text:
Travel Guide Draft Havana
A magnetic charm coming from a fascinating history, a rich culture and the diversity of its people. Havana is a city of contrasts.
Havana is a genuine mix from colonial to post revolution soviet era atmosphere, a historical testimony where the time seems to be frozen, where each district marking a different part of its history, colonial grandeur, art deco, neo gothic or gigantic concrete buildings… Centuries old UNESCO sites of ‘Habana Vieja’ (in a renovation process), lively ‘Centro Habana’, nine kilometers long oceanfront promenade ‘El Malecón’, modern and touristy district of ‘Vedado’, monumental ‘Plaza de la Revolución’, Miami like Miramar, ‘Playas del Este’ paradise; districts crowded with colorful and glamorous ‘almendrones’, famous 1950’s vintage American Chevrolets, Fords and Buicks…
Havana shows flippancy, a vital and laid back atmosphere at the same time, front doors left open, families watching TV in street side living rooms, washing hung up out on balconies, people shouting conversations between buildings, domino players sitting at tables in the streets…
Imagine drum and guitar rhythms, danzón salsa mambo or bolero dances, paintworks, waves crashing nearby, sun casting its evening faded light on dilapidated buildings, tourists thinking of Hemingway, dreaming of Che Guevara.
Arrive open minded, ready to understand the city’s contradictions. Havana’s tropical atmosphere, hectic hustle and bustle, warm people, glorious history, audacious beauty, is inviting you!
Let yourself being slowly, sweetly and smoothly seduced.
The first Spanish settlement, « San Cristobal de La Habana » was founded in 1515 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez on the South coast of the Island. In 1519, the city was relocated North, on the banks of Havana’s Bay, and renamed ‘San Cristobal de La Habana’.
Thanks to this strategic location, it became the main Spanish port in the Caribbean. The discovery of deep navigable channel between the Bahamas and Cuba marks the opening of a new trade route making Havana and its port a major bridge from the Americas to Europe. All the ships carrying gold and silver from the new world (Mexico and Peru mostly) to Europe were transiting through its harbor, which quickly became the meeting point for the Spanish fleet. Ships were gathering until a force strong enough would prevent them from pirate attacks. To protect this commercial route, fortresses were built. Havana became the only Cuban port authorized to engage in commerce. Thanks to the flourishing commerce of sugar and tobacco, the settlement began to grow from the harbor to what is now “Habana Vieja”. First streets linked the harbor to the “Plaza de Armas” and “Plaza de san Francisco”, and then to the many churches, inns, brothels… The Settlement became a city, and then the capital of the island in 1607. For more than 200 years, the port of Havana was the biggest in the Caribbean.
The prosperous port became a target for the many pirates and buccaneers attacking the cities and ships of the Caribbean.
In 1555, French pirate Jacques de Sarre took the city. Havana is plundered and burnt down. Philip the Second, king of Spain, decided to strengthen its colonial ports in the new world and to fortifications and forts. The “Palacio de los Capitenes Generales” was move from Santiago de Cuba to Havana in 1556, and were built the “Castillo de la Real Fuerza” and the impressive “Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro” from 1589 till 1630, as well as a protective wall.
The island and the city will still assaulted many times by other European kingdoms looking for new territories and willing to dominate this strategic location. Thus, French attacked the city, Dutch took the city for one month… In 1762, the British army attacked the city and the center of the island, and Havana fell to the British which occupied the island for eleven months. Free trade is instituted and many slaves are brought to Cuba. One year after, Spain exchanges Cuba to the British against another colony, Florida. Spain kept the free trade policy with the rest of the world, exporting sugar and tobacco. The trade of coffee started in the late XVIIIth century.
In the XIXth century Havana experience a sumptuous period of growth, the city is more influential and is going through a thriving period accompanied by an innovation boom with the construction of many new buildings and development of railways, telegraph, electricity… Many beautiful buildings are popping up around the old town and the newly erected neighborhood of Vedado where the bourgeoisie is now living. After the 1902 War of Independence, North American money flowed in, and so the influence. It is the beginning of a new architectural era, Art Deco towers, hotels, palaces, casinos… following the new boom of the tourism industry.
The Revolution stopped the corruption, dictatorship and decay the city was going through and put the set up a socialist capital. As the newly established government was focusing on equality all over the island, the post revolution era was synonym of deterioration of many of the city’s historical building and neighborhood, while new overpopulated districts were created around the new factories in the south of the capital.
Since the 1990s, many of the dilapidated buildings went through a renovation and redevelopment work giving back Havana its former beauty.
See and Do
Havana is divided into 15 municipalities pointing to different eras of the development of the city.
“Habana Vieja”, the Old Havana, is the oldest part of the city. It was before hooped with defensive walls and gathers most of the colonial sites and attractions the city has to offer. True piece of historical jewelry, it is, since 1982, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
West of “Habana Vieja” is the district of « Vedado ». Hosting the vast majority of the hotels and restaurants, it is also the cultural center of the city, regrouping art galleries, theaters, concert halls…
Next to “Vedado” is the renowned “Plaza de la Revolución” and the administrative district which developed around the square in the 1950’s.
At the extreme West of the city is the municipality of “Miramar”, the most modern of Havana’s district. Mostly fancy residences, this neighborhood shows a very different atmosphere compared to the city center.
“Habana del Este” is the part of the city on the other side of the river. Taking the tunnel East, past the residential area, you will go through fishing villages, « Alamar » or E. Hemingway’s favorite « Cojimar », until you reach beaches appreciated by locals, the “Playas del Este” from “Bacuranao” to “Guanabo”, through “Tarará”, “El Mégano”, “Santa María del Mar” and “Boca Ciega”.
Most of the Havanese are living in the industrial municipalities located South of Havana.
“Havana Vieja” takes you back in the most soulful way to the origins and of the city. Five centuries of history are contemplating you.
Founded in 1519 by Spaniard colons, the settlement grew around the port and was circled by walls until 1860. Paved ‘plazas’, narrow streets, colonial mansions, romantic arches courtyards and balconies, churches, fortresses… Even if time and weather damaged a lot of buildings, Havana’s historical center is the most well preserved in all the Americas, first thank to the economic and political situation of the country between the 1950’s and the 1990’s that permitted this neighborhood to be saved from modernization, second because “Habana Vieja” was elected in 1982 a UNESCO World Heritage Site thus being under a huge restauration project for the last 25 years, restauration still in progress.
The best way to discover “Habana Vieja” is on foot, walking down the shadowy streets from ‘plaza’ to ‘plaza’. The grid of the city is very simple and you cannot get lost wandering around. Ideal starting point will be the “Plaza de Armas”. It is the historical core of the old city and was the first square to be built just after the foundation of the city, in particular the “Placaios de los Capitenes Generales”. From there, going in any direction, you can reach many of other sites and squares, going North to « Plaza de la Catedral » and its… cathedral, maybe the most beautiful square of the city, or going South to “Plaza Vieja” hosting many events such as ‘fiestas’ and ‘corridas’. Another picturesque square is “Plaza San Francisco” where is located the impressive church and convent « San Francisco de Asis », hosting the highest bell tower of the city, offering a very scenic view of Havana’s skyline.
Make a detour by Havana’s authentic streets and parks and other historical sites. “Calle Obispo” is one of the nicest street of the neighborhood, while “El Prado” is a busy and very animated boulevard, planted with trees and lion statues. They are taking you to a more modern part of “Habana Vieja”. Up to the “Parque Central”, you’ll pass by “El Capitolio” and many museums among which the “Museo de la Revolución” and the “Museo de Bellas Artes”.
For the most courageous, located a little bit further across the bay is the “Parque Morro Cabana”, an impressive complex of military buildings and fortifications that once defended the city. You will enjoy the views over the bay and the channel leading to the harbor and will take a break from the flow of tourists you can meet in the historical center.
It is cultural epicenter of the city. Palace hotels, art galleries, live music concerts and a plethora of restaurants, bars and nightspots.
In opposition to “Havana Vieja”, Vedado is a cocktail of past glory and modern development where tall buildings contrast with XIXth century mansions and busy avenues contrast with charming boulevard. The district is divided into four main parts by the “Avenida de los Presidentes” and “Paseo” going North to South, and the “Linea” and “Calle 23” going East to West.
The major sector is the highly animated “La Rampa” with its bars, restaurants and music venues. Between “Calle 23” and “El Malecón”, a quieter sector, you’ll find an eclectic mixture of baroque and neoclassical architecture with a lot of post-colonial building now hosting many museums. Away from “El Malecón” are numerous art galleries and cultural centers, one of the best one being the “Casa de las Americas”. “Plaza de la Revolución” (also known just as Plaza), and its gigantic monuments celebrating Cuban heroes is generally considered part of Vedado, even if administratively it is the municipality to which Vedado belongs,
Plaza de la Revolución
This immense square, is the symbol of the Cuban Revolution and is famous for hosting many important events. Fidel Castro was used to address the Cuban people on this square each 26th of July for “El Dia de la Rebeldia Nacional” (Day of national Rebellion), while the popes, John Paul II and Francis celebrated huge masses during their visits to Cuba. Construction began under Batista as “Plaza Civica” and was completed in 1959, then renamed “Plaza de la Revolución” after Castro took power. It is amongst the biggest city squares in the world.
In the center of the square the “Monumento a Jose Marti”. A 109 meters (358ft) high tower, while at the bottom sit in state an 18 meters (59ft) statue of the iconic national hero of the Cuban Independence. You can reach the top of the tower and appreciate one of the best view of the city, or learn more about Jose Marti, several objects, letters and writings explain the life and the fight of Jose Marti.
It is surrounded by many government buildings, the “Palacio de la Revolución” home of the Cuban government and communist party, the ministry of interior and communications fiercely sporting two gigantic metal portraits of heroes of the revolution: famous Che Guevara captioned with its non-less famous quote “Hasta la Victoria, Siempre” (Until the Victory, Always); Camilo Cienfuegos underlined by the quote “”Vas bien, Fidel” (You’re doing fine, Fidel).
Don’t miss the immense cemetery “Necropolis de Colon” and its alluring atmosphere.
“Centro Habana” is not the most tourist friendly district of the capital city compared to “Habana Vieja” or “Vedado”. Before the revolution this XIXth century neighborhood was famous in San Rafael and its shopping streets and fancy department stores, most of them located around San Rafael and Avenida de Italia. Now many things seem broken, crumbling buildings, busy streets, piles of trash… This part of the city did not had the chance of being yet part of the big renovation plan initiated by the government. However, we can see some changes, on “El Malecón” for example were some building are given face-lifts. Despite this apparent decrepitude, “Centro Habana” is the liveliest place in the city, filled with the street symphony, the clamors of the vendors, taxi horns and “bicitaxi” loud stereos, or kids screaming on their way back from school. In “Centro Habana” you will also find the “Barrio Chino”, Havana’s Chinatown. Nothing to compare with huge American Chinatowns, most of the Asian community started to live in this neighborhood when immigrating to the island.
