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Nate Berku’s Life changed in Arugam Bay

Published on 10/10/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, people, press coverage and the bay. 1 Comment

Nate Berkus talks life and love

Nate Berkus talks life and love
Extended for the Online Edition of Windy City Times
by Ross Forman
2008-10-08

Nate Berkus has gone to a lot of sports-memorabilia conventions over the years. But he’s not a collector or a dealer, and doesn’t even like sports:
He’s just a loving, supportive son.

You see, his dad, Mike, is a lifelong sports-memorabilia collector, dealer and card-show promoter. He is a co-founder and current co-executive director of the annual National Sports Collectors Convention, set for its 30th annual gala next summer in Cleveland.

A?a??A?Growing up, I spent a lot of time behind tables at [ trading ] card and memorabilia conventions,A?a??A? Nate Berkus said. A?a??A?I was always interested in the collectibility aspect of [ memorabilia ] ; I was fascinated that somebody on a limited income would come and spend $1,000 on a baseball card because they had to have it.A?A?

A?a??A?But I felt the same way about furniture, paintings and things for the home.A?a??A?

Mike Berkus talks knowingly about the T206 Honus Wagner baseball card from 1909 that has sold for more than $1 million. He knows about Mickey Mantle’s rookie baseball card, prized Michael Jordan cards and also some of the valuable 2008 cards.

Nate Berkus knows none of that. He, instead, is attracted to interior decorating. While his dad can talk freely and knowledgeably about Hall of Famers from every sport, Nate can talk about furniture, textiles and bedding sheets.

A?a??A?I never had any interest [ in sports ] ,A?a??A? he said, laughing. A?a??A?I can honestly say never.A?a??A?

And Nate still is not a trading card collector or autograph hound.

But Nate has been every bit as successful in his field as his Hall of Fame-caliber dad.

A?a??A? [ Sports memorabilia ] is a fascinating industry. My dad used to sell sports memorabilia on HSN [ the Home Shopping Network ] . In some ways, [ we’ve ] sort of gone full-circle,A?a??A? Berkus said.

On Monday, Oct. 13, HSN will launch an exclusive new line of home dA?A?cor and furniture from Berkus. Of course, that’s famed designer Nate Berkus, known for the work he’s done for both high-profile private clients and well-known public spaces. And, yes, that’s the same Berkus of A?a??A?The Oprah Winfrey ShowA?a??A? fame. ( He first appeared on Winfrey’s show in 2001 and, in 2008, he hosted a home-makeover show for ABC-TV called A?a??A?Oprah’s Big Give.A?a??A? )A?A? Zyban for sale online

Berkus will debut his new collection during the premiere of HSN Home Design Event Presented by ELLE DECOR, a five-week series of one-hour trend-driven shows running through Nov. 15. The show will combine ELLE DECOR’s editorial authority with HSN’s newest home designers and brands.

A?a??A?I’m really looking forward to [ the launch ] . I have been flying all around the world over the past year or so with my creative team at HSN to develop what I think is a really exciting, new and fresh collection, things that have never [ previously ] been sold at this price, with this much quality, especially not on TV,A?a??A? Berkus said. A?a??A?What’s interesting about this opportunity for me is, with HSN, I’m able to actually be the voice of my own products and really be able to explain and talk on live television with the people who are facing different design issues and have questions for me. And, I can explain the inspiration for the first time behind this line, as opposed to designing something and sending it out onto store shelves somewhere and just hoping people like it.A?a??A?

Berkus said he is not nervous for the launch A?a??A? at least not publicly.

A?a??A?With any creative person, you put your heart and soul into a process and you want it to be as successful as possible,A?a??A? he said. A?a??A?I think it will be a success if people respond to the designs, the color combinations, the textures, the ideas, plus the quality and pricing of the line.

A?a??A?I think the [ the new product line ] is really geared for everybody. The nice thing about it is, the whole focus behind the line is very solution-oriented. The launch is going to start with two bedding collections, some furniture, mirrors [ and ] furniture as well as different accessories and things like that.

A?a??A?HSN has never walked into this territory, so it’s a first for both of us. We’re offering custom upholstery at extremely affordable prices, so people can buy something on TV and then customize it to fit their home. And it ships within two to six weeks.A?a??A?

A sofa, for instance, will cost less than $600.

The line also will include everything from rich textiles, classic linens, decorative pillows and porcelain vases to classic furniture pieces like coffee tables, headboards and more. In time, Berkus will introduce decorative accessories, lamps, wovens and rugs to round out the expansive collection of more than 100 home products.A?A? How much is betnovate cream

A?a??A?There’s so much detail with every element to every bed, particularly with the sheets,A?a??A? Berkus said. A?a??A?I was tired of going to 20 different places to try and find sheets that I love to sleep on. So I took the best qualities of everything that I tested and decided to do two sheetsA?a??a??one for people who prefer a warm bed and a second for people who prefer a cooler, crisper bed.

A?a??A?I’ve been researching [ the bedding ] for a year, testing and sampling.

And I now think I have the perfect warm sheet and the perfect cool sheet.A?a??A?

Berkus’ new line will be available exclusively on HSN, which reaches 90 million homes, and HSN.com, one of the top 10 most-trafficked retail Web sites.

A?a??A?I think part of me always knew [ interior design was my calling ] , but as a kid growing up, I didn’t know these opportunities even existed,A?a??A? Berkus said. A?a??A?I grew up in suburban Minneapolis and my mom [ Nancy Golden ] was an interior designer, so I was always exposed to the arts, design, furniture and textiles. I always knew I would do something creative because when I’m not doing something creative … I have the attention span of a third-grader. So, for me, there has to be constant visual stimulation, and that has to be constantly changing, just for my own personal happiness.

A?a??A?When I did my very first collection for Linens & Things, I was much more nervous about that because it was something I had never done before. I really sort of grew into my own as a product designer in the three years that I worked with them. So, for me this [ new line ] represents everything that I learned up until now.

A?a??A?Here I am, this son of a decorator and a sports fanatic, and I took lessons from both of my parents in that way. My mother was more of the aesthetic person; my dad was at the center of an industry that’s all about collecting and condition of something, plus rarity. That really sunk in for me, in my own interpretation of it.A?a??A?

And aspects of Chicago also have had key roles in molding BerkusA?a??a??including Lake Forest College in the northern suburbs, which he attended.

A?a??A?Lake Forest [ College ] is a fantastic school and it really gave me a lot of opportunities that a larger college wouldn’t have offered, such as the two semesters I spent in Paris as an intern,A?a??A? Berkus said. A?a??A?My last year of college, I lived in Chicago and concentrated all of my classes into three days. There were small classes and some amazing professors, plus flexibility with curriculum, thus it was a perfect fit for me.A?a??A?

Chicago also is Oprah. Or, Oprah is Chicago. The daytime talk-show diva is as much Chicago as Michael Jordan, maybe more. And Berkus has been aboard the Oprah Express since 2001.

A?a??A?It is an incredible experience [ working with Oprah, ] A?a??A? Berkus said. A?a??A?I don’t think anybody just wakes up one day and thinks, A?a??E?Wow, today I’m going to be on Oprah.’ It wasn’t any different for me.

A?a??A?One thing about the Oprah experience that I still really admire is how organic it is. A producer asked me to come on [ the show ] after she had seen my work. We did a small space makeup about six years ago, and Oprah really appreciated the design and my work-ethic, staying up all night with the producers to make sure everything was perfect. And the audience loved it, too. I just thought right then and there that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing at that exact time.

A?a??A?My relationship with the show is something that is as exciting to me now as it was when I started.A?a??A?

