Brad Hoylman-Sigal: He is the current Manhattan Borough President. He previously served as a New York State Senator, representing New York’s 47th State Senate District on Manhattan’s West Side. He has a strong record of supporting labor and collective bargaining rights.

The post Brad Hoylman-Sigal Inaugural Celebration, a Good News Event appeared first on Good News!.

Dear Friends and Members,   NOTE: NEW www.pausetheworldforpeace.org website, check it out! 

Extra, Extra 2025 International Day of Peace & NYC Climate Week NEW POSTER is growing, as we just added a Peace Pole in the middle of the world. May Peace Prevail on Earth. We also have a NEW QR Code to go directly to our www.plantpeace.worldpeace.org page to plant your Virtual Peace Tree. Note: We are still tweaking the page. 

We will email you the poster and appreciation certificate for free, a SPECIAL INVITATION TO THE STEPS OF NYC CITY HALL on Friday September 19^th, for a HISTORIC RINGING OF THE PEACE BELL BY MAYOR ADAMS, HOLD SIGNS OF PEACE AND MOTHER EARTH, PRAY THAT OUR NYC SCHOOLS TAKE A MOMENT/MEDITATIVE MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR PEACE. Your tax-deductible donation to our UNITED Peace & Mother Earth Movement can surely help us pay for this very expensive production weekend. IMPORTANT NOTE: A few donor/sponsor opportunities are still available, and our goal is $19,000 in total, which is a tax-exempt deduction, for direct production expenses to create our NETWORK QUALITY LIVE CLEAN ENERGY BROADCASTS. 

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

UN International Day of

Peace 2025,

September 21,

Expands to a Global Weekend To

Pause the World for Peace

Worldwide, Moment/Meditative

Minute of Silence, Plant Peace

Pole Virtually/Physical at Noon

in 24 Regions (Time Zones).

A World Cease Fire, Peace Acts,

Unity, Music, & Climate Week

Action. New York City Leads the

Call.

YOUR DOG MIGHT BE IN PAIN

Subtle Signs to Watch For & How

to Help September is Pain

Awareness Month

Lastly, if you care about your money, please tune in to WOR 710 Radio on Sunday at 10:30 AM. Here you can listen and call in to Legal Expert and Elder Care Lawyer, 14 Year NYS Representative and Dr. Phil, ET, Good Morning America…Guest Lawyer, Ann-Margaret Carrozza, ESQ. 

Ann is BRILLIANT, AND YOUR MONEY IS BRILLIANT, AND YOU ARE BRILLIANT IF YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH TO PROTECT IT.

Paul Sladkus is Ann’s Co-Host. Email me paul.sladkus1@gmail.com if you want me to ask her a question, or just call in (800-321-0710) and listen; it might be one of the most important programs in you and your family’s life.

Ann-Margaret Carrozza,

Asset Protection Lawyer,

WOR 710 AM

CALL IN Radio

LIVE Every

Sunday at 1030am

STAY WELL

LET’S GROW TOGETHER. GOOD NEWS MOTTO: “All we are is what we are with each other.” Zeal 

With Respect. Love and May Peace Prevail on Earth,  For Information Contact: 

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual,

Founder, Good News Corporation 501 C 3 212 647 1212 paul.sladkus1@gmail.com  and our Good News and Peace Worldwide Team who make our Peace Day 9/21 happen.

www.pausetheworldforpeace.org,www.goodnewsplanet.TV, www.youtube.com/goodnewsbroadcast

Social Networks: www.Facebook.com/PaulSladkus, LinkedIn Paul Sladkus, Twitter/X Good News to Go, Instagram PausetheWorld

LET’S GROW TOGETHER. GOOD NEWS MOTTO: ALL WE ARE IS WHAT WE ARE WITH EACH OTHER. ZEAL

For more information contact: 

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual 212 647 1212

New York, NY, Montauk, NY

PS – SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS: Looking for a vacation rental, SHORT TERM, in Montauk, this year and or entire summer in 2026, here is our listing https://pausetheworldforpeace.org/2025/04/16/36000-2br-one-of-a-kind-summer-rental-opportunty-historic-montauk-manor-montauk/  call me. Paul 917 687 1790

The post GoodNewsLetter: Labor Day Doesn’t Stop OUR PEACE EFFORTS, JOIN US…September 19, 20, 21….Moment/Meditative Minute of Silence for Peace & Plant Peace Pole, DOGS in PAIN? appeared first on Good News!.

