Almanacs “Moon's full, but is it blue? - Burlington Free Press” plus 4 more

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• Moon's full, but is it blue? - Burlington Free Press
• Ruth Lilly, Who Gave Away About $800 Million, Has Died - NPR News
• Tonight's Blue Moon: All a Big Mistake - YAHOO!
• The Almanac - Dec. 31 - Post Chronicle
• Sandra Bullock Top Money-Making Star of 2009 - Investors Business Daily

Moon's full, but is it blue? - Burlington Free Press Posted: 31 Dec 2009 06:03 AM PST (2 of 2) By that formula, blue moons happen about once every three years and only in February, May, August or November. Obviously, this rules out New Year's Eve. Alternatively, by the two-in-a-month formula — which still has common currency — blue moons are slightly more frequent, and they can occur in any month but February, which is too short for a full lunar cycle. So much for the astronomy. What about the linguistic meaning — "blue moon" as in rare or unusual? The Oxford English Dictionary's earliest citation is a proverb from 1528, which sounds like an argument in favor of public gullibility: "If they say the moon is blue, We must believe that it is true." Merriam-Webster dates "once in a blue moon" — meaning a long period of time — from 1821. But why "blue"? Perhaps because every once in a great while, the moon actually does have a bluish tint — typically because of some environmental catastrophe (volcanic eruption, forest fire) that throws huge amounts of dust, ash or smoke into the atmosphere. Vermont saw moons of assorted colors as recently as 1992, said Gary Nowak, president of the Vermont Astronomical Society. The causes were active volcanoes around the world — principally Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which erupted in 1991, along with Mount Unzen in Japan and Mount Spurr in Alaska. The result, as seen from Vermont and recorded by Nowak? A black solar eclipse Dec. 9, 1992 (normally, the eclipse has a red or orange hue). A green tint to the moon Oct. 1, 1992. And yes, a bluish tint to the crescent moon and three planets (Saturn, Uranus and Neptune) on Sept. 24-25, 1992. As for blue moons, Nowak said, "It's not a big astronomical event. There's nothing magical about it or mystical." OK, so what about that song? It has been covered variously by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, the Supremes and many others. "Blue," of course, conveys sadness or melancholy, and the moon in the Rodgers & Hart ballad of 1934 had that quality about it — up to a point. The first version of the song — same melody, different lyrics — was called "Prayer" and was written for Jean Harlow to sing in the film, "Hollywood Party," but neither Harlow nor the song wound up in the movie. A later version, also with different lyrics, was titled "The Bad in Every Man," and sung by Shirley Ross in the film, "Manhattan Melodrama." The fourth version, promoted by MGM with more commercially appealing lyrics, became "Blue Moon." It was a hit in 1935 for Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, with Kenny Sargent on vocals. The doo-wop version of 1961 was an even bigger hit for the Marcels. Unlike most Rodgers & Hart stage-show hits, "Blue Moon" had its genesis in Hollywood, and the song has an unmistakable Hollywood imprint: The lovelorn singer's wishes come true in the end as the blue moon turns gold. Contact Tim Johnson at 660-1808 or tjohnson@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Ruth Lilly, Who Gave Away About $800 Million, Has Died - NPR News Posted: 31 Dec 2009 06:17 AM PST What is 'The Two-Way'? This is NPR's news blog. It's a place to come for breaking news, analysis and for stories that are just too interesting — or too entertaining — to pass up. It's also a place for conversation about the news; we're counting on you to keep us honest. But please read the discussion rules before diving in. The blog is hosted by Mark Memmott and Frank James, in collaboration with Morning Edition and All Things Considered. You can learn more about The Two-Way, including the origin of its name, on the "Welcome" page. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Tonight's Blue Moon: All a Big Mistake - YAHOO! Posted: 31 Dec 2009 06:24 AM PST Revelers can ring in the new year with a cosmic flourish tonight, celebrating the first New Year's Eve blue moon since 1990. In truth, tonight's full moon won't be much different than any other full moon. In fact the term "blue moon" as it's used today originates from a writer's mistake. "The 'blue moon' is a creature of folklore," says Philip Hiscock, a folklorist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. "It's the second full moon in a calendar month." If there's been a recent volcanic eruption that poured significant ash into the upper atmosphere, it is possible for the moon to take on a blue tint. That's not expected tonight. All a big mistake Hiscock helped figure out where the term came from. Long ago, "blue moon" was used to describe absurd things. Then in 1946, amateur astronomer James Hugh Pruett (1886-1955), writing in Sky & Telescope magazine, "made an incorrect assumption about how the term had been used in the Maine Farmers' Almanac – which consistently used "blue moon" to mean to the third full moon in a season that contained four of them (rather than the usual three)," the magazine's editors explained this week. Hiscock and Texas astronomer Donald W. Olson helped the magazine sort all this out and admit the blooper in 1999. The mistake led to the current definition of blue moon, generally accepted to mean the second full moon in a given month. The setup occurs about every 2.7 years. Lunar lore The blue moon mistake adds to a host of myths and mysteries about our moon. Among the more interesting things to ponder as you gaze up, weather permitting, at the not-really-blue blue moon: There is no "dark side" of the moon. There is, however, a "far side" that we can't see, because the moon goes around the Earth once and spins on its axis once, all in the same amount of time, and it shows us just one face. There's no solid evidence that the full moon affects behavior. Reliable studies comparing the lunar phases to births, heart attacks, deaths, suicides, violence, psychiatric hospital admissions and epileptic seizures have found little or no connection. The moon is moving away. It's drifting into space as your read this, by about 1.6 inches (4 centimeters) per year. The moon is never really full. It is lit by reflecting sunlight. So for the face of the moon to be 100 percent lit from our point of view, Earth would have to be exactly between the sun and the moon. But when that happens, there is an eclipse and the moon falls into total shadow. Speaking of eclipses Skywatchers in Europe, Africa, and Asia will have a chance to see a partial lunar eclipse tonight. A distinct but modest scallop of darkness will be seemingly carved from the moon. Lunar eclipses can only occur at full moon, when our planet gets between the sun and the moon and can cast a shadow on the lunar surface. Because the moon's orbital plane is a few degrees off the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun, the three bodies don't usually line up exactly, so eclipses don't occur at each full moon, and not all eclipses are total. The timing of the eclipse prevents it from being visible in the lower 48 United States. But compared to a partial lunar eclipse, a blue moon on New Year's Eve is, well, a "once in a blue moon" event. Top 10 Amazing Moon Facts Moon Mechanics: What Makes Our World Go Round Moon Image Gallery Original Story: Tonight's Blue Moon: All a Big Mistake SPACE.com offers rich and compelling content about space science, travel and exploration as well as astronomy, technology, business news and more. The site boasts a variety of popular features including our space image of the day and other space pictures,space videos, Top 10s, Trivia, podcasts and Amazing Images submitted by our users. Join our community, sign up for our free newsletters and register for our RSS Feeds today! Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