Miramar, and most generally the Western Suburbs, is the most modern district of Havana and is counterbalancing the others historical or dilapidated districts of the city. This is where the wealth is concentrated! Nice and luxurious area, it has its very own pace of life, soothed by the wide avenues and large trees, American like residence with huge gardens, international businesses, five-star hotels , Many embassies are located in Miramar, on the 5ta Avenida. While walking, skating or biking the avenue, don’t miss the monolithic Russian Embassy. Miramar is suggesting much more than quiet streets and beautiful houses. The aquarium worth the visit. You can observe the dolphins, feed them and even swim with them. At the extreme west of the district is a great beach at the ‘Club Havana’ and the ‘Marina Hemingway’, departure point of many boat trips and diving excursions. The neighborhood is a good catch for eating, restaurants with terraces along the sea which propose diverse and sophisticated menus. Visitors enjoy the entertainment and nightlife, especially the famous “Tropicana Cabaret”.
Cojímar, a small fishing village east of Havana. Built in the XVIIth century, you can appreciate the ‘cool’ path of life of the village and visit its fort, “El Torreon”. The place became worldly famous thanks to Ernest Hemingway. The author loved fishing off the cost of Cojimar and moored his boat, “Pilar” in its port. This village and its inhabitants, especially ‘Gregorio Fuentes’ were the inspiration for its novel ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953. Today, you can have a walk on the jetty, check for the memorial dedicated by the inhabitants of Cojimar to E. Hemingway, a round of columns with a bust of the author in its center, and pay a visit to “La Terraza”, the seaside bar Hemingway was enjoying food and drinks, where you will see hanging on the walls many pictures of him.
Bacuranao is situated in “Havana del Este” in the jurisdiction of Guanabacoa. Also known as “Playa de Bacuranao” and “Boca de Bacuranao”, located 12 kilometers East of Havana, it is part of the “Playas del Este”, a tremendous littoral of white sandy beaches bordered with coconut trees, about 15 kilometers long from “Playa de Bacuranao” to “Playa de Guanabo”, including “Tarará”, “El Mégano”, “Santa María del Mar” and “Boca Ciega”. It is an excellent alternative for those who want to spend a relaxing day by the beach without leaving the city. Guanabacoa is a small and quiet town located away from the buzz of the capital and offers a captivating religious history tanks to its numerous churches.
“Playas del Este” is a very popular place amongst locals. Easily reachable from the “Via Blanca”, the highway between Havana and Varadero, Havanese often go to “Playa de Bacuranao” to relax and sunbath on this wide stripe of sand or to enjoy the warmth of its clear waters. Close by are the villages of “Celimar” and “Alamar” where the “Rio Bacuranao” throws its waters into the sea.
See and Do
Havana preserved its historical and architectural treasures as testimonies of its tumultuous past. A trip in the streets of the city will lead you through five centuries of history from the colonial era and its magnificent architecture to the socialist revolution.
Most of the main monuments are located in Old Havana, heart of the newly founded city. The Spaniards built the first fortresses, the “Castillo del Moro” and the “Fortaleza de la Real Fuerza”, during the late XVIth century and beginning of the XVIIth century, to defend the port and the city from invasions and pirates’ attacks.
The most ancient church is the “Iglesia Parroquial del Espiritu Santo”, erected in 1638 by freed slaves. Many other religious buildings, churches, convents were built during the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries. Many of these churches are built on squares which are named after the church and you will not want to miss the “Plaza San Francisco” and its baroque church, the “Iglesia San Francisco de Asis“, hosting the highest tower of the city.
The most remarkable of them is the “Catedral San Cristobal de la Havana”, logically built on the “Plaza de la Catedral” at the end of the XVIIIth century.
Numerous “plazas”, ornamented in their center by fountains and shaded by royal palm trees, rounded by marvelous palaces are scattered all around the city, and mostly in Old Havana. We can name the very central “Plaza de Armas” on which is built a jewel of baroque architecture, the “Palacio de los Capitenes Generales” former house of the governors of Cuba and now Havana’s town hall, the “Plaza de la Catedral” were you’ll of course find the cathedral but also palaces such as the “Palacio del Conde de Casa Bayona”, the “Palacio del Marques de Arcos” or the “Palacio del Marques de Aguas Claras”, and of course the “Plaza San Francisco” with its beautiful fountains decorated with statues of lions. In the city center is the very famous “Plaza de la Revolución” and its gigantic Che Guevara metal panel
You will enjoy to stroll down the animated streets of Old Havana or Central Havana, whether it is the pedestrian “Calle Obispo” with its shops and artwork vendors, the waterfront promenade of “El Malecón” Going then from Old Havana toward the center of the city, you will take the historical avenue of “El Prado” and its many lion statues, rest in the “Parque Central” to enjoy music and dances day and night, before sightseeing around, the governmental palace “El Capitolio” being close by.
It will be almost impossible to visit the whole city in just one day unless rushing yourself in local transports risking to not fully appreciate the spectacular beauty of the city, the best way will be to split into multiple itineraries, one of them having to be in the Old Havana, another one in Central Havana, to which you can add some others to visit other districts or to relax by the beach.
Catedral San Cristobal de la Habana
Officially named “Catedral de la Virgen Maria de la Concepcion Immaculada”, designed by Italian architect Francesco Borromini, Havana’s majestic cathedral is erected in the very center of Havana on the aptly named “Plaza de la Catedral”. Small for a cathedral, it is specific for its two unequal towers (one of which has two bells) and baroque façade. Its interior in classical and relatively austere, however decorated with a Carrare marble altar incrusted with gold silver and onyx, frescoes dating from the XVIIIth century and copies of originals paintings by Murillo and Rubens. Jesuits began the construction of the church in 1748 and last for thirty years, even after the expulsion of the Jesuits from Cuba. The building was finished in 1777 and the church became a cathedral. It is one of the oldest in the Americas.
The remains of Christopher Columbus were interred in this cathedral after being brought from Santo Domingo in 1795, this is why the cathedral was unofficially named “Catedral San Cristobal” The remains of Christopher Columbus were then moved to Seville cathedral in 1899. Pope John Paul the Second visited the cathedral in 1998.
You can climb one of the towers for CUC$1 or stay on the ground and buy souvenirs (tee-shirts, postcards, key-chains) of the pope’s visit in the shop next to the cathedral. A craft market in often held on the square where you can buy cheap jewelry and artwork.
Among other religious buildings, you can also visit:
Iglesia San Francisco de Paula. Built from 1730 till 1745, classical grey stone Cuban style architecture. It is now a concert hall and a modern art exhibition center.
Iglesia y Convento Nuestra Señora de Belen. Construction began in 1712, the building was finished in 1718. Currently in renovation process, this baroque building host social services, retirement house and a center for disabled children.
Iglesia y Convento Nuestra Señora de la Merced. Built from 1755 till 1855, it is famous for its gardens and its old convent and the frescoes of the church’s ceiling.
Iglesia y Convento San Francisco de Asis. Built in the late XVIIth century, renovated in a baroque style during the XVIIIth century, it is located in a very lively neighborhood. The basilica hosts the highest tower of La Havana, 141 meters high to enjoy a wonderful view of the city.
Plaza de la Catedral
“Plaza de la Catedral” is one of the five main squares of the Old City of La Havana. Surrounding this square, the « Catedral San Cristobal de La Havana », many ancient mansions (which were part of the renovation plan initiated by the government), the Museum of Colonial Art and also a lot of restaurants. Many Cubans come to this square in the evening when you will enjoy great music and dances.
Plaza de Armas
Bordered with royal palms, authentically colonial, it is Havana’s oldest square, built in the 1520s, just after the foundation of the city. It got its name during the XVIth century, when the governor decided to use it a square for military activities and parades.
Nowadays it is also known as Céspedes Park because in the center of the square, which is, stands a marble statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, one of the first Cuban claiming for independence. All around the square you will find a secondhand market of antique and classical books, the “Palacio de los Condes de Santovenia” (now a 5 star hotel Santa Isabel) and the “Capok Tree” under which was officiated in 1515 the first mass after the city’s foundation.
Stretching from “Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta” to the “Castillo de la Chorrera”, El Malecón is Havana’s famous ocean side boulevard. A Perfect place for all Havanese in seek of relaxing moments and pleasure. People come to meet, talk, eat, drink, and listen to music or simply to enjoy the suave atmosphere which enfolds the promenade at sunset. Eight kilometers long, it is also a busy six-lane highway where gleaming old fashioned American cars are going from Vedado to Miramar. All along this thoroughfare you will come across the different architectural styles of Havana. Facing the corrosive ocean, many of the buildings on the avenue show a dilapidated facades.
El Buzon de la Casa Obispo
N° 117–119 Obispo Street host the oldest house of La Havana, built 1648. On the front wall you will find a very original mailbox in the shape of a Greek mask.
La Rampa (Calle 23)
One of the most animated street of La Havana. Movie theaters, bars, clubs, Calle 23 is part of Havana’s evening fun and nightlife. It is located in Vedado, from El Malecón to the Colón cemetery.
This building is the symbol of the power of the Cuban government. Inaugurated in 1929, it was built on the model of the Capitol in Washington and was hosting the ‘Chambers of Representatives’ and the ‘Senate’. After the revolution, it became the offices of the ministry of science, technology and environment. Inside you will appreciate the magnificent staircase known as “la escalinata” the gigantic bronze statue of the Republic (17m high, it is the third biggest indoor statue in the world) and the luxurious gardens and their majestic royal palm trees.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Located on the “Plaza de Armas”, the “Castillo de la Real Fuerza” was built in 1577 to protect the city from pirates. It was the oldest stone fort in the Americas and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is now home to Cuba’s Maritime Museum which features exhibitions of Cuba’s maritime past, different models of ships, navigational instruments and other objects from the colonial era. On the ground floor stands a four meters model of the “Santisima Trinidad”, an XVIIIth century ship built at the Royal Shipyard of Havana and launched in 1769. Four decks, 140 cannons, it was the largest ship in the world in the XVIIIth and fought at the battle of Trafalgar. The original weathervane, known as “La Giraldilla”, symbol of the city is also shown in this museum while its replica is on the top of the tower.
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana
After the British took the city in 1762, Carlos III king of Spain ordered the construction of this fortress to enhance city’s defenses. It was built between 1763 and 1774. This massive fort, also called “La Cabana”, the largest Spanish one in the Americas, was reputed impregnable so that it was never attacked. After having defended the city and the bay of Havana and hosted Che Guevara command center after the revolution, the fort is now open to visitors and offers a great variety of attractions. It hosts the “Museo de Fortificaciones y Armas” (Museum of Fortifications and Arms), the “Museo de Comandancia del Che” (Museum of Command of The Che) as well as bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and a cigar store in which you can see the world’s longest cigar.
