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  • Now there’s a creepy, sonar-like sound coming through one of Starliner’s speakers

    Now there’s a creepy, sonar-like sound coming through one of Starliner’s speakers

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    Starliner is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station and make its return trip to Earth uncrewed in just a matter of days, but it apparently still has a few new mysteries left in it to throw at the team before it departs. On Saturday, astronaut Butch Wilmore alerted NASA’s Mission Control about an unexplained “strange noise” coming from a speaker in the spacecraft, which you can hear in an audio clip of the conversation shared on a NASASpaceflight forum by meteorologist Rob Dale (spotted by Ars Technica). It starts at around the 45-second mark, ringing out on a steady beat. “I don’t know what’s making it,” Wilmore said.

    After confirming they could hear the sound too, once Wilmore brought his mic over to the speaker, the flight controller in Houston said, “It was kind of like a pulsing noise, almost like a sonar ping.” Wilmore then lets it play for about 20 seconds more before wrapping up the call. “Just to make sure I’m on the same page, this is emanating from the speaker in Starliner,” Mission Control asked, “you don’t notice anything else, any other noises, any weird configs in there?” The astronaut notes that everything else seems normal.

    It’s still unclear what caused the sound. The Boeing spacecraft has been docked with the ISS since early June, and engineers have since had their hands full trying to get to the bottom of the issues that arose during its first crewed flight. When Starliner finally heads back to Earth on September 6, it’ll be leaving its crew — Wilmore and NASA astronaut Suni Williams — behind on the ISS, where they’ll continue to work for the next few months while they wait for a ride home from SpaceX in February 2025.

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  • Punk Singer Leads Police On GTA Level Chase After Crime Spree

    Punk Singer Leads Police On GTA Level Chase After Crime Spree

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    Sometimes we come across news that makes it seem is if there are real lifeGrand Theft Auto” characters walking among us. Take the lead singer of an LA punk band who made his way to the other wise peaceful region of Yosemite National Park and allegedly spent the day tearing shit up in a very un-punk way.

    The LA Times reports that Anthony Mehlhaff — lead singer of a punk band called Cancer Christ — may have turned into a real life Trevor from GTA V on August 21. According to local authorities, Mehlhaff began his Yosemite visit by harassing a pregnant waitress at a restaurant. It only got wilder from there, according to the Times:

    The front man for a hardcore Los Angeles punk band named Cancer Christ faces a slate of criminal charges after allegedly going on a “terrorizing trek” through Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas Wednesday, according to local law enforcement.

    Anthony Mehlhaff, 40, allegedly assaulted a restaurant employee, led park rangers on a car chase, crashed the car, stole a bicycle and then threatened workers at another lodge with a knife, according to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese.

    Then, Mehlhaff allegedly stripped to his underwear, attempted to kidnap a store manager, stole that manager’s car and started ramming it into another vehicle on a local road, crashed again and was taken into custody before assaulting deputies during an assessment at a local hospital, Briese wrote in a statement about the incident.

    “This man drove all around our county terrorizing our visitors and community members,” Briese said. “I am extremely happy that no one was seriously injured. This man’s behavior was erratic and dangerous.”

    Mariposa County Sheriffs arrested Mehlhaff and charged him with everything from vehicle theft and robbery to kidnapping. He’s being held on $100,000 bail. According to the Times, in social media posts Mehlhaff refers to himself as “Saint Anthony” while he and his band seem to think of themselves as a religion and their fans, “congregants.” This description of the band’s music from its own website honestly explains a lot:

    “Spreading the gospel through their unique brand of Reptilian Power Violence, Saint Anthony and The Snake People have been sent down from Heaven on a holy mission to make all politicians, pedophiles, and police officers suffer slowly,” the band’s website read.

    While that is all well and good, real punk rockers rage against the system. They don’t terrorize innocent people just going about their days. Seems Mehlhaff has a lot to learn.

    This story originally appeared on Jalopnik, our sister site, on Monday, August 26.

