Barack Obama Nelson Mandela: President 'Madiba' 95 birthday honours

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama say that the world can honor Nelson Mandela by paying attention to their example and serve others.

The Obama are sending their wishes and prayers for the former South African leader in his 95 birthday. Mandela is ill of gravity in the hospital, although he has said to be improving and could be released soon.

The Obama gathered with family of Mandela in South Africa last month and visited Robben Island, where the figure of apartheid he spent 18 years as a political prisoner

The President and first lady said they were deeply moved by the visit to the prison. They always say you get strength and inspiration from the example of Mandela, say that their commitment to equality, dignity and reconciliation should be a beacon for future generations.

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Shasta Nelson, M.Div.: Urban Campfire: An Interview With Melody Biringer

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Founder of womens friendship matching site, GirlFriendCircles.com, Author of Friendships Don't Just Happen!

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One of the upcoming events where I'm speaking is in Seattle next month. I'm so looking forward to Urban Campfire, not just because it's in an airplane hangar, but because we get to roast marshmallows and sit around campfires with small groups of other women! Fun! The idea is so creative that I wanted to interview CRAVE founder and the Urban Campfire brainchild, Melody Biringer, about women and connections.

Melody, you have a long history of being passionate about women's friendships, and your latest brainchild is proof of that! Urban Campfire is such a novel idea... tell us what it is!

Melody: Urban Campfire is an all day event intended to engage women in authentic conversations about business, relationships and life. We encourage them to ditch their heels and don theirs sneakers as Urban Campfire prepares to engage them in a high-octane, unique, and meaningful experience. This isn't a conference, it's a fire. We plan on igniting the spark that has flickered within you. We promise to delight and inspire with a star-studded line-up of TED Talk style speakers and a veritable who's-who in Seattle and beyond attendee list.

You have an awesome line-up of speakers including Danielle LaPorte, the catalyst for our desires and vision, Jen Louden, the self-care queen, and Sue Bryce, a woman we all hope will one day be our photographer for a session! But what I love, even more, than the inspirational line-up is your idea of women coming together in small groups, around campfires to share their own stories. What do you hope is felt by the women who are sitting around these campfires sharing themselves with other women?

Melody: There is something about the conversations we have around a campfire... we are more vulnerable and open to sharing. I want everyone to experience this kind of authentic openness through Urban Campfire. By sharing stories and making meaningful connections, I hope women are able to rekindle their flame! This isn't the type of conference where you sit back and half listen while multi-tasking. It's the kind of event where your critical thinking skills are engaged and your heart is opened.

You are undoubtedly a connector of women. What is a driving memory for you that propels you to bring women together for connecting?

Melody: I didn't seek out girlfriends til after I turned 30 (what is up with that?). When I finally saw the light that I needed the connection of women for all kinds of things, magic seemed to happen. My favorite pastime is going on walks or hosting dinner parties with like-minded women; telling and listening to each others stories throughout the entire spectrum of life. Especially walking, there is something about the heart pumping while telling stories that helps you get more authentic and juicy.

The other thing I love about this one-day rendezvous you have planned is your interest in women of all ages connecting. Tell me about two of your friends-- one who is older and one who is younger-- and what you enjoy about those women.

Melody: I have a friend who is 25 that sometimes I forget how young she really is. She is in start-up mode with her business and I LOVE to talk business. It is so refreshing to listen to her stories, her fears, and her excitement about life. I learn so much from her and she makes me feel like I have a lot to offer her too, so the feeling is mutual. My older-than-me-friend just gets everything, we can talk for hours about nothing and yet if feels so satisfying. We never have an agenda or feel like we need to solve anything. It just feels good to be doing nothing together.

And because of your vast experience in women's networks, I'd be curious to get your take on what you see happening with women's relationships today. What is one thing that discourages you and one thing that encourages you that you are hearing, seeing, and experiencing?

Melody: I find it discouraging when women view each other as competitors and not collaborators. I wish we could we have a more collective feeling of togetherness. I think that is changing with time and it encourages me that more collaborations are happening.

And last, in keeping with your theme that you're giving all 10 speakers that day, of which I'm honored to be one, "If you had ten minutes to tell the world what you've learned, what you know to be true... what would that be?" what would be the message of your talk?

