Saturday, October 17, 2009

“Early arctic blast might bring some snowflakes - WTOP” plus 4 more

“Early arctic blast might bring some snowflakes - WTOP” plus 4 more

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Early arctic blast might bring some snowflakes - WTOP

Posted: 17 Oct 2009 06:37 AM PDT

by Pam Rigaux @ The Frederick News-Post

An arctic blast could bring Frederick County its first sprinkling of snow today.

With highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s and the chance of rain 100 percent, meteorologists predict light snowfall in higher elevations.

"In the northern and western parts of the county, it is possible for snow to be mixing in with the rain at times," AccuWeather meteorologist Andy Mussoline said Friday.

A storm has already dumped as much as 6 inches of snow on State College in central Pennsylvania, Mussoline said.

"It was the earliest accumulated snowfall in recorded history," he said.

Today's chilly weather will also set a local record, said National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Lasorsa. The service has tracked temperatures in Hagerstown for nine years; the coldest mid-October day was 53 degrees in 2003.

The 2010 edition of the Hagerstown Almanack predicts a chilly winter, possibly from mid-November until late March.

Signs of a harsh winter are already evident, the almanac states. Yellow jackets have been aggressive early this year. Oak trees produced a lot of acorns.

Buckeystown farmer Mehrl Mayne said the county is due for a harsh season. "We haven't had a rough winter since '96," he said.

Acorns and walnuts are robust, he said. Geese have been on a feeding frenzy. "The deer have been starting to move earlier this year. Mating rituals," he said.

He has noticed the absence of yellow jackets. "Yellow jackets, they don't move when it's cold."

The insects are usually all over Mayne's Tree Farm because of the sweet smell of the cider the farm sells this time of year.

Mayne's Tree Farm will be open today and Sunday for the annual Family Festival on the Farm, a self-guided tour.

Some farms on the tour have canceled because of the weather, but Carol Rollman said her Sycamore Spring Farms, on Elmer Derr Road in Frederick , will be open both days.

"I've got a mud hole right here that I'm trying to work around," she said Friday.

The horseback riding she had planned is on hold unless the weather improves Sunday, she said.

Lasorsa predicted a 50 percent chance of rain Sunday, with highs in the mid-40s.

"We're going to put straw down all around the farm and make the best of it," Rollman said.

Canning and fiber spinning will be moved indoors, she said.

"I'm converting from an outdoor cookout to Swedish meatballs with a crock pot."

Copyright 2009 The Frederick News-Post. All rights reserved.

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The Almanac - OfficialWire

Posted: 17 Oct 2009 02:19 AM PDT

The moon is waning. The morning stars are Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn. The evening stars are Neptune, Jupiter and Uranus.

Those born on this day are under the sign of Libra. They include Jupiter Hammon, America's first published black poet, in 1711; actress Irene Ryan in 1902; big band trombonist and wide-eyed comic Jerry Colonna, best remembered as a featured comedian on Bob Hope shows, in 1905; playwright Arthur Miller in 1915; actress Rita Hayworth in 1918; actor Montgomery Clift in 1920; actor Tom Poston in 1921; newspaper columnist Jimmy Breslin in 1930 (age 79); daredevil Robert "Evel" Knievel in 1938; actors Michael McKean in 1947 (age 62) and Margot Kidder and George Wendt, both in 1948 (age 61); former astronaut Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, in 1956 (age 53); and rapper Eminem in 1972 (age 37).

On this date in history:

In 1777, at one of the turning points of the American Revolution, British Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered to American Gen. Horatio Gates at Saratoga, N.Y.

In 1945, Juan Peron became dictator of Argentina. He remained in power for 11 years before being overthrown.

In 1973, the Arab-dominated Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said it would cut oil exports to the United States and other nations that provided military aid to Israel in the Yom Kippur War of October 1973. A full oil embargo hit the United States in December causing a serious energy crisis.

In 1979, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a Roman Catholic nun who cared for the sick and poor, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1986, Congress passed a landmark immigration bill, the first U.S. law authorizing penalties for employers who hire illegal aliens.

In 1989, the most powerful California earthquake since the legendary temblor of 1906 struck the San Francisco Bay Area at evening rush hour, just before the scheduled start of Game Three of the World Series in San Francisco between the Giants and the Oakland A's. At least 67 people were killed.

In 1990, U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar said military force would be a legitimate response to the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait if sanctions did not work.

In 1996, O.J. Simpson, who had been acquitted in a highly publicized trial of killing his estranged wife and her friend, went on trial in civil court in a suit brought by the victims' families and accusing him of responsibility for the deaths.

In 1998, by request of Spanish authorities, British police arrested former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet for questioning about "crimes of genocide and terrorism that include murder."

In 2001 the anthrax scare continued as the U.S. Congress began closing down for security sweeps after 321 staff members and police tested positive for exposure to anthrax.

In 2004, Brazil authorized its air force to shoot down planes suspected of smuggling drugs.

In 2005, General Motors estimated it would save about $1 billion a year under an agreement with the United Auto Workers Union to cut annual health benefits for workers and retirees.

Also in 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a government demand for $280 billion in penalties from American cigarette makers.

In 2006, North Korea termed U.N. sanctions to punish it for its recent nuclear test a declaration of war. Reports meanwhile said there was evidence a second nuclear test was planned.