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  • Getting Started With Word Walls –

    Getting Started With Word Walls –

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    contributed by Samantha Saumell, I Have, Not I Am

    All teachers want to help students become successful readers and writers.

    Whether students like reading or writing, they are readers and writers, whether they know it or not. Students sometimes think that they only ‘write’ in school. But the truth is they write every time they text a friend, write a list, write a card, or even message a friend on a video game. Students don’t just ‘read’ at school; they constantly read everything around them. As teachers, it is our job to help students become successful at spelling. 

    Word Walls  

    Everybody has a different classroom setup, but it is essential to have a place where students can become active learners and look for words they need help spelling. A word wall becomes a great resource when students are writing and come across a word that they can’t phonetically sound out.

    A word wall is a space that contains high-frequency words. Studies have shown that students who receive direct sight word instruction increase their sight word recognition, reading rate, and fluency (Rosier). Students who were exposed to and taught sight words increased their reading because they could spend less time trying to decode ‘trick words’ and more time practicing fluency and comprehension. 

    Introducing Words 

    Before adding a word to the wall, teaching the words to students is important. In Phonics They Use {affiliate link], author Patricia Cunningham explains that it is not just enough to have a word wall; instead, teachers must teach into it (as cited in Rosier). Helping students learn these words can increase their reading fluency.

    For example, Bourne explains that when introducing a new word it is helpful if you have students use the word in a sentence. Having students use the word helps students to connect meaning to the new word, which in turn helps students retain the word (as cited in Rosier). You can begin by writing the word on the board, then take some time pointing out any phonics skills the word may have. After that, have students echo the word and sky write it. After students sky write the word, have students write it by themselves.

    Once students have practice spelling the word then have students use the word in a sentence. This may seem like a lot of steps but this multi-model approach is effective when you have a classroom full of students that all learn differently. By going through these steps you help visual, linguistic and kinesthetic learners.

    See also Quotes About Reading

    According to Howard Gardner, multiple intelligences explain the way different students learn. The eight intelligences include visual, linguistic, logical-mathematical, body-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic (Cherry). All students learn differently, and with that in mind, information should also be presented in ways that help all students be successful. 

    Where Do I Put It?

    Not all classrooms have a giant space where you can fit letters A-Z. One way to deal with this problem is to create an interactive word wall. A word wall where students become active participants in their learning. As students come across a trick word they will learn to take a few moments to consider what letter the word starts with.

    Once they figure out the beginning sound they can go to the place in your classroom where there are rings of words. There can be a ring of words for each letter. Students will then be able to take the word back with them to their seat and learn how to spell it correctly. This is also a great resource for English Language Learners, students currently working hard to learn their letters and corresponding sounds.

    This wall is accessible for all students. According to the article, “Word Walls” published by Reading Rockets it can be difficult for English Language Learners to copy words off the board. Being able to physically go and grab the word is a great way to support students learning English.

    See also What Is Critical Reading?

    Ultimately, teachers want to help all students become successful readers and writers. Implementing a word wall in your classroom is a step in the right direction. Help your students become active participants in their learning. Let’s give all students a chance to be victorious and show them they are successful readers and writers!

    Bio

    Samantha Saumell is not only a teacher but also a published author. Her book I Have, Not I Am [affiliate link] is available on Amazon. It is an inspirational story about how her life changed when she was diagnosed with anorexia. As people around her began to define her by a disease, she was forced to make a choice. 

    This book is meant to provide you with a glimmer of hope and a sense of reassurance that you are not alone. Whether you are fighting an eating disorder or you know someone who is, this book offers advice for you every step of the way.

    Works Cited

    Cherry, Kendra MSEd. “Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences.” Verywell  Mind, Verywell Mind, 11 Mar. 2023, www.verywellmind.com/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-279516

    Rosier, Lauren. “Word Walls and Reading Fluency.” Missouri State University, 1 Jun. 2015, https://www.nwmissouri.edu/library/researchpapers/2015/Rosier,%20Lauren.pdf

    Sayre, April Pulley, et al. “Word Walls.” Reading Rocketswww.readingrockets.org/classroom/classroom-strategies/word-walls.

