November 4, 2022

Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawai'i has been rumbling lately. I used to live on the Big Island and I'm nervous about these tremors. She's been teasing us for quite a while now and I suspect she's going to pop. We're going to take a look at India's only active volcano first, and then we're going to check in on Mauna Loa and see how she's doing.

From: Increadible India

India’s only confirmed active volcano is located in Barren Island, which lies about 135 km south of the territory’s capital, Port Blair. This island, which lies on the seismically active tectonic plates in the Andaman Sea, can only be seen from afar while on a ship and no one is allowed to disembark. Barren Island is a craggy rocky island, about 3 km in diameter, and the volcano last erupted here in 1991 and then again in 1994-95. The crater of the volcano that often spews smoke and lets out bursts of light in the sky, is about half a kilometre from the shore.

Andaman Islands - Barren Island Eruption

From: National Park Service, November 2, 2022

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park protects some of the most unique geological, biological, and cherished cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to 13,681 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Kīlauea and Mauna Loa - and is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From: Google Arts & Cultures

Malika Verma Kashyap explores the lesser-known side of the iconic garment

The sari (often spelled ‘saree’), is a garment traditionally worn in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It can be an heirloom passed down through generations, or a purely functional garment worn every day. It’s seen on streets and runways, and has influenced fashion designers across the world. Much loved and yet often misunderstood, here are nine facts you might not know about the sari, as seen from India.

From: NDTV, February 12, 2020

Whether you are exhausted after a long day at work or simply craving for something hot and wholesome - a plate of piping hot khichdi is one of the first things to pop in our minds. This one-pot rice and lentil dish is inarguably one of the most iconic dishes of India. You can find umpteen variations of the dish across the country, and as many takers too. A dollop of ghee, a dash of pickle and a bowl of curd are some of the popular ways in which we like to spruce up our khichdi, but we are always open for suggestions. Did you know that khichdi is one of the most ancient dishes hailing from subcontinent?

From: Britannica, By: Britannica Editors, October 10, 2022

Sitar, stringed instrument of the lute family that is popular in northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Typically measuring about 1.2 metres (4 feet) in length, the sitar has a deep pear-shaped gourd body; a long, wide, hollow wooden neck; both front and side tuning pegs; and 20 arched movable frets. Its strings are metal; there are usually five melody strings, one or two drone strings used to accentuate the rhythm or pulse, and as many as 13 sympathetic strings beneath the frets in the neck that are tuned to the notes of the raga (melodic framework of the performance). The convex metal frets are tied along the neck, which enables them to be moved as needed. The sitar often has a resonating gourd under the pegbox end of the neck; this balances the weight of the instrument and helps support it when it is not being played. 

From: Ravi Shankar Foundation

A brilliant sitarist, he played a key role in introducing western audiences to Indian classical music, first through his relationship with The Beatles' George Harrison and later with memorable performances at the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock.

Ravi Shankar his 90s performing at his 10th Decade Concert

Sitar | Musical Instrument Songs | 4K | Appu Series

IndianRaga Skyline Series: Rockstar kids play Raga Jhinjhoti on Sitar and Tabla

For the serious minded, a little deeper dive into the magical sounds and history of the sitar.

From: Podium School

What is a Sitar?

Sitar is a commonly used stringed instrument in South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. The Sitar instrument is a plucked stringed instrument that contains movable frets and a gourd resonator.

From: Ultra Board Games

Pachisi, the national game of India, dates back to 4 AD and remains popular today. Each player has a set of pawns that start in his or her corner of the board. The goal is to move the pawns around the board to the "home" section.

Parcheesi is the westernized version. The usual game is for 2-4 players. Jumbo's version handles up to 6. There is also a Schmidt-Spiele edition with a double-sided board. One side for 4 players, the other for 6.

We want to give Sallie Marston her well-deserved follow up the EEF luncheon where she was honored for her vision and leadership and received her claps and smiles that were so deserved. Pictured above are prince Gulshan, long time flocker Cita Scott, Sallie Marston, Neelam, and JP Jones III. The child with the basket below, is an example of the many beautiful garden baskets the children made.

From: School Garden Workshop Newsletter, October 2022

Finally, October 28, our founding director, Sallie Marston, was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Education Enrichment Foundation (EEF) annual luncheon. EEF honored Sallie for her vision and leadership, which through this program has manifested 10 plus years of school enrichment for thousands of students and hundreds of educators across the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) and beyond. Produce grown in TUSD schools by TUSD students was featured in luncheon menu items and centerpieces. Thank you to everyone who sponsored the event or attended! If you couldn’t make it, please enjoy this beautiful tribute video from the luncheon.

Education Enrichment Foundation - Dr. Sallie Marston

From: healthline, By: Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, January 31, 2020

Curry powder is a mixture of spices with a bright golden hue and a complex flavor. It can be made with a variety of spices, usually including turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and chili pepper. Other common additions are ginger, black pepper, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and fennel seeds. Curry powder may offer a variety of health benefits due to the numerous healthful spices it contains.

StockStudioX/Getty Images

From: healthline, By: Ryan Raman, MS, RD, May 16, 2022

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world — with 1 pound (450 grams) costing between $500 and $5,000. The reason for its high price is its labor-intensive harvesting method, which makes its production costly. Saffron is harvested by hand from the Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the saffron crocus. The term “saffron” applies to the flower’s thread-like structures called stigma. While saffron’s origin is still debated, it most likely originated in Iran. There, it was revered for its medicinal properties. People would eat saffron to enhance libido, boost mood, and improve memory.

Canan Czemmel/Stocksy United

From: healthline, By: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD, August 8, 2018

Cardamom is a spice with an intense, slightly sweet flavor that some people compare to mint. It originated in India but is available worldwide today and used in both sweet and savory recipes. The seeds, oils and extracts of cardamom are thought to have impressive medicinal properties and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Just a reminder that our favorite life mentor and teacher Dr. Hayward M. Fox is here for us.

Just another reminder that the Young Concert Artists final auditions are coming up on November 13. Put it on your calendar and don't forget that you can stream it live!

The Boo At The Zoo Halloween celebration was a tremendous success this year. We want to thank all of those who participated and give a special shout out to our own Flock dancers Diego Gonzales and Tyson, who dressed in costume and performed during the event.

You know I was recently asked how the Flock became the Flock Newsletter. I created the Flock to keep in touch and share the things that interest me with my friends old and new, from home and abroad. It’s my way of paying back the friendships and love I’ve received.

photo: Empowerment Cards, Tavis Smiley

Cry

A good cry can relieve built up stress

and emotional pain

We're making all of November India month. In future issues we look forward to covering more of India's Culture, Arts, Cuisine, Music, Dance, Education, Wildlife, Geography, Sports & Fitness, Children's Games, and more.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

View as Webpage