Berkus, 37, now runs the Chicago-based Nate Berkus Associates. He is the eldest of six siblings.

A?a??A?One thing that’s a personal philosophy of mine is, A?a??E?You have to figure out what you’re really passionate about, what you really like to do,’ That to me is how I feel about design. In my spare time, I do the same thing that I do in my work time,A?a??A? he said.A?A?

Life-changing momentsA?A?

Berkus was vacationing in Sri Lanka on a fateful December day in 2004.

He was with his partner, photographer Fernando Bengoechea, sleeping in a beachfront cottage at Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast when he heard a loud noise and the roof was ripped off.

A tsunami struck and the two were swept into the sea along with debris, animals and other people. The two grabbed a telephone pole, Berkus said, but lost their grips when a second large wave hit. Berkus climbed onto the roof of a home; Bengoechea was missing, presumed dead.

A?a??A?I sort of have reached a stage with that [ tragedy ] where I do still reflect on it quite frequently, but I tend to reflect more on who I’ve become and what I’ve learned since that day,A?a??A? Berkus said. A?a??A?I would never wish for that to happen; I would never wish for anyone to experience what I experienced, the personal loss I experienced with Fernando dying and also witnessing what I witnessed, including the deaths of so many. But the truth is, the lessons that I’ve learned from that changed me so profoundly as a person, thus I wouldn’t recognize myself before the tsunami.

A?a??A?When you go through a life-altering experience, you can come out [ of it ] in one of two ways. You can come out as a stronger version of the person you were before, or you can let it destroy you. Even through my grief, and truly for the first time ever understanding what grief was, I knew on some level that I would make myself a better person as a result of that, that it wouldn’t be the one thing in my life that defined me. For me, a lot of things define [ me ] ; I’m not just defined as being on TV. Nor am I just defined as being Jewish, or being gay or being the eldest son. Rather, I’m all of those things.

A?a??A?I know I was given a second chance and with that chance, I have some choices, and the first choice I have to make is whether or not I’m going to let it take me out too. And I chose to not let that happen.A?a??A?

Berkus has been dating Brian Atwood, a shoe designer who lives in Milan, Italy, for about one and a half years. Their relationship, though strained by distance, is anchored by communication. They see each other every two weeks or so.

A?a??A?I was very, very happy this [ past ] spring when non-stop flights from Chicago to Milan were added; that shaved about four and a half hours off the travel experience,A?a??A? he said, laughing. A?a??A?Our long-term plan is not [ to be living so far apart ] . We eventually will be spending more time in the U.S., but for now he’s based in Milan and I’m based in Chicago.

A?a??A?We have a great relationship; it’s completely worth it to me, the effort [ of maintaining a long-distance relationship. ] A?a??A?

Berkus came out while a sophomore at Lake Forest College.

A?a??A?I think there’s a level of forced dishonesty when you don’t come out of the closet, whether that’s your decision or your circumstances that prevent you from doing so,A?a??A? he said. A?a??A?That level of dishonesty can start to sort of seep into other areas of your life in time, where you can’t feel like you genuinely have a relationship with your parents because you’re hiding something. I believe that you have to live your life true to who you are. I don’t define myself as strictly being gay, but I’m completely comfortable talking about it; it’s an aspect of who I am.

A?a??A?Like almost everyone, I went through [ a difficult ] phase of coming-out where, I didn’t know what relationships in my life would survive. Knowing that you’re about to take that risk [ by coming out ] is really a horrible situation to be in. To this day, gay teenagers are still driven to suicide at the thought [ of coming out ] , and that’s got to change.A?a??A?

Berkus said he considered not coming out. A?a??A?I think the fantasy was, I’ll just hide [ being gay ] , get married, have kids, and it’ll just be the one thing that I have to deal with. But that’s an intensely selfish reaction; it robs you of honest relationships with everyone who loves you and it also starts to affect other people’s lives, such as the person you marry, your children. And I’m not a selfish guy,A?a??A? he said. A?a??A?When I came out, both of my parents said to me, A?a??E?At the end of the day, we love you, and that’s what you need to know. But we need to work through this on our own.’ And they did.

A?a??A?I think, for a parent, they want their kid to have the best of everything; they want their kid to have the easiest life possible,A?a??A? he added. A?a??A?And even though that’s unrealistic and can have nothing to do with sexuality, when you come out to your parentsA?a??a??even if they’re the most liberal, most wonderful, warm peopleA?a??a??they still have to be allowed a period to mourn the life that they thought you would have. Their little baby has gone on a different course from what they predicted, or hoped, for you. I was very respectful of my parents and acknowledged it was a surprise to them and very hard for them to accept. My father had no idea, for instance. But it didn’t make me want to back down and not tell them this information. Instead, what I told them is, A?a??E?I’m going to give you guys time and be here to answer whatever questions you may have, no matter how crazy you think the question is.’A?a??A?A?A?

Berkus will be speaking to college-aged students in Toronto this fall, detailing his tsunami experience and his business success, etc.

A?a??A?After the tsunami segment aired on The Oprah Winfrey Show, I received literally thousands of letters and e-mails from gay teenagers from around the country, some of whom were moved to come out of the closet because they viewed a really open, honest, happy relationship [ between me and Fernando ] , and it was the first time they ever witnessed it, and it happened on television,A?a??A? Berkus said. A?a??A?And it was presented as two people in love, not just as two gay people.A?a??A?

More Nate…

Here are some more fun facts from Nate Berkus:

A?a??a??Dream vacation spot: A?a??A?I have two: The Temples of Angkor in Cambodia and Careyes, Mexico.A?a??A?

A?a??a??Little-known fact: A?a??A?People are always surprised that I’m Jewish. I have no idea why.A?a??A?

A?a??a??Favorite restaurant in the world: Contro Vapore in Milan

A?a??a??Favorite restaurant in Chicago: The Wiener’s Circle at 2622 N. Clark A?a??A?have the best hot dogs in the world.A?a??A?

A?a??a??Favorite movie: Overboard

A?a??a??Favorite actor: A?a??A?I don’t really have a favorite actor.A?a??A?

A?a??a??Favorite actress: Diane Keaton

A?a??a??A fashion faux pas: A?a??A?Over-designed denimA?a??A?

A?a??a??One overused material in homes: Granite

A?a??a??One fact about Oprah we don’t know: A?a??A?She’s really like an open book. There’s no rehearsal for the show.A?a??A?

A?a??a??On air travel: A?a??A?The truth is, I’m on a plane almost every other day anyway; it just depends where that plane is headed.A?a??A? His travel tradition is turning off his Blackberry, then reading books and magazines, and also doing some work. A?a??A?I get a lot done on airplanes.A?a??A?

A?a??a??Upcoming on The Oprah Winfrey Show: A?a??A?We’re doing some really exciting makeovers on the Oprah show this fall.A?a??A?

Source

A?a??A?People are always surprised that I’m Jewish. I have no idea why.A?a??A?

source:
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/28610617.html

Refuge Camp…Ampara…. Arugam Bay..?

Published on 09/10/2008 in Blogs, parties, people and press coverage. 3 Comments


A?A? AmericaA?a??a??s Financial Crisis: A Real Solution

Notes from the Field: Sri Lanka, August, 2008

UPDATE FROM SRI LANKA:

[This was sent out as an email to people on the Commonway list; however, because of a technical problem, few actually received it…]

There is never a dull moment around this place. Ongoing war, student riots, the SAARC summit meetingA?a??A? I donA?a??a??t know where to begin.

Perhaps I should begin where every Sri Lankan who knows me starts: A?a??A?Obama!A?a??A? The worldA?a??a??s most popular man weaves his magic on this islandA?a??A? and he hasnA?a??a??t even been here. People I donA?a??a??t even know hear that IA?a??a??m an American and come up to me with the one question: A?a??A?Can he win?A?a??A?

