high school and middle school students. Green Tech Day extends the fun to the entire family! Now’s your chance to try first-hand the amazing technologies being developed in the region and learn some of the secrets behind the latest scientific breakthroughs.

See you there,
Falcon and Dove

PA TURNPIKE SNOW EMERGENCY-OHIO LINE TO JERSEY BORDER

2010-02-26T12:45:00.003-05:00

Hey Family,
Heads up if you need the Pennsylvania Turnpike today. There is a speed restriction of 45 mph maximum for the length of the state.

Numerous accidents are complicating matters. High vehicles such as certain trucks and RVs are prohibited entirely.
Wow...it is Friday, right?

Have a safe weekend!
Falcon and Dove

PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED 2/26!

2010-02-26T09:31:00.003-05:00

Hello Family,
A late announcement from the Superintendent: All Pittsburgh Public schools are closed. I hope you all got this announcement, but in case some of you parents have already left for working thinking the kids are on their way to school, no go.

There are accidents everywhere, and the PA Tunrpike is closed between Breezewood and Fulton Co. line. Major accident.

There is an accident on the Parkway East at Swissvale entrance ramp, and it is slowing things down in both directions. Parkway North and West are no better.

If you don't have to be out there, stay home.

It is predicted that there will be an additional 2-4 inches of snow in Pittsburgh proper, and 4-6 in the counties north and east, and in the Laurel Highlands and West Virginia and MD, 6-12 inches more.

Happy Friday.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Clapton, Daltrey Tour Starts in The Burgh Tonight! Best Rock Guitarists of all Time

2010-02-25T16:02:00.006-05:00

Hello World Family,
The Eric Clapton/Roger Daltrey Tour begins today in Pittsburgh, PA. We are extremely happy here in Pittsburgh, since Clapton has chosen us 3 times to begin his tours. The Clapton/Beck shows last week were FANTASTIC! Falcon doesn’t expect these shows to be any different. Clapton seems to be pulling out some real treats from deep in the archives, and the shows should be spectacular. See this tour if you can!

On the subject of rock guitar gods, once again discussion has risen about the best of the best. We are talking about just the genre of rock, ‘cause we would be here for years discussing all the greats. We could go on for hours about the greats of rock alone.

Here are a dozen of Falcon’s favorites, not in any particular order…except one.

FALCON’S TOP ROCK GUITAR PLAYERS OF ALL TIME

1. Jimi Hendrix-he is number one, and there will never be his equal. This I am certain. He was innovative, self taught, creative, profound, technically masterful, soulful, beautiful…died too soon.

The rest of the list, again, not in any particular order because they are all exquisite masters:

Jimmy Page

Eric Clapton

Jeff Beck

Robert Johnson-he is on this list because I believe that the true father of the rock movement in guitar mastery is Robert Johnson.

Steve Howe

Robin Trower

Duane Allman

Stevie Ray Vaughn-played the best solo I have ever heard live in my life!

Carlos Santana

Chuck Berry

Jerry Garcia

HONORABLE MENTIONS
(this list could have had a hundred guitar players on it)

Keith Richards

Nancy Wilson (Heart)

Kirk Hammett

Eric Johnson

Randy Rhoads

Lita Ford

Trevor Rabin (for playing all the Yes stuff he had to master, playing with Manfred Mann, and all those film soundtracks-he’s just as good a pianist as a guitar player…and yes, I mean pianist, not keyboard player)

Pete Townsend

B.B.King-has played with enough rock artists to be in this category-would be in the top ten of guitarists of all time in any genre

Richie Blackmore

Dick Dale (surf guitar)

Joan Armatrading (new CD ‘This Charming Life” comes out in March 2010)

If you are unfamiliar with any of these legendary artists, check them out online and buy some music!

Peace,
Falcon

Pittsburgh Events for this Last Week of February

2010-02-23T11:36:00.005-05:00

Hey family!

Falcon here we some wonderful events for this week.

Women of Color HERStory Month 2010 Community Events

EVE (Enlightened Voices for the Environment) Circle
Tuesday, February 23, 5:30PM
Presented by Center for Victims of Violence and Crime
@ First United Presbyterian Church, 5401 Centre Avenue, Shadyside
FREE
To sign-up and for more details, email lbhotep@cvvc.org
412.482.3240 | www.cvvc.org/eveproject.php

New Voices Pittsburgh 2010 / Womb-Words, Thirsting by Lenelle Moïse

Thursday, February 25, 7PM
@ Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Avenue, East Liberty
Tickets: $10 - Advance, $15 - Door, $50 VIP | www.brownpapertickets.com/event/99370
Call or email for low-income, student, group rates and VIP.

History in the Making: Honoring Our Young African-American Leaders of Today
Now through February 26, 8AM-5PM
Presented by the City of Pittsburgh
@ City County Building, 414 Grant Street, Lobby
FREE
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/black_history_month.htm

NOTICE: The free parking in Pittsburgh due to the snow debacle is over! Put money in the meters again beginning today!

David Ferri and Orchard TV to Consult For Moogis for Allman Bros. Concerts!

2010-02-22T15:42:00.005-05:00

Hey Brothers and Sisters,
Falcon here, with extremely good news from our Brother, David Ferri at Orchard Studios, an off-the grid webcasting studio dream in Ontario.

For Immediate Release:

Moogis, the Internet Webcasting company started by Butch Trucks of The Allman Brothers Band, has named David Ferri of Orchard TV as its Webcasting and Internet Technical Consultant. In this capacity, Ferri will contribute to the Moogis webcasts of The Allman Brothers Band concert run. All thirteen concerts will be Webcast from The United Palace Theater In New York City starting March 11 continuing throughout the month.

Moogis CEO, Peter Morticelli, says “Adding David Ferri to our team of industry professionals is a very important step for Moogis. Dave has been a pioneer at the forefront of Webcasting for many years and he will bring his considerable internet expertise to one of America’s most iconic rock bands, The Allman Brothers Band.”

Visit www.orchardtv.com for more info.

Visit www.moogis.com for more details on the webcasts of The Allman Brothers Band from The United Palace Theater in March.

An Acoustic Evening at Carnegie Science Center Benefits Kids

2010-02-18T10:56:00.007-05:00

Hey World Family,
Let's get out of the winter doldrums and start celebrating spring! Where will you be on March 12, 2010? Come to Pittsburgh for music, food, and fun for a good cause.

Concert and delicious light fare for a good cause

Friday, March 12
Carnegie Science Center

7 pm Reception featuring food by Sausalido (a bistro in Bloomfield) and one free drink ticket (beer, wine, and soft drinks)
8 pm Concert

After the concert, the musicians will autograph and sell their CDs.

Guitarists Ken Bonfield, Steve Davison, and Tim Farrell will perform exquisite guitar music ranging from country blues, ragtime, and folk, to traditional Celtic, jazz, classical, contemporary, and even a couple of rock covers! Acoustic guitar fans know that having these three distinguished musicians appear together is a rare event.

A Good Cause

Proceeds from this event will benefit the environmental education programs of Carnegie Science Center and the Allegheny Sierra Club’s Water Committee. These funds will support educational programming and allow students from underserved schools and neighborhoods to participate, become inspired, and learn about career opportunities for their future.

The cost is $60, and tickets are sure to go fast.
Tickets must be purchased online by 4 pm, March 12; no tickets will be sold at the door.

To purchase tickets, just follow this link:
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/newsletters/acoustic.html

Falcon has enjoyed the offerings of Sausalido and I can tell you, they completely rock! Dove and I saw these gentlemen in concert, and were blown away.

Remember, the St. Patrick's Day Parade is the next morning, so come on into Pittsburgh early Friday do the concert and the parade, come back to the Science Center with the kids, and enjoy a great weekend.

GREEN TECH DAY
Saturday, March 13
10 am to 4 pm
Carnegie Science Center

‘Tis the day for Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the wearin’ of the green. At Carnegie Science Center, visit Green Tech Day to learn about “green” technologies and careers, and why Pittsburgh is a leader in this field.

Each year, SciTech Days attract thousands of high school and middle school students. Green Tech Day extends the fun to the entire family! Now’s your chance to try first-hand the amazing technologies being developed in the region and learn some of the secrets behind the latest scientific breakthroughs.

See you there,
Falcon and Dove

The Mary L. Stone Black College Tour-DEADLINE APPROACHES to REGISTER!

2010-02-17T15:34:00.003-05:00

Hey Family,
Falcon, here with an important deadline for high school students who are currently in their Freshman or Sophomore years. Check it out!

The Mary L. Stone Black College Tour
Deadline to register approaches!

K i n g s l e y A s s o c i a t i o n ' s
2010 Mary L. Stone
Black College Tour
June 20 - 27, 2010

Application deadline for the 2010 tour is March 1, 2010

The Mary L. Stone Black College Tour is a dynamic experience for high school
juniors and sophomores. The program exposes students to public, private,
large and small colleges in rural and urban settings. Beginning with the
application process, the tour staff has developed a program that
familiarizes students and families with the challenges of pursuing higher
education.

Applicants are expected to be enrolled in their junior or sophomore year of
high school. Applicants may be enrolled in public, private, charter or
parochial school.

SPECIAL NOTE TO HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS:
The tour is open to you. The criteria is being evaluated. Please go ahead and apply.

~ TOUR ITINERARY ~

National Great Blacks
in Wax Museum,
Baltimore MD

Morgan State University,
Baltimore MD

Howard University,
Washington DC

Hampton University,
Hampton VA

Norfolk State University,
Norfolk VA

South Carolina State University,
Orangeburg SC

Claflin University,
Orangeburg SC

Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for
Non-Violent Social Change,
Atlanta GA

Morehouse College,
Atlanta GA

Spelman College,
Atlanta GA

Clark Atlanta University,
Atlanta GA

Tuskegee University,
Tuskegee AL

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute,
Birmingham AL

Tennesee State University,
Nashville TN

Fisk University,
Nashville TN

National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center,
Cincinnati OH

The Mary L. Stone Black College Tour has provided more than 2,600 students
with a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

http://www.thesoulpitt.com/images/kingsleycollegetour4.jpg

While most participants live in southwestern Pennsylvania, some have come
from as far as Minnesota and California to take the tour. Participants from
more than 40 area public, parochial, private and charter high schools have
enrolled in and graduated from a wide range of colleges, including
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). A number of
students and parents have returned to volunteer in various capacities.

Tour information and the application may be found
at the website:

www.kingsleyassociation.org
(Click on Special Programs | College Tour)

Kingsley Association's
2010 Mary L. Stone Black College Tour
June 20 - 27, 2010
Application deadline for the 2010 tour is March 1, 2010

The Kingsley Association
6435 Frankstown Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15206
412-661-8751

This Just In: Women in Business Scholarships for Saturday

2010-02-17T12:34:00.005-05:00

Just got this. Falcon hopes some of you can attend:

The goal of the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is to reach out to the larger community of women entreprenuers and provide education and resources to empower their success in business. With that said, we are offering 100 partial scholarships to women who desire to attend the 2nd Annual Microenterprise Symposium. The details of the symposium:

Carnegie Mellon University
Tepper School of Business,
Saturday, February 20, 2010
8:30am - 5:00pm

The registration cost has been reduced to $20.00 for 100 women who register by the end of the day Wednesday, February 17, 2010 (6:00pm). Includes lunch.

Registrations can be made online at http://www.micro2millions.eventbrite.com/ or by calling 412 255-6749

Registrations can also be made by email: awilliams@ywcapgh.org. Please provide detailed contact information to receive a call confirming your reservation.

Pittsburgh will Break a Snow Record Today! Dogs and Shelters

2010-02-17T12:08:00.005-05:00

Hello Pittsburgh Region Family members,
This will come as no surprise to you, but the rest of our World Family may be shocked. Today, February 17, we will pass a record established in January of 1978 for the largest snowfall in a single month. Oh, and the month is only half over!

The old record was 40.2 inches of snowfall. Falcon remembers January of '78. It was snowing constantly, and it was extremely cold. I also remember going to Animal Rescue League with my father and getting a puppy-she was lethargic in the cage, but immediately came to life in a big way as soon as she was out of the kennel.
She was a challenge, having been abused terribly before we adopted her, and she had her issues, but she brought so much joy and celebration to our family for over 13 years.

As we celebrate Sadie's victory as Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club, let's not forget the over 4 million animals in shelters around the country. During this bad weather, numbers have increased. Please, if you have the room, take a shelter pet into your home, or donate to those organizations in your community that keep pets safe, and offer no-kill locations.

Also, Tim Mitchell is missing his service dog, Runt a chihuahua, brown in color, from the Greyhound Bus Depot in downtown Pittsburgh. There is a reward offered. Please help him out in bringing his special family member back home.

Thank you, Brothers and Sisters.
Stay warm!
Falcon and Dove

SW PA SNOW STORM UPDATES

2010-02-07T19:07:00.004-05:00

Hey Storm Family,
Here are some Southwestern Pennsylvania updates as of Sunday evening:

STAY OFF THE ROADS FOR TONIGHT-again, unless you are emergency, hospital, or security personnel, please stay home.

100% of main roads have been reached, but only 10% of tertiary roads, so...it's dangerous, be careful tomorrow.

Bad news, there is more snow expected Tuesday into Wednesday for the mid-Atlantic region. Yikes-3 to 6 inches.

34 municipalities are still under a state of emergency. Allegheny County believes it may last for 7 days.

The National Guard is on its way to Pittsburgh to help out. Snow removal is a top priority, as well as getting the lights and heat back on for so many. Keeping warm is essential.

IF YOUR HEAT IS OUT-you can dial 911 for a ride to a Warm Center. Please check on your neighbors and elders.

DO NOT PUT GENERATORS INDOORS!!!!!!!!!
Carbon Monoxide will build up and it will KILL YOU! A father and daughter in McKeesport have already died from a gas/propane generator. It needs to be outside and away from the house.

REMOVE HEAVY SNOW FROM YOUR FURNACE EXHAUST. CO can build up because of that blockage, too.

TRASH PICKUP IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH HAS BEEN HALTED INDEFINITELY!
Don't risk injury trying to put your trash out.

