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19 Jun

What Was the Very First Thanksgiving Like?

Posted in Massachussets on 19.06.10

In the early 1600s, a group of English people separated themselves from the Church of England. At that time, it was against the law for English citizens not to attend church services. Facing persecution at worst and ridicule at best, the group of Separatists fled to Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, they were free to worship as they chose, but they faced other problems. They began to blend in with the Dutch people and they felt that their new religion faced extinction if they stayed in Holland.

There had been several voyages by English settlers and explorers to the New World across the sea. There had even been a colony successfully planted in the area known as Virginia. The Separatists decided that the only way that they could worship and preserve their religion was to travel to the New Land and begin their own colony. They began plans for the voyage in 1617 and set sail for the New World in 1620.

They sailed for sixty-five days on a boat called the Mayflower and endured at least one terrible storm. There was talk of turning back, but they continued, and when they reached the New World, only one person had died during the trip.

When the voyage began, there were 120 people aboard the boat, only some of them Separatists. There were arguments between the two groups and the Separatists referred to themselves as “saints” and to the others as “strangers”. By the time they landed in Massachusetts, they had banded together and called themselves “Pilgrims”.

It is a good thing that the Saints and the Strangers decided to work together, because that first winter was brutal and killed more than half of them. By March, only forty-seven of the original 120 were still alive. The whole group had become so sick that only a handful of people were credited for keeping the survivors alive. If they had remained divided, it is likely that all of them would have died.

After the hard winter, the Pilgrims went to work. They made friends with the Native American Indians of the area. Two of whom already knew English: Samoset and Squanto. These two, particularly Squanto, provided vital help, In fact, the Pilgrims probably wouldn’t have survived without them. The most important thing Squanto taught the Pilgrims was how to farm corn, using fish as fertilizer.

After the Pilgrims harvested their crops in October, they were very thankful. They had enough of everything to help them survive the coming winter. To celebrate the harvest and to thank the Indians who had helped them, the Pilgrims threw a big party. They invited Squanto and his chief, Massasoit to the celebration. About ninety other natives joined them. The Pilgrims and Indians feasted and celebrated for three days. They played games, ate, danced, played music, and ate some more. It is that celebration that we think of as the first Thanksgiving.

There is, however, a little more to the story. The next fall the harvest was not nearly as good, and there was no celebration. The next year was even worse. The summer was hot and dry, and all of the crops were dying. The governor of the colony ordered the Pilgrims to fast and to pray, and eventually the rain came. To thank God for the rain, a day of thanksgiving was set aside. This day was not the rowdy feast and celebration of two years prior, instead it was a somber time of prayer.

Today, with our parades, football games and turkey dinners, our modern Thanksgiving more closely resembles the 1621 celebration than it does the 1623 holiday.

Visit Surfnetkids.com to learn more about the http://www.surfnetkids.com/first_thanksgiving.htm First Thanksgiving, or http://www.ThanksgivingFun.net for kids Thanksgiving activities.

In addition to her weekly “Surfing the Net with Kids” newspaper column, syndicated columnist Barbara J. Feldman writes about a variety of family topics. Her websites for kids, parents and teachers include: Coloring Pages and Kids Jokes.

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23 Apr

No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner

Posted in Boston on 23.04.10

Product Description
For over three decades, rock supergroup Foreigner powered by Mick Jones primal guitar and Lou
Gramm s indelible lead vocals have been filling arenas and delivering hits. A fixture on the charts and
radio airwaves through the 70s and 80s, the band has sold over 70 million albums worldwide, and has
scored six consecutive albums in Billboard’s Top 10. Rhino celebrates Foreigner’s Hot Blooded legacy
with the new 2-CD compilation No End On Sight: The Very Best Of Foreigner, a 32-song, careerspanning
anthology that also boasts live material and two new tracks. Spanning 1977 to the present,
the two disc set is chronologically sequenced, and features essential hits including Cold As Ice,
Hot Blooded, Double Vision, Feels Like The First Time, Urgent, and much more.

No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner

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08 Mar

Create your Very Own In-house Micro Radio Station in 5 Easy Steps

Posted in Radio on 08.03.10

Imagine …

You’re lying on your favorite sun lounger in your garden.

There isn’t a cloud in the sky.

You can feel the sun’s rays on your skin and there is a gentle breeze blowing through your hair.

There is a wooden table to your right. On the table is a tall glass. Inside the glass is your favorite ice-cool drink.

Next to the glass is a radio. From the radio you can hear your favorite music, old time radio shows, audiobooks, or whatever it is that tickles your fancy. When whatever you are listening to finishes another one of your favorites will start without you ever having to move a muscle.

Life is good!

Okay, you can stop imagining now and get back down to reality. The reason I asked you to imagine that particular scenario is that I wanted you to feel just how wonderful it is to have a little device called an FM transmitter. Some of you reading this will know what I’m talking about, but for those who don’t let me explain.

An FM transmitter is a rather clever gadget that allows you to transmit sound directly from your computer to any radio in your house. It’s completely wireless and works just like a normal radio station, but on a much smaller scale.

