November 1st at 1101 N Carrier Suites C&D in Grand Prairie, Ancient Traditions will be opening it's doors.
All day Saturday day and evening will be an open house and chance for you to come check out the new center, meet the staff and some of the teachers, sign up for classes and get a membership if you like!

The following weeknights ( will be for class sign up and also meet the teacher/staff, and classes will begin the following Monday (11/10) and going forward. Our Website with class descriptions and more information is at http://ancient-traditions.org .
You can send an email request to bethanystretch@sbcglobal.net and she will add you to the Yahoo group too so you can get the announcements direct if you would like!

Ancient Traditions Membership Fees and Basic Information



Single - $25 month

Family (limited to 2 adults and children living in same household) - $35 month

***We will not be offering any discounts for prepaying for a quarter or year yet but will visit this idea again after we hit our year mark!***



What does membership include?

* Access to the lending/resource library
* Access to on site exercise equipment and massage therapists sign up list
* Half price on all center sponsored classes and events – special events, seminars and outside classes not included but may be discounted as well
* Free admittance to Friday night drum circles
* Breaking news on events and classes – you get it first!
* A say in what we do at the center! You have a voice and we want your feedback!
* Access to clubs/groups being formed – we are looking into a re-enactors group, a brewers group, a gun club, a reading and/or poetry group, a travel group, and possibly a singles group….

* Performance troupes – we will be growing our current Belly dance troupe into several specialized areas including a ritual dance troupe, a kids dance troupe, a tribal BD group, an ethnic dance group, etc. We will also be growing our current drum troupe and expanding it to include other instruments… We would also like to create a performing re-enacting group, a ritual performance group, and a musical/choral group.

* Ability to be a “vendor” at the 5th Saturday Rummage sales (details below)



Event schedule – first draft!

* Friday nights – 8 – 12 Drum and Dance circle $5 for non members, free to members, starts 11/7/08
* Saturday nights –
o First Weekend each month : TBA
o Second Weekend each month: HAFLA – come party with the dancers! OUR FIRST HAFLA WILL BE HELD ON 11/15 SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE DALLAS WITCHES BALL
o Third Weekend each month: Game Night – poker, darts, backgammon, chess, other card games and whatever else we want to throw into the mix!
o Fourth Weekend each month: Theme Party – we will begin choosing themes and will dress up the center to match the theme and hope you join us dressed to match! Have a suggestion for a theme? Email it to us!
o Fifth Weekend (4 a year): These Saturdays will be reserved for a full day rummage sale open to all members to sell/resell their stuff to help clear the clutter out of their lives.
Sale dates will be advertised in Thrifty Nickel, Craig’s list and via other email lists… Imagine… no more weather permitting garage sales and money in your pocket!
* Rituals will be scheduled among/around weekly/monthly events.

* Saturdays from 12 - 4 we will be setting up seminars of all types, so watch your email or the website when it gets on line to find out what is happening!



Class Schedule

* Mondays 7- 8 PM American Raks Sharki Bellydance with Candy
* Tuesday 6 – 7 PM Beginner Stretch Class (open to all levels of health, age and weight)
* Tuesday 7 – 8 PM Basic Bellydance with Sukayna
* Tuesday 8 – 9 PM Tarot Class
* Wednesday 7 – 8 PM Beginning Drumming with George
* Wednesday 8 – 9 PM Intermed/Advanced drumming with George (this will feed the drum troupe!)
* Thursday 6 – 7 PM Stretch 2 class – higher level/more intense workout
* Thursday 7 – 8 PM Advanced Belly dance with Tahiya
* Friday 6:30 – 7:30 – Druidery class
* Saturday 3 AM (yes! A third shift class offering!)Basicbell y dance and/or stretch class
* Saturday 4 PM – Kids Belly dance with Lami – 5 yr and up
* Sunday 12 – 2 PM Drum troupe rehearsal - troupe members only
* Sunday 2 – 5 PM Dance troupe rehearsal - troupe members only
* Sunday 5:30 – 6:30 PM Craft class