Not, A?a??A?Is he a good man?A?a??A? or A?a??A?What are his views on foreign affairs?A?a??A?. From the worldA?a??a??s point of view, the US election is already over A?a??a?? they have their President. (We call the US President the A?a??A?Leader of the Free WorldA?a??A?. Ironic that the world canA?a??a??t vote for him or her.)

My answer? The election has nothing to do with Democrats or Republicans. That illusory division does not define what is going on with the A?a??A?Obama EffectA?a??A?. The November election pits two amazingly well-matched candidates against each other: The Past and The Future.

John McCain is a most worthy representative of The Past. He has all of the A?a??A?tested under fireA?a??A? credentials (and white hair) that you want in a candidate who represents AmericaA?a??a??s Past. In a time of fear and uncertainty, many people want a steady hand on the rudder and clear eye toward a safe harbor.

Barack Obama is the epitome of The Future. Someone who transcends all of the old alliances and political configurations (to the chagrin of those in his own party). Someone of the Internet Age. Someone who believes that AmericaA?a??a??s strength does not lie in her past, but her future. Someone who not only understands, but literally transcends race (to the chagrin of those in the old A?a??A?Civil RightsA?a??A? establishment). In a time of hope and rapid change, Obama has his eye A?a??a?? and his enthusiasm A?a??a?? set firmly in the future.

So, we get to witness John Kennedy duke it out with Ronald Reagan. Which one will win? It depends whether, on election day, American voters are more hopeful than fearful. (Perhaps I should characterize it as A?a??A?Voting by FearA?a??A? and A?a??A?Voting by HopeA?a??A?.)

People are motivated by BOTH fear and hope. (Remember: inclusivity means seeing things from both/all sides.) After the people of Czechoslovakia defeated the Soviet Union in their nonviolent A?a??A?Velvet RevolutionA?a??A?, at election time, they almost returned the Communists to power! Why? In times of uncertainty, people look for the familiar A?a??a?? even if it means familiarly oppressive and authoritarian. Then, rather than rely on themselves, they can complain about A?a??A?the governmentA?a??A? again. People go back to abusive governments like women go back to abusive husbands.

[Which one SHOULD win? In keeping with current IRS regulations and in light of CommonwayA?a??a??s nonprofit status, I have no stated official position.]

SAARC CONFERENCE

If you were President of a country ravaged by war, high inflation, political and social instability, what would you do? HAVE A PARTY!!Invite seven of your buddies (and their huge entourages) over for the weekend. Block off the capital city, throw in 30,000 soldiers for security, and youA?a??a??ve got the A?a??A?South Asian Association for Regional CooperationA?a??A? Summit held the first weekend of my arrival in Sri Lanka. The government spent tens of millions of dollars on a meeting that could have been accomplished with a conference call.

The economy here is REALLY bad. Even I have noticed the 30% inflationary pinch at the grocery store. Thousands of university students have rioted, because, after their years of study, there are simply NO JOBS. Right above my head as I write this, there are hundreds of young men sitting in SarvodayaA?a??a??s meeting hallsA?a??A? learning Korean. Sri LankaA?a??a??s biggest export isnA?a??a??t teaA?a??A? itA?a??a??s the young men and women of the country, sent overseas for menial and degrading jobs digging ditches and scrubbing toilets, in places like Saudi Arabia and South Korea. (The hundreds of young men chanting in Korean above me do NOT have jobs waiting for them in Korea: they are learning Korean in these classes (government-run, not Sarvodaya) for the right to APPLY for the limited Korean jobs, after taking and passing language tests.) For those who donA?a??a??t get jobs, they sit and waitA?a??A? or go to Colombo and riot.

If I had been President, I would have told my fellow heads of state: A?a??A?As much as I would like to host you, my people just cannot afford this unnecessary expense right now. Give us ten years A?a??a?? weA?a??a??ll plow the money we would waste hosting SAARC into peace and prosperity for the entire island. Then, ten years from now, we would like to throw you a HECK of a party!A?a??A?

But, thatA?a??a??s not what heads of state do. Big airports, dams, Olympics and summits A?a??a?? this is the stuff that feeds an ego as big as a country. (I left out the biggest ego-feeders: wars and shiny new weapons.) What do the A?a??A?peopleA?a??A? get out of all this?Nationalistic bragging rightsA?a??A? until the check falls due.

A WAR UPDATE

The war in the North is going full blazes. A staggering 125,000 refugees in the North alone. IA?a??a??ve heard heart-breaking stories of people selling all of their possessions just to stay moving ahead of the latest battle zone, of tens of thousands of men, women and children sleeping under trees and finding food wherever they can.It is a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions. The aid organizations (including Sarvodaya) cannot adequately respond to the challenge, in light of the current government disfavor of charitable organizations (they claim that the helping organizations gave too much help to the Tigers).

Even reading between the propaganda-filled lines, the Government is currently playing the winning hand. Actavis promethazine price President Rajapakse and the military head, General Fonseka, are both confidently predicting the demise of the Tamil Tigers A?a??A?as a conventional military forceA?a??A? by the end of the year. From a strictly military point of view, the campaign is impressive. At the rate they are going, it might be even sooner before the Government flag flies over Killinnochchi, the Tigers de facto capital for over two decades.

But, IA?a??a??ve learned over the years not to count the Tigers out too prematurely. They have managed to pull some amazing rabbits out of their hatsA?a??A? IA?a??a??m not taking any bets on this outcome.

The key to the GovernmentA?a??a??s boasting is the phrase A?a??A?as a conventional military forceA?a??A?. With the GovernmentA?a??a??s huge advantage in numbers and equipment, itA?a??a??s a wonder that the Tigers were EVER a conventional military force, able to mount A?a??a?? and win A?a??a?? set military engagements involving artillery and other heavy weaponry, along with sophisticated logistics and their own A?a??A?air forceA?a??A? of ultra-light aircraft, a first in the insurgency business.

Yes, the Government can A?a??A?winA?a??A? against the Tigers conventional forces, just as the US government knew that it could defeat Saddam HusseinA?a??a??s army. But, as we are learning in Iraq, defeating the conventional forces is a LONG way from A?a??A?winningA?a??A? the war.

When Killinnochchi falls, the Tigers turn into a true A?a??A?insurgentA?a??A? force: everywhere, nowhere and invisible. While the Sri Lankan flag may once again fly over Killinnochchi, the levels of violence will escalate. While the Sri Lankan army gets bogged down trying to provide services to administer a hostile population where they donA?a??a??t speak the language (does any of this sound familiar?), the Tigers will be free to mount an insurgency A?a??a?? a true guerilla war. The Government may find itself missing the days when it actually knew where the Tigers wereA?a??A?

I keep saying this: it is impossible to A?a??A?winA?a??A? an insurgent war. No one has been able to do it. NO ONE. (Right now, in Iraq, the US forces are literally paying the insurgents not to attack us. This unbelievably short-term strategy will end just as soon as the checks stop.) The only way to end such a war is through a nonviolent, negotiated settlement. (To which the Sri Lanka Government replies, A?a??A?We will negotiate with them A?a??a?? as soon as we defeat them.A?a??A? Stay tuned to see how that logic train plays outA?a??A?)

SARVODAYA A?a??a?? THE NEXT 50 YEARS

This year is the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Sarvodaya movement here in Sri Lanka. The organization has been involved in a year-long process of celebrating, introspection and envisioning the next 50 years.

