Monday 31 March 2008

Uwanja wa Taifa TZ unajiendeshaje? (1)

Mara nyingi nimekuwa nikisoma habari ktk magazeti ya nchini kuwa wadau mbalimbali wa michezo wametuma maombi kwa Rais (serikali) kuhusu kuomba ruhusa ya kuutumia Uwanja wa Taifa ktk mechi mfano Yanga dhidi ya Simba au michuano mbalimbali mathalani klabu bingwa Afrika Mashariki na Kati.

Mara nyingi (au zote) huwa hakuna majibu au hakuna ruhusa kuutumia uwanja. Mfano dhahiri ni hizo habari kutoka gazeti la Nipashe la tarehe 31/3/2008 (Nakala ya habari hiyo iko hapo juu).

Mimi ninavyoelewa ni kuwa Uwanja huo ulijengwa kwa fedha zilizopatikana kama mkopo na hivyo zinatakiwa zirudishwe, na pia uwanja unatakiwa ujiendeshe kwa kujitegemea (kibiashara).

Gharama kama kulipia bili za huduma mbalimbali uwanjani (maji, umeme, simu, ulinzi n.k.) na mishahara ya wafanyakazi zinatakiwa zitoke katika mfuko wa uwanja.

Kwa sababu hii nilitegemea wamiliki wa uwanja wangehaha kutafuta matukio mbalimbali ya kitaifa au kimataifa ili kuutumia uwanja kuingiza hela kwa madhumuni hayo na vilevile kujitengenezea faida baada ya kulipa deni na bili.

Kinyume chake naona wamiliki wameshafunga mageti ya uwanja na kuufanya kama Makumbusho ya Taifa ambapo watu wanauangalia tu.

Cha ajabu eti ni wamiliki kusubiri wateja mbalimbali waje kuomba ruhusa kuutumia uwanja na tena wateja wanapeleka maombi yao kwa Mheshimiwa Rais (kama ninavyosoma ktk magazeti). Kwa maoni yangu mimi, nilitegemea wamiliki wa uwanja ndio wangekuwa mstari wa mbele katika kutangaza na kutafuta wateja wa kuutumia uwanja na sio kinyume chake!

Vipo viwanja katika sehemu mbalimbali duniani ambako vimefunguliwa karibu muda sawa na huo Uwanja wa Taifa. Lakini tayari viwanja hivyo vimeandaa matukio (events) mbalimbali, tena mfululizo, kwa mwaka mzima na ni mengi zaidi kuliko yale yaliyoandaliwa katika Uwanja wa Taifa.

Natoa mfano wa uwanja wa Taifa wa Wembley, London.

Wakati uwanja huo ulipokuwa unafunguliwa, tayari wamiliki walikuwa wameshatafakari mikakati ya namna ya kurudisha deni la kiasi cha Paundi milioni 798 (sawa na $1.57bn.)** zilizotumika kuujengea. Tena hawa wa Wembley walikopa toka ndani ya nchi yao; lakini Uwanja wa Taifa walikopa nje ya nchi (China) na hivyo thamani na gharama deni la za fedha za kigeni ni kubwa zaidi.

Kwa hiyo wamiliki wa uwanja wa Wembley waliandaa mechi za kirafiki za timu yao ya taifa (Uingereza) dhidi ya Brazil na Ujerumani. Pia mechi za kimashindano kama fainali za FA Cup na mechi ya kufungua pazia la msimu wa Ligi Kuu 2007/08, maarufu kama Community Shield zote kati ya Chelsea na Manchester United zilihamishiwa Wembley kutoka uwanja wa Millenium, Cardiff.

Zaidi ya hapo kuna mechi za kuwania kufuzu fainali za Euro 2008 dhidi ya Russia, Israel, Estonia na Croatia zilifanyika Wembley mfululizo hadi Novemba maka jana.

Hawakuishia hapo hawa jamaa; bali waliandaa matamasha mawili makubwa mwaka jana mwezi Julai. Tamasha la kwanza lilikuwa la Mazingira na hali ya hewa duniani (Live Earth) chini ya usimamizi wa aliyekuwa makamu wa Rais Marekani kipindi cha urais wa Bwana Bill Clinton, Bwana Al Gore. Tamasha lililofuatia lilikuwa la kumuenzi Diana (Concert for Diana) miaka 10 tangu kifo chake. Katika matamasha yote watu walifurika uwanjani ambapo bendi mbalimbali za muziki zilitumbuiza kuanzia mchana saa 6 hadi saa 4 za usiku.

Matamasha mengine kufanyika Wembley mwaka jana ni ya mwanamziki George Michael, Muse na Mettalica.

Sio mpira wa miguu pekee uliopata nafasi Wembley bali hata rugbi (rugby league) lilifanyika pambano kati ya Catalans dhidi ya St helens ktk kuwania Challenge Cup ambapo St Helens ilishinda.

Mwezi Oktaba mechi ya ligi ya mpira wa 'miguu' (NFL) ilifanyika Wembley kati ya New York Giants na Miami Dolphins zote toka Marekani. Hii ni mara ya kwanza kabisa kwa mechi ya ligi (NFL) kufanyika nje ya Marekani.

Halikadhalika, mwezi Desemba mwaka jana uwanja wa Wembley uliandaa mashindano ya mbio za magari kumtafuta bingwa wa mabingwa (Champion of champions) ambako Michael Schumacher, bingwa wa zamani wa Formula 1, alishiriki. Mazulia ya bandia yalitumika kuweka njia za magari kupita kuuzunguka uwanja mzima.

Haya ni baadhi tu ya matukio yaliyoandaliwa katika uwanja huu maarufu duniani kwa mwaka uliopita.

Tayari mwaka huu tena uwanja umeshaandaa matukio kadhaa katika kalenda yake.

Fedha zinapatikana kupitia;
-viingilio au ukodishwaji wa uwanja,
-udhamini wa matukio hayo,
-utoaji huduma za vinywaji na vitafunwa uwanjani (kuna baa na migahawa mingi sana ndani ya uwanja),
-uegeshaji magari ambapo huduma maegesho hulipiwa,
-uwanja una duka la kuuza bidhaa za kimichezo hasa zenye nembo ya uwanja wa wembley, jezi za timu ya taifa ya mpira wa miguu na jezi za timu za mpira wa miguu; na pia,
-Wembley wanao wadhamini rasmi(official partners).

Hizi zote ni juhudi za kukusanya fedha za kurejesha deni na kujiingizia kipato!

Mimi bado sielewi Uwanja wa Taifa Tanzania unavyojiendesha kimapato? Uwanja uko kimya kabisa (hautumiki). Maana sijawahi kusikia unatumika ktk shughuli yoyote zaidi ya mechi moja au mbili za mwaka uliopita. Na sasa hivi baraza la soka Afrika la Mashariki na kati (CECAFA) wanasubiri 'majibu' kama wataruhusiwa kuutumia uwanja katika michuano ya klabu bingwa Afrika Mashariki na Kati (ikumbukwe mwaka uliopita walinyimwa kibali kuutumia uwanja (rejea habari katika gazeti; Nipashe 31/3/2008))!

(** takwimu kwa mujibu wa tovuti ya Wikipedia)

Man Utd 4 Aston Villa 0

An emphantic 4-0 victory of Manchester United over Aston Villa on Saturday was enough to consolidate the United's position at the top of the Premier League table.
This was the tenth time this season that Man United have won for four goals or more!

Competition: Premier League

Stadium: OT

Man Utd line-up:
Kuszacz
Brown-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Ronaldo-Carrick-Scholes-Giggs*
Tevez-Rooney

Subs used:
Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira for Michael Carrick
John O'shea for Patrice Evra
Owen Hargreaves for Rio Ferdinand
*Ryan Giggs came off 8 minutes before time, so Man United had to finish the game with 10 men after using all three subs allowed per match in the Premier League.

Subs not used; Ben Foster, Ji Sung Park

Performance meter: 8/10 (v. good)

Results: Man Utd 4 A Villa 0; Ronaldo 1-0, Tevez 2-0, Rooney(2) 3-0, 4-0.

Standing (Man United):
P(32), W(24), D(4), L(4), GF(68), GA(15), GD(53), Pts(76)

Position: 1st

Remaining Matches:
April 2008
01 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 A
06 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Middlsbro 13:30 A
09 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 H
13 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Arsenal 16:00 H
19 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Blackburn 17:15 A
26 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Chelsea 12:45 A
May 2008
03 May Barclays Premier League United Vs West Ham 15:00 H
11 May Barclays Premier League United Vs Wigan 15:00 A

MAN UTD GOALS! (As on Sat 29/03/2008 19:15GMT)
1.Cristiano Ronaldo-Prem:(26) FA Cup:(3) Champ Lg:(6) =35
2.Carlos Tevez-Prem:(12) FA Cup:(1)Cham Lg:(3) =16
3.Wayne Rooney-Prem:(10) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lg:(3) =15
4.Louis Saha-Prem:(5) Champ Lg:(0) =5
5.Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha "Nani"-Prem:(3) FA Cup:(1) Champ Lg:(0) =4
6.Rio Ferdinand:Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(1) =3
7.Nemanja Vidic-Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(0) =2
8.Ryan Giggs-Pre:(2) Champ Lge:(0) =2
9.Gerard Pique- Prem:(0), Champ Lg:(2) =2
10.Darren Fletcher:Prem:(0) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lge:(0)=2
11.Michael Carrick-Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
12.Owen Hargreaves: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
13.Park Ji Sung: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ/Lge:(0) =1
14.Wes Brown:Prem:(1), Champ/Lg:(0)=1
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own goals for Man Utd
03/11/2007 W Gallas (Arsenal),(1) results:D, 2-2
01/3/2008 Davies (Fulham),(1) results:W, 0-3

Man Utd off to Rome

(story from www.manutd.com)
Manchester United's first-team squad has left for Rome this morning, with Nani (who is still suffering from a thigh strain) being the only major absentee.

United had concerns over the fitness of Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, who all came off in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa. But all four travel, as does Edwin van der Sar, who sat out Saturday's match, although there is no place for Louis Saha, who is still suffering with a hamstring complaint.

The French forward's absence means a chance for 17-year-old Danny Welbeck - still waiting for his first United start - as one of only three strikers in the 21-man travelling squad.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster isn't included in the squad as he was not registered for Europe, so Tom Heaton takes his place.

United squad:
Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton;
O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evra, Silvestre;
Anderson, Ronaldo, Park, Hargreaves, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Eagles;
Tevez, Rooney, Welbeck.

Saturday 29 March 2008

BST: Clocks forward after midnight!

Yes, its that time of getting up in the morning and find yourself late to your day's engagements!

Today after midnight, to be precise, on Sunday 30 March, 2008 at 01:00 GMT clocks will be moved forward by 1 hour.

This means that 60 minutes will be lost between 1:00am and 2:00am. Also it means that the night will be a shorter by 1 hour!!

BST will continue until Sunday 26 October, 2008 01:00 GMT (02:00 BST) when clocks will be moved 'back' again by 1 Hour.

This the official end of the winter season, ushering in the start of the spring and summer seasons respectively!

Man U: 3 points vital today

Manchester United play Aston Villa today at tea time 17:15 k.o. at OT.
It is important for Man Utd to keep 5 points gap at the top over nearest challengers Chelsea. If United win the next three games, it means the Chelsea game will mean nothing for us to retain the title.
So keep that distance in mind by winning today!

For me, I don't have any worry, we are winning today and the title -is ours- this year, again!!!