During the colonial era, every evening at 9pm, Spaniards were firing a cannon to warn that the port and the gates in the city walls were closed. This ceremony called “cañonazo” is very popular and every day at 9pm actors dressed in XVIIIth century military outfits reenact this tradition.
Associated with the “La Cabana”, the “Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes Magos del Morro” overlooks the bay of Havana. Built between 1589 and 1630, this massive impregnable fortress was defending the bay and the harbor. Only the English took the fort in 1762, by digging a tunnel under the walls. Below the castle, defending the port from pirates, lay twelve cannons called “La Bateria de los Doce Apostoles” (The Battery of the Twelve Apostles). Each one of them is named after an apostle. Later, in 1845, the first lighthouse of Cuba was added to the building. Nowadays, “El Morro” hosts a maritime museum, a museum retracing the history of the fortress and a museum about piracy.
El Gran Teatro de la Havana
Inaugurated in 1838, while the first representation took place in 1837, this neo baroque building hosts the ‘Cuban National Ballet’ and the ‘Havana’s International Festival of Ballet’. Constituted of many different halls for theater, concerts or conferences, the main hall can host 1500 people. This theatre is decorated with many statues from Giuseppe Moretti.
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. One of the most beautiful baroque monument of Cuba, it has been the home of the Spanish governor until Cuban Independence and then of the American Military governor. Cuban presidents also stayed in this Palace until 1917 when they moved to the “Capitolio”. It now hosts Havana’s town hall and the “Museo de la Ciudad de la Habana” (Museum of the City of Havana). Its patio is a wonderful garden seeded with vines and bougainvillea. In the center is erected a statue of C. Columbus.
Palacio Aldama. This palace was built in 1840 for Lord Domingo de Aldama y Arrechagae. The palace, despite being closed to visitors, is considered to be one of the most beautiful neo classical building in Cuba. It is located at the corner of the Avenida Bolivar and the Calle Amistad.
Palacio del Conde de Casa Bayona. Magnificent colonial mansion located in front of Havana’s cathedral, it was built in the beginning of the XVIIIth century for the governor Don Luis Chacon. It is now the Colonial Art Museum and truly worth the visit. Exhibiting furniture made out of precious wood, fine tableware, silverware, crystals, you will learn about the life of rich people during the colonial era.
Palacio del Marques de Arcos. Also located on Cathedral Square, it was built in 1741 for Don Diego Penalver, the king’s treasurer. The building is decorated with Doric columns and frescoes representing Cuban aristocrats. Nowadays, it is an art gallery showing ‘Cuban experimental art’.
Palacio Pedroso. This palace was built for and named after Havana’s mayor, in 1780. It is also known as the « Palacio de la Artesania » (Craft Palace). Mix of Cuban baroque and Moorish architectural style, it is one of the oldest building of Havana and is very well preserved. Today it hosts a souvenir shop where tourists like to buy cigars, rum…
Palacio del Marques de Aguas Claras. Situated on the Cathedral Square, the construction ended in 1775. Famous for its arches, its balcony with a splendid view on the square and its indoor fountain, it is now the restaurant ‘El Patio’.
Palacio del Conde de Jaruco. Built in 1737, all Havana’s high society was meeting under its arcades and in its patio. The mansion now hosts an art market.
Palacio Conde de Lombillo. Another mansion located close to the Cathedral Square. This three level colonial mansion, built during the first half of the XVIIIth century, is noticeable for its yellow color. Like many ancient mansions and palaces, it hosts art exhibitions under its arcades and in its patio.
Located in between “El Capitolio” and the “Museo de Bellas Artes”, you will pass by the “Parque Central” (Central park). Ideal place for a break, sit on a bench near the fountain or under the trees.
The Prado is the promenade going from the “Parque Central” toward the “Malecón”. Cubans enjoy strolling down this shaded pedestrian avenue. You will find there many shops and will learn a lot about everyday lifestyle in Havana by observing Cubans going around the many shops and arts of the avenue.
In the 1950’s this neighborhood of Havana was very representative of the Cuban High Society. Now a residential district where you can glimpse at many luxurious houses and mansions, it is also a very touristic neighborhood hosting a lot of hotels, “casas particulares”, and beaches. You will also find there a small business district, the “Centre de Negocios Miramar » and many embassies mostly located on the 5th avenue.
This copy of the art deco “Breakers Hotel” in Palm Beach, Florida, was built in 1930. Overlooking the “Malecón”, it offers fantastic view on the promenade and a remarkable architecture, especially its Moorish lobby. The Parisian Cabaret is also a popular attraction.
The “Hotel Nacional” became notorious In December 1946 for hosting the largest North American Mafia meeting amongst which were Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano.
The city of Havana has so many museums you cannot see all of them. You will have to pick out most important of them. To catch a glimpse, or discover and learn about of Cuba, its people, its lifestyle and its heritage, the best way is to opt for the ones that will let you immerse yourself into the richness and diversity of Cuban culture and History. The best and most interesting museums are located in Old Havana. They are exhibiting the best collections in some historical buildings with stunning architecture.
To get to know better about Havana’s past and History, the « Museo de la Ciudad de la Havana » is tracing everything that happened in the city and more generally in the country since the colonial era.
The “Museo de la Revolución » is a pure wonder offering to the visitors the opportunity to be part of the socialist revolution lead by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in 1956.
The « Museo Jose Marti » is dedicated to the hero of Cuban independence from Spain at the end of the XIXth century.
Art lovers, you will fulfill your happiness in the « Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes », a museum divided in two different parts, a first one dedicated to international art showing artifacts, antiquities and artwork from Rubens or Goya, while the second part is about Cuban art featuring some work from Wilfredo Lam or Raul Martinez.
The “Museo de Arte Colonial” covers four centuries of Cuban history and relates the life of the Spanish colons, and also the architectural and ornamental trends of that time.
History, art… And Culture. Probably the most fascinating about Cuba, and the museums of the city leave some space for you to discover its unique lifestyle and culture.
Cuban culture being gravitating around music, a must go is the « Museo Nacional de la Musica Cubana », where you will open up yourself to one of the most generous and influential music in the world, from its origins till present day.
Cuba is of course worldly famous for its handmade Premium Cigars. The most authentic ‘cigar factory / museum’ to visit will be the “Fabrica de Tabaco Partagas”. Here you will observe the whole process of cigar production. Aside with cigars, Cuba is also home of excellent rums. The “Museo del Ron Havana Club” opens for you the doors of its factory and museum for you to learn all the science behind the production of a top branded rum.
Havana would not be the same without its gleaming old American motors driving across the streets. Integral part of Havana’s folklore, the “Museo de los Autos” is explaining the origin and history of these vehicles on the island, displaying many renovated 1950’s and historical cars.
A lot of other museums worth a visit for their historical, cultural or artistic collections. We can name among these other museums the “Museo Guanabacoa” retracing the history of slavery, the “Museo Hemingway” located in the house of the author or the “Museo Farmacia Taquechel”, an authentic XIXth century pharmacy.
Museo de la Ciudad de la Habana
The “Museo de la Ciudad de la Habana” (Museum of the City of Havana) is located in the “Palacio de los Capitenes Generales”. With forty showrooms relating the colonial era it is the biggest collection of colonial art of Cuba offering to the visitors to discover the past of the islands through many different objects, the machete of general A. Maceo (aka “The Titan”, a hero of the war of 10 years when he fought for Cuban Independence), military uniforms, and rooms, such as the dining room and its 400 plates hung on the wall or the room of the King of Spain and its throne (even if the King never came to Cuba).
Museo de la Revolución
This museum is located in Old Havana, symbolically in the former presidential palace where F. Batista was residing. It depicts the Cuban History, from pre-Columbian culture to the present-day socialist regime, enhancing the way the country and the people of this island fought harsh battles for their sovereignty. Many interesting and evocating objects are shown to help you learn and understand Cuban famous History with a lot of propaganda. Blood-stained military uniforms dating back to the attack of “La Moncada”, maps explaining the military offensives of the guerilleros, the black coat Castro was wearing during his trial and picture showing him beardless… In front of the building is an SAU-100 tank used by Castro during the 1961 battle of the Bay of Pigs, the riddled truck that was used during the assault on the presidential palace in 1957 and also the remains of an American U2 spying plane downed over Cuba, or a piece of the ancient city wall. Be sure, before leaving the museum, to add a comic note to your visit at the “Rincon de les Cretinos” (idiots corner), where you can watch at caricatures of R. Reagan, G. Bush or F. Batista.
Behind the museum is the “Pavillón Granma” contains the masterpiece of the museum, the 18 meters long yacht Castro and eighty-one revolutionaries used to travel from Tuxpán, Mexico, to Cuba in December 1956.
Museo Jose Marti
José Julián Martí y Pérez became a Cuban national hero through his involvement in the Cuban Revolution. Journalist, poet, politician, he died in 1895 during the battle of “Dos Rios”. Its house is now a museum tracing its life and fights for the Cuban People.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de la Habana
Maybe the most beautiful museum of Havana, Sculptures, engravings, and more than 1200 paintings, some from Goya, Rubens, Velasquez… eulogize local art as well as international art. You can spend a full day to scroll down the 76000m², of the two sites of this museum.
The “Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Arte Universal)” (National Museum of Fine Art (Universal Art)) shows international art from 500 BC to the present day. From Greek pots dating from the 5th century BC 2000 years old Roman mosaics or Latin American antiquities, and a tremendous Spanish collection include a canvas by El Greco.
The “Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Arte Cubano)” (National Museum of Fine Art (Cuban Art)) exhibits Cuban art. Don’t miss Guillermo Collazo works (he is said to be the first recognized great Cuban artist). A great part is dedicated to modern art since the 1970’s, where you will admire the work of Cuban pop artist Raúl Martinez or Wilfredo Lam Picasso-like art.
Out of the two part of the museum, the most relevant to visit is the one displaying Cuban Art.
Museo Nacional de la Musica Cubana
The Museum is hosted in a building inspired by Italian renaissance architecture which was built in 1905. It was renovated in 1981 when the museum was inaugurated. This museum is dedicated to the history of music and music instruments from the XVIth till the XXth century, and aim to teach and spread Cuban music and Cuban cultural patrimony.
It exhibits a great collection of documents, books and instruments which always arouse the admiration of its visitors. Rare music sheets such as the originals music sheets of famous Eduardo Sanchez de Fuentes, Gonzalo Roig or Amadeo Roldan, or traditional music instruments, especially incredible is the room containing the stringed instruments.
Fabrica de Tabaco Partagas
Built in 1845, it is the oldest tobacco factory in Havana and the most iconic one. The museum shows all the different stages of cigar production. Observe bunchers and rollers, and “readers” (which are carefully reading the news to the workers), surrounded by this pungent and intoxicating smell of tobacco. In this factory like in all the Cuban Premium Cigar factories, everything is artisanal, handmade. For the aficionados, stop by the shop at the end of the visit, where you can buy non counterfeit Partagas cigars.