The Almanac - Dec. 31 - Post Chronicle Posted: 31 Dec 2009 05:13 AM PST Today is Thursday, Dec. 31, the 365th and last day of 2009. This is New Year's Eve. The moon is full. 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 French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1491; Charles Edward Stuart, Scotland's "Bonnie Prince Charlie," in 1720; French painter Henri Matisse in 1869; U.S. Army Gen. George Marshall, formulator of the Marshall Aid Plan for Europe following World War II, in 1880; songwriter Jule Styne ("Three Coins In the Fountain, "Let It Snow") in 1905; cowboy actor/singer Rex Allen in 1920; folk-blues singer Odetta (Holmes) in 1930; actors Anthony Hopkins in 1937 (age 72); Sarah Miles in 1941 (age 68) and Ben Kingsley in 1943 (age 66); singer John Denver in 1943; fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg in 1946 (age 63); singer Donna Summer in 1948 (age 61); and actors Tim Matheson in 1947 (age 62), Bebe Neuwirth in 1958 (age 51) and Val Kilmer in 1959 (age 50). On this date in history: In 1879, Thomas Edison gave the first public demonstration of his incandescent lamp in Menlo Park, N.J. In 1929, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians' first New Year's Eve broadcast from the Roosevelt Grill in New York City, which became an annual event, was heard over the CBS network. In 1947, America's favorite Western movie couple, singing cowboy Roy Rogers and co-star Dale Evans, were married. In 1970, six months after release of their "Let It Be" album, Paul McCartney filed suit in London seeking the legal dissolution of the Beatles' partnership. In 1983, the court-ordered breakup of the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. took effect at midnight. In 1984, the United States' first mandatory seat belt law went into effect in the state of New York at midnight. In 1985, rock singer Rick Nelson, his fiancee and five band members were killed when a fire broke out on their chartered DC-3 in northeast Texas. In 1994, Russian forces launched a full air and ground attack on Grozny, the capital city of the rebel republic of Chechnya. In 1997, the Algerian government announced that more than 400 people had been massacred by Islamic extremists during the last nine days of December. In 1999, Panama assumed full control of the Panama Canal. In 2004, at least 175 youths were reported killed in an overnight fire at a popular Buenos Aires nightclub. About 600 more were injured in a mad rush for the exits. Also in 2004, a bus slammed into an oil tanker in Pakistan, killing at least 31 people and seriously injuring 11. In 2006, the toll of U.S. troops killed in Iraq passed the 3,000 mark. Pentagon figures indicated more than 22,000 others had been wounded. Also in 2006, Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union bringing the number of countries to 27 and the number of citizens to 489 million. In 2007, the death toll in Kenya's post-election violence reached at least 140. Tribal uprisings were triggered after incumbent President Mwai Kibaki narrowly won re-election over Raila Odinga despite trailing by a wide margin earlier. In 2008, the U.S. economy wound up a dismal year as signs of recession grew. Major U.S. stock market indexes had their worse single-year performances since the Great Depression of the 1930s. A thought for the day: William Shakespeare wrote, "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." (c) UPI Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Sandra Bullock Top Money-Making Star of 2009 - Investors Business Daily Posted: 31 Dec 2009 06:03 AM PST GROTON, Mass., Dec 31, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Sandra Bullock has been voted the Top Money-Making Star of 2009 in Quigley Publishing Company's 78th Annual Poll of Exhibitors and is the first female to win since Julia Roberts in 1999. Bullock is the eighth woman chosen #1 in the Poll's 78 year history. She appeared in three films in 2009, "The Blind Side," "The Proposal" and "All About Steve." The Quigley Poll, conducted each year since 1932, is an annual survey of motion picture theatre owners and film buyers, which asks them to vote for the ten stars that they believe generated the most box-office revenue for their theatres during the year. It has been long regarded as one of the most reliable indicators of a Star's real box-office draw because the selections are done by people whose livelihood depends on choosing the films that will bring audiences to their theatres. The Quigley Poll appears annually in Quigley Publishing Company's International Motion Picture Almanac and at www.quigleypublishing.com . Johnny Depp placed second this year based on "Public Enemies" and a small role in "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus." He was #1 in 2006 and 2007. Matt Damon made his second appearance in the survey, placing #3 with 2009 roles in "Invictus" and "The Informant!" Although George Clooney, placing #4, has never won in his seven mentions in the Poll, he had an extremely productive year with "Up in the Air," "The Men Who Stare at Goats" and "Fantastic Mr. Fox"(voice). Robert Downey Jr.'s performances in "Sherlock Holmes" and "The Soloist" helped him place #5. He was #2 in 2008. Tom Hanks is #6, which marks the fifteenth time in the Poll since he first appeared in 1988, including five times as #1. Meryl Streep was in "Julie and Julia," "It's Complicated" and a voice in "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and placed #7, her third mention in the Poll. Brad Pitt made his fifth appearance coming in at #8, due to "Inglourious Basterds." 2007's "Star of Tomorrow," Shia LaBeouf scored #9 with "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and Denzel Washington rounded out the Top Ten with "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." With Bullock's win, eight women have been voted the Top Money-Makers sixteen times as follows: Marie Dressler (1932, 1933), Shirley Temple (1935, 1936, 1937, 1938), Betty Grable (1943), Elizabeth Taylor (1961), Doris Day (1960, 1962, 1963, 1964), Julie Andrews (1966, 1967) and Julia Roberts. (1999) Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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Almanacs “Rare New Year’s Eve 'blue moon' to ring in 2010 - Petoskey News-Review” plus 4 more

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• Rare New Year’s Eve 'blue moon' to ring in 2010 - Petoskey News-Review
• Rare New Year's Eve 'blue moon' to ring in 2010 - Delaware County Daily Times
• Blue moon to occur on New Year’s Eve - Lake County News
• Blue moon will help ring in the new year - Times Union
• What a night: blue moon, new year - Columbus Dispatch

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Rare New Year’s Eve 'blue moon' to ring in 2010 - Petoskey News-Review Posted: 30 Dec 2009 06:11 AM PST LOS ANGELES — Once in a blue moon there is one on New Year's Eve. Revelers ringing in 2010 will be treated to a so-called blue moon. According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue — the name has nothing to do with the color of our closest celestial neighbor. A full moon occurred on Dec. 2. It will appear again on Thursday in time for the New Year's countdown. "If you're in Times Square, you'll see the full moon right above you. It's going to be that brilliant," said Jack Horkheimer, director emeritus of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium and host of a weekly astronomy TV show. The New Year's Eve blue moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa. For partygoers in Australia and Asia, the full moon does not show up until New Year's Day, making January a blue moon month for them. However, the Eastern Hemisphere can celebrate with a partial lunar eclipse on New Year's Eve when part of the moon enters the Earth's shadow. The eclipse will not be visible in the Americas. A full moon occurs every 29.5 days, and most years have 12. On average, an extra full moon in a month — a blue moon — occurs every 2.5 years. The last time there was a lunar double take was in May 2007. New Year's Eve blue moons are rarer, occurring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990; the next one won't come again until 2028. Blue moons have no astronomical significance, said Greg Laughlin, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz. "'Blue moon' is just a name in the same sense as a 'hunter's moon' or a 'harvest moon,"' Laughlin said in an e-mail. The popular definition of blue moon came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer's Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in a month. In fact, the almanac defined a blue moon as the third full moon in a season with four full moons, not the usual three. Though Sky & Telescope corrected the error decades later, the definition caught on. For purists, however, this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't even qualify as a blue moon. It's just the first full moon of the winter season. In a tongue-in-cheek essay posted on the magazine's Web site this week, senior contributing editor Kelly Beatty wrote: "If skies are clear when I'm out celebrating, I'll take a peek at that brilliant orb as it rises over the Boston skyline to see if it's an icy shade of blue. Or maybe I'll just howl." ——— On the Net: http://www.miamisci.org/www/eventsplan.html Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