TAMWA miaka 20 leo

* SOURCE: Nipashe, 29 Mar 2008

Wanachama wa Chama cha Wanawake Wanahabari (TAMWA) leo wanaadhimisha miaka 20 ya kuzaliwa kwa chama hicho kilichoasisiwa mwaka 1987. Maadhimisho ya siku ya kusherehekea mafanikio ya TAMWA, yanaanza asubuhi hii katika ofisi zake mpya zilizoko Sinza Mori, jijini Dar es Salaam. Mke wa Rais, Mama Salma Kikwete, anatarajiwa kuwa mgeni rasmi.
Taarifa iliyotolewa na TAMWA jana ilisema, Mama Kikwete ataweka jiwe la msingi la ofisi hizo pamoja na kuongoza shughuli za kutunisha fedha za ujenzi wa maktaba ya kisasa ya chama hicho utakaogharimu zaidi ya Sh. milioni 60. Wadau mbalimbali wakiwemo marafiki na washirika wa TAMWA wa ndani na nje ya nchi, watajumuika pamoja kuwaenzi waasisi, kushangilia mafanikio na kuchangia ujenzi.
``TAMWA imefanya masuala mengi, kuhimiza usawa wa jinsia, kupinga mila potofu za kukandamiza wana jamii, kupinga utumikishaji watoto, ndoa za utotoni, kupiga vita rushwa, kuhimiza kuongeza ushiriki wa wanawake kwenye uongozi na katika ngazi za maamuzi,`` ilisema sehemu ya taarifa.

Friday 28 March 2008

Mvua yaua Temeke

source: majira, 28.03.2008 0856 EAT
Na Peter Mwenda

MVUA za masika zinazoendelea kunyesha katika Jiji la Dar es Salaam zimesababisha vifo vya watu wanne kwa kuangukiwa ukuta na wengine kufa maji.
Kaimu Kamanda wa Polisi wa Mkoa wa Temeke, Bibi Rukia Simbakalia, alisema jana kuwa katika tukio la kwanza, Bw. Said Mkubwa (75), alikufa baada ya kuangukiwa na ukuta nyumbani kwa mwanawe, Bw. Fadhili Lila (32) wa Mbagala Kiburugwa.

Nae Kamanda wa Polisi wa Mkoa wa Kinondoni, Bw. Jamal Rwambow, alisema katika tukio lingine, Khadija Shaaban (3) alikufa baada ya kuangukiwa na ukuta wa choo wakati akijisaidia pembeni mwa ukuta huo eneo la Manzese Uzuri.

Alisema mwili wa mtoto wa mwaka mmoja, Rehema Hamisi, ulikutwa ukielea kwenye mfereji uliojaa maji yaliyotokana na mvua kubwa kunyesha juzi katika mkoa wa Dar es Salaam.
Kamanda Rwambow alisema maiti hao wamehifadhiwa katika hospitali ya Mwananyamala.

British Summer Time (BST)

British Summer Time (BST) - UK Daylight Saving Time
When is British Summer Time (BST) in force this year?
2008: Sunday 30 March 01:00 GMT - Sunday 26 October 01:00 GMT (02:00 BST)
Also :
IST = Irish Summer Time (Ireland), WEDT = Western European Daylight Time, WEST Western European Summer Time
(From: BritishSummerTime.co.uk)
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Daylight Saving Time
(This article is about DST in general).
Daylight saving time (DST; also summer time in British English) is the convention of advancing clocks so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn. Modern DST was first proposed in 1907 by William Willett. Many countries have used it since then; details vary by location and change occasionally.
The practice is controversial. Adding daylight to afternoons benefits retailing, sports, and other activities that exploit sunlight after working hours, but causes problems for farming, entertainment and other occupations tied to the sun. Extra afternoon daylight reduces traffic fatalities; its effect on health and crime is less clear. An early goal of DST was to reduce evening usage of incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of electricity; modern heating and cooling usage patterns can cause DST to increase electricity consumption.
DST's clock shifts can serve as fire safety reminders, but they complicate timekeeping and can disrupt meetings, travel, billing, recordkeeping, medical devices, and heavy equipment. Many computer-based systems can adjust their clocks automatically, but this can be limited and error-prone, particularly when DST rules change.

Origin
William Willett invented DST and advocated it tirelessly. The prominent English builder and outdoorsman William Willett invented DST in 1905 during one of his pre-breakfast horseback rides, when he observed with dismay how many Londoners slept through the best part of a summer day. An avid golfer, he also disliked cutting short his round at dusk. His solution was to advance the clock during the summer months, a proposal he published two years later. He lobbied unsuccessfully for the proposal until his death in 1915; see Politics for more details.
Germany, its World War I allies, and their occupied zones were the first European nations to use Willett's invention, starting April 30, 1916. Britain, most of its allies, and many European neutrals soon followed suit; Russia and a few other countries waited until the next year; and the United States adopted it in 1918. Since then, the world has seen many enactments, adjustments, and repeals.

Energy use
Delaying the nominal time of sunset and sunrise reduces the use of artificial light in the evening and increases it in the morning. As Franklin's 1784 satire pointed out, lighting costs are reduced if the evening reduction outweighs the morning increase, as in high-latitude summer when most people wake up well after sunrise. An early goal of DST was to reduce evening usage of incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of electricity. Although energy conservation remains an important goal, studies are contradictory, and suggest that DST can increase energy use in some common cases:

Economic effects
Retailers, sporting goods makers, and other businesses benefit from extra afternoon sunlight, as it induces customers to shop and to participate in outdoor afternoon sports.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Thursday 27 March 2008

'Precious Ramotswe'

In the drama 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' Jill Scoll plays as Precious Ramotswe or 'Mme Mma Ramotswe'.
To be honest, she is naturally beautiful, blessed with an african or a bantu woman figure! She has got nice legs, boobs and a beautiful face! (Almost the same ingredients that my wife has!!!!)
Many people have loved this TV drama which appeared on the telly (BBC1) on Easter Sunday 9:00pm.
This week, bookshops have been filled up by customers queing to buy copies of the book by A M Smith from which the TV drama is based. Also in her official website fans have been pouring praises. Here is a what her fans had to say:
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51 Responses to “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Debuts On BBC”
(source: www.jillscott.com)
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R McDowell, Edinburgh. Mar 24, 2008
Jill’s performance in No.1 Ladies Detective Agency was stunning, complex, full of energy, loads of positive emotion and very much in line with the books - a fantastic achievement. Her main supporting actors, especially Lucian Msamati who is an actor of gigantic range and depth, are also wonderful. The reviews in the UK have been fully fulsome in their praise. I look forward to seeing much more of Jill. She learned the South African/ Botswana accent and mannerisms perfectly and seemed effortlessly comfortable in the ‘traditionally built’ role of Precious Ma Ramotswe - what a star! I know that the author Sandy McCall-Smith, his many friends and all who know the Botswana series books are delighted - a wonderful tribute too to the Director Anthony Minghella whose untimely death we all mourn.
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Rachel. Mar 24, 2008
I was really impressed with the entire program, it was well written and it’s great to see an ALL black cast positively portrayed for a change. This was highly anticipated as I was aware Jill had been working on this film from the beginning of 2007.
I’m really happy with the end result, the quality of acting from all the cast (and in particular Jill) was fantastic. In addition to her African accent - which I think can often be difficult for Americans to achieve. She looked beautiful in every single worn, I was left wanting more, my girlfriends and I were all on the phone afterwards discussing it. I just don’t understand why we have to wait another year before an entire series is shown! Will Jill be playing Patience? I hope so. Keep up the fantastic work Jill!!
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David, Wolverhampton. Mar 24, 2008
Oh man, what can I say other than “fantastic”.
Jill had the accent and the african flavour down so well it stimulated a debate in our house about whether she was born and brought up in Botswana. Great advert for the Botswana tourist board too, I guess.
Enjoyed the programme, enjoyed the acting - she can sing, she can act, she is so pretty - don’t you just hate that?lol.
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Selina. Mar 24, 2008
this was amazing stuff jill your a true artist in every sense of the word.it had me laughing at times sad in parts every sort of emotion occured while watching i’m in awe by how good you are at everything you put your mind to do fabulous.
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Dominic, Oxford/London. Mar 24, 2008
Jill you were stunning…left me with a real feel good factor…the show was a refreshing change and a great inspiration to myself and I’m sure a whole lot of other people. You are a success in every sense of the word. Peace & Blessings & Happy Easter!
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Libby, Blackpool. Mar 24, 2008
I loved it and so did the rest of my family i cant wait for the series
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A Kitt,Washington Dc. Mar 24, 2008
I didn’t catch this one but ill be sure to cath the next one to catch up
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J dean. Mar 24, 2008
Omgd that was hot, I was impressed with Jill scott’s acting..she so killed the performance. She is so beautiful and talented. I loved the whole scenery Jill seemed in touch with her character.
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Teinisha, St.Louis. Mar 24, 2008
are they gonna re-air it?
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A Azad, Slough. Mar 24, 2008
I couldn’t believe my eyes! An absolutely fantastic performance and a thorough joy to watch and hear. I loved the first program and can’t wait to see the rest. It’s a shame that more of the world’s countries do not have such respecting communities that come together. This is what I loved when I last visited South Africa and this program brought back all the amazing memories. I’ve been listening to Jill also for a long time and am more over-joyed than anything for her and to have seen in acting. Well done and please keep us entertained with that beautiful figure and accent. x
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Tendai. Mar 24, 2008
I watched No1 Ladies Detective Agency last night on BBC and I absolutely loved it!!! I am an African woman from Zimbabwe and I felt that Jill did a perfect representation of all African women in general. We r vibrant, beautiful, intelliegent and passionate human beings. I get really tired and frustrated when i see us being represented as empty vessels and baby factories. Jill u deserve an oscar for that performance. Thank u.
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shon. Mar 24, 2008
Jill