As difficult was conditions were 50 years ago, the world has changed in some amazing and frightening ways. We are being called to A?a??A?think anew and act anewA?a??A?. I have been involved in several major strategy sessions with SarvodayaA?a??a??s leadership, examining the path for Sarvodaya over the next 50 years of its operation. Stay tunedA?a??A?

A Tour of the East:

I spent the last 3 days touring the war-scarred East of the island. (The war is too hot in the North for me to visit.)

The East is one big military encampment. There are soldiers EVERYWHERE. I simply lost count of the number of checkpoints we went through (30? 50?). Now that the Tigers have been routed from the East, the government forces are in the process of occupation. (The government prefers to call it A?a??A?liberationA?a??A?. And, they seem surprised that their heavy-handed presence hasnA?a??a??t generated throngs of flower-waving, grateful citizens.)

From Child Soldiers to Sarvodaya Trainees:

I met with about 100 young people at SarvodayaA?a??a??s sprawling Batticaloa Farm complex. They were receiving training for woodworking, aluminum working, masonry, computer skills and motorcycle repair.

Many of them were former A?a??A?child soldiersA?a??A? of either the Tigers or the TMVP (previously known as the A?a??A?Karuna FactionA?a??A?). Sarvodaya provides a safe haven, practical skillsA?a??A? and a time to be CHILDREN.While at the farm, after their classes were over, I watched a spirited game that looked like a hybrid of cricket and baseball.There appeared to be 50 or so kids to a side, and it looked like they were making up the rules as they went along. At one point, when the batter wasnA?a??a??t able to hit the ball, the pitcher walked 10 feet closer, to give him a better shot. They seemed much less interested in winning than in having fun.

A Sarvodaya Village:

My life and experiences over here are SO DIFFERENT from what I experience in the US. Yesterday, I was talking to 50 women, sitting on the dirt floor in a village of mud huts, women who had never experienced electricity; the only 4 wheeled vehicles they had seen belong to aid workers.

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ItA?a??a??s difficult relating to lives so utterly different from my own. At one point, I asked them about their villageA?a??a??s needs. They were very specific: electricity. When pressed further, they were still very specific: lighting on the public roads at night. (At night, the open areas are crawling with two kinds of danger: cobras and men with guns. Both are deadly if you arenA?a??a??t in the light.)

I pressed further, inquiring about electricity for households. An emphatic A?a??A?yesA?a??A? A?a??a?? they wanted lights in the home, so that their children can do their homework after dark A?a??a?? and to watch out for indoor cobras, that move in during the rainy season. What else do they need household electricity for? They looked at each other, and said, A?a??A?Nothing.A?a??A? How about refrigeration or cooking? They looked at me as if I said, A?a??A?How would you like your own private spaceship so you can visit the Moon?A?a??A?

(A sidenote: Years ago, with their hard-earned rupees, they purchased small solar collectors through SEEDS, SarvodayaA?a??a??s economic development arm. These collectors had enough juice to power 4 or 5 LED lamps wired throughout the house. During the fighting with the Tigers, while they were displaced from their village, the security forces came in and stole the solar collectors, along with everything else moveable, like bicycles. (They were very clear that it was the government forces.) I am proposing a village-sized electrical generator, one that a few rogue soldiers wonA?a??a??t be able to walk off with.)

And Yet Another Refugee Camp:

I stated very emphatically before I left on my Eastern tour: A?a??A?No refugee camps!A?a??A? I just canA?a??a??t bear to look at another. I wanted to see economic activities in this visit, and to make presentations to Sarvodaya district staff on global challenges, inclusivity and peace.

So, toward my last day there, the District Coordinator said that we were going to make a presentation for A?a??A?IGPA?a??a??sA?a??A? (income generating projects). Right. So, I hop in the truck and we drive straight into a refugee camp! I said, A?a??A?I thought we were going to see IGPA?a??a??s.A?a??A? He said, A?a??A?No, IDPA?a??a??s (internally displaced persons)A?a??A? And, worst of all, itA?a??a??s a A?a??A?photo opA?a??A? moment where IA?a??a??m to make a speech and hand-deliver food aid to a handful of refugees, before climbing back into my air-conditioned vehicle.

At that moment, I thought about LincolnA?a??a??s Gettysburg Address: A?a??A?A?a??A?we can not dedicate A?a??a?? we can not consecrate A?a??a?? we can not hallow A?a??a?? this ground.A?a??A? The warlords (on both sides) want to erect monuments to themselves and to the glory of killing. The real monuments must go to those who involuntarily suffer the effects of those wars.

What is there to say? What do you say to a group of people you hadnA?a??a??t planned to talk to, in a place none of us wanted to be? I said:

A?a??A?I have visited dozens of refugee camps, from Jaffna to Ampara and everywhere in between. I donA?a??a??t want to be here. But, more than that, I donA?a??a??t want YOU to be here. I know that you would rather be in your homes, not listening to me and waiting for a handout of food.

A?a??A?I hope and I pray and I work for the day when there are no refugee camps, anywhere in the world. Until that day comes, until you can return to your homes, please accept this gift of food as a sign that you are not forgotten.A?a??A?

Peace,

Sharif

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source:

http://commonway.org/blog/?p=37

Paradise Arugambay

Published on 09/10/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2008

Paradise

(07/08)

This is a view from a restaurant facing Pottuvil Point in Sri Lanka. Beautiful beach and really good for surfing.

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source:
http://fezlens.blogspot.com/2008/10/paradise.html

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Lahugala nr. Arugam Bay

Published on 27/09/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008

Sri Lanka ,The Bio-diversity


How it means to us … yes truly Sri LankansA?A?

Sri Lanka is the most beautiful country to me. We have been gifted with the most beautiful sceneries in our up country, coastal regions and also with our cultural heritage.’ ‘A land like no other,’ would have been the most appropriate introduction to this marvelous land which has beenranked among the world’s 25 bio-diversity hot spots. From the pristine forests, verdant hills, the unique fauna and flora, the spectacular wildlife and many more add to its wonder.A?A?

The tropical climate of the island aided by the two monsoon seasons is largely responsible for unique and natural wealth of its ecological sites. Also, country has five basic climatic regions which supports the countries biodiversity. It has the ecological splendour from the red earth and scrub forest of the dry zone, to the richness of the tropical rain forest; from the coastal mangroves alive with bird life to the breathtaking beauty of the hill country, replete with spectacular waterfalls and mist drenched montage forest.A?A?

Those mentioned below are a mere drop from that ocean which are strewn all across the island.

Botanical Gardens and Natural Parks

To a botanist, this is a land of a great value. The diversified climate allows for the growth of tropical as well as sub-tropical trees. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of the wet-zone tropical forest contrast with the arid scrub land and talipot palms of the dry north.A?A?

In the hills, vegetation varies from the almost treeless Patnas of Horton Plains to the dark cloud forests, wreathed with the protected Old Man’s Beard Moss. From March to May, numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Poincianan regia, the white Mesua ferrera and the cherry blossom-like Tebebuia burst into bloom. Flowering Orchids include endemic varieties as well. Along the coast bordering estuaries and lagoons, are the mangrove habitats which provide sanctuary for the island’s diverse coastal fishery resources.

Sri Lanka consists of several Natural wildlife parks as well as planned Botanical & Zoological gardens which preserves the countries flora & fauna or the viewers as well as researchers.

Botanical Gardens

Key Botanical Gardens are situated in Peradeniya , Haggala, Nuwara Eliya & Gampaha areas. The Royal Botanical Garden Paradeniya near Kandy is world famous inclusive of a variety of fauna and flora is also famed for its Orchid House, which has more than 300 varieties of exquisite orchids from the rare indigenous Foxtail and Vesak orchids.

