For more information and to view other events happening this week, check the Vail Dailys events calendar in the print paper and online at http://www.vaildaily.com/entertainment/calendar/.

Queer Climbing Night, taking place the last Sunday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m., invites LGBTQ+ idenitfying and curious individuals to chalk up their hands and step into climbing shoes. All abilities are welcome. REservations are required and participants should be prepared to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols at the gym. This months event is Sunday, Jan. 31.

More information: eagleclimbing.com

Longtime local yoga instructor Karen Anderson is offering a 12-session course, with recorded and live practices, in the basics of Buddhism. The course is donation-based with suggested $120, but Anderson urges, please dont let finances stop you from participating. The workshop runs from Feb. 1 to March 10.

More information: yogavail.com or karene@vail.net.

Whether youre taking the class in-person or virtually, an instructor at Alpine Arts Center will guide you through the process of creating your own painting. The $49 class price includes all the materials and instructions. Virtual participants can pay $25 for the class, not including materials, if they choose, though take-home kits are available. For in-person participants, $6 wine, beer and champagne is available for purchase. Be sure to reserve a spot ahead of time. The event is Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

More information: alpineartscenter.org

Walking Mountains half-day snowshoes take hikers into the wilderness surrounding the Vail Valley. This weeks event, on Thursday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., voyages to Tennessee Pass for an easy trek to learn about tracks and signs left by wildlife in the backcountry. Advance registration is required.

More information: walkingmountains.org

Original post:
Happening this week: Queer Climbing Night, Basics of Buddhism and more - Vail Daily News

Text Size: A- A+

The presence of Hindu gods in Central Asia is the evidence of cross-fertilization of local and Indian cultures during the pre-Islamic period. It also points to the migration of Indians to Central Asian cities, not only the Zerafshan Valley at Penjikent but also the valley of the Syr Darya (then known as Jaxartes) at Ferghana and the Amu Darya (then known as Oxus) valley at Arytam.

Any visitor to the Rudaki Museum at Penjikent in Tajikistan and the National Museum at Dushanbe can immediately identify the Hindu gods and goddesses on display. There are images of a goddess riding a lion at the Museum of Antiquities, Dushanbe, as well as others such as Siva and ParvatiSiva with a third eye and Siva with three heads, amongst others. At the Rudaki Museum, Siva is seen sitting in a vast arena that resembles wilderness with his trisul or trident next to him.

Among the images of local divinities found in Temple II, one was identified as that of Uma Maheshwar (Siva and Parvati) sitting on the Nandi bull. Incidentally, the Pharro-Ardoxsa image at Ayrtam in the Oxus valley is also believed to be closer to the portrayal of Siva and Parvati.

Renowned Indian scholar and archaeologist S.P. Gupta has noted the presence of Hindu deities, such as Brahma, Indra, Siva, Narayana and Vaisravana in Central Asia, who had their own local counterparts.

It is important to note that nearly 25 marble sculptures and other artefacts of Hindu art dated between the fifth and eighth century ad have been discovered in Afghanistan.

Also read: India was a land of dharma but Europeans reduced it to Hinduism, Islam. And we accepted it

When the Islamic armies attacked Afghanistan in seventh century ad, Buddhism was flourishing in the province of Ghazni. One of the monastic centres located on a hill at Tepe Sardar had richly decorated stupas, chapels and monk cells which were excavated by modern archaeologists in the early twentieth century.

The Tepe Sardar Buddhist sanctuary occupying a hill of the Dasht-i-Manara plain was excavated by the Italian Archaeological Mission led by Giovanni Verardi between 1960 and 2003. An inscribed votive pot found at the site attested to the name of the sanctuary as the Kanika Maharaja Vihara, meaning the Temple of the Great King Kanishka. It also said that it was built during the Kusana period in the second century ad. Following the attack by the Islamic armies, it was abandoned in the late eighthninth century ad.

The 22-metre square towering central stupa was the focus of the complex and could be the largest yet found in Afghanistan. The chapels surrounding the stupa contain evidence of the colossal statuary art in the form of murals and painted clay images of the Buddha and bodhisattvas. Their fragments have been recovered during excavations. Massive gilded images of the Buddha have also been found at the entrance of the sanctuary. A gigantic Reclining Buddha measuring over 15 metres was found in Chapel 63 of the Tepe Sardar monastic complex. Unfortunately, as per the notice put up by the National Museum, it has been completely destroyed in recent times.