I am loving your new album…Its so real! I went through a lot in my life after my divorce….so I can feel your heart!
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Audrey, London. Mar 25, 2008 at 12:27 am
Absolutely stunning!
It left me with a wonderful feel good experience. The spirit of Africa was captured so amazingly I wanted to climb inside the TV and live it! I pay tribute to the director Anthony Minghella for bringing this to life.
The performances were fabulous and Jill, your role as Precious Ramotswe was captivating, bold and beautiful. Well done! You nailed it girl!!
Two days after the broadcast I’m still smiling…I look forwards to the serialisation.
Big love from London.
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S Beaton, Southampton. Mar 25, 2008
The BBC is undoubtedly on to a winner here. Beautifully shot (the director of the upcoming TV series has got a hard act to follow)… Very sadly, this turned out to be Anthony Minghella’s last movie… But what a movie to be remembered by. Beautifully acted by the entire cast. Great script too… Jill Scott is one heck of an actress…. Infectious… Dramatic… On point… Great timing with the comedic moments… Heartfelt in the more serious ones. Check out the tension in the scene with ‘Stringer Bell’ . Jill Scott is perfect for this role….
And the film itself just immerses the audience in the sheer joy of story-telling. You will be glad to be alive after seeing this movie. Your faith will be restored in the human race.
I believe I read in The Observer that this was a co-production with HBO… So you good folks in America should be seeing this film soon…
PS: Jill is a great kisser … Just ask Kremlin
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G Scott, Hertfordshire. Mar 25, 2008
I’ve read all the ‘No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ books, except for the new one. Love them all; it’s like visiting old friends. Seeing them come to life on the small screen was a delight. And Jill IS Precious Ramotswe. Can’t wait for the series - next year seems a long time to wait!
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Helen, Cardiff. Mar 25, 2008
Jill Scott is superb. Strong, beautiful, vulnerable, gorgeous and highly entertaining. Complete pleasure to watch.
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Vonny, south of France. Mar 25, 2008
Watched this wonderful tv film last night and was absolutely charmed! Have read all of AMS’s books and was so excited to see the film. Jill, you were brilliant, I really believed in you, bravo! Can’t wait to see the following books made into film. Good luck, you are a beautiful, talented lady!
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Ali, Manchester. Mar 25, 2008
WOW!! I missed the beginning credits so didn’t realise it was Jill Scott ’til the end! She was marvelous and suited the role perfectly! I was very impressed by all the cast - it was so good to see such a positive and uplifting programme from a country that most people associate (sadly) with other issues. Well done Jill! You have a new fan!
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v ngonyama. Mar 25, 2008
This is beautiful how she’s taken this role.Cant express it quite enough,but beautiful is the best I can come up with.
She fits in perfect and has embraced the local accent and norms.Beautifully played
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Soul, London. Mar 25, 2008
Wow is all I can say. I was waiting to watch that since 2007 and I so was not disappointed. It reminded me of back home, Zimbabwe. Your accent was so on point it was amazing. You could pass for a Southern African anyday. Brilliant performace that was! Still can’t get over it. Lucian Msamati was representing my people well… I’m proud of him too. Keep up the good work.
Nuff Agape
P.S Kremlin has a lot of game…lol…
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Jennifer, London. Mar 25, 2008
This has got to be the most delightful, refreshing thing I’ve seen on TV for some years. You go Jill
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Frances, London. Mar 25, 2008
I watched this programme 3 times last night (thank goodness I recorded it). It was Beautiful, Magical, Captivating, I was entralled by it all, from start to finish. I might just watch it again tonight for the feel-good factor it leaves me with. Jill and all the other cast are naturals. This is a fitting tribute to Anthony Minghella.
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Helen, London. Mar 25, 2008
My 13 year old daughter and I loved it, and we cant wait for the series.
I loved Jill Scott’s performance, I have her albums and think she is a brilliant singer, so it was lovely seeing her in this.
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C Sozi from London. Mar 25, 2008
I thought Jill did an excellent job- I am a huge fan of Jill’s so one might say I am biased but as an African, I think she adapted the Botwsana accent extremely well and it was a pleasure to watch her in this role- she was a real, believeable African and this is evidence of her skills as an acteur. Kudos. While I’m at it I should say that I watched Tyler Perry’s “Why did I get married” this weekend too and I thought Jill again was strong in her role; funny too particularly the scene across the table where the guy kisses her and she asks him whether they should pray. Hilarious.
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Neil, Holland. Mar 25, 2008
I’ve just got to echo all the wonderful comments here. I really knew very little about Jill but her fantastic performance in The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency forced me to search out her site. A fantastic movie, and I hope she will reprise her role in the forthcoming TV series.
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seity, manchester. Mar 25, 2008
Jill’s performance was wonderful, as a motswana woman there couldnt have been a better actress to represent Botswana,sooo beautiful…..cannot wait for the series. i am soo proud that it potrayed everything that Batswana are about, beautiful, polite, friendly and also a bit naughty…Lawrence Dube was also perfect……motswana with pride in manchester
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wendy, harlow essex. Mar 25, 2008
loved it. loved it. watching it again today.
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Lisa, London. Mar 25, 2008
Jill, you were amazing in this!! Absolutely loved it!!
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Kate. Mar 25, 2008
As a white woman who lived in Africa for 11 years, I absolutely loved No 1 Ladies Detective Agency; It brought tears to my eyes. African woman are not all in rags and downtrodden. They wear lovely clothes and take pride in their appearance and Jill represents them well. The film must resonate with many people who have lived in Africa. Only critics who have never been there won’t understand.
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Karen, Denmark. Mar 25, 2008
Dear Jill,
Thank you so much for portraying Mma Ramotswe so beautifully!
You are an exquisite and extremely talented woman and I look forward to enjoying both your acting and vocal talents for many years to come. And being an extremely envious curvaceous woman myself:), might I just add, that you look absolutely FABULOUS!!!
...............................

algie. Mar 25, 2008
i can’t wait for this to air on hbo. i saw that hbo picked it up but the article didn’t say when it was gonna air. they got picked up for 12 episodes or something like that. i know my girl jill killed it
.................................

A Darksus. Mar 25, 2008
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency was excellent, Jill was perfectly cast as Precious Ramotswe, she looks gorgeous and her accent was spot on!
Congratulations to all cast and crew a fitting tribute to Anthony Minghella. Can’t wait for the series!!
..........................

Mary. Mar 25, 2008
Wow just watched this for the second time in 2 days. Wonderful!!!!! Having read nearly all the books Jill is Precious Ramotswe. Can’t wait for the series. Will be telling all my friends to read/watch to.
...........................

s ann. Mar 25, 2008
Loved this gentle programme, it was absolute quality, gave me some great chuckles, I am going to read the books now, cannot believe I have not heard of them before.
..............................

M Matthews, London. Mar 25, 2008
Really really enjoyed watching the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency tonight on BBC iPlayer. Half way through I said to my girlfriend watching it with me, “that looks exactly like Jill Scott”, but we both thought it couldn’t possibly be. We are both big fans of her and her music, we’d never thought of her as an actress. When the credits rolled at the end and we saw her name, we nearly fell off the sofa!!!! Is there any end to this woman’s talent? Absolutely incredible performance. BRAVO!
..................................

Y. london(f.korea). Mar 26, 2008
Hello, I watched No.1 Ladies Detective on BBC
when I was watching your performance, I was thinking who is the lady, and you was just so lovely !!!!
Long times ago I jot down your name on my old diary, i don’t remember for what.
Anyway, this morning, I opened the diary for some way,and I could see your name.
I searched your name on the internet and I just realized that lovely girl is you !
your songs are fantastic, your voice is so sweet.
I’m so impressed of you.
..........................

Y. london. Mar 26, 2008
you are so lovely !!
...............................

Renee. Mar 26, 2008
I’m a huge fan of the books and of Jill, so I would greatly appreciate if someone knew a website where I could see the movie. I’m not in the UK so the BBC player won’t work. Thanks!
.............................

Aaron & Jessica, Bristol UK. Mar 26, 2008
Saw you in Bristol….loved it!!
Saw you on TV in Botswana….Loved it!!
Thought your performance in “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” was tender….powerful….honest!!!
…..please hurry back, soon! x
..............................

K Tunmbi, Dublin. Mar 26, 2008
Brilliant performance, so moved by it, I had to come pay “homage” here. You were natural on the …ladies detective and can’t wait to see the other 12 episodes.
I’m off now to Amazon to get myself a copy of the novel.
Good luck in future endeavours
Kemi.
..........................

Jane, London. Mar 26, 2008
Merlin - big thank you!
Your mention of the BBC iPlayer is a timely reminder that anyone who receives the BBC1 transmissions can watch the programme again up until Saturday!!!
...........................

Lucille, Bristol. Mar 26, 2008
I had the privilege to see Jill live onstage in Bristol and she was amazing. My husband and I (both from West Africa) were really looking forward to The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency and we weren’t disappointed. It was beautifully adapted, shot, and acted.
Bostwana looked great and really reminded me of home. The whole cast was top notch - kudos to Anika Noni Rose who was hilarious as Mma Makutsi, the secretary and David Oyelowo as the sleazy Kremlin Busang. Jill was amazing as Precious Ramotswe, she looked so beautiful and serene and represented black women brilliantly. Oh and did I forget to mention that the girl can act!!!
I’m off to watch it again on BBC iPlayer - can’t wait for the series.
..............................

L Hawkins - Surrey. Mar 26, 2008
what a fantastic watch. Is there gonna be a series???? Lx
...............................

S Els, London. Mar 26, 2008
I love you Jill Scott!
I read Alexander McCall Smith’s book “No 1 Ladies Detective Agency” and was really excited to hear Jill Scott was acting in it.
I absolutely loved it. Jill you were amazing!!! Are you sure you’re not African? You got the accent down girl.
Love ya,
Sara
.............................

Dean,Birmingham. Mar 26, 2008
WOW! You are an extremely beautiful and powerful woman. go Jill.
.............................

B White, London. Mar 26, 2008
Truly fabulous.
Thank you for being so great to our favourite person, Ma Ramotswe. You were perfect and I think everyone who has adored the books will agree.
................................

A Dooley, Michigan. Mar 26, 2008
JILL ( My sista from anotha mutha…….as i like to think)
OH MY……….. I truly loved the movie and understand why HBO is picking it up. Jill is wonderful! I felt all her emotions in her role just as I do in her music. There is nothing that she can’t do well. I didn’t know that my best boyfriend (Idris Elba) was going to be in the movie but and hoo, I wish her the best and I will be bitting my nails waiting for the series…..
................................

Hayez (Peckham London). Mar 26, 2008
Truly one of a kind. fantastic 100% I don’t think there is anything you cant do, and thats why you are my role model, You are 100% the No.1 Lady.
...............................

Chantelle, London. Mar 26, 2008
WOW
this was really good
funny
i cant wait until next year
................................

Gordon and Ann, UK. Mar 27, 2008
I had not heard of this lady before but we were totally entranced by her wonderful performance in this warm and uplifting film. We do hope to see Jill play Precious again. All the very best.
.................................

m littlejohn london. Mar 27, 2008
loved jill in this drama,she was great and got the accent down to a tee……………… well done.Mx
.................................

Tuesday 25 March 2008

Jill Scott

I must confess that I didn't know Jill Scott until last Sunday 23rd March 2008 when she appeared in the BBC1 Drama "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" at 21:00GMT, directed by Anthony Minghella*, a television adaptation from the novel by Alexander McCall Smith.
Athough the time slot later coincided with Match of the Day 2 (BBC2), I tried as much as I could to follow the drama.
In fact I enjoyed it, it is funny, educating, entertaining etc. But I don't think it is in DVD yet!
I hope BBC will plan a repeat of the drama in the near future.
So who is Jill Scott? I have visited the wikipedia websute to findout more about her!

*It is sad that the director Anthony Minghella died almost a week before the drama was to be shown on the 'beeb'!
........................................................

Background information
Born April 4, 1972 (1972-04-04) (age 35)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genre(s) R&B, soul, neo soul, jazz, quiet storm, spoken word soul
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, poet, actress
Years active 2000–present
Label(s) Hidden Beach Recordings
Website www.jillscott.com
Jill Scott (born April 4, 1972) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B, soul, and jazz singer, songwriter, actress and poet. In 2007, Scott made her theatrical debut in the films Hounddog (as Big Mama Thornton) and in Tyler Perry's feature film, Why Did I Get Married? That same year her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, was released on September 25, 2007.

Biography
Early life
Scott grew up an only child in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was raised by her mother, Joyce Scott, and her grandmother. She indicated in an interview with Jet Magazine that she had a happy childhood and was "very much a loved child". Scott attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls and after graduating, attended Temple University while simultaneously working two jobs. She studied secondary education for three years and had planned on becoming a high school English teacher, but after spending time as a teacher's aide, Scott became disillusioned with the teaching profession and dropped out of school.

Prior to her breakthrough in the music industry, Scott worked at a variety of jobs, including a number of retail positions and stints at a construction site and an ice cream parlor. She remains close to her mother and grandmother, nicknamed "Blue Babe", and currently resides in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.

Personal life
Scott recently divorced her husband Lyzel Williams who is a graphic artist and DJ, after five years. (Scott wrote and recorded the song "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)" about Williams.) Scott has said they were together for twelve years, seven of those they dated.

Music career
Scott began her performing career as a spoken word artist, appearing at live poetry readings to perform her work. She was eventually discovered by Amir "?uestlove" Thompson of The Roots. Questlove invited her to join the band in the studio, and the collaboration resulted in a co-writing credit for Scott for the song, "You Got Me." In 2000, Erykah Badu and The Roots won the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group for "You Got Me". Subsequently, Scott collaborated with Eric Benet, Will Smith, and Common, and broadened her performing experience by touring Canada in a production of the Broadway musical Rent.

Scott was the first artist signed to Steve McKeever's 'Hidden Beach Recordings' label. Her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 was released in 2000. She experienced some chart success and notice with the single "A Long Walk", which eventually earned her a Grammy nomination in early 2003 for Best Female Vocal Performance. Scott lost that award, but won a 2005 Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative R&B Performance for "Cross My Mind." The live album, Experience:Jill Scott 826+, was released November 2001. Scott's second full-length album, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2, followed in 2004.

Scott continues to write poetry; a compilation volume of her poems, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours, was published and released by St. Martin's Press in April 2005. In early 2007 Scott was featured on the George Benson & Al Jarreau collaboration "God Bless The Child", which earned Scott her second Grammy award, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, at the 2007 Grammy Awards ceremony. Scott shared the win with Benson & Jarreau. Recently, Scott was prominently featured on hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco's 2006 single "Daydreaming" which also appearred on a new Scott collection called Collaborations on January 30, 2007.