Let’s PRAY, WE DO IT. McKinsey Co says 1.6 Billion are aware of the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2024,  let’s increase it to our 8 Billion Brothers, Sisters, and any other name you feel you are. I like to use HOMOSAPIENS! We are ONE. 

TO WATCH THE LIVE BROADCAST Go to www.pausetheworldforpeace.org at 11:45 AM TO 5PM EST or www.youtube.com/goodnewsbroadcast or www. facebook.com/UNIFY, or a World Feed at www.unite4peace.org

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

We also are in the final edit of our movie Woodstock Forever: Peace, Love & HOPE to be released this year.  www.woodstockforever.com.  

Please support our nonprofit, 501 C 3, Good News Corporation at http://goodnewsplanet.com/peacedayparty/peace-day-donations/

LET’S GROW TOGETHER. GOOD NEWS MOTTO: “All we are is what we are with each other.” Zeal 

With Respect. Love and May Peace Prevail on Earth,  For Information Contact: 

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual,

Founder, Good News Corporation 501 C 3 212 647 1212 paul.sladkus1@gmail.com  and our Good News and Peace Worldwide Team who make our Peace Day 9/21 happen.

www.pausetheworldforpeace.org,www.goodnewsplanet.TV, www.youtube.com/goodnewsbroadcast

Social Networks:  www.Facebook.com/PaulSladkus, LinkedIn Paul Sladkus, Twitter/X Good News to Go, Instagram PausetheWorld

LET’S GROW TOGETHER. GOOD NEWS MOTTO: ALL WE ARE IS WHAT WE ARE WITH EACH OTHER. ZEAL

For more information contact: 

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual 212 647 1212

New York, NY, Montauk, NY

PS – SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS:

Looking for a vacation rental, SHORT TERM, in Montauk, here is our listing https://goodnewsplanet.com/montauk-manor-rental-suite-403-paul-sladkus/ call me. Paul Sladkus: 917 687 1790

PPS: Special Waterfront Real Estate Canada, Laurentians, your dreams though your own waterfront real estate. www.monlac.com

Domaine Le Sanctuaire des Lacs offers you a piece of paradise situated in a large gated territory in the Laurentians

Call Paul Sladkus: 917 687 1790

The post GoodNewsLetter: Peace and Climate Week Updates 9/21/24 Times Square appeared first on Good News!.

Presentation for www.pausetheworldforpeace.org Times Square SOLAR BATTERY TOUR International Day of Peace & Ecology September 21^st Broadcast.

WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO PAUSE THE WORLD FOR PEACE AT 12 NOON IN TIMES SQUARE AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD…CEASE FIRE EVERYWHERE. WE CAN DO IT!  DON’T WE NEED IT!!!

PAUSE THE WORLD FOR PEACE HOSTS FIRST EVER 100% SOLAR-POWERED CONCERT IN TIMES SQUARE FOR PEACE & ECOLOGY – POWERED BY BATTERY TOUR WITH RINGO STARR VIRTUALLY

REQUESTING MOMENT OF PEACE AT 12PM ET ON

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

PEACE LEGENDS JOIN FORCES WITH YOUNG GLOBAL INFLUENCERS IN A MOVEMENT FOR PEACE, HUMAN SECURITY, AND CLIMATE ACTION, AS TIMES SQUARE IN NEW YORK CITY PAUSES FOR PEACE.

