The 10 best woods and forests for myths and legends |

 Posted on April 15, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1429 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

100 great British woods and forestsThe 10 best woods and forests for myths and legendsGiants in Armagh, dragons in Conwy …Sherwood Forest, NottinghamshireThe undisputed superstar of English woods, Sherwood Forest has dined out for centuries on its role as the sanctuary of everyone's favourite wealth-redistributor. Most of us have fantasised about being Robin Hood (or perhaps Maid Marian) at one time or another, and in Sherwood, with its 1,000-odd veteran oak trees, it's just that little bit easier to imagine oneself in green (or velvet). [Read More]

The Nigerian fish market where gods and commerce meet | Global development

 Posted on April 15, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1484 words  |  Valentine Belue

Folasade Ojikutu at Epe market, one of the biggest fish markets in Lagos, Nigeria. In her role as Iya Alaje, she manages business at the market and prays for good fortune. Photograph: Grace Ekpu/The GuardianThe all-women market appoints a ‘mother of wealth’ to pray for their good fortune – and in this recession-hit country the role is more important than ever Read more in our Crisis Nigeria series by Emmanuel Akinwotu in LagosFolasade Ojikutu wears a traditional white lace dress for her work at the lagoon dock behind Oluwo market in Epe. [Read More]

To Anyone Who Ever Asks by Howard Fishman review vanishing act

 Posted on April 15, 2024  |  6 minutes  |  1179 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Biography booksReviewThe mysterious story of 1950s New York folk singer Connie Converse, who disappeared before her music found popular recognition In 2010, writer and musician Howard Fishman went to a Christmas party at a friend’s house where, not knowing many people, he took to scanning the bookshelves to quell his anxiety. As he did so, a song called Talkin’ Like You (Two Tall Mountains) came on the stereo that, he recalls, “swallowed me. [Read More]

Where are all the films about poor Americans? | Stephen Pimpare

 Posted on April 15, 2024  |  6 minutes  |  1141 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

OpinionOscars 2018 This article is more than 5 years oldWhere are all the films about poor Americans?This article is more than 5 years oldStephen PimpareThis year’s Oscars have highlighted the dearth of films that get to the heart of poverty and its causes Buried within the Trump administration’s recent budget was a proposal to sharply cut food stamp funding. In its place would be a box of government-provided foods, a scheme sure to be a boondoggle benefiting only the companies who get contracts to produce and deliver these packages. [Read More]

World Elephant Day: inside Kenyas first indigenously run sanctuary for orphans | Wildlife

 Posted on April 15, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  873 words  |  Valentine Belue

Bawa arrived at Reteti when he was only two weeks old, hovering between life and death. He had been stuck and submerged in mud for days. His eyes were burnt from the sun and his skin was peeling. It took weeks of dedicated work and loving care but he made a complete recovery and was reintroduced to the wild. Photograph: Ami VitaleEstablished in 2016, the Reteti sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates young elephants so that they can be reintroduced to the wild. [Read More]

Brutal Arctic blast expected to bring frigid temperatures to North America | US weather

 Posted on April 14, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  506 words  |  Kary Bruening

US weather‘Brutal’ Arctic blast expected to bring frigid temperatures to North AmericaExtreme cold warning issued in Canada as US forecasters warn of wind chills in Texas and major snow in midwest and east coast A “bitter” blast of cold Arctic air is set to bring dangerously frigid temperatures to swaths of North America, forecasters have warned. In Canada, frigid Arctic air is being pushed from the Northwest Territories down into the province of Alberta, where Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning. [Read More]

Films beginning with J | Movies

 Posted on April 14, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  806 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

1000 films to see before you dieMoviesFilms beginning with JJackie Brown (Quentin Tarantino, 1997) The follow up to Pulp Fiction is decidedly less violent: it's an elegant adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel that platforms his storytelling prowess. Plucked from career wilderness, Pam Grier is languidly brilliant as the lonely air hostess with a score to settle, while Samuel L Jackson's drug dealer shows Tarantino's heart is still in the same seedy place. [Read More]

Get the best of both city and nature in the Outaouais | Outaouais

 Posted on April 14, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  801 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Champlain Lookout Photograph: Myriam Baril-TessierThis western Québec region is a dynamic destination in the winter and beyond Just across the river from the Canadian capital of Ottawa – and a brisk two-hour drive or train from Montréal – lies the region of the Outaouais, a snowy winter paradise. This playground par excellence in western Québec has wide-open natural spaces in abundance, so you can make the most out of its cross-country trails. [Read More]

Is it time to forgive Stockhausen? | Classical music

 Posted on April 14, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  427 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Music blogClassical musicIs it time to forgive Stockhausen?Karlheinz Stockhausen's reputation was tarnished after he reportedly remarked that the September 11 terrorist attacks were the 'greatest works of art'. But his music looks likely to surviveKarlheinz Stockhausen poses at his mixing desk in the music hall in Hamburg. Photograph: Soeren Stache/EPA When he died last year at age 79, German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen was still under a cloud of suspicion for comments he reportedly made after the September 11 terrorist attacks, qualifying them as the " [Read More]

Mildreds, London WC1: Unapologetic and utterly un-preachy restaurant review

 Posted on April 14, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  874 words  |  Aldo Pusey

‘No invites by the coat stand to a vegan poetry slam’: Mildreds Covent Garden. Photograph: Joanna Yee/The Guardian‘No invites by the coat stand to a vegan poetry slam’: Mildreds Covent Garden. Photograph: Joanna Yee/The GuardianGrace Dent on restaurantsFoodThere’s no chummy mission statement about being kind to pigs or saving us from cow farts Until recently, Mildreds had a niche appeal: meat-free and going strong since 1988, but not exactly mainstream. Your average diner liked vegetables, sure, but preferred them with a lovely steak. [Read More]