Rare New Year's Eve 'blue moon' to ring in 2010 - Delaware County Daily Times Posted: 30 Dec 2009 02:29 AM PST By ALICIA CHANG,AP Science Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Once in a blue moon there is one on New Year's Eve. Revelers ringing in 2010 will be treated to a so-called blue moon. According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue — the name has nothing to do with the color of our closest celestial neighbor. The New Year's Eve blue moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa. For partygoers in Australia and Asia, the full moon does not show up until New Year's Day, making January a blue moon month for them. However, the Eastern Hemisphere can celebrate with a partial lunar eclipse on New Year's Eve when part of the moon enters the Earth's shadow. The eclipse will not be visible in the Americas. A full moon occurred on Dec. 2. It will appear again on Thursday in time for the New Year's countdown. "If you're in Times Square, you'll see the full moon right above you. It's going to be that brilliant," said Jack Horkheimer, director emeritus of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium and host of a weekly astronomy TV show. A full moon occurs every 29.5 days, and most years have 12. On average, an extra full moon in a month — a blue moon — occurs every 2.5 years. The last time there was a lunar double take was in May 2007. New Year's Eve blue moons are rarer, occurring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990; the next one won't come again until 2028. Blue moons have no astronomical significance, said Greg Laughlin, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz. "'Blue moon' is just a name in the same sense as a 'hunter's moon' or a 'harvest moon,'" Laughlin said in an e-mail. The popular definition of blue moon came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer's Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in a month. In fact, the almanac defined a blue moon as the third full moon in a season with four full moons, not the usual three. Though Sky & Telescope corrected the error decades later, the definition caught on. For purists, however, this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't even qualify as a blue moon. It's just the first full moon of the winter season. In a tongue-in-cheek essay posted on the magazine's Web site this week, senior contributing editor Kelly Beatty wrote: "If skies are clear when I'm out celebrating, I'll take a peek at that brilliant orb as it rises over the Boston skyline to see if it's an icy shade of blue. Or maybe I'll just howl."   Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
Blue moon to occur on New Year’s Eve - Lake County News Posted: 30 Dec 2009 02:15 AM PST	LAKE COUNTY – Get ready for some extra special sparkle on New Year's Eve when the second full moon of December – which makes it a blue moon – shines over your festivities on Thursday. To be called a "blue moon," the moon must be full for the second time in a calendar month, which will occur on Thursday, Dec. 31 – New Year's Eve – for the first time in almost 20 years. A blue moon occurs every two and half years, but the last time there was a blue moon on New Year's Eve was in 1990 – and the next will be in 2028. Although the moon will not appear to be blue, the modern definition a blue moon is relatively new, and began in the 1940s, according to NASA. The Farmer's Almanac of Maine offered a definition of blue moon so convoluted that even professional astronomers struggled to understand it, according to a recent NASA statement. The definition involved factors such as the ecclesiastical dates of Easter and Lent, and the timing of seasons according to the dynamical mean sun. To explain blue moons to the masses, Sky & Telescope magazine published an article in 1946 entitled "Once in a Blue Moon," where the author James Hugh Pruett cited the 1937 Maine almanac and opined that the "second [full moon] in a month, so I interpret it, is called Blue Moon." Philip Hiscock of the Department of Folklore at the Memorial University of Newfoundland states that, "The phrase 'Blue Moon' has been around for more than 400 years, and during that time its meaning has shifted," according to the NASA release. NASA further stated that if you said that something occurs "once in a Blue Moon," to a person in Shakespeare's time, they would attach no astronomical meaning to the statement – it only meant something that very rarely occurs, like the phrase the "Twelfth of Never." Each full moon also has a name and the full moon on Thursday will be the "Full Long Night Moon," so named because the Winter Solstice, when the sun "stands still," occurred on Dec. 21, marking the time when lengthening night begins its decline and the daytime begins to lengthen. In addition to a full moon and blue moon on New Year's Eve, which could bathe Lake County in lunar light (cloud cover permitting, as rains are forecast to continue through Friday), a partial eclipse will also be visible from Europe, Africa and Asia. For more on blue moons, visit the following: www.ips-planetarium.org/planetarian/articles/folkloreBlueMoon.html and http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/29dec_bluemoon.htm?list193967 . E-mail Terre Logsdon at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .
Blue moon will help ring in the new year - Times Union Posted: 30 Dec 2009 02:01 AM PST	LOS ANGELES -- Once in a blue moon there is one on New Year's Eve. Revelers ringing in 2010 will be treated to a so-called blue moon. According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue -- the name has nothing to do with the color of our closest celestial neighbor. A full moon occurred on Dec. 2. It will appear again on Thursday in time for the New Year's countdown. A full moon occurs every 29.5 days, and most years have 12. On average, an extra full moon in a month -- a blue moon -- occurs every 2.5 years. The last time there was a lunar double take was in May 2007. New Year's Eve blue moons are rarer, occurring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990; the next one won't come again until 2028. Blue moons have no astronomical significance, said Greg Laughlin, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The popular definition of blue moon came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer's Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in a month. In fact, the almanac defined a blue moon as the third full moon in a season with four full moons, not the usual three. Though Sky & Telescope corrected the error later, the definition stuck. For purists, this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't even qualify as a blue moon. It's just the first full moon of the winter season. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
What a night: blue moon, new year - Columbus Dispatch Posted: 30 Dec 2009 03:05 AM PST LOS ANGELES— Once in a blue moon, there is one on New Year's Eve. Revelers ringing in 2010 will be treated to a so-called blue moon. According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue -- the name has nothing to do with the color of our closest celestial neighbor. A full moon occurred on Dec. 2. Another will appear Thursday in time for the New Year's countdown. "If you're in Times Square, you'll see the full moon right above you. It's going to be that brilliant," said Jack Horkheimer, director emeritus of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium and host of a weekly astronomy TV show. The New Year's Eve blue moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa. For partygoers in Australia and Asia, the full moon does not show up until New Year's Day, making January a blue moon month for them. However, the Eastern Hemisphere can celebrate with a partial lunar eclipse on New Year's Eve, when part of the moon enters the Earth's shadow. The eclipse will not be visible in the Americas. A full moon occurs every 29.5 days, and most years have 12. On average, an extra full moon in a month -- a blue moon -- occurs every 2.5 years. The last time a blue moon appeared was in May 2007. New Year's Eve blue moons are rarer, occurring every 19 years. The last was in 1990; the next won't come until 2028. Blue moons have no astronomical significance, said Greg Laughlin, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz. "Blue moon is just a name in the same sense as a hunter's moon or a harvest moon," Laughlin said in an e-mail. The popular definition of blue moon came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer's Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in a month. In fact, the almanac defined a blue moon as the third full moon in a season with four full moons, not the usual three. Though Sky & Telescope corrected the error decades later, the definition caught on. For purists, however, this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't even qualify as a blue moon. It's just the first full moon of the winter season. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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Almanacs “The Almanac - Dec.29 - Post Chronicle” plus 4 more

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• The Almanac - Dec.29 - Post Chronicle
• Once in a blue moon - Suwannee Democrat
• The Almanac - OfficialWire
• Avatar Breaks a Dark Knight Record - COMICBOOKMOVIE.com
• Revelers will ring in new year under a 'blue moon' - Daily Tribune News