Most classes are $10 at the door for non members, and half price for members. detailed info will be available at the open house and class sign u week. We will be getting descriptions of the classes, teacher info, etc. out to the group as well as up on the website ASAP. We are still looking for teachers for Tai Chi, Tribal BD, Yoga, and any other classes that people might be interested in. We are heavy on the drum/dance/exercise end of things because people have stepped up to teach the classes.
I would love to add some classes based on our beliefs, history, creative process, art, craft, numerology, divination, meditation, and other subjects I cannot think of yet! We have timeslots open on Monday nights 6 – 7, 8 – 9, and 9-10, Tues 9 -10, Wed 6 – 7 and 9 – 10, Thursday 9 – 10, Saturday 5 – 6, and Sunday 6:30 – 7:30 and 7:30 – 8:30 for ongoing classes… Saturday 12 – 4 will be reserved for seminars on various subjects as we book them!



We are also setting up a beautiful retail area with crafts and items from many local artisans, from clothing to jewelry, candles to music, swords to statues...you never know what you will find! Come check it out! Retail area will be open weeknights from 6 - 10 PM, Saturdays from 10 - event time (around 7) and Sundays 10-6...

COME HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Troupe will rehearse as planned at the center on Sunday from 2 - 5...

Wednesday when we have power (WOOHOO!) we will start getting organized, doing retail inventory and getting everything arranged, set up, put up, and decorated.


We got a couple of more trips done last night (Thank you Troy, Sharkbait, and Missy!) while George and Laurie worked on the plumbing and bookshelves, plus we got temporary curtains up in retail.


Thursday night I hope to get the last of the stuff moved up to the center from our house (can use help then too since we have a desk, PC, sound/lighting equipment, and exercise equipment) while George gets the sound system hooked up/speakers hung (if I can find the stereo!) , then do some final arranging and kick back and enjoy each others' company for a while on Friday night! Maybe order pizza or something unless we want to do something more organized...

Please contact bethanystretch@sbcglobal.net or 469-556-6204 (Sanjni Tara) if you would like to come out and lend a hand.

Still loving Ubuntu. It's been more than two years now since I switched to using strictly Ubuntu Linux at home and after reading the following article on Digg I was reminded of how often these days when people ask me to help them fix their computers that have picked up trojan's, spyware and other nasties from places on the internet that I have to remind them that I am getting a little rusty at my skills of dealing with such problems as I haven't had the need to use them that much in awhile.


Ubuntu's Rising Revenue Makes A Small Dent In Microsoft

Isn't this cute? I do a little freelance web design and internet promotion work on the side and the page on my personal site that I talk about that on is called TroyForge. It was just a kind of play on the name of the popular Open Source site SourceForge that I came up with so I would have some kind of moniker to stick on the endeavor. Well, someone apparently thinks I might decide to go big time and get a domain under the name so they went out and registered the name hoping I would eventually come along and buy it for an inflated price.

troyforge.com

Ha ha ha! I hope they don't hold their breath waiting...

By the way, here's a link to my real TroyForge page:

The Real TroyForge

And a banner I created to help spread the word...

Sarah Palin, predator control, shooting wolves | Salon

For the life of me I can't see how I can be expected to vote for someone who would condone this:


Sarah Palin, predator control, shooting wolves | Salon

By the way, have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE hosting with DrakNet? For years whenever someone has asked me to build a website for them, or help them with a site they already have or just ask for advice on getting started I always send them to DrakNet for professional service, fantastic features and an eco-friendly ethic. Lately they are running a great introductory plan that offers web hosting with SoHoLaunch website building tools included for $36 per year!