Here’s what happens. It’s really easy.

Step 1 – You plug the device into your sound card.

Step 2 – You select a frequency on the device that you want to broadcast at. For example you might select 92.5 FM.

Step 3 – You pick a radio show you’d like to listen to and start it playing on your computer.

Step 4 – You go to any FM radio in your house and tune it in to 92.5 FM.

Step 5 – You sit down and enjoy

The radio needs to be within a certain range, which will vary between 50 feet and 300 feet depending on the strength of the FM transmitter you are using and the number of walls and other obstructions the signal need to pass through to get to you.

The wonderful thing about FM transmitters is it allows you to listen to all the MP3 files you have stored on your computer or one of the online music services, whilst at the same time giving you the freedom to move around your house.

Luckily, the price of FM transmitters has dropped over the past few years and you should be able to pick up a decent FM transmitter that will work throughout a typical house for less than $100.

When purchasing an FM transmitter there are several things you need to consider before you make your decision to buy. Most important of all is the distance the signal covers. If you live in a tiny apartment there’s no need to spend the extra money on a powerful unit that will transmit 1000 feet, unless of course you want the whole neighborhood to be able to tune in to your broadcast. On the other hand, don’t buy one that will only transmit 10 feet if you want to listen at the bottom of the garden which is 150 feet from your computer.

A second thing to look out for is a digital display. Some units have no digital display telling you what frequency you are tuned into and require you to turn a screw on the back to adjust the frequency. This procedure can take quite some time as it requires a bit of trial and error. The end result is exactly the same, but with a digital display it is easy to set the FM transmitter to a specific frequency by reading the numbers on the display and then set the radio to exactly the same frequency.

Finally, some units require batteries whereas others run from the mains power supply. If the unit you buy runs off batteries make sure that it has an auto-off facility that will allow you to set a period after which the unit will automatically turn itself off. If you don’t have this you’ll find yourself wasting a lot of batteries.

FM transmitters are ideal for transmitting around your house, but the same technology can also provide an ideal way of listening to your MP3 player in your car without having to invest in an in-car MP3 unit. Just plug a battery powered FM transmitter into your MP3 player and then tune your car stereo into the same frequency.

So, now you know just how easy it is to set-up your very own micro radio station for your very own listening pleasure. It doesn’t matter whether you are a music fan, an old time radio aficionado, or an audiobook lover, this is one little gadget that can really add to the overall enjoyment.

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02 Feb

Violin Music in Demand for Los Angeles Weddings – Population is Very Sophisticated When it Comes to Ceremony and Reception Music

Posted in Music on 02.02.10

We all know that the sky is the limit when it comes to entertainment opportunities in Los Angeles. The high demand for musical events and the abundant supply of musicians and bands make LA one of the best places where to look for great wedding music in Los Angeles. Due to its close proximity to Hollywood, LA is one of the best targets for musicians from all over the world. Consequently, this city’s great diversity makes it almost impossible not to find something that will perfectly fit into your event. When it comes to weddings, people tend to preserve the traditions within their culture, which implies a certain style of music for a certain event. Also, each culture follows a certain ritual when it comes to weddings, so a good place to start your journey in finding the perfect band for your wedding is to establish what parts your wedding is made of and where would you need a band. Regardless of the ethnicity, the culture, or the age group of the people that attend your wedding, the artists that serve this great metropolis will provide you with the perfect wedding music.

Los Angeles wedding band members are usually very knowledgeable about the characteristics of the market they serve and adjust their repertoire based on the particularities of each and every wedding. There is no such thing as two identical weddings and the Los Angeles wedding bands know it very well. They will work with event planners, wedding coordinators, brides and grooms, and everyone else involved in the planning process to make sure that the celebration will be an absolute success, to the smallest detail. Everyone knows that the music is the salt and pepper of a wedding and everyone gets a little bit nervous when the time comes to take care of that task on the list. The countless challenges that a wedding band Los Angeles based has to face in order to survive in this highly competitive market force the musicians to permanently adjust their practice in order to meet the needs of such demanding clientele. With an extensive experience in the musical world, a professional Los Angeles wedding band will easily tailor its performance to match the atmosphere of any kind of ceremony or reception, even if more than one type of music is required for the same event.

The large exposure to the musical arena that the residents of LA have, has altered these people’s tastes and made them more sophisticated and demanding when it comes to ceremony and reception music in Los Angeles. The abundant offer and competition in this particular market gave them power but, at the same time, made them more vulnerable. The variety of styles and the multitude of choices are immense and choosing a Los Angeles wedding band can become an overwhelming experience. The idea of having many choices available at your finger tip is quite a tempting scenario, but making the actual decision may prove not to be as fun as it seemed to be at the beginning. You may even end up completely disoriented and realizing that you don’t know what music you actually want.