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The Almanac - Dec.29 - Post Chronicle Posted: 29 Dec 2009 04:46 AM PST Today is Tuesday, Dec. 29, the 363rd day of 2009 with two 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 Madame de Pompadour, mistress of French King Louis XV, in 1721; Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh, who patented a waterproof fabric, in 1766; industrialist Charles Goodyear in 1800; Andrew Johnson, 17th president of the United States, in 1808; British statesman William Gladstone in 1809; band leader Clyde "Sugar Blues" McCoy in 1903; former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley in 1917; actors Ed Flanders ("St. Elsewhere") in 1934, Mary Tyler Moore in 1936 (age 73) and Jon Voight in 1938 (age 71); singer Marianne Faithfull in 1946 (age 63); actors Ted Danson in 1947 (age 62) and Jon Polito in 1950 (age 59); and comedian Paula Poundstone in 1959 (age 50). On this date in history: In 1170, Anglican churchman/politician Thomas Becket was killed at Canterbury Cathedral in England. In 1845, Texas was admitted into the United States as the 28th state. In 1848, gaslights were installed at the White House for the first time. In 1851, the first chapter of the Young Men's Christian Association -- YMCA -- opened in Boston. In 1890, more than 200 Indian men, women and children were massacred by the U.S. 7th Cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek, S.D. In 1940, London suffered its most devastating air raid when Germans firebombed the city. In 1967, Paul Whiteman, the "King of Jazz" and most popular bandleader of the pre-swing era, died in Doylestown, Pa., at age 77. In 1975, a terrorist bomb exploded at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, killing 11 people and injuring 75. In 1983, the United States announced its withdrawal from UNESCO, charging the U.N. cultural and scientific organization was biased against Western nations. In 1989, playwright Vaclav Havel was sworn in as the first non-communist president of Czechoslovakia since 1948. In 1992, a Cuban airliner was hijacked to Miami as part of a mass defection. Forty-eight of the 53 people aboard sought and were granted political asylum. In 2001, London scientists studying seized documents concluded that accused terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida organization had tried to develop a range of weapons that include a ''dirty'' nuclear bomb. In 2002, Kenyan voters ousted the party that had ruled the nation since 1963 in an election that ended the 24-year presidency of Daniel Arap Moi. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that armed air marshals would be placed on foreign flights entering U.S. airspace that were believed to be at risk of terrorist attacks. Also in 2003, five bodies were recovered from the Christmas Day mudslide in California's San Bernardino Mountains, running the total to 12 with two others missing. In 2004, actor Jerry Orbach, star of stage, film and TV, best known for his starring role on TV's "Law and Order," died of prostate cancer at the age of 69. In 2005, wind-driven grass fires in Texas and Oklahoma destroyed thousands of acres, hundreds of buildings and countless cattle. At least four people died. The Texas farming community of Cross Plains was demolished. In 2006, AT&T won U.S. approval to complete an $85 billion takeover of BellSouth Corp. after it made a series of consumer-friendly concessions. In 2008, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack told the Knesset that Israel was involved in "all-out war" with the militant group Hamas, the de facto ruler in Gaza. His remarks came as Israel pounded Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip from the air for a third day with the death toll topping 300. Also in 2008, Somali President Abdullahi Yusef Ahmed resigned. He had been blamed for the country's deepening political crisis. A thought for the day: poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it." (c) UPI Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
Once in a blue moon - Suwannee Democrat Posted: 29 Dec 2009 04:25 AM PST	Published: December 29, 2009 07:22 am       Once in a blue moon Staff We'll be having one on New Year's Eve. A blue moon, that is. But what does "once in a blue moon" really mean? First, it hardly ever refers to the moon's actual hue. To be sure, the moon can and sometimes does appear blue. Experts say an abundance of dust in the upper atmosphere, such as might follow a massive explosion, is often to blame. Blue moons were said to be common following the eruption of Mt. St. Helen's in 1980. But the fabled phrase, which predates Shakespeare, usually means something else altogether. As it turns out, a blue moon is nothing more than the second full moon in a single calendar month. Full moons occur every 29 days or so, and some months are bound to have two. That's the "blue moon" we'll see Thursday night. (The month's first full moon came on Dec. 2.) But what about the rest of it? "Once in a blue moon" means exceedingly rare, right? Well, it's supposed to. But we actually see a second full moon about every two-and-a-half years. The last one occurred in May 2007. That's not all that uncommon, in the cosmic scheme. So a blue moon isn't blue, and isn't even all that rare. What gives? Simple. The current meaning of the phrase, which dates from 1946, is based on a mistake, say experts. An amateur astronomer misread an almanac from 1937, it appears. The "real" meaning pertains to the number of full moons per season, not month. In any case, the current understanding of the phrase seems here to stay. (The moon will rise here Thursday at 4:36 p.m. and set at 6:19 a.m.) Background information for this article is taken from a 1999 article in Sky & Telescope magazine (http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/moon/article_127_1.asp).
The Almanac - OfficialWire Posted: 29 Dec 2009 02:52 AM PST	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 Madame de Pompadour, mistress of French King Louis XV, in 1721; Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh, who patented a waterproof fabric, in 1766; industrialist Charles Goodyear in 1800; Andrew Johnson, 17th president of the United States, in 1808; British statesman William Gladstone in 1809; band leader Clyde "Sugar Blues" McCoy in 1903; former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley in 1917; actors Ed Flanders ("St. Elsewhere") in 1934, Mary Tyler Moore in 1936 (age 73) and Jon Voight in 1938 (age 71); singer Marianne Faithfull in 1946 (age 63); actors Ted Danson in 1947 (age 62) and Jon Polito in 1950 (age 59); and comedian Paula Poundstone in 1959 (age 50). On this date in history: In 1170, Anglican churchman/politician Thomas Becket was killed at Canterbury Cathedral in England. In 1845, Texas was admitted into the United States as the 28th state. In 1848, gaslights were installed at the White House for the first time. In 1851, the first chapter of the Young Men's Christian Association -- YMCA -- opened in Boston. In 1890, more than 200 Indian men, women and children were massacred by the U.S. 7th Cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek, S.D. In 1940, London suffered its most devastating air raid when Germans firebombed the city. In 1967, Paul Whiteman, the "King of Jazz" and most popular bandleader of the pre-swing era, died in Doylestown, Pa., at age 77. In 1975, a terrorist bomb exploded at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, killing 11 people and injuring 75. In 1983, the United States announced its withdrawal from UNESCO, charging the U.N. cultural and scientific organization was biased against Western nations. In 1989, playwright Vaclav Havel was sworn in as the first non-communist president of Czechoslovakia since 1948. In 1992, a Cuban airliner was hijacked to Miami as part of a mass defection. Forty-eight of the 53 people aboard sought and were granted political asylum. In 2001, London scientists studying seized documents concluded that accused terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida organization had tried to develop a range of weapons that include a ''dirty'' nuclear bomb. In 2002, Kenyan voters ousted the party that had ruled the nation since 1963 in an election that ended the 24-year presidency of Daniel Arap Moi. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that armed air marshals would be placed on foreign flights entering U.S. airspace that were believed to be at risk of terrorist attacks. Also in 2003, five bodies were recovered from the Christmas Day mudslide in California's San Bernardino Mountains, running the total to 12 with two others missing. In 2004, actor Jerry Orbach, star of stage, film and TV, best known for his starring role on TV's "Law and Order," died of prostate cancer at the age of 69. In 2005, wind-driven grass fires in Texas and Oklahoma destroyed thousands of acres, hundreds of buildings and countless cattle. At least four people died. The Texas farming community of Cross Plains was demolished. In 2006, AT&T won U.S. approval to complete an $85 billion takeover of BellSouth Corp. after it made a series of consumer-friendly concessions. In 2008, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack told the Knesset that Israel was involved in "all-out war" with the militant group Hamas, the de facto ruler in Gaza. His remarks came as Israel pounded Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip from the air for a third day with the death toll topping 300. Also in 2008, Somali President Abdullahi Yusef Ahmed resigned. He had been blamed for the country's deepening political crisis.   A thought for the day: poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it."