Yet another notice by the National Museum of Afghanistan at Kabul states that although Buddhism had spread in the Ghazni area since the time of Asoka in the third century bc, this particular complex whose main stupa was the largest in Afghanistan was built in third century ad during the Kusana period, and thrived for nearly six centuries until the arrival of the Arabs.

A large head of the Buddha dated fifthseventh century ad from Tepe Sardar is an example of the beautiful statuary art from Ghazni, which can be seen at the museum in Kabul. The Buddha head must have adorned a life-size image of the Buddha in dhyan mudra. Made of clay, the Buddhas eyes are closed in meditation. The thin, long, curved brows and a high nose appear to be finely chiselled. Small volutes adorn the head and the hairline is sharply drawn.

Another image of grey-blue schist dated from the fifthseventh century ad is headless, and the throne or the pedestal depicts monks and disciples holding out a large tray of lotus flowers at the Buddhas feet.

Also read: We the people of Pakistan, irrespective of religion, are the true Indians

Interestingly, the complex also hosted a Hindu Shaivite shrine where an image of Durga Mahisasur Mardini was found during excavations. The size of the original image can be guessed from the colossal head of the goddess preserved in a glass case at the national museum. The image is evidence that female divinities were worshipped in Afghanistan.

In Chapel 23 at Tepe Sardar, excavators also found the decapitated body of Mahisasur, the Buffalo Demon, with his severed head lying beside it. This was once part of a composite sculpture depicting the victory of the many-armed Durga over Mahisasur, the demon and enemy of the gods. According to explorer-historian Nancy H. Dupree, Durga defeating Mahisasur was a popular cult theme under the Hindu Shahisthe Hindu dynasty ruling over Kabul Valley and Gandhara after having taken over from the Turki Shahis.

It is possible that the Hindu Shahis installed Durgas image in the Buddhist monastery. It is a good example of the absorption of Hindu deities in the Buddhist pantheon, and also points to the fact that Buddhist shrines were converted into Hindu shrines. This has been discussed by Indologist and art historian P. Banerjee in New Light on Central Asian Art and Iconography. In his interesting study, Banerjee explains that though subordinate in position, these Hindu deities made their original importance felt now and then even in the Buddhist framework.

Banerjee presents several examples of the popularity of Shaivism in Central Asia and about Buddhist scholars such as Asanga and Aryadeva who tried to assimilate Hinduism and Buddhism. It is generally believed that Asanga, the well-known Buddhist philosopher from c.ad 400, created an amalgam of Shaivism and Buddhism, as Aryadeva did in bringing Vaishnavism and Buddhism together. Banerjee, says that Asanga tried to reconcile two opposing myths by placing a number of Saiva gods, both male and female in the inferior heavens of the prevalent Buddhism as worshippers and supporters of Buddha and Avalokitesvara.

According to Banerjee, Asanga by reconciling Shaivism and Buddhism made it possible for:

[T]he half-converted and rude tribes to remain Buddhists while they brought offerings to their more congenial shrines and while their practical religion had no relation at all to the truth of the noble Eightfold path.

Bannerjee also suggests that the popularity of Shaivism continued in Afghanistan and other parts of Central Asia during the late Gupta and early medieval periods. In Afghanistan, a collection of Shaiva antiquities, attributable to the seventheighth century ad, has come to light from the regions of Togao and Gardez. These include a head of Shiva from Gardez and a smaller head of Durga overcoming Mahisasur. This is an evidence of the spread of Hindu worship during the seventh and eighth centuries when large parts of Afghanistan were under the rule of the Hindu Shahi kings. This list includes the inscribed Mahavinayaka or Ganesa with Urdhvamedhra or erect phallus, clad in a tiger skin from Kotal-i-Khair Khaneh, about 17 km from Kabul and dated to the seventh century ad. Banerjee mentions the inscribed Uma-Mahesvara image, also dated to the seventh century from Tapa Skandar.

Excerpted with the permission of Rupa Publications fromBuddha in Gandhara by Sunita Dwivedi.Hardback; 336pp with colour inserts; Rs 795

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube & Telegram

Why news media is in crisis & How you can fix it

India needs free, fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism even more as it faces multiple crises.

But the news media is in a crisis of its own. There have been brutal layoffs and pay-cuts. The best of journalism is shrinking, yielding to crude prime-time spectacle.

ThePrint has the finest young reporters, columnists and editors working for it. Sustaining journalism of this quality needs smart and thinking people like you to pay for it. Whether you live in India or overseas, you can do it here.