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  • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe | The Recipe Critic

    Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe | The Recipe Critic

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    This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

    There’s no need to purchase store-bought sauce, with this hearty and flavorful Homemade Spaghetti Sauce. Simple ingredients such as ground beef, onion, garlic, and spices of oregano and basil bring a bold flavor to this simple sauce.

    This recipe is extremely simple. If you like easy Italian-inspired sauce that you can make at home then you need to try this Bolognese Sauce or this Alfredo Sauce recipe!

    Top close view of homemade spaghetti sauce in a silver pan with a wood spoon.

    Reasons to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

    • Affordable: Making spaghetti sauce at home is easy, delicious, and way more affordable than restaurant prices!
    • Quality Ingredients: Fresh ingredients make the best sauce and it tastes way better!
    • Food Storage: You can easily prepare this sauce and have plenty for leftovers or for freezing and using later.

    Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

    Homemade spaghetti sauce is a classic recipe that can be prepared quickly and one everyone will love. This simple sauce is not only nostalgic but classic for a good reason. You’ll love the flavorful tomato base and the combination of the beef and sausage. And to make it even better, it’s finished off with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. My family can not get enough of it!

    It’s the perfect spaghetti sauce to use in multiple recipes. Make a big batch and use it in recipes like this sheet pan lasagna, rigatoni, or this easy spaghetti pie!

    Ingredients in Spaghetti Meat Sauce

    Everyone has their favorite recipe, but the best sauces are often the most basic. Use simple ingredients to make this delicious homemade spaghetti sauce.

    Ingredients labeled to make homemade spaghetti sauce. Ingredients labeled to make homemade spaghetti sauce.
    • Olive Oil: choose a high-quality olive oil to brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic. This will only add to the flavor.
    • Ground Beef: the type of ground beef is entirely up to and you can also switch out the ground beef for ground sausage.
    • Yellow Onion: the onion brings a mild bite to the sauce which is a key flavor in spaghetti sauce.
    • Garlic Cloves: these minced cloves bring the most powerful flavor that is so common in Italian recipes. Using freshly minced garlic will also bring about the best flavor.
    • Tomato Paste: adding the tomato paste helps to thicken the sauce, but it also brings a strong flavor that is heightened when stirred in and cooked after the onions and garlic are cooked.
    • Diced Tomatoes or Crushed Tomatoes: for a smoother sauce use crushed tomatoes and for a chunkier sauce go with diced tomatoes. Either one makes a delicious sauce.
    • Water: this helps to bring the sauce together and you may use more or less to thicken or thin it.
    • Sugar: This helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes with a little sweetness.
    • Worcestershire: The umami flavor this brings to the sauce makes the meatiness deeper and more complex.
    • Italian Seasoning: this classic spice adds a peppery flavor to the sauce.
    • Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adding parmesan cheese is optional, but strongly suggested for that delicious cheesy flavor.
    • Fresh Basil: the fresh aroma of this peppery-flavored leaf also adds a small hint of mint.

    How to Make Spaghetti Sauce

    Follow my easy step-by-step instructions below for making homemade spaghetti sauce. You’re going to love this recipe!

    1. Brown the Meat: Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage and cook until no pink remains, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and drain the fat, except for a couple of tablespoons you may leave in the pan.
    2. Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Add the remaining olive oil and the onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until the onions turn translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until the garlic is very fragrant.
    3. Add the Cooked Meat and Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute. Once the tomato paste becomes fragrant, add the meat and the remaining ingredients except the parmesan cheese and basil. Cook until boiling. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
    4. Stir in Cheese and Basil: Stir the parmesan and basil into the finished sauce and serve over your choice of noodles.
    Close view of a wood spoon lifting up homemade spaghetti sauce.Close view of a wood spoon lifting up homemade spaghetti sauce.

