Known about town as Mike Manning. Born Sept. 2, 1947 and raised in Altadena, California, Mike is recognized as one of Altadena's premier historians. He is an avid aficionado of the Mount Lowe Railway and all things pertaining to Prof. T, S. C. Lowe, published his first book on line; Man, Mountain and Monument on mraltadena.com

He just released an 88-page primer on Prof. Lowe: Intrepid: An Account of Prof. T. S. C. Lowe, Civil War Aeronaut and Hero ©2005,

Mike is a former Altadena Town Council member, Past President of the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena, and Past President of The Christmas Tree Lane Association.

Recipient of the Barnstar edit

The Original Barnstar

  The Original Barnstar
For your diligent efforts to improve California related and other articles, and for the good cheer with which you consistently approach this endeavor. BusterD 12:37, 25 October 2006 (UTC)
  The Original Barnstar
I award you this condign and well-deserved barnstar for all your outstanding contributions to the many Biography articles - Anas Salloum 17:20, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

Especially on your amazing contributions to the Thaddeus S. C. Lowe article. Good job Mike! ANAS - Talk

Wikipedian since Jan 2006 edit

Mike aspires to becoming one of Wikipedia's more prolific contributers. He has chosen Magi Media as his wiki-callsign based on the three Wise Men of biblical acclaim. The Magi were a group of men from the Far East of Biblical times, most probably Persia, of the religion Zoroaster. They were scholars of the stars delving much into astronomy and astrology, thus them ere being referred to as "astronomers."

The Magi were considered to be men of extraordinary, even supernatural knowledge. Thus their appellation "Wise Men." Because of this they are given credit much due that of a King Solomon, Guru or Deli Lama, thus their appellation "Three Kings."

Part of their religious mystique is based on the premise that they knew Jesus Christ, to whose side they followed the Star of Bethlehem, was the Son of God. The songs and stories of lore that honor them numbers them Three Wise Men, or Three Kings of Orient. Historical depictions has shown as few as two and as man as 12. They are not truly considered to have been at manger side the night of Christ's birth, but may have traveled as many as 14 to 18 months to Israel. In the Roman Catholic Liturgical Year the visitation of the Magi is held on the third Sunday of Christmas, on or about January 6th, called the Epiphany. In many customs or cultures, this is the day of Christmas gift giving, re-enacted for the gifts of the Magi.

The story of the Holy Innocents tells that Herod was met by the arriving Magi who would honor a child who would be King of the Jews. This statement was a theological metaphor yet was taken literally by Herod who would not suffer the competition. Herod requested that when the Men found the child, they should return to him and let him know of this infants whereabouts so that he might also honor him. After their visitation to the Boy Child, the Magi were summoned in a dream to return to the East via an alternate route, more allusion to their supernatural knowledge. Herod found out that the Magi had left without seeing him. Knowing the amount of travel time the Magi spent, he had all the baby boys in the area from age two and under put to death. These children are referred to as the Holy Innocents.

Musician edit

Mike is a musician of 44 years starting off as P-bass player and eventually becoming proficient in 6-string and 12-string guitars. He played in garage bands for a good portion of his college career, but has relegated most of his music to modern liturgy in the Catholic Church.

His greatest claim to fame is having had the opportunity to play at the Mass celebration for Pope John Paul II at Laguna Seca, Ca. in September 1987.

Mike is a music director guitarist for the Sunday morning Mass at his parish in Altadena, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. He has attached an identity to his choir as Magi Music.

Mike and his youngest brother Sean have formed a musical duet valled Those Manning Boys performing original Irish Folk songs.

Languages, Langues, Sprache, Idiomas, Tiếng edit

In a former life, like school, I was a Foreign Language Major. I studied French and German. My Grandmother is of Spanish descent, born in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. I speak Spanish. Because of my language aptitude, and because of a rising need in the Vietnam War, the Army sent me to 36 weeks of Vietnamese Language School, El Paso, TX. Because by all other rights I am an American, I speak fluent English.

J'étais étudiant des langues étrangères. Je parle Français, Allemand, Espagnol, Vietnamien et Anglais.

Ich war Fremdesprachestudent. Also spreche ich Deutsche, Französich, Spanisch, Vietnamesisch und Englisch.

Como Americano hablo Inglés. Mi madre es Española, entonces hablo Español. En la escuela aprendí Francés y Alemán. Durante la guerra aprendí Vietnamita.

Hôi trước tôi học tiếng ngoài quốc. Vầy thì biết nói đọc viết tiếng Anh, tiếng Pháp, tiếng Đức, tiếng Y-pha-nhôl, và tiếng Việt.

Magi Media Contributions edit

New Articles edit