Avatar Breaks a Dark Knight Record - COMICBOOKMOVIE.com Posted: 28 Dec 2009 09:37 PM PST Santa slid down FOX's chimney this year delivering a record breaking second weekend for Avatar. The James Cameron fantasy flick took in $75.6 million, edging past The Dark Knight, which previously held the second weekend record at $75.2 million. In other news (I've always wanted to say that), the American Film Institute released its 8 Moments of Significance for 2009 and Avatar made the cut. The criteria is apparently "accomplishments of considerable merit; influences with either a positive or negative impression; trends, either new or re-emerging; anniversaries or memorials of special note; and/or movements in new technologies, education, preservation, government or other areas that impact the art film, television and digital media." This is what the AFI had to say about the titanic (pun intended) film: AVATAR – JAMES CAMERON'S MILEPOST IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE ART FORM James Cameron's pioneering effort to unleash the human imagination was fully realized in 2009 with the release of AVATAR, a film that firmly established itself as a landmark in the way stories are told. With an army of technological wizards at his side, writer/director/producer/co-editor Cameron called upon the forces of art and technology to create new tools for storytelling that are groundbreaking in both scope and scale. The magic of the motion picture – and the transfer of its power to television and now video games – has always found its truest power in its immersive qualities, and with Cameron's advances in CGI (computer-generated images) and 3-D, AVATAR enters AFI's almanac as an achievement that will have profound effects on the future of the art form. DISCLAIMER: This posting was submitted by a user of the site not from Comic Book Movie editorial staff. All users have acknowledged and agreed that the submission of their content is in compliance with our Terms of Use. For removal of copyrighted material, please contact us HERE. 21 Comments Well... I'm not surprised at all... wow thats goods news just glad new moon didn't beat dark knight lol Avatar is a true work of art. WELCOME MATT!!! : P and a HELL YEAH!!!! AVATAR is cinema history in the making!!! @LEEE hahaha. It was so good! I had a smile on my face the whole time...behind my 3D glasses of course! I'd been gung-ho about it since the trailers and had mine and my friend's tickets bought for the first saturday a week prior to opening day :P Good stuff @ MATT!! : D Hey i wonder where all them AVATAR h8rs are now, that b1tched on this movie for months?? Lol! We're dying to see it but I dont think I can take my 4 year old. =( will have to wait for the dvd. Mebey there eating and chokeing on crow, Man i saw it today and it's amazeing. It bumped Star Wars to number 3 in my book. I hope theres a second, you think there will be? KEEP @ ive got an idea! Get some fake ID! ; D Logan-X @ Great stuff man!! Man that is awesome news, though I loved the Dark Knight, Avatar was phenomenal. Thank you for this Holiday delivery Mr. Cameron. Damn, I took too long making my image and can't put it in my article anymore. lol Oh well...comment it is: :) I like Avatar, but beat The Dark Knight? Avatar is very good, but The Dark Knight is a masterpiece. 623 million worldwide so far Not suprised,with 150m. in promotions superheromoviefan @ No,,, WATCHMEN is a masterpiece!!! ; D MAT @ Great PIC you did there man! Yeah, TDK was much better than Avatar IMO. ...btw, anyone else getting their lady a blue latex suit to wear this Valentines day, also? Just wondering. KeepItReal!!!!!!! yer back :) "HAHAHA I BEAT YOU AGAIN NOLAN!" "DAMMIT FIRST JUST BEHIND TITANIC AND NOW THIS? I FEEL SO POONED!(LOW GROWLY VOICE).. Hahahaahahahahaha dont care f0r records...TDK is god and joker is GOLD...screw the rest!!!! Please log in to post comments. Don't have an account? Please Register. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
Revelers will ring in new year under a 'blue moon' - Daily Tribune News Posted: 29 Dec 2009 01:55 AM PST On the eve of a dawning decade countless partygoers around the world will usher in the new year in their own fashion. Traditions may be made, kept or broken this year as residents and visitors alike celebrate in a variety of ways throughout the county. From bars and clubs to churches and hikes, Bartow County offers a plethora of choices to help night owls plan the evening without straying far from home. This year will mark the occurrence of two full moons in one month. Typically taking place every 32 months, according to The Farmers' Almanac, the second full moon in a month is referred to as a "blue moon," lending its name to rare happenings beyond astronomy. This year's "blue moon" will be the first to land on New Year's Eve since 1990 and the next will not be seen until 2028. For a prime view of the "blue moon," weather permitting, Cartersville Parks and Recreation will host a guided sunset hike of Pine Mountain on Dec. 31, at 5 p.m. The New Year's Eve Moonlight Hike will start from the West Trailhead and hike the 1.57 miles up to the summit of Pine Mountain which has been groomed for an unobstructed southward view. On a clear day, or night, the Atlanta skyline is visible on the horizon. With the moon reflecting on Lake Allatoona below, hikers can feast their eyes upon the Etowah River Valley and the lights of Cartersville from 1,562 feet above sea level. Although the moonlit hike will take place before the new year, depositing participants atop the mount just as darkness arrives, Cartersville Parks and Recreation Assistant Director James Gordy feels the hike gives people a chance to end this year with physical activity and begin the next with a fresh perspective. "I think it's a great opportunity for folks to say, 'hey, I'm going to start off the new year being a little bit more physically active' or 'I'm going to start out the new year getting involved and learning a little bit more about what local leisure and recreational opportunities there are.' You know it's a great way to phase in the new fitness plan, lose some weight. It's the chance to say, 'I'm going to be more active, our family is going to be more active.' It's just a good opportunity. "It's a unique opportunity to get out and be in the total wilderness and yet you're very, very close to town. The structure of the mountain, the rock sites, the trees, the elevation, the formation of the rocks, the hand building of the trail itself, the history of Pine Mountain itself. It has a great deal of opportunities," Gordy said. Gordy suggests hikers bring water and a small flashlight and recommends that small children not participate on the somewhat strenuous hike. Directions to the Pine Mountain West Trailhead: From Interstate 75, exit 288, Main Street, head east and turn right at the Komatsu entrance; trailhead parking is on the left. Guided moonlight hikes are held at each full moon; call Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department for more information at 770-387-5626. New Year's Eve celebrations Various establishments across the county will be hosting parties to ring in the new year. * Hilton Garden Inn, 24 Liberty Drive, Cartersville, will host Celebration Countdown 2010 from 7 p.m. to midnight. For $25 guests may enjoy heavy hors' doevres, a live disc jockey, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Bed and Breakfast packages are also available to include a room and other options; call 770-382-9787 for more information. * Cledus T's Hickhop and Honkytonk, 60 Slopes Drive, Cartersville, will host Babe's Bayou for a night of live music. Beginning at 7 p.m. guests 21-years-old and older will receive two free drink tickets, different $3 drink specials every 30 minutes and champagne at midnight for a $15 admission fee. * The City Cellar and Loft, 110 S. Museum Drive, Cartersville, will offer a special menu downstairs of grilled prime rib and salmon cooked in parchment with live music in the loft. Danny Daily and One Night Stand will play at 9 p.m.; drinks will be served until 1 a.m. * 2nd Half Sports Pub and Grill, 25 Carson Loop NW, Cartersville, will have karaoke and other New Year's festivities for a $5 cover charge. * Station 41, 5701 Joe Frank Harris Parkway NW, Adairsville, will hold a 1980s theme party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and "step up to the mic." A champagne toast will be served at midnight. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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Almanacs “The Almanac - Dec. 28 - Post Chronicle” plus 4 more