    Instant Pot Instructions

    It’s easy to make spaghetti sauce in the Instant Pot! Follow these instructions for using the instant pot:

    1. Brown the Meat: Push the “sauté” button to heat the olive oil. Brown the meat and use a slotted spoon to remove it.
    2. Add Onion and Garlic: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and then sauté the onion for 4 minutes and then add the garlic to cook for an additional 1 minute.
    3. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the remaining ingredients except for the parmesan and basil.
    4. Seal and Cook: Cover and seal the lid. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes. When the time is up let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and move the valve to vent.
    5. Stir in Cheese and Enjoy: Remove the lid and stir in the grated parmesan.

    Tips for Making the Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

    Make homemade spaghetti sauce just the way you like it! You have the control to choose the consistency, adjust the seasonings, or make it meatless. Here’s how:

    • Thinner Sauce: For a thinner sauce, that is big on tomato chunks use canned diced tomatoes.
    • Thicker Sauce: Use crushed tomatoes for a smoother sauce that has a thicker base to it.
    • Garlic: You can add more than 5 garlic cloves for added flavor. You can also substitute 1 tablespoon of garlic powder if you dislike the fresh garlic pieces’ texture.
    • Sugar: I think sugar is the secret ingredient because it enhances the tomatoes’ sweetness and balances out the acidity. You may omit the sugar if you prefer.
    • Herbs: Italian seasoning has all the wonderful herbs that add flavor to this sauce, but you may add additional oregano and fresh basil if you’d like to intensify the herbs.
    • Meatless: You can easily leave the meat out of this sauce for more of a marinara-type sauce. If you choose to leave out the meat I suggest using a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes.

    How to Store Spaghetti Sauce

    Homemade spaghetti sauce is perfect for storing in the fridge and the freezer! I like to make a big batch to have on hand in the freezer for busy days.

    • In the Refrigerator: Place the spaghetti sauce in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • In the Freezer: This sauce can easily be frozen and saved for later. To freeze the sauce let it come to room temperature before placing it in a ziptop bag or an air-tight storage container. Make sure to include the date. The sauce will last for about 6 months in the freezer.

    Close view of homemade spaghetti sauce spooning on top of a bowl of noodles. Close view of homemade spaghetti sauce spooning on top of a bowl of noodles.

    More Delicious Pasta Recipes

    Pin this now to find it later

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    • Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage and cook until no pink remains, breaking up the meat as it cooks.

    • Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and drain the fat, except for a couple of tablespoons you may leave in the pan.

    • Add the remaining olive oil and the onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until the onions turn translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until the garlic is very fragrant.

    • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute. Once the tomato paste becomes fragrant, add the meat and the remaining ingredients except the parmesan cheese and basil. Cook until boiling. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

    • Stir the parmesan and basil into the finished sauce and serve over your choice of noodles.

    Updated on August 29, 2024
    Originally Posted on May 25, 2020

    Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 10gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 637mgPotassium: 286mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.



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  • Applications Open Soon for Spring Multi Day Seminars

    Applications Open Soon for Spring Multi Day Seminars

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    Discussion of primary documents. A supportive and engaged group of educators. Historic locations. Free professional development. What more could you ask for?

    Applications open soon for our Spring 2025 Multi Day Seminars! We are hosting seminars on a variety of topics in American history and politics. The application will be open September 9-29, 2024. Some of our topics include:

    TAH Teachers at a Multi Day Seminar in Kansas City, MO at the WWI Museum

    Each Multi-Day seminar runs for three days and brings together a small group of teachers from around the country. During the seminar, the teachers discuss primary documents on the seminar topic with the guidance of a scholar, who acts as the seminar leader. The seminar also includes a visit to a local historical site. See a sample itinerary here.

    TAH Teachers at a Multi Day Seminar in Angel Island, CA in August 2024.

    Teaching American History hosts Multi-Day seminars at no cost to American history and government teachers. Meals, materials, double-occupancy rooms, and historical site visits are covered 100%. At the end of each course, teacher participants receive a letter of participation for 15 contact hours and a $600 stipend to help defray travel costs or other expenses. 