I've had it with Dell's shoddy computers. The last three Dell laptops in a row I have purchased have developed problems shortly after the 1 year warranty expires. The latest is my Dell Inspiron E1505N which I bought in June of 2007. It has a problem which a little digging around on the internet reveals is quite common and that Dell is doing nothing but paying lip service to help. My screen is filled with 1 pixel wide vertical lines of varying colors. At first there was just one of them, then another and another 'til now I have some 20 lines on the screen rendering the display more and more useless. Here are some links to articles about the problem:


http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/22/dell_probes_inspiron_screen_problem/

http://forums.devshed.com/computer-hardware-103/single-pixel-lines-in-dell-inspiron-screen-382937.html

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/06/19/17774.aspx

The first link has links for several other articles about the problem. Unfortunately the link for the http://www.dellverticalline.com/ is no longer active and it redirects you to the Dell Customer NoSupport site which asks for your Service Tag number then basically says YOUR WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! Nah-nah-nah-BOO BOO! Get out your wallet!

Oh, they admit to some of their models having the problem. But according to them, mine is not one of the affected models. Yeah, okay, these lines are just a figment of my imagination! Whatever!

Needless to say, I've bought my last Dell.

North Texas Pagan Pride Day is committed to bringing folks of open minds together for a time of fun, learning and sharing.

Our North Texas Pagan Pride Day 2008
Will Be Held At...
Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff
http://www.oakcliffuu.com/
3839 W. Keist in SW Dallas
September 13th
10am to 10pm

On Pagan Pride Day we come together for dancing, drumming and fun! There are vendors, workshops and lots of things to do! We host the Annual Hot Goddess Chili Cook-off. If you think you have the best chili in North Texas , bring a pot for tasting and sharing. We take donations to support charities like Adopt a Soldier Now and the North Texas Food Bank. So bring your donations, open minds and fun loving hearts.

http://ntxppd.org/

Remember Caelum Moor! Never forget the tragedy of the stones now lying forgotten in a water treatment plant.

If you'd like to help resurrect Caelum Moor in Arlington and restore a wonderful roadside Texas attraction, contact the Arlington Arts Advisory Board and let them know how you feel!

Yesterday I joined: Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF) and am looking forward to beginning my studies on the Dedicant Path. I've also been practicing with my guitar everyday since January 10th or so and have been getting better every day. Maybe by the end of this year I'll get good enough to sit and play with a group of other musicians here and there.

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, August 30, 2007

President Bush Apologizes to Wiccan War Widow Roberta Stewart

At midday today, President George W. Bush met by phone with Roberta
Stewart, a Wiccan from Nevada and member of Circle Sanctuary. The
president apologized to Roberta for her not being invited to the meeting
he held in Reno, Nevada on Tuesday with families of Nevada soldiers killed
in action.

Reports about Roberta not being invited to this meeting began appearing
in the media yesterday and have continued today:
http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20070830/News/108300034
In the press articles, both Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Rev. Selena
Fox, senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, called for the president to
apologize to Roberta Stewart, and to give equal respect to soldiers and their
families regardless of their religious orientation.

During the phone call, the president said that he admired Roberta for
her spirit and thanked her for accepting his apology. He also offered his
condolences for the loss of her husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, who was
killed in action in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on
September 25, 2005.

Following her phone meeting with the president, Roberta told Selena: "I
am thankful that President Bush offered his condolences and his apology.
This has helped bring some much needed closure for me regarding this recent
issue as well as the struggles I have endured in the Veteran Pentacle
Quest seeking to have my husband properly honored."

Both Rev. Fox and Rev. Lynn have expressed their appreciation for the
president's phone meeting with Roberta:

Rev. Fox: "I am glad that President Bush provided this support to
Roberta -- it has helped remedy this recent problem as well as helped heal the
stress that Roberta has endured since her husband was killed in action.
It also is a positive development for Wiccans and other Pagans who are
serving and who have served in the US military and their families in the
quest for equal respect and equal rights in society."

Rev. Lynn: "The president has done the right thing, and his apology to
Stewart should be commended. All veterans of war, regardless of their
faith, should be honored and treated with the utmost respect, especially
from their commander-in-chief. We are pleased the president recognized
his slight of Stewart was wrong."