The Collaborations collection served as "an appetizer" for her next studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 released September 25, 2007. A clip of the title track was released on a bonus disc from Hidden Beach Records and included with Collaborations. The lead single "Hate on Me", gained airplay in May 2007 with a video released in mid-July. In advance of the album's release, Hidden Beach released a 17-minute album sampler through their forums. Interspersed between the dozen songs previewed on the sampler was a personal explanation from Jill for the inspiration behind some of her songs.

Other appearances and song-writing
Her live performance in 2004 with members of The Roots, which also included backing a performance by Erykah Badu, is featured in Dave Chappelle's 2006 concert film, Dave Chappelle's Block Party. UK dance duo Goldtrix covered Scott's song "It's Love", re-naming it "It's Love (Trippin')" with singer Andrea Brown taking over vocal duties. The song became a top ten hit in the UK, peaking at number six.

Vocal profile
Scott is a vocalist who infused jazz, R&B, spoken word, and hip hop among other genres to create a distinct style that many refer to as neo soul. Her vocal capabilities are so rich that a reviewer on Pop Matter, referring to Scott's vocal ability stated, 'Scott draws on her upper register recalling the artistry of the late "songbird" Minnie Riperton and Deniece Williams'. The same reviewer in another article stated, 'The song evokes the artistry of Minnie Riperton as Scott sings in the upper register that makes its only appearances on Who is Jill Scott? on the teasing "I Think It's Better" and "Show Me". Scott has "a very rare facility to hit notes in the sixth and seventh octave, as displayed on songs such as 'Gimme' where she hits a D6 with full vibrato, and on 'Spring Summer Feeling' where she hits a C7 in the background".

Film and television
On advice of her good friend, director Ozzie Jones, she began pursuing a career in acting in 2000. She joined a fellowship at a theater company in Philadelphia. For two years, she took small, menial, jobs in exchange for acting lessons.

In 2004, Scott expanded her resume by appearing in several episodes of season four of UPN's "Girlfriends", playing Donna, a love interest to main character, William Dent. She also appeared in the Showtime movie Cavedwellers, starring Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, She stars as Precious Ramotswe in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and also in a 13-episode television series co-funded by HBO and the BBC.

In 2007, Scott appeared in Hounddog (as Big Mama Thornton) and in Tyler Perry's movie, Why Did I Get Married?.


Charity work and advocacy
Scott has established the Blues Babe Foundation, a program founded to help young minority students pay for university expenses. The Blues Babe Foundation offers financial assistance to students between the ages of sixteen to twenty-one, and targets students residing in Philadelphia, Camden, and the greater Delaware Valley. Scott donated USD$100,000 to help start the foundation. The foundation was named after Scott's grandmother, known as "Blue Babe" because of the bluish tint in her brown complexion.

On the foundation's website, it defines its mission statement as one where it "seeks to provide financial support and mentoring for those students who have shown the aptitude and commitment to their education, but whose families may not have the resources to ensure completion of their undergraduate degrees".

In the spring of 2003, the Blues Babe Foundation made a donation of more than $60,000 to the graduating class of the Creative Arts School in Camden, New Jersey. Any student who maintained a 3.2 GPA received a yearly stipend for the next three years that was put toward his or her college education.

At the Essence Music Festival in July 2006, Scott spoke out about how women of color are portrayed in the lyrics of rap songs, and in rap music videos. Scott criticized the content for being "dirty, inappropriate, inadequate, unhealthy, and polluted" and urged the listening audience to "demand more".

On Sunday 23rd March 2008 Jill Scott appeared in the BBC Drama "The No. 1 Ladie's Detective Agency", directed by Anthony Minghella, a television adaptation from the novel by Alexander McCall Smith.


Discography
Albums
Year Album US US R&B UK RIAA certification
2000 Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 17 2 69 2x Platinum
2001 Experience: Jill Scott 826+ 38 7 — Gold
2004 Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 3 1 27 Gold
2007 Collaborations 11 3 — —
The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 4 2 — Gold
(542,670 copies so far)[18]


Singles
Year Song U.S U.S R&B Hot Adult R&b UK Album
2000 "Gettin' In the Way" 115[19] 28 — 30 Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1
2001 "A Long Walk" 43 9 — 54
"The Way" 60 15 — —
"Shining Through" (Fredro Starr featuring Jill Scott) — — — — Save The Last Dance (Soundtrack album)
2002 "He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)" 125[20] 46 — — Experience: Jill Scott 826+
"Gimme" — 107 [21] — —
2004 "Golden" 110[22] 31 — 59 Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2
2005 "Whatever" 112[23] 34 — —
"Cross My Mind" — 38 6 —
"The Fact Is (I Need You)" — 63 19 —
2006 "Daydreamin'" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Jill Scott) — 83 — 25 Food & Liquor / Collaborations
2007 "Hate on Me" 107 24 9 —1 The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3
"My Love" — 43 12 —

1 notes that "Hate On Me" failed to chart in the official UK Singles Chart, but reached #16 on the Official UK R&B chart


Awards and nominations

Grammy award history
Category Genre Song Year Result
Best Urban/Alternative Performance R&B "Daydreamin'" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Jill Scott) 2008 Won
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance R&B "Hate On Me" 2008 Nominated
Best R&B Album R&B The Real Thing: Words & Sounds Vol. 3 2008 Nominated
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance R&B "God Bless The Child" (George Benson & Al Jarreau featuring Jill Scott) 2007 Won
Best R&B Album R&B Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol. 2 2005 Nominated
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance R&B "Whatever" 2005 Nominated
Best Urban/Alternative Performance R&B "Cross My Mind" 2005 Won
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance R&B "He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat) (Movement I, II, III)" 2003 Nominated
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance R&B "A Long Walk" 2002 Nominated
Best New Artist General n/a 2001 Nominated
Best R&B Female Vocal Performance R&B "Gettin' In the Way" 2001 Nominated
Best R&B Album R&B Who Is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds Vol. 1 2001 Nominated

Award history
BET Awards
2005, Best Female R&B Artist[Nominated]
2001, Best Female R&B Artist [Nominated]
2001, Best New Artist [Nominated]
Image Awards
2008, Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture: Why Did I Get Married [Nominated]
2008, Outstanding Female Artist: The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 [Nominated]
2005, Outstanding Music Video: "Golden" [Nominated]
2005, Outstanding Song: "Golden" [Nominated]
2005, Outstanding Female Artist: Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 [Nominated]
2002, Outstanding Duo or Group: "Kingdom Come Theme Song" [Nominated] w/ Kirk Franklin
2002, Outstanding Album: Jill Scott-The Experience [Nominated]
2002, Outstanding Song: "He Loves Me" [Nominated]
2002, Outstanding Female Artist: Jill Scott- The Experience [Nominated]
2001, Outstanding New Artist: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 [Nominated]
2001, Outstanding Song: "Gettin' In the Way" [Nominated]
2001, Outstanding Female Artist: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 [Nominated]
2001, Outstanding Album: [[Who is Jill Scott? Words nnd Sounds Vol. 1 [Nominated]
Lady of Soul Awards
2005, Best R&B/Soul Album, Solo: Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 [Nominated]
2001, Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo: "A Long Walk" (Winner)
2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: "A Long Walk" (Winner)
2001, Best R&B/Soul Album, Solo: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (Winner)
MTV Video Music Awards
2001, Best R&B Video: "Gettin' In the Way" [Nominated]
Soul Train Awards
2005, Best R&B/Soul Female Single: "Golden" [Nominated]
2005, Best R&B/Soul Female Album: Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 [Nominated]
2001, Best R&B/Soul Female Single: "Gettin' In the Way" [Nominated]
2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: "Gettin' In the Way" (Nominated)
2001, Best R&B/Soul Female Album: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 [Winner]
Vibe Awards
2004, R&B Voice of the Year [Nominated]

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Man Utd 3 Liverpool 0

Sunday's results put Manchester United five points clear on the driving seat ahead of their nearest challengers Chelsea.

Stadium: OT

Competition: Barclays Premier League

Line-up (man utd):
van der Sar
Brown-Ferdinand-Vidic-Evra
Anderson-Carrick-Scholes
Ronaldo-Rooney-Giggs

Subs used:
Nani for Giggs
Tevez for Anderson

Subs not used: Kuszacz (GK), Hargreaves, O'shea

Results: Man Utd 3 Liverpool 0, Brown, Ronaldo, Nani

Points: 73

Position: 1st

Performance meter: 8/10 (very good)

Remaining Matches:
29 Mar Barclays Premier League United Vs Aston Villa 17:15 H
April 2008
01 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 A
06 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Middlsbro 13:30 A
09 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 H
13 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Arsenal 16:00 H
19 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Blackburn 17:15 A
26 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Chelsea 12:45 A
May 2008
03 May Barclays Premier League United Vs West Ham 15:00 H
11 May Barclays Premier League United Vs Wigan 15:00 A

MAN UTD GOALS! (As on Sun 23/03/2008 15:30GMT)
1.Cristiano Ronaldo-Prem:(25) FA Cup:(3) Champ Lg:(6) =34
2.Carlos Tevez-Prem:(11) FA Cup:(1)Cham Lg:(3) =15
3.Wayne Rooney-Prem:(8) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lg:(3) =13
4.Louis Saha-Prem:(5) Champ Lg:(0) =5
5.6.Nani-Prem:(3) FA Cup:(1) Champ Lg:(0) =4
6.Rio Ferdinand:Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(1) =3
7.Nemanja Vidic-Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(0) =2
8.Ryan Giggs-Pre:(2) Champ Lge:(0) =2
9.Gerard Pique- Prem:(0), Champ Lg:(2) =2
10.Darren Fletcher:Prem:(0) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lge:(0)=2
11.Michael Carrick-Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
12.Owen Hargreaves: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
13.Park Ji Sung: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ/Lge:(0) =1
14.Wes Brown:Prem:(1), Champ/Lg:(0)=1
...................................................
own goals for Man Utd
03/11/2007 W Gallas (Arsenal),(1) results:D, 2-2
01/3/2008 Davies (Fulham),(1) results:W, 0-3

'I am Back!!!'

Yes, I am back like Didier Drogbaaa (thanks to his 2 goals on Sunday)!!!

By the way how was the Easter Holiday? For me, I had one of most beautiful days. On Sunday, I had a nice lunch at 13:30-15:30GMT; then the pudding at 16:00-18:00GMT wasn't bad either!

Man U 'Kanyaga Twende!'

Kutokana na ushindi wa Jumapili Manchester United v. L/pool, nimeukumbuka wimbo mmoja uliokuwa ukiimbishwa wakati wa 'disko' la JKT usiku saa 2 au kwenye mchakamchaka (kuruta hamna kutembea)!
Ushindi huu umeendeleza wimbi la dozi za Man Utd kwa timu ziitwazo 'the big 4' baada ya kuifunga Chelsea mwaka jana 2-0 (na Arsenal 4-0 FACup) nyumbani kwetu OT.

Afande afande ongeza mwendo afande ...!
Man Yuu Man Yuu ongeza mwendo Man Yuu!
Fergie Fergie ongeza mwendo Fergie ...!

Chorus
Ongeza mwendo (Fergie!)
Ongeza mwendo (Fergie!)

Queiros Queiros ongeza mwendo Quiros! (mara 2)
.....................................

Wanavyosema kuhusu Man Utd:
"I don't think there is a fear of losing [at United]. They are driven on by the expectation of the club. When you sign for Manchester United, you are going there to win, not to come second."
-Roy Keane
source: www.manutd.com

Thursday 20 March 2008

Man Utd 2 Bolton 0

Last night the much changed Manchester United line-up was strong enough to earn vital three points against spirited Bolton side at OT.
The victory put Man Utd three points clear at the top of the Premier League table with all top three teams having played 30 games.

