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I am proud and happy to announce that Bardic Madness XVIII will take place on the weekend of April 25-27 in Phelps, WI, hosted by the Shire of Mistig Waetru in honor of their 20th anniversary, and co-hosted by the Shire of Skerrjastrond! Details are sketchy at this time, but you can expect all the fun, challenges, and inspiration that have become legendary at Bardic Madness. The site is a K-12 school in Phelps, WI. Location:
Shire of Mistig Waetru (Phelps, Wisconsin)

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I would like to announce a regional archery practice for Sunday January 20th from 11 AM to 3 PM in Nordskogen. This will be after the Nordskogen 12th night event so for anyone who is in town Sunday feel free to stop on by.

In order to accommodate individual travel schedules the shoots will be up for the entire 4 hour period and you will not need to be there at the start or stay until the end. The practice will be held at the Bwana archery range located near 35E and Little Canada Road (directions below). This is an indoor 20 yard range with the option to place targets closer for new or youth shooters. there is a range fee of $6.50 per shooter, no charge for observers. Location:
Barony of Nordskogen (Little Canada, Minnesota)

Godfrey von Rheinfels has posted an album of photos from the Barony of Atenveldt's Yule event on Flickr.

The Codex Atlanticus, "the largest collection of drawings and writings by the Renaissance master" Leonardo da Vinci, may have suffered extensive damage due to mold.

WHEAT, the Whaplode (England) Heritage and Educational Action Team, is delighted to have received a grant for UK£10,000 from the Awards for All Lottery organization. The grant will help fund a fair marking the anniversary of Edward I's Royal Charter granting the village a fair.

At Their Court in the Barony of al-Barran December 15, 2007, Their Majesties of the Kingdom of the Outlands chose to elevate Viscount Berold de Gilbert to the Order of the Pelican.

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With only a few short weeks until War, now is the time to band together on the field of combat. His Excellency Sir Qara Gan requests all Heavy Fighters to join him on the battle field in preparation for WAR. Do you hear that sounds, my friends? Those are the drums of war that you here. And while they may seem faint now, I assure that it will not be long until War is upon us!!!

WAR Practice
January 20, 2008 Location:
Barony of Fontaine dans Sable (Farmington New Mexico)

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Their Excellencies, Qara Gan and Ceara, and Lady Isabella do send forth greetings and invite one and all to join them in a celebration of the Twelfth Night. Lady Dovey shall be teaching court dancing throughout the day.

Valentina has prepared a glorious feast that will take us across Europe. There will be a silent auction hosted my The Scatter Gold Guild. The Windover Bard has rallied others to join him in entertaining the populace. The Brewers Guild Dünkelgewässer will be hosting a soda sale. Location:
Barony of Fontaine dans Sable (Aztec, New Mexico)

A wooden and ivory throne, dating to the times of Julius Caesar, has been discovered in Herculaneum and is considered to be "the most significant piece of wooden furniture ever discovered there."

Join bronze sword enthusiasts from all over the world for a 4-day event in celebration of sword-making when the 2008 Sword Festival takes place September 5-9, 2008 in Bodmin moor, England.

Esmeralda of the Lakes has posted her photos from the 2007 Great Western War. The website includes eight albums of photos taken at the War.

Sometime in the 4th century, someone was REALLY cheesed off at the emperor — at least enough to curse him by defacing his image and wrapping lead around his face.

Lady Isabol de Chateau Cheval Noire has announced that there will be a Jousting Tournament at this year's Estrella War on Saturday, February 16, 2008.

On the Christmas Eve 2007 All Things Considered radio program, reviewer Lynn Neary spoke with Laura Miller of Salon.com and blogger Mark Sarvas of The Elegant Variation about which books from 2007 should not be missed. Included was The Far Traveler by Nancy Marie Brown.

Archaeologist Jacqui Wood may have discovered a form of Bronze Age lantern tops while doing research in Italy. The ceramic, pots full of strange holes and long thought to be cheese strainers, may have been, in fact, lantern covers or a sort of "medieval bunsen burner." (photos)

Duchess Katerina O'Callaghan reports that marshals and waterbearers are needed for the upcoming Estrella War XXIV which takes place February 12-18, 2008.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Texas) will host Traces of the Calligrapher: Islamic Calligraphy in Practice, c. 1600-1900 and Writing the Word of God: Calligraphy and the Qur´an through February 3, 2008.

More than 400 years ago, Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, threw the party of parties, a three-week long bash at Kenilworth Castle for Elizabeth I.

Melandra of the Woods has announced that she will host The Traditional and Folk Music Hour on KVHU 95.3 FM beginning January 5, 2008 at noon.