Melody: I would talk about knowing yourself and to try not to be in too many downward spirals throughout life. I would much rather be on an upward spiral because magic happens when you are positive and just try to make things happen. It is about the forward movement that makes me happy and when I am stuck I go into down mode. Remembering when I am down to pick back up and do something, put yourself out there, again, is the joy of life. The outcome is not as important as the game you get to play while trying to get there. Plus it is way more fun to hang with like-minded friends along the way that can cheer you on as you also are their biggest cheerleaders. And don't forget to take time out to make a s'more every once in a while and remember what your marshmallow really is. #whatsyourmarshmallow

Melody -- I just want to applaud you for your vision. I think it's beautiful! And I want to make sure everyone has all the info so they can decide to join us. This is a great excuse to fly to Seattle to visit a friend and attend this unique event. :)

What: Urban Campfire
When: Tuesday August 13 2013. 1pm to 9pm
Where: Hangar 30 in Warren G. Magnuson Park, Seattle WA
Highlights: Fireside chats, food trucks, dance party, s'mores.
Cost: One ticket = $95 / Two or more tickets = $75 each
Website: http://thecravecompany.com/urbancampfire/

Hope to see you there!!! Come introduce yourself to me so we can be sure to meet! And to make sure you hear about upcoming women's events, trips, and all things female-friendship, subscribe to my blog. xoxo

Follow Shasta Nelson, M.Div. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/girlfrndcircles

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Nelson Mandela 'Dangerous' health, according to court documents filtered

Nelson Mandela is in a "dangerous" condition on life support in the hospital, leaked documents showed on Wednesday.

Health of the icon "anti-apartheid" bleak assessment came in articles sent by their relatives on June 28 as part of legal efforts to recover the remains of three children of Mandela.

"The anticipation of his imminent death is based on real and substantial reasons. Applicants are willing to bury his father and him committing to the land where there are remains of their descendants, "according to the document cited by the Guardian & mail and other means.

"The health of Nelson Mandela is dangerous. (A) affidavit will be provided of the doctors who is assisted breathing by a life-support machine, "added.

Mandela, 94, has been in intensive care at a hospital in Pretoria since June 8 when he entered with a recurring lung infection.

The Presidency said his condition is "critical but stable", but he has published some details of his illness.

An elder of the clan told AFP on Wednesday of last week that Mandela was on a ventilator. But South African President Jacob Zuma said the next day that his health had improved.

Mandela led the struggle against the regime of the white minority in South Africa and became the first Black President of the country after the multiracial elections in 1994, after 27 years in prison.

A court in the city of Mthatha Wednesday ordered the remains of three children of Mandela returned immediately to their town of Qunu kindergarten.

His oldest grandson Mandla had moved in 2011 at Mvezo, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) away, supposedly without the consent of the family of rest.

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Nelson Mandela in critical condition, statement by President Jacob Zuma says

Johannesburg: Nelson Mandela's health has deteriorated and is now in critical condition, said Sunday the South African Government.

President Jacob Zuma's Office said in a statement that he had visited the leading anti-apartheid of 94-year-old at a hospital on Sunday night and was told by the medical team that Mandela condition had become critical in the last 24 hours.

"Doctors are all possible get your condition to improve doing and ensure that Madiba is well then and is comfortable." He is in good hands, "Zuma said in the statement, using the name of the clan of Mandela.

Zuma also met Graça Machel, wife of Mandela, at the hospital in Pretoria and discussed the condition of the former leader, according to the statement. Zuma was accompanied on the visit by Cyril Ramaphosa, Vice President of the party in power in the country, the African National Congress.

Mandela was jailed for 27 years in 1990 and white racist regime. He then played a prominent role in the direction of the country divided since the days of apartheid to democracy, becoming the first Black President of South Africa in the all-race elections in 1994. He was hospitalized on June 8, for what the Government says was a recurring lung infection.

In the statement on Sunday, Zuma also discussed recognition of the Government a day before an ambulance leading to Mandela in Pretoria hospital two weeks ago had engine problems, requiring former President move to another ambulance for your trip. Capital Pretoria, South Africa, is about 50 km (30 miles) from Johannesburg, where Mandela has been living.

"There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period."He had expert medical attention, said Zuma. "The ambulance equipped ICU military had a full complement of qualified medical personnel and ICU nurse specialists in intensive care." The doctors also dismissed media reports that Madiba suffered a cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report".

Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, is seen by many in the world as a symbol of reconciliation, and Zuma had appealed to South Africans and the international community to pray for the sick former President, his family and the medical team attending to it.

The ruling party expressed its concern at the deterioration in the health of Mandela.