Support Our Journalism

More here:
How Durga images and sculptures showed up in Ghazni, Afghanistan - ThePrint

Written by Mehr Gill , Edited by Explained Desk | New Delhi | Updated: January 30, 2021 10:34:30 am

On Monday, Thailands Parliament voted to make abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy legal. Before this, abortion was illegal in the country, regardless of the duration of the pregnancy and was allowed only in limited circumstances governed by the countrys medical council.

This week, another country made an announcement dealing with abortion laws. On Wednesday, the right-wing Polish government said it will publish a court ruling that proposed a near-total ban on abortion in its journal. This ruling banned termination of pregnancies including of foetuses with defects. The governments sudden announcement has sparked countrywide protests in the country, where abortion laws were already very strict.

In India, the Union Cabinet cleared changes to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 early last year. These changes raised the legally permissible limit for an abortion to 24 weeks from the previously legal 20 weeks. The change also accepted the failure of contraception as a valid reason for abortion, not just in married but in unmarried women as well.

Opposition to abortion in Thailand

The opposition to abortion comes mainly from Thailands majority of conservative Theravada Buddhists who believe that abortion goes against the teachings of Buddhism.

This week, a Buddhist monk Phra Shine Waradhammo who is known for his support for LGBT+ rights sparked outrage among some conservatives after he supported decriminalisation of abortion, according to a Reuters report.

Even so, illegal abortions are not uncommon in Thailand before this. For instance, in 2010 dozens of white plastic bags were found on the grounds of a Buddhist temple. Each of these bags contained the remains of a foetus. At the time, Thai authorities found over 2000 remains in the temples mortuary, where the remains had been hidden for over a year. The countrys prime minister at the time, Abhisit Vejjajiva was opposed to legalising abortions and maintained that more should be done to stop illegal abortions.

In the book titled, Abortion, Sin and the State in Thailand, author Andrea Wittaker says that over 300,000 illegal abortions are performed in the country each year.

In the same year, the arrest of a 17-year-old girl after she attempted to perform an abortion on herself with drugs obtained over the internet reignited the debate on abortion in the country.

So, what changes for women in Thailand now?

In February last year, Thailands constitutional court called the provision dealing with abortion, which is under the countrys criminal code, unconstitutional. As per this provision, women who got an abortion could be imprisoned for up to three years and those who performed them could be imprisoned for up to five years. Following this, the court gave the Thai government 360 days to change the laws dealing with abortion.

As per the new amendments, women can get an abortion if the age of the foetus is up to 12 weeks. But if a woman gets an abortion after 12 weeks, she can face being imprisoned for up to 6 months and will be liable to pay a fine of 10,000 baht or face both.

Significantly, abortions can be carried out after the completion of the first trimester, but only if they are in line with the criteria established by the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT). As per these criteria, a pregnancy can be terminated beyond the permitted period of time if it poses a threat to the mothers physical or emotional health, if the foetus is known to have abnormalities or if the pregnancy is the result of a sexual assault.

How are these amendments being interpreted in Thailand?

While the amendments signal some progress, pro-choice activists in Thailand are still not convinced and continue to demand the complete decriminalisation of abortion. Human Rights Watch has also called for complete decriminalisation of abortion so that women can fully exercise their reproductive rights.

One of the faces of the pro-choice movement in Thailand is the gender equality and LGBT rights activist Chumaporn Waddao Taengkliang, who is the co-founder of a group called Women for Freedom and Democracy.

She also joined the pro-democracy or anti-government protests last year that demanded that the monarchy be reformed and Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha resign. The protests were some of the biggest seen in recent times and while they were broadly against the monarchy, other groups joined them with demands including expanding LGBT and womens rights, reforms in education and the military, and improvements in the economy.

Taengkliang told The New York Times last year that The male supremacy society has been growing since the coup. Taengkliang was referring to the way Chan-ocha came to power in 2014, which was through a coup. He is endorsed by the king and is alleged to have meddled with electoral laws during the 2019 elections, which has enabled him to remain in power. Thailand is a Buddhist-majority country of about 70 million and converted from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Following a coup in 1947, Thailand has been ruled by the military for the most part.

During the pro-democracy protests last year, many young women, many of whom were students dominated the protests. These women called for gender equality and endorsed issues specific to women, including abortion, taxes on menstrual products and school rules that force girls to conform to an outdated version of feminity a report in The New York Times said.

See the original post:
Explained: What are the amendments in Thailands abortion law? - The Indian Express

The Daily Pennsylvanian is a student-run nonprofit.

Please support us by disabling your ad blocker on our site.

The FGLI Program Donated Textbook Collection, which was previously stored in the Greenfield Intercultural Center (above) will be moved to the Van Pelt Library.

