For more details go here:- http://www.tramormusic.com/epk1.html

THE LEFT COAST (ONLINE) EISTEDDFOD COMPETITIONS

Read all about our Short Story competition HERE. Win $100!

Read all about our Poetry competition HERE. Win $100!

Read all about our Pirate Lookalike competition HERE. Win $50!

You may submit your entry in either Welsh or English. The two language categories will be judged separately and there will be a prize for each. Accompanying graphics are not permitted. There is a US100 dollars (approximately 50GBP ) prize for the winners in both categories. The final submission date is July 31st 2009 and the winners will be announced at the Eisteddfod ( August 2009 ). The judges have yet to be selected and a further announcement will be made soon. The judges decisions will, of course, be final. The winners will also be entitled to free admission to some Eisteddfod events. Runners-up prizes will be announced later.

All poetic styles and conventions are welcome ( limericks, however, will not be considered for a prize ) There is no upper or lower word limit. Entries need not reference Wales in any way , shape or form. You may submit up to three entries and work which has appeared elsewhere is acceptable provided you have not surrendered your copyright.

The winner and his/her work will also be featured on this site on what we hope will be a heavily trafficked page.

How To Submit Your Poem

Members

1. Simply join this Group and post your poem (and any links) as a separate discussion in the group forum ( see "Lorem Ipsum" example below). If you wish to include a link to your website or blog please do so but remember you must link back to us.

2. Post your poem your website or blog and post a link to the relevant url as a separate discussion in the group forum ( see "Lorem Ipsum" example below).. Once again you will need to link back to us.

Non Members

1. Post your submission on your blog and email us with the url ( americymru@gmail.com ). We will include it on the Group page. We would appreciate a link to this page or to the blog home page.

2. Email your submission to us and we will post it on the group page and credit you as author. ( in this case mutual linking is an option but not required )

The Fine Print

1. There is no entry or submission fee for this competition. The requirement to backlink if you are posting on your own blog and linking here ( or submitting a link to your blog on this page ) is obligatory and designed to be mutually beneficial.

2. Any materials submitted in this group will remain the sole property of the author. We guarantee not to display any story or any portion thereof on other pages or sites without the express permission of the author. Likewise materials submitted here or linked here can be removed or unlinked at any time by the author or at his/her request.

A message from Owen Hoffman-Smith. If you are interested please email americymru@gmail.com and we will pass on your details :-

The OWFC has been invited to sing at a panel discussion featuring Welsh writers and critics on the evening of October 4th at Portland State University, at 6:30pm , with call time for the chorus at 5:45. We will perform the "Eli Jenkins Prayer" as well as the Welsh national anthem. Here's a link to a Welsh male choir doing the "Eli Jenkins" piece:

The panel will discuss Welsh authors who write in English. The program is entitled "Culture Wars. Other Voices in British Literature: Should 'Welsh Writing in English' be taught as a separate course or module in U.S. Universities?" Here are the links:

We will rehearse at Kenilworth Presbyterian on the corner of SE 34th and Gladstone (the same place as before, for those who were with us in the spring). We will have two rehearsalsbefore this performance on September 22nd and 29th at 7pm .

There is also talk of putting together a set of Christmas music and having aChristmas concert series. More on that soon...

Here is a picture of the original Portland Welsh Choir - The Cambrian Choral Society - taken cica 1905. The Oregon Welsh Festival Choir will be carrying on their proud tradition. Does any member recognise any of the singers? Please post in comments below if you do....diolch.

"March 2013 will mark the birth of an exciting new development for Welsh writers everywhere. Eto is the realization of a vision to provide a global showcase for the many gifted Welsh writers whose chosen medium is English. Authors with established reputations such as Lloyd Jones, Chris Keil, Mike Jenkins, Paul Steffan Jones, Jude Johnson and John Good have already voiced their support and will also contribute to either the first or future issues of Eto.

But Eto is not just about those already established and respected authors. Eto seeks to encourage and stimulate new talent. To this end we will feature at least two submissions from new writers each issue. This is a unique opportunity for aspiring Welsh authors everywhere. Eto can help become a catalyst for the emergence of exciting new talent possessing a distinct voice and a new perspective.

Authors, contributing or otherwise, have the opportunity to promote their books in a magazine that seeks to enhance the reputation of Welsh authors and Welsh writers internationally. Please do not hesitate to provide us with submissions. It may take time but we will give careful consideration to each one."

If you wish to support or contribute to the current or future editions of eto please visit our website at ETO Magazine . There is a contact form on every page of the site and we would urge you to help us spread the word by using the various 'social' buttons in the right hand column.

The Editors

Ceri Shaw/Philip Rowlands/Gaabriel Becket

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Follow the whole nine yards here (a 95 part series) :- Half Marathon Blog

Why I am running:- West Coast Eisteddfod Bryn Seion Church

For details of how to sponsor see this post

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There have been occasions in the past when, faced with hours of blogging/coding and other webby stuff, I have resorted to a 5 or 6 hour energy shot. I know the debate rages as to whether these products will do any more than a strong cup of coffee in terms of promoting alertness but they seem to work for me. In fact some times too well. I darent take them later in the evening for fear of not being able to sleep.

I'm wondering if these drinks would be useful for training purposes. Of course the idea is to build one's natural stamina and endurance rather than relying on a 'shot in the arm' from the local 7-11. On the other hand runners occasionally hit a plateau in training and maybe one of these things would help to further progress. At the moment I seem to be comfortable running for about 15 mins but I'm not having much luck persuading my weary old carcass to persevere for any longer than that.

I suppose I am going to be told that there is no healthy potion or magical elixir that will help in the long term but still, it probably does no harm to dabble with temporary expedients once in a while. I'll put it to the test one of these days and report the result in a future post.

Meanwhile here is a list of the active ingredients ( together with links ) from the Wikipedia :-

The ingredients of the drink are, in order of listing, taurine , glucuronolactone , malic acid , N-Acetyl L -tyrosine , L -phenylalanine , caffeine , and citicoline . ^{[ 5 ]} The maker claims the product "contains caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee."

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Certainly doesnt seem like there is anything particularly or potentially harmful in that lot. Or am I missing something?

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A message from Cynan Jones:-

Its been a long January here in Wales! So, I felt it appropriate to lighten the mood a little.
Ive released THE FART a (very) short story, FREE on Amazon.co.uk from Monday 30th Jan Friday 3rd Feb* here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Fart-ebook/d...
If you think it appropriate, youre welcome to inform the members of your group, and bring a little laughter their way!
All the best,
Cynan
*After this time, it should remain available FREE to Amazon.com Prime members
http://www.amazon.com/The-Fart-ebook/dp/...

We thought it highly appropriate Free downloads available from Jan 30th.

Read our interview with Cynan Jones here:- Ten Questions with Cynan Jones

Books By Cynan Jones

The Long Dry by Cynan Jones $16.95	Everything I Found On the Beach by Cynan Jones