Ode : Exchange

Biologic architecture brings design to life

Sky — 2009-07-02T18:50:10-04:00

By: Sky

What is biologic architecture? Biologic architecture is the pure principle set of rules for design, construction and land use which utilizes the necessary 'fractal' or rose like symmetry/shape of electric fields which allow all living systems to thrive.

The premise behind biologic architecture is that all life responds well to design that is in accordance with nature and avoids harmful materials and sharp corners which literally bleed (hemorrhage) capacitive charge. The ultimate goal of biologic architecture is to create fractal charge fields that are implosive in nature and encourage life, positive DNA resonance and charge implosion (the electrical principle of life itself).

An ideal example of this concept is found in a rose’s petals, which unfold along the golden mean ratio and are fractal, meaning that they are capable of infinite non-destructive interference and attract charge inward towards the center causing implosion.

By studying and understanding the symmetry of electric fields causing health versus disease we rediscover that an overwhelming simple and yet compelling rule or pattern emerges. Applying this beautiful algorithm to architecture, we now see exactly why the design of living space must be exactly that, an electrically living space. An electrically alive space (sometimes called 'sacred') - is simply the space where charge can breathe efficiently and thus achieve the (multiply connected / holographic and fractal) distributed resonance called awareness - the thrust of all living systems.

Michael Rice is an award winning architect and member of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. He studied at the School of Architecture in University College Dublin. He set up his own practice in the heart of Ireland, specializing in Sacred Design and Living.

Visit www.holistichouseplans.com to learn more about biologic architecture, sacred geometry and Michael Rice.

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Swim safely in Europe with the Water Watch map

Kate — 2009-07-02T10:44:34-04:00

By: Kate

Finding a clean and safe swimming spot in Europe this summer is at your fingertips with the Eye on Earth World Watch map, a user-friendly resource resulting from a partnership between Microsoft and the European Environment Agency (EEA). Beaches, rivers and lakes are marked by icons which are color coded (greens are safe, reds warn against swimming areas where the water is unhealthy and swimming is prohibited) and many are marked by a thumbs up or thumbs down, indicating other map-users rated a particular area as good, bad or average.

The map combines EEA water quality ratings with user ratings on over 22,000 swimming spots in Europe, allowing you so see an assessment of the water's safety and quality along with photos and web cams in different locations. The map's easy-to-use design allows for it to be used quickly by swimmers or surfers before heading to the water.

Eye on Earth will gradually grow to include information on many other environmental topics and turn into a global observatory for environmental change, according to the EEA.

"Eye on Earth is a great example of how technology has the power to help governments, business and individuals understand what is happening to our environment," said Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft.

For more information on the Eye on Earth Water Watch initiative and to view the map visit eoe.eea.europa.eu/en.

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The Global Corner International Learning Center raises funds via dancing

moglobalcorner — 2009-07-01T18:50:57-04:00

By: moglobalcorner

A fund raising Zumbathon™, a dance marathon combining fitness and philanthropy, on one of the hottest days on record this year in Pensacola, brought together a diverse group of over 70 supporters who raised $851 dollars for The Global Corner International Learning Center.

"We had a great time and through the exposure of our organization at the Zumbathon™, we were able to bring awareness of our unique program to the local community," said Lee Little, Director of The Global Corner International Learning Center.

In the 2008-2009 school year, The Global Corner spent over $100,000 on basic expenses, approximately $15.00 per student, for 7,500 students in grades kindergarten through third grade, bringing comprehensive lessons on the country of Spain to Escambia County students. The interactive curriculum, provided free of charge to 29 county schools, was positively received by school principals and teachers and observed by local officials including Mayor Mike Wiggins.

Dr. Diane Buck, Director of the Language and Culture Institute at University of West Florida said, "This is a total original concept - it is so clever the way the teachers have integrated historical, artistic and cultural lessons about Spain and they've done it in such an integrated way where each lesson builds on one another and the students learn and have fun!"

The Global Corner plans to extend its learning experience to Santa Rosa County students while adding 4th and 5th grades in both counties for the 2009-2010 school year focus on Egypt and is actively seeking individual and business sponsors to help fund the program.

The Global Corner collaborated with one of their substitute teachers, Priscilla Leibig, to hold the Zumbathon fund raiser. Leibig's "passion for both children, education and of course Zumba® fitness, is what brought this wonderful and successful Zumbathon™ benefit to life!"

To sponsor a class, donate or learn more about The Global Corner you may visit their website at: www.theglobalcorner.org. For more information on Zumba® please visit their site at www.zumba.com.

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The International Ecotourism Society promotes responsible tourism

Kate — 2009-07-01T11:54:33-04:00

By: Kate

The International Ecotourism Society unites conservation, communities and sustainable travel while promoting responsible travel to natural areas while conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people.

According to ecotourism.org, TIES works by creating an international network of individuals, institutions and the tourism industry, educating tourists and tourism professionals. Public institutions and donors integrate the principles of ecotourism into their operations and policies. As the world's oldest and largest international ecotourism association, TIES seeks to be the global source of knowledge and advocacy uniting communities, conservation, and sustainable travel.

