All - Leep Calendar

November is National Railroad Month and highlights the work and passion of model railroaders. Free public workshops are offered nationwide on the first Saturday of the month.

The first model railroad appeared in the 1840s, with the entire track encased in a carpet. Model trains appeared with the invention of the first steam engine, and the toy trains were steam-driven. Sir Henry Wood of England was said to have created the first steam-driven toy train. These miniature trains were called "Dribblers" and "Piddlers" because they left a trail of water drops in their wake.

In the beginning, the toys were created by instrument makers, and Theodore Marklin of Germany was the first to develop track sections and the electric train in the late 19th century. In the early 1900s, Lionel entered the market with the most realistic-looking and acting miniature trains, and the company dominated the market. Today, it is a multi-million dollar industry with elaborate scenery, accessories, and options.

Model trains are still a favorite gift. A model train running around the Christmas tree is an endearing representation of the season and the delight they bring to adults and children alike.

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Nov

Revolution Day, (DZ)(1954): November 1

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Revolution Day in Algeria marks the anniversary of November 1, 1954, when the citizens began their revolt against the nation of France. Revolution Day is a national holiday.

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Nov

Role Models Month, Inspirational, Ntl.: November

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Initiated in 2005, National Inspirational Role Models Month is the creation of communications professional Darlene House. Its purpose is to acknowledge contemporary and historical role models' impact on our lives. Individuals chosen for recognition may include celebrities, historical figures, relatives, friends, colleagues, and associates. Celebrate with creative projects and activities featuring historical role models and spending time with contemporary role models.

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Nov

Runaway Prevention Month, Ntl.: November

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November is National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM), a public awareness campaign designed to “Shine a Light” on the experiences of runaway and homeless youth that too often remain invisible. It is also an opportunity to spotlight the resources available to support youth in crisis nationwide.

As part of the campaign, individuals, organizations, and communities nationwide are encouraged to work together to prevent youth homelessness. National Runaway Prevention Month is spearheaded each year by the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), a national nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth are safe and off the streets, with the support of the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB).

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Nov

Scholarship Month, Ntl.: November

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The National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) sponsors National Scholarship Month; this awareness campaign highlights student scholarship opportunities. This month, many scholarship providers offer competitions and post information about the scholarships.

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Nov

Sleep Comfort Month, Ntl.: November

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National Sleep Comfort Month highlights sleeping comfortably and getting enough sleep. Retailers often use this month for sales on bedding and mattresses ahead of the holiday season.

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Nov

Sports Fan Day, Ntl.: November 1

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You know who you are, whether pro, college, or neighborhood—you're a sports fan. National Sports Fan Day began in 2016. The timing has to do with the "sports equinox," the one day a year when every major sports league seems to have a game going. The sports equinox tends to occur during the last day of October or the first week of November.

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Nov

Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Ntl.: November

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National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month provides information to patients, families, and caregivers and raises funds for stomach cancer research. November is a month known for gastronomic indulgences, thus the reason for this campaign. During this time, caregivers, survivors, and families share their stories on social media, join community awareness events, and participate in localized No Stomach for Cancer Walks.

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Nov

Stress Awareness Day, Intl.: November 1

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Formerly National Stress Awareness Day in the United Kingdom, International Stress Awareness Day has gone global and seeks to educate people about stress' effect on the body and assist individuals in lifestyle and behavior choices that can reduce it.

