Almanacs “The Almanac - Dec. 23 - Post Chronicle” plus 4 more |
- The Almanac - Dec. 23 - Post Chronicle
- Quick thinking brought horses to safety - Pennsylvania Almanac
- Let's respect diverse Christmas traditions, music and observances - Minnpost.com
- Hanna house shines in Bethel Park for holidays - Pennsylvania Almanac
- Punch lines curse Fresno - Visalia Times-Delta
| The Almanac - Dec. 23 - Post Chronicle Posted: 23 Dec 2009 04:54 AM PST Today is Wednesday, Dec. 23, the 357th day of 2009 with eight to follow. The moon is waxing. The morning stars are Venus, Saturn and Mars. The evening stars are Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include Egyptologist Jean Francois Champollion, who deciphered the Rosetta Stone, in 1790; Mormon church founder Joseph Smith in 1805; poet Harriet Monroe, founder of Poetry magazine, in 1860; Manhattan restaurateur Vincent Sardi Sr. in 1885; British film executive J. Arthur Rank in 1888; actor James Gregory in 1911; former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in 1918 (age 91); actor Harry Guardino in 1925; Japanese Emperor Akihito in 1933 (age 76); marathon runner Bill Rodgers in 1947 (age 62); and actors Susan Lucci in 1946 (age 63) and Corey Haim in 1972 (age 37). On this date in history: In 1620, construction began of the first permanent European settlement in New England, one week after the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth harbor in present day Massachusetts. In 1783, Gen. George Washington resigned his commission with the U.S. Army and retired to Mount Vernon, Va. He became the new nation's first president in 1789. In 1913, the U.S. Federal Reserve System was established. In 1928, the National Broadcasting Company established a permanent U.S. coast-to-coast radio hookup. In 1947, the transistor was invented, leading to a revolution in communications and electronics. In 1948, former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo of Japan and six other Japanese war leaders were hanged in Tokyo under sentence of the Allied War Crimes Commission. In 1973, the shah of Iran announced that the petroleum-exporting states of the Persian Gulf would double the price of their crude oil. In 1987, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yaeger landed the experimental aircraft Voyager at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., completing a record nine-day, 25,012-mile global flight without refueling. In 1992, the first U.S. casualties of the U.S.-led relief operation in Somalia occurred when a vehicle hit a land mine near the city of Badera, killing one civilian and injuring three others. In 1995, more than 500 people, including entire families, were killed in Mandi Dabwali, India, when fire engulfed a tent set up for a school ceremony. In 1997, Terry Nichols, the second defendant in the Oklahoma City bombing trial, was convicted of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter by a federal jury in Denver. In 2002, North Korea, preparing to resume development of nuclear weapons, said it was reopening a plutonium reprocessing plant. In 2003, the first case of mad cow disease was reported in the United States when a Holstein in Washington state tested positive for the ailment. In 2004, China reported its Bohai Bay Basin in the north may contain 20.5 billion tons of offshore oil reserves. In 2006, the U.N. Security Council banned Iranian export and import of nuclear-related material and technology and froze some financial assets related to the nuclear program. Iran promptly condemned the sanctions. In 2007, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said a "full scale war" was raging in Gaza against Palestinian insurgents. Olmert dismissed earlier talk of a cease-fire. In 2008, officials in Guinea's army announced the country's government had been dissolved and the constitution suspended after the death of President Lansana Conte, who had ruled the African nation for 24 years. Also in 2008, nearly 200 passengers trapped for hours on the world's biggest Ferris wheel in Singapore had to be lowered to the ground by safety harness from the 42-story ride after it suddenly shuddered to a stop. A thought for the day: Anatole France wrote, "People who have no weaknesses are terrible; there is no way of taking advantage of them." (c) UPI Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Quick thinking brought horses to safety - Pennsylvania Almanac Posted: 23 Dec 2009 05:44 AM PST 
Quick thinking brought horses to safety By Loraine Gregus, Staff writer lgregus@thealmanac.net Breaking news can be devastating. And it was last week as local reporters informed listeners about a fire at Greenmoor Commons Equestrian Center in Cecil Township. With both my daughters living and breathing the horse world for many years, I've always been concerned about the possibility of fires and trapped animals. Just thoughts of any living thing not able to escape a fire can be horrifying. The Greenmoor blaze came about quickly, just as the center prepared to close for the evening. Barn workers were filling feed bins with night hay for the boarded horses and a few riders were saying goodnight to their equine pals. The stench of smoke first became evident, then the fire was spotted. Lawrence firemen responded quickly, then Cecil, Upper St. Clair, Peters, Fairview and the Rapid Intervention Team from North Strabane. All are commended for their tireless efforts in containing the fire to a single structure. Moving the horses to safety became top priority. "I wasn't at the center when the fire started," Fran