Vehicles blocking streets in the city of Pittsburgh will be towed beginning Monday. This is so they can plow and open up streets. Try to get your vehicle early in the day if you can and move it.

8,000 Duquesne Light customers still have their power out. Monday evening by midnight for most; those who have individual problems between their home and the pole will be addressed by Wednesday.

82,000 Allegheny Power customers have their power out. Here's the worse news: they will not commit to a schedule of how long it will take to get it on.

Schools are closed-if yours hasn't yet reported, give them heck, because they should be now.

It is entirely possible that depending on where you live and how much snow you have and will get between Tuesday and Wednesday, you may not ever get those kids in school this week. Get ready.

Falcon and Dove wishes all of you well. Stay safe, and be careful.
Peace

PennDOT to PA Residents: STAY OFF THE ROADS

2010-02-06T19:20:00.003-05:00

Hello Pennsylvania Family,
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has a message for you this Saturday night: STOP DRIVING ON THE ROADS! Really. They are pissed. They can't clean the snow off the roads if you keep trying to drive on the roads. There is a State of Emergency for the entire commonwealth, so it is important that unless you are emergency personnel (police, fire, EMS, hospital personnel, security, military, etc.) you are not supposed to drive.

If your boss says you are, tell him or her that the penalty right now for getting stopped driving tonight is a suspension of driving privileges; yes, your license can be suspended. That would suck, so here's a solution: don't drive. It is not worth the risk or injury to be driving when the roads are so bad. There are people who haven't been home for at least 24 hours because they can't get home. If they can wait until tomorrow, so can you:)

Be safe Family. We care.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

SNOW DISASTER UPDATES IN PENNSYLVANIA

2010-02-06T10:48:00.003-05:00

Hey Everyone,
Some important updates:

Penn-American has lost their water treatment plant, so all 180,000 users are supposed to conserve water. Includes baths, showers, etc. Sorry. They had a power outage.

PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE IS CLOSED westbound from Breezewood to the Ohio line. There are disabled vehicles everywhere, but particularly from Somerset to Donegal. Advice, stay off the roads.

Gov. Rendell has just declared a Sate of Emergency and an Emergency Declaration. Stay off the road unless you are emergency personel, and don't try to clear this all at once.

Southwestern PA is socked in with about two to three feet of snow, depending on where you are. Shovel carefully and take frequent breaks. Don't try to go anywhere in a car, period. Give yourself plenty of fluids and stay warm.

IF YOUR POWER IS OUT
bundle up and stay warm. If you are CLOSE to a fire hall, they have been turned into Warm Centers. I mean, like you can walk to the fire station in less than 5 minutes on a normal day. Any further than that, stay put. A short walk in this depth of snow would be like a decathelon for many of you. Take care of yourselves.

Peace, and love to you all.
Falcon and Dove

SNOW SLAPPING EVERYWHERE IN THE EAST!

2010-02-06T08:25:00.003-05:00

Hello World Family,
State of Emergency everywhere in the eastern portion of the U.S. Family, don't even think you are driving anywhere. If you have a snowmobile and live near an interstate or main road, please check and make sure that no one is freexing in those abandoned cars.

PITTSBURGH-we have around 19-23 inches, depending on where you live. In the Laurel Highlands, I can't even count...maybe approaching 30. We are completely buried.

Family, do not try to shovel everything at once! It is a heavy, wet, dangerous snow.
YOUNG PEOPLE-we need you! Help your neighbors. Take shifts, don't do too much at once. By tonight, this stuff will cool in the temps and turn into a concrete like substance. You need to move it, but do it slowly-I don't want any of you having to make a trip to a hospital.

Speaking of hospitals, some have a code black in the Pittsburgh area. If you need to go, call on the way to make sure they are open.

We will get through this. World Family, thanks for your prayers and support. Everyone pull together.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Oscar Nominations: Some surprises

2010-02-02T11:45:00.004-05:00

Hey World Family,
The Oscar nominations have some surprises, some omissions, and some downright…huh?!

So, for the most part, the major nominations were predictable. Having 10 Best Picture nominations this year, but still only five Best Directors meant someone was going to be left out. Although the top pics have expanded, I still think they missed a few.

Of course, Avatar, An Education, A Serious Man, and Inglorious Basterds made the cut-Precious did, too, and Falcon is thrilled about that. Up in the Air is still going strong, and The Hurt Locker, one of the most powerful films Falcon and Dove have seen in a long time is also in the hunt. The Blind Side and Up round out the 10, along with District 9.

Okay, I just don’t get it. I admit it. District 9 is full of visual flaws every time I see something from it. I don’t like the story, I thought the editing left something to be desired. If we were gonna go sci-fi to round out the top 10, I would have had Star Trek in there: very well produced and directed. J.J. Abrams is a stone cold genius, and the ensemble actors assembled were perfect-something that is very difficult to do with a franchise like Star Trek has been. Star Trek has 4 Oscar nominations by my count, that is pretty darn good. District 9 is also nominated for Visual Effects, along with Avatar of course, and Star Trek, which left out Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which got a Best Cinematography nomination, and should have. I can’t believe voters sat in the 15 minute bake-off of each of the seven remaining films and decided District 9’s visual effects held up to the stuff done in HP: HBP’s use of Squirt and Maya. If I have left some of you behind on this one, don’t worry; just pick up a couple of copies of Cinefex magazine and it will explain it all.

Falcon also wants to go on the record for saying that we all enjoyed Up a lot. Should it be nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay when Avatar isn’t for the latter? Heck, no. Sorry, it just wasn’t that good. Cute, entertaining, but just not that good. Yes, I liked the love story, and I get the whole ‘wanting to get away from it all’ and ‘hero failure’ (Christopher Plummer will work forever-love you!) and I loved Dug the dog-I quote him frequently, but it just isn’t what I would have considered Oscar worthy in nomination for Best Picture, sorry. If I was going to nominate an animated feature from 2009 for Best Picture, it would be Coraline (which is nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, along with Up, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog, and a surprise, The Secret of Kells, very cool) hands down. Magnificently realized stop-motion hand built animation with a strong story (although subtle, which may have left some in the dark about a couple of thematic overtones), organic POV, and stunning visual effects-Falcon just doesn’t think this film got enough attention. Glad it is nominated for Animation, though.

Most nominations is a tie between Avatar and The Hurt Locker. Both these films rock so no worries there. Did you know that Kathryn Bigelow, the director of The Hurt Locker and also the winner of this year’s Director’s Guild of America award (DGA) is the ex-wife of James Cameron? I think it’s hysterical that they are nominated against each other frequently for Oscar-they are both good natured about it, and wish the best for each other. That’s nice.

Favorites nominated: Colin Firth, in A Single Man-he is very talented and versatile: Falcon and Dove are glad he is getting some strong recognition recently for his outstanding work. Lee Daniels for Precious-enough cannot be said about how great this work is. Mo’Nique is nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, along with Gabby Sidibe for Best Actress and Lee for Best Director. This has been an outstanding year for film, and this film, its director, and its talent, stand high above the din. Lee Daniels is a gifted visionary, and deserves all of the accolades he receives. Stanley Tucci is one of my favorite actors, ever-he is superb in The Lovely Bones. Meryl Strep did Julia Child well, and this is coming from one of Julia’s biggest fans, Falcon. Stanley Tucci is also in Julie and Julia, and we loved him in that as well.

It is great to see The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (go Chris Plummer, again!) get a couple of noms, as well as Sherlock Holmes got one-we thought this one might get a little more. Documentary Feature nominee, Food, Inc. is an insightful work-nice to see it acknowledged for its strong character and unblinking interviews. The Messenger is nominated for Best Original Screenplay, and yet not Best Picture? A strange omission, me thinks. Woody Harrelson was outstanding in this film; nice to see his Best Actor in a Supporting Role nomination.

CUROSITIES:
Best Makeup-just how much makeup difficulty was there in Il Divo? I didn’t see it, so I don’t know…someone let me know.

About The Blind Side…great story, good film. Oscar is pushing it. Do I love Sandra Bullock? Absolutely. Do I think this is a Best Actress performance? Nope. She was very uncomfortable with a lot of this role, and frankly, it shows. I love her films, and believe that she will one day be cast in a role that truly shows all of her spectrum. This is not the role, and this is not the film.

It feels good, it’s a true story, but when aligned with such strong performances in this category, Falcon would be disappointed that an Oscar would go to someone who has said time and time again in interview that they didn’t do their best work. We hope this category is given its full consideration and this isn’t a gimme. There are some tremendous performances nominated this year; let’s look at the ones that feel good… and the ones that don’t. I think the woman she portrays should have a bronze statue in her honor, but this category is stiff this year with tremendous performances.

Gabby Sidibe should not be written off as a one time; she is incredibly gifted and versatile-I hope she works a whole lot more. Screenwriters: write some strong women roles for these talented actresses. Hollywood: put some money behind the projects. Helen Mirren is stellar, and Carey Mulligan should get more than a passing glance for her performance in An Education. It is a Best Picture nomination-a joy to behold.

Missed-well, there’s a lot. It was a great year for film. The technical categories being narrowed down to three every year bothers me. Why three? Why not five? Five would be better. Art Direction is five; Cinematography is five-let’s do five (at least five) in all of them.

Quentin-now what are you going to do now that you are accepted by the establishment?! Hehe

The Academy Awards will be on March 7. Until then, everyone place your proverbial bets. There will be lots of discussion. In the meantime, we will be back to the issues of the day.
Every day is a new day.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Air Starck: Wind Turbines for Urban Communities and Residential Use

2010-01-31T12:04:00.002-05:00

Hey World Family,

The buzz around Philippe Starck’s new design for a small wind turbine that can harness wind from any direction and starts at a mere $3,500 has been mixed, mostly because some fail to understand the potential of this urban air revolution.

Pramac has developed Revolution Air:a series of vertical axis windmills that harness it all, quietly, and can even gather torrents and exhaust blasts-there is a twin blade and a triple blade model. They are small, so less likely to pull in wildlife that could be harmed by other types of windmills when installed on their migratory paths.

The original research concerning these small but mighty designs were done in Britain, and clearly the researchers were only focused on assessment for their arena, not the U.S. and other urban markets world wide. The design has tremendous potential since what won’t work in London will do just fine in places like: the East Coast of the U.S., Chicago, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Hawaii, The Pacific Northwest, The Caribbean, India, The West Coast of Africa, New Zealand, etc. The research just wasn’t broad enough, or frankly, visionary enough.

Here’s the thing: many urban areas have strong wind currents that must work around structures. This design makes that a snap, since it will harness currents from any direction. It is noiseless, so that’s a bonus. It is small, so less disruptive, and best of all, cheap and easy to install…for the most part. Urban areas that have large tracks of land where buildings have been demolished can make use of a ‘farm’ of these windmills, and small businesses and neighborhood ‘co-ops’ could save millions of dollars, lower the proverbial carbon footprint, and bring some strong energy independence to those who need it the most.

Here’s one of the most important points: it reduces the carbon footprint big time. Communities where clearer air is so important could use these with schools, senior centers, hospitals, and reduce their dependency on dirty coal. Combine this kind of technology with retrofitting and energy saving appliances, as well as community farms, personal gardens, and improved wastewater infrastructure…well the improvements could be huge. You won’t have to wait for this one-the Italian developer is ready to move this product this year. Very nice.

The triple blade can do 400W, and there is even a kilo version. This small wind turbine is huge. We should pay attention to it, and communities should start to look at ways to bring this kind of design to their doorstep.

This is not a toy for rich urbanites, this is possibly another tool to go in the box of community enfranchisement and energy independence on an affordable level for urban and rural areas world wide.

Let’s make sure we stay abreast of these kinds of developments, and don’t allow special interests to remove these tools from our collective grasp.

For more information:
http://www.revolutionair-pramac.com/

Marcellus Shale Announcement from PA Gov. Ed Rendell

2010-01-28T17:19:00.001-05:00

News for Immediate Release

Jan. 28, 2010

Governor Rendell: PA Taking Aggressive Action to Protect Public, Environment as Marcellus Shale Drilling Operations Expands

Directs DEP to Hire 68 Additional Staff to Bolster Inspections, Environmental Compliance; New Regulations Planned to Improve Well Safety Standards

Harrisburg – In order to protect Pennsylvania’s residents and environment from the impact of increased natural gas exploration across the state, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that the commonwealth is strengthening its enforcement capabilities.

At the Governor’s direction, the Department of Environmental Protection will begin hiring 68 new personnel who will make sure that drilling companies obey state laws and act responsibly to protect water supplies. DEP also will strengthen oil and gas regulations to improve well construction standards. These critical upgrades are designed to prevent gas leaks that can pose risks to the public and water quality.

“Interest in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale formation is greater than ever before and as natural gas prices continue to rise, that interest will only increase,” said Governor Rendell. “In fact, the industry has told us that they expect to apply for 5,200 permits to drill in the Marcellus Shale this year -- nearly three times the number of permits we issued in all of 2009. Given these conditions, an extraction tax is gaining widespread support across our state and I will again ask the General Assembly to enact such a levy. It is fair and affordable to drillers. They know it, and so do members of the House of Representatives who voted for it last year.

“The actions I am announcing today, however, are about decisive, progressive protections for the people of Pennsylvania. We were able to hire 37 additional inspectors and permitting staff in 2009, but the industry’s projected growth in 2010 means that we need additional inspectors to ensure oil and gas companies follow environmental laws and regulations. As I’ve said all along, we want to encourage the development of this resource because it’s a tremendous economic opportunity for the state, but we will not allow that to happen at the expense of our environment.”

DEP performed 14,544 drilling site inspections in 2009 and took 678 enforcement actions against drillers for violations.

The 68 additional personnel will be funded entirely from money generated by new, higher permitting fees that were instituted in 2009—the first such increase since 1984. The new fees were put in place with bipartisan support from the General Assembly, industry and environmental organizations.

The Governor noted that given the need for these additional health and safety personnel and the dedicated funding source that is independent of the state’s General Fund, these new hires are exemptions to the general hiring freeze he instituted last year.