Museo del Ron Havana Club
Located in the historical district of Old Havana, in a XVIIIth century colonial mansion, the “Museo del Ron Havana Club” (Havana Club Rum Museum) is best to discover the legendary Cuban rum. Fresh sugar cane, authentic sugar cane mill operated by a mule, distillery, cooperage workshop, aging cellars… All the mysteries of Cuban rum production will be uncovered. When the visit is finished, make sure you stop by the Havana Club Bar, where “cantineros” practice the art of Cuban cocktails such as Mojito or Daiquiri. If you prefer to go the local way, ask for a “Cata Vertical”, degustation consisting in tasting rums from the youngest to the oldest. You will there learn that “Havana Club 3 Anos” is the best for cocktails, and “Havana Club 5 Anos” is the best for degustation.
Museo de los Autos
Imported during the 1930’s, 1940’s and the 1950’s, before the 1961 American embargo on Cuba, thousands of old fashioned American cars are rolling down the streets of the islands. These engines from another time are repaired by genius and creative mechanics, and these colorful, powerful, comfortable outdated motors represent an integral part of Cuban folklore as taxis.
The museum, located in Old Havana is fully dedicated to these pieces of Cuban History and culture. Limos, roadsters, official cars of Che Guevara… outdated motors stand next to horse carriages, first tractors to trace back the whole history of transports of the island.
Museo Farmacia Taquechel
Taquechel Pharmacy Museum is located in Old Havana is the oldest pharmacy in Havana, showing apothecary’s jars, measuring pots, French porcelain bocals, a solar microscope, prescription books… reminiscent of the past and the traditional cures and homeopathic medications dating back to more than 100 years ago. It was turned into a museum in 1996, but still sells Cuban made natural remedies and other drugs.
Famous authors and traveler, Ernest Hemingway arrived in Cuba in 1932 to attend a fishing contest. He immediately fell in love with the island and seven years later, in 1939, bought a colonial house called “La Finca Vigia”, located East of Havana. He will live there for twenty-two year withs his wife Mary Welsh. There, Hemingway wrote two of his most famous novels: “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “The Old Man and the Sea”. After his death, his wife will give the house to the Cuban government which turned it into a museum. The house is exactly as it was when the E. Hemingway was living in it, featuring hunting trophies and his typewriter.
Guanabacoa is Havana’s historical district where were living African slaves. The museum traces the history of this neighborhood and shows many documents related to “La Santeria”, a mysterious Afro-Cuban religion. From the singularity of its rituals, divination and dances, to its specific art and mythology.
Situated in the Tuscan palace known as “Villa Fiorentina”, the museum exhibits the biggest collection of objects related to Napoleon of the American continent, featuring paintings, porcelains, sculptures, coins…
Eating out in Havana is on the rise. Traditional Cuban food still dominates, but ‘paladars’ (small family-run private-owned restaurant) are becoming more catchy and innovative. The best state restaurants and highest quality ‘paladars’ are in Vedado and Miramar. They are still city’s finest dining. Cafés are offering the same concept a good alternative to traditional restaurants, serving meals as much as drinks and snacks.
All around the city are different kind of budget, mid-range and ‘hype’ restaurants: Budget venues are easy to find. You will recognize them by the planks listing items and prices hung out of a window or a storefront, serving an espresso for 1 CUP, sandwiches costs between 5 and 15 CUP, a pizza about 10 CUP. In small street booths, you can get ‘bocadito’ (small ham sandwiches) or a ‘cajita’ (small meal in a box) for less than 20 pesos (US$0.80). You can find full set menus (starter or salad, soup, main dish, dessert and a national beverage) for very cheap, around 6 to 10CUC. Almost all restaurants inside five-star hotels charge excessive amounts of money for mediocre food and service.
You can try:
‘Terminal de Omnibus’, by the Plaza de la Revolución (budget)
‘Coppelia Ice Cream Parlour’, a Cuban institution opposite the Habana Libre. (budget)
‘El Aljibe’, In Miramar. Try the house specialty, chicken in sour orange sauce along with a drink from its great wine cellar. (Mid-range)
‘La Casa’, Nuevo Vedado, is a large typical 1950’s house featuring a quiet and intimate garden and an uncommonly good service in Cuba. (mid-range)
‘Paladar La Tasquita’, Calle 27 de Noviembre, near San Lazaro. This paladar proposes typical ‘criolla’ and Cuban food as local families prepare it. Very traditional, you will be dining in the living room of a local family. (mid-range)
‘Paladar Vistamar’, Calle 1 in Miramar offers a great ambience and very fair prices. Excellent and qualitative sea-food and an assortment of beef dishes (rare for Cuba) and a great wine list. (mid-range)
‘Bavaria’, in Chinatown, is serving pizzas and spaghetti in a Chinese décor. (mid-range)
‘La Fontana Restaurant’, is one of the most famous grill restaurants in Cuba and offers a great variety of Cuban dishes. Its specials are octopus grilled over charcoal with pesto, or choose sea snail in garlic and aged rum. (top restaurant)
In Havana, a ‘bar’ is not just a place to sit at the counter and drink, but a clever mix of bar, café, snack and music venue. If you are up for a bar crawl, be ready for some real fun and entertainment.
It can involve some walking or the use of taxis as there is no specific bar area where all of them are located in a small perimeter. “Calle Obispo” and “Habana Vieja”, mostly “Plaza de la Catedral”, offer the best concentration of drinking, dancing and music places. In “Vedado”, you can check for bars and theater, or simply start from ‘Habana Libre Hotel’, from the ‘Riviera Hotel’. “La Rampa” is also a good catch for after midnight fun.
Havana’s nightlife is coming from all street corners all over the city and unusual and hidden places such as clubs in basements, dancing in courtyards, and rooftop music venues. There is no single nightlife area or district, and while every piece of entertainment being spread all around the city, it is better to plan your night out. Fliers are your best allies to find out who is playing, and where. You will find them at Infotur offices and in hotel lobbies.
However, while thinking of spending your night out you will find all around the city famous to enjoy fantastic moments of entertainment and fun in one of Havana’s historic bars, jazz cafes or trendy nightclubs.
You can find two different types of bar establishment in Havana.
‘Western-style bars’ proposing a wide selection drinks and cocktails of good quality at ‘western prices’. They are located in tourist districts such as Old Havana and Vedado. Mostly for expats and other tourists, don’t expect a local experience.
Second option is a ‘local neighborhood bar’. Quality drinks but limited choice, mainly locally produced rum by the bottle or local beer, rarely cocktails. Local bars accept CUPs and are cheaper, but bar keepers will often ask you for CUCs. These bars are the best way to meet Cubans and experience ‘the local way’ if you make the effort to speak Spanish. Compared to tourist places, these bars are pretty quiet and the only music around is played through a stereo system.
‘La Bodeguita del Medio’, is Havana’s most famed bar. Celebrated for its ‘Mojitos’ and for being a first choice hangout of Hemingway. Many other famous people visited the bar and all of them left an autograph on a walls, check the ones of Fidel Castro or Salvador Allende for example. Packed with tourists during the day, the place is much more agreeable in the evenings.
‘El Floridita’, Located on “Calle Obispo” is another of Hemingway’s favorite bar. The atmosphere did not change much and you will think you are back in a pre-revolution time. Test there the ‘El Floridita Special’, the Daiquiris, cocktail which was invented in this bar by bartender Constante Ribalaigua, or a variant of the famous cocktail created to honor Hemingway, the ‘Papa Hemingway Special’ (a grapefruit-flavored daiquiri).
‘La Factoria Plaza Vieja’, is a brewery located “Plaza Vieja”. Drink some refreshing homemade beer inside in the beer hall or outside siting on wooden benches where there is a grill.
If you are not much a bar person, the alternative is to hang out on “El Malecón” with a bottle of rum and mix up with the crowds
‘Tropicana nightclub’, is an institution in Havana since 1939 and its inauguration. Open air cabaret hasn’t changed much since its glorious days. You will be amazed by its wonderful Vegas-like shows of barely dressed women descending from palm trees to dance salsa.
‘Casa de la Musica de Centro Habana’, is the most popular nightclub and live music venues, and the best place to dance Salsa. Different ‘top bands’ from Bamboleo to Los Van Van and many others are playing most evenings. Check the program before as price varies depending on the band. There are two “Casas de la Musica”, one in “Centro Habana” with little space, a second one, said to be better in Miramar.
‘El Museo del Ron’, offers a very nice show “Buena Vista”.
‘La Zorra y el Cuervo’, located on « La Rampa », is a very famous jazz club. The entry is a red English phone-box which lead you in a basement below street level. The atmosphere is definitely different, it is mostly playing great live jazz music has hosted big names as Chucho Valdés and George Benson.
‘La Tropical’, is a concert hall with a holding capacity of several thousand people, and only propose live music. Event are advertised with many signs in the streets.
‘Hotel Nacional’, in its “Salon de la Historia” offers incredible cocktails and often hosts big events featuring famous stars. You can attend the concerts or simply sip your drinks watching at the pictures of the celebrities who have visited the hotel over the years.
‘Café Taberna’, one of the oldest drinking place in Havana was founded in 1772. More renowned for its cocktails and stunning bar than it is for its food. The music starts around 8pm.
‘Piano Bar Delirio Habanero’, is located in the “Teatro Nacional de Cuba”. In this lounge atmosphere, sit on the mellow red couches and take a look at the “Plaza de la Revolución” while listening young artists playing smooth jazz.
‘Jazz Café’, is in the evening a quiet jazz dinner club serving very good food, before, later in the night, playing much more swingy rhythm of jazz and salsa. It is uncommonly located in a shopping mall overlooking “El Malecón”.
‘El Hurón Azul’, is the rendezvous point of the artists, the social club of the “Union de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba” (Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba). The performances mostly take place in the garden, Afro-Cuban rumba, Cuban boleros and jazz.
‘Habana Café’, is a trendy club located in the Hotel Meliá Cohiba, proposing cabaret shows before turning into a ‘real club playing mainly international music.
Opposed to many capital cities in the world, Havana is not centered on a ‘shopping district’. Most of the products sold in shops will be Cuba nationals such as rum, cigars, coffee, art and craft. Even if new boutiques and malls are opening around the city, your best shot for shopping will remain “Habana Vieja” or “Calle Obispo”. Located in Desamparados, Havana’s open air handcraft market is as much popular for tourists as it is for locals. It will provide you with souvenirs such as art, woodwork, jewelry, shirts and anything that can feature the Che. Regarding stores in town, your best chance will be general retail stores, as small shops only offer empty shelves or a very limited choice.
Most of these shops are open from Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 6pm and very few of them are opened after 6pm or on Sunday
The city is very secure. Don’t be surprised by the number of police officers in Havana, they are mainly here to deter the touts (jineteros), so you don’t have to be afraid of being accosted in the daytime.
If hustlers (jinteros) offering to show you a place to eat or offering a tour of the city, walk away and continue walking away.
In local restaurants; there can be ‘tourist price menus’, so ask menu or prices before ordering anything.
If you’re male, expect to be accosted by prostitutes.
At night, avoid the dark streets of Centro Habana. This part of town is totally safe in the daytime, however it is best not go there at night. Stay on places where there are lights and more people, such as “El Malecón”,
Follow usual precautions regarding your wallet, passport, phone, camera…