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• The Almanac - Dec. 28 - Post Chronicle
• Premiere Pigskin Performers - Pennsylvania Almanac
• Center of attention – BP's Lazenga earns MVP - Pennsylvania Almanac
• Look, a blue moon. And there, an asterisk - CharlotteObserver.com
• On Dec. 28 in NEPA - Scranton Times-Tribune

The Almanac - Dec. 28 - Post Chronicle Posted: 28 Dec 2009 05:02 AM PST Today is Monday, Dec. 28, the 362nd day of 2009 with three 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 Woodrow Wilson, 28th president of the United States, in 1856; jazz pianist Earl "Fatha" Hines in 1903; actors Lew Ayres in 1908, Martin Milner in 1931 (age 78) Maggie Smith in 1934 (age 75); actor Denzel Washington in 1954 (age 55); rock musician Edgar Winter in 1946 (age 63); singer John Legend in 1978 (age 31) and comic book writer Stan Lee in 1922 (age 87). On this date in history: In 1732, the Pennsylvania Gazette carried the first known advertisement for the first issue of "Poor Richard's Almanack" by Richard Saunders (Benjamin Franklin). In 1832, John Calhoun, at odds with U.S. President Andrew Jackson, became the first U.S. vice president to resign. In 1846, Iowa was admitted into the United States as the 29th state. In 1865, French film pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumiere showed the first commercial motion pictures at a Paris cafe. In 1869, The Knights of Labor, a group of tailors in Philadelphia, staged the first Labor Day ceremonies in U.S. history. In 1908, nearly 80,000 people were killed when an earthquake struck the ancient town of Messina, Sicily. In 1945, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. In 1950, advancing Chinese troops crossed the 38th Parallel, dividing line between North and South Korea, to help the communist North Koreans fight U.S.-led U.N. forces. In 1985, warring Lebanese Muslim and Christian leaders signed a peace agreement backed by Syria. In 1992, in a violent day in Lima, Peru, car bombs exploded outside two embassies, police thwarted a bank raid and rebels launched a missile attack on a police station. Five people were killed, 24 injured. In 1997, Hong Kong officials announced that all chickens in the territory would be killed in an attempt to eradicate carriers of the avian flu, which had killed several people. In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau announced a total of 281,421,906 people in the nation. The figure was a 13.2-percent increase in the last 10 years. In 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush granted permanent normal trade status to China, reversing a 20-year policy. In 2003, officials in Iran's ancient city of Bam said perhaps half the city's population of 80,000 were killed or injured in the earthquake that struck the area. In 2004, at least 18 Iraqi policemen were killed by insurgents in several attacks on police stations. Also in 2004, record numbers of Britons turned out with horses and hounds for a fox hunt on what could be Britain's last legal Boxing Day hunt with a hunting ban scheduled to go into effect in two months. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruled that certain meat and milk produced by cloned animals are safe to eat. Also in 2006, a Louisiana grand jury indicted seven New Orleans police officers on murder and attempted murder charges related to an alleged 2005 police ambush about one week after Hurricane Katrina struck. In 2007, hundreds of thousands of mourners filled the streets of the Pakistani village of Garhi Khuda Baksh for the funeral of Benazir Bhutto, the assassinated former prime minister. Tempers flared and nine people were killed in rioting before the start of the funeral procession. Also in 2007, Nepal abolished its monarchy and became a federal democratic republic. In 2008, two dozen officials from Saddam Hussein's government went on trial for their roles in the deaths of as many as 250,000 of Saddam's opponents in Iraq. A thought for the day: it was Benjamin Franklin who said, "It is hard for an empty sack to stand upright." (c) UPI Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Premiere Pigskin Performers - Pennsylvania Almanac Posted: 28 Dec 2009 06:35 AM PST Premiere Pigskin Performers By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net While the 2009 scholastic football campaign featured no WPIAL champions or state finalists from the South Hills region, the season proved almost as magical for area clubs despite some heartbreaking defeats. Bethel Park fell one kick away from an opportunity to defend its Quad-A title. Nevertheless, the Black Hawks had an outstanding year coming off their 15-1 record of 2008. The Black Hawks captured their second straight conference championship with an undefeated record. They finished 10-2 overall; their only defeats to eventual district champion Woodland Hills, including one of the most thrilling playoff games in WPIAL history. In that 38-35 overtime loss, three times the Black Hawks recovered from 14-point deficits, including one with under seven minutes to play. South Fayette enjoyed an undefeated regular season. The Lions also claimed the Century Conference title and reached the Class AA quarterfinals before losing a thriller to Aliquippa, 47-34, to finish 10-1 overall. While other clubs had standout performers, BP and SF dominated the gridiron so it comes as no surprise that these two clubs dominate the 28th edition of The Almanac's Premier Pigskin Performers. This year's unit, as past selections, was chosen in cooperation with the area head coaches. All completed and submitted a survey. Their opinions, along with statistics and games witnessed throughout the season, were taken into consideration in picking the players who received Almanac recognition. The Black Hawks copped the biggest prize as Adam Lazenga (see related story) earned Most Valuable Player laurels while Joe Rossi, in his third season at South Fayette, garnered Coach of the Year acclaim. Here's a look at those top selections that join the duo on the all-star list. Christian Brumbaugh 6-3, 195 QB This junior quarterback completed 153 of 241 passes for 2,183 yards. He led the WPIAL with 29 touchdown passes. He tossed only eight interceptions. Named Century Conference MVP, Brumbaugh guided South Fayette to its first post-season victory since moving to Class AA when the Lions defeated Beaver. The Lions earned the No. 1 seed in the Class AA but lost to the Quips in the quarterfinals. As a sophomore, Brumbaugh passed for over 1,300 yards. "He's a natural quarterback," said Rossi. "He's able to beat everything. Whether it was a three-step drop or a five-step drop, a screen or a deep ball, he just throws everything so well. "Teams would play man defense and rush and he'd complete the pass. Teams dropped eight people and rushed three and he'd complete the pass. "His confidence is high but he's quietly confident. He studies the game and he understands it so well." Jeff Davis 5-10, 165 RB When Brumbaugh did not pass, this junior tailback ran with the pigskin. He led the team with 1,209 yards on 160 attempts. He rushed for 18 touchdowns. A versatile back, Davis was among five receivers with at least 21 receptions. While his teammate, Ryan Ross led the squad with 41 grabs, Davis hauled in 22 Brumbaugh aerials for an additional 304 yards and three scores. "Jeff was a perfect fit for our offense," said Rossi. Nick Faraci 6-3, 250 OL According to Rossi, Faraci was the Lions' "best overall lineman." And that's good news for both Brumbaugh and Davis, as the right guard, too, is a junior. Faraci provided the protection that enabled Brumbaugh to pass for over 2,000 yards and Davis to rush for over 1,200. Corey Spegal 6-3, 235 DL/OL One of the strongest athletes on the team, this senior lineman was a force on both sides of the ball. When he lined up right beside Adam Lazenga on the offensive line, Bethel Park coach Jeff Metheny said the combination was "incredible." However, on defense, people did not know how good he was because last year he was overshadowed by Brian Vukela. "Corey made a ton of plays. Plus," Metheny said, "he's just such a great kid. He's a great player and he's so coachable." Named first-team all-conference as a defensive linemen, Spegal anchored a unit that allowed just 15.8 points per