DEP’s work to amend Pennsylvania’s oil and gas regulations will strengthen well construction standards and define a drilling company’s responsibility for responding to gas migration issues, such as when gas escapes a well or rock formation and seeps into homes or water wells. Specifically, he said the new regulations will:

· Require the casings of Marcellus Shale and other high-pressure wells to be tested and constructed with specific, oilfield-grade cement;

· Clarify the drilling industry’s responsibility to restore or replace water supplies affected by drilling;

· Establish procedures for operators to identify and correct gas migration problems without waiting for direction from DEP;

· Require drilling operators to notify DEP and local emergency responders immediately of gas migration problems;

· Require well operators to inspect every existing well quarterly to ensure each well is structurally sound, and report the results of those inspections to DEP annually; and

· Require well operators to notify DEP immediately if problems such as over-pressurized wells and defective casings are found during inspections.

“These new draft regulations, which were developed through open meetings with experts in the industry, are designed to give Pennsylvanians peace of mind by bringing our state’s requirements up to par with other major gas producing states or, as in the case of the well casing requirements, to a level that is even more rigorous,” said Governor Rendell.

The new regulations will be offered for public comment on Jan. 29 before going through DEP’s formal rulemaking process.

Interest in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale formation has been increasing. One third of the more than 6,200 oil and natural gas drilling permits DEP issued in 2009 were for drilling in the Marcellus Shale. By comparison, only four of the more than 6,000 permits issued in 2005 were for the Marcellus formation.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.

Media contacts:

Tom Rathbun, DEP; 717-787-1323

Michael Smith, Governor’s Office; 717-783-1116

iPad Rocks-State of the Union

2010-01-27T23:34:00.003-05:00

Hey World Family-high points to President Obama’s State of the Union Address:

More Pell Grant money and a $10,000 per year for 4 years tax deduction for families with young people in college-Yeah!
Reduction in student loan debt and ending debt after 20 years, 10 years if you work in public service!-Outstanding!!!!

$30 billion of returned TARP money going to small community banks to encourage loans for small businesses-YES!

Increasing exports by double in 5 years-Very cool!

Investment in green energy technology-we’ll get back to that one.

Investing in improving infrastructure across the country-Huge yes!

Freeze on government spending beginning with the 2011 budget on everything but defense, social security, Medicare…ok, that should work.

Investing in building more nuclear power plants-WHAT?! I guess we’ll keep dumping the waste in Indian Country on Yucca Mountain, right?

Investing in improving education…we’ll, after the ‘Every Child Left Behind” act, I don’t know how anyone could do much worse. Let’s see on that one.

Homeland Security…hmm…

Nuclear arms disassembled-cool

Clean coal-what the %^#@& is that? Oh, yeah: technology that doesn’t really work well and costs $7 billion per plant that releases more mercury into the air that a regular coal plant…hey, at least it’s not CO2, right? Throw the Republicans that still don’t believe in climate change a bone. Wow, talk about the queens of de-nial…
Does it ever occur to any of these guys that what goes into the air goes into the water…and us? I suppose not…

Overall, pretty good IF Congress will cooperate. He talked about people putting aside their petty arguments…oh, and one more thing that President Obama mentioned…

Hey Supreme Court…you blew it! Congress: fix it, NOW! Yeah, he said that.

Corporations are not people. They don’t vote, they can’t do jury duty, and often are run by those who otherwise wouldn’t have the same rights as other American citizens. The Constitution starts with “We the People” (got if from the Iroquois Confederacy, like so much of our system of checks and balances); Corps are not people. Period.

‘Nuff said on that subject. I give the president a thumbs up…now let’s see what happens; actions speak louder than words.

iPad LAUNCH

The speculation has ended, the day has arrived: iPad, the newest device from Apple; a nifty little pad that pretty much does everything an iPhone does except, well…the phone part. Obviously, you can do all the usual MMS, IM stuff and all the apps that work for the iPhone will work on the iPad: 120,000 of them! If you have already downloaded them to iTunes, then they will go on your iPad! Sweet!

It is very light (1.6 lbs), and cute (9 by7 inches, give or take, and around a half inch thick), and has a battery that can put up with 10 hours of continuous work (that impressed me) and a big screen with people touch sensitivity and LED pictures that are stunning.

Who will want this starting at $499? Falcon sees a market. I have to be honest: I love my iPhone, but sometimes, I would like to see things bigger. Falcon is not a spring chick anymore, and the eyes aren’t what they used to be. I think Baby Boomers and seniors will love this toy: it makes all your apps functions bigger, you can read books on it like a real book, only you control the size and the lighting automatically adjusts so that you don’t burn your eyeballs out in inappropriate light.

It’s super portable, works at any angle, and even has an external keyboard (or you can use the screen) that will let it stand up for ease and flexibility. As a constant multi-tasker, I will adore this feature.

Depending on your line of work, this would become your best electronic friend. I can see apps like the Film Budget one being really handy out in the field writing and recording things on the large screen while not being weighed down. It is smaller than the legal pad I normally would have had.

Email, work apps, movie watching, games become so much easier. Music (including hook-ups for external speakers) WiFi as well as 3G capabilities (extra) a cute case (I hope that’s not extra-and they should design additional cool cases for it like the iPhone), USB recharging, and versatility make this product attractive. I know there are other book-readers out there, but this does so much more than that. You can read the paper on the web so much easier. I will get through NYT so much faster this way, and easier on my body and my eyes. I think a lot of people will love that.

The way you view photos is pretty cool, it will make looking a production pics a snap! Sorting becomes seamless. Imagine being at an event, hooking the camera or SD card up, and sorting right away, and sending to everyone! It makes the process simpler.

Social networking becomes easier than ever. Maps are highly detailed with more features, and I am going to assume it will do directions on it, since the iPhone already has apps for that. For me, that is huge. For those with visual challenges who walk and need directions, this will show them clearly how to get there in a size they can see! That is empowering.

I can see those with physical handicaps or challenges finding this product a joy to work with. If apps can be added that helps them explore and find more to do, enjoy, and advance, that would be incredible.

The Calendar, Notepad, and Contacts pages look great! Again, easier for Boomers, Seniors, and those who just want to see it bigger.

The price point? Well, it’s pretty good. I wish the 3G difference wasn’t’ so much more pricey than the WiFi, but otherwise, I think it is fairly priced.

As a tablet, it is outstanding!I don't think it is for everyone, but many will like what it can do, and the size of the images will be very attractive to gamers. Portability is nice.
UPDATE: Falcon found out this device has no camera. This is one of those situations where you needed an average mom in the room-WE WANT A GOOD CAMERA! We don't want to carry around one more thing! If it had a camera, you can take goofy pictures with your friends and immediately look at them on a large screen. Great for picnics, sports, events, spontaneous moments of delight. This is a problem. I wonder if you already have a 3G account, do you need another separate account, or do they just add the device to the account you have? Hmm...
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

AVATAR becomes worldwide highest grossing film EVER-

2010-01-25T17:10:00.002-05:00

Hey World Family, Falcon here with the big news: Avatar has now passed even Titanic to become the all time number one. It hasn’t passed Titanic domestically at the time of this posting, but that’s days away. It is an amazing achievement for any film, but particularly in such a short period of time. It only took 38 days of release for Avatar to become the highest grossing film of all time.

The Hollywood Reporter.com

It's official. James Cameron's action-adventure epic Avatar is now the biggest-grossing offshore title in history. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the blockbuster reached a cumulative $1.288 billion internationally over the weekend, exceeding Titanic's 13-year international box office record of $1.242 billion.

Variety.com

Topping the frame with an estimated weekend gross of $36 million for a cume of $552.8 million, 20th Century Fox and James Cameron's "Avatar" has jumped past Warner Bros.' "The Dark Knight" with $533.3 million to become the second highest grossing film ever at the domestic box office.

Still behind "Titanic" in U.S. totals, "Avatar" made history overseas.
Pic earned $107 million from 11,803 screens in 111 markets at the foreign B.O., just enough to sink the ship, making "Avatar" the all-time champ in international receipts with $1.28 billion. Cameron's "Titanic" previously held the overseas record with $1.24 billion.

"Having been a part of the 'Titanic' phenomenon, we never thought this day would come in our careers," said Fox Intl. co-prexys Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus. "But James Cameron created in 'Avatar' a film with such humanity and magic that it resonates with people of every culture."

"Avatar's" worldwide cume stands at $1.84 billion.

So, why this film? What is contained in its theme that seems to strike a chord in 112 markets worldwide? Some critics (and I would say those without a lot of cognitive depth, frankly) have simply called it ‘Dances with Aliens’…so then why is the appeal so much larger than Cosner with Wolves was?

It is also not about the white savior come along to save the poor savages. If that is all you got out of it, it is time you had a broader history lesson of why those 4to 6 genes that determine what wrapping paper we see has little to do with cultural soul. Immersion and surrender are necessary to truly understand and grow in a cultural context; Jake Sully got that lesson…are you up for the task?

I have heard a LOT of discussion concerning what Avatar is about, and not one review or critique I have seen has actually talked about the REAL story, just the tertiary supporting themes. Yes, there are broad strokes concerning honoring our planet and environment, respecting indigenous peoples, and the high costs paid for when the myopic become the policy writers. That is not the main thrust of the film, though. So… What is, you ask?

Avatar is about one central theme: initiating one man to manhood. That is something that every culture on the earth can relate to because it is the one thing that has almost died in modern culture. It is the most sacred act of human learning and consciousness expansion, and must be undertaken sacredly and deliberately, with full knowledge and consent in order to bring about true manhood. It is sorely lacking today, and that is why it resonates with so many. Let me explain…

Oh, if you are one of the two people on the planet who hasn’t seen Avatar yet, this critique is spoiler-rific, so you may want to wait to read this. On the other hand, if you are on the fence about whether to see it, then read on, this should give you additional information necessary to make an informed decision. The choice is yours…

Jake is a man who has been wounded; body and soul. He is physically injured, and he has lost his twin brother. He is not the most mature person on the planet at that point, but he has been thrown into ‘adulthood’ by these challenges, and he takes on the mantle of responsibility of assuming the role originally constructed for his brother. That is very mature, but he doesn’t necessarily do it for all the right reasons…but he will.

Jake is strong and undeterred. He doesn’t flinch in a fight, and he doesn’t let what people say about his disability impact his approach to doing his best. He is immature, however, and you begin to notice how much so when he talks smack to some of the huskier locals on Pandora, and runs into one he couldn’t talk his way away from (and almost loses his braid in the processJ).

His first meeting with Netiri is a volatile one, and costs lives. She gives him an earful, and describes him as being ‘a baby’. He asks her to teach him, but she would rather feed him to the locals at that point. However, the tree spirits with pure heart cover Jake and ask that she not slay him, and that demonstrates that his request to be shown how to grow up was heard by Eywa. When a young man (or a man who is youthful of maturity) makes the affirmation aloud to be shown how to grow up, it is a sign to all that is that he is ready for testing. So was Jake, and he was tested…

He was brought back to the village because of the blessing of the tree seed spirits. He was told to be trained, and could have easily perished with one misstep. He learned respect for all things, including those he didn’t see eye to eye with, and he learned to honor the challenges within himself as opportunities for change. Most importantly, when he demonstrated all the acquired skills, he was allowed to become a member of “The People”.

This ritual is honored in cultures all over the world, but few still celebrate it anymore past mere words. There is the Bar mitzvah for young men, which still has necessary code of conduct as well as sacred and scholarly learning that must take place, but this is an exception in western culture. Indigenous cultures still celebrate this time, but many tribes have forgotten their sacred roots, and taken to short-cutting a man’s initiation, and that is one that should not be sidestepped.

For those of you about to give birth to a cow because I haven’t mentioned women yet, there is a reason: women come fully equipped for the journey to we’ moon hood; men do not. This was recognized by every single culture on the planet at one time, before the arrogance of male dominance, testosterone poisoned contests without spiritual relevance began to flourish, and women and children were turned into chattel.

Women have the sacred cycle of the moon (and horses) that guides their cycle and their agriculture. Women were not the principal agrarians by accident; they understood the cycle of planting, harvesting, collecting seeds, and sacrifice. It was manifested monthly in their own bodies. Their purification lodges were shared with young girls who knew their roles and their responsibilities well, and being the embodiment of creation makes you less likely to turn your attention to mindless bloodsport simply for the sake of showing someone else who is more mighty.

That changed with the rise of the patriarchy, and with it came more wars, more death, more destruction, all in the name of something no one could put their finger on. There was a disconnect, and it has only grown.

The ritual of tying a young man to a tree and letting the fire ants crawl all over him wasn’t just to torture the poor lad, it was to let him know that in no uncertain terms, playtime was over. He was now going to be a member of The People, with certain requirements, and expectations. Childhood was over, and childish things were put away, forever. The culture could not survive with men acting like little boys. Jake found out fast why that was so on Pandora.

So, what is the moment of Manhood, in the truest sense of the word? Simple, really: it is the moment a man is willing to sacrifice all of his being for the sake of The People.

Men who put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of keeping communities safe, that is Manhood (I am not saying that every man is a mature male who does this job, only that the cause is right and that they have at least made that commitment to the community-personally and intimately is another matter). Women are always ready to die for The People-childbirth is very risky, and a balanced mother will fight to keep her children safe. They will also fight for the community, understanding that the whole is greater than any one of its parts, and should be protected.

Jake becomes a man not at the ritual, but when he risks all that he is to take on Turuk. That could have gone badly. He is not an alien of the Sky People at that point (or is he a white man come to save the savages) he is a member of The People; his sacrifice makes him so. It doesn’t matter if he is red, yellow, white, black…or blue; he is willing to die to save his people; he is willing to perish so that they may live. It takes courage. It takes sacrifice. It takes compassion. That is Manhood.

THAT is what AVATAR is about.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Call your Senators tonight! NO to Murkowski Ammendment if you Like Breathing

2010-01-21T18:41:00.002-05:00

Hello World Family,and especially those in the U.S.: call your senators tonight! Tell them NO WAY AM I GOING TO TOLERATE AN EFFORT TO WEAKEN THE CLEAN AIR ACT WITH THIS AMENDMENT!!!

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING DAMN WELL NEEDS TO BE REGULATED BY THE EPA!
They should understand your position after you say that.