Also, many natural and hybrid species laying claim to the title as one of the best known orchid centers in the world. The Herbarium grows many of the plants used for the traditional Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.A?A?
Hakgala Gardens near Nuwara Eliya is smaller in comparison to the aforementioned garden but it boasts of an unique blend of flora due to its elevation of 1,707 metres above sea level. The sheer rock of Hakgala which literally means Jaw Rock is linked to the Rama-Ravana legend and rises 1,500 feet from the gardens, adding character to its surroundings.A?A?

In addition, there is a small but very beautiful garden, in the town of Nuwara Eliya town, which is called Victoria Garden attracting the attention of the viewers and can be called as a must view spot. The Botanical Gardens in Gampaha houses a number of ancient trees belonging to the 19th century inclusive of the remnants of the first rubber trees which are considered a national monument. It is situated approximately 1km from the Gampaha town.

National Wild Life Parks

Yala is located in the south eastern corner of the island. It’s northern boundaries border the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and it has the added bonus of scenic ocean frontage. The terrain is a varied course of flat plains altering with rocky outcrops. The vegetation ranges from open park lands to dense jungle. Water holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for the animals and birds. The specialty here is the large numbers of elephants.

Uda Walawe National ParkThis park lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala Districts and acts as the catchment to the Uda Walawe Reservoir, and is located in the dry zone. It comprises grasslands, thorn scrubs, and many valuable species of trees.

Horton Plains National Park is the only national park situated in the hill country. The panoramic beauty of the hill county is witnessed within the park. Endemic slender Loris and purple monkeys are among the animal species that can be seen. In addition to above, we can clearly observe how the growth of the trees changes from one zone to another. Also , we can visit Baker’s falls witness its beauty .

All species of water birds residents of the country and migrant birds inhabit in the Bundala National Park. Gal Oya National Park is situated 260 km from Colombo at Inginiyagala, the Gal Oya National Park is most renowned for its elephant population.

Wasgamuwa National Park lies within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts. It has the Mahaweli and Amban Rivers at its eastern and western borders. Its environment is predominated by tropical evergreen forest. It can be considered as most valuable spots where you can view elephants and many other animals in their natural habitats. The staff is very much supportive towards visitors in finding accommodation as well as hiring vehicles to go inside the park.A?A?

Apart form the wildlife parks ,The Sinharaja forest complex can be considered as a unique paste where you can observe large number of diversified species from the unique to the threatened. The Knuckles Mountain Range has a rare species of woody plants, endemic birds, fish, butterflies and reptiles. In here, you can visit the villages and people who still follows and lives by ancient traditions and lifestyles.

Wild sanctuaries and Zoological Parks

The Zoological park in Dehiwala and The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, can be considered as our two key planned Wild sanctuaries. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was established in 1975 with a very few number. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world.A?A?

Apart form above we can observe animals in their natural habitats in all Wild Life Parks.

Aquatic Life

With cascading waterfalls and as many as 103 rivers, all major groups of vertebrates can be found in Sri Lanka. Of these, the highest endemic species are found in the amphibian and reptile group. Most of the 107 species of fish are found in marsh and river dwelling. The 39 endemic species A?a??a?? the Carplet group A?a??a?? being restricted to the perennial streams of the wet zone. Of the 54 species of amphibians, 33 are endemic to the island.A?A?

According to ongoing research, the largest number of endemic amphibian fauna in the world may soon be found in Sri Lanka. One endemic genus, the Nannophyrus, with three species, is common in the wet zone living on rock ledges, covered by a continuous trickle of water, and sharing the same habitat with tadpoles. Marine turtles ,Dolphin/Whale, can be seen in the Sri Lankan Oceans, Kirinda , Bentota , Batticaloa , Weligama , Negombo and Chilaw .

Turtles were roaming the oceans for about 190 million years. Sri Lanka is famous for five kinds of turtles who regularly visit the sandy beaches to nest in the south-western and south-eastern beaches. Some of the whales can be seen is Common Blue Whales , Bryde’s Whales , Sperm Whales , Killer Whales , False Killer , Dwarf , Melon Headed Whales , Cuvier’s Beaked Whales and if lucky, the elusive Indian Blue Whales. Dolphines seen include Spotted Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins, Fraser’s Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, Common Dolphins and the Bottlenose Dolphins.

Also, a wide coral shelf surrounds Sri LankaA?a??a??s coast at intervals, from north to south. The discovery of the beautiful underwater natural world in Sri Lanka will make you absolutely fascinated and spell bound. The blue green, turquoise and aquamarine waters are home for the magical and mysterious underwater world of coral veets, shells and a fantastic variety of fish. The adventure of scuba diving can be easily combined with activities like underwater photography and fish identification.A?A?

The coral world offers beautiful species such as Rays, Eels, Clown Fish, Porcupine, Moorish Idol, Unicorn and Moorish Angle. The common species belonging to the families of Aroporidae (Staghorn Corals), Poritidae (Donnie Corals), Mussidae (Brain Corals), faviidae (Ster Corals) and Pocelloporidae (Flower Corals) are also found here.

POSTED BYA?A?KALANIA?A?

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source:
http://lankafacts.blogspot.com/2008/09/sri-lanka-bio-diversity.html

NATURAL REMEDIES & Arugam Gras

Published on 25/09/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, people, press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments

HERBS AND FOOD

Nature has always been kind to us by providing us all her good things.Lot of plants around us help to maintain good health.Only thing is we have not recognised these plants or we have ignored their goodness.I have noticed dogs,sometimes feed on grass(ARUGAM

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A?A?PUL)for digestion.This is just an example… There are lot more which i can say..

My dad,who is aA?A? Singulair asthma treatment naturopathA?A?andA?A?siddhaA?A?doctor, have been doing lot of research on food and herbs and have written lot of books on this.I would like to share with you all my knowledge regarding this.I will keep posting about each herb or vegetable daily so… keep checking

Here are the list of some of the herbs that i know which are commonly used as home remedies .Some of their properties have also been described in ancientA?A?SiddhaA?A?-Ayurveda books.Though many have not been proved by the scientific society it has been used widely as home remedy by many.

First to come to my mind wasA?A?THIRUNEETRUA?A?PACHILAI/KRISHNATULASI/SWEET BASIL.This is one of my favourite herb guess why???!!! It helped me to have a clear face during my adolescence.We used to make face cream using this herb.These days i heard some face creams using this herb are available inA?A?chennai.

SWEET BASIL:This is a small perennial plant that grows in warm climates. They look very much like basil except for the size of the leaves and the flavour.SiddhaA?A?literatureA?A?talksA?A?a lotA?A?about its medicinal value like.. it reduces body heat,helps treat dysentery,white discharge etc. From my personal use i can say this really helps cure pimples and black marks on our face(we can either apply the juice or paste of the leaf on our face for a hour or so and wash the face)A?A?recent researchA?A?showsA?A?the compounds in this plant have potentA?A?antioxidant, properties.

And one more things which i know from personal experience is snakes are scared to come near this plant..This happened long back… we used to get snakes(small ones) near our house and we used to have this plant in pots outside our house and when these snake enter this area they just stood frozen!!! theyA?A?wouldn’tA?A?go near this plant to hide.Then i was told that snakesA?A?don’tA?A?go near this plant.DISCLAIMER:

Article written here is based on personal experiences , siddha literatute and home remedies that have been in use for ages and have not been proven scientifically.

source:
http://naturalhealers4health.blogspot.com/2008/09/herbs-and-food.html

Know Hope

Published on 22/09/2008 in Blogs, people, press coverage, Security & Safety and the bay. 0 Comments

Know Hope

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Sometimes itA?a??a??s easy to forget that we all love this country, regardless of our position on the war. Too often the peaceniks are so shrill and the warmongers so angry that they forget what they have in common. Sometimes you wish you could just pile the whole country into a van, drive to the beach and pledge our allegiance to king coconut. Because it really is a nice place to live, besides all the death around.