The First-Generation, Low-Income Textbook Library collection has moved to Van Pelt Library, ending a three-year occupancy in the Greenfield Intercultural Center's attic.

Students previously reported that the FGLI library's GIC location was understaffed and lacked adequate technology, calling for more space and funding. Now, students are able to reserve books from the FGLI library online and pick up orders from Van Pelt or ship their materials to their off-campus learning address free of charge.

Founded in 2017, the FGLI library helps students save hundreds of dollars on required course materials each semester. The library opened for the spring semester on Jan. 5 under the new arrangement with Penn Libraries, in which students are able to search for materials through Van Pelt's online LIBRA Course Text selection.

Due to a high volume of materials, the FGLI library no longer accepts all donations. Students must now fill out a Google form and have their donation approved by staffers at the library.

FGLI Program Director Toyce Holmes said she was relieved the move finally came to fruition after talks to relocate the library began in fall 2019. Now, the responsibility of keeping track of books falls on Penn Libraries, and a liaison maintains communication between the parties, Holmes said.

"It's still a partnership, [but] we don't see day-to-day how many books are going out or, you know, 'I need to pull this.' The library has taken that on, and we thank them for that," Holmes said.

The process of physically relocating the books from the GIC to the Van Pelt Library started in spring 2020 before being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While closed for the fall semester, Penn Libraries hired a moving company to help the GIC relocate the textbooks, Holmes said.

While housed in the GIC's attic, processing requests could be time consuming for GIC work-study students, who reported that the outdated software in the library caused requests to take up to two hours to fulfill. All the library's information was stored on spreadsheets, and students had to submit textbook requests through a Google form.

The GIC does not have an elevator, and students had to climb up and down the stairs to deliver the books, Nursing sophomore and GIC work-study student Nyair Locklear said.

"The actual GIC building is fairly small and is an older building. It's got really steep stairs but no elevator, and all the textbooks were stored on the top floors. So every time textbooks had to be moved, one had to carry all that weight up and down the stairs all the time," Locklear said. "It was difficult to organize, especially as more and more students started using the library and receiving more textbooks."

Penn First Plus Executive Director Marc Lo said addressing the logistical problems with the FGLI library were one the GIC's top priorities when he joined Penn's staff in January 2019. The closure of the FGLI textbook library in the fall made the process of moving the donated textbook library to Van Pelt easier, he added.

Locklear said finding affordable textbooks last semester was confusing for some students as the FGLI library did not operate in fall 2020 due to the pandemic.

"It's been super difficult to keep track of what resources are and aren't still running," Locklear said. "When you change anything, especially during the pandemic, it's just been more difficult."

While the library was closed last fall, Lo sent an email to the Penn First Plus mailing list offering free access codes for a limited number of FGLI students in certain courses. College first year Kelly Garcia-Ramos said she found this helpful, and praised the accessibility of the FGLI library as a resource this semester.

Get our newsletter, Dear Penn, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.

I find that what holds people back from applying to Penn is the financial reasons, but Penn has amazing resources for people like me, she said. I would definitely recommend [the library] to other students if theyre ever worried about textbooks.

Holmes said she is excited for the future of the library, adding that since it is now under the jurisdiction of Penn Libraries with the ability to order books online for shipping, it is more accessible to FGLI students.

The library has dedicated staff there to properly catalog it. Whats great about it now which is a payoff is that Penn Libraries can ship these for free to students, Holmes said. I dont know if we couldve offered that service if we had it at the GIC.

Read the rest here:
FGLI library moves to Van Pelt with new online ordering and shipping options - The Daily Pennsylvanian

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

Block Party To Go charity fundraiser

Participants in North Hills Community Outreachs annual block party fundraiser wont be able to gather in person this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the North Hills charity and social service agency is still planning to party.

Have fun at home with a Block Party To Go party bag. The adult bags include a do-it-yourself pizza kit, wine, dessert, a game and more. The childrens bag includes a craft kit from Dots and Doodles, snacks and other items.

Some of the bags will include a bonus gift card to a local restaurant or business. The first 300 party-to-go kits will include a link to play BuzzWorthy Pub Trivia.

More information and an order form for party bags are available online at: NHCO/Block-Party.

Free tax prep help

A free tax preparation service is being offered by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania through April 10.

The service is available virtually or through a combination of online and in-person meetings.

Clients can upload their materials and tax experts will prepare and review the return.

The hybrid tax preparation will require two brief appointments in a safe environment, following covid-19 guidelines, to provide information and review the return.