In 2007, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Israel did not intend to split Jerusalem, a matter often brought up during Palestinian peace talks. But, the minister in charge of strategic affairs said he did not believe Israel needed to retain control over certain parts of the city if future peace agreements call for such an arrangement.

In 2008, Iraq and the United States reported completion of a draft of a security agreement which called for all U.S. troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2011, depending on conditions there.

Also in 2008, Tim Mahoney, a first-term U.S. Democratic Florida congressman, admitted having several affairs, officials say. Mahoney succeeded the resigned Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., linked to an earlier sex-tinted scandal.

 

A thought for the day: Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote, "With love one can live even without happiness."

 

A housewife in Assam creates lamps with pulse grains - Thaindian.com

Posted: 17 Oct 2009 03:10 AM PDT

By Peter Alex Todd

Guwahati, Oct.17 (ANI): An innovative lady in Guwahati has heralded Deepavali, the festival of lights, by preparing economical lamps with pulse grains. These lamps need just a drop of oil, as compared to large traditional lamps available in market.

Rashmi Roshan Kankani opted to create economical lamps to celebrate the festival with full enthusiasm even as the inflation has somehow dampened many people's spirit on this festive occasion. Thus for Deepavali, she has made the lamps using pulse grains.

The unique art will help her to fight the rising prices.

"It is not possible for everybody to use lamps available in markets, which require lot of oil. So, I have made these lamps which only need a drop of oil. I also want to show how to celebrate Diwali in such inflation," said Rashmi Roshan Kankani, the innovative housewife.

Rashmi's family is proud of her on bringing out her latent in such a way.

"We are feeling happy and are also proud that she has developed and propagated such an art," said Shyamsundar Kankani, father-in-law of Rashmi Roshan Kankani.

Deepavali also known as Diwali and Naraka Chaturdashi is one of the most popular festivals of India.

The five-day festival is celebrated by Indian all around the country and abroad on Kartik Amavasya or, the new moon day, in the Kartik month as per Hindu almanac.

Legend has it that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya on this day after 14 years in self-exile. People of Ayodhya lit lamps to welcome Lord Rama's return, and hence Deepavali is celebrated on this day. (ANI)

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Devotees worship a diamond-bedecked Lord Hanuman at Ayodhya temple - Thaindian.com

Posted: 17 Oct 2009 03:10 AM PDT

By Amit Kanojia

Ayodhya (U.P), Oct.17 (ANI): Large number of devotees thronged Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya city on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti or birthday of Lord Hanuman on Friday.

The celebrations of Hanuman Jayanti held at midnight were organized in a big way at the popular Hanuman Garhi Temple. The occasion drew numerous devotees as they worshipped the temple's main deity Lord Hanuman, who is decorated with diamonds and other ornaments on this occasion every year.

"Hanuman Ji is decorated in an extraordinary way. When his birth anniversary is celebrated at 12 midnight, he is decorated with diamonds and other ornaments," said Mahant Gyandash Das, Priest, Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya in the evening.

On Friday night, devotees from across Uttar Pradesh thronged the temple to celebrate the birthday of Lord Hanuman with gaiety.

"During the festival of Diwali, today birth anniversary of Hanuman is to be celebrated. The whole Ayodhya town is filled with ecstasy and people are celebrating his birth anniversary with enthusiasm," said a devotee.

Diwali, the festival of lights is being celebrated across the country on Saturday (Oct.17). Meanwhile, the celebrations of the Lord Hanuman's birth anniversary was organised on the eve of Chaturdashi as per Hindu almanac.

In Hindu epic Ramayana, Hanumana helped his master Lord Rama to kill the demon king Ravana. Hanuman is worshipped for his unflinching loyalty to Lord King Rama and his consort, Sita. (ANI)

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Batashas witness high demand on Diwali in Varanasi - New Kerala

Posted: 17 Oct 2009 03:53 AM PDT

By Girish Kumar Dubey, Varanasi, Oct.17 : On the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights, Batashas or, the traditional candies, used mostly on religious occasions, were in high demand.

Prepared from boiling sugar syrups, these Batashas have their own significance and distinct taste.

On Diwali, as people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha at their homes, offices and shops on this auspicious occasion, Batashas are distributed among all after the prayers on this occasion as tradition sweets.

"These sugar candies hold lot of significance during Diwali. It is one of the essential offering made to the god on this occasion," said Kamakhaya Gupta, a maker of sugar candies in Varanasi.

Available in several shapes and sizes nowadays, they attract children a lot. They are one of the essential divine offerings during Diwali, considered pure by the devout Hindus.

"I have come here to buy sugar candies. As you know, these present days sweets that are made from Khoya (a milk product) are not good for health. Most of the Khoya is adulterated these days. Hence I suggest that people must consume," said Arun Srivastava, a customer of Batasas, Varanasi.

Deepavali or Diwali is a five-day festival, celebrated across India on Kartik Amavasya (the new moon day), in Kartik month as per Hindu almanac.

It is also known as Naruka Chaturdashi when Lord Vishnu destroyed the evil Narakasura.

Legend has it that Lord Rama entered Ayodhya on this day after 14 years in self-exile. People of Ayodhya lit lamps to welcome Lord Rama''s return, and hence Diwali is observed.

--ANI

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