Sri Lanka is a failed state and a very successful island. The land is fertile and things grow. If you know how to relax, the lifestyle is not bad at all. There are beaches everywhere and – being an island – you can simply switch coasts as the seasons change. When the sea rises in Hikkaduwa you can drive straight across the country to Arugam Bay. If itA?a??a??s too hot you can drive up-country to Nuwara Eliya. You can munch achcharu on the corner or sip thambili on the edge of a national park. There is a great beauty to this country, made all the more poignant by the ugliness of war.

Even Colombo – the StateA?a??a??s battered wife – still has her charm. Step out of the car and there are hidden shops, fantastic properties, street food and enough to explore. Behind the security barriers there are quiet avenues, shaded by the canopy of trees. The great neighborhoods (Fort the foremost) are mostly high security, but any private home with a garden can be an oasis. If you look down on Colombo for above (but not within 2 km of the PresidentA?a??a??s house!) youA?a??a??ll see that itA?a??a??s still quite green. The city is packed with people, but itA?a??a??s also full of trees and flowers and fruit. If you drive out of Colombo you can be in paddy in no time, which is really quite a luxury.

Sri Lanka is still not the most culturally fertile (both locally and internationally) but what it may lack in the quality of its music, arts and theatre, it makes up for in community. The theatre is still an opportunity to see and be seen, and every school event or fundraiser or dinner will be packed. People take their sports very seriously, and their schools, and the arts. Some of the events are pointless but – besides the point – there is a concept of fellowship which is quite sweet.

That can also get a bit cliquey, but then you can always go back out into nature and the stars are simply there and you can fit into any constellation you please. If you get hot you can swim and if you get hungry you can always find a pang and pol sambol somewhere. You can climb the hills, you can hike, you can see leopards and any number of things which are package tours for the rest of the world. And we live here.

At this time of national insecurity, we should try to remember why we live here at all, and why expats keep coming back. This is a great country. Great like eating rice with your fingers. ItA?a??a??s a big messy treat that makes you sweat and suffer, and you canA?a??a??t help but love it. Sri Lanka isnA?a??a??t a tourist destination or A?a??E?paradise lostA?a??a?? or anything so mundane. ItA?a??a??s a beautiful place whose failings make it human, and thus lovable. And itA?a??a??s OK to love your country, whatever your position on the war.

source:
http://www.indi.ca/2008/09/know-hope/

Entertainment in Sri Lanka

Published on 15/09/2008 in Blogs, Security & Safety and the bay. 0 Comments

Entertainment in Sri Lanka

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Talking about the means of entertainment in Srilanka, then what could be better than relaxing and cherishing every moment under the shade of those lovely beaches and lagoons. There are many exotic as well as beautiful beaches in Srilanka that are enough to entertain you naturally, thatA?a??a??s right I am taking about the rich source of entertainment that Mother Nature has gifted this tiny island.

Sri Lanka indeed seems to be an exciting tourist destination among all the others destinations in South Asia and is also renowned for its ancient monuments, as well as other nature spots such as beaches, lakes, mountains and even museum galleries. This country has all that it takes to sooth your souls with all its charm that it exhibits and engulfs. So just in case, you want to see and experience an unusual vacation then this seem to be the best place leaving you behind all those lush green memories.

Amongst all the natural spots in this country, beaches occupy a leading place, since there are many beautiful beaches, which are a good blend of sun and sand. This beautiful combination of the sun and sand has all it takes to make you feel like spending all your life on those beaches. The cool breeze, along with those gusting waves is some of the thoughts that one can never forget. Some of the famous beaches and resorts that are really worth visiting are kalutara, Bentota, Mount Lavina and Arugam Bay and not to forget the most famous of all the Sun Island Resort.

I suppose reading this paragraph would surely give you a glimpse of what this one looks like. The sun island resort is the most beautiful and exotic island that is located near Nalaguraidhoo and is capable enough to capture your hearts and minds because of its exotic tropical flowers and lush green gardens that would take you and remind you about those stunning blue sapphire lagoons.

Well after having said all that what more would you need to be entertained with? I mean there are other forms of entertainment also for all those who donA?a??a??t wish to spend their time on those sun soaked beaches and those wild Srilankan tropical rain forests. Moreover, there are many hotels and resorts that have some great exciting nightlife for all those party lovers and those party animals.

Besides all that said above there is also another form of entertainment call the kandyan dances that have been continuing since the past 2500 years. And their origin can be traced back to those immemorial times when the aboriginesA?a??a?? tribes used to practice and perform them during ritual and festive of great religious significance.

source:
http://dynamicslanka.com/entertainment-in-sri-lanka.html

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Attraction in Sri Lanka …. Arugambay

Published on 15/09/2008 in Blogs, press coverage, surf and the bay. 0 Comments

Sri Lanka indeed seems to be an exciting tourist destination among all the others destinations in South Asia and is also renowned for its ancient monuments, as well as other nature spots such as beaches, lakes, mountains and even museum galleries. This country has all that it takes to sooth your souls with all its charm that it exhibits and engulfs. So just in case, you want to see and experience an unusual vacation then this seem to be the best place leaving you behind all those lush green memories.

Historical monuments and landmarks seem to be the best visiting tourist spots in Sri Lanka, as most of them are located in its capital town, Colombo. Moreover, itA?a??a??s also the financial hub of the country and is dotted with several nature spots and tourist attractions. There are many notable visiting ancient sites such as Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Aluvihara and even Mihintale. Colombo is the present capital of the country, while Anuradhapura was the previous one.

Amongst all the natural spots in this country, beaches occupy a leading place, since there are many beautiful beaches, which are a good blend of sun and sand. This beautiful combination of the sun and sand has all it takes to make you feel like spending all your life on those beaches. The cool breezes, along with those gusting waves are some of the thoughts that one can never forget. Some of the famous beaches that are really worth visiting are kalutara, Bentota, Mount Lavina and Arugam Bay.

And itA?a??a??s not only beaches and coasts that Sri Lanka is famous for, but there are other such nature spots too that would rob you of all your stress and worries, giving your some calm and peace. Sri Lanka is also a home for a number of waterfalls, rivers and lakes, which also seem to be included amongst its primary highlights. All those splendid waterfalls are among the best sought after tourist attractions that are located in those dense lush green forest and woods in Sri Lanka.

These waterfalls that are found in the forest are among all those that fall from great heights and indeed are a feast to your eyes. And itA?a??a??s not only the beaches that are worth seeing but also these waterfalls that are famous too, such as the Diyaluma waterfall, the Kirindi waterfall, the Bambarakande waterfall and St. Claries are some of the best in the country.

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source:
http://dynamicslanka.com/attraction-in-sri-lanka-seychelles.html

Off to Tokyo. Arugam Bay

Published on 15/09/2008 in Money Matters, people, press coverage and services. 0 Comments


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Mon, 2008-09-15 14:13
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Colombo, 15 September, (Asiantribune.com):A?A?Under the new policy introduced by Ministry of Tourism, Chief Minister and the Minister of Tourism of Eastern Province, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan Kumarasamy is joining the delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Faiszer Mustapha, to participate at Japan Association of Travel Agents – Travel Mart (JATA), one of the largest international travel fairs in Asia, to be held in Tokyo Big Sight from September 18 to 21.