Senator Murkowski wants to play on the sly by attacking the EPA's right to oversee Climate Change and global warming under the Clean Air Act.

Please see below:
Senator Murkowski spoke today on the Senate floor in support of a Resolution of Disapproval (co-sponsored by Ds Blanche Lincoln (AR), Ben Nelson (NE) and Mary Landrieu (LA) and most Rs) which she introduced. The resolution disapproves of EPA's 'endangerment finding' (12/09 finding that CO2 threatens human health and the environment). The amendment was crafted in accordance with the Congressional Review Act, a law that enables Congress to veto federal agency rules (like the endangerment finding) using expedited procedures.

WHAT THIS MEANS: The endangerment finding essentially gave EPA the authority/responsibility to regulate global warming pollution under the Clean Air Act. Thus, if this resolution passes essentially overruling the endangerment finding, EPA no longer has the ability to regulate global warming pollution under the Clean Air Act.

The Murkowski amendment may be offered as early as tomorrow.

CALL YOUR SENATORS TONIGHT! LEAVE A MESSAGE!
In Pennsylvania:
Casey (202-224-6324)

Senator Specter has already said he will NOT support this amendment. Good job, Arlen!

Thank you for your quick action, Family! For those who like to breathe, this is too important to ignore.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

HAITIAN CHILDREN ARRIVE IN PITTSBURGH!!!

2010-01-19T09:43:00.005-05:00

Hey World Family,
Falcon here with BREAKING NEWS! The children from Bresma Orphanage along with one of the two sisters from Ben Avon who had been taking care of these beautiful babies since the horrific earthquake in Haiti last Tuesday have just landed in Pittsburgh and they are boarding buses and on their way to Children Hospital. They look like they are in good shape considering what has happened to them, and some are waving to everyone! Warms my heart...

Jamie is coming a little later; had to take care of one child; they will come tonight or tomorrow.
They don't seem to even notice it is cold here.There's Governor Rendell and Rep. Altmire.

They are wrapping up some of them in blankets...it's cold here, babies!
Welcome to Pittsburgh!

If you want to watch tape of the press conference:
www.thepittsburghchannel.com
www.wpxi.com
www.kdka.com

Those are the best local channels to get unique angles and stories on the ground. Of course, all the major national networks must be covering this story.

Falcon is full of tears...some happiness during this trying, prayerful time.
Donate Now

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WINTER CLOTHES
Many items were gathered for children ages 1 to age 4, but there are obviously going to need more, and some children are bigger and older than the original request for winter items. Right now, Falcon cannot get through to Catholic Charities to ask about specifics, but we can assume that there will be a major need.

There are 53 children here right now.

Peace, and much love,
Falcon and Dove

TOTAL RECALL: Tylenol and other J&J.McNeill Products-DO NOT TAKE

2010-01-15T17:36:00.003-05:00

Hey World Family,
Falcon here with a widened Tylenol recall list. This is a voluntary recall, but could really sicken people, especially those with other health issues.

TELL YOUR PHARMACY ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS!
Your local drugstore or big box store may not know about this recall. Here is pertinent information below:

Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit broadened Tylenol recall because of complaints of a musty, moldy odor in some Tylenol products. As of Jan 15 2010, McNeil has expanded the Tylenol recall to include certain product lots of Tylenol, Mortin, Benadryl Allergy Ultratab, Rolaids Antacid Tablets, Simply Sleep, and St. Joseph products.

Just days before the New Year, McNeil announced a voluntary recall for all lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplet 100 Count with EZ-Open cap. The affected products have a moldy, musty smell, because of the presence of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). Some reported symptoms of nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The chemical is associated with the treatment of wooden pallets used to transport and store product packaging materials.

Back in September 2009, McNeil announced a major recall for infant and children's Tylenol.

The product affected in the Tylenol Recall 2010 were sold in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates, and Fiji.

CONSUMER INQUIRIES:
1-888-222-6036 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, and Sat-Sun 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST)
MCNEIL CONSUMER HEALTHCARE ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY RECALL OF CERTAIN OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) PRODUCTS IN THE AMERICAS, UAE, AND FIJI

PRESS RELEASE
Fort Washington, PA (January 15, 2010) In consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., is voluntarily recalling certain lots of OTC products in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Fiji (FULL RECALLED PRODUCT LIST BELOW). The company is initiating this recall following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events. These include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. This precautionary action is voluntary and has been taken in consultation with the FDA.

Based on this investigation, McNeil Consumer Healthcare has determined that the reported uncharacteristic smell is caused by the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). This can result from the breakdown of a chemical that is sometimes applied to wood that is used to build wood pallets that transport and store product packaging materials. The health effects of this chemical have not been well studied but no serious events have been documented in the medical literature. A small number of the product lots being recalled were associated with the complaints of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor, and some of these lots were found to contain trace amounts of TBA. In December 2009, McNeil Consumer Healthcare also recalled all lots of TYLENOL® Arthritis Pain 100 count with EZ-OPEN CAP related to this issue. McNeil Consumer Healthcare has now applied broader criteria to identify and remove all product lots that it believes may have the potential to be affected, even if they have not been the subject of consumer complaints.

In addition to the product recall, McNeil Consumer Healthcare is continuing their investigation into this issue and is taking further actions that include ceasing shipment of products produced using materials shipped on these wood pallets and requiring suppliers who ship materials to our plants to discontinue the use of these pallets. We will continue to closely monitor and evaluate the situation and consult with the FDA.

Consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement. For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should log on to the internet at www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider. Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

The affected product lot numbers for the recalled products can be found on the side of the bottle label.

FOR THE COMPLETE PRODUCT RECALL LIST, PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK:

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/press.inc

Just to mention, Falcon could NOT get any of the recall product lists to open, maybe that is because their site crashed, so be patient getting the list, or just avoid the products until you can access the information.

Safety first.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

HAITI UPDATES: THE BISCUITS ARE FINE, HILLARY ARRIVES TOMORROW

2010-01-15T16:34:00.003-05:00

Hey World Family,
Falcon here with some important updates.

EAT THE BISCUITS-the biscuits being distributed by World Food are fine; there are two dates on the package. The first date is the date they were PACKAGED. They have NOT EXPIRED-THE FOOD IS GOOD! Brothers and Sisters, you need water and nutrition to keep up your strength; the food is fine.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is arriving with the head of USAID, Dr. Rod Shaw tomorrow (SATURDAY). There are 2,000 Marines who should be there shortly to help the Haitian military and agencies with food and water distribution, as well as water purification.

Stay strong! We are with you! Don't give up!

Help the weaker injured family get food and water. Everyone work together.
We love you!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

BREAKING NEWS! FLIGHTS ALLOWED TO HAITI AGAIN FAA!

2010-01-14T12:29:00.005-05:00

Hello World Family,
The flights have resumed into Haiti, but the airport handled more flights today than ever.

Can we do some air drops? Can we use planes with water capabilities?

Progress is being made, and the heavy equipment is coming.
If you are trying to find a missing person, please go to:
www.CNN.com/haitimissing

Okay, Brothers and Sisters with boats...use them to get into the ports and help unload those planes!!! The more people we have there to help unload, the quicker the planes can take off and new planes can arrive. Bring some medicine, water, etc. with you when you come! Please, let's all work together!

Keep aiding and praying.

Thank you!
Falcon and Dove

Funds Keep Coming for Haiti! Good Job, World Family!

2010-01-14T12:03:00.005-05:00

$2 Million in Donations for Haiti, via Text Message
By JENNA WORTHAM
(courtesy of The New York Times)

Update | 12:48 a.m. The organizers of the mobile donations said on Twitter Thursday night that over $2 million had been raised.
Update | 6:51 p.m. Adding more information about the campaign and updating the total raised.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday, thousands of Americans are sending financial support — through their mobile phones.

Anyone with a mobile phone and an account with a major wireless carrier can text the phrase “Haiti” to the number 90999 and donate $10 to the Red Cross. That amount is charged to the donor’s cellphone bill.

The texted donations are being handled by a company called mGive, which started the campaign in a joint effort with the State Department and the Red Cross late Tuesday night. Thanks to a mention on the White House’s blog and lots of word of mouth on Twitter and Facebook, the campaign had raised well over a million dollars by Tuesday evening, mGive said.

“Today is a huge day for mobile giving,” said Tony Aiello, chief executive of mGive. “We are experiencing a tipping point.”

Each month, when people pay their wireless bills, the texted donations are collected from the carriers and shuttled into a nonprofit clearinghouse managed by an mGive foundation, which in turn cuts a check to the appropriate charity.

MGive typically charges a licensing fee for its software platform, $4 to $1,500 a month, depending on the scale of the fund-raising effort and the additional services the company provides. In addition, after the charity receives the total amount raised from the wireless carriers, mGive charges a transaction fee for each collected donation.

In the case of the Haiti disaster, however, Mr. Aiello said the company had elected to waive all software and transaction fees.

“Catastrophic fund-raising is different from the everyday fund-raising that we help facilitate,” Mr. Aiello said. “This is a huge tragedy, and we simply hope to help provide relief.”

It typically takes about 90 days from the time someone makes a donation until the charity receives the money, Mr. Aiello said, although the company is working with wireless carriers to reduce that delay.

Mr. Aiello said the widespread adoption of cellphones and social media Web sites was helping to foster this approach to fund-raising. “Mobile giving is currently outpacing the early days of online giving,” he said.

Awareness about the disaster in Haiti has swept through Twitter and other social media sites. Facebook, for example, said its users had posted more than 1,500 status updates a minute containing the word Haiti.

MGive, which was founded in 2005, works with more than 200 organizations and charities, including the American Heart Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Mr. Aiello said the Haiti campaign had “outpaced anything we’ve every done in mobile giving so far” and showed no signs of slowing.

“Everyone is still trying to gauge the scope of this tragedy,” Mr. Aiello said, “But I expect this campaign could run for months.”

In another campaign that Twitter users are publicizing widely, the Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean is urging people to donate $5 to his charity organization by texting “YELE” to 501501.

NOTE: President Obama has pledged $115 million for relief for Haiti.

Peace, and stay safe and strong,
Falcon and Dove

HAITI: WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW!

2010-01-13T19:12:00.010-05:00

Hello World Family,
It is with tremendous sadness that Falcon and Dove report the devastation to our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti after a 7.0 earthquake and many aftershocks have hit that fragile yet beautiful country. Our prayers are with all of you, as well as with the family and friends of those impacted by this tremendous challenge. An African proverb says, "When you pray, move your feet", and so we ask this of our world community right now.

UPDATE: Google map post-earthquake link:

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/01/haiti-imagery-layer-now-available.html

The Navy ship Carl Vinson has arrived with communications capabilities and medicine.
A search and rescue tam from Fairfax, VA is on the ground and already rescuing people.
New Red Cross supplies will arrive by tomorrow.(Friday)

KEEP THOSE DONATIONS OF FOOD, WATER, TOILETRIES, MEDICINES, and MONEY COMING!!!

Anyone have any of those cool packs that have the endothermic chemicals that get cool when you break up the intenal separate vessels? It's going to be like 90 degrees there today...those would help.

WHAT CAN YOU DO-if you are in emergency management, have IT technology and equipment, generators, food, water, medical expertise, rescue and recover experience, etc. you are needed in Haiti NOW! Time is passing and in order to rescue and save lives, anything you can do to be there, help organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross,OXFAM, the UN,the Salvation Army, and many, many other organizations, please do. If you can't go to Haiti, any donations you can make to the above named organizations or others on the ground or going to Haiti can help.

UPDATE: DONATION SITES LISTED BELOW:

www.UNICEFUSA.org

Keep the lines of communication open. If you don't have to be on the phone to government agencies right now, free up the lines for others who are in critical need to find family and friends.
IN PITTSBURGH: Brother's Brother Foundation is collecting toiletries right now for a shipment leaving Monday. Anything that cannot spoil will be accepted. Their warehouse is on the Northside of the city.
www.brothersbrother.org

UPDATES-this section will keep changing regularly, so keep checking back. I understand that the electricity is back on at the airport only. Medicine is completely gone. Donations are needed-if you work for pharma, here is your moment to be a hero-donate some much needed medicine.

It is now reported sadly that there may be as many as 500,000 casualties at this point. (11:30p EST)

SOCIAL NETWORKING-has been working when nothing else has. Scype, Wyclef's donation sites, Facebook, MySpace, and email is critical to communications. Anyone who can help send messages and receive messages for those who need it, please do. Thank you so much for your courage and generosity. Message boards are also important. Post what you need, many are trying to reach out. Tweet if you can get a phone signal or access to a computer and let people know you are alive. Any messages sent to Falcon and Dove will be posted as long as they pertain directly to the Haiti disaster.

ADVICE-if you can, donate through Wyclef or reputable websites; go directly to branches or organizations to donate if you can-it reduces the liklihood of scams.

Again, updates will be made repeatedly, so check back.
Keep you heads up World Family, and thank you in advance for your generosity, your prayers, your donations, and your concern for those impacted by this tragedy.
Peace...and prayers,
Falcon and Dove

AVATAR: An Indigenous Perspective

2010-01-10T00:06:00.003-05:00

We at Falcon and Dove wrote a very general review about three weeks ago about James Cameron’s latest achievement, Avatar, and advised everyone, and we mean everyone…to see it.

Well, thanks World Family for apparently taking our advice! As of Wednesday, January 6, Avatar moved into the Number Two position of all time world gross box office receipts behind, you guessed it…Titanic, another James Cameron film. It passed The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King, and as of Friday January 8 sits at 1.75 billion. Titanic is at 1.8 billion, so it seems entirely conceivable that it may become the top box office grossing film of all time. That is staggering, especially considering it is only 21 days into release.

Is it that good? Well, yes. Not just because of the landmark special effects breakthroughs, but because it tells a very important story in subtle, interpersonal, intimate ways without losing its character, or the larger themes it embodies. That task is rarely accomplished, yet James Cameron has done it repeatedly in his films.

Many reviews have been written about this film, and very few of them talk about what the film is actually about. Some have touched on the films deeper meaning, but even those have missed the mark in some respects, even though they were very well meaning. There is a message that is so deep that it is felt on a level that surprises many after seeing it. It reaches into our most sacred archetypes of connectedness, and asks us to remember our most sacred edict: thrive, respect all blessings, and help others to do the same.