DATE & TIME: SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 LIVE BROADCAST STARTS AT 12:00PM EDT VIA UNIFY, www.pausetheworldforpeace.org 

This September 21st, 2023 on the UN International Day of Peace, both in-person and global virtual audiences will experience the first ever 100% solar-powered concert in Times Square for peace and ecology, powered by multi-faceted musical artist and climate activist AY Young and his Battery Tour. Also featured is mental tranquility advocate and acclaimed singer Michel Pascal, who will be joined by US Presidential Candidate, author, and activist Marianne Williamson and Myron McKinley of Earth, Wind, & Fire. As a part of the larger five-hour Peace Day event, this concert will accompany virtual messages from legacy peacekeepers like Ringo Starr, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra, Joe Dispenza, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, and Shakira. The nonprofit event producer Good News Corporation, has partnered with OMMM, UNIFY, WE.net, AY Young, Battery Tour, SmartFlower, Playa Betty’s, Samsung, GM, BNP Paribas, Hugg-A Planet, New York Parks and Recreation, and Times Square Alliance.

The Battery Tour’s involvement in the Pause the World for Peace event is highly intentional. On a mission to break barriers and build bridges, AY Young was appointed by the United Nations as Global Youth Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals in 2020, Generation 17 Youth Ambassador, and SDG Champion. AY has performed over 800 concerts powered entirely by the Battery Tour’s renewable energy. “We are all outlets for change,” says the artist. And driving positive change is a major theme between Pause the World for Peace event collaborators. 

Michel Pascal will lead a dance meditation and musical performance, seamlessly combining the serenity of meditation, and the joy of dance, promising a unique and transformative experience. Pascal, co-founder of OMMM which is a movement to create a positive impact on individuals and communities worldwide through the practice of meditation, music and multimedia content. Pascal, A.K.A “The Medicine Voice,” has been performing at Carnegie Hall since 2016, while working closely with marginalized communities, including prisoners and veterans. The concert will also feature a bilingual meditation guided by Juliana Klinkert, an esteemed meditation teacher known for her work at Amity Foundation and in Hispanic communities.

Young and Pascal, along with the generations they represent, continue a wave of peace work built on the foundations of champions of peace like David Gershon (led 1986 Earth Run Torch of Peace), Ben Bowler (founder of UNITY Earth bringing cease-fires for peace), his eminence Shyalpa Rinpoche (currently building Universal Peace Sanctuary at UNESCO World Heritage Site for Peace), Jonathan Granoff (World Academy of Art & Science Fellow and UN Ambassador to the Nobel Peace Laureates), and Jeremy Gilley (founder of Peace One Day with Sir Paul McCartney message). They, like others both in New York and nationally, including Michael Fitzpatrick (25 year cellist to the Dalai Lama), Rick Ulfic & Andrew Kaen (established 11 Days of Global Unity), Reverend Susana Bastarrica & James Cannings (founded Vigil for International Day of Peace), and Reverend Deborah Muldow & Fumi Johns (of May Peace Prevail on Earth with 250,000 Peace Poles worldwide), Peace Lights Peter Rogina, have dedicated their lives to empowering communities, fostering cooperation, and addressing global challenges with social innovations. Seeds planted decades ago are breaking ground as a new surge of activism takes shape in a post-pandemic society ready for collaborative action.

The Pause the World for Peace event includes a special segment entitled “Peace in Action” with renowned representatives sharing the latest in major global issues, including domestic violence, school safety, human rights, human security, animal rights, climate action, and ending violence in health, politics, and religion, regardless of gender, race, or disability, promoting practical paths to a thriving life for all. A special military and police tribute for fallen heroes will be featured. 

The Pause the World for Peace event, set in the Duffy Square section of Times Square, NY, is hosted by the Good News Corporation, whose founder Reverend Paul Sladkus has coordinated global Pause the World for Peace broadcasts in Central Park for 21 years, and continues to be a leader in rallying movements for peace in action. Sladkus, who is an ordained all faith minister, implores, “193 countries in the UN unanimously agreed to a CEASE FIRE EVERYWHERE, ACTS OF PEACE & LOVE, and WE CAN DO IT. Let’s listen to Ringo Starr at 12:00pm Noon ET as he requests a Worldwide Moment of Silence for PEACE, from Times Square, virtually on September 21, 2023, and then keep that moment going for peace to last FOREVER.”

The event will run until 5:00PM EDT and will air to the world via UNIFY (received 2 billion views with the UN for Peace Day in 2017), who will broadcast the program to their combined partner audience of millions worldwide. McKinsey Co. stated that there are 1.6 billion people worldwide already aware of the International Day of Peace. Pause the World for Peace aims to amplify the urgent need for collective action and global cooperation. Together, we stand in solidarity to promote peace, human security, and climate action for a better and brighter future for all.