His participation at JATA is in line with the policy of the Ministry of Tourism, that is, to share the resources and expertise with all the provinces for better exposure of the countryA?a??a??s tourism being a concurrence subject.

According to the Ministry policy to involve the Provincial Councils in tourism development, Sri Lanka Tourism on two occasions offered the Chief Ministers of Southern and Central Province to attend travel fairs overseas.

This is sequel to a decision taken by Milinda Moragoda Minister of Tourism in leveraging Tourism resources in true sense from centre to provinces, allowing Provincial Tourism Authorities to gain foreign exposure as central agencies do.

During the Ministers first year in office in 2007, he decided to request Southern Provincial Chief Minister & Tourism Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva to attend 2007 ITB in place of him. In 2008 Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake participation at ITB in Berlin and he pointed out to media after the participation at the fair that although in the earlier days Sri Lanka only had the beach but now the country has so many aspects and purposes for the tourists to come. A?a??A?In the central province there is trekking and so many other new ideas and we will work together with the Tourism Ministry he further added.

A?a??A?Eastern Province Chief MinisterA?a??a??s participation at the JATA Travel Mart is vital because, East has lots to offer as a destination and several events have been planned to promote this province, and places like Nilaveli, Arugambay, Pottuvil resorts are earmarked for developments with construction of rooms and other facilities,A?a??A? said Deputy Minister of Tourism.

He further added that the Chief Minister of Eastern Province would be meeting the media and the travel agents in Japan to share his experiences and work towards development programmes of the Province.

A?a??A?His visit is justifiable with the concurrent development of the country, to promote the demands of the provinces,A?a??A? he said.

During his visit, he will also be attending the opening ceremony Sri Lanka Culture and Heritage Exhibition at Tokyo Museum on. The Chief Minister will be accompanied by Mr. M. Ninzer (Azad Moulana) and Mr. K. Nanthakopan (Ragu).

JATA WTF is held annually since 2003, comprising of two complementary events- a travel congress and exhibition. The World Tourism Congress is a marketing conference structured around a key theme in travel and tourism.

JATA World Travel Fair is both a trade show for travel industry professionals to exchange information and build relationships, and a consumer travel fair where exhibitors can showcase travel products and appeal directly to potential Japanese travelers. This fair will serve to stimulate Japanese travel demand and launch new travel trends.

– Asian Tribune –

source:
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/13253

Paddle4relief Presents Current Top US Artist

Published on 15/09/2008 in Blogs, Ideas, parties, people, press coverage, presse-deutsch, Security & Safety, surf, taxis and the bay. 0 Comments

September 14th, 2008

Paddle for Relief

After 2 successful Paddle4relief music gigs, P4R are returning to A?a??A?The AggiA?a??A?, Braunton, with a headliner all the way from the USA. The Tom Fuller Band, plus support from local bands and artists will show off their talent on Saturday 20th September. The P4R music events are getting bigger every year with more and more people supporting the charity whilst enjoying the sounds of live acoustic, blues, indie, punk and rock music. The local charity has it nailed when it comes to putting a show together. The Tom Fuller Band The Tom Fuller Band are a rock outfit from Chicago, US, yet seem much more British in their delivery. They have that certain humour and tongue in cheek approach that bands from this side of the water seem to have mastered. Vocal harmonies are very much in comparisons with the Beatles, and I suppose, the Beach Boys, and they are not afraid to dabble in the realms of pop before returning to a more melodic rock approach The Tom Fuller Band gives new meaning to melodic classic pop rock music. His heartfelt inspiration of life experiences come through in the classic soft rock music he writes and sings. Each melodic rock tune on his CD LP A?a??A?CHASING AN ILLUSIONA?a??A? represents a classical contemporary pop rock music sound that invokes emotion that can be felt in each melodic verse. Plus Support Mendella Mendella are a five piece band from North Devon, after their return from Belgium, they are ready to A?a??A?On Top Of The WorldA?a??A?. This electrically energetic band entertains all ages and is building a strong relationship with all listeners. What they lack in age, they make up for in musical ability and performance experience. They have a wide and varied spectrum of influences that blend into their own style of punk rock. Toby Parker on drums, Chappell on lead guitar, Jude Davies on bass, Green Jay on guitar and Butters vocals always wins the crowds over with their confidence and British rock culture. Douglas E Powell Douglas E PowellA?a??a??s eclectic mix of acoustic guitar and harmonious vocals is certainly a good fit in the West Country. His music aura turns everyoneA?a??a??s attention to the stage embracing the crowdA?a??a??s hearts. The mix of Americana and folk music sends out a comforting yet reflective message to the ear. There is depth and meaning to the songs and you find yourself trying to identify the mood of each tune. Becky Loney Becky enjoys singing soul and jazzy tunes and exploring vocal harmonies but also loves working on different projects that enable her to experiment with different styles of music. Her soulful sound sends chills down your spine. Becky has been performing as a professional singer for the past nine years and has been fortunate enough to have experienced a very colourful career. She has been involved in a variety of musical projects from dance bands, duos, trios on ships and various other venues to touring and recording with original bands. The Chimps with Lipsticks Aydan, Ben, Kiya, Ollie and Sam are members that are not shy to Indie, rock and acoustic talent on the stage, with their local fan base; it is always a full house. They have flare and charisma to fire you up for a pure rock night. Their success has been evident finishing in the top 3 of A?a??A?The Battle of the BandsA?a??A?.

Most importantly, the money that P4R raises from the music gigs that have been held this year will be taken back to the little fishing village known as Arugam Bay, on the South East Coast of Sri Lanka. The development in the village has been overwhelming. Tim Tanton has rebuilt new schools, cabanas, tea rooms, also formed a swimming club for the children to rebuild their confidence back. Most recently designed and implemented a new water supply project with well renovations. The rebuilding of this beautiful community would not be possible without the support and commitment of people all across the UK. P4R have raised A?A?5,000 since January this year. Please join us in celebrating the hard work and efforts and enjoy an electric rock night. A?a??A?The AggiA?a??A? Braunton Saturday 20th September 2008 7pm -12pm Entry Filed under: Musical Line Up, The AGGI SESSIONS

source:
http://www.paddle4relief.co.uk/blog/?p=60 How much brahmi leaves to take Purchase cyklokapron tranexamic acid

Wonderful …. Arugam

Published on 14/09/2008 in Blogs, front page, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008

Arugam bay

A seven hour drive from Colombo to south east, approximately 320 km, take you toA?A?the famous surfing bay of Arugam which is located remote south east part of Sri Lanka close to pottuvil, a famous tourists destination . The pottuvil town, a 4km drive for the bay, is closest town center with majority muslism living in the area. Arugam bay is surrounded by a thick band of jungle about 70 km wide, roaming with wild elephants , tigers and birds , making it a paradise for tourism. Among those jungles are Lahugala National Park which is about 10 miles inland abounded with birdlife migrates to its wetlands and the hugeA?A?YalaA?A?National ParkA?A?which starts about 20 miles to the south.A?A?ArugamA?A?BayA?A?is also the gateway and only access to theA?A?YalaEastA?A?National Park.

On an average day, a wave can stretch as long as 150-300 meters and in a perfect day it could expand up to 500 meters. There are three break points surrounding the arugam bay “The Point”, “Pottuvil Point” and “Crocodile Rock”.

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source:
http://zerendibes.blogspot.com/2008/09/arugam-bay.html

Seven bodies found in Moneragala jungle

Published on 14/09/2008 in Blogs, people, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

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Purchase micronase generic name The bodies of seven farmers with gunshot and cut injuries were found in a jungle in Kotiyagala in Siyambalagamuwa,A?A? Moneragala, yesterday, police said.Defence Ministry sources, quoting the police, said that civilians in Thahanattakanda in Bintenna had found seven male bodies with gunshot and cut injuries last afternoon and informed the police.