    For more information about our Multi-Day seminars and to see the schedule of events please click here. Have more questions? Click here.




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  • Homemade Aloe Vera Lotion

    Homemade Aloe Vera Lotion

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    I try to hydrate and drink plenty of minerals (including salt water), but sometimes my skin needs a little more hydration. This aloe vera lotion softens dry skin and leaves skin feeling moisturized. It works great as a body lotion or a face lotion. Even better, it contains just a few simple ingredients!

    This moisturizing lotion combines organic aloe vera gel, rich shea butter, and nourishing almond oil. All without the parabens, sulfates, and dimethicone found in many store-bought skin care products.

    Aloe Vera Body Lotion

    As the weather gets cooler many of us find our skin gets drier. Living in a humid climate I don’t have this problem as much anymore. However, sometimes my skin needs some light hydration. While I love lotion bars and this homemade lotion for intense nourishing, this aloe lotion is great when you want something lighter.

    Aloe has a similar feeling to glycerin in skin care recipes, but it doesn’t feel quite as sticky. It absorbs well into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. If you’re using fresh aloe from a plant, this lotion will only last a week or two before it goes bad. Aloe vera gel sold in stores and online is preserved and will last longer, up to 6 weeks.

    Skin Benefits of Aloe Vera

    I keep an aloe plant in my home because I love them so much! Not only are they great for treating burns, but they work well for other skin irritations. You’ve probably used aloe vera gel at some point to soothe a sunburn.

    Aloe barbadensis leaf juice is rich in nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. It also helps our skin create hyaluronic acid and boosts collagen production to keep skin firm and wrinkle-free. Aloe helps skin be more elastic and supple so it “bounces back.”

    Ingredient Options

    This lotion can also be used as a face cream. It can work well for those with acne or eczema too, depending on the exact ingredients you use. Oils like olive and avocado oil are great for dry or more mature skin types. If you’re prone to acne or want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, then adding some rosehip seed oil is a good choice. I prefer sweet almond (non-greasy) or jojoba, which mimics skin’s sebum and sinks into the skin nicely.

    I use shea butter for an extra rich feel, but it’s optional. You could also use cocoa butter or mango butter instead. Cocoa butter is more intensely moisturizing, while mango butter is very light and absorbs fast.

    Homemade Aloe Vera Lotion

    This aloe-based lotion is smooth and lighter than some options. Great for all skin types and even little ones!

    Yield: 6.5 ounces

    Author: Katie Wells

    • Melt the beeswax, oil, and shea butter (if using) in a double boiler or glass bowl over a pan of water.

    • Remove from heat and pour into a blender or mason jar (if using an immersion blender). You can also use a stand mixer for this.

    • Add the vitamin E (if using) and any essential oils.

    • Let cool to room temperature. You want it to be room temperature and just barely starting to harden around the edges. This will help make sure that the lotion emulsifies correctly.

    • Add the Leucidal complete to the aloe if using.

    • Start blending on low using a blender or immersion blender. Very slowly, start adding room temperature aloe vera gel until incorporated. Use a spatula to wipe down the sides and re-blend a few times until fully incorporated.

    • Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to six weeks.

    If your family goes through a lot of lotion then feel free to double the recipe.

    Preserving and Storing the Lotion

    Vitamin E helps the oils from oxidizing as fast but will not preserve the lotion. If you want to use a natural preservative you can add some Leucidal complete to slow microbe growth. With the preservative, it should last for several months in the fridge.

    As always, be sure to keep in a cool, dark place away from direct light and heat. Bathroom counters in moist bathrooms are not the best place! And only use clean fingers to apply.

    Try making homemade non-toxic sunscreen too.

    Have you ever made your own lotion before? Leave a comment and let me know!

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  • Are We in a Recession?

    Are We in a Recession?