domain: travel


text:
Check out these great Kindle deals–all under $1.
Act fast as these deals are only temporary.
Old Story New: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God by Marty Machowski
The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness by Kevin DeYoung
An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture by Dr. Andrew Davis
The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept by Mark Dever
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever
Anxious for Nothing: God’s Cure for the Cares of Your Soul by John MacArthur
Alone With God: Rediscovering the Power and Passion of Prayer byJohn MacArthur
The Work of Christ: What the Events of Jesus’ Life Mean for Youby R. C. Sproul

domain: library


text:
News by Topic
- Search Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Loyalty Marketing
- Mobile Marketing
- Social Marketing
- Viral Marketing
- Trends & Ideas
- Internet Marketing 101
Post-launch survey reveals % of Blackberry, Android users yearning for an iPhone 5
Over half of Blackberry users and a third of Android users want to get their hands on the new Apple iPhone, according to post-launch research carried out by Toluna QuickSurveys.
According to the Toluna QuickSurvey's poll of 2,000 U.S. consumers, carried out in the wake of Apple's latest product launch, a third of Americans want to own the new iPhone 5.
Not surprisingly, significant numbers of Blackberry users (56%) now want to ditch their increasingly outmoded devices and get connected with better technology. However, a sizeable chunk of Android users (32%) also expressed their wish to switch.
Over half of those polled said they were "extremely satisfied" with the new model iPhone. So what has turned users of other mobile phone models on most of all? According to Toluna QuickSurveys' poll, reported by TheNextWeb, it's the extended battery life that consumers like the most. The iPhone 5's looks also impressed 58%.
There remains the loyal core of Android users and they number more than potential defectors. Thirty-three percent said they would definitely not switch to an iPhone.
Commenting on the survey results, TheNextWeb's Emil Protalinski says, "At the end of the day though, it looks like the iPhone 5 release will keep the status quo: Android is dominating, iOS is doing very well in second place, and BlackBerry is losing share like there's no tomorrow."
- Study: Live TV still trumps time-shifted
- Brands: How to make the most of ad placement
- Avoidance a big reason for blocking calls
- App Annie: App stores' revenue gap closing
- Marin study reveals the effect of integrating search and social campaigns
- Reports: Ad spend up on Bing, consumers still heavy on Google
- Study IDs disconnect between brands, consumers
- Consumers trust doctors and government with personal data more than they do advertisers
Featured White Papers
- Marketing Automation Simplified : The Small Guide to Big Ideas
Marketers are increasingly enhancing their understanding of how data can fuel the delivery of meaningful interactions. This access to vast...
- Is your web site creating sales tax risk?
Answer 3 questions to learn....
- How to Properly Structure Your Social Program for Success
Most big brands structure their social program around business goals, however, sometimes there is a disconnect between the goals and...
- Email Device Report 2014: How Are Your Customers Viewing Email?
The Q4 2013 findings reveal that consumers are rapidly moving from desktops to mobile devices when it comes to opening...

domain: news


text:
Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez shared plans on Thursday Released 5,000 Ethereum NFTs later this year..Miami is affiliated time Magazine publishers TimeUSA, Mastercard and Salesforce do just that.
The NFTUnique ownership blockchain tokens are designed by 56 different Miami artists who “represent an area of 56 square miles of the city.” City press release..
Time USA helped define the city’s NFT strategy and execute the project, and Mastercard provided Miami NFT holders with special benefits such as access to special events at restaurants and private cultural tours in the city. increase.
Salesforce manages the NFT creation and key sales process using the new NFT cloud platform, an unreleased Salesforce product that enables brands to create and sell NFTs.
Keith Grossman, President of TIME, who also participates in Salesforce‘■ Web3 Advisory Board, Decryption Miami’s NFT project is time‘s First advance to help other entities deploy NFT projects— And hinted that more might come soon..
He said the Miami NFT aims to give owners the ability to unleash a unique experience.
“The artwork reflects the tremendous variety expressed in Miami,” Grossman added.
Like President El Salvador Nayib Bukele— Passion for Bitcoin is unwavering —Mayor Suarez It seems that some crypto companies have dismissed their staff and are still in the current crypto bear market, where they have filed for bankruptcy.
“We will continue to adopt these new technologies to attract new businesses while supporting existing ones,” Suarez said in a statement about cryptography and NFTs.
Suarez office has not responded yet DecryptionRequest for comment.
Miami’s Ethereum NFT, which will launch in December after Ethereum moves to Proof of Stake, is not the city’s first cryptocurrency entry. Web3.. Suarez launched MiamiCoin (MIA) in August last year, an altcoin that the city can put in a wallet and buy by others.
It generated about $ 8 million According to CoinMarketCap data, the city’s revenues increased in just two months, but are now down 98.9% from record highs.
Since then, Miami has locked up or bet on most of the MIA, Bitcoin yieldAnd shared plans to return an unspecified amount of the above yields to Miami residents.
From altcoin to NFTs, Miami doesn’t seem to give up cryptocurrencies right away.
Stay on top of crypto news and get daily updates in your inbox.

domain: finance


Customer Reviews: HVAC Services and HVAC Preventative Maintenance
At BIM Heating and Cooling, we take pride in providing the best possible HVAC services to our customers. Here are some reviews from our satisfied customers:
“Great Service and Very Professional”
“I’ve used BIM Heating and Cooling for both my residential and commercial properties, and I couldn’t be happier with the service. They are always on time, very professional, and they go above and beyond to make sure everything is working properly. I highly recommend them for any HVAC needs!” – John D.
“Dependable and Knowledgeable”
“I have used BIM Heating and Cooling for several years now for my HVAC preventative maintenance, and I have always been impressed with their work. They are dependable, knowledgeable, and always provide me with an honest assessment of my system. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of HVAC services.” – Mary S.
“Great Experience with BIM”
“I have used BIM Heating and Cooling for HVAC preventative maintenance and also for a new installation in my home. Both experiences were great. They were professional, timely, and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend them for all your HVAC needs!” – Bob R.
“I recently had BIM Heating and Cooling out to repair my air conditioner and they did an excellent job. The technician was very knowledgeable and was able to fix the problem quickly. The service was top-notch and the price was very reasonable. I would definitely use them again!” – Sarah L.
“BIM Heating and Cooling is an excellent company. They are very responsive and always provide great service. They recently installed a new furnace in my home and the whole process was seamless. I highly recommend them for any HVAC needs!” – Mark H.
“I have used BIM Heating and Cooling for both my residential and commercial properties, and they always provide great communication throughout the process. They are very knowledgeable and professional, and I always feel confident that my HVAC needs are in good hands with them. Highly recommend!” – Lisa T.
If you want to experience the same level of service that our satisfied customers have, contact us at (540) 370-7887 or email@example.com to schedule your HVAC preventative maintenance or any other HVAC service today.
My aging mom's AC stopped working last weekend. Even though it was past hours, I was able to get a hold of BIM. Their emergency service is an absolute LIFESAVER, her AC was fixed the SAME DAY.
BIM is a fantastic HVAC repair company! Max and his team provided exceptional service when I needed my AC fixed. They were prompt, professional, and I'm thrilled with the results.
BIM Heating and Cooling is an exceptional HVAC company! Their AC repair service is top-notch, and the technicians were knowledgeable and efficient. Max, the company owner, was extremely polite and made sure the job was done to my satisfaction. I couldn't be happier with their service!
I had an outstanding experience with BIM when I needed local AC repair. Max and his team were punctual, professional, and completed the job quickly.
On time, professional service, competitive pricing!