Performing with Michel Pascal is Myron McKinley, Paul Pesco, legendary guitarist of Madonna and Jennifer Lopez; Stacey Lamont Sydnor, iconic drummer of The Jackson 5; Ian Martin, soulful bassist known for collaborations with David Foster and Barry Manilow; Randy J. Greene, artist, singer, and dancer of Tuscarora Nation, Turtle Clan; and other diverse, exceptional musicians. Other stage appearances include: the City of New York, Heck from Angry Elephant, Peace Parrots, Protect Yo Heart (featuring artist Uncutt “Love is…” wall), Let’s Disrupt Digital Music Showcase, Indiggo Twins, Chip Shelton Peace Ensemble, Elvis & Elton John Performance Artists Ralph Carey & Russ Davis, Michael Jackson performance artist W. Jackson, Reid Stowe 1,000 Days at Sea, “Beyond the Raging Sea” (refugee movie trailer), Prince Alpert Ocean Rescue Movie, David Lynch TM, Harlem Globetrotters Cheer Program, Andrea McArdle as Annie on broadway with dog Sandy, Saranne Rothberg (Stage 4 cancer survivor, Comedy Cures Foundation), Dr. Levry Global Visionary for Peace, Author and Founder of Neuro Activating Advanced Meditation (NAAM), performance artist Quinn Lemley as Rita Hayworth (face painted on atomic bomb as PR stunt, WWII), Bruce Stephen Foster, Giorgia Fumanti, Carnegie Hall Pianist Katya Grineva, Michael Bulychev-Okser, Global Stress Initiative, Himalaya Peace Caravan, “Rock & Roll Man” the Musical (Pioneer DJ Alan Freed, unified through music, desegregation, he named rock & roll, performed by Constantine Maroulis), and the Woodstock Forever: Peace, Love & HOPE Movie. Special Virtual Message and from their famous Get Together song from Jesse Colin Young from the Youngbloods. As well as a message from next generations MacKenzie Brooke and Reif Harrison and Chuckie Armstrong from Wonderama.

CONTACTS & LINKS:

Event Contact: Paul Sladkus, paul.sladkus1@gmail.com 212 647 1212 www.pausetheworldforpeace.org 

AY Young Contact: Amanda Charney Amanda@BlackPandaPR.com

UNIFY Contact :Tiffany Brown PRStuntGirls@gmail.com

OMMM Contact: Juliana Klinkert info@hommm.xyz

For Updates: Good News Corporation YouTube Channel & Pause The World For Peace

#pausetheworldforpeace #peaceday2023#internationaldayofpeace #climatechange #solar

DONOR AND SPONSOR PRESENTATIONS

Rock & Roll Man

will appear in Times Square on

September 21, 2023

Looking forward to seeing you on September 21 in Times Square,

Respectfully Submitted

Paul Sladkus

Founder

Good News Corporation, a nonprofit

www.pausetheworldforpeace.org

212 647 1212 Cell. 917 687 1790

New York & Montauk, New York

LET’S GROW TOGETHER. GOOD NEWS MOTTO: ALL WE ARE IS WHAT WE ARE WITH EACH OTHER. ZEAL

For more information contact: 

Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths and Spiritual 212 647 1212

New York, NY, Montauk, NY

PS – SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS: Looking for a vacation rental, SHORT TERM, in Montauk, here is our listing https://goodnewsplanet.com/montauk-manor-rental-suite-403-paul-sladkus/ call me. Paul 917 687 1790

The post GoodNewsLetter: Don’t Labor on Labor Day, Pause Your World for Peace… save 9/21/23 12 noon appeared first on Good News!.

 Hope you can help  to rent my wonderful place in the Montauk Manor.  It is a special resort and great for a family, individuals that want easy living at a safe resort.

When you want to go just let me know and I will call ahead and make sure no one is in it and give them  your name for them to give you a key .  No problem.  I have been there for over 12 years and they like me! heha!

