THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES | |
MONTHLY NEWS AND UPDATES: FEBRUARY 2024 | |
A Message from the President,
Kimberlee Bradford
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Glasgow, the City of Love?
So what is Saint Valentine’s Connection with Glasgow?
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It began in 1868 when a wealthy French family donated a small wooden box labeled 'Corpus Valentini Martyris,' or ‘the Body of Saint Valentine’ to a Franciscan holy order. It was then brought to Glasgow by monks who were impressed by the faith of the local Scots. His bones, namely the forearm, were placed in Saint Francis’ Church, in the rundown neighborhood of the Gorbals. The relics sat there in almost complete anonymity for over a century. In 1993, the casket was moved to the nearby St. John Duns Scotus Chapel, where it was granted a place of honor at the church’s entrance. When Valentine’s Day comes around, a statue of the Saint is placed next to it and the casket is decorated with flowers while the friars say prayers for lovers. Lovers have been known to propose to their intended within its shadow. It has even led Glasgow to call itself the “City of Love.”
Yes, February is a month ripe with history, from dates we celebrate like President's Day and Martin Luther King Day to not so celebrated dates such as the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots. Despite this emotional entanglement of observances, there is so much to soften the heart of our relationships through St. Valentines Day yet rising to the love of the challenge of Six Nations Rugby.
The Scottish nation was built on a history of conflict, personal love and a true devotion to country. Decorate your life in this memory and commitment to the spirit of St. Valentine.
We look forward to sharing this enthusiasm at our AGM on February 24th.
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UPCOMING AGM
Saturday, February 24th
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The Tam O'Shanter
Saturday,
February 24th
1:00 pm
2980 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
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Must RSVP to attend this No Ticket event
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All members in good standing are invited | |
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2024
SASLA AGM - The Tam O'Shanter:
Saturday, February 24th
A Scottish St. Paddy's Day Event - MacLeod's Brewery:
Sunday, March 17th
TARTAN Film Festival Kicks Off:
Saturday, April 6th through Saturday, April 13th
(Additional events to follow)
2025
Robert Burns Celebration: Saturday, January 25th,
SAVE THE DATE!
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SPORTS
Six Nations Rugby
The Championship Begins!
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The Six Nations Rugby tournament is one of the most popular sporting events in Europe. With intense rivalries and high-quality rugby across six weekends in February and March, it captivates fans every year.
Look out for the big rivalry,
Scotland vs. England on February 24th @ 8:45 am
Watch the incredible trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtnF3cpmkZY
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ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix Upcoming Scottish Crime Drama
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Kelly Macdonald to star in new Netflix series "Department Q"
From the same Showrunner who created "The Queen's Gambit," Department Q is a series based on the adapted novels. Macdonald will star alongside, Matthew Goode (The King's Man) and actors Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones), Jamie Sives (Guilt), Chloe Pirrie (The Queen's Gambit), and Mark Bonnar (Shetland) to name a few. The series revolves around a former top-rated detective in Edinburgh assigned to setting up Department Q – a new cold case department. Over the course of the series, this new department down in the basement becomes an unlikely magnet for misfits and mavericks and proves successful in solving cases. The series is in production and shooting in Edinburgh.
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Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh
Both Actors are set to star in the BBC Comedy "Only Child" in conjunction with BBC Scotland, a new sitcom from the Producers of "Guilt."
"Only Child" is about a budding author Richard, Greg McHugh, who travels back to his family home in North East Scotland to look after his aging and willful dad Ken, played by Gregor Fisher as he slips into ever more eccentric and erratic behavior.
You might remember Gregor as the lovable Music Manager from "Love Actually."
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For more on "Only Child" go to:
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/gregor-fisher-greg-mchugh-new-comedy
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A SCOTTISH LEAP YEAR TRADITION
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In Scotland, a strange custom developed on a leap year where women could ask a man for his hand in marriage. The woman was supposed to wear a red or scarlet coat on the day of the proposal. It is thought the idea originated in Ireland in the 5th century when St. Brigid asked St. Patrick to allow women to be able to propose to men, as some women felt they had to wait too long for a matrimonial request. The custom is believed to have been brought to Scotland by Irish monks. Whilst this may not seem strange today, back in Scottish history, it was actually illegal for a woman to propose, except every four years at leap year day. It was Queen Margaret of Scotland who passed a law in 1288 that any man who refuses a "Leap Day" proposal, should be fined with a penalty being anything from £1 to a silk gown (so it became bad luck for anyone rejecting their sweetheart on this day).
Should a marriage proposal be accepted on February 29th, Scots traditionally avoided getting married on that date as it brought bad luck to the marriage and often divorce.
(Courtesy of the Scottish Banner)
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Scotland has a new Two Michelin Star restaurant! | |
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The Glenturret Lalique restaurant in Crieff is the first fine dining establishment within a distillery in Scotland. The restaurant is headed by former head chef at Balmoral, Mark Donald. Of the accolade, Chef Donald said: "It's a huge moment for Scotland, but for whisky too."
Scotland has achieved an impressive feat and Glenturret Lalique is the only Two Michelin Star restaurant within a distillery and will now join the only other Two Michelin Star restaurants in Scotland, "Cail Bruich" and the "Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles" (which has held a Two Michelin Star rating since 2006).
For more on Michelin star restaurants within the U.K., click below:
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"The Love of Scotland" Tartan
| Newly designed and registered for Valentine's Day. | |  |
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"The Glen Affric"
Tartan
The recreation of Scotland's oldest Tartan, is now officially registered and available for purchase
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The tartan was discovered in a peat bog in the Highlands.
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PHOTO GALLERY
"The 94th Robert Burns Supper"
The Four Seasons
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WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR INCREDIBLE WHISKY SPONSORS
FOR BURNS NIGHT 2024!
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The fun begins here! Join the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles to continue its charitable undertakings for the year ahead. Members receive discounts on all our events, access to our newsletter, podcasts and sponsor invitations. | |
BECOME A LIFETIME MEMBER
When you become a Lifetime Member of the
St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles, you receive a membership certificate, discounts on ticketed events & preferential seating. You also receive our
Lifetime Member lapel pin
to commemorate the occasion!
Be a part of an organization that promotes and educates on Scotland's rich history, and keeps you up-to-date on modern Scotland with informative podcasts, events, products and people in "the know."
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To donate safely to the
St. Andrew's Society of
Los Angeles,
please follow the link below
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St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles
"Where Scotland Meets the City of Angels"
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