game and recorded one shutout, 25-0, over Penn Hills. The 3.7 honors student is receiving interest from Division II schools, including Wagner, University of San Diego and Central Connecticut. Bre Ford 5-10, 182 TB/SS After gaining 728 yards on 129 carries his sophomore season, this junior topped the 1,200-yard rushing mark to earn all-conference honors. He also led Bethel Park in scoring with 21 touchdowns. Ford started at strong safety in the defensive secondary. His interception sealed BP's 16-14 win over rival Upper St. Clair. "Bre did a great job for us," said Jeff Metheny. "He was bigger, stronger and faster and defensively, he played smarter. Run-wise, he was excellent. But he still can improve." Ford has much potential. His relatives, Van and Wes Richardson, played football at WVU and another cousin, Uly Scott, played at the University of Richmond. Jared Pratt 5-11, 210 LB/RB This senior earned all-conference, first-team honors at linebacker. A two-year starter alongside Adam Lazenga, Pratt had one of his finest showings in stopping Shaler's Jesse Della Valle in BP's quarterfinal playoff win, 32-14. While he averaged eight yards a carry on offense and scored eight touchdowns on offense, Pratt ranked among the team's toughest tacklers. "Jared and Lazenga were two of the best in the WPIAL," said Metheny. "Jared can run and he can hit. He's just a tough kid." Pratt is tough on the books too. His academics have endeared him to collegiate football programs such as Colgate, Lehigh, Dayton, Lafayette as well as Washington and Jefferson. Matt Bliss 5-11, 175 DB/QB This senior shifted to signal caller this year while continuing to start in the defensive secondary for the Black Hawks. For the second season in a row, he again gained all-conference laurels as a defensive back. While he did not intercept 11 passes as he did his junior season, Bliss led the team in picks. His interception for a touchdown ignited BP's comeback against Woodland Hills. While Bliss passed for over 1,000 yards, he was particularly impressive during BP's playoff run. After completing 5 of 9 aerials for 93 yards for a touchdown and a 2-point conversion in a 49-21 win over Penn-Trafford, he completed 13 of 16 passes for 177 yards and two TD strikes in a 32-14 win over Shaler. He also had an interception on defense. In the semifinal loss to Woodland Hills, 38-35, Bliss connected on 17 passes for 218 yards. "During the playoffs, Bliss played out of his mind," said Metheny. "While he led us in interception, he did not have as good a year on defense as last year but that could have been because he went both ways, starting at quarterback. "He was outstanding though, particularly once he got his receiver (Alex Baraffio) back. That revitalized him. For sure, Bliss was one of our best athletes." Nick Kwiatkowski 6-0, 177 FS/RB Recruiters will have to wait on this standout as he is just a junior. Named first-team all-conference at defensive back, Kwiatkowski filled the shoes vacated by Lyle Marsh, now at Princeton. Not only did Kwiatkowski rank in the top three among the team's rushers, he started at free safety and played on all the special teams. His breakout game came in a 27-14 win over Mt. Lebanon. In the contest, he rushed for 93 yards, returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown and scored another time on a 1-yard plunge. For the season, he ranked second on the team in scoring with 11 touchdowns. "Nick's very coachable," said Jeff Metheny. "He's got some pretty good moves and he can hit. He makes a lot of plays, especially on defense. Nick's the whole package." Michael Hull 6-1, 220, LB/RB Illness prevented this senior from showcasing his true talent. A four-year starter, Hull played in just seven games. Yet, he managed 97 tackles, 71 of them unassisted. Offensively, he led the team with nine touchdowns. Plus, he rushed for 384 yards and gained 239 yards receiving. A three-sport standout for much of his high school career--he wrestles and plays baseball--Hull will play football at Penn State University. Before next fall, however, Hull will appear in two all-star football games next month. Ranked among the top 10 linebackers in the country, he will compete in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 9 in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and in the first Team USC vs. The World game set for Jan. 30 in Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium. Chad Hagan 6-2, 227 MB/DB This Ohio State recruit overcame Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome--a condition that can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat--to play in six games this season for the Big Macs, who finished 3-6 on the year. A standout defensive back--a position at which he'll play in college--Hagan also excelled on the offensive side of the ball. He rushed for 497 yards on just 87 carries. In addition to a 5.7 average-per-carry, he scored seven touchdowns. A two-year starter, Hagan is also a standout on the Canon-McMillan basketball team. Alex Park 6-2, 190 QB This senior registered first-team all-conference honors. In quarterbacking Upper St. Clair to a 6-4 season that featured a runner-up showing to rival Bethel Park in the Great Southern Conference and a playoff appearance, Park completed 81 of 156 passes for 1,207 yards. He tossed 11 touchdown strikes. In addition, he rushed for 363 yards and three more scores. As a junior, he passed for 1,589 yards and 13 touchdowns. "We've had a lot of great quarterbacks here at USC," said Jim Render, "but Alex may be the most accurate passer we have had. He has a lot of special gifts." In the classroom, he is gifted, maintaining a 4.0 QPA. Before the start of the season, New Hampshire had offered him a scholarship. Connor Scott 6-0, 170 DB/RB This junior thrilled the Panther partisan with his returns on kick-offs. Plus, he played so well as a defensive back, he earned All-Conference, first-team acclaim. Scott returned 12 kick-offs for 443 yards for two touchdowns. Plus, he returned two interceptions for 67 yards. With one rushing touchdowns and three TD receptions, he ranked tied for second on the squad in scoring with 36 points. He rushed for 153 yards on 83 carries. He also contributed 89 yards on five catches. "Not only was Connor a great kick retun man," said Render, "he was a great defensive back for us." Joe Laukaitis 6-2, 280 T This senior started two years on both the offensive and defensive lines for Upper St. Clair. As a tackle, he earned All-Conference, first-team honors. Offensively, he paved the way for the Panthers to roll up 1,691 yards on the ground. He provided the protection for Alex Park to pass for 1,207 yards. Defensively, the Panthers surrendered 171 points in producing a 6-4 record that included a playoff appearance. Matt McCann 5-11, 185 This junior powered Keystone Oaks to its first semifinal appearance in the WPIAL playoffs. The Golden Eagles finished 10-2 overall after falling to Greensburg Central Catholic. GCC eventually won the WPIAL title and finished as PIAA runners-up last weekend in Hershey. McCann led the Golden Eagles, who finished runner-up to South Fayette for the Century Conference title, in rushing with 1,801 yards. He scored 23 touchdowns. McCann, who plays basketball, earned first-team all-Century Conference honors as a running back and as a linebacker. He helped spearhead a defense that allowed just 11.4 points per game. KO averaged 31.8 points per game on offense, second only to South Fayette at 33.9 ppg. Bill Whitaker 6-5, 315 OG After suffering knee injuries his sophomore and junior seasons, this senior closed out his varsity career with a standout year that featured his name on the Great Southern Conference's all-star list. He gained first-team honors at offensive guard. Whitaker anchored a line that paved the way for the Blue Devils rush their way into the playoffs. Lebo finished 5-5 overall and competed in the Quad-A playoffs, falling to Shaler in the first round. Lebo powered its way to 2,675 yards of offense, 1,856 of that on the ground. Mike Martin 6-4, 195 WR This senior gained first-team all-conference honors at wide receiver. He led Lebo with 32 receptions for a team-high 387 yards. Plus, he scored three touchdowns. Another of Lebo's talented athlete, he is also a starter on a very successful basketball team. Martin is a forward on a team that is ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL. He started last year for the Blue