text:
While Vancouver has enjoyed a sizeable increase in sales activity recently, it doesn’t appear to be a fuelled by an increase in Chinese capital outflows as it had previously in 2015/16. Recent analysis from BCA Research, the worlds leading provider of global macro research since 1949, shows Chinese capital outflows remain muted.
As we can see in the chart above, China’s foreign reserves remain stable and capital outflows have pulled back sharply from a few years ago.
Thus, it shouldn’t be surprising to see the high end luxury market continues to struggle in Greater Vancouver. In fact, the high end market has been completely exempt from the supposed ongoing recovery in the Vancouver housing market.
As of September, there is 29 months of inventory for sale across Greater Vancouver for homes priced $3M and up. For context, anything above six months is considered a buyers market.
The current 29 months of inventory for sale continues to put downwards pressure on the luxury market, and remains miles away from the cycle lows of 3.6 months of inventory set back in March 2016.

domain: geography


text:
5 edition of The Freedom of the Streets found in the catalog.
April 6, 2005
by The University of North Carolina Press
Written in English
|The Physical Object|
|Number of Pages||408|
I look upon the history of men, which I have learned from the books, and I wonder. It was a long story, and the spirit which moved it was the spirit of man’s freedom. But what is freedom? Freedom from what? There is nothing to take a man’s freedom away from him, save other men. To be free, a man must be free of his brothers. That is freedom. “Now we walk along the same street, in red pairs, and no man shouts obscenities at us, speaks to us, touches us. No one whistles. There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to.
Save money on top-selling novels, college textbooks, and children's books all in gently used condition. Liberty Books has become a staple bookstore in Lawrenceville, GA by serving the local area and providing an unmatched inventory of used books for fair prices. Come visit us today! Ken Follett burst into the book world with Eye of the Needle, an award-winning thriller and international several more successful thrillers, he surprised everyone with The Pillars of the Earth and its long-awaited sequel, World Without End, a national and international t’s new, magnificent historical epic, the Century Trilogy, includes the bestselling Fall /5().
Freedom Writers: Express Yourself OBJECTIVES Steps for Youth to Take with the Freedom Writers: Express Yourself Program Step 1) SEE THE FILM AND READ THE BOOK THE MOVIE: Freedom Writers, a Paramount Pictures and MTV Movies film, opens in theaters on January 5, Youth may also see the movie when it becomesFile Size: KB. ISBN: OCLC Number: Description: xiii, pages: illustrations, maps ; 25 cm. Contents: Introduction: the Belva Lockwood club --Women in the city: law, reputation, and geography --Women's citizenship and the problem of employment --A place in the city: the working woman's lend a hand club --Lives without choices: .
The design and implementation of an educational timesharing system for the PDP-11.
Basic concepts of human life
life of metrical and free verse in twentieth-century poetry
A voyage towards the South Pole, performed in the years 1822-24
The bargain bride
Optimisation of attenuation correction for PET brain activation studies
Customary marriage and divorce in selected areas of Papua New Guinea
Dynamic models in physics
Collected cat stories
new look at ecotones
Western Atlantic scorpionfishes
The Freedom of the Streets: Work, Citizenship, and Sexual and millions of other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more The Freedom of the Streets: Work, Citizenship, and Sexuality in a Gilded Age City (Gender and American Culture) 1st EditionCited by: Start by marking “The Freedom Of The Streets: Work, Citizenship, And Sexuality In A Gilded Age City” as Want to Read:4/5.
The Freedom of the Streets Work, Citizenship, and Sexuality in a Gilded Age City By Sharon E. Wood. --The freedom of the street --The right to get drunk --The private inferiority of the worker --Great men of the gutter --Fascism in men of goodwill --Reaction among the rentiers --The bursting of the nation --The judgment of the vulgar --Talents in touch.
Responsibility: Jack Common. The Freedom of the Streets: Work, Citizenship, and Sexuality in a Gilded Age City. Buy a cheap copy of Freedom Street book by Barbara Whitnell. This novel by the author of "The Ring of Bells", "The Song of the Rainbird" and "The Salt Rakers", is set in the time of the Huguenot persecutions, and tells The Freedom of the Streets book Free shipping over $ The Freedom Book by James Coyle is a groundbreaking and inspiring book.
I found the formula for success in every aspect of life, from job, to finances, to my personal life, and much more. Just make sure you are ready enough to get the scissors out to remove the barriers that hold you back!/5(4).
Freedom Street book. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers/5(7). Investigating how women navigated the streets of global cities in the past. Throughout history and across cultures, women are seen as destined for the home instead of the street.
At the same time, in historic cities worldwide women ventured out regularly to shop, work, pray, and play. “Freedom had a price” (Satrapi ) is the last sentence of the book. During Marjane’s childhood in Iran, her uncle and father’s friends sought freedom, and the price they paid was their lives.
Marjane moves to Vienna, and the emptiness and loneliness are her four-year freedom price. In Turnstile Press published Common's best-known book, the autobiographical Kiddar's Luck, in which he vividly describes his childhood on the streets of Edwardian Tyneside, as seen through the lens of his adult socialism.
There are four chapters on his life before five years old – a feat of detailed memory – while his mother's alcoholism and the overbearing father whom Jack at length dramatically defies, Nationality: British. Acceptable. The Freedom of the Streets: Work, Citizenship, and Sexuality in a Gilded Age.
Binding: Paperback. Weight: Lbs. Product Group: Book. Istextbook: Yes. A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text.4/5(39).
Recorded on December 3,The Freedom Book is a near perfect set of modern hard bop, ranging just far enough out there to feel fresh but retaining a strong lifeline to bop tradition.
Highlights of the session include an impressive Ervin original, 9/ Personal freedom is defined as the freedom of one individual from domination by another individual and the freedom to do as one wants within the limits of the other person's freedom.
If your actions infringe on another person's personal freedom, then you have gone beyond the limits of your own personal freedom. Robyn Travis - Freedom From the Streets Book Now Following two sold out shows, Robyn Travis returns to Hackney Empire to launch the final chapter of his trilogy of books “Freedom From The Streets”.
Bébio Amaro. Bébio is a Doctor of Engineering, specializing in the architectural, urban and territorial history of Japanese port towns during the 16th and 17th centuries. Other interests include exchanges between Europeans and Asians during this period, as well as Medieval art. As an affiliated researcher Bébio contributes to the Edo project.
Finally my art work is published as part of one of the well written and documented graffiti books "Walls of Freedom: Street Art of the Egyptian Revolution". every one now will know more about Gika, Eissa, AboObaida and a lot of other martyrs stories.
finally i can feel how important my work is and how I can change the whole world with some spray cans and share it with every one around. In his latest novel, Jonathan Franzen returns to fiction with a comic and tragic epic of contemporary love and marriage.
Freedom captures the temptations and burdens of liberty: the thrills of teenage lust, the shaken compromises of middle age, the wages of suburban sprawl, the responsibility of privilege.
Charting the characters' mistakes and joys as they struggle to learn how to live in an. Freedom of the press—the right to report news or circulate opinion without censorship from the government—was considered “one of the great bulwarks of. Search the world's most comprehensive index of full-text books.
My library. This book is a must read for everyone and anyone affected by the knife crime or losing someone to the prison system or worse.
Robyn Travis takes us on a journey through chaos dysfunctionalism and street mentality conveyed in raw rich urban edly I did find the first pages frustrating as it seemed Like a repetitive cycle of second chances ignored then came the /5().
In the s, some years after the publication of her book On Revolution, Hannah Arendt lived in a world of revolutionary events, to which she was particularly events included the expulsion of Krushchev in the Soviet Union; the construction of the Berlin Wall dividing Germany into two states; the Cuban missile crisis; the so-called “Quiet Revolution” in Canada, nationalistic.Book Summary.
Freedom comically and tragically captures the temptations and burdens of liberty: the thrills of teenage lust, the shaken compromises of middle age, the wages of suburban sprawl, the heavy weight of empire. An indelible and deeply moving portrait of our time.

domain: literature


text:
It's Saint David's Day! Dewi Sant is the patron saint of Wales and the Welsh celebrate his feast day as national day.
So, pin on a daffodil and make some leek soup or cawl, and curl up with one of these books...
The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats. In 1293, the king offers a good deal to any English who will move to Wales to help keep the land conquered. Cecily's father takes him up on the offer and she's stuck in a strange and backwards land with Gwenhwyfar, an bitter servant who, like most Welsh, is struggling to survive.
Warrior Princess by Frewin Jones. After her brother is killed by marauding Saxons, Branwen is sent to Prince Llew to live like a princess and be kept safe. But Branwen has warrior's blood and it has been prophesied that she is the one who will lead her people against the Saxons. The first in a series, follow it with Destiny's Path.
The Wish House by Celia Rees. In 1976, Richard is on vacation in South Wales when he befriends a local artist family. He gets involved with the daughter but as he gets closer and closer, he discovers the dark and horrible secrets this family keeps.
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde. It's a world where magic exists, but is dying and doesn't have much use anymore. But, Big Magic is coming. Will it save them, or destroy them all? This is Fforde's (who is Welsh) first foray into youth literature. It's a great one for younger teens. Older teens will want to check out his adult stuff.
The Poems of Dylan Thomas by Dylan Thomas, edited by Daniel Jones. Thomas is another one of those authors that I had to read in school and ended up loving. This collection of his work comes with a CD of Thomas reading some of his work.
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander. The classic fantasy series, Chronicles of Prydian is about an assistant pig-keeper and his journey to be something more, and draws greatly from Welsh mythology. The second book is The Black Cauldron.
The Grey King by Susan Cooper. The entire Dark is Rising sequence is steeped in English and Welsh mythology. This volume takes place in Wales and captures both the modern and and ancient mythological side of the country. You may want to start at the beginning with Over Sea, Under Stone.
The Hiding Place by Trezza Azzopardi. The youngest of six daughters, Dolores watches as her father loses everything to the Maltesean mafia. Set in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, the narrative shifts from Delores's childhood to her return as an adult as she tries to make sense of her family's horrors. Published for adults, teens with enjoy this.
The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar and Six More by Roald Dahl. Like I was going to cover Wales and not mention Dahl? HA! This collection of short stories scales older than the childhood classics, but not as old as his more provocative adult work.
Now, tell me, who am I missing? Surely there are more contemporary Welsh authors? Anything set in contemporary Wales? Help me out!
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support YA Reading List by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links.