TIES members come from all over the world, and can be found on ecotourism.org along with a map showing locations of people and places belonging to the TIES global network. According to ecotourism.org, "They are travelers and explorers, guides and professors, lodges and five star hotels, universities and fair trade organizations", and all promote "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people".

Visit ecotourism.org to learn more.

Image via ecotourism.org.

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17-year-old forms first national youth orchestra of Iraq

scpr — 2009-06-30T18:52:41-04:00

By: scpr

17-year-old Iraqi piano prodigy Zuhal Sultan has confirmed plans for the first-ever National Youth Orchestra of Iraq. Her ambitious program will debut in August 2009 in the northern Kurdish region, and will feature performances by a 35-piece orchestra comprised of Iraq’s most promising young classical musicians.
The NYOI is a clear sign that Iraq’s cultural landscape is alive and well, and that there are young artists eager to be heard amid the backdrop of conflict. Zuhal Sultan’s goal is to establish a haven for the next generation of Iraqi musicians, and she is well on her way. Zuhal has already become the focus of international media attention, and her extraordinary personal journey was recently chronicled by The London Times.

As their August launch draws near, NYOI is actively seeking financial support via the grassroots fundraising site www.justgiving.com/nyoiraq. Any donation, large or small, will make a difference as these young people embark on their brave road of cultural diplomacy. Their August debut program is expected to include orchestral works by Beethoven and Haydn; a commissioned piece by NYOI's composer-in-residence, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies; and new pieces by Iraqi Kurdish and Arab composers. Also in the works is a possible performance of Gershwin by NYOI's own Artistic Director and Founder, Zuhal Sultan.

Zuhal has already assembled a formidable support system for the inaugural year of NYOI, with backing in place from The British Council in Iraq, Iraqi’s Deputy Prime Minister, Barhem Salih, the UK-based charity Making Music, the U.S.-based non-profit Musicians For Harmony, and Scottish conductor Paul MacAlindin.

Zuhal describes her ambition in terms that reach beyond the establishment of an orchestra. She said: “I want to unite young Iraqis from all over the country, who come from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and who have been separated from one another by the conflict. Through the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq, I want to encourage our young people to establish a dialogue with one another in music, to realize that we have it within ourselves to be strong and creative and, most importantly, to celebrate our identity as Iraqi musicians together.”
NYOI’s Music Director Paul MacAlindin comments: “Dedicated, talented and brave, these young musicians are one step away from sending a joyful, creative message that the healing of Iraq is in good hands. Zuhal belongs to a new generation of gifted, inspiring leaders who have a passionate, giant vision, with the skills and the world view to make it happen.”

Visit the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq's fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/nyoiraq, or visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/nyoi to learn more. More on M4H here: www.musicians4harmony.org

Read more about Zuhal Sultan's story and the NYOI here: szuhalpno.googlepages.com/press

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Cairo bookstore promotes diversity through literature

KeriDouglas — 2009-06-30T12:30:34-04:00

By: KeriDouglas

Often when I travel, I look for a good local bookstore. I am curious to know what people are reading and what is the role of the bookstore in the community. Plus, I have found that books can be treasures that transport you back in history or possibly forward in time to events yet to take place.

In Cairo, I discovered Diwan Bookstore in Zamalek. It is a special bookstore featuring books in Arabic, English, French and German. When I entered, they had on display front and center their recommended books, among them:

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama in Arabic
The Map of Love: A Novel by Ahdaf Soueif
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Loot: The Battle over the Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World by Sharon Waxman
The Naqib’s Daughter by Samia Seregeldin
The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East by Robert Fisk
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

A bookstore is always a healthy reality check on society. Here the recommended reading list includes two books by a U.S. President (note one is in Arabic); a frequently banned or censored book in the US; a well-know Egyptian woman author; a book challenging the notion of who owns the antiquities; and, an Italian murder mystery set in the year 1327. The notion to include all of these books in one section is brilliant, in my opinion.

My personal favorites from this visit include:

The Son of a Duck Is a Floater: An Illustrated Book of Arab Proverbs by Primrose Arnander and Ashkhain Skipwith
The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, and Poetry, New Edition edited by William Kelly Simpson

Cairo is healthy, diverse, opinionated and educated.

Go visit Diwan Bookstore, enjoy their excellent selection of books and discover a new world of thinking over a cup of tea in their cafe.

Diwan Bookstore is on Facebook. Join them and read their latest news and special events.

By Keri Douglas, Washington, D.C.
keridouglas.wordpress.com
ninemusesinternationalphotography.wordpress.com

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Finding stability in times of crisis

isha — 2009-06-29T18:44:43-04:00

By: isha

Recession. Economic crisis. The air is abuzz with these words, from the concerned whispers of colleagues and friends, to the speculation and predictions of the media. Who will sink? Who will swim? How bad is it? How long will it last? Although it came as a shock, the current economic crisis serves as a reminder of the oldest, most pervasive and predictable aspect of life itself: change. The only thing that is certain, is change. In our society, our attitude toward change is often of sticking our heads in the sand. We try to pretend that it doesn't exist. We become rigid, seeking the illusory permanence of routine to make us feel safe, to feel in control. Many of us spend our lives dedicated to creating a stable environment; a solid career, a dependable spouse. But even the longest marriages can end in divorce, the largest fortunes in the world can dwindle down to nothing.