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Nov

Vegan Day, World: November 1

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The Vegan Society's World Vegan Day kicks off World Vegan Month. November is the chosen month due to Thanksgiving, a feast usually centered on meat entrees, including turkey, ham, and goose. Vegans are against consuming meat, milk, eggs, fish, cheese, and other animal-originating foods. The Vegan Society organizations hold food fairs and festivals throughout the month to convince people to cease eating meat and using animal products (including leather, wool, silk, furs, and skins) by embracing the vegan lifestyle. Vegans believe their lifestyle is better for their health, animals, and the environment. VEGAN VERSUS VEGETARIAN A lot of people who claim to be vegan are actually vegetarians. Knowing the difference between the two is crucial. What does it mean to go vegan? Vegan is an ultra-austere form of vegetarianism, requiring drastic lifestyle changes and staunch adherence. The idea began in 1944 with British woodworker Donald Watson (1911-2005), who coined the term "vegan" and founded the Vegan Society. Unlike vegetarianism, with its roots in ancient religions, veganism is agnostic and tied to the fringes of the animal rights movement. Vegans refrain from eating, using, working with, wearing, or enjoying anything to do with animals meaning: 1) No meat, poultry, game, dairy, fish, eggs, honey, gelatin, or mayonnaise. 2) No clothing, products, or home furnishings made from animals, including leather, fur, wool, or silk. 3) No products tested on animals. 4) No attending or watching entertainment that uses animals, including film, TV, circuses, zoos, rodeos, hunting, and wild animal parks. 5) No animal husbandry. 6) Most, but not all, vegans are antivaccine and anti-medication due to the necessity of testing new drugs and vaccines on animals first. 7) Extreme vegans reject having pets, though this issue is unsettled and debated in the community. In contrast, most vegetarians eat animal products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. The key is they don't eat dead animals. Honey is a staple, often replacing sugar in recipes, and vegetarians will wear silk, wool, and leather, visit zoos, enjoy films with animals, and tend to support humane farming. Vegetarians, as a group, do not have issues with medication. Another iteration is pescatarians, people who eat fish but do not eat beef, lamb, pork, game, or poultry.

Africa

Nov

Vegan Month, World: November

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World Vegan Month kicks off the holiday season by encouraging people to go vegan. The Vegan Society organizes food festivals to convince people to cease eating meat and using animal products by embracing the vegan lifestyle. Vegans believe their lifestyle is better for human health, animals, and the environment.

VEGAN VERSUS VEGETARIAN

Many people who claim to be vegan are just strict vegetarians. Knowing the difference between the two is crucial, particularly if you're dating an avowed vegan or entertaining vegans as guests.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "GO VEGAN?"

Vegan is an ultra-austere form of vegetarianism, requiring drastic lifestyle changes and staunch adherence. The idea began in 1944 with British woodworker Donald Watson (1911-2005), who coined the term "vegan," defined its parameters, and founded the Vegan Society.

Unlike vegetarianism, with its roots in ancient religions, veganism is agnostic and tied to the fringes of the animal rights movement. Avowed vegans refrain from eating, using, working with, wearing, or enjoying human activities with animals. There is significant heavy lifting and abstinence if one wants to be vegan rather than vegetarian. Fortunately, veganism was created after internal combustion, so using transportation isn't forbidden.

GENERAL VEGAN GUIDELINES

1) No eating meat, poultry, game, dairy, fish, eggs, honey, gelatin, or aioli (mayonnaise).
2) No clothing, products, or home furnishings made from animals, including leather, fur, wool, ivory, bone, shells, or silk.
3) No products tested on animals; no services using animals, including transportation.
4) No attending, participating, or watching entertainment that uses animals, including film, television, circuses, aquariums, zoos, races, sports, rodeos, hunting, and wild animal parks.
5) No animal husbandry.
6) Most vegans, but not all, are antivaccine and anti-medication due to the necessity of testing new drugs and vaccines on animals first.
7) Extreme vegans reject having pets, though the pet issue is unsettled and debated in the community.

WHAT IS A VEGETARIAN?

In contrast, most vegetarians eat animal products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. The key is that vegetarians don't eat dead animals. Honey is a staple, often replacing sugar in recipes. Vegetarians will wear silk, wool, and leather, visit zoos, enjoy films with animals, and support humane farming and ranching. Vegetarians, as a group, do not have issues with medication, and many happily have pets.

Pescatarians are a hybrid between omnivores (most global humans who eat plant and animal-based diets) and vegetarians. Pescatarians eat fish but do not eat beef, lamb, pork, game, or poultry.

Africa

Nov

All Souls Day: November 2

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All Souls Day (Commemoration of All the Faithful Dead) follows All Saints' Day. It is a day set aside for Christians to commemorate their departed loved ones. Devote families visit grave sites offering flowers and prayers for those who have died. Others light candles to signify light for the dead souls or bake a special bread or cake, to leave upon the grave.

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Nov

Cookie Monster Day (1966): November 2

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Cookie Monster Day marks the anniversary of the creation of the Sesame Street character Cookie Monster in 1966 by Jim Henson. Cookie Monster is a blue furry character whose famous line is "Me want cookie." He was initially drawn to sell snack foods for General Mills and filmed in the 1966 "Wheels, Crowns and Flutes," which never aired. He was one of three drawings put forth by Henson at the time. Sesame Street premiered in 1969 on American Public Television; today, Cookie Monster is one of the most beloved characters.