The service is available to residents in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Assistance from a volunteer tax preparer is available for people and families with a total annual income of up to $57,000.

A free, do-it-yourself online tax assistance program is available at myfreetaxes.com.

Womens Business Network meetings

The Womens Business Networks three chapters in the North Hills have scheduled free networking sessions for February.

The Cranberry Chapter meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 am. The chapter will meet on Feb. 4 and 18. For more information, contact Cynthia at 724-316-3427.

The Wexford Chapter has its meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:15 a.m. This months meetings will take place Feb. 9 and 23. For details call Jocelin at 724-553-4452.

The Criders Corners Chapter holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at noon. Februarys meetings are on the 11th and 25th. Call Sherri for details at412-760-9601.

An All Virtual Chapter holds regular meetings via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month. For details call Jennifer Pasquale at 412-908-1663.

Ash Wednesday service

Hampton Presbyterian Church will hold an Ash Wednesday worship service to mark the first day of Lent on Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Depending on the covid restrictions in place when the service occurs, ashes might be distributed, according to church officials.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the nursery will not be available. However, children are invited to attend the service with their families.

The service also will be livestreamed to monitors in several locations in the building for people who want to participate but prefer to remain outside the sanctuary.

The church is located at 2942 East Hardies Road in Gibsonia.

Hampton Junior Football registration

Registration is open for the Hampton Junior Football Associations 26th season.

The organization has football teams and cheerleading squads for three age groups: Spikes, 5-8 years old; K9, 9-10 years old; and Dawgs, 11-12 years old.

This year, Hampton will play host to the United Youth Football League championship game.

Association officials say the top priority for its program is player safety.

Registration costs $140 through Feb. 28. The cost to to sign up during March and April is $190. After May 1, the registration fee will be $240.

For more information, see the Associations Facebook page or send an email to: doughjfa@gmail.com.

Block Northway hosting students art exhibit

Art created by students in the North Hills is on display through Feb. 18 at The Block Northway in Ross.

The artwork was made by elementary, middle school and high school students in the Hampton and North Hills school districts and Holy Cross & Blessed Trinity Academy.

The display also features a giant quilt made up of 310 ceramic tiles created by students at Hamptons Wyland Elementary school.

The art is being displayed in the South Corridor, Upper Level between Lands End and DSW. The pieces also will be featured on The Block Northways website throughout the year.

Northern Tier Library activities

Here are some of the upcoming activities and programs at the Northern Tier Regional Library in Hampton. Some programs require registration, which can be done online or by calling the library at 724-449-2665. Additional information and updates about programs also are available on the librarys Facebook page.

Meditating with Plants, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.: Grace Astraea of TimeSpaceOne Healing Arts will lead a program on connective and calming meditation experiences with your favorite plant via Zoom.

Simple instructions for preparing and implementing a plant meditation will be given. The group also will spend a short period practicing the strengthening relationship to the living world via our plants.

No previous experience is needed, just an open mind and willingness to learn more about your relationship to the plant kingdom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom meeting invitation link.

North Park Bald Eagles, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.: Bald Eagles are one of the biggest and most recognizable birds in the United States.

Master Naturalist Ken Knapp will present a program via Zoom to share information about this species and provide an update on whats going on with the local eagles.

This program is intended for adults, but all ages are welcome to attend. Registration is required to receive the Zoom meeting invitation link.

Winter Valentines Day at Hogwarts: Request a take-home kit to discover some magical Valentines Day crafts inspired by our favorite Wizarding school.

This craft bundle will be available for pickup on Feb. 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. People who cannot pick up their bundles during those times can retrieve them from the librarys lobby.

This bundle is for all ages and registration is required by Feb. 7 at midnight to ensure enough supplies are available.

Toddler Story Time: Uploads at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 9 and 23.

Preschool Story Time: Uploads at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 10 and 24.

Rhymes, Songs, & Yoga Poses: Uploads at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 4, 11, and 25.

Take-Home Crafts: Kids and adults of all ages are invited to create and enjoy a simple weekly take-home craft. Runs through Feb. 8.

The Weekly Project: This six-week program features a variety of activities that children can do with their families at home, including cooking, crafting, art and STEM. Register online or by telephone to get take-home materials for the program that runs through Feb. 8.

Take-Home Maker Mondays: Participants can pick up a supply kit and follow a weekly tutorial video that will be posted on the librarys various social media pages. Feb, 8: Mini Valentines Day pillow, Feb. 22: Marble Maze.

Winter Reading Challenge 2021: Join readers from across Allegheny County in the Winter Reading Challenge 2021, which runs through Feb. 28.