As mentioned, I have a column in the Montauk Sun and can do a story on the people and create www.goodnewsplanet.Tv if that can help you make a sale,    I also have a Jeep Grand Cherokee out there that I could consider letting them use, especially since the train is down the hill.

Peace and Love,  Paul Sladkus, 148 West 80^th, Garden Apartment, NYC 10024  9176871790

ONE OF A KIND SUMMER RENTAL OPPORTUNTY  Historic Montauk Manor, 2 BR, 2  full  bath, duplex condo on top floor. www.montaukmanor.com

Value $80,000 daily rental.   Activities for children every day and more…    Iron frame king bed downstairs, Queen Bed upstairs, Queen Bed couch in lr, Knotty Pine furniture, great art.  3 HDTV’s, with IPOD dock.  Newly decorated, rug, paint, furniture, appliances and more. New Floors.   Views of Gardner’s Bay and breathtaking sunset. Sleep 6-8.   Courtyard apartment with very high loft angle ceilings/skylight in this outstanding resort.  2 pools, indoor/sauna/Jacuzzi , and outdoor, workout room, bikes, 3 tennis courts with pro, SPA on grounds,  award winning restaurant, fireplaces in lobby 40ft. ceilings, close to everything.  Great for family.  Close to train from New York, parking.  Bocce, 3 par Golf. Magnificent Sunsets!  Vacation of all vacations.  Dylan’s Candy Store rented one summer for Executives.  Owner agent.  Security deposit required and cleaning. Paul Sladkus 917.687.1790.  Memorial Day through Labor Day. If desired you also can be interviewed on www.goodnewsplanet.com to share your or your friends Good News!  Possible  use of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

THINGS TO DO:

1. Montauk Light House – At the END of Long Island, next stop Europe. Go for Sunrise and stay all day, bring food….. There is a great place right there but I don’t think it is open on 2/28/21. There is Hero State Park to walk around, there will be surfers out there. Hero Beach is on the right side as you get close to the Lighthouse. Tour the Lighthouse if open. Donate to it. If you take path next to restaurant it’s cool as well. There is eventually a seal overlook and money pond. So Cool! Bring Cameras, battery, Facebook Live…. Good Shoes. Wear Sunscreen….. People even Surf cast fishing out there…In fact, there are many Fishing Boats at another location Gossmans, if you want to go fishing… If your Bicycling just a little out of town, there is Ditch Plains also where people surf…

2. Atlantic Ocean – Actually you can walk to town in 20 minutes and the town is on the Ocean…jump in! You can walk to Brooklyn from there. Seriously…… Gorgeous Beach in fact after Guney’s Inn a little bit there are dunes down there… cool.

3. Bikes – They do rent bikes in Town. Next to the parking at the entrance way to the Manor there is a bike rack that you can use.

4. From the Montauk Manor – there is tennis courts, so bring a racket and balls if you want to play. Next to the courts on the right side is a path to Fort Hill Cemetery Park, one of my most special places…100 feet after the courts on your path, there is a little sign for Amys Way, take it… so gorgeous nature and I started the Nature Series on PBS many years ago, hehe, no headstones and walk to the top of the hill and you can see the Ocean, Fort Pond, Fort Pond Bay, Gardners Bay that you can hear in Billy Joel Song!

Also from the Manor just walk down the hill, pass the Montauk Playhouse (Americas First Indoor Tennis Courts, but no longer), cross the street, follow signs to Dureys Restaurant bearing right (Actually you will see the train on the left, I always take the train, but with Covid, the Jitney) probably not open yet, but you can walk on this Bay Beach, but its Rocky… but easy to get to.and a long walk will get you to Hither Hills about 10 miles of Woods…or ride your bike to Ecker Park, off Navy Road…. Get into the Hither Hills Park from there…many people MOUNTAIN BIKE THERE..

Montauk Down Gold Course – One of the best Golf Courses in the World, within the top 50 in America… they have a Driving Range which is cool. BTW Pick up a Montauk Sun Magazine, in the Montauk Manor Lobby, I have a Good News Planet Column…. The Hilltop restaurant only serves Thursday to Sunday night. There are delivery places as well, or there is a IGA Supermarket and my roof is a full kitchen. Front Desk will give you a list of open restaurants. All utensils, plates….Pools closed Are there you can put them in the dishwasher. All rooms have a TV.

