--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/core/services.py	Sat May 05 17:10:48 2012 -0500
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+"""
+This module provides a common way for the various apps to integrate with services
+that are installed at this site.
+
+"""
+from django.conf import settings
+import redis
+
+# Redis connection and database settings
+
+REDIS_HOST = getattr(settings, 'REDIS_HOST', 'localhost')
+REDIS_PORT = getattr(settings, 'REDIS_PORT', 6379)
+REDIS_DB = getattr(settings, 'REDIS_DB', 0)
+
+
+def get_redis_connection(host=REDIS_HOST, port=REDIS_PORT, db=REDIS_DB):
+    """
+    Create and return a Redis connection using the supplied parameters.
+
+    """
+    return redis.StrictRedis(host=host, port=port, db=db)