Mocker, manager of the equine center said. "I'm grateful to all those who helped. Vivian Harbison has been wonderful. Without hesitation, she trailered most of the evacuated 13 horses to her Mingo Creek Farm in Finleyville." But there was one horse, "Pearl," who panicked. She was frightened and wouldn't run outdoors to safety. A North Strabane firefighter, Paul Williams, also a farrier who is familiar with Pearl, knew her to be skittish at times. A racehorse trainer for about 30 years and certified in large animal rescue, handling horses is second nature to him. Paul entered the stall braving the smoke and fire, took hold of Pearl and led her into the night air. "I felt confident about taking control and going in the stall after Pearl," said Paul. "A big concern was if the building collapsed, but I knew Ed Childers and the RIT was close by to provide immediate assistance." One saving grace was the blanket Pearl wore covering her against the night's cold. Water pouring through the ceiling kept her and the covering wet as firemen hosed the barn above and the flooded stall kept the walls from burning. Even with this, Pearl was singed through the blanket and suffered smoke damage. "I'm a former professional jockey from Wales," Paul added. "After an accident in 1994, I came to the U.S. for a bit of change." Armand Dellovade, owner of the Cecil Township property at Greenmoor, was quick to say what was left standing after the fire would soon be torn down. "Construction for a new horse stable will begin soon. And it will be better than the old facility," continued Armand. "I own the property but Fran (Mocker) has leased the barns and pasture for the past six months." "I feel the blessing service we held for the animals the day before is what protected them," said Fran. "I was laid off a little over a year ago and going through a life-changing experience. I love horses and always wanted to run a stable and work with riders and horses. After hearing that Greenmoor was available, my husband and I agreed to give this opportunity a try." The barns needed a lot of clean-up and the Mocker's worked hard to get them ready for the 32 horses boarded at the Cecil Township site. A fairly new rider, Fran's husband Bill was just getting comfortable on his saddle and riding Pearl. His saddle and other tack were lost in the fire. But Bill is ready for this new challenge as long as Pearl is OK. My heart goes out to all those affected by this Greenmoor fire and the firefighters who put their lives on the line every time a fire whistle blows. They can never be given enough thanks for their sacrifice and the job they do.
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| Let's respect diverse Christmas traditions, music and observances - Minnpost.com Posted: 23 Dec 2009 04:54 AM PST Keillor in his Christmas commentary is not the Garrison Keillor who recently and graciously hosted on "Prairie Home Companion" the Jewish composer and poet, Ricky Ian Gordon, who is composing the music for the opera "The Garden of Finzi-Continis." It'll be an original production of the Minnesota Opera, of the famed novel and movie about the approach of the Holocaust in Italy. Keillor in his Christmas commentary is not the Garrison Keillor whose "Writer's Almanac" has often featured Jewish writers and/or themes often, movingly, on the Jewish high holy days. American stories "I'll Be Home for Christmas," another song written by Jewish songwriters, was the most requested song at Christmas USO shows during World War II. Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" debuted on NBC with Bing Crosby singing on Dec. 25, 1941, just two weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack when Americans were resolute, but yearning for happier times. Leonard Bernstein's orchestration of Handel's "Messiah" is yet another example of the deep respect American Jewish musicians have for the celebration of Christmas and its musical expression in the United States. Moreover, telling non-Christian Minnesotans to "buzz" out of Christmas is not reflective of Jewish-Christian relations in the Twin Cities or its salutary and inspirational arc of the past decades. Where once we had the hateful preachers such as William Bell Riley, William Herrstrom, and Luke Rader, we now have leading religious figures such as Rev. Grant Abbott, Rev. Peg Chemberlin, Rev. Steve Thom, Pastor Mac Hammond, Father Michael O'Connell, Rev. Gary Reierson, and Rev. Brian Rusche — who generate a different sort of "buzz" as stalwarts of interfaith relations. Today the Jewish community and so many others partner with the St. Paul Area Council of Churches, the Minnesota Council of Churches, Living Word Christian Center, Ascension Parish, the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, and the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, to name a few. Working together Steve Hunegs is the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Hanna house shines in Bethel Park for holidays - Pennsylvania Almanac Posted: 23 Dec 2009 04:32 AM PST