Gossmans Dock – If you go down the hill make a right. Go to the end, Flamingo Road there is a little village.. Seafood, boats… about 15minutes on bike or a great walk….

Check in, 4pm Check Out 11am please go to the Front Desk, and say you are Paul Sladkus Guest Room 403. Tell them you need three keys. They have your names. You need ID, something that says where you live, if out of state, but I am not sure if that is a requirement anymore…that was a state COVID requirement.

Restaurants – there are many, I love the Harvest, cost some bucks, share big plates, great bread, make reservations.. Gurneys Inn is cool as well, pricy, actually the owner of our restaurant Hilltop, own a restaurant called TALK. Breakfast is Johns in town, classic. Next to Johns Restaurant about 200 feet is great Ice cream, Johns Drive Inn.

5. Lastly, for now, The Walking Dunes. As you leave town, Hither Hills State Park is on the Right, Ocean on the left. You take the new Montauk Highway by Bike, where the road forks for Old Montauk Highway and the new one Route 27, about 300 feet on the right, your first right, after a restaurants, right before tennis courts, make a right on that Dear End. Park Bike and walk the Dunes, which covers trees from many years ago, you can also walk around the Napeague Bay, windsurf, and gather mussels…

Montauk Manor Holiday Lobby and Snowy Ground

All right that’s enough for now, call if you need me or get thrown into jail… heha!

Reverend Paul Sladkus All Faiths & Spiritual 917 687 1790 24/7

The post Montauk Manor Rental AVAILABLE NOW, Suite 403 Paul Sladkus appeared first on Good News!.

The post Leah Zveglich, Founder, Aster Impact, Project Phoenix, Covid-19 appeared first on Good News!.

Perhaps it’s too much trouble, I don’t know . . .
tilling idle weeds—preparing next spring’s garden.
Summer’s production gone—once so proud and industrious
just sweaty chore now, dirt tired, thirst slaking labor.
Gripping callused handles, backbone sore,
I lie down exhausted
somewhere between industry and the impulse to sleep
a tear at the edge of a lash.

Removing the disheveled look of death requires purpose—
I look at this unsightly plot and think
let the weeds grow their indigenous crop
more natural anyway, the look of chaos, wild and effortless.
For what’s the point in digging—planning.
If memory serves correctly, working the ground for sowing
produced small corn, Swiss chard tough and chewy
and peppers . . . well, they decided not to show up at all
though the tomatoes were good (the ones without worm holes)—
better produce on Whole Foods shelves.

Torso like a corpse face up, I lie in Savàsana
to meditate on a drifting cloud. Feeling free, I drift and remember
how close I came to death at birth—how it was I was produced
small and feeble, but so anxious to take life’s initial breath
I moved too much, wrapped the vital cord around my neck
till doctors cut and yanked me out.
They thought the blue baby dead, my mother recalls,
instead, I thrashed and announced my will to live.

But I’m exhausted with nature’s jousting match
fighting persistent drought, incessant weeds, leaf curl blight
all the unseen forces I parry and riposte
that have tried for years but cannot take my garden out
though I know full well, nature and I are not an even match
not a fair fight, not even in the same weight class
(they forced my grandfather to stop digging at eighty-six).
But I’m not him. So let the soil rest, the weeds sprout
get up and drive your ass to the store.
Why drain the precious time you’ve left in chore?”

Not a chance.
Impossible to drop this goddamned shovel
to resist April’s springtime idyll.
And grabbing the handle with the promise of the possible
I begin to turn the soil, imagine
the largest, tastiest tomatoes ever produced, award winning even
the proverbial end to every romantic’s spade and shoveled dig,
knowing full well—
only seeds sown get the chance to live.