Family Movie Nights: Enjoy some movies, a cup of hot chocolate and a bag of popcorn on a cold winter night by picking up a Family Movie Night Kit.

Crafts at Heart: Beginning Feb. 10, adults and teens can pick up kits to create handmade Valentines Day heart-themed crafts.

Categories: Hampton Journal | Local

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

More Hampton Journal Stories

WPIAL posts latest swimming and diving performance lists

What to watch in WPIAL sports Feb. 1, 2021: Key girls basketball games

Hampton area real estate transactions for the week of Jan. 31

Hampton girls off to red-hot start after adopting up-tempo style

Hampton competitive spirit squad adapting to all-new calendar

Continued here:
In brief: Block party to go, free tax prep help, women's business network, library programs and more in Hampton - TribLIVE

The Alliance Review

MARLINGTON MEETING Marlington Local Schools Board of Education plans a virtual regular meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday. During the meeting, the board says it will recess into executive sessions for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, dismissal and compensation of a public employee. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Marlington Technology Departments YouTube channel.

TRAVELING PANTRY Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley will collaborate with the Village of Sebring, Sebring Local School District and the Ohio National Guard to host a Traveling Food Pantry beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at B.L. Miller Elementary School, 506 W. Virginia Ave. Food will be distributed in front of the school to residents of Sebring and Beloit villages and Smith Township. Recipients will receive food in the trunk of their car, which should be clear of all other belongings. Windows of the vehicle should be rolled up. Recipients should not exit their vehicles for any reason. The Traveling Food Pantry is designed to address the surge in need for food assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

VIETNAM VETERANS Alliance Chapter #157 of the Vietnam Veterans Association will meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at 880 S. Union Ave. The group will discuss the dedication process for the Vietnam Era Veterans' Monument.

SOUP SALE Mile Branch Grange plans its monthly drive-thru soup sale from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 11. Cost is $7 per quart.This months soups will be broccoli cheese and vegetable beef. Soup will be packaged and delivered directly to your car ready to heat when you get home. Mile Branch Grange is at 495 Knox School Road. Call 330-821-8023 to reserve soup. Leave your name, phone number, type of soup and number of quarts requested. Soup must be preordered by noon Feb. 10.

LIBRARY PROBLEM Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County encountered a glitch in the Library's Sierra circulation software, there was an auto-renew problem with any materials due Jan. 29. Also, no courtesy notices were sent out for items due Jan. 29. This is the only date affected by the issue. Patrons who have materials that were due Jan. 29 should either renew through their online library account atLibraryVisit.orgor call 330-744-8636 and talk with a staff member.

FACULTY LECTURE Robert Woodward,associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of MountUnion,will present the Faculty Lectureat 7 p.m. Feb. 8. The lecture will be available via livestream atmountunion.edu/facultylecture2021.Woodward will present The (Microscopic) Enemy Among Us: Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Humanitys Response."He will discuss the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and how humanity is responding using novel approaches in the laboratory, health care facilities and antibiotic marketplace.Woodward received his bachelor of arts in chemistry, a bachelor of science in biology, and a doctorate in philosophy in synthetic organic chemistry, all fromThe OhioState University.He has been a member of the Mount Union faculty since 2012. Established in 1959, the Faculty Lecture features a member of the Mount Union faculty. This annual event affords the chosen faculty member an opportunity to give a special lecture relating to interesting or important developments in the individuals own field or exploring matters of general concern to the faculty.For more information, call Mount Unions Office of Marketing at 330-823-6063.

Read more:
Area news in brief for Feb. 2 - The-review

SPOTSWOOD, NJ - The Spotswood Public Library is joining forces with the Springfield Public Library to bring a series of four virtual writing classes to their patrons. Each workshop will be led by instructors from the Writers Circle. The Writers Circle is an organization offering creating writing workshops for adults as well as children. The writing workshops are free and are taught by published authors.

The workshops are set for Monday, February 22, Monday, March 1, Wednesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 17. All four workshops begin at 7 p.m. and contain a different writing focus. Patrons can sign up for all or select workshops. The first two workshops discuss igniting personal creativity while the next two are focused on journaling.

The programs are open to Spotswood and Springfield residents 18 years of age and older. Class size is limited. Only 20 students will be registered per session. A waiting list will be created once the session is filled. Spotswood residents should email Spotswood Library Director C.L. Quillen at clquillen@spotslibrary.org to register. Springfield's residents should email Springfield Public Library Director Dale Spindel at dspindel@sfplnj.org to register.

Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.

.

See the rest here:
Spotswood And Springfield Public Libraries Partner To Present Series Of Virtual Writing Classes This Winter - TAPinto.net

Macomb County's rural communities will soon get a boost in gigabit-speeds.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund announced its recent efforts to ensure greater access to broadband and high-speed internet will include nearly $363 million in federal funding for Michigan over the next 10 years.

"It's absolutely wonderful," said Mary Barnes, an assistant librarian in Ray Township, which is among the rural communities that are likely to benefit from the expansion. "I can't imagine living the world we live in now, and not having it."

Claire Lopiccolo concurred.

"I think the high-speed internet is crucial," said Lopiccolo, Romeo District Library Graubner branch library director. "We were open for most of the summer and fall but have been closed since November because of the coronavirus pandemic. I know we have a lot of residents, especially in Bruce Township who don't have access to the internet."

Once libraries closed, they were cut off, and that really became a problem when children and young adults returned to school and college.

"We've had wifi available from the parking lot during the pandemic, so students working on their college projects would have access to the internet,' Lopiccolo said.

Throughout the pandemic, many libraries have made it possible for residents to check out wifi hotspots, which provide internet access wherever needed, expanding service beyond their walls. The hotspots allow those without internet to check it out from the library. It can be used to access and connect wireless enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones or tablets. They are portable and are available to borrow for 14 days and can carry a $1 a day late fee if not returned on time. Devices more than 24 hours late are sometimes deactivated.

And it is not just students who have had to rely on libraries for the internet. Many seniors and working adults require high-speed internet for everything from filling out medical forms and financial statements to communication outside the home.

Today, approximately 1,243,339 Michigan households do not have a permanent fixed broadband connection at home. Financial experts believe such deficiencies can result in $1.8 to $2.7 billion in potential economic benefit left unrealized, not to mention the problems it creates for families who have students that need access for learning opportunities.

"The Internet access divide is real and must be addressed to provide opportunity for all Michiganders to thrive," Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II said in a news release. Gilchrist, who is helping to lead the Connected Michigan Task Force amidst the ongoing pandemic, said strengthening Michigan's infrastructure remains a key component for the state's economic recovery, and broadband and high-speed internet are as foundational to our infrastructure as strong roads and bridges.

"Over the coming years, these broadband projects will have a major impact in making sure Michigan is a home of opportunity for all," he said.

There are nearly 250,000 locations to have expanded access to broadband, including 2,300 in Macomb County.

"We're real excited about expanding our services to Michigan," said Garrett Wiseman, CEO for Mercury Broadband, the Kansas City, Mo. based company that will be doing some of the work. "We're looking forward to working collaboratively with the communities."

The work being done will cover everything from residential to commercial properties, including homes and churches, businesses and schools.

Besides just having access to the internet, users will also benefit from technology improvements.

"The speeds will be a lot faster, and the internet will be more reliable," Wiseman said. "The networks that are built today are much more robust and able to serve a lot more people."

The improvements will also broaden the opportunities for those in Macomb County -- many of whom reside in it rural areas -- to participate in telehealth, virtual learning, telework, civic engagement and many other activities that internet users have access to every day.

This federal funding also builds on $12.7 million in Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grants that have been given through the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget announced by the Whitmer administration this past October. Among those given grant recipients was Armada Township, which received $3.3 million for a project that will cost approximately $3.4 million.

"We are very grateful for this opportunity and grant," said Armada Township Supervisor John Paterak. "It's not like getting the first television on the block. High-speed internet is a necessity not a luxury, and the whole COVID situation really shined a light on that. It's a necessity for homes and businesses. It's access to communications and education."

It is a necessity for the world that we live in," added Paterak, who believes that in the past bringing high-speed internet to rural areas where everyone lives on farms and acreages, has made it too costly for companies to consider. After all, in a suburban area where houses are closer together you'll have twice as many customers as you would installing cable to farmers who are living between 10 and 20 miles apart.

But technology has improved, and it has become more cost effective.

"This is a huge step forward for us to bring Comcast cable to the community," said Paterak, who has a subcommittee working diligently to come up with a plan of use for its grant, which will provide high-speed internet to 450 homeowners. "Once they get a foothold, we're hoping that they will be encouraged to add more."