Stadium: Old Trafford

Competition: Premier League

Line-up (United) 4-4-2:
Kuscazc
Hargreaves-Pique-Vidic-O'shea
Ronaldo-Fletcher-Anderson-Nani
Saha-Tevez

Subs used:
Brown for Vidic
Scholes for Anderson
Rooney for Saha

Subs not used:
Ben Foster (GK), Patrice Evra

Results: Man Utd 2 Bolton 0, Ronaldo (2)

Points: 70

Position: 1st of 20

Performance meter: 6/10 (good)

Remaining Matches:
23 Mar Barclays Premier League United Vs Liverpool 13:30 H
29 Mar Barclays Premier League United Vs Aston Villa 00:00 H
April 2008
01 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 A
06 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Middlsbro 13:30 A
09 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 H
13 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Arsenal 16:00 H
19 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Blackburn 17:15 A
26 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Chelsea 12:45 A
May 2008
03 May Barclays Premier League United Vs West Ham 15:00 H
11 May Barclays Premier League United Vs Wigan 15:00 A

MAN UTD GOALS! (As on Wed 19/03/2008 22:00GMT)
1.Cristiano Ronaldo-Prem:(24) FA Cup:(3) Champ Lg:(6) =33
2.Carlos Tevez-Prem:(11) FA Cup:(1)Cham Lg:(3) =15
3.Wayne Rooney-Prem:(8) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lg:(3) =13
4.Louis Saha-Prem:(5) Champ Lg:(0) =5
5.Rio Ferdinand:Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(1) =3
6.Nani-Prem:(2) FA Cup:(1) Champ Lg:(0) =3
7.Nemanja Vidic-Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(0) =2
8.Ryan Giggs-Pre:(2) Champ Lge:(0) =2
9.Gerard Pique- Prem:(0), Champ Lg:(2) =2
10.Darren Fletcher:Prem:(0) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lge:(0)=2
11.Michael Carrick-Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
12.Owen Hargreaves: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
13.Park Ji Sung: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ/Lge:(0) =1
...................................................
own goals for Man Utd
03/11/2007 W Gallas (Arsenal),(1) results:D, 2-2
01/3/2008 Davies (Fulham),(1) results:W, 0-3

Kamati za Bunge: Viongozi na Wajumbe

WABUNGE wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania wamekutana Dar es Salaam kuchagua wenyeviti wa kamati mpya za Bunge ambapo wabunge machachari wa kambi ya upinzani na chama tawala, wameibuka washindi katika uenyekiti na unaibu wa kamati nyeti.

Kamati mpya ya Hesabu za Mashirika ya Umma:
Mwenyekiti - Bw. Zitto Kabwe (Mbunge wa Kigoma Kaskazini, CHADEMA) na
Makamu M/kiti ni Bibi Estherina Kilasi (Mbunge wa Mbarali, CCM).

Kamati ya Hesabu za Serikali za Mitaa:
Mwenyekiti- Dkt. Wilbroad Slaa (Mbunge wa Karatu, CHADEMA) -alipita bila kupingwa Makamu M/kiti- Bw. Mgana Msindai (Mbunge wa Iramba Mashariki, CCM)


Kamati ya Hesabu za Serikali,
Mwenyekiti- Bw. John Cheyo (Mbunge wa Bariadi Mashariki, UDP)
Makamu M/kiti- Bw. Zubeir Ali Maulid (Mbunge wa Kwamtipura, CCM).

Kamati ya Haki, Maadili na Madaraka ya Bunge:
Mwenyekiti- Bibi Anne Malecela (Mbunge wa Same Mashariki, CCM)
Makamu M/kiti- Bw. Abdulkarim Shah (Mbunge wa Mafia, CCM).


Kamati ya Miundombinu:
Mwenyekiti-
Makamu Mwenyekiti- Bibi Anne Malecela (Mbunge wa Same Mashariki, CCM)

Kamati ya Nishati na Madini:
Mwenyekiti- Bw. William Shelukindo (Mbunge wa Bumbuli, CCM)
Makamu m/kiti- Dkt. Harrison Mwakyembe (Mbunge wa Kyela, CCM)

Kamati ya Fedha na Uchumi:
Mwenyekiti- Dkt. Abdallah Kigoda (Mbunge wa Handeni, CCM)
Makamu M/kiti- Bw. Hamza Mwenegoha (Mbunge wa Morogoro Kusini, CCM)

Kamati ya Mambo ya Nje, Ulinzi na Usalama:
Mwenyekiti- Bw. Wilson Masilingi (Mbunge wa Muleba Kusini, CCM)
Makamu M/kiti- Bw. Azzan Zungu (Mbunge wa Ilala, CCM)
Mbunge wa Monduli (CCM), Bw. Edward Lowassa alichaguliwa kuwa mjumbe.

Katika tukio lingine Mbunge wa Viti Maalumu, Bibi Lucy Owenya (CHADEMA) alilalamikia hatua ya kupangwa katika Kamati ya Viwanda na Biashara akiwa mpinzani peke yake huku kamati hiyo ikiwa na vigogo wengi kutoka chama tawala.

Mbunge huyo alitaja vigogo hao wa CCM ambao alidai kuwa watamzidi nguvu katika kamati hiyo kuwa ni Mbunge wa Igunga, Bw. Rostam Aziz, Mbunge wa Bukoba Vijijini, Bw. Nazir Karamagi, Mbunge wa Makunduchi, Bw. Abdisalaam Issa Khatib, Mbunge wa Tanga, Bw. Bakari Mwapachu, Mbunge wa Mufindi Kaskazini, Bw. Joseph Mungai na Mbunge wa Rombo, Bw. Basil Mramba.

Bibi Owenya alisema atafikisha malalamiko hayo kwa Spika, Bw. Samwel Sitta, ili kamati hiyo iongezwe mbunge mwingine kutoka kambi ya upinzani watakayesaidiana naye.

Kamati ya Nishati na Madini chini ya Bw. Shelukindo na Dkt. Mwakyembe, inatarajiwa kuanza kazi leo Dar es Salaam kwa kusimamia semina ya wabunge kuhusu Muswada wa Sheria ya Petroli na Umeme, ambayo ilivunjika wakati wa mkutano wa Bunge uliopita mjini Dodoma, baada ya wabunge kudai kupewa kwanza ripoti ya Kamati Teule ya Bunge, iliyochunguza kashfa ya kampuni ya kuzalisha umeme wa dharura ya Richmond.


source: majira, 19.03.2008 0145 EAT
Na Joseph Lugendo

Note: (I have omitted some "flesh" of the original story to make it short)

Players with common surnames

Here are few examples of players common surnames in the Premier League:

Taylor;
of Newcastle,
Martin (Birmingham),
...(goalkeeper- Birmingham),
...of Middlesborough,
Matthew of Bolton

Davies;
Kevin of Bolton,

Davis;

Cole;
Ashley and Joe of Chelsea,
Andrew of Burnley
Carlton of west Ham

Beware of these 'Thieves' or 'Thugs'!!!

Always ignore such requests (below). Do NOT attempt to correspond with these people in any way!! The safest thing is do is to delete these mails from your inbox.

.......................................
Dearest Friend.

My Full name is Mrs. Barati Parinaz, I am a complete Canada Citizen but was Born in Iran by An iranian Mother. My best kind of foods are khoresh, chicken spagetti,Ash our local soup, chicken hamburger,Chinese eggplant, chicken, ground beef, lamb, onions, rice, zucchini, potatoes, grape leaves, feta cheese and some seafood. my kind of sport attivities are, football, hand ball and rugby.

I am a widow to the Assistant Director of Iran Mines and Metals, Oil, who died on 20th April 2006. My husband fell sick and he was flown to Spain for treatment but later died of ulcer and he has been buried. I inherited a total sum of US$ 27.3 Million dollars from my late husband. This money which is concealed in a metallic trunk box is deposited with a finance company.

This deposit was coded under a secret arrangement as a family treasure. My main purpose of sending you this mail is because of the way I found you and perhaps trustworthy to give you this priority of shipping the box of money to any address that you think is very secure and save in your country with your percentage of which we shall chat on soon.

In fact, since the death of my husband, his brothers has been seriously chasing me around with constant treats, trying to suppress me so that they might have the documents of his landed properties and confiscate them because they knew that i don't have anyone who will oppose been i lost my parent 17yrs ago. They have successfully collected all his properties , yet they never stopped there, they told me to surrender all bank account of my late husband, which I did, but I never disclose to them this deposit with the security company in Abidjan-Cote d'Ivoire, because this is where my future and destiny lies upon.

The family of my late husband never aware of the secret existence of this deposit which he made with the security company and they can never be aware of it. Out of fear of my late husbands family, I decide to look for a trustworthy person who could assist me retrieve this box of money from the security company for onward lodgement into his account for the purpose of future investment. Consider my situation as a widow and come to my rescue.

I will appreciate you immensely for your co-operation as I look forward to hearing from you soon for quick prcessing and conclusion of this business transaction.Please contact me urgently upon your acceptance so that we can discuss how to go about this transaction speedily and accomplished it. Thanking you in anticipation of your very kind and humane gesture and looking forward to hearing considerably from you.

please I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of the presence of my husband's greedy and wicked relatives presently flock in our home. I don't want them to know about this development to aviod them not knowing that such fund are still in my possesion.

Please if you can assist me, I will be very grateful and repay you many
time over.

pbarati95(at)yahoo.com

i will be expecting to hear from you soon on my private email address.
Yours sincernly.
Barati.
E-mail:pbarati95@yahoo.com

Tanesco watamani kuongeza bei!

Shirika la Umeme nchini (TANESCO), linakusudia kupandisha bei za umeme kwa asilimia 200, endapo litaendelea kupata hasara na kulemewa na madeni.

Hayo yalisemwa jana na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Shirika hilo, Dk. Idris Rashid, wakati wa semina ya wabunge kuhusu Muswada wa Sheria za Umeme na Biashara.

Madai ya Dk. Idris Rashid:
1. gharama za uzalishaji ni kubwa sana na kwamba bei za umeme wanazotoza kwa sasa haziwezi kufidia gharama za uzalishaji huo.

2. shirika limekuwa likipata hasara kila mwaka, hasara ambayo imekuwa ikiongezeka, na kwamba ili kulinusuru linatakiwa kuongeza bei ya umeme kwa wateja wake.
Alitoa mfano kuwa;
-mwaka 2006 Shirika lilipata hasara ya Sh. bilioni 183,
-mwaka 2007 hasara Sh. bilioni 72,
-mwaka 2005 hasara Sh. bilioni 0.9,
-mwaka 2004 hasara Sh. bilioni 15.6,
-mwaka 2003 hasara Sh. bilioni 177 na
-mwaka 2002 hasara Sh. bilioni 72.

3. mwaka jana waliomba kuongeza bei kwa asilimia 40 wakaruhusiwa kuongeza asilimia 21 tu.

4. shirika linatumia asilimia 90 ya mapato yake kununua umeme kutoka makampuni yanayoliuliza umeme shirika hilo.
Makampuni ya wawakezeji ambayo yamekuwa yakiliuzia umeme TANESCO ni pamoja na IPTL, Songas, Richmond na AGGREKO.

Kamati ya Bunge ya Richmond ilionyesha kwamba mikataba ambayo serikali kupitia TANESCO iliingia na makampuni hayo ina upungufu ambao unawanufaisha zaidi wawekezaji na kuwaumiza wananchi wanaolipia bei kubwa ya umeme.
Kamati hiyo iliyoongozwa na Dk. Harrison Mwakyembe, ilipendekeza mikataba hiyo ipitiwe upya.

5. Hali ikiendelea kuwa mbaya zaidi mwakani Tanesco itaomba kuongeza bei kwa asilimia 200 ili angalau wakipunguza waturuhusu tuongeze kwa asilimia 100 kunusuru shirika.

6. kama serikali haitaki shirika hilo lipandishe bei ya umeme ililipe shirika hilo fedha zinazotumika kuzalisha umeme.
Alisema hatokubali shirika hilo lijiendeshe kwa hasara na kwamba kila ikibidi watalazimika kuongeza bei kwa wateja.

7. Sh. bilioni 300 ambazo Shirika hilo lilikopeshwa na benki mbalimbali hivi karibuni, zilitumika kulipa madeni ambayo shirika limeyarithi.