The ministry blamed the LTTE for the killings.

The source said the police, during their investigations, had found four bodies lying on a tractor trailer with wounds caused by bullets fired from a T-56 riffle and another three bodies on the tractor itself with pistol wounds.

A?a??A?Three of those civilians had been shot with pistols near the tractor they were using for cultivation work. The other four civilians had been shot with T-56 rifles from 500metres away,A?a??A? it said.

A?a??A?Police suspect that a group of LTTE terrorists infiltrated into the jungle and carried out the massacre during the morning hours,A?a??A? the source said.

These bodies were noticed when a group of villagers went to the jungle last morning. They had immediately informed the police. Later a special police team with Special Task Force personnel went to the scene, police said.

Police and troops are making arrangements with regard to judicial inquiries and other formalities.

Following the recovery of the bodies, a massive search operation was launched in the area.

Meanwhile, the three persons who were abducted last week by an unidentified armed gang, while collecting honey in the jungle off Alavai in Pottuvil, had not returned yet, police said.

The security forces had launched a search operation in the area to trace the three men, after a complaint was lodged with the Pottuvil police on Tuesday, by a person who was with the victims and avoided abduction.

source:

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=26076

Viceroy’s Phone dropped at Arugam Bay

Published on 12/09/2008 in Blogs, people, press coverage and stop over Ideas. 0 Comments

Blurry Visions

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The train heading back home.

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Every now and then the sea demands an offering of some technology. A camera, iPod, phone, Poseidon wants something. Last time I dropped my phone in Arugam Bay. My camera has also been having recurring acid flashbacks. This time I flipped a jet ski in the Bentota River and lost my glasses. The curious thing about not being able to see far behind your nose is that it kinda makes one more kindly disposed towards people. EveryoneA?a??a??s a sort of warm and fuzzy blob and anyone getting within conversational distance gets a dumb smile until I can figure out who they are. I also find myself listening and thinking more. ItA?a??a??s an interesting altered state, for a while.

I could still take photos and then see the world in focus on that screen. That, alas, was also compromised because my camera is really screwed up and hallucinates these messy striations. But it was an interesting (office/conference) trip down south on the private Viceroy Train, then a day at Bentota. I was in the water most of the time at Bentota, but got some randomly interesting shots on the train.

The TrainA?a??a??s Crest, methinks

The Viceroy Special is a private train that you can charter. We chartered it for this GSMA AP Conference, and it was not charter at all. ItA?a??a??s A/CA?a??a??d and quite comfortable, and theyA?a??a??re serving you food and stuff throughout. I was sleepy on the way down, but on the way up it was really a quite pleasant way to travel.

ItA?a??a??s certainly more comfortable than the other means of travel, that being common train. Those are packed and hot and the foods not so good. I think the Railways Corp is actually a money losing enterprise as well.

As you can see from above, my camera now has a systematic problem with light. Certain levels cause it to spaz, giving these horizontal lines and striations. In this case the picture window is messed up, whereas the frame is not.

People live along the railtracks, in technically illegal shanties. You can see their houses stacked like matchboxes as you pass. People wash at shared taps and kids run about as you casually picture window through their backyards.

You can have coffee.

Get a lovely view of the sunset.

Through the lavatory window even.

Just after we passed Mount Lavinia a bomb exploded there, a minor one I hear. We got to Fort Railway station fine, though that place is still tinted with the memories of the rush-hour bomb not long ago. Colombo feels a bit still and there are unuttered stirrings in the north. Such is life. Sometimes its better to have your glasses off.

The rest of the photos are taggedA?A?A?a??E?viceroyA?a??a?? on Flickr.

source:
http://www.indi.ca/2008/09/blurry-visions/

Arugam Bay – World’s Best ….

Published on 11/09/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and surf. 0 Comments

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008

Arubam Bay – World Best Surfing destination

Arugam BayA?A?was awarded the Highly Commended Best Destination award at the World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards Ceremony at Excel in Docklands, London on 14th November 14, 2007. Out of the thousands of nominations received, Costa Rica and New Forest were the other two nominees.


Arugam BayA?A?is classed among the top ten surfing destinations in the worldA?A?A? The village itself is a delightful experience. There are no big hotels. The community has developed tourism by dint of their own hard work and imagination.Three star establishments rub shoulders with low-key stilt cabins and coconut palm leaf cabanas, and tourists share the beach with local fishermen.The wild and rugged scenery, elephants meandering at the edge of the village, abundant birdlife, and mysterious archaeological sites have made this a long-time favourite destination for travellers.The three ethnic groups – Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, work and live in harmony. The population of 3,000 families is made up mostly of small family managed hotels/guest houses and restaurants.

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source:
http://zerendibes.blogspot.com/2008/09/arubam-bay-world-best-surfing.html

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Island in the Sun

Published on 09/09/2008 in Blogs, front page, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

Arugam Bay Beach by my Sri Lanka Holydays

Sri Lanka indeed seems to be an exciting tourist destination among all the others destinations in South Asia and is also renowned for its ancient monuments, as well as other nature spots such as beaches, lakes, mountains and even museum galleries. This country has all that it takes to sooth your souls with all its charm that it exhibits and engulfs. So just in case, you want to see and experience an unusual vacation then this seem to be the best place leaving you behind all those lush green memories.

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Amongst all the natural spots in this country, beaches occupy a leading place, since there are many beautiful beaches, which are a good blend of sun and sand. This beautiful combination of the sun and sand has all it takes to make you feel like spending all your life on those beaches. The cool breezes, along with those gusting waves are some of the thoughts that one can never forget. Some of the famous beaches and resorts that are really worth visiting are kalutara, Bentota, Mount Lavina and Arugam Bay and not to forget the most famous of all the Sun Island Resort.

I suppose reading this paragraph would surely give you a glimpse of what this one looks like. The sun island resort is the most beautiful and exotic island that is located near Nalaguraidhoo and is capable enough to capture your hearts and minds because of its exotic tropical flowers and lush green gardens that would take you and remind you about those stunning blue sapphire lagoons.

This resort is located about 65 miles of the male airport and both this place and resort is the most breathe taking picturesque island on the whole of Srilanka. This one is so capable of capturing and kidnapping your minds with its charm and beauty that its known as the living paradise. This is the most noted luxurious beach resort and is considered to be the premiere resort among all the five hotels.

The sun island resort is well known for its beauty and besides its beautiful surrounding its also popular for its sunset view. So hereA?a??a??s is where it got its name form and owes its popularity and fame due to the sunrise and the sunset view that can be enjoyed from this resort.

Moreover, its beautiful beaches are an added attraction that enhances and adds on to its popularity and fame.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 8:41 am and is filed underA?A?Destination Sri Lanka. You can follow any responses to this entry through theA?A?RSS 2.0A?A?feed. You canA?A?leave a response, orA?A?trackbackA?A?from your own site.

source:
http://dynamicslanka.com/sun-island-resorts.html

East Warms up …

Published on 29/08/2008 in Blogs, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

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With the commissioning of the Arugam Bay Bridge the roadway from Pottuvil to Panama is now a clear run to the East coast. Large expanses of sandy beach invitingly stretch miles on end beckoning visitors to come surf, fish, bike or discover wildlife in the surrounding areas.

A well loved tourist attraction and particularly sought by surfers, Arugam Bay boasts of the best waves for informal beginners. Also for the intermediate and to the fully initiated the swells of Arugam Bay will always be the surfersA?a??a?? paradise. Most tourism activities in Arugam Bay are community based and for details please visit www.ecotourism-arugambay.org