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One and all are invited to attend the Barony of Settmour Swamp's 28th annual Celebration of the Thawing of the Mud. As always Mudthaw will feature a wide variety of activities: tournaments in Armored Combat, Rapier, and Youth Combat, Archery, Thrown Weapons, a brewing competition and an array of Fine Merchants. Mudthaw will again be held at the beautiful and spacious Salaam Shrine in Livingston, NJ. Location:
Barony of Settmour Swamp (Livingston, New Jersey)

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"War is a dish best served cold." It also requires endless practice. Therefore the Canton of Aire Faucon and the Order of Saint Aiden do hereby invite one and all to the Southern Regional War Practice to be held at the Pumpkin Center Club House, 2735 Clubhouse Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092.

Southern Regional War Practice
February 16, 2008
Pumpkin Center Club House, Lincolnton, NC
Site Fees: $5/person. For that $5 you get: Location:
Canton of Aire Faucon (Lincolnton, North Carolina)

The Society for Creative Anachronism Office Complex will be without power on 1/4/08 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (P.S.T.) The fax machine and telephones will not be operational during that time.

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Blaiddwyn College calls out for her Champions and supporters, Heralding a call to gather nigh! The theme for this year's Winter Wolf is the Crusades.

Hail both the red and white colors of the College of Blaiddwyn! Raise your voices and cheer your comrades as they gather to learn, sing, fight and to vie for the positions only the most talented, worthy, and valerous can earn. The Defenders of Blaiddwyn hold illustrious titles. The Champion of Blaiddwyn Location:
College of Blaiddwyn (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

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This is a friendly reminder that the Shire's annual event, the Gathering of Crusaders, is a little over 3 weeks away. The event will be on Saturday, January 26th at Riverside Park next to the Territorial Prison. The event will feature the return of the Fighter's Pit, where you can bet on your favorite fighter (or just bribe the bookie to make sure he or she wins).

We'll also have some period games, lunch prepared by Ladies Imma and Constance, and the always popular auction. Location:
Shire of Burning Sands (Yuma, Arizona)

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The Shire of Shadowed Stars proudly announces its 12th Night celebration Night of 1,000 Stars (Portions of this even may be filmed) January 12, 2008

Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren
6404 S. Calhoun St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46807

It is the Shire's honor to announce that Their Royal Highnesses will be in attendance!

Event Steward Team:
Meistara Thorhalla Carlsdottir af Broberg Location:
Shire of Shadowed Stars (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

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Just a friendly reminder that there is regional dance practice January 6, 2008 from 1pm to 5pm. Come learn a new dance or practice and old one. All levels of experience are welcome. We will be learning the dances that will be danced at 12th night.

The Address is Elk's Endicott Lodge 619 N. Nanticoke Ave Endicott, NY 13760.

Take exit 67n Endicott, on to 26N go under the overpass and take the Location:
Shire of Sterlynge Vayle (Endicott, New York)

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I present to you a 2-day extravaganza of fighting geared to female fighters, there will also be classes for men and pickups to be had by all on Sunday. The Combat Symposium will be held March 1and 2, 2007, 10AM to 6PM.

The site for day one is at the St. Andrews United Methodist church in Weston Mills, NY. The site for day two is Showers United Methodist church in Olean, NY

Food: We will be ordering out for food so plan ahead with some cash to cover pizza or Chinese Location:
Shire of Blackwater (Olean, New York)

Duchess Katerina O'Callaghan announces that January deadlines for the upcoming Estrella War are rapidly approaching. There are also a number of updates to the website.

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Estrella War is a week-long, annual event hosted and run by the Kingdom of Atenveldt.

Estrella War offers all the members of your family a chance to spend a week camping and living with thousands of others as part of a medieval town with a robust Merchant’s Row. Held in February at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, AZ, the event provides those who are interested in things Medieval with a diverse combination of the exciting activities offered by the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). We invite you to explore the details of the event on these webpages, and to come join us in the warm Atenveldt Sun for a Glorious escape from the modern world! Location:
Kingdom of Atenveldt (Florence, Arizona)

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The Incipient Shire of Pavlok Gorod (Kodiak, AK) is pleased to announce the fifth annual celebration of tales from all cultures!! Traditional games and contests from the previous events will include: the potluck dishes with the best fairytale pun/ connection to a traditional tale and best documentation; best bardic rendition of a traditional tale; and Rapunzel's hair braiding.

New activities this year will include the Location:
Incipient Shire of Pavlok Gorod (Kodiak, Alaska)