It is extremely hard to put into words where this film can take you, and although most of this review doesn‘t spoil the overall film, I would caution those who haven’t yet seen it that there will be plot devices revealed here. It is my hope not to give away too much, while also providing a necessary perspective to the discussion that is so obviously absent elsewhere.

Avatar can be enjoyed by the masses because it has universal understanding and appeal. It is a very different tale for indigenous people, however. James Cameron placed elegant and respectful elements that he knew would not be seen by all, but would be appreciated by many. I am going to attempt to describe in words what is nearly indescribable, and hope that I do these elements some small justice. There are some I will not mention because they are so sacred to indigenous people that to attempt to use mere words would appear arrogant and inadequate.

Falcon appreciates the use of the braid of hair as a device of connectedness to other sacred creatures and to Eywa herself. It was a visual device to show an invisible but tangible and very real connection we all have with our earth, something I have noticed has not been mentioned in any review I have seen. I have even seen references that said we don’t have that kind of relationship to our earth. That would be woefully incorrect-it is in that forgetting that Avatar attempts to remind us of our sacred connection to all living things. We have a network very similar to that of Pandora-some of us have cut our chords, or they are lost. They must be regained.

Everything that exists physically already existed spiritually and non-physically. The chair I sit on was an idea; then a spark, that combined with materials of the earth and physical design and artistry became the chair it is. The Internet is simply a physical (technological, not touchable) manifestation of what already existed in the non-physical. The network of Pandora is the network of all things on earth; there is no difference. Many of us just don’t see it.

Every corner of Avatar’s Sci-fantasy world is filled; yet it appears as natural as a workroom in our own world, or a laboratory we have visited with better equipment. There are little things that no dialog is added to-some funny, some not so funny. Jake obviously had some Jarhead buddies put a bumper sticker on the back of his wheel chair so that where his name once appeared, the ‘Jake’ was covered up with ‘Grunt’. You just had to catch it. There is a dream catcher handing up on the wall in the office of the corporate pin-head, although Grace probably put it there…and yes, it is on the correct wall. Pretty cool.

Indigenous people understood Netiri’s initial anger with Jake concerning his ‘rescue’-sacred 4-legged lives were lost because of his foolishness. She offered a prayer up over their bodies, and reduced their suffering. This is something inherent in our indigenous spiritual system of understanding and practice of the hunt. Even in my rural home location, anything that was hit along the road I would go out, assist them along their way, and offer a prayer with tobacco and sage. We are never without them. We understand the concept and practice of a clean kill, and never wasting a life. We know that the animal’s or plant’s sacrifice is so that we can live, and we honor that. Cameron made sure the Na’vi honored their kills as well.

After Jake’s manhood ritual, The People formed a sacred web around him, demonstrating that he was now a scared part of all with the Na’vi. Again, no words are used; it is understood by those who recognize it, yet not necessary to those who don’t and not needed to understand the overall plotline. It does enrich the experience, however, if you do.

It takes three strands of the sacred chords to hear the voices of the ancestors-that is a natural law, and a spiritual one-honored in James Cameron’s vision on Pandora. Healing happens there-prayers are made, and always heard. Sometimes, the answer is no to the request. Sometimes the answer is ‘not yet’. Jake’s prayers are heard when Eywa clearly has animals respond to defend their most sacred site, and even the most fierce acquiesce to being ridden by warriors in order to preserve the balance of the world. Netiri announces that loudly during the battle and is offered a ride by one fierce predator after her sacred beast is slain.

The most difficult scene in the film for me personally was what happened at Home Tree. It is a life moment nearly every living indigenous person has a personal reference for; not from stories, but from loss in sacred space, flesh, and blood. It is the same for Falcon, and these atrocities continue in our world. Even some of the sternest souls had their eyes betray them in the theatre and wept at this scene. The real pain was not in the destruction alone, but the short-sightedness and arrogance with which the acts play out. So out of balance with divine consciousness was this moment, that some of the characters involved in the fray turn away from the battle and refuse to participate. So powerful have some of these images been that people have stood up in theatres at the end of screenings and spoke out against the atrocities that are paralleled on our own world.

Falcon has NEVER seen that in a movie theatre before.

The sacred tree seed spirits that are considered blessings by the Na’vi are a delightful presence, as are the scenes of beautiful rainforest, day and night that delight the senses. There are subtle sounds that are reminders of our collective sacredness, and asks us to get back to the proverbial garden.

The key message to all in Avatar in Falcon’s opinion: remember our own sacredness, our connections, and our resourcefulness. Do not squander our sacred gifts, but learn to share them and protect them with fierce determination, and do not fall victim to hubris and myopic arrogance. It is a hopeful film, exquisitely beautiful, and profoundly paradigm shifting-in effects, technology, and consciousness. Cameron could have hedged and blinked, he didn’t. Neither should we.

Remember who we are and why we are here.

Peace,
Falcon

To read Dove’s review, go to:
www.areyasimmons.com

Like Eating? Start Your Garden Plans Now!

2010-01-09T22:07:00.005-05:00

Hey World Family,
This is a note for Brothers and Sisters who are in the depths of winter right now...start planning your garden now. Food prices are bound to go up this year due to the billions in lost crops due to the deep freeze, and besides, wouldn't you like to know what you are eating? The best way to do that is to grow it yourself.

I know...you don't have time. It takes so little time to garden small, but the yields are large-go for it! It is certainly not expensive. For the price of a latte, you can have seeds for a 10'by 10'garden, pronto. No space, use containers-plenty of plants can be grown for food or beauty in containers, especially microgreens and herbs. Not a green thumb, that is what books, friends, family, community, and the Internet are for!

There are lots of resources for great seeds-Google for organic sources, and pick ones close to your climate for less shipping and a smaller carbon footprint.

Nothing will taste better than food you grow-get the kids involved-they will love it. Get an empty lot in your community or some grassy wasted space at your church or holy place and see if you can plant in that bit of earth. Get your community group or congregation involved. Everyone loves fresh fruits and veggies, and you will be growing food that is delicious, nutritious, and a whole lot less expensive.

Okay, so let's say you are completely hopeless, just too busy, or supernaturally lazy: join a local farm co-op. Help local farmers bring the food to you!!! Buy a share and get fresh produce delivered near you all summer and fall! Wholesome, organic food delivered to you that you didn't have to grow with lots of wonderful options and choices...that's the ticket!

They key is to think about sustainability. What can you do to get what you need at less cost to you, your community, and the environment? No matter how young or old your are, you can do this! Reach out to others and make this a priority for 2010.

Love your Mother, love your community, love yourself, and save some money!
Grow some food:)

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

DGA Nominations Announced! Five Wonderful Directors

2010-01-08T08:37:00.011-05:00

Hey World family,
Falcon here with a quick mention: The Directors Guild of America nominations for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Film are out. The list will not be surprising to most of you, but it is one of the strongest in recent years:

James Cameron-yeah, the man who is truly King of the World at the global box office. Of course, you all know Cameron for TITANIC, the number one grossing box office film of all time, but in a mere 21 days, his masterpiece, AVATAR has moved into second place, passing THE RETURN OF THE KING on Wednesday. AVATAR has now earned a staggering 1.13 billion in just 3 weeks. TITANIC earned 1.87 billion. It appears that a new champion is on the horizon. For bringing this stunning, visually intoxicating, magnificent tale to the screen, Cameron makes the cut for the nomination.

Kathryn Bigelow-for THE HURT LOCKER, an intense, never-lets-up film with war and psychological clastrophobia in the extreme. Yes, she is Jim Cameron's Ex-and she rocks!She also did MISSION ZERO and K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER, and shows a strong eye and an unflinching courage to do the tough stuff, yet her vision is balanced. Every frame is important.

Lee Daniels-for the most unblinking film of the year, PRECIOUS. He has done the best job with material that moves the soul and ignites the desire to change the human condition for the precious people in our lives. Lee, you are local (from Philly) and strong, I am so glad you are getting the attention you have longed deserved, and Falcon and Dove personally congratulate you for being the first African-American director to be nominated by the DGA.
For those of you who don't know about Lee, he built his own business by age 21, then sold it to fund his film interests. He has also managed some of the top talent in the industry, as well as direct this tremendous film. He is a model man, not only because he has industriously managed to finance his career, but also because he raised twins as his own who were a niece and nephew. He handles material and people with respect and with an intimate vision missing from so much modern filmmaking.

Quentin Tarantino-what can we say about him: daring, creative, scary, seductive...and nominated for INGLOUROUS BASTERDS. Quentin has a history of insane, controversial films, some of them excellent, and some we were sure he left the building on. All of his projects from PULP FICTION, to KILL BILL are smooth as silk, and deadly if you blink. That style gives him a spot on this distinguished list of the best of 2009.

Jason Reitman-he is nominated for his job on the vast ensemble cast sort-of comedy, UP IN THE AIR. He is the son of Ivan Reitman, as you might has gathered, and did the wildly entertaining, THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, with Aaron Eckhart and J.K. Simmons. Obviously, we thik of this Canadian's work on television more than for films, but he has ambitiously taken on a great piece and delivered the goods. It is well shot, edited well, and has some spice to it. He is in pretty powerful company, and we give him props for making the cut.

Congratualtions, all. You have done some of the finest work of the decade; thank you for your dedication to the craft, and your visionary fortitude.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Avatar: This One Goes to 11

2009-12-19T23:22:00.002-05:00

You have heard all the hype: here is Falcon and Dove’s spoiler-free preview/review of AVATAR. Simply put, it is the best film of the 21st Century. It is performance driven, although the world of Pandora is magnificent, reminds Falcon of Roger Dean artwork from all those YES albums over the decades. The world is rainforest, indigenous (including the diverse cast, including Zoe Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez, and Tsalagi actor, Wes Studi, who played Geronimo in a film of the same name back in the 1990’s), gorgeous. There is so much beauty in this film, you may weep just from its images, but there is so much more that may moisten your eyes in this film, especially if you look at the edges, and pay attention to some of the subtle symbols in every frame.

We didn’t catch a single technical error, which is impressive. We usually see some piece of film with the image spliced backwards, some continuity problem, some special effect that just didn’t work, or some boom in a shot. Not here. Not anywhere on the first view, and we saw it in 3-D IMAX.

The acting is strong, and in a special effects laden film, that may surprise some. The secret is in the three layers that bring authentic action to the forefront: visual effects with motion capture and rotoscoping, along with performance capture technology. If you haven’t heard of third option, that is because James Cameron pushed the special effects teams to the limit, and created a new way of getting the effects in front of the director in real time while capturing the performance of the actors. It is nothing short of incredible, and will change filmmaking. For those of you who missed the beginning of the STAR WARS dynasty, this is your moment-a new dawn has emerged. Celebrate.

You won’t want to miss anything, so get your munchies before the film starts.

There is a lot we could say about the film’s content, but it would give too much away. It is a film nearly everyone can enjoy, although very young children (under 4) may not like the length. There is action, drama, lots of tense moments, and some very thoughtful ones.
‘Nuff said. Simply put, see this film. Everyone else will.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Golden Globe Nominations Announced!!!

2009-12-15T11:52:00.003-05:00

Hello World Family!
Falcon here with an analysis of the Golden Globe nominations. What a broad based list of superb contenders! Small films, independents, and strong Hollywood films all make an appearance. This may be the most balanced, fully-stocked with goodies award season in years. The Best Picture Nominations are: The Hurt Locker, Precious, Inglorious Bastards, Avatar, and Up in the Air. WOW!!! Can’t we just give them all the Best Pic and be done with it?! They are all excellent films, all for different reasons.

The Best Actress category is no easier, with Precious actress along side Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side, and Helen Mirren for The Last Station. The category is rounded out with young actresses Emily Blunt, who was delightful as The Young Victoria and Carey Mulligan in An Education. Three of these five we viewed in Savannah at the film fest and this will be another tough category for competition. I agree that getting the nomination is quite the honor.

Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart was a bit of a surprise, and I am happy to see him there. Colin Firth did an amazing job in A Single Man; Morgan Freeman is my favorite for this category because he plays Nelson Mandela and the film has Rugby-Invictus. The ever-present George Clooney for Up in the Air and Tobey Maguire surprises in the powerful and emotional, Brothers. Every one of these actors is so strong it is going to be tough to narrow down a winner. Can we have a tie?

The most difficult category for the judges? I think best animated feature, which has five of the most visually enchanting and extraordinary productions side by side in film history. Yes, it’s that good: The stop-motion masterpiece Coraline is not only a great tale, but the excruciatingly difficult details and work that shot approximately 4 seconds per week for years deserves a category award all its own. Fantastic Mr. Fox is another impressive work, along side with Up, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Disney’s new tale, The Princess and the Frog. How do you choose?! How can you choose?! The biggest winners are audiences this year who get to see all of them!

The most interesting nominations? Well, we can start with Robert Downey, Jr. for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy or Musical for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Does this guy have a broad spectrum or what?! He may be one of the most brilliant actors of a generation, and he has a lot of fun while he’s doing it. Matt Damon gets a double dip for noms both in The Informant and Invictus.

More great surprises: Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director, The Hurt Locker. This is an intense, never lets up film that must be seen. I suppose Quentin Tarrantino is dancing in the street after his Best Director nom for Inglorious Bastards.

Woody Harrelson got his Best Actor in a Supporting Role nomination for The Messenger as well he should-along side other nominated thespians Christopher Plummer (The Last Station) and Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones). My mouth is watering already. Yum!

Mo’Nique has a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her brutal portrayal of the worse mommy ever in Precious and she deserves every bit of it.

Other expected nominations of note include Nine (8 ½ gone just a little further with a strong ensemble cast of all my favorites), some attention for It’s Complicated and some music nominations for scores-Where the Wild Things Are and Avatar.

On the television side of things, it all looks good with nominations for productions of Georgia O’Keefe, Dexter, The Mentalist, Mad Men (go Charles Shaughnessy), Wallander: One Step Behind (a nom for Kenneth Brannagh), 30-Rock…all the good stuff. Yes, House and The Closer are in contention again. Love these shows and television movies!