8. katika miaka mitano ijayo, Shirika hilo linahitaji mtaji wa Sh. trilioni 1.5 ili liweze kumudu kuboresha mfumo wa usafirishaji umeme na usambazaji.

9. ifikapo mwaka 2012 shirika linakusudia liwe na uwezo wa kuwaunganishia umeme wateja 100,000 kila mwaka kulinganisha na sasa ambapo kwa mwaka ni wateja 32,000 wanaounganishiwa.

10. asilimia kumi tu ya watanzania ndio wanapata umeme kwa sasa na kwamba miaka mitano ijayo wamepanga kuwaunganishia umeme asilimia 25 ya wateja.

11. wanakusudia pia kupunguza kiwango cha umeme kinachopotea kutoka kiwango cha sasa cha asilimia 23 hadi kufikia asilimia 13 mwaka 2012.

12. alisema Tanesco inanunua nguzo kutoka Afrika kusini na India kwa kuwa zinauzwa bei rahisi kuliko zinazotoka Wilaya ya Mbinga mkoani Ruvuma.
Alisema wanalazimika kuagiza kutoka nchi hizo kwa kuwa shirika halina uwezo wa kununua nguzo za Tanzania.

* SOURCE: Nipashe, 20 Mar 2008
By Joseph Mwendapole
(with some editing from me)

Tuesday 18 March 2008

What is health?

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
(www.who.int)
.....................................
In 1948, in its constitution, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as follows:
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

The definition was updated in the 1986 WHO "Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion" to say health is a
"resource for everyday life, not the objective of living", and "health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities."

Aspects of Health
Physical Health
Physical fitness is good bodily health, and is the result of regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and proper rest for physical recovery.

Height
A strong indicator of the health of populations is height, which is generally increased by improving nutrition and health care, and is also influenced by the standard of living and quality of life. Genetics is also a major factor in people's height. The study of human growth, its regulators, and its implications is known as Auxology.

Mental health
Mental health is a concept that refers to a human individual's emotional and psychological well-being. Merriam-Webster defines mental health as "A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life."

According to the World Health Organization, there is no one "official" definition of mental health. Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined. In general, most experts agree that "mental health" and "mental illness" are not opposites. In other words, the absence of a recognized mental disorder is not necessarily an indicator of mental health.
One way to think about mental health is by looking at how effectively and successfully a person functions. Feeling capable and competent; being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintain satisfying relationships, and lead an independent life; and being able to "bounce back," or recover from difficult situations, are all signs of mental health.
Encompassing your emotional, social, and—most importantly—your mental well-being; All these aspects—emotional, physical, and social—must function together to achieve overall health.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

URT

The United Republic of Tanzania is located in the Eastern Africa between longitude 29deg and 41deg East, Latitude 1deg and 12deg South.

The United Republic of Tanzania was formed out of the union of two sovereign states namely Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Tanganyika became a sovereign state on 9th December, 1961 and became a Republic the following year.
Zanzibar became independent on 10th December, 1963 and the People's Republic of Zanzibar was established after the revolution of 12th January, 1964.
The two sovereign republics formed the United Republic of Tanzania on 26th April, 1964.
However, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is a unitary republic consisting of the Union Government and the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.

Tanzania is the biggest (land area) among the East African countries (i.e. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania).

Dar es Salaam is the commercial capital and major sea port for Tanzania Mainland and it serves neighbouring land-locked countries of Malawi, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as Eastern DRC.
Other sea ports include Zanzibar, Tanga, and Mtwara. Because of its geographical and locational advantage, Dar es Salaam Port presents itself as the gateway into East and Central Africa. Furthermore, this renders Tanzania as a logical investment destination for investors.

(from www.tanzania.go.tz)

Tanzania

Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
United Republic of Tanzania

Motto: "Uhuru na Umoja" (Swahili)
"Freedom and Unity"
Anthem: Mungu ibariki Afrika
"God Bless Africa"

Capital: Dodoma
6°10′S, 35°31′E

Largest city: Dar es Salaam

Official languages: Swahili (de facto)

Demonym: Tanzanian

Government Republic
- President:Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
- Prime Minister: Mizengo Pinda

Independence from the United Kingdom
- Tanganyika December 9, 1961
- Zanzibar January 12, 1964
- Merger April 26, 1964
Area
- Total 945,087 km² (31st)
364,898 sq mi
- Water (%) 6.2
Population
- November 2006 estimate 37,849,1331 (32nd)
- 2002 census 35,214,888
- Density 41/km² (159th)
106/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2007 estimate
- Total $27.12 billion (99th)
- Per capita $1,100 (178th)

Gini (2000–01) 34.6 (medium)
HDI (2005) ▲ 0.467 (low) (159th)

Currency Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
- Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+3)

Internet TLD .tz
Calling code +255

(from: wikipedia)

We'll win tomorrow!

Man U is expected to pick all three points tomorrow against Bolton. The job players must do is to convert chances they get.
Always Man U creates chances but the problem has been to take them. If that happens (taking chances) then Bolton and Liverpool games will be simple and easier for Man U.
Therefore let us make it 70 points tomorrow, and then 73 on Sunday v. Liverpool!

The Film Director dies at 54

Name: Anthony Mingellah

Born: on 01/06/1954 in Ryde, Isle of Wight, England

Job Titles:
Director, Screenwriter, Playwright, Songwriter, Ice cream vendor, Teacher

Family
Brother: Dominic Minghella.
Daughter: Hannah Minghella. born on March 24, 1979; worked as Production Assistant on her father's film "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
Father: Edward Minghella. moved to Isle of Wight from Italy; played bit role in "The English Patient"
Mother: Gloria Minghella. moved to Isle of Wight from Italy; played bit role in "The English Patient"
Sister: Edana Minghella.
Son: Max Minghella. born c. 1985; mother, Carolyn Choa

Education
University of Hull, Hull, Yorkshire, England, English and drama, BA, 1975

Milestones
1975 Made stage directing debut with own play "Mobius the Stripper" in Hull, England
1976 Was lecturer in drama at University of Hull
1981 Enjoyed modest success with play "Whale Music"
1983 Wrote teleplays for the British series "Studio"
1986 Earned notice for his West End debut, "Made in Bangkok", about the exploitation of women in Thailand
1986 Scripted the British teleplay "What If It's Raining?"
1988 Penned the BBC radio play "Cigarettes and Chocolate"
1989 Scripted the British TV-movie "Living with Dinosaurs", starring Juliet Stevenson
1989 Wrote for "The Jim Henson Hour" (NBC)
1990 Feature directorial debut, "Truly, Madly, Deeply"; also scripted; reunited with Juliet Stevenson; shown at the London Film Festival; released theatrically worldwide in 1991
1993 First American film, "Mr. Wonderful", featuring Matt Dillon
1996 International breakthrough feature, "The English Patient"; film received 12 Academy Award nominations and won nine, including Best Picture and Best Director
1999 Adapted and directed "The Talented Mr. Ripley", a based on a Patricia Highsmith novel; material had been been previously filmed by Rene Clement in 1960 as "Plein Soleil/Purple Noon"
2000 Became partner with Sydney Pollack in Mirage Enterprises
2003 Wrote screenplay and directed feature adaptation of Charles Frazier's Civil War-era novel "Cold Mountain"; earned golden globe nominations for best director and best screenplay
2006 Wrote the original screenplay, "Breaking and Entering" reunited with Jude Law; also directed
Raised on the Isle of Wight
Wrote draft of "The Doctor", directed by Randa Haines; did not receive final screen credit
Wrote for the English TV series, "Inspector Morse"
Wrote for the series "The Storyteller" (NBC), produced by Jim Henson; some episodes not previously aired on the USA debuted on HBO in 1997; debuted with award-winning episode "Hans My Hedgehog

source: yahoo website

Monday 17 March 2008

Derby County 0 Man Utd 1

United made heavy weather of it, but procured three more precious points against Derby County after Cristiano Ronaldo struck a late winner at Pride Park.

Stadium: Pride Park, Derby

Competition: Premier League

Team (Man U):
Ben Foster
O'shea-Brown-Vidic-Evra
Park-Scholes-Anderson-Giggs
Ronaldo-Rooney

Subs used:
Saha for Park
Carrick for Scholes
Fletcher for Anderson

Subs not used: Heaton, Hargreaves

Results: Derby County 0 Man Utd 1, Ronaldo

Points: 67

Position: 1st

Performance meter: 6/10 (average to good)

Remaining matches:
19 Mar Barclays Premier League United Vs Bolton 20:00 H
23 Mar Barclays Premier League United Vs Liverpool 13:30 H
29 Mar Barclays Premier League United Vs Aston Villa 00:00 H
April 2008
01 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 A
06 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Middlsbro 13:30 A
09 Apr UEFA Champions League United Vs Roma 19:45 H
13 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Arsenal 16:00 H
19 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Blackburn 17:15 A
26 Apr Barclays Premier League United Vs Chelsea 12:45 A
May 2008
03 May Barclays Premier League United Vs West Ham 15:00 H
11 May Barclays Premier League United Vs Wigan 15:00 A

MAN UTD GOALS! (As on Sat 15/03/2008 17:00GMT)
1.Cristiano Ronaldo-Prem:(22) FA Cup:(3) Champ Lg:(6) =31
2.Carlos Tevez-Prem:(11) FA Cup:(1)Cham Lg:(3) =15
3.Wayne Rooney-Prem:(8) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lg:(3) =13
4.Louis Saha-Prem:(5) Champ Lg:(0) =5
5.Rio Ferdinand:Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(1) =3
6.Nani-Prem:(2) FA Cup:(1) Champ Lg:(0) =3
7.Nemanja Vidic-Prem:(2) Champ Lg:(0) =2
8.Ryan Giggs-Pre:(2) Champ Lge:(0) =2
9.Gerard Pique- Prem:(0), Champ Lg:(2) =2
10.Darren Fletcher:Prem:(0) FA Cup:(2) Champ Lge:(0)=2
11.Michael Carrick-Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
12.Owen Hargreaves: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ Lg:(0) =1
13.Park Ji Sung: Prem:(1), FA Cup:(0), Champ/Lge:(0) =1
...................................................
own goals for Man Utd
03/11/2007 W Gallas (Arsenal),(1) results:D, 2-2
01/3/2008 Davies (Fulham),(1) results:W, 0-3

Saturday 15 March 2008

Kanisa lapigwa stop Kiagata!

Serikali mkoani Mara, imevunja kambi ya mchungaji wa kanisa la Wasabato wenye msimamo mkali, linalohubiri kushuka kwa Yesu mwezi ujao, hatua ambayo imewafanya baadhi ya waumini wake kuanza kuuza vitu vyao.

Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Musoma, Bw. Saveli Maketta, aliliambia gazeti hili mjini hapa kuwa kambi ya mchungaji huyo, Ephraem Mtabi, iliyokuwa katika kijiji cha Kyagata, wilayani hapa ilivunjwa Machi 12 kwa ushirikianao wa jeshi la polisi.

Bw. Maketta alisema kuwa mchungaji Mtabi, mkazi wa mjini Bunda, awali alikuwa ni muumini wa kanisa la Wasabato halisi, lakini baadaye alijiengua na kuanzisha kanisa lake ambalo lina msimamo mkali.

Baadhi ya wananchi wamemfananisha Mtabi na \'Askofu\' Joseph Kibwetere, kiongozi wa Kanisa la Kurejesha Amri 10 za Mungu, ambaye alisababisha waumini wake kujilipua moto nchini Uganda kwa kuamini kwamba mwaka 2000 ulikuwa mwisho wa dunia.

Bw. Maketta alisema alipata habari za kuwepo kwa mchungaji huyo katika wilaya yake, kupitia kwa Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Bunda, Luteni mstaafu Chiku Gallawa, ambaye pia alizipata taarifa hizo kutoka kwa raia wema wakiwemo walimu wa shule na wanafunzi, ambao pia walijiunga na kanisa hilo na kuacha masomo.