Hanna house shines in Bethel Park for holidays By Amy Philips-Haller, For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net Clark Griswold would bow down in Christmas light shame after meeting Bethel Park residents Bernard and Carol Hanna. Every year, the Hanna family dresses their lawn with Christmas cheer for neighbors far and near. The entire yard is full of glowing iridescent. Plastic lawn ornaments, hundreds of lights, air inflated figures, and display cases trim the Hanna yard like bulbs on a Christmas tree. "When I was a child, my parents took me into town every Christmas season to see the Kaufmanns' windows. I enjoyed them so much--that when I had my children--I decided to do my own displays for the kids," commented Carol Hanna. The couple is not only inspired by the old Kaufmanns window displays, but trips to Disney World as well. Many of the characters that line the yard include some of Walt's finest. The brilliant exhibition of lights has been a work in pro-gress for 25 years now. "When the kids were small, they thoroughly enjoyed the displays. Now the grandchildren and great grandchildren absolutely love them," explained Hanna. "...every year it gets bigger and bigger. We have approximately 150 moving figures that we change from year to year." There are at least seven custom built boxes that feature animated characters inside. This year, some include Santa, a Christmas Village, angels, snowmen, puppies, baby dolls, sports teams and The Wizard of Oz. "Carol designs them, and I build them," said Bernard Hanna. The Christmas decorations became so popular that the Hanna family extended the holiday cheer to include many celebrations. "We start with Halloween and go all the way through Easter," explained Carol Hanna. "For that six-month period, we fill [the gaps] with Steelers and other sports displays. [We also do] various snow scenes," explained Hanna. "Every year I try to add something new to the displays, and every year they grow and grow." Clark Griswold took one day to set up his Christmas lights, but for the Hannas, it amounts to an entire work week. "It takes about 40 hours to set everything up, and about half that time to take it all down," noted Hanna. "We store the displays in three storage garages..." The family even installed a separate electrical line just for the lights. As for the hard work, the cost, and the effort, Carol Hanna sees the whole experience as rewarding. "I thoroughly enjoy it, and the neighbors appreciate it. They never complain, and I believe everyone looks forward to what we will put up each year. We are so lucky to live in a great neighborhood where they appreciate the displays... "It makes it all worthwhile when cars line up and I see the kids faces light up." reflected Hanna. The Troesch family of Bethel Park piles their family of five into the SUV every year, simply to cruise past the Hanna house of lights. "Years ago, my mom told me about this. We have been doing it ever since," said Mellisa Troesch. "That's been 10 years," reflected her husband Jerry. "It is a Christmas tradition for us to drive by here and check out the boxes. It's sort of like when I used to go downtown to see the Kaufmanns windows--and Horne's windows--when I was a kid...but for us in the south hills, this is much easier," continued Mr. Troesch. Children Brendan, Kerrianne and Holly excitedly shared their opinions. "I love it 'cause it has all that stuff in the boxes," exclaimed Holly. Brendan chimed in, "It looks really nice with all the lights on!" Kerrianne kept shouting out 'yeah' approvingly. As their puppy 'Crosby' bounced in Mellisa's lap, Jerry finished with, "It is so nice to see someone still has the Christmas spirit." The Hanna Home of Holiday Iridescent glow can be found in Bethel Park, on the corner of Tidewood Drive and Thunderwood Drive.
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| Punch lines curse Fresno - Visalia Times-Delta Posted: 23 Dec 2009 03:49 AM PST FRESNO — The hit animated comedy "Monsters vs. Aliens" this spring featured a husband trying to persuade his wife that moving to Fresno was better than visiting to Paris. The conversation was a running joke throughout the film. This fall, a Toyota Prius ad, which aired briefly before being pulled after vigorous complaints from the city, showed two people in a Prius in a future where "gas stations will become nothing more than low-budget tourist stops. Like ghost towns ... or Fresno." For decades, Fresno has been a punch line, a city maligned on the national stage for everything from its smog and crime, to its hot weather and reputation as a bastion of the un-hip. The city is fighting back, starting with a $1.2 million marketing campaign with the slogan: "Be World-Class. Be Fresno." The campaign, in part a response to the down economy that made promoting the city more important than ever, is geared toward creating a brand identity for the city for both business travelers and tourists, touting its proximity to national parks and its small-town atmosphere, says Jeff Eben, president of the Fresno City and County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're not telling our own story," he said. "We need to go fight." Research made it clear that local people had to be a target of the campaign, Eben said, as they had the lowest opinion of any group surveyed. So it was decided the first advertising buys would be in the Fresno market. "We've embarked on a campaign to convince people of what they have in their own backyards — and to feel better about themselves," said Al Smith, president of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce. Later campaigns will focus on the Pacific Northwest and other cold climates, marketing the region as "California's year-round playground," Smith said. Some residents are skeptical. "Fresno's just an average, middle-class town," said Stefanie Yamada, 35, a stay-at-home mom. "There's really nothing special about it — but, then again, most people live in places like this." Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
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