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    Are we in a recession? A lot of people certainly think so. After a surprisingly accurate recession indicator went off weeks ago, more and more Americans have begun to believe […]

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  • U.S. Latinas embrace spiritual practices outside traditional religion

    U.S. Latinas embrace spiritual practices outside traditional religion

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    (RNS) — Alicia Contreras has held sound healing sessions in the Arizona desert, in green and grassy parks, amid the stained glass of a church sanctuary and in a coffee shop. Everywhere she holds them, her crystal singing bowls produce ringing tones that reverberate over people as they lie relaxed on mats on the ground, each bowl’s note aimed at connecting with a particular chakra, or physical and spiritual energy center in her listeners.

    And each time, before her guests arrive, Contreras prays the rosary. 

    A parishioner at St. Francis Xavier and community organizer in Phoenix, Contreras became interested in sound healing early in the COVID-19 pandemic while she was unable to attend Mass. She searched for a spiritual routine she could practice in isolation instead.

    Contreras is one of many U.S. Latinas who have turned to sound healing and other forms of spiritual self-care, despite their roots outside of traditional religion. 

    Sound healers say that sound’s various frequencies can rebalance certain chakras, which are connected to both physical and spiritual health, to cure a range of ailments. Vladi Peña, a curandera, Reiki master and sound healer, said chakras are like waves or currents that sometimes need to be unclogged.

    Contreras mostly focuses on bowls that she strikes or rubs with mallets, but other sound healers use gongs, chimes, tuning forks, handpans, maracas, drums or their voice. And while some Latina sound healers retain their cradle faith, some leave organized religion altogether to combine sound healing with practices such as Reiki, astrology, crystal work, shamanism and tarot.



    Emma Olmedo. (Video screen grab)

    Emma Olmedo. (Video screen grab)

    Emma Olmedo, a Reiki master and sound healer in Northern Virginia, said she doesn’t identify as a religious “none,” a catchall term that demographers use to group together atheists, agnostics and people who are “nothing in particular.” Instead, Olmedo sees herself as “all of the above.”

    “It’s really beautiful that there’s that example in the Bible, in the Quran, in the Bhagavad Gita, like there’s all of these different prophets, but for me, I believe in all of them,” said Olmedo, who was raised in the “Catholic tradition,” she said, in keeping with her father’s Mexican identity. But Olmedo’s mother, who grew up a Jehovah’s Witness, wanted her daughter to choose her own faith. At different points, Olmedo has attended a nondenominational Christian church and practiced Hinduism. 

    “I love religion,” Olmedo said. “I don’t love the human aspect of religion, and the control of religion, and control and manipulation of people through religion, but I love religion.”

    Peña, who is from Fairfax, Virginia, and recently moved to Medellín, Colombia, said the Catholicism of her youth is still salient in her devotion to the Virgin Mary. But while Peña said she enjoyed her Catholic upbringing, she felt a “disconnect.” 

    Peña, whose parents are from Nicaragua, is among the 22% of U.S.-born Latinos who no longer identify as Catholic. U.S.-born Latinos are slightly more likely to be unaffiliated (39%) than Catholic (36%).

    Vladi Peña. (Video screen grab)

    Vladi Peña. (Video screen grab)

    “I think it was too structured in certain ways,” said Peña of Catholicism. “And so I kind of branched out and branched away as I grew up and found my own way to spirit and to divinity through a more connected practice that was more individualized with and for myself.” 

    Peña’s current spiritual practice is a mixture of connecting to nature, music, Reiki, Hindu concepts of reincarnation and karma and more.

    Dori Beeler, a medical anthropologist at the University of North Carolina Charlotte who has studied Reiki, said that Reiki and sound healing, as energy healing practices, both fall within animism, a “worldview that everything in the world has spirit, has some sort of energy force, life force.”

    Reiki was developed in the 1920s in Japan by Mikao Usui, in a syncretic context where people practiced a variety of traditions together, just as Reiki practitioners do today. It spread to the U.S. through Usui’s students and became a mainstream practice in the 1980s.

    While Reiki can take many years to understand, Beeler said, “it’s a practice that’s easily adaptable in other contexts without losing, for the most part, its foundational identity of being a hands-on healing practice and spiritual practice.” Research shows that it has appealed mostly to “educated, white, relatively well-off women,” she noted.  