All projects have committed to closing the internet access divide and provide digital literacy training materials to residents and businesses in their proposed service area, and work with local CAIs and foundations to host events to promote e-learning, job, and workforce training.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has made access to broadband more imperative than ever and building and strengthening broadband infrastructure throughout Michigan will be a driver of economic recovery efforts statewide," said Amanda Bright McClanahan, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "The benefits of having access to the internet can have a tremendous access on a person's future success and our state's overall economic prosperity, making it absolutely vital that we get to work with our public service and private sector partners to create more equitable access to broadband infrastructure statewide."

Wiseman said any details regarding when the work will be started and completed is still being worked out.

For more information, visit michiganbusiness.org/broadband.

Everyone will benefit from improved internet services in rural Macomb County, and the Ray Township Public Library is going to make sure theyre prepared for it.

The library was recently selected as one of 200 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities.

The competitive award comes with a $3,000 grant that will help the library have conversations on connecting to a digital world.

We are grateful for this opportunity. Our goal is to bring digital literacy and confidence to our community, said Mary Barnes, Ray Township library assistant noting that Ray Township seniors will be their primary target.

Barnes said the township sent out a survey to residents, and rather than filling it out online at home, many seniors who really should be staying home because of the pandemic -- were showing up at the library. Most of them were not sure how to get on the internet or did not have access to it at home, Barnes said.

As part of the grant, staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then play host and/or have a Zoom conversation with residents about technology and use the grant funds to provide hot spots and iPads for circulation, along with classes.

More than 300 libraries applied for the grant, according to ALA.

Since 2014, ALAs Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, contact Mary Barnes at mary@raylibrary.org

For more information, visit raylibrary.org

Follow this link:
Bridging the digital divide: Broadband boost coming for northern Macomb County - The Macomb Daily

LONG HILL TWP. - All are invited to join the Long Hill Township Library and the New Jersey Audubon Societys Stephanie Purnett for a virtual talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, via Zoom.

Attendees will learn some bird basics, what kind of birds one might see in northern New Jersey and when to spy them.

This year the library hopes to kick off local participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a global citizen science project that conducts a four day live count of the worlds birds. The Great Backyard Bird Count will take place this year from Friday to Sunday, Feb. 12 to Feb. 15.

This is a great entry-level citizen science project for individuals and families. Learn how one's participation, which can be as little as 15 minutes on one day, aids the understanding of the complex distribution and movement of bird species. Residents are encouraged to aid the library in learning how all can help the birds.

More here:
Curious about birding? Join Long Hill Library for virtual discussion Wednesday night - New Jersey Hills

By Randy Pierce [emailprotected]

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS Beginning on Monday, February 1, of this week, the Fairview Heights Public Library is now open on a limited basis for both browsing and computer access four days a week.

For those who wish to visit the library and look at books or other items, a maximum limit of 30 minutes for doing so is required so that others will be able to have the same opportunity. The occupancy limit of visitors will be 20 which includes no more than five people in the childrens area at the same time.

The hours for browsing will be from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Lobby pick up of items will be offered during those times and also on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Protective face masks will be required for anyone age two and over inside the library. For those unable to wear face masks, library materials may still be borrowed through the lobby pickup process. Hold requests can be made by calling the library at (618) 489-2070, by using the online catalog at http://www.fhplibrary.org or by sending an e-mail message to [emailprotected]

In order to limit close contact among visitors because of the coronavirus pandemic, only four computers in the library will be available for a maximum limit of 60 minutes per person regardless of residency status during the aforementioned Monday through Thursday times except for shutdown occurring at 5:45 p.m.

Because of social distancing guidelines, library staff will not be present to assist computer users. Printing will be available from the computers or by using mobile printing.

Because of the need to reduce the potential for the spread of coronavirus, the library is continuing to not allow meeting room reservations or the use of the public restrooms inside the facility. Book donations are also currently not being accepted.

Continuing also is the practice of accepting returned materials only through use of the outside book drop instead of inside the building at the circulation desk. Books or other borrowed materials that need to be returned should be deposited in the book drop before entering the building. All returned items will be quarantined for three days before being considered checked in and available for recirculation. No overdue fines will be assessed while such items are in quarantine.

Anyone who is feeling sick, experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or having been directed to stay isolated as a result of exposure may not enter the library. Because of the constant state of change concerning the pandemic, the librarys policies in regard to access may change on short notice. The patience of patrons is recommended and appreciated because the safety, health and well being of staff and visitors is the top priority.

For further information, call (618) 489-2070 or send e-mail to [emailprotected] The library is located at 10017 Bunkum Road in the City of Fairview Heights Municipal Complex between the Interstate 64 overpass and Lincoln Trail/St. Clair Avenue.

Continue reading here:
Limited Reopening of Fairview Heights Library Announced - Herald Pubs