``Mchungaji huyo amekuwa akihatarisha amani katika jamii, kwa kuhubiri hivyo, kwani watu watakaposubiri bila kumuona huyo Yesu, kwa siku walizoambiwa, wanaweza kukata tamaa ya kuishi, na hivyo wanaweza kujiua au hata kumuua yeye mwenyewe... Sasa sisi kama serikali tumeliona hilo na kuchukua hatua ya kuvunja kambi hiyo mara moja,`` alisema.

Aliongeza: ``Kuna madai ya baadhi ya wanafunzi waliojiunga na kanisa lake kuacha masomo. Tumesikia kwamba baadhi yao hawakufanya mitihani yao ikiwemo ya kidato cha nne.``

Alisema alimuagiza ofisa tarafa kufanya uchunguzi na tathmini haraka, ili hatua zichukuliwe.

Alisema katika mahubiri yake mchungaji huyo alisisitiza kwamba Yesu atashuka mwezi Aprili mwaka huu, katika kijiji cha Kyagata na kwamba amekuwa akiwataka watu mbalimbali wakiwemo waumini wa kanisa hilo kujiandaa, ili waweze kupaa na mwokozi huyo.

Imeelezwa kuwa kutokana na mahubiri hayo, watu mbalimbali wakiwemo wanafunzi walihama makwao na kwenda katika kambi ya mchungaji huyo ili kushirikiana naye katika kuhubiri ujio wa Yesu Kristo, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuhamasisha wengine waweze kujiunga na kanisa hilo na kukaa mkao wa kumsubiri.

Taarifa zinaonyesha kuwa baadhi ya waumini wenzake walikwishauza baadhi ya vitu vyao, kikiwemo chakula na mifugo, ambapo pia wanafunzi wamekataa kusoma kwa madai kuwa hawawezi kusoma wakati ufalme wa mwenyezi Mungu umekwisha kutimia na hivyo wanasubiri kupaa mbinguni.

Kamanda wa Polisi mkoani Mara, Bw. David Saibullu, aliwaambia waandishi wa habari kuwa mahubiri ya mchungaji huyo yanahatarisha amani na kwamba bila kudhibitiwa mapema, yanaweza kuleta maafa makubwa kama ilivyokwisha kutokea nchini Uganda, ambako waumimi wenye msimamo mkali walijifungia kanisani na kujilipua kwa moto.

Kamanda Saibullu alisema kuwa jeshi la polisi linawashikilia na kuwahoji watu kadhaa, wakiwemo wanafunzi wanne.

Walioshikiliwa ni Edina Joseph na Nimrod Machumu, wanaosoma katika Shule ya Sekondari Lubana ya wilayani Bunda, Eliza Joseph, Shule ya Msingi Migungani, Bunda na Manyama Benabato, Shule ya Msingi Namibu A.

Wengine ni Katibu wa kanisa hilo, Mussa Waitaro, mkazi wa Kyagata, pamoja na wazazi wawili wa wanafunzi hao, ambao ni Joyce Paul na Nyanjura Machumu, wote wakazi wa wilayani Bunda.

Kamanda Saibullu, alisema kuwa Mchungaji wa kanisa hilo kwa sasa yuko safarini mkoani Tabora, ambako inadaiwa kuwa amekwenda kuhamasisha watu wengine waweze kujiunga na kanisa lake.

* SOURCE: Nipashe, 15 Mar 2008
By Ahmed Makongo, Musoma

Saint Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day 2004 in Cork, Ireland.Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa 385–461 AD), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.

The day is the national holiday of Ireland. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland, and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Montserrat, and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the rest of Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday.

It became a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church due to the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding in the early part of the 17th century, and is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics in Ireland. The date of the feast is occasionally moved by church authorities when March 17 falls during Holy Week; this last happened in 1940 when Saint Patrick's Day was observed on 3 April in order to avoid it coinciding with Palm Sunday, and will happen again in 2008, when it shall be held on March 15. After 2008, March 17th will not fall during Holy Week again until 2160.

Celebration overview
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by non-Irish people (usually in Australia, North America, and Ireland) as well. Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, the colour green. Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green or orange, eating Irish food and/or green foods, imbibing Irish drink (such as Guinness) and attending parades.

The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five-day festival; over 500,000 people attended the 2006 parade. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in New York City and it is watched by over 2 million spectators. The St. Patrick's Day parade was first held in Boston in 1737, organized by the Charitable Irish Society. New York's celebration began on 18 March 1762 when Irish soldiers in the British army marched through the city. The predominantly French-speaking Canadian city of Montréal, in the province of Québec has the longest continually running Saint Patrick's day parade in North America, since 1824. The city's flag has the Irish emblem, the shamrock, in one of its corners. Ireland's cities all hold their own parades and festivals. These cities include Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford. Parades also take place in other Irish towns and villages.

As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, Saint Patrick's Day is a Christian festival celebrated in the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and some other denominations. The day almost always falls in the season of Lent. Some bishops will grant an indult, or release, from the Friday no-meat observance when St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday; this is sometimes colloquially known as a "corned-beef indult". When 17 March falls on a Sunday, church calendars (though rarely secular ones) move Saint Patrick's Day to the following Monday—and when the 17th falls during Holy Week (very rarely), the observance will be moved to next available date or, exceptionally, before holy week.

In many parts of North America, Britain, and Australia expatriate Irish and ever-growing crowds of people with no Irish connections but who may proclaim themselves "Irish for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day, usually with the consumption of traditionally Irish alcoholic beverages (beer and stout, such as Murphys, Beamish, Smithwicks, Harp, or Guinness; Irish whiskey; Irish coffee; or Baileys Irish Cream) and by wearing green-coloured clothing.

2007 marked the first annual St. Patrick's Day parade and festival in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

Recent history
In the past, Saint Patrick's Day was celebrated only as a religious holiday. It became a public holiday in 1903, by the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act 1903, an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament introduced by the Irish MP James O'Mara. O'Mara later introduced the law which required that pubs be closed on 18 March, a provision which was repealed only in the 1970s. The first St. Patrick's Day parade held in the Irish Free State was held in Dublin in 1931 and was reviewed by the then Minister of Defence Desmond Fitzgerald. Although secular celebrations now exist, the holiday remains a religious observance in Ireland, for both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Church.

Sign on a beam in the Guinness Storehouse.It was only in the mid-1990s that the Irish government began a campaign to use Saint Patrick's Day to showcase Ireland and its culture. The government set up a group called St. Patrick's Festival, with the aim to:

—Offer a national festival that ranks amongst all of the greatest celebrations in the world and promote excitement throughout Ireland via innovation, creativity, grassroots involvement, and marketing activity.
—Provide the opportunity and motivation for people of Irish descent, (and those who sometimes wish they were Irish) to attend and join in the imaginative and expressive celebrations.
—Project, internationally, an accurate image of Ireland as a creative, professional and sophisticated country with wide appeal, as we approach the new millennium.
The first Saint Patrick's Festival was held on 17 March 1996. In 1997, it became a three-day event, and by 2000 it was a four-day event. By 2006, the festival was five days long.

The topic of the 2004 St. Patrick's Symposium was "Talking Irish," during which the nature of Irish identity, economic success, and the future were discussed. Since 1996, there has been a greater emphasis on celebrating and projecting a fluid and inclusive notion of "Irishness" rather than an identity based around traditional religious or ethnic allegiance. The week around Saint Patrick's Day usually involves Irish speakers using more Irish during seachtain na Gaeilge ("Irish Week").

Shamrock ("three-leaf clover")Many Irish people still wear a bunch of shamrocks on their lapels or caps on this day or green, white, and orange badges (after the colours of the Irish flag). Girls and boys wear green in their hair. Artists draw shamrock designs on people's cheeks as a cultural sign, including American tourists.

Although Saint Patrick's Day has the colour green as its theme, one little known fact is that blue was once the colour associated with this day.

The biggest celebrations on the island of Ireland outside Dublin are in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, where Saint Patrick was buried following his death on 17 March 461. In 2004, according to Down District Council, the week-long St. Patrick's Festival had over 2000 participants and 82 floats, bands, and performers, and was watched by over 30,000 people.

The day is celebrated by the Church of Ireland as a Christian festival. Saint Patrick's Day as a celebration of Irish culture was rarely acknowledged by Northern Irish Unionists, who consider it a festival of Irish Nationalists. The Belfast City Council recently agreed to give public funds to its parade for the first time; previously the parade was funded privately. The Belfast parade is based on equality and only the flag of St. Patrick is supposed to be used as a symbol of the day to prevent it being seen as a time which is exclusively for Republicans and Nationalists. This allowed both Unionists and Nationalists to celebrate the day together. The orangemen wear orange instead of green on St. Patrick's Day.

Since the 1990s, Irish Taoisigh have sometimes attended special functions either on Saint Patrick's Day or a day or two earlier, in the White House, where they present shamrock to the President of the United States. A similar presentation is made to the Speaker of the House. Originally only representatives of the Republic of Ireland attended, but since the mid-1990s all major Political parties in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are invited, with the attendance including the representatives of the Irish government, the Ulster Unionist Party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Sinn Féin and others. No Northern Irish parties were invited for these functions in 2005. In recent years, it is common for the entire Irish government to be abroad representing the country in various parts of the world. In 2003, the President of Ireland celebrated the holiday in Sydney, the Taoiseach was in Washington, while other Irish government members attended ceremonies in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Buffalo N.Y., San Jose, Savannah, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, San Diego, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa, Korea, Japan, and Brazil.

Saint Patrick's Day parades in Ireland date from the late 19th century, originating in the growing sense of Irish nationalism.

Christian leaders in Ireland have expressed concern about the secularisation of St Patrick's Day. Writing in the Word magazine (March 2007), Fr. Vincent Twomey stated that, "it is time to reclaim St Patrick's Day as a church festival". He questioned the need for "mindless alcohol-fuelled revelry" and concluded that, "it is time to bring the piety and the fun together". The widespread use of alcoholic beverages on St. Patrick's Day may be rooted in the fact that the Roman festival of the Bacchanalia, a celebration of the deity Bacchus (to whom wine was sacred), was on 17 March.


Outside Ireland

In Argentina
In Argentina, and specially in Buenos Aires, all-night long parties are celebrated in designated streets, since the weather is comfortably warm in March. People dance and drink only beer throughout the night, until seven or eight in the morning, and although the tradition of mocking those who do not does not exist, most people would wear something green. In Buenos Aires, the party is held in downtown street Reconquista, where there are several Celtic bars ; in 2006, there were 50,000 people in this street and the pubs nearby. Curiously enough, the street is named that way ("Reconquest") remembering take over of the city after it had been invaded by the British in 1806, and much of the popularity of the day is due to the Argentine animosity against Great Britain (and thus, sympathy towards the Irish). Neither the Catholic Church nor the Irish community, the fifth largest in the world outside Ireland , take part in the organization of the parties.

In Canada
Saint Patrick's Day Parade in MontrealThe longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parade in Canada occurs each year in Montreal, Québec. The parades have been held in continuity since 1824; however, St. Patrick's Day itself has been celebrated in Montreal as far back as 1759 by Irish soldiers in the Montreal Garrison following the British conquest of New France.

In Canada, Saint Patrick's Day is an official holiday only in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Some groups, notably Guinness, have lobbied to make Saint Patrick's Day a federal (national) holiday.

In the Province of Manitoba, the Irish Association of Manitoba runs an annual three day festival of music and culture based around St Patrick's Day.

In the City of Toronto from 1919 to 1927, the Toronto Maple Leafs were known as the Toronto St. Patricks, and wore green jerseys. In 1999 when the Leafs played on Hockey Night in Canada (national broadcast of the NHL) on St. Patrick's Day, the Leafs wore the green St. Pats retro jersey.

Although the baseball season is still in the spring training phase when St. Patrick's Day rolls around, the Toronto Blue Jays wear green uniforms for the occasion.

In Great Britain
2006 St Patrick's Day celebrations in Trafalgar Sq, LondonIn Great Britain, the late Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (the Queen Mother) used to present bowls of shamrock flown over from Ireland to members of the Irish Guards, a regiment in the British Army consisting primarily of soldiers from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In 2002, London mayor Ken Livingstone organized an annual Saint Patrick's Day parade which takes place on weekends around the 17th, usually in Trafalgar Square.