text:
In the case of the merchant of venice, there were probably a large number of financial meetings because the film received support from a number of backers in addition to a complex. In venice, antonio and bassanio approach shylock, a jewish moneylender, for a loan shylock nurses a long-standing grudge against antonio, who has made a habit of berating shylock and other jews for their usury, the practice of loaning money at exorbitant rates of interest, and who undermines their business by offering interest-free loans. A list of all the characters in the merchant of venice the the merchant of venice characters covered include: shylock, portia, antonio, bassanio, gratiano, jessica, lorenzo, nerissa, launcelot gobbo, the prince of morocco, the prince of arragon, salarino, solanio, the duke of venice, old gobbo, tubal, doctor bellario, balthasar. In the sixteenth century, there was a great intolerance against jews in 1596, in the liberal venice, bassanio asks for a large amount to his friend, the merchant antonio, to travel to belmont and propose the gorgeous portia.
It is a risky business to film such a lavish production of the merchant of venice it could be a stodgy, wooden, period piece, or it could be laughable for its excesses. The merchant of venice is a 2004 romantic drama film based on shakespeare's play of the same nameit is the first full-length sound film in english of shakespeare's play—other versions are videotaped productions which were made for television, including john sichel's 1973 version and jack gold's 1980 bbc production. Antonio, a leading merchant of venice, is a wealthy, respected, and popular man among his many friends is a young man named bassanio, who owes antonio a good deal of money bassanio would like to repay his friend, but so far he has been unable to do so however, he now feels that he may have found.
A teacher's guide to the signet classics edition of william shakespeare's the merchant of venice by wendy p cope woodstock middle school, cherokee county. The merchant of venice isn't as sexy as some of shakespeare's other comedies, but there are lots of dirty jokes there are almost always weddings in shakespeare's comedies, and weddings are followe. The merchant of venice is a 16th-century play written by william shakespeare in which a merchant in venice must default on a large loan provided by a jewish moneylender it is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599.
The merchant of venice opens on a street in venice (there are streets and not just canals in venice—who knew) where antonio, a venetian merchant, complains of a sadness he can't quite explain his friends suggest they'd be sad too if they had as much merchandise to worry about as antonio. Merchant of venice film analysis english 101-210 final draft battle of the directors the merchant of venice, also known as the jew of venice is a drama play originally written by william shakespeare in 1598. The film features a magnificent performance by al pacino in the role of shylock amazing cinematography, sets, overall design, and costumes, serve to transport the viewer to 16th-century venice also stars jeremy irons and joseph finnes. Merchant of venice study guide contains a biography of william shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
One of william shakespeare's most powerful comedies has been given a bold cinematic adaptation in this film version of the merchant of venice bassanio (joseph fiennes) is a young and vital member. A shylock character analysis can tell us a lot about the merchant of venice shylock, the jewish moneylender is the villain of the play and the audience response depends on how he is portrayed in performance an actor will hopefully be able to extract sympathy for shylock from the audience. Merchant of venice william shakespeare merchant of venice literature essays are academic essays for citation these papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of merchant of venice. English 101-210 final draft battle of the directors the merchant of venice, also known as the jew of venice is a drama play originally written by william shakespeare in 1598.
The merchant of venice long essay - question 4 the merchant of venice is one of shakespeare's greats, part of the reason why it is regarded so highly, which includes the way it can be interpreted as an extremely complex play, is the way in which the characters interact and their personalities which evolve into incredibly detailed, three. About shakespeare's life and his story the merchant of venice themes and symbols - duration: 8:01 ameen haj 9,828 views.
Merchant of venice summary supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Merchant of venice film analysis essay battle of the directors the merchant of venice , also known as the jew of venice is a drama play originally written by william shakespeare in 1598. Thinking to read the merchant of venice one more time, i took down the volume of shakespeare's tragedies, only to be reminded that this dark and troubling play is classified with his comedies its two natures come from different spheres sunny scenes of romance alternate with sadness, desperation and guile.
Analysis of the merchant of venice essay 513 words | 3 pages analysis of the merchant of venice william shakespeare's play the merchant of venice is based on a simple enough plot, but it gives a more complex view of the characters involved. In the merchant of venice, bassanio has some financial troubles his friend borrows money from shylock, a jewish moneylender, but is imprisoned when he can't pay his debt at the end of the play. The merchant of venice: film vs script essay 851 words oct 22nd, 2012 4 pages by tracing back the early roles of shylock done in the elizabethan stage, we are able to appreciate the complexity of shakespear's character, shylock, and how he has the greatest impact than any other character.

domain: artistic


- Special Sections
- Public Notices
Shelby County now has an idea of what it will be like in the next two decades.
The Triple S Planning and Zoning Commission approved Tuesday the 2010- 2030 Shelby County Comprehensive Plan Statement of Goals and Objectives -- with one exception.
A public hearing on the proposed goals and objectives was held on May 26, and the commission was able to sort through the comments since then.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Sentinel-News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.


text:
Zones within C3AFA are available for sponsorships, giving brand visibility and recall for your company with our captive audience of young and upwardly-mobile fans!
Flagship activities within C3AFA are also available for programme partnerships, providing a platform for you and your brand to reach a dynamic new audience.
A cosplay competition featuring a walk-off and Q&A portion.
Fans go around the booths doing activities and collecting stamps in exchange for prizes.
Two artists battle head to head in a live-drawing competition.
Other competitions can be tailored to suit your needs!

domain: entertainment


text:
By Claire Walla
Moments before an “urgent” meeting took place at Stella Maris Regional School last Tuesday at 7 p.m., parents and teachers were informed that the school’s principal, Jane FitzGerald Peters had resigned. They soon learned the school is facing what the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which overseas the Catholic school, estimates to be a $480,000 deficit, which will need to be addressed in order for the school to remain in operation for the 2011-12 school year.
“I think the parents and the teachers are feeling blindsided — absolutely blindsided,” said parent Suzanne Wilutis, one of three school board members who resigned last week in the wake of last week’s announcement.
According to Sean Dolan, a media spokesperson for the Diocese in Rockville Center, Stella Maris owes about $300,000 to the Diocese for insurance costs, though this debt “is being put on hold” while the school works to pay off the rest of what it owes. Dolan said the school has racked up about $180,000 in deficit spending, which he attributes in large part to low enrollment numbers this year. Last year, there were 222 students at the school — currently there are 187 in grades nursery through eighth.
“A 16-percent decline in enrollment in one year, that’s a problem, no doubt about it,” Dolan said. ”I’ve [also] heard that there have been uncollected [monies] for various reasons,” including tuition.
“It’s nothing new,” he continued, adding that this is an issue all schools in the Diocese have had to deal with. But for a school with such low enrollment numbers, every student counts, he added.
The Diocese itself will give the school $90,000 both this year and next to help balance the school’s budget. He said Stella Maris parents have already raised $50,000 of what board member Reverend Michael J. Reider called “financial promises,” which — with the Diocese’s financial contribution this year — would bring the total amount parents must raise to $40,000 by August 31 if the school is to open next fall.
“So you’re getting there, but there are still next year’s problems,” Dolan continued. “The future of the school is on the line.”
The Diocese has appealed to Stella Maris parents to raise the funds to keep the school in operation. But for some, the solution is not that clear-cut.
“There are a lot of misstatements,” said parent Jennifer Fowkes. ”The Diocese is putting the onus on the parents. But the situation that we’re in is because of mismanagement. It’s not because of the economy, or declining enrollment.”
This week, the Diocese laid-out an austerity budget for next year to address the issue of the school’s decreased funds. In addition to combining the fifth and sixth grades, as well as the seventh and eighth grades, the Diocese will require the school to keep its total enrollment at or above 102.
“This could have been avoided if there had been greater fiscal discipline on the part of the administration and greater oversight on the part of the school board,” added Wilutis, who had just joined the board this past January. “The parents and the faculty did not learn about the debt until last Tuesday. I do not know why they weren’t informed earlier.”
While Dolan said “the financial condition of the school was known by the Diocese,” he said he couldn’t speak to why parents weren’t informed of the school’s finances at an earlier date.
“I don’t have information to refute or dispute that,” he stated.
Dolan explained that Stella Maris is operated on a regional level, which means that the Diocese is only responsible for overseeing and guiding the school’s academic principals; all financial decisions are made by the principal — who oversees both the school’s academics and finances — as well as the school board, which, as of last week, has been reduced to its four executive members, each a priest from one of the school’s five neighboring parishes in Sag Harbor, Montauk, Shelter Island, East Hampton and Bridgehampton. (Members of the public are not privy to the board’s financial information.)
Board member Father Peter Devaraj of St. Andrews Church in Sag Harbor did not return repeated phone calls seeking comment, and Father Don Hanson of Most Holy Trinity (MHT) in East Hampton referred all calls to Dolan at the Diocese. (As did Principal Peters.)
“The Diocese is not in a position to bail-out the school,” Dolan explained. “Ultimately, parents will need to work together. There have been personal differences,” he noted, but if the school is to continue, “parents need to set aside their differences.”
Keeping the School Open
Over the years, Sag Harbor’s Diane Bucking said she and her husband, Phil, have twice considered taking their daughters out of Stella Maris for various reasons.
“As a parent, you have to decide whether or not your child is in the right spot,” she said.
But both times, Bucking said they decided to stay put.
“What brought us back was the caring that you feel when you’re in the hallway,” she explained. ”The school really has a family feel.”
Her daughter, Katie, a seventh grader at the school, said she couldn’t imagine leaving.
“I had the option of switching last year, but I never even considered it,” she said. “I just want to graduate from Stella Maris.”
While some parents have already made the decision to transfer to other schools, others are weighing their options as the school’s future remains in limbo.
Parent Sharon Lynch said her seventh grade daughter, Sarah-Kate, will go to public school “if Stella Maris ceases to exist as is.”
However, she hopes it doesn’t come to that.
“Obviously, it’s wishful thinking,” she added. “But I would think the Diocese would want [the school to stay open].”
Lynch added that she suspects many parents will send their kids to public school should Stella Maris close, simply because the closest Catholic school, Our Lady of the Hamptons (OLH) in Southampton, may be too far away for some families.
“It really comes down to bodies,” Lynch added. ”We just need kids.”
“We, the Buckings, are moving forward on the assumption that Stella Maris will be open next year,” Diane Bucking continued. “For us, because eighth grade at OLH is not an option, our focus is keeping the school open.”
“The parents all want the school to succeed,” Fowkes said. “But it’s not fair [to ask the parents for more money] because we’ve all paid our tuition and done an amazing amount of fundraising.”
Both Fowkes and Wilutis agree that Stella Maris can and should survive this challenge.
But it will take some change.
Wilutis continued, “A first and crucial step will be to establish leadership — in the administration and the school board — that will regain the confidence of the parents in the school community.”