    But Reiki was the practice that drew Peña into energy healing, when she was working as a behavioral therapist for autistic children and a client’s mother introduced her to it. Later, Peña found that sound bowls brought the “energy to a neutral state” before a Reiki session.

    Peña was unable to bring her bowls with her to Medellín, but she has branched out into other instruments, as well as a cappella singing. One song she performs for clients who are struggling with seeing their way forward says, “Dame alas para volar” (“Give me wings to fly”). 

    Beyond sound healing and Reiki, Peña also offers clients astrology readings and various ceremonies — cord-cutting, said to help a person release something, or a house cleansing. From Colombia, she also continues to work in graphic design and videography for a Latino-focused therapy and wellness practice called De Tu Tierra



    Olmedo also combines various spiritual practices for her clients. This summer, she co-founded a sober nightlife experience — advertised as being in a “secret mystical location” in Washington — called Soul Flow, where she guides sound healing. The event includes a social justice discussion, an embodiment exercise to release trauma and grief and a two-hour dance set.

    Olmedo emphasized that her healing work is not about her own ego or the ability to say, “I shifted this person’s path.” Instead, she explained, each modality or practice can be one of “different paths to get to the same place.” The important questions are “How can you enjoy every bit of this moment?” and “Can we enjoy this connection?”

    “The spiritual path is about being present in this moment and shifting away from suffering,” said Olmedo. “The foundation of all spiritual practices essentially is a true, good, fulfilling, heartfelt practice, is gratitude and intention.”

    Contreras also sees herself as a guide, even rejecting the term “sound healer,” because, she says, “I’m not God. I’m not their healer.”

    Alicia Contreras. (Photo by Alejandra Ruiz)

    Alicia Contreras. (Photo by Alejandra Ruiz)

    She sees God as working through humans, even outside the church, especially because of colonialism and patriarchy that persists in the Catholic Church. 

    “You don’t need to practice whatever faith that is in a structure, if that structure and the colonialism or patriarchy in that structure is not serving you,” Contreras said.

    But as she learned about sound healing in online classes, Contreras was careful to discern whether there was any conflict between her Catholic faith and her new practice. She came to the conclusion that “I wasn’t actually going against my traditions” as long as “I’m using this in my best and highest self,” or her spirit’s connection to God.

    Contreras said she has witnessed sound healing mend pain that has gone unaddressed by traditional faith and health care. Contreras, a Chicana born in California and married to a Salvadoran immigrant, largely facilitates sound healing for people in her community, especially migrant women. Migrant women often experience high stress from their pivotal roles in their families and communities, as well as trauma from their migration journeys, which together can contribute to mental health struggles that sometimes have deadly impact.

    Contreras said she has seen sound healing help her community with everything from grief to digestion issues, but she still has more to learn. “I’m on a journey. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m open to the wonder,” she said.



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  • What is the origin of quantum uncertainty? | by Ethan Siegel | Starts With A Bang! | Aug, 2024

    What is the origin of quantum uncertainty? | by Ethan Siegel | Starts With A Bang! | Aug, 2024

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    Today, the Universe has evolved into the complex, life-friendly place we know it to be because we were able to form neutral atoms early on in the Universe. Yet without just the right quantum properties, the formation of stable, neutral atoms would have been delayed significantly, or might not have even occurred at all. (Credit: agsandrew / Adobe Stock and remotevfx / Adobe Stock)

    No matter how good our measurement devices get, certain quantum properties always possess an inherent uncertainty. Can we figure out why?

    Perhaps the most bizarre property we’ve discovered about the Universe is that our physical reality doesn’t seem to be governed by purely deterministic laws. Instead, at a fundamental, quantum level, the laws of physics are only probabilistic: you can compute the likelihood of the possible experimental outcomes that will occur, but only by measuring the quantity in question can you truly determine what your particular system is doing at that instant in time. Furthermore, the very act of measuring/observing certain quantities leads to an increased uncertainty in certain related properties: what physicists call conjugate variables.