For a complete list of nominees, please go to the Golden Globe website. The awards will air on January 17.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Tiger Woods: Ordinary Man

2009-12-13T19:31:00.001-05:00

Hey World Family,
You knew Falcon and Dove were going to have to comment eventually on this issue. We would like to take a thoughtful approach, acknowledging that one day Sam and Axel will be older and able to read about these exploits, and hopefully, there will be some reading material that tries to encapsulate the larger meaning for them and the sport Tiger plays. It is them we have in mind as we pen these comments.

Elin, so sorry that he did this; I know (believe me, Falcon knows) this is hurting you in a way you never felt before, but you are strong, and I know that you are thinking your way through this to make the best decisions for yourself and your children. Do what you have to do; welcome your true support system and give yourself time…lots of time, to evaluate where you want to go eventually; but for now, get yourself to a safe place where you can think and your children can thrive with loved ones around you all. That is the most important thing you can do for you own mental and spiritual health.

Second, make your financial plans carefully. Leave no stone unturned. Get assistance from those with the expertise to assist you. Do not listen to the toxic talk out there. What is true or isn’t true in the gory details is not important, ultimately. You know the broad strokes, follow through from there.

To the Golf World: Wow; this is one of the big ones, isn’t it? Yikes. Football, basketball…they have had their troublesome players, but this one in golf? Unthinkable, eh? Until now…

Not really. Golf has always had its debaucheries. There are some guys on the tour right now that have their challenges, but after all, they are just guys…this was a god.

That seems to have been the problem; a lot of glossed over and overlooked for the mantle of false perfection (why do all these egomaniacs seek ‘perfection’?) and the hope was that the cracks would never show, much less a complete collapse of the false face. Oh well, stuff happens. Someone probably should have thought of Tiger as just another guy like so many and figured that sooner or later his ‘time was gonna come’. Maybe some friendly, sober advice on why and how this might collapse and how it might impact the game and how endorsements and sponsorships are handled in the future would have been nice.

Think this won’t impact future endorsements? Guess again. The party is over, my friends. Over and done. The day of the billion dollar athlete has closed. It has evaporated. If anyone out there thinks that any company will ever put their reputation on the line again banking on the integrity of a single man’s image with respect to alignment with their firm, you are mistaken. Those days are done. Endorsements will now be more modest, more sensible, and more in line with reality. People are human, make mistakes, and can be brought down by controversy that many may not see coming. No company is ever going to bank roll a game to the tune that was done with Tiger again. Not ever.
Don’t worry guys (and we say guys because female athletes never see the endorsement contracts that men do), there will still be plenty out there to be made. If Tiger returns as a strong golf contender, he will get endorsements, but maybe not from the same companies he did previously. We don’t think too many will just cut him off (like Accenture), but agreements will probably be allowed to expire. Tiger should start planning for a future where he will actually have to play to get paid, not just get millions for showing up… like an ordinary golfer on the PGA Tour.

To Tiger: We think it goes without saying that you probably were not ready to get married when you did. You may not be marriage material at all. It is clear your father prepared you to be a prophecy fulfilled, he just didn’t prepare you to be an emotionally mature, spiritually evolved man. He didn’t realize that denying you a proper childhood and feeding into the larger egocentric desires would create a son who was incapable of getting past the oral fixation level of desiring immediate satisfaction from where ever it would come from, regardless of the limitations, moral obligations, or feelings of others. You are not alone; there are so many just like you, so the money and fame are not the only components. Plenty of regular guys are just as screwed up as you are. Take comfort in the fact that you are nothing new under the sun in that respect, and that although your talent for hitting a little ball into a hole is admirable, and your foundation work is striking, we think of you like any other ordinary man-flawed, capable of great strides, and horrific failings. That should comfort you.

Your ego should surrender for the greater course of wisdom. Translation: you should get some help. You need to stop seeing people as simply there for your pleasure or objectification, and begin to see them as allies in your healing. Don’t worry about your golf game right now, it will be fine if your head is fine. Worry about your soul.

Start today working on your ability to forgive those circumstances that exposed you. You need to begin to shift your paradigm to a place that acknowledges the humanity in all-and that no one deserves to be objectified and marginalized the way you did the women you engaged with-not even the willing ones deserve the exploitation. As you evolve, if you allow yourself, you will see why this is so.

Welcome to adulthood, Mr. Woods-spiritual adulthood, which includes karma…and if you allow it, reconciliation and forgiveness. Maybe not enough to save a marriage, but enough to save a career. If you express yourself honestly, and compassionately for yourself and those you used, you may find a feeling of release and renewal for you on the next horizon. This moment is a trial, but it is also a gift. Use this opportunity wisely.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Copenhagen Vigil Today at 5pm Schenley Plaza, Pittsburgh

2009-12-10T10:52:00.004-05:00

Hello World Family,
Falcon here with an event for those of you in the Pittsburgh area. Today at 5, there will be an important vigil concerning the issues being discussed in Copenhagen, and what you can do right now to help our leaders, locally and nationally, make the best decisions when it comes to the environment and jobs.

I know it's cold, but the tent is there, and the hearts are warm. Pittsburgh is often called the City of Champions. I think that applies to more than sports teams; it is about the spirit to perservere during challenges and come out on top by supporting your community, your neighbors, your city and your planet. It is critical that we respond like the champions we are today.

College students, I know it is finals week. Come out bundled up and listen to some voices just like you: young, determined, creative, and focused on making a difference. Be inspired by those just like you, listen to some music and then get back to work. You can afford some time to rally for the environment and jobs that you will one day hold.

See you at 5pm. Cold hands, but warm hearts await.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove will both be there!

SUNDANCE 2010 Unveiled!

2009-12-02T22:32:00.005-05:00

Hey World Family,
We hope you are having a great holiday season! Both Falcon and Dove are fine and enjoying some holiday goodies. Although some really fantastic films did not get in this year, Sundance looks to be explorative with their new way of showcasing films, and broad choices of subject matter to interesting country funding collaborations on various projects.

Here's the list, courtesy of Variety
www.variety.com

SUNDANCE 2010 Unveiled

DRAMATIC COMPETITION

"Blue Valentine" - Directed by Derek Cianfrance, written by Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis, a portrait of an American marriage that charts the evolution of a relationship over time. With Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel, John Doman.

"Douchebag" - Directed by Drake Doremus, written by Lindsay Stidham, Doremus, Jonathan Schwartz and Andrew Dickler, in which a man about to be married takes his younger brother on a wild goose chase to find the latter's fifth-grade girlfriend. Features Dickler, Ben York Jones, Marguerite Moreau, Nicole Vicius, Amy Ferguson, Wendi McClendon-Covey.

"The Dry Land" - Directed and written by Ryan Piers Williams, in which a returning U.S. soldier tries to reconcile his experiences overseas with his life in Texas. With America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama, Ethan Suplee, June Diane Raphael, Melissa Leo.

"Happythankyoumoreplease" - Directed and written by Josh Radnor, about six New Yorkers negotiating love, friendship and gratitude when they're too old to be precocious and not yet fully adults. Stars Malin Akerman, Radnor, Kate Mara, Zoe Kazan, Tony Hale, Pablo Schreiber, Michael Algieri.

"Hesher" - Directed by Spencer Susser, written by Susser and David Michod from a story by Brian Charles Frank, in which a mysterious, anarchical trickster enters the lives of a family dealing with a painful loss. Toplines Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Devin Brochu, Piper Laurie, John Carroll Lynch.

"Holy Rollers" - Directed by Kevin Tyler Asch, written by Antonio Macia, concerning a young Hasidic man in the throes of money, power and opportunity who becomes an international Ecstasy smuggler. With Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha, Danny A. Abeckaser, Ari Graynor, Jason Fuchs.

"Howl" - Directed and written by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, a "nonfiction drama" about how Allen Ginsberg created the eponymous poem and the subsequent landmark obscenity trial. Stars James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels.

"The Imperialists Are Still Alive!" - Directed and written by Zeina Durra, about how a French Manhattanite continues her work as an artist in the wake of the sudden abduction of her childhood sweetheart and a blooming love affair. Toplines Elodie Bouchez, Jose Maria de Tavira, Karim Saleh Karolina Muller, Marianna Kulukundis, Rita Ackerman.

"Lovers of Hate" - Directed and written by Bryan Poyser, about how the reunion of estranged brothers is undermined when the woman they both love chooses one over the other. With Chris Doubek, Heather Kafka, Alex Karpovsky, Zach Green.

"Night Catches Us" - Directed and written by Tanya Hamilton, which focuses on the eventful return of a young man to the race-torn Philadelphia neighborhood where he grew up during the Black Power movement. Features Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington, Jamie Hector, Wendell Pierce, Jamara Griffin.

"Obselidia" - Directed and written by Diane Bell, about the amorous awakening of a lonely librarian with a beguiling cinema projectionist in Death Valley. Toplines Gaynor Howe, Michael Piccirilli, Frank Hoyt Taylor.

"Skateland" - Directed by Anthony Burns, and written by Burns, Brandon Freeman and Heath Freeman, in which dramatic events in early '80s small-town Texas force a 19-year-old skating rink manager to see his life in a new light. With Shiloh Fernandez, A.J. Buckley, Ashley Greene, Brett Cullen, Ellen Hollman, Heath Freeman.

"Sympathy for Delicious" - Directed by Mark Ruffalo and written by Christopher Thornton, which centers on a newly paralyzed DJ who gets more than he bargained for when he seeks out the world of faith healing. Stars Orlando Bloom, Ruffalo, Juliette Lewis, Laura Linney, John Carroll Lynch.

"3 Backyards" - Directed and written by Eric Mendelsohn, in which a quiet suburban town becomes intense emotional terrain for three residents on one strange day. Toplines Embeth Davidtz, Edie Falco, Elias Koteas, Rachel Resheff, Kathryn Erbe, Danai Gurira.

"Welcome to the Rileys" - Directed by Jake Scott, written by Ken Hixon, about a damaged man who seeks salvation by caring for a wayward young woman during a business trip to New Orleans. Stars James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart, Melissa Leo.
"Winter's Bone" - Directed by Debra Granik and written by Granik and Anne Rosellini, which focuses on the dangerous efforts of an Ozard Mountain girl to track down her drug-dealer father while keeping her family intact. With Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Lauren Sweetser, Kevin Breznahan, Isaiah Stone.

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

"Bhutto" - Directed by Duane Baughman and Johnny O'Hara, written by O'Hara, a look at the life of the assassinated former Pakistani prime minister.
"Casino Jack and the United States of Money" - Directed by Alex Gibney, an investigation into the world of imprisoned super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his cronies.

"Family Affair" - Directed by Chico Colvard, which examines resilience, survival and the capacity to accomodate a parent's past crimes on the road to satisfying the longing for family.

"Freedom Riders" - Directed by Stanley Nelson, about civil rights activists who challenged segregation in the South in 1961.

"Gas Land" - Directed by Josh Fox, which looks at toxic streams, dying livestock, flammable sinks and people with weakened health in the vicinity of natural gas drilling.

"I'm Pat ------- Tillman" - Directed by Amir Bar-Lev, which focuses on the efforts of the family of the pro football star to take on the U.S. government after he was killed by "friendly fire" in Afghanistan in 2004.

"Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child" - Directed by Tamra Davis, a portrait of the celebrated '80s artist.

"Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" - Directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, a forthright glimpse into the life and comedic process of the veteran comedian.
"Lucky" - Directed by Jeffrey Blitz, which examines what happens when ordinary people hit the lottery jackpot.

"My Perestroika" - Directed by Robin Hessman, an analysis of the transition of the U.S.S.R. as seen through the lives of five Muscovites who came of age at the time of communism's collapse.

"The Oath" - Directed by Laura Poitras, lensed in Yemen, about two men whose fateful encounter in 1996 led them to Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, 9/11, Guantanamo and the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Restrepo" - Directed by Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington, for which the two filmmakers accompanied the Second Platoon in a crucial valley to reveal the soldiers' intense labor, fights and camaraderie as they take on the Taliban.

"A Small Act" - Directed by Jennifer Arnold, which spotlights how a young Kenyan, whose life was dramatically changed when a Swedish stranger sponsored his education, later reciprocates by founding his own scholarship program.

"Smash His Camera" - Directed by Leon Gast, which uses the story of notorious paparazzo Ron Galella to examine issues such as the right to privacy, freedom of the press and celebrity worship.

"12th and Delaware" - Directed by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing, a look at how the abortion battle continues in unexpected ways on an unassuming corner in the U.S.
"Waiting for Superman" - Directed by Davis Guggenheim, which uses multiple interlocking stories to analyze the crisis in U.S. public education.

WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION

"All That I Love" (Poland) - Directed and written by Jacek Borcuch, about four small-town teenagers who form a punk rock band in 1981 during the growth of the Solidarity movement. With Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, Jakub Gierszal, Mateusz Banasiuk, Olga Frycz, Igor Obloza. North American premiere.

"Animal Kingdom" (Australia) - Directed and written by David Michod, which centers upon a 17-year-old boy who, in the wake of his mother's death, is thrust precariously between a criminal family and a detectives who hopes to save him. Stars Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Luke Ford, Jacki Weaver, James Frecheville. World premiere.

"Boy" (New Zealand) - Directed and written by Taika Waititi, a study of how two young brothers reconciles fantasy with reality when their father returns home after many years. Features Waititi, James Rolleston, Te Aho Eketone. World premiere.

"Four Lions" (U.K.) - Directed by Chris Morris, written by Morris, Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, a comedy about some self-styled British jihadis. With Chris Wilson, Kevin Eldon. World premiere.

"Grown Up Movie Star" (Canada) - Directed and written by Adriana Maggs, which spins on a teenage girl left to care for her rural father when her mother runs away. Features Shawn Doyle, Tatiana Maslany, Jonny Harris, Mark O'Brien, Andy Jones, Julia Kennedy. U.S. premiere.

"The Man Next Door" (Argentina), written and directed by Mariano Cohn and Gaston Duprat, about two neighbors who clash over a wall separating their properties. With Rafael Spregelburd, Daniel Araoz, Eugenia Alonso, Ines Budassi, Lorenza Acuna. International premiere.