"We welcome the work of the Presidency so that they are informed about the State of health of South African Madiba and people of the world", the party said. "The African National Congress joins the Presidency in calling upon all us to keep President Mandela, his family and his medical team in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman said the latest reports from the Government South African condition worsens Mandela.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the people of South Africa," said the spokesman Caitllin Hayden.

Before Zuma final statement Sunday, reports from the Government, former President Thabo Mbeki and a grandchild of Mandela indicated that it was improving the health of Mandela, while it has been in the hospital for treatment several times in recent months. In the days following his last hospitalization, Zuma Office described his condition as serious but stable. Members of the family have been making daily visits to the hospital where is being treated Mandela.

Mandela, who has become increasingly fragile in recent years, last made a public appearance at the tournament of football 2010 World Cup, hosted by South Africa. Not to give an address on that occasion and was made against the cold in a stadium full of fans.

On April 29, State television broadcast images of a visit by Zuma and other leaders of the African National Congress to the Mandela House. Zuma said at the time that Mandela was in good shape, but imagery - the first public images of Mandela in almost a year--showed him silent and unresponsive, even when Zuma tried to take his hand.

Between hospital stays in recent months, Mandela has been staying in his house in the neighborhood of Johannesburg's Houghton, where has received what the Government described as "high home care" by a medical team. On April 6, he was discharged from a hospital after treatment for pneumonia, which included a procedure in which doctors drained fluid from the lung area.

Mandela has been vulnerable to respiratory problems since contracting tuberculosis during his imprisonment under apartheid. Most of those years were spent on Robben Island, an outpost of ban on the coast of Cape Town.

Shasta Nelson, M.Div.: Urban Campfire: An Interview With Melody Biringer

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Founder of womens friendship matching site, GirlFriendCircles.com, Author of Friendships Don't Just Happen!

Get Women Newsletters: Subscribe

One of the upcoming events where I'm speaking is in Seattle next month. I'm so looking forward to Urban Campfire, not just because it's in an airplane hangar, but because we get to roast marshmallows and sit around campfires with small groups of other women! Fun! The idea is so creative that I wanted to interview CRAVE founder and the Urban Campfire brainchild, Melody Biringer, about women and connections.

Melody, you have a long history of being passionate about women's friendships, and your latest brainchild is proof of that! Urban Campfire is such a novel idea... tell us what it is!

Melody: Urban Campfire is an all day event intended to engage women in authentic conversations about business, relationships and life. We encourage them to ditch their heels and don theirs sneakers as Urban Campfire prepares to engage them in a high-octane, unique, and meaningful experience. This isn't a conference, it's a fire. We plan on igniting the spark that has flickered within you. We promise to delight and inspire with a star-studded line-up of TED Talk style speakers and a veritable who's-who in Seattle and beyond attendee list.

You have an awesome line-up of speakers including Danielle LaPorte, the catalyst for our desires and vision, Jen Louden, the self-care queen, and Sue Bryce, a woman we all hope will one day be our photographer for a session! But what I love, even more, than the inspirational line-up is your idea of women coming together in small groups, around campfires to share their own stories. What do you hope is felt by the women who are sitting around these campfires sharing themselves with other women?

Melody: There is something about the conversations we have around a campfire... we are more vulnerable and open to sharing. I want everyone to experience this kind of authentic openness through Urban Campfire. By sharing stories and making meaningful connections, I hope women are able to rekindle their flame! This isn't the type of conference where you sit back and half listen while multi-tasking. It's the kind of event where your critical thinking skills are engaged and your heart is opened.

You are undoubtedly a connector of women. What is a driving memory for you that propels you to bring women together for connecting?

Melody: I didn't seek out girlfriends til after I turned 30 (what is up with that?). When I finally saw the light that I needed the connection of women for all kinds of things, magic seemed to happen. My favorite pastime is going on walks or hosting dinner parties with like-minded women; telling and listening to each others stories throughout the entire spectrum of life. Especially walking, there is something about the heart pumping while telling stories that helps you get more authentic and juicy.

The other thing I love about this one-day rendezvous you have planned is your interest in women of all ages connecting. Tell me about two of your friends-- one who is older and one who is younger-- and what you enjoy about those women.

Melody: I have a friend who is 25 that sometimes I forget how young she really is. She is in start-up mode with her business and I LOVE to talk business. It is so refreshing to listen to her stories, her fears, and her excitement about life. I learn so much from her and she makes me feel like I have a lot to offer her too, so the feeling is mutual. My older-than-me-friend just gets everything, we can talk for hours about nothing and yet if feels so satisfying. We never have an agenda or feel like we need to solve anything. It just feels good to be doing nothing together.