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Nov

Deviled Eggs Day: November 2

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Deviled Eggs Day or Eggs Mimosa Day highlights this ancient appetizer, main or side dish. Deviled eggs are made from shelled hard-boiled eggs cut in half. The yolk is mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, herbs, and spices. Cream cheese, plain yogurt, or sour cream can substitute for mayo. While this delicacy originated in ancient Rome, it reappeared in the 18th century when the word “deviled” was used to describe the kick from the spices.

Africa

Nov

Journalist, Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Intl.(2013): November 2

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Journalism is not a crime, yet increasingly, journalists are targeted for doing their jobs worldwide. The United Nations has set aside the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists to focus on justice for journalists and those performing journalist functions targeted for doing their job. The day marks the anniversary of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013. ___________ Targeting journalists can occur in several ways. Censorship is the most common in the western world. Censorship occurs commonly in the west when the government, an organization, corporation, or particular interest is trying to cover up a scandal, unpleasant facts, or illegal activity—an example of Gary Webb of the San Jose Mercury News. Webb suffered a smear campaign by various US government organizations for uncovering the CIA's cocaine trafficking for arms and its ties to inner-city drug addition in the 1990s. A few years later, US government officials used similar tactics against Joe Wilson for an op-ed in the New York Times exposing false information on yellow cake and manufactured information designed to convince the American people to invade Iraq. His wife, an active CIA agent, was outed due to the smear campaign. Censorship can take the form of intimidation, pressure on editors/publishers, intimidating advertisers, defamation, smear campaigns (as used against Webb and Wilson), or forced re-education to promote an organization or cause's position, a tactic popularized by the Israel Lobby and later by LGBTQ organizations against critics. In the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, murder and imprisonment are the two standard tools used to silence journalists. These include the targeted killings by cartels in Mexico of dozens of journalists covering their business. It consists of the killing of identified journalists reporting from Gaza or the West Bank by Israeli military snipers and the murder of ten journalists in Afghanistan on a single day in April 2018 for covering a suicide bombing orchestrated by a terrorist organization. In this instance, a second bomber targeted first responders, including these journalists. Challenging government corruption is one of the most dangerous beats for a journalist. Sandeep Sharma was murdered on March 26, 2018, in India, after months of threats to report on police corruption. Ján Kuciak and his girlfriend, Martina Kušnířova, were murdered in Slovakia, allegedly over his coverage of fraud in the social democratic party. Most recently, Al Jazeera's veteran American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was murdered in 2022 with a single precision IDF sniper bullet while covering events in the West Bank wearing full protective gear. As of this writing, Senator Van Hollen, her representative, continues to press for justice. Abu Akleh is one of forty-two known American citizens killed by Israel since 1967. Israel has never been held formally accountable for any of the forty-two. Sometimes suppression involves arresting journalists and holding them in jail indefinitely. In 2021, 293 journalists were imprisoned worldwide for doing their job. China currently leads the total with 50, followed by Myanmar with 26 and Egypt with 25. The best know in Egypt is Mahmoud Hussein Gomaa of Al Jazeera. He was taken on December 23, 2016, and is still in an Egyptian jail without trial. Gomaa was coming home for the holidays when he was arrested. ____________ Societies cannot function fully without information—the better the data, the better the decisions. Journalists shouldn't be targeted through violence, coercion, intimidation, defamation, or imprisonment. If they are, those responsible should be held accountable and exposed. This day is about raising global awareness of this issue and seeking solutions that protect journalists and allow them to do their jobs. For further reading/information on the events mentioned, see: Ten Journalists Killed in Afghanistan https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/apr/30/afghanistan-the-10-journalists-who-died-in-deadly-day-for-media Are Israeli Snipers Censoring Palestinian Journalists by Murder? https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/04/27/are-israeli-snipers-censoring-palestinian-journalists-murder Current information on Journalists Killed, Imprisoned, and Murdered: Committee to Protect Journalists https://cpj.org/data/ Film: Kill the Messenger, (Gary Webb) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216491/ Film: Fair Game, (Joe Wilson & Valerie Plame) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0977855/ Mahmoud Hussein Gomaa https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2018/02/journalism-crime-story-mahmoud-hussein-180212140543338.html Journalists in Mexico's Drug Wars https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/12/22/572822696/number-of-journalists-killed-in-mexico-reaches-historical-high-report-says Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh's Family Speaks Out https://youtu.be/JMsDMtWVl1M

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