This is possible because the extended practice and experience of professional wedding musicians gives them the ability to play almost any kind of music style one can imagine. Famous wedding violin players usually do not limit their experience to only violin music for weddings; they play violin in any band and for any occasion, this making them familiar with various music styles. Over time they also develop an extra sense for perceiving the audience’s dynamics and adjusting their performance accordingly, which will prove very useful in moments when the music is the only one that could save something that wanted to be an extraordinary event but it is about to turn into something boring. We all know that most of the times, the music is the one that makes an event and wedding musicians are very well aware of this.

I have recently attended a wedding where the music was provided by a string quartet and a small band. The string quartet was made of two violins, one cello, and one double base. I know; when people think of a violin, they usually picture a concert hall where unless you are into the classical music, you will soon fall asleep. This was not the case here. This string quartet put together a beautiful repertoire for this wedding, and created a very romantic atmosphere with their beautiful, timeless music for the wedding ceremony, including prelude, processional, candle lighting, readings and recessional. Then, they added drums to this string quartet, and seamlessly and smoothly created a transition from the ceremony into the reception, performing swing, jazz, tango, Latin, and Celtic music. They included all pop classics or everyone’s favorite movie themes! It was unbelievable! I have learned that the violin is a magic instrument! All my life I limited the life of the violin to the classical world, but this wedding opened my eyes. A violin can be used for elegant solo violin music for wedding ceremonies; jazz, swing, tango, latin, and bossa novas for cocktail hours and dinner parties; as well as fiddle music, funk, rock, blues, latin, ska, celtic, and dance music for receptions, holiday parties, and corporate events.

The wedding musicians from a violin ensemble can usually feature solo, duo, and trio combinations, according to your event’s needs. Even if you require different types of music for more than one event in the same celebration, famous violin players for weddings usually play the violin in any band and are able to tailor their musical performance to fit the mood, the atmosphere, and the nature of the ceremony you have. If you want a classical touch to your wedding ceremony you will be using a solo violinist for weddings. This way, the actual ceremony will be just the beginning of a charming evening that the guests won’t soon forget. Following the ceremony, the violin ensemble can transform itself into a violin string quartet for receptions, bringing a touch of class to your after party. Then, with some drums and other exotic instruments such as a mandolin, or a flute, or an electric guitar, the band will invite you to an unforgetable night of joy, dance, and good disposition.

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30 Jan

Indian Band Songs – The Very Best of Indian Music!

Posted in Music on 30.01.10

If we were to talk about Indian music, we would have to take into consideration the most diverse aspects. Even when we are speaking about modern Indian band songs influenced by Western styles, we still have to think about the rich history and culture Indian music possesses. My Band might represent just the thing one needs to discover Indian band songs in their entire splendor, with each group presenting a little bit of information about themselves and putting their creations online for everyone to listen. It is such an honor to be granted access to these songs, given the fact that they are so wonderfully written and they sound so amazing.

There are two things that fascinate when it comes to Indian band songs, meaning the melody and the rhythm. The blend between these two is what actually makes an impression on the listeners, easily transforming them into dedicated fans. Regardless of the musical genre chosen, it is practically impossible not to fall in love with the Indian band songs present on My Band. The melody is captured in such a way that it enthralls and fascinates at the same time, the rhythm being perfectly chosen for each song. At the end of the first song, you start to understand why so many people love Indian music, dedicating so much of their time to listening to Indian band songs. It’s all about the mix of Raag (melody) and Taal (rhythm) that contributes to the making of unique sounds.

Many people have become interested in the fundamentals of Indian music, referring to the Internet in order to find the information on Raag and Taal. They soon discovered that Raag is an important part of Indian band songs, being associated with the most diverse feelings, including love and happiness. How do such feelings apply to Indian music? The truth is that love and happiness apply to the melodic sounds you are listening to. Both the artist and the listener are influenced by Raag, the melody delivering exactly the feelings that were mentioned above. You just have to listen to any of the Indian band songs found at My Band and it won’t take too long before you are convinced of that fact.

Even though there are rules associated with the melody of the song (Raag), the most important thing is the song actually delivers the intended emotions. Indian band songs create a certain mood, they evoke strong feelings and they contribute to one unique musical experience. The amazing thing is that not only the listener is influenced by these sounds but the artist as well, leading to one unique creation indeed. My Band represents indeed an amazing resource to discover your passion for Indian music, experiencing what they’ve got to offer in a song, the melody and rhythm, the mixture of sounds.

Whether the song is based on improvisation or it has a more defined structure, the truth is that Indian band songs are amazing to listen to. Some have a strong rhythm and they impress with the intricately chosen notes. Others are chosen to be both melodically and rhythmically, guaranteeing a unique musical experience. My Band does not enter into the fundamentals of Indian music but they present some of the best Indian band songs of the moment, leaving to the listener the decisions which are the most incredible. My Band is even accessible on on iPhone and other phon models which allows you to stream music on the move and listen to your favorite songs. Top artists present their sounds online at My Band and you definitely have to listen to them, discovering what Indian music is all about.

About Author
Discover the melody and rhythm of Indian band songs at My Band, your favorite place to be at any moment of the day. If Indian music is what you are interested in, then you have every reason to be a regular visitor on this website. Enjoy!

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