"Me Too" (Spain) - Directed by Alvaro Pastor and Antonio Naharro, about the unconventional relationship between a 34-year-old college-educated man with Down syndrome and his free-spirited co-worker. With Pablo Pineda, Lola Duenas, Antonio Naharro, Isabel Garcia Lorca, Pedro Alvarez Ossorio. International premiere.
"Nuummioq" (Greenland) - Directed by Otto Rosing and Torben Bech, written by Bech, a contemporary story of how a young man pieces together aspects of his past and gets on with his life while journeying through Greenland's imposing landscapes. Stars Lars Rosing, Angunnguaq Larsen, Julie Berthelsen, Morten Rose, Makka Kleist, Mariu Olsen. World premiere.

"Peepli Live" (India) - Directed and written by Anusha Rizvi, a satire about the media frenzy created when an impoverished farmer announces that he'll commit suicide so his family can receive government compensation. Toplines Riz Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak.

"Son of Babylon" (Iraq) - Directed and written by Mohamed Al Daradji, the tale of a young Kurdish boy and his grandmother as they travel through Iraq searching for the remains of their father/son in the wake of Saddam Hussein's fall from power. With Yasser Talib, Shazda Hussein, Bashir Al-Majid. International premiere.
"Southern District" (Bolivia) - Directed and written by Juan Carlos Valdivia, a look at social change that envelopes an upper-class family in La Paz, Bolivia. Toplines Ninon del Castillo, Pascual Loayza, Nicolas Fernandez, Juan Pablo Koria, Mariana Vargas. North American premiere.

"The Temptation of St. Tony" (Estonia) - Directed and written by Veiko Ounpuu, which centers upon a mid-level manager with an aversion to being "good" who confronts life mysteries as he loses his grasp on his once-quiet life. Features Taavi Eelmaa, Rain Tolk, Tiina Tauraite, Katarina Lauk, Raivo E. Tamm. World premiere.
"Undertow" (Colombia-France-Germany-Peru) - Directed and written by Javier Fuentes-Leon, an offbeat ghost story in which a married fisherman on the Peruvian seaside tries to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within the town's rigid traditions. Stars Cristian Mercado, Manolo Cardona, Tatiana Astengo. North American premiere.

"Vegetarian" (South Korea) - Directed and written by Lim Woo-seong, about a housewife whose strange dreams and resulting meat aversion cause trouble with her husband and attract the interest of her artist brother-in-law. Toplines Chea Min-seo, Kim Hyun-sung, Kim Yeo-jin, Kim Young-jae. International premiere.

WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

"Enemies of the People" (Cambodia-U.K.) - Directed by Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, which recounts the shocking revelations that ensue when a young journalist whose family was killed by the Khmer Rouge befriends the perpetrators of the Killing Fields genocide. World premiere.

"A Film Unfinished" (Germany-Israel) - Directed by Yael Hersonski, in which film found in Nazi archives reveals the means used to stage Warsaw ghetto life. World premiere.

"Fix Me" (France-Palestinian Territories-Switzerland) - Directed by Raed Andoni, in which Andoni seeks different forms of help for a relentless headache in his hometown of Ramallah. International premiere.

"His and Hers" (Ireland) - Directed by Ken Wardrop, in which 70 Irish women offer insights into the relationships between women and men. World premiere.
"Kick in Iran" (Germany) - Directed by Fatima Geza Abdollahyan, about the struggles of the first female Taekwondo fighter from Iran to qualify for the Olympic Games. World premiere.

"Last Train Home" (Canada) - Directed by Fan Lixin, which focuses on the ordeals of a Chinese migrant worker who, along with many others, tries to reunite with a distant family. U.S. premiere.

"The Red Chapel" (Denmark) - Directed by Mads Bruegger, about a journalist without scruples, a self-proclaimed spastic and a comedian travel to North Korea under the guise of a cultural exchange visit to challenge the totalitarian regime. U.S. premiere.

"Russian Lessons" (Georgia-Germany-Norway) - Directed by Olga Konskaya and Andrei Nekrasov, which looks into ethnic cleansing in Georgia revealed by an investigation of Russian actions during the 2008 war. World premiere.

"Secrets of the Tribe" (Brazil) - Directed by Jose Padiha, which examines the scandal and infighting within the academic anthropology community regarding the representation and exploitation of indigenous Indian in the Amazon Basin. World premiere.

"Sins of My Father" (Argentina-Colombia) - Directed by Nicolas Entel, which delves into the life and times of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar through the eyes of his son, who fled Colombia to lead his own life. North American premiere.
"Space Tourists" (Switzerland) - Directed by Christian Frei, a humorous look at billionaires who pay large sums to travel into outer space for fun. North American premiere.

"Waste Land" (U.K.) - Directed by Lucy Walker, which reveals how lives are transformed when international artist Vik Muniz collaborates with garbage picker in the world's largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro. World premiere.

Gates Foundation Awards $40 Million to Pittsburgh Public Schools

2009-11-18T10:01:00.002-05:00

Falcon, here World Family with some exciting news. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has just award the Pittsburgh Public Schools its largest gift ever -$40 million to put in place an $85 million initiative for teachers and to increase teacher effectiveness.

The entire story is in the Pittsburgh Post-gazette online. Please follow this link:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09322/1014314-298.stm

Tax Students Tuition at Pittsburgh Universities? No Way!

2009-11-16T09:59:00.003-05:00

Hey World Family,

Falcon is about to have a little rant: apparently, no one in the mayor’s office understands how funding for university students works because a plan to tax student tuition 1% is the stuff that comes across as embarrassing as a suggestion to the even slightly informed, much less those who fully comprehend what a region-killer this tax would be.

An overview: the city of Pittsburgh needs to offset some of its pension fund deficits. I get that. Suggestion: tax the TUITION of college students attending Pittsburgh universities-INSANE! Why? One: it’s illegal. Two: the tax funds would end up coming right out of families’ pockets because it is highly unlikely that any student aid in any form would cover it. Three: on principle alone, it would drive students to attend schools located out of the city and possibly out of the region entirely. Four: the tax wouldn’t be even; it would be burdensome to the students who could afford to pay it the least. Let me explain.

Tuition (not meal plans, housing, etc. but just the cost of the education itself) is something that can be covered in a variety of ways. Cash is obviously the favorite, but there are other ways: federal funding, independent scholarships, university merit scholarships, sports scholarships (NCAA, NAIA) and private donations. These are put in place to pay for the cost of a student’s education, NOT a tax on the cost of that education. No one pays the same amount.

At a state funded school, in-state residents pay one tuition, out of state students pay a higher tuition. At a private university, it is the same for all usually. If a student receives a merit scholarship (think discount) from the university that they are attending, then they only pay the difference. The tax would be based on that which is billed to the student and their family. A student who was not fortunate enough to get merit money will pay the full tax amount. Not fair, is it? Further, if they are making ends meet by threads, it is highly likely that the funds would have to come out of their pocket: not federal money (can’t go for something like that), nor private scholarship money, and certainly not NCAA money. That will be family money. Since we already know that there is a HUGE inequity in the way merit money is handed out around here (minority students are at a HUGE disadvantage at certain public schools; private schools are much more generous with merit aid), then guess who pays more money again??? Those who can least afford it.

Out of state students and international students who did not have merit scholarship money would really pay, since their tuition is the highest, yet they come the farthest to attend. Once again, is this remotely fair? Of course not.

Universities in the region may be on non-taxable land, but they also give a lot to the city and the county through bringing in some of the most gifted students from this region and the world to our doors. They help with security in areas of shared space like all of Oakland, and in the North Side during game times, since the football games are played at Heinz Field for the University of Pittsburgh. I would tend to think that they spend a lot more on security than they would if they were an enclosed campus in the country. They don’t charge the city for that.

This shared relationship is sacred, and keeping it in balance is the key to reducing crime, keeping students safe, and giving them an enriching experience in one of the finest cities in the world. All of that gets tainted by the idea that the city wants to tax the tuition of students whose hard working parents’ money pours into the city in so many ways because their son or daughter attends a university within the city borders.

To ask families from Pittsburgh to once again foot a bill in an indirect and illegal manner for a city whose fiscal woes were not caused by them is inappropriate.

Being a solution centered kind of women, I do have some suggestions as to where they can get some additional funding for the pension accounts. Current employees recognize that in order to garner the pension they have worked so hard for, they may need to put more in. The city can cut costs by going greener faster. Instead of just going for the proverbial ‘low hanging fruit’, the city needs to start looking at retrofitting, conservation, and renovation moves that get funding from elsewhere, but will save the capital budget millions. There are brilliant people working in city government in the city of Pittsburgh; let’s get to work on how to make this work, rather than burdening the most vulnerable working citizens one more time.

Oh, and one more thing: education is a right, not a privilege. Americans have the right to be properly educated to qualify their acquired skills for the greatest opportunity for enfranchisement for themselves and by extension, their community. College education should not be enjoyed simply by the privileged, but by all who aspire academically to that goal. It is vile to think someone could come up with an arbitrary tax on the cost of that vision.

Falcon and Dove

Frick Park is Dog Park

2009-11-12T21:00:00.002-05:00

For Locals Only: Ok, Pittsburgh people; I have been saying I was going to write this post for months, and now with all the comments in the Pittsburgh Post-gazette lately, I feel the time has come. Frick Park is a beautiful woodland environment, full of hills and valleys, interesting paths and lost hollows along with small creeks and Nine Mile Run. It is also full of something else: Frick Park is full of people with dogs.

The dogs probably outnumber the people on any given day, since many people have more than one dog. There is a leash law, but like that scene in “Pirates of the Caribbean” it is more of a suggestion than a mandate. After all, who is going to police the park at all times? Mostly, dog owners.

Now, I must say, my dog is always on a leash. This is because my lab would go on a walkabout and not be seen for a week if I let him off the leash. Many people have dogs that are perfectly well behaved; I do not. Mine is over a decade old (around 74 years old in dog years; a dog ages one year for every 52 days) yet he acts as though he is a puppy on his first visit to a park on a leash. He was a farm dog, you see, and has never adjusted to that funny thing around his neck tethered to me. He looks at me funny every time I put it on, and rolls his eyes, but acquiesces to my request.

Some people have complained recently that they would like to see the dogs on the leash, at least until they reach the OLEA (Off Leash Exercise Area-a magnificent space with barrels, tubes, and planks, as well as a large space perfect for ball and Frisbee toss), and that is fine. Others wish that people would clean up the number 2’s left by our 4 legged brothers and sisters in various locations in the park. Some wish they wouldn’t go in the creeks and streams, which they couldn’t if they were on a leash always. Here’s what I think:

Dogs are beautiful beings; they truly love unconditionally, even those who probably have not earned their love and trust. Most are gentle and fun, unless trained or abused to be otherwise. Poop is poop; it’s not fun, and it has germs, and it is messy, but it is not the end of the world. I wish all we had to worry about in the entire world was walking in the occasional pile of puppy poop. The world would be blissful if that was the only thing we needed to concern ourselves with…so here is my compromise suggestion.

People: clean up after your dog…ok, not in the 12 foot pampas grass, but elsewhere; you know what I mean. As far as the streams go, gosh, can’t a dog have a little fun? I wonder about a world where everything has to be put under glass, and we all have to stay on the path. I haven’t let my dog in the water for years, but I love watching when others do. People: stay close to your dogs, don’t let them get a quarter of a mile away, walk up to other people’s children and perhaps frighten them. I love having the dogs of everyone in the East End approach me from the woods, but many folks don’t.

People without dogs who may not like the loose four legged friends: Frick Park is Dog Park. It just is. I think it’s wonderful, even when I am there without my dog. Why? Because I feel safe, always. Dogs are very intuitive, and they sense trust. They innately protect, and that is what I love about them. Don’t like dogs? One woman commented in the editorial section of the Post-gazette to go to Schenley instead. That is not far from Frick, so maybe not walking distance for some, but still a short bike ride. No worries.

Frick Park is dog park; let’s just accept it, and for those who can, embrace it. That is one of the most wonderful urban parks in the world to me. It is full of ancient trees and hidden treasures. Check it out, with or without your dog escort.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Falcon and Dove’s Fall Movie Preview

2009-11-02T09:16:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,
Well, it's time for the Fall Movie Preview. We tended to avoid writing about films that weren't that interesting, and instead have brought you a batch of what we thought were worth seeing...with only a couple of exceptions. Enjoy!

A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers are at it again, this time looking back at one of my favorite eras of waxing nostalgia, the late 1960’s. A young Jewish man is trying to make sense of his life in a world of Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane and his marriage. He feels he is trying to do the right thing, yet he also thinks his world is changing faster than the world around them is spinning. It is supposed to be tongue in cheek funny, but there will be much too much profoundly familiar in this quirky film.

Act of God
Interesting independent doc involves conversations with people who have been struck by lightening (wow-I wish they would have talked to me!). This film looks at the metaphysical implications and eye witness stories of what these individuals were like before they were struck…and after. This film is by Jennifer Baichwal.

Aladin
Yes, another version, aka ‘Slumdog’ style; very modern Bollywood film with special effects, wild costumes and lots of dancing. It looks like Xanadu meets the classic Magic Lamp tale. Our take: skip it.

Amelia
Hillary Swank gets the nod to play the famous pilot Amelia Eckhart on Fox Searchlight. Ewan McGregor, Richard Gere give respectable performances. Great cinematography.

An Education
Alfred Molina stars with a strong British cast (Emma Thompson, Dennis Cooper) in a period piece (aka 1962 abouts) that looks a little like Educating Rita with less of an age gap. Girl gets into Oxford and runs off with a man she met to Paris-more exciting, yet not what she thought it would be, go figure.

As Seen Through These Eyes
Maya Angelou gives a powerful narration to a powerful documentary montage of images of Nazi survivors in photos and artwork, along with their own voices and stories. Magnificent art, challenging stories.

Avatar
We are all waiting for this. If the story unfolds as well as the trailer does, and the special effects deliver, this will be one of the best films of the year. It looks like moving Rodger Dean artwork with Native American embellishments. We hope the film lives up to the hype.