    While many have put forth the idea that this uncertainty and indeterminism might only be apparent, and could be due to some unseen “hidden” variables that truly are deterministic, we have yet to find a mechanism that allows us to successfully predict any quantum outcomes. But could the quantum fields inherent to space be the ultimate culprit? Could it be the quantum vacuum itself that supplies whatever it is that’s necessary to cause the quantum uncertainty we experience whenever we try and make…

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  • Nordstrom Rack’s Clear The Rack Sale Is Coming March 2024!

    Nordstrom Rack’s Clear The Rack Sale Is Coming March 2024!

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    Don’t miss your chance to shop the 2024 Nordstrom Rack Clear the Rack Sale!

    nordstrom clear the rack sign hanging in store

    Today, August 29th only, dash over to NordstromRack.com where – through 9pm PT – Nordy Club Members (free to join) can shop the popular Clear the Rack Sale before anyone else. You’ll score an extra 25% off tons of clearance! No promo code is needed as the discount is automatically applied, and prices will be marked in red.

    Prefer to shop in-store? You can do that starting August 30th!

    This sale has hundreds of items from top brands like Nike, Free People, and more! 😱 Our best tip is to filter the sale by category and select the sizes you want. Items tend to sell out quickly during this sale, so don’t wait!

    Please remember that these items are considered “Final Sale,” so returns and exchanges will not be accepted.

    Shop the Nordstrom Clear The Rack Sale…

    women's tops on rack at nordstrom rack

    clearance rack of women's jackets and coats in store

    display of dresses at nordstrom rack

    leggings rack at nordstrom rack

    mens shirts on rack

    round rack of coats at nordstrom rack

    clearance rack of long sleeve tops at nordstrom rack

    long aisle full of racks of womens shoes on clearance

    clearance racks full of boxes of men's shoes

    aisle of kids shoes in clearance section

    Get the most out of your Nordstrom Rack trip with these savings tips: 

    side view of a pink dress

    Shop for items that come from the main Nordstrom store.

    Merchandise at Nordstrom Rack doesn’t always come from a main Nordstrom store. To ensure you’re getting a good bargain, check the price tags.

    The white price tags that say “Nordstrom Rack” at the top are often items never carried at Nordstrom.

    Nordstrom Rack jewelry

    To get the best designer deals, look for the tags that state “Nordstrom,” as shown above. This indicates the item came from the mainline store and has a better chance of being a bargain.

    Sometimes a tag won’t have “Nordstrom” on it and may have a designer price tag. These often come from the main Nordstrom store and are a decent bargain.

    Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for red clearance tags. We often find these towards the back of Nordstrom Rack, but don’t be surprised if you find them hidden in other places around the store.

    Nordstrom Rack altered or refinished

    Look for items marked “Altered” or “Refinished.”

    This indicates the item is an altered or refurbished designer item from the mainline Nordstrom store, though these items WILL have a Nordstrom Rack price tag.

    Nordstrom Rack Clear the Rack sale signs

    Look for the elusive .01 tags!

    These deals are super rare, but you may just be able to find an item or two priced at just $0.01.

    Items with this tag are usually old inventory that was supposed to be shipped to Nordstrom’s Last Chance clearance store. These items may end up at Nordstrom Rack by accident and sold as final sale (no returns or exchanges).

    If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon one, grab it and head for the register!

    woman holding nordstrom rack bag outside

    Join the Nordy Club for early access to the sale and other great rewards.

    It’s FREE to sign up to be a Nordy Club member. You’ll earn 1 point for every $1 spent, and up to 3 points when paying with a Nordstrom Credit Card.

    You’ll also score helpful perks like FREE basic alterations and FREE 2-day shipping (in select areas only).

    The club works on a tiered basis so the more you spend, the better the rewards get! One of the best perks of being a Nordy Club member is you get early access to sales like the Clear the Rack sale!

    If you love shopping at Nordstrom Rack or finding a good bargain, it’s worth signing up for the club!


    While you’re at it, shop these other clearance deals too!

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