domain: sociology


Emma Dabiri’s hidden histories: The Harder They Fall
"The film doesn’t engage with one of the main drivers behind the violence," writes Emma Dabiri
The recent Netflix movie The Harder They Fall – a black western, a rarity in the genre – tells a story featuring real-life characters including Rufus Buck and Cherokee Bill. Westerns almost universally depict cowboys and outlaws as white men, yet historians estimate that about 25 per cent were in fact African-Americans – including some of the most accomplished.
Set in an almost entirely black context and starring black actors such as Idris Elba and LaKeith Stanfield, the film doesn’t show the mixed ethnicity of the historical figures behind the main characters – many of whom had mixed African, European and Native American ancestry – nor the multi-“racial” society in which they lived.
- Read more | From slave to real Lone Ranger? The incredible life of black Wild West lawman Bass Reeves
As such, the film doesn’t engage with one of the main drivers behind the violent rampage it references: the imminent absorption of Indian Territory into the ever-expanding US.
In the summer of 1895, in the Indian Territory that would shortly become the state of Oklahoma, a group of five teenage boys engaged in a two-week bout of robbery, rape and murder. Their leader, Rufus Buck, was – like most of the gang – of mixed African and Creek Indian heritage. Their attacks appalled local white settlers, Native Americans and African-American freedmen alike.
On the podcast: Historian Tony Warner discusses some of the real historical figures depicted in the Netflix western The Harder They Fall
Historians argue that the undoubtedly chilling and brutal violence wasn’t entirely random. By 1895, white people outnumbered Native Americans in Indian Territory, and the US government was rapidly absorbing that land for white settlement. Buck apparently harboured fantasies that his gang’s violence would incite a Native American uprising that would overrun the white settlers and eventually reclaim the whole territory. The author Leonce Gaiter, who has written extensively about Rufus Buck, says that “His dream was impossible, and he used the same violence to achieve it that he saw all around him.”
- Read more | How wild was the Wild West?
The real Cherokee Bill (given name Crawford Goldsby), another character in The Harder They Fall, was also of mixed ancestry. His father, from Alabama, was of mixed heritage, while his mother was a Cherokee Freedwoman (one of the African-Americans who had been enslaved by the Cherokee before and after the removal of those Native Americans to Indian Territory, and who were emancipated after the Civil War. Many, including Bill’s mother, were of mixed ancestry.)
After a troubled and unstable childhood that included spells in the notoriously abusive Indian Boarding Schools – which operated on the principle: “Kill the Indian to save the man” – Goldsby graduated to a life of robbery and violent crime. The number of people he killed is uncertain, but estimates range from 7 to 13.
More like this
Unlike in the movie, Rufus Buck and Cherokee Bill were never in the same gang, though they may have met at the Fort Smith Jail, just outside Indian Territory in Arkansas. They certainly met an almost identical fate: both were hanged for their crimes aged about 20.
Gaiter writes that situating these characters in an overwhelmingly black context “may serve the film’s purposes, but it strips Buck of his backstory. Ditto for removing him from Indian Territory. Most significantly, the movie omits Buck’s stated mission – the cleansing of whites from Indian Territory,” Gaiter adds. “He had lived his life there, and… was reportedly fascinated by
pulp pamphlet tales of black and Indian outlaws. The characters in these were ‘free’ to do as they pleased, and took no guff from anyone – critical to a youth attending a mission school that punished him for speaking his native Creek language. His very exposure to the white world drove Rufus Buck.”
Films are not documentaries, and their purpose is obviously not historical accuracy. And, though based only loosely on “truth”, the movie has undoubtedly introduced to a much wider audience a chapter of history that is little known and rarely spoken about.
This article was first published in the February 2022 issue of BBC History Magazine
Claim your summer book + FREE access to HistoryExtra.com when you subscribe to BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed


text:
Tanker Truck Sloshing Simulation Using Bi-Directionally Coupled CFD and Multi-Body Dynamics Solvers
In this work, the multi-disciplinary problem arising from fluid sloshing within a partially filled tanker truck undergoing lateral acceleration is investigated through the use of multiphysics coupling between a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver and a multi-body dynamics (MBD) solver. This application represents a challenging test case for simulation technology within the design of commercial vehicles and is intended to demonstrate a novel approach in the field of computer aided engineering. Computer aided engineering is playing a more predominant role in the design process for commercial and passenger vehicles. Better understanding of the real time loading and responses on a vehicle during intended or unintended use can result in improved design and reduced cost over traditional designs that relied heavily on assumed loads.

domain: design


text:
Last month, the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Multilingualism unanimously approved Resolution A/71/L.68, titled “The role of professional translation in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development.”
The Assembly affirmed that: “professional translation plays an important role in upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security” and declared 30 September – International Translation Day – to be celebrated across the entire UN network, welcoming the holding of the annual Saint Jerome Translation Contest to commemorate the day.
Resolution A/71/L.68 states that: “professional translation, including translation proper, interpretation and terminology, is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication” and recognizes “the practical contribution of language professionals to furthering the cause of the United Nations, including in the maintenance of peace and security, peacekeeping, the promotion of human rights, and operational activities for sustainable development.”
And the International Translation Day is to be celebrated in order to further raise awareness of the importance of the translation profession.
The ITD celebrations have been promoted by the International Federation of Translators (FIT) ever since its founding in 1953. Each year FIT decides on a theme and invites all of its member associations to join in celebrating on 30th September, on the feast of St. Jerome, best known for translating the Bible into Latin and considered the patron saint of translators.
This year, for the first time the European Commission and the European Union will also be observing and celebrating the International Translation Day in conjunction with the European Day of Languages (celebrated on 26th September, and proclaimed in 2001).
The official uniform recognition and celebration of one of the oldest professions is a step forward in the quest of the translation industry to bring people together and answer the ever increasing demand for international interaction and cooperation.
An important highlight of the resolution is the emphasis on the need to train a next generation of professional translators, interpreters and terminologists to play a critical role in international security and prosperity across the UN. And finally, the resolution paves the way for higher international standards within the frame of the profession, establishing better working conditions for linguists in generally and in particular focusing on the protection of translators and interpreters who work in high-risk settings, as conflict zones, for example.
We, at EVS Translations, see the recognition as an opportunity to commend the hard work of all professional linguists around the Globe.


WORLD half-marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru has been forced to pull out of this weekend's BUPA Great Manchester Run after failing to obtain a visa.
The Kenyan, who is based in Japan, has not been granted the necessary permission despite applying for his visa on April 15.
Wanjiru is yet another African athlete denied entry into the United Kingdom, a situation which could affect their participation at future major events such Glasgow's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
His absence will also deplete a strong elite field which, over a very fast course, has ambitions of beating Haile Gebrselassie's 2002 world 10 kilometres record of 27 minutes two seconds.
The Ethiopian, who set the record in December 2002, also holds the UK all-comers' record of 27mins 25secs which he posted when winning the Manchester title two years ago.
"It's frustrating to lose a star athlete through administrative procedures yet again - it's not as if Wanjiru applied just last week to come and run," said Matthew Turnbull, elite athletes director of the event.
Turnbull has had other recent problems in assisting competitors obtain visas for other events.
Uganda's Boniface Kiprop, the Commonwealth 10,000m champion, was forced to pull out of the Edinburgh International Cross Country in January, despite having applied well in advance to race in Scotland.


a blog site about grandchildren, children, parents, husbands and whatever else...
Friday, October 21, 2011
Three inches too few
In the paper today there's a piece about Delta Airlines adding three inches to their coach seating.
For a mere $99 upgrade fee, you can now have back the three inches they took away sometime last year.
Isn't that peachy?
It makes it so you can actually push past your fellow passengers on your way to the middle and/or window seat without doing permanent damage.
It puts the tall guys — like my husband — back in the game. It means when you drop something, you can actually bend down to get it without getting your head stuck.
It's just great and certainly big of them.
It's also a bit insulting to think the airlines believe we won't all remember a time when there was actual legroom AND little meals AND free luggage AND perks like blankets and tiny pillows and earphones that made traveling fun that came with the ticket price.
I'm not that old that I don't remember when airlines were vying for our business and working to get us to fly more often.
Now it's painful and uncomfortable.
Besides the security check-ins and privacy invasions on the way to the plane, today traveling by air means going hungry and getting fleeced all along the way.
I recognize the need for airlines to make money.
I know it has to be expensive to keep planes in the air and fueled and maintained.
I recognize the need to recoup the cost of high-priced jet fuel. It's got to be tough to pay pilots.
But it would help if there was some honesty in the hype.
Don't try to tell us they're "giving" us three inches when it was our three inches to lose.
Don't try to sell us on the value of being able to purchase a $7 sandwich that used to come with the flight.
And don't try to tell me they're are doing me a favor by letting me bring on a bag for $50.
The formerly "friendly skies" are today's perilous horizons, give or take a few inches.