Striving to achieve material gain and trustworthy relationships is a wonderful thing, yet if we place our own sense of security in these things, we are setting ourselves up for a fall, we are building our house on a fragile foundation. However much we try to ignore it, we are not in control of the shifting sands of the world, and we never will be. In order to find true stability, we must first come to terms with the unstable nature of the things we rely on. When we become aware of the impossibility of external permanence, we can begin to cultivate the only thing that can give true security: inner peace.

Coping with the recession is not about what you're doing, it's about what you're being. In the midst of uncertainty, are you getting lost in the worries and concerns of the intellect? Or are you using this opportunity to cultivate a deeper internal anchor, a more stable foundation of love and trust within yourself?

The financial crisis is what you make of it. You can see it as a threat on your security, or you can use it as a tool to find inner stability. Sometimes our greatest losses can become our greatest opportunities; whether you wallow in the ashes or rise up transformed depends on how you make use of the situation to grow.

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InFocus tells stories of hope and inspires change

Kate — 2009-06-29T11:34:01-04:00

By: Kate

InFocus, a web site created by Andrew Kilbourn and Faith Model, is an online, not-for-profit resource featuring "short documentary films that bring a thoughtful and thorough awareness to the positive forces of change in regions hammered by conflict, poverty, oppression or distaste", according to InFocusworld.org.

Their web site states their goal as "to tell stories of hope and inspire change. All too often, we are faced with images of certain parts of the world that are shocking; deplorable living conditions, war torn villages; starving children. But what we don’t always hear about are the everyday extraordinary people whom, in the midst of these struggles, are effecting real change in their homes and in their communities."

InFocus has completed two documentary films titled The Brilliance of Oil, illustrating the idea that anything is possible, and A Better Tomorrow, documenting the story of Teresia Watere, an extraordinary woman who has touched the lives of thousands of destitute children living in the slums on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

InFocusworld.org states their mission as, "In the parts of the world where the news we hear seems to be saturated by a grim sense of hopelessness, we want to tell a story of hope. The idea is premised on our belief that when despair is the order of the day, it is even more critical to illuminate possibility. So instead of turning away from these regions, we want to inspire people to turn their attention, energy and compassion towards these issues and places, which will then help bring pressure to bear on political, social and/or economic change."

Visit InFocusworld.org to find out more.

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Cookus Interruptus: How to cook fresh local organic whole foods despite life's interruptions

cynlair — 2009-06-26T18:02:29-04:00

By: cynlair

Cookus Interruptus: How to cook fresh local organic whole foods despite life's interruptions. Our site features over 60 how-to recipe videos using nature's finest ingredients. We use family, story and fun to normalize eating real food.

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Are You Obama? An American finds inspiration in Cairo

KeriDouglas — 2009-06-26T11:06:31-04:00

By: KeriDouglas

“Are you Obama?” Imagine my surprise when young and old yelled this question to me as I walked through crowded Cairo just days after US President Barack Obama visited Egypt. Being blonde and blue eyed, I realized when I questioned them they were asking me if I was American. I had to smile and realize an era has passed.

Not many years ago in a mall patisserie in Paris, a young man asked me in French if I was Russian. When I said no, the young man was certain I was Hungarian. When I had to say no again, he looked at me with confusion. I said in French, I was American. Immediately without a breath, the young man began a stream of “George Bush, il tue. il tue. il tue.” All the while matching his words with chopping motions with his hands.

A new era truly has arrived. “Are you Obama?” made me think of Election Day in Washington, D.C., where citizens waited for hours to vote. Many had never voted before in their lives. They had hope. On Inauguration Day millions came from around the country to attend the ceremony on the mall. With temperatures close to freezing, the only warmth was being pressed into the crowd of mink coats. It was a solemn day as though it was the largest church service ever held in public with tears shed after President Barack Obama repeated the official oath.

From where I stood at the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous speech “I Have a Dream” to standing at the Giza Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt with young kids yelling, “Are you Obama?” made me realize the contagious nature of hope.

With hope, there is undeniable respect for the President of the United States for his courage to visit the ‘pyramid’ of Islam in Egypt, the Mosque of Sultan Hussein and then visit the Giza Pyramids of Egypt. The young and the old, the educated and the poor, the faithful and the secular recognized immediately the symbolism.

The hope for security and prosperity is lifting the spirits of the young with the hope for prospects of economic opportunities and success. It shouldn’t take a presidential visit to pave the streets around a cherished mosque or a royal visit to create a road to the pyramids. If so, advise heads of state and royal families to visit often and different sites.

However, realistically, in our bilateral co-operations, we should look to incorporate common sense solutions to the larger picture of the future for young people, economic and security stability in the region and the preservation of monuments of world history.

Are you Obama?

By Keri Douglas, writer/photographer, Washington, DC
keridouglas.wordpress.com
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