This is one of my more positive, hopeful poems about the need to keep going–keep planting every year even when life makes you want to stop, with things like Covid, divorce, death, unhappiness. “Knowing full well / only seeds sown get the chance to live.” Mario

Mario René Padilla’s poetry and stories have appeared in North American Review, The Antioch Review, New Letters, Alligator Juniper, The Ledge, INKWELL Magazine, Americas Review, Tulip Tree Review, Westwind, Atlanta Review, among others. His first collection of poetry, Reaching Back for the Neverendings, was published by Red Dancefloor Press in L.A. His short story collection Scales and Other Stories was a finalist in both the Red Hen Press 2017 Fiction Prize and the Snake Nation Press 2017 Serena McDonald Kennedy Fiction Award and the editors of each press nominated the collection for a 2018 Pushcart Award for “Finalist” manuscripts that were not published. His unpublished collection of verse poetry, Blue Plums and Weeds, was a finalist in the Ohio University Press “Hollis Summers Poetry Prize, the Akron Poetry Prize, Snake Nation Press, and Crab Orchard Review’s for book publication. His unpublished manuscript of prose poems, Postcards from the Invented Road, has been a finalist in five poetry book awards, including the Red Hen Press Benjamin Saltzman Award and Silverfish Review’s “Gerald Cable Book Award.” Most recently, his story “La Chateau Possonierre” won first prize in Tulip Tree Press’s story anthology contest Stories That Need to Be Told 2017. Mr. Padilla is a winner of a Fulbright Award for collecting and translating the early poetry and prose of Jorge Luis Borges for his critical study Jorge Luis Borges: Vanguardista 1919-1925.

Mr. Padilla’s father was born in Mexico in the state of Guanajuato. His mother’s father Albino Macioce was born in Alvito in Abruzzi region of Italy while his maternal grandmother, Consolata Volpi, is from the Campania region in Italy. He was raised in the Italian American community of Columbus, Ohio but has lived his entire adult life steeped in his Latino culture in Los Angeles. Needless to say his work addresses the issues of a multiculturalism.

He received a B.S degree from Ohio State University, an M.A. in English from Loyola Marymount, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Creative Writing. He teaches Creative Writing, English and Latin American Literature as a tenured professor at Santa Monica College in California.

To learn more about Mario: Padilla_Mario@smc.edu

The post Weeds a poem by Mario Padilla, his thought, “only seeds sown get the chance to live.” appeared first on Good News!.

Labor Day

Labor Day was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, who organized the first parade in New York City. After the Haymarket Massacre, which occurred in Chicago on May 4, 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland feared that commemorating Labor Day on May 1 could become an opportunity to commemorate the affair. Thus, in 1887, it was established as an official holiday in September to support the Labor Day that the Knights favored.^[1]

The equivalent holiday in Canada, Labour Day, is also celebrated on the first Monday of September. In many other countries (more than 80 worldwide), “Labour Day” is synonymous with, or linked with, International Workers’ Day, which occurs on May 1.

History

In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York.^[2] Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Laborin May 1882,^[3] after witnessing the annual labour festival held in Toronto, Canada.^[4] Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday on February 21, 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.^[3]

Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; President Grover Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.^[5]The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation’s trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers’ Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers’ Day.^[6] All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

Pattern of celebration

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations”,^[2] followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the Labor movement.^[2]

The holiday often marks the return to school, although school starting times now vary.

Retail Sale Day

To take advantage of large numbers of potential customers free to shop, Labor Day has become an important sale weekend for many retailers in the United States. Some retailers claim it is one of the largest sale dates of the year, second only to the Christmas season’s Black Friday.^[7]

Ironically, because of the importance of the sale weekend, some of those who are employed in the retail sector not only work on Labor Day, but work longer hours. More Americans work in the retail industry than any other, with retail employment making up 24% of all jobs in the United States.^[8] As of 2012, only 3% of those employed in the retail sector were members of a labor union.^[8]

In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable to wear white^[9] or seersucker.^[10][11]

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the weekend of Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. At Indianapolis Raceway Park, the National Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race. Labor Day is the middle point between weeks 1 and 2 of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships held in Flushing Meadows, New York.

In the United States, many school districts resume classes around the Labor Day holiday weekend (see First Day of School). Most begin the week before, making Labor Day weekend the first three-day weekend of the school calendar, while others return the Tuesday following Labor Day, allowing families one final get away before the school year begins. Many districts across the Midwest are opting to begin school after Labor Day. ^[12]

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