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has issued a press
release commending President Bush for apologizing to Roberta:
http://www.au.org

Rev. Lynn interviewed Roberta for his Culture Shocks show shortly after
the President apologized to her. The show, which was broadcast today, will
be archived on-line beginning tomorrow: http://www.cultureshocks.com

News of the apology also has begun appearing in the press:
http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/

More information about Roberta Stewart, Sgt. Stewart, and the Veteran
Pentacle Quest Success:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle


FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:

Rev. Selena Fox: 608-924-2216
Executive Director, Lady Liberty League
selena@circlesanctuary.org

Angie Buchanan: 847-456-4833
Public Relations Director, Lady Liberty League
angie@circlesanctuary.org

Paula Johnson: 954-471-1435
Media Relations Coordinator, Lady Liberty League
paula@circlesanctuary.org

Lady Liberty League News Release
Circle Sanctuary
PO Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507 USA
telephone: (608) 924-2216
fax: (608) 924-5961

900 Saturdays



The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whom-ever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped tolisten to what he had to say

"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's "dance recital" he continued. "Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.

It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays." "I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."

"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.

Thereis nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."

"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.

Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles.

Breathing Earth: World-Wide CO2 Levels, Births, and Deaths - In Real-Time

Breathing Earth is a great presentation that shows you the world-wide carbon dioxide emission levels, their birth and death rates - all in real-time.

You know, the way I see it, I'm going to buy electricity from somewhere anyway, I might as well buy it from a source that is clean and renewable. That's why we use Green Mountain Energy

Mother Earth
(P. Chatman/L. Simpkins)

You may play the horses
You may even own the race track
You may have enough money
To buy anything you lack
I don't care where you go
And I don't care what you're worth
When it all ends up
You got to go back to Mother Earth

You may high-hat me all the time
You may never go my way
But Mother Earth if layin' for you
And that's a debt you've got to pay
I don't care where you go
And I don't care what you're worth
When it all ends up
You got to go back to Mother Earth

You may be a big shot in the city
You may own your own home town
You may fly your own jet plane
Think you never will come down
I don't care where you go
And I don't care what you're worth
When it all ends up
You got to go back to Mother Earth

Well, this is rather nifty. You can embed your personal Last.fm radio station player into your website, your blog, your myspace page or wherever.

I stood up (well, okay I sat at my computer) and got counted!

I've finally found a Linux friendly alternative to LaunchCast. Actually I found a few but I've decided that this one works best for me. It's called Last.FM and it's basically a social networking site for music fans. Behold...THIS!


Also worth checking out are Rhapsody, Pandora Internet Radio and of course there's still Shoutcast and Live365 if you don't mind having others choose the songs for you.

So anyway, I got tired of playing stupid Microsoft games such as, suddenly your Windows XP which has worked fine since you bought this old desktop nearly three years ago is not a "Genuine" copy and you owe us $184. Why does the world's richest man need my $184 just to keep a 4 year old desktop that I could easily replace for $184 running? How is it that a piece of hardware isn't worth what I paid for it 4 years ago but his 4 year old operating system is still worth the full price it cost when it was brand new?

So I decided to look up my old friend Linux and see what he's been up to since I last installed and played around with it. Man oh MAN has Linux come a long way in the field of user friendliness and hardware compatibility. I've set up all the computer's in the house to run Kubuntu Linux, dual booting Windows XP where neccessary but things went so much more smoothly and networking is working so much better. Now I am tinkering around with some of the free games available to kill a little time on my weekend and just to see what's going on in that end of the Linux world. I'm having a blast exploring this strange and interesting new world. Thank you Microsoft for opening my eyes to another way of doing things!

Get your Kubuntu here:

http://www.kubuntu.org/ Kubuntu - The KDE Desktop

Or your regular Ubuntu here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu Linux


And if you're bored, there are Games:

http://gaming.gwos.org/ Ubuntu Gamers Arena


http://www.dimensionex.net/underworld/ UnderWar Online Game
http://www.scorched3d.co.uk/ Scorched Earth 3D