The horse racing at the Cheltenham Festival attracts large numbers of Irish people, both residents of Britain and many who travel from Ireland, and usually coincides with Saint Patrick's Day.

The largest Saint Patrick's Day parade in Britain is held in Birmingham over a two mile (3 km) route through the city centre. The organisers describe it as the third biggest parade in the world after Dublin and New York. Other Saint Patrick's Day parades take place around the country including in London where the largest minority community is Irish. The Lanarkshire town of Coatbridge, where the majority of the town's population are of Irish descent, also has a day of celebration and parades in the town centre.

Manchester hosts a two week Irish festival in the weeks prior to St Patrick's Day, the city claims the largest Irish population in Great Britain outside of London. The festival includes an Irish Market based at the city's town hall which flies the Irish tricolour opposite the Union Flag, a large parade (claiming to be the biggest outside of Dublin and New York based on entrant and float numbers) as well as a large number of cultural and learning events throughout the two-week period. The festival promotes itself as the largest in the UK.


In Germany
2007 St Patrick's Day celebrations in Munich
Mayor Ude giving a speech.Munich is the only German city that holds a St. Patrick's Day parade due to the considerably large Irish community. The parade is organized by the German-Irish Society of Bavaria and has been held every year since 1996. Meanwhile it has evolved into the largest St.Patricks day parade in continental Europe and features not only Irish/Scots/English, but also German clubs and societies, with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 participants and spectators in 2007. Following the 2 km parade, which usually takes place the Sunday preceding 17 March, is an open air party with live music and dance performances. Subject to its recent growth, the D.I.F. Bayern e.V. ("Deutsch-Irischer Freundeskreis" - German-Irish Circle of Friends) now claims that it organises the second largest parade in the whole of Europe. Patron of the parade is Munich's mayor Christian Ude and the celebration is attended by the ambassador and the honorary consul of the Republic of Ireland.

In Denmark
The St. Patrick's Day 3 Legged Charity Race started in Copenhagen in 2001. The race is organized by the Irish expat community and is sponsored by the Carlsberg brewery and the Irish pub owners of Copenhagen. In 2007, the event raised 26,000 DKK (~3,500 euro). All proceeds were donated to a Danish charity for children with cancer. All proceeds from the 2008 race will be donated to the Neonatal Department at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.

In Japan
Since 1992, the [Irish Network Japan] has hosted a St. Patrick's Day parade held on fashionable Omotesando Avenue in Tokyo, as a way of introducing Ireland and Irish culture to the Japanese.

Montserrat
The tiny island of Montserrat, known as "Emerald Island of the Caribbean" due to its foundation by Irish refugees from Saint Kitts and Nevis, is the only place in the world apart from the Republic of Ireland and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador in which St Patrick's Day is a public holiday. The holiday commemorates a failed slave uprising that occurred on 17 March 1798.

In Mexico
On this day, and on 12 September, the Saint Patrick's Battalion (Batallón de San Patricio) is memorialized. It fought as part of the Mexican Army against the United States in the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848, and was composed of several hundred Irish, Germans, Swiss, Scots and other Roman Catholics of European descent.


In Russia
On March 15, 1992, thousands of Muscovites lined the Novy Arbat to witness the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Russian capital's history. Yuri Luzhkov — now the current Mayor of Moscow - and Aer Rianta Chief Executive Derek Keogh were on the reviewing stand as a police escort led the way for Russian marching bands, Cossack horsemen, and fifteen floats representing many Russian companies. The parade, which was the brainchild of Derek Keogh, was a big success, and ensured a repeat performance the following year.

Each year the floats have become more numerous and sophisticated and the range of international and Russian participants and sponsors more wide-ranging such as Pepsi and Guinness. The local Irish bars of Moscow contribute their own floats.

The Moscow parade continued to be an annual event until 1998. The economic collapse of August 1998 meant that the 1999 parade was cancelled. In 2000, the St Patrick's Society of Russia managed to re-establish the St Patrick's Day parade with the co-operation of the Moscow city government, the Moscow police, various government bodies, the Irish embassy and the Irish community in Moscow.

In the United States
Irish colonists brought Saint Patrick's Day to what is now the United States of America. The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in the 13 colonies took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737. During this first celebration The Charitable Irish Society of Boston organized what was the first Saint Patrick's Day Parade in the colonies on 17 March 1737. The first celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756, and New York's first Saint Patrick's Day Parade was held on 17 March 1762 by Irish soldiers in the British Army. In 1780, General George Washington, who commanded soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, allowed his troops a holiday on 17 March. This event became known as The St. Patrick's Day Encampment of 1780. Today, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in America by Irish and non-Irish alike.

Postcard mailed in the United States in 1912Americans celebrate the holiday by wearing green clothing. Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green-coloured clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched. Alcohol is the centre of many American celebrations. It is also the cause and solution for a number of problems ranging from wife talking too much all the way up to not being able to drive fast enough.

Some cities paint the traffic stripe of their parade routes green. Chicago dyes its river green, and Indianapolis dyes its main canal green. Savannah dyes its downtown city fountains green. University of Missouri Rolla - St Pat's Board Alumni paint 12 city blocks kelly green with mops before the annual parade.

Many parades are held to celebrate the holiday including the cities listed below:

The longest-running Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S. are:

Boston, Massachusetts, since 1737
[[Oregon, SALEM OREGON SINCE 1998
New York City, since 1756
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since 1771
Morristown, New Jersey, since 1780
Buffalo, New York, since 1811
Savannah, Georgia, since 1813
Carbondale, Pennsylvania, since 1833
Chicago, Illinois, since 1843
New Haven, Connecticut, since 1845
San Francisco, California, since 1852
Scranton, Pennsylvania, since 1862
Cleveland, Ohio, since 1867
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since 1869[27]
Kansas City, Missouri, since 1873
Butte, Montana, since 1882
Rolla, Missouri, since 1908

Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, GA, boasts the unofficial largest attendance with 750,000 in 2006. Unlike other cities, the parade in Savannah takes place on the actual day of Saint Patrick's Day; even if that day is during the work week. However for 2008, the parade will take place on Friday, 14 March, to honor Holy week in the Catholic faith. The parade starts at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral on Abercorn Street. The actual parade route changes from year to year but usually travels through Savannah's Historic Park District and Bay Street. Usual participants in the parade include the local Armed Forces Units, Cadets from Benedictine Military School, and other local organizations, officials, and establishments. In 2006, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland was featured in the parade. Since the parade travels through Savannah's Historic Park District, one tradition that has developed has been the official "dyeing of the fountains" which happens several days before the parade. It has also become tradition for women spectators to kiss the Armed Forces Units and other military organization's male members.

The parade is not Savannah's only St. Patrick's day attraction. The Savannah Waterfront Association has an annual celebration on Historic River Street that is reminiscent of Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street. There is no cover charge to access River Street, but a $5 wristband is required if one chooses to drink there.[29] Savannah does not have an open container law so there is a proliferation of alcohol on River Street, Bay Street and in City Market.

New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana, the parades include the influence of New Orleans Mardi Gras, with float riders throwing spectators strings of beads, cabbages, and potatoes.

Hot Springs, Arkansas
Perhaps the smallest notable parade World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, is said to take place in Hot Springs, Arkansas in the United States annually held on historic Bridge Street which became famous in the 1940s when Ripley’s Believe It or Not designated it “The Shortest Street in the World.” Boulder, Colorado claims to have the shortest parade, which is also less than a single city block.

Syracuse, New York
In the city of Syracuse, NY, Saint Patrick's celebrations are traditionally begun with the delivery of green beer to Coleman's Irish Pub on the first Sunday of March. Coleman's is located in the Tipperary Hill section of the city. Tipperary Hill is home to the World famous "Green-on-Top" Traffic Light and is historically the Irish section in Syracuse. Saint Patrick's Day is rung in at midnight with the painting of a Shamrock under the Green-Over-Red traffic light. Syracuse boasts the largest St. Patrick's day celebration per-capita in the United States.

New York City
The New York parade has become the largest Saint Patrick's Day parade in the world. In 2006 more than 150,000 marchers participated in it, including bands, firefighters, military and police groups, county associations, emigrant societies, and social and cultural clubs, and it was watched by close to 2 million spectators lining the streets. The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan and is always led by the U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment. New York politicians - or those running for office - are always found prominently marching in the parade. Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch once proclaimed himself "Ed O'Koch" for the day, and he continues to don an Irish sweater and march every year, even though he is no longer in office. In a similar fashion, resigned New York state governor Eliot Spitzer marched in and even visited the morning Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral for the 2007 parade.

The parade is organized and run by the Ancient Order of Hibernians.[citation needed] For many years, the St. Patrick's Day Parade was the primary public function of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. On occasion the order has appointed controversial Irish republican figures (some of whom were barred from the U.S.) to be its Grand Marshal.

The New York parade is moved to the previous Saturday (16 March) in years where 17 March is a Sunday. The event is also moved on the rare occasions when, due to Easter falling on a very early date, 17 March would land in Holy Week. This same scenario is scheduled to arise again in 2008, when Easter will also fall on 23 March, but the festivities will go on at their normal date. In many other American cities (such as San Francisco), the parade is always held on the Sunday before 17 March, regardless of the liturgical calendar.

Scranton, Pennsylvania
Due to the rich history of Scranton participation in St. Patrick's Day festivities it is one of the oldest and most populated parades in the United States. It has been going on annually since 1862 by the St. Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County and the parade has gotten attention nationally as being one of the better St. Patrick's Day parades. The parade route begins on Wyoming Ave. and loops up to Penn Ave. and then Lackawanna Ave. before going back down over Jefferson Ave. to get to Washington Ave. Scranton hosts the third largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the United States. In 2003, more than 100,000 people lined the parade route throughout the downtown.

Seattle, Washington
Due to Seattle's northern state climates, like Ireland, the city received many Irish immigrants. So many that Seattle and Galway are sister cities. Every year on St. Patrick's Day, the Seattle Parade starts at 4th Avenue and Jefferson to the Reviewing Stand at Westlake Park, ending officially at the Seattle Center. The annual Irish Week Festival is enormous, including step dancing, food, historical and modern exhibitions, and Irish lessons. This is all celebrated on St. Patrick's Day and sometimes carries on until the 15, 16, and 17 March.

Las Vegas, Nevada
The Southern Nevada, (formerly Las Vegas) Sons of Erin has put on a parade since 1966. It was formerly held on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, later moved to 4th street. Since 2005, the parade has been held in downtown Henderson. It is one of the biggest parades in the state of Nevada. It also consists of a three day festival, carnival and classic car show in Old Town Henderson.

Baseball
Although the baseball season is still in the spring training phase when St. Patrick's Day rolls around, some teams celebrate by wearing St. Patrick's Day themed uniforms. The Cincinnati Reds were the first team to ever wear St. Patrick's Day hats in 1978. The Boston Red Sox were the second team to start wearing St. Patrick's Day hats in 1990. Many teams have since wearing St. Patrick's day themed jerseys, including the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980s and Boston Red Sox in 2004. Since then it has become a tradition of many sports teams to also wear special uniforms to celebrate the holiday. The Los Angeles Dodgers also have a history with the Irish-American community. With the O'Malley family owning the team and now Frank McCourt, the Dodgers have had team celebrations or worn green jerseys on St. Patrick's Day. The Philadelphia Phillies also wear St. Patrick's Day caps and jerseys. Other teams celebrate by wearing kelly green hats these teams include: the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Mets, the San Diego Padres, the Atlanta Braves, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nearly all major league baseball teams now produce St. Patrick's day merchandise, including Kelly green hats, jerseys, and t-shirts.

Food
Corned beef and cabbage is the most common meal eaten in the United States for St. Patrick's Day, even though historically, corned beef and cabbage is an American (rather than a traditionally Irish) meal.

In the United States, many people have also made the holiday a celebration of the colour green. These people, besides wearing green on that day, may also stage dinner parties featuring all green foods.
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(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)