And because of your vast experience in women's networks, I'd be curious to get your take on what you see happening with women's relationships today. What is one thing that discourages you and one thing that encourages you that you are hearing, seeing, and experiencing?

Melody: I find it discouraging when women view each other as competitors and not collaborators. I wish we could we have a more collective feeling of togetherness. I think that is changing with time and it encourages me that more collaborations are happening.

And last, in keeping with your theme that you're giving all 10 speakers that day, of which I'm honored to be one, "If you had ten minutes to tell the world what you've learned, what you know to be true... what would that be?" what would be the message of your talk?

Melody: I would talk about knowing yourself and to try not to be in too many downward spirals throughout life. I would much rather be on an upward spiral because magic happens when you are positive and just try to make things happen. It is about the forward movement that makes me happy and when I am stuck I go into down mode. Remembering when I am down to pick back up and do something, put yourself out there, again, is the joy of life. The outcome is not as important as the game you get to play while trying to get there. Plus it is way more fun to hang with like-minded friends along the way that can cheer you on as you also are their biggest cheerleaders. And don't forget to take time out to make a s'more every once in a while and remember what your marshmallow really is. #whatsyourmarshmallow

Melody -- I just want to applaud you for your vision. I think it's beautiful! And I want to make sure everyone has all the info so they can decide to join us. This is a great excuse to fly to Seattle to visit a friend and attend this unique event. :)

What: Urban Campfire
When: Tuesday August 13 2013. 1pm to 9pm
Where: Hangar 30 in Warren G. Magnuson Park, Seattle WA
Highlights: Fireside chats, food trucks, dance party, s'mores.
Cost: One ticket = $95 / Two or more tickets = $75 each
Website: http://thecravecompany.com/urbancampfire/

Hope to see you there!!! Come introduce yourself to me so we can be sure to meet! And to make sure you hear about upcoming women's events, trips, and all things female-friendship, subscribe to my blog. xoxo

Follow Shasta Nelson, M.Div. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/girlfrndcircles

Subscribe

Nelson Cruz suspended: MLB punishes Rangers star in case of biogenesis

Nelson Cruz #17 the Texas Rangers hits a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas on July 31, 2013. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Nelson Cruz Texas Rangers Slugger says that it is accepting its suspension of 50 Major League Baseball games and admits that he committed an "error of judgment".

Cruz was among 13 players disciplined than on Monday for his relationship with the biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic closed in Florida accused of distributing drugs ban to improve performance.

The all-star right fielder said in a statement that from November through January, 2012 has gastrointestinal infection that was not correctly diagnosed for more than one month. He says that he lost 40 pounds not long before reporting to spring training and was sure that it would be physically able to play.

He said before the cross with that situation "made an error of judgment" that deeply regrets. It was not more specific.

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Results of the UFC 161: Rashad Evans Outpoints Dan Henderson; Stipe Miocic tops Roy Nelson (photos)

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Rashad Evans beat Dan Henderson in a split decision Saturday night in a bout of heavyweight in UFC 161.

The 42 year-old Henderson connected with the first solid blows late in the first round, attacking so anxiously he could barely support his feet against the Evans of 33 years.

"I said, ' what hit me'", said Evans, who approached Henderson with much more caution after. "?" "Only the fools rush with Dan Henderson".

The second round opened with Evans trying to topple Henderson, but veteran quickly stood up. Henderson was visibly tired in the third.

"I don't have anyone blame but myself", said. "In the third round that I have a bit more active."

Evans improved to 13-3-1-23-3-1 overall in MMA and UFC. Henderson fell 29-10 overall and 6-4 in the UFC.

Earlier, Steve Miocic unanimously outpointed Roy Nelson and Steve Miocic in another heavyweight bout,

Rights Nelson loops found its mark a couple of times in the third and Miocic receded a little to avoid being caught and appeared ahead on the cards of judges.

Miocic was asked by the President of UFC Dana White how he felt after the fight.

"I won right?" he said. "OK, then, I am happy."

Shawn Jordan surprised Pat Barry with a flurry of punches to finish his bout of heavyweight after 59 seconds. It began with an uppercut and the referee stopped it as Barry Crouch, taking blow after blow.

In a UFC debut for both fighters, heavyweight women Alexis Davis passed unanimously Rosi Sexton in UFC fight of the first women in Canada.

"It's a new ball game," Davis said. "I can't wait to fight again".

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