Broken Embraces
A nice French film with strong performances, featuring Penelope Cruz, beautiful yet a bit tortured since all of the saturation as that 60’s early 70’s feel, deliberately. Good date film.

Capitalism: A Love Story
Michael Moore’s magnificent indictment of greed, lying and the price the average person pays for a system without a moral compass. Includes sending perfectly good children to prison while judges get kickbacks (here in PA, believe it or not), farm families having their homes forclosed upon, and conversations with people who have just had it.

Dare
Teen film with Self-self discovery/affirmation film with Sandra Bernhard featuring Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford and Alan Cumming (who I hadn’t seen in a film in awhile). It breaks out of the typical a bit, and the actors make it worth the trip.

Edge of Darkness
Mel Gibson returns as a homicide detective whose 24 year old daughter was killed on his doorstep. Turns out her world was more dangerous than his. This is a January release, so no one really holds a lot of hope for this one,(January is usually the time for films that are expendable) but it is better than it looks.

Endgame
From Monterey Media comes a very strong film with tricky filming that doesn’t blink with a highly diverse film of quality actors, including William Hurt. Very, very good.

Extraordinary Measures
True story about John and Aileen Crowley whose children were diagnosed with a fatal disease called Pompe, which is genetic, impacts the heart and usually fatal. They started a business, left their jobs and started extraordinary research to save their children’s’ lives. Appearances by Harrison Ford and Brendan Frazier.

Five Minutes of Heaven
Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt star in an interesting film about an adult revolutionary who killed Nesbitt’s character’s brother as a teen. The two have an opportunity to meet. It is a film about truth and reconciliation. Forgiveness…is it possible? The character’s are deeply well developed.

From Paris, With Love
Starring Welsh actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers and John Travolta, directed by Peter Morrell. Action, laughs, more action, lots of things blowing up.

Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Heath Ledger has one more hurrah, Christopher Plummer and Colin Farrell along with Johnny Deep (sounds like a dream I would love to have) and directed by Terry Gilliam. Wow. It looks incredible and has all the makings of a spectacular nominee, IF the voting members don’t write this off as just a special effects feast. Shot in Bulgaria, it is visually stunning and magnificent. It is nice to see “Academy Award Winner” before Heath Ledger’s name. It is really sad that he is no longer with us here.

Killing Kastzner
Was he a hero or in collusion with the Nazi’s? A documentary looking at the trial, his daughter, and the questions. Did he make a secret deal? His name brings gratitude and rage to many. See the film and see how you feel.

Lies and Illusions
Cuba Gooding, Jr. along with Christian Slater star in a thriller about a man whose book of fiction has more truth to it than he wishes it did. Cuba, good to see you back; I hope you have a great agent and we will see more of you-such a strong actor. Christian has been on TV lately, and it is nice to see him back on the big screen. This film has some promise; I hope it delivers.

The Lovely Bones
An excellent thriller novel by Alice Sebold filmed in Pennsylvania, directed by Peter Jackson, handled with beauty and sensitivity. Susan Sarandon and Mark Walberg deliver strong performances. Must see it to believe it.

The Men Who Stare at Goats
Yu don’t know whether to laugh or cry, but this is based on a true story. Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, and George Clooney, Kevin Spacey star in this 1970’s tale of ‘remote viewers’ aka psychic Jedi Knights. Inspired by the book by Jon Ronson.
Just go with it…

Paranormal Activity
Produced for a mere $15,000, this film opened at number one for weekend receipts after garnering a million clicks demanding that this film be released country wide. Wow! What a story. The film itself is a fine first film and looks like a couple doing their own episode of “Ghost Hunters”, but it goes badly wrong. That’s the fun part for you! A little “Blair Witch” camera work in spots, but really well done overall.

Peter and Vandy
Relationship movie that is incredibly honest in its portrayal and entertaining. Jason Ritter is warm and loving, and controlling and manipulative-perfect.

Pirate Radio
Already out and fantastic, stars one of my favorite actors, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, along with Billy Nighy, and my absolute favorite, Kenneth Branagh

Precious
Every living human begin above the age of 12 should see this film. A Lee Williams film, based on the book, “Push” by Sapphirewith an unbelievable cast: Sherri Shepherd, Mariah Carey, Mo’Nique, Lenny Kravitz. Oscar, can you hear me?

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
Extremely well cast ensemble around a central character who is looking at renewing the quality of her life at a crossroads. Alan Arka, Keanu Reeves, Juliann Moore, Winona Rider, Robin Wright Penn are part of an excellent examination of a woman’s personal portrait, exploration, and eventual liberation.

Red Cliff
A strong film by John Woo focus on epic battles during the third century in China during civil war. This picture makes Helm’s Deep look like a little skirmish at a stronghold.
Cinematography great, special effects, strong, period costuming, nice.

Serious Moonlight
Meg Ryan stars with Timothy Hutton stars in this comedy directed by Cheryl Hines. Over the top a bit, but entertaining. See this with the girlfriends, laugh a lot. See it with men, and the guys will be trying to escape the theater.

Sherlock Holmes
Like you have never seen him before, Sherlock Holmes is played by Robert Downey, Jr. and Watson is played by Jude Law. Rachel McAdams rocks! Watson whines a little. Robert Downey, Jr. and Mark Strong deliver the goods. Very nicely done. I bet if this one is successful, like Harry Potter, they will make more. By the way, this is not for the kids.

The Book of Eli
The Hughes brothers have put together a little post apocalyptic film with Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman that looks like a fun little romp in Mad Max land. It’s a January release. You know what that means. Maybe it will be better than they think. The trailer is very cool…kinda video game like, but cool.

The Road
Viggo Mortensen is awesome in this Cormac McCarthy’s unoptimistic novel made into a film. Charlize Theron is also in this portrait of what happens after…
This was filmed in Pittsburgh, and when we ran out of snow, up near Erie.

The End of Poverty
A stunning documentary narrated by Martin Sheen on how we got in such a financial mess, and how contrived poverty is. Some may actually be surprised that ‘trickle down’ doesn’t work, and how deliberate and systematic the atrocities are globally. This is another film I feel strongly about that everyone should see.

The Fourth Kind
Based on a sleep study, complete with footage of the actual sessions included in the narrative drama side by side, this film asks the question: have we had more than casual contact with aliens? Who are they? Why did these people in Alaska have the same experiences? Are they all delusional, abused…or what? This film may have you leaving with more questions than you came in with…

The Messenger
This just opened the Savannah Film Festival on Halloweeen and stars Woody Harrelson (finally in a film that’s actually good) with a magnificent support soundtrack of awesome pieces Ben Foster gives an unforgettable performance. This film will strike a chord with so many as these two men are the messengers of the undeliverable message of the loss of a man or woman at war. Very, very, very good.

2012
As good as the previous movie was: this film is the polar opposite of that one. Let me paint a picture: Roland Emmerich, who I had a ton of respect and support for when he did “The Day After Tomorrow” has completely abandoned his fracking mind and made a film that while the special effects are incredible, has virtually no real plot or character development.

Most films we here at Falcon and Dove thought just plain sucked we didn’t talk about in the Fall Preview. Some we just didn’t get a chance to properly review. Falcon has seen nearly 20 minutes of this film and can’t stand a moment of it. Why? Besides being kind of a downer (end of world on 12/21/12- I won’t mention what time, everything goes to you know where, and the government has secret underground bunkers for the select few, blah, blah, blah) it has some plausibility problems, and not just the obvious ones.

If I were a filmmaker showing the end of the world, with collapsing buildings all around, I would have remembered the people. THE PEOPLE> the ones being blown to bits, thrown around like rag dolls, and falling into the open crevasses in the earth that is now heated and cracking. You barely see any human toll. That would have been an “R” rating, I suppose. The human side of this story is gone. Woody Harrelson (can’t believe he did this film and The Messenger in the same year. Note from Falcon: if he doesn’t get an Oscar for his role in The Messenger, he may have this film to thank for it-memories are long at Oscar time). He plays a character who wants to leave the proverbial building first by setting himself in the middle of the caldera at Yellowstone. He’s on radio, the Net, takes questions and calls, and has a website for you to follow until the end. He wears a long haired wig and a Moroccan style hat-looks great on Dumbledore, on Woody…not so much.

So…where do I begin? First, Roland, you really DON”T understand the prophecy of the Maya; so stop. Not enough of the real feelings of many Native American people are in this film…oh, yeah! I forgot! It’s about the bang and the money. Silly, me…

The hopelessness of this film is so bad, I would not let a child see this film, period. There are children in it I feel sorry for. No one who has had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should see it either. There is a loss of continuity in this film that is astonishing, but no loss of special effects of destroying many monuments gone wild.

The dialog is occasionally comedic in the most inappropriate times. The moment before all of California is about to go from the inside, there are humorous remarks made by the lead character (John Cusack, who in interviews doesn’t sound like he believes it, either) about the state governor’s acting just moments before the bottom falls out-literally. There are moments that are so confused between comedy and annihilation that I wasn’t quite sure what the director was going for. The film doesn’t take itself very seriously in spots. Maybe we shouldn’t either.

So here’s the supposed science: the earth’s core will heat up and break up all the weak spots when the planets align with the Milky Way and the Sun on the other end. In Native tradition, it is a configuration of the Alligator (a representation of the Cosmic Matriarch) giving birth to the Sun). We personally consider this time a time of birth, higher consciousness and new revelations. That revelation may be that the earth will continue without us, if WE MESS UP. We do have choices, and our behavior is what determines our fate. What is written is change and transformation. It will not be easy, but it is not all doom and gloom unless we succumb to the misery and negativity of things, and fail to rise with courage to change what we can clearly change.

Otherwise, no underground bunker, hermitically sealed with O2 from plants clearly underground in greenhouses and energy from geothermal ( we ought to have plenty of that)can save us-according to their complete disaster, there won't be any fresh air for years, the underground too warm in most places and with plate shift, where are the fresh water aquafirs, or am I over thinking this? Contamination would be rampant, and we would be cooked anyway. The End. Wow...what a fun film!

Twilight Saga: New Moon
Okay, this will be better than the first film; it already looks better. I don't just mean the special effects...THE MEN!!! Look, this is an eye candy story; I am not a teen, I am there for the 'visual effects', you feel me? Yes, there's a bit of a story, and I am not even sure I like it. Dove says it's ok, but I am there for the guys. With an ensemble of men that hot, you tend to ignore weak storylines. Okay, actually generally I do pay attention to plot...who care? It looks great! I'll be there on Nov. 20, watching it with all the rest of the young men and women. The whole vampire thing doesn't really do anything for me...gotta love those werewolves, though! Whew! Is it hot in here???

Alright World Family, there is Falcon and Dove's quick overview of the fall movies. Our Holiday Film Special blog/podcast will be out during the Thanksgiving weekend, as always.

Be strong, stay safe, and enjoy the fall offerings.
Peace
Falcon and Dove

HFCS Sucks! Industry: STOP using it!!!

2009-10-27T11:24:00.004-05:00

Hey World Family,
This is a Falcon and Dove combined rant. We are going to say something simple, yet powerful when combined with direct action: World: stop eating, using ANY products with high fructose corn syrup in it.

Industry: stop making excuses about something that is vile and dangerous where you make gross profits and people (and animals, bees more specifically) are getting sick and dying. There is no excuse for this selfish, morally bankrupt behavior. There are other ways to make money-poisoning people is not the way to do it.

Just to be clear: Falcon and Dove have never embraced this Frankenstein-ian product. There has been study after study (mostly outside the U.S. since food additives don’t have to pass muster with FDA) that shows HFCS compromises liver function, and possibly other organs. How important is this? Well, if your liver isn’t functioning properly (removing toxins and recycling red blood cells every 120 days), creatine levels can rise, and its harder to oxygenate the body. If you can’t get enough oxygen, your entire body suffers: brain, heart, lungs, the full monty. That increases other health difficulties: asthma, diabetes (HFCS is THE contributing factor for this one beyond sedentary lifestyle and simple, non-nutritious white carb consumption), kidney malfunctions (since those who consume a lot of HFCS also don’t get enough water, on average), and other health deficits. When heated (like inside your body), it creates a carcinogen.

In addition to the already ridiculous amount of evidence that this is a singularly awful additive choice, studies have also shown that mercury showed up in 50% of common products tested. This is probably due to the caustic soda that is commonly contaminated with mercury from the chlorine industry (stay with me), and then used as an additive in food products. Although that process is to be curved completely by 2012, we aren’t there yet. Legislation to correct this vile practice was introduced by a young senator who is now our president: Barack Obama.

The fact that the industry actually ran a campaign of commercials asking American to keep using and consuming this filth really shows the lack of human decency that this industry shows for consumers. We all know that cheaper products will be filled with HFCS and other additives that together create a time bomb for the people who consume it. Oh, and by the way, the fact that the health care industry hasn’t climbed all over this and demanded that changes be made shows their collusion in this awful cycle of stupidity.

All this is about profit and sacrificing certain populations as expendable for the sake of profits: people with more money can buy at stores whose food comes from healthier, organic, and sustainable sources. The poor have far less options.

SOLUTIONS

ALL COMPANIES WHO GARNER THIS POISON FROM INDUSTRY SOURCES SHOULD BEGIN TO REPLACE HFCS IN THEIR PRODUCTS IMMEDIATELY!!!

Falcon knows of several companies who have done just that. A lot of products are now labeled: no high fructose corn syrup. Our suggestion is that you work with other companies as consumers and ask…no, DEMAND that they remove this from their products. Buy products without this additive.

World Family, you and your children cannot afford to consume this trash. It’s not worth it. Demand that your grocer, your gas station, your dollar store, etc. get food that is safe for you to consume. Demand it.

This is why every person with the tiniest bit of earth should begin to grow their own food, work with others in your community to grow your own food, and create sustainable networks to get wholesome food.
It is time for a revolution, Brothers and Sisters. It’s been time.

Want more information on this subject? Check out your favorite search engine, or go to the websites below:

www.webMD.com

www.naturalnews.com

Protect your health, World Family. Defend your right to have food without additives known to hurt and kill. It’s your life. After all, what else do you have that’s more important than your life and health?
Peace,
Falcon and Dove