Devils, who reached the district finals and the state semifinals. Sean Veights 6-1, 225 LB This senior earned All-Conference, first-team honors at linebacker. Veights led the team in tackles and interceptions with two, including one for a touchdown during Lebo's upset win over Central Catholic early in the season. Also, Veights recorded three sacks. Plus, he recovered three fumbles for the Blue Devils. Veights saw action on offense and was utilized as both a runner and a receiver. Luke Alberts 6-0, 184 DB/RB For the second straight season, this season claimed All-Conference honors as a defensive back. Alberts ranked second on the team in tackles. Plus, he had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Alberts also combined with Luke Hagy in the backfield on offense. He ranked second on the team in rushing. He rolled up 675 yards on 127 carries. He scored seven touchdowns. Alberts also grabbed three passes for 16 yards. Brian Hoffman 6-1, 215 WR This senior was on the receiving end of more than half of Austin Hancock's 92 completions. He led Peters Township with 36 receptions for 546 yards. He ranked No. 7 in the WPIAL among receivers. Hoffman hauled in seven of Hancock's 14 touchdown strikes. Hoffman's play earned him all-conference, first-team acclaim. Additionally, he helped the Indians to one of their best starts before finishing 5-4 overall. Evan Kelly 6-2, 275 OG/DT This senior dominated both sides of the line and gained all-Century Conference honors on offense and defense. As an offensive guard, he provided the protection that enabled his quarterback to lead the WPIAL in passing. A three-year starter on defense, he play gained him rave reviews from opposing coaches. "Evan Kelly was phenomenal," said SF skipper Joe Rossi. "He was one of the best lineman in the league." Anthony Rizza 6-2, 195 This senior quarterback was the best in the WPIAL during the regular season. He completed 126 passes for 1,654 yards. He tossed 11 touchdown strikes against just two interceptions. Plus, he led Seton-La Salle in rushing with 537 yards. He led the Rebels with nine rushing TDs, four more than any other teammate. Defensively , he scored twice, too. Plus, he gained all-conference, first-team honors for his play at linebacker. "Rizza is the real deal," said opposing coach Joe Rossi. "He game teams more problems, particularly when he ran." In a long list of standout quarterbacks at SLS, Rizza might have been the most versatile. "He was a dual threat," said SLS skipper Greg Perry. "We've never had that, someone who can run and throw." A two-year starter, who passed for nearly 3,000 yards, Rizza is a 4.5 honors student, who plans to play in college while majoring in engineering. CMU, Dartmouth, Wooster, Case Western and John Hopkins are interested in Rizza, whose cousin Matt Rodgers plays for Akron. Cory Rekasie 6-2, 255 DL/C This senior earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Big 7 Conference. Additionally, he earned first-team honors for his play at center as well as on the defensive line. A rock for the Colts during his career, Rekasie helped CV to an 8-2 mark, the school's second best record. The program was 9-2 in 1981. Additionally, he's part of a senior class that produced the best three-year record in the program's history. CV finished runner-up to Thomas Jefferson with a 5-1 record in the conference. Drake Greer 6-4, 188 K/P This senior earned first-team all-Century Conference honor for his kicking. A team captain, Greer connected on six field goals. His longest measured 45 yards. He has kicked 12 field goals during his career. In addition to handling the placekicking and extra points, Greer handled the punting duties for Bishop Canevin, which finished 4-5 overall. Greer's longest kick measured 57 yards during a summer camp he attended in North Carolina. He has also showcased his skills at the Ray Guy Camp, drawing attention from some major Division I colleges such as North Carolina, Ohio State, Minnesota and Pitt. Luke Hagy 6-0, 181 RB This sophomore burst onto the scene and became Mt. Lebanon's leading rusher. He rolled up 907 yards on 183 carries at the Quad-A level. He also led the Blue Devils in scoring with 14 touchdowns. Hagy, who excelled on Lebo's undefeated freshman squad last season, earned first-team all-conference acclaim this autumn. Hagy excels on the basketball court. He is in his second season as a starter for the Blue Devils, who are ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL. He started as a freshman on Lebo's WPIAL runner-up and PIAA Final Four team. For his efforts in helping the Blue Devils reach the WPIAL football playoffs this fall, Hagy garners Almanac Rookie of the Year laurels. Joe Rossi Coach of the Year In 2007, Joe Rossi took over the football program at South Fayette after five successful campaigns at Riverwiew. In three seasons, the former Chartiers Valley standout molded the varsity into one of the school's best. Not only did the Lions roll to an undefeated conference championship they completed an undefeated regular season. The Lions finished 10-1 overall after dropping a thrilling contest with Aliquippa in the Class AA quarterfinals. For his efforts this season, Rossi has been named Almanac Coach of the Year. Home Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. 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Center of attention – BP's Lazenga earns MVP - Pennsylvania Almanac Posted: 28 Dec 2009 06:06 AM PST Center of attention – BP's Lazenga earns MVP By Eleanor Bailey The Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net  In college football, the Outland Trophy is awarded to the best interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America while the Butkus and Lambert Awards signify the best of the best linebackers in the nation. This year, Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh claimed the Outland while Alabama junior Rolando McClain rated as the top linebacker. If The Almanac divvied out such distinctions to a local high school player, the honors would go to only one player--Adam Lazenga from Bethel Park. For Lazenga has been signaled out by opposing coaches as the best center not to mention a standout linebacker. Among The Almanac schools participating in the Great Southern Conference, all the coaches voted for Lazenga on their all-star ballot. Most indicated he was the best center. Some even offered his name as MVP. And for good reason. A three-year starter and a four-year varsity letterwinner, Lazenga anchored the offensive line at center and the defensive unit at linebacker for the Black Hawks. In fact, he's been the driving force behind their rise to WPIAL power. During Lazenga's junior year, BP won a district title and reached the state finals. This fall, as a captain, Lazenga led the Black Hawks back to the playoffs after some heavy losses to graduation. In fact, BP claimed its second straight undefeated conference championship, posted a 10-2 record--the only blemishes, two losses to Woodland Hills--and reached the Final Four in the WPIAL playoffs. Only a missed field goal attempt in overtime prevented the Black Hawks from making a second straight trip to the Quad-A finals. "No question," said BP skipper Jeff Metheny, "Adam has been our leader. He helped everybody out. He made everybody around him better." On defense, he combined with Jared Pratt to become what Metheny claimed was the best linebacking Home Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Look, a blue moon. And there, an asterisk - CharlotteObserver.com Posted: 28 Dec 2009 04:40 AM PST On New Year's Eve, when merrymakers crowd the streets, a blue moon will shine over their festive heads - bringing to the holiday both a night-sky rarity and a decades-old quibble. Most plainly, a blue moon means seldom. Practically never. It's shorthand for an event that happens so infrequently you might as well wait for the big white pumpkin in the sky to change color. But the meaning and roots of the phrase are tangled up in error and dispute. Pick your own explanation and raise a glass to Earth's lonely satellite. The most common explanation, accepted by both NASA and the American Heritage Dictionary, defines a blue moon as two full moons in a single month - a phenomenon that occurs every 2.5 years on average. This month, the big round orb appears on Dec. 2 and Dec. 31, making this the first blue moon on New Year's Eve since 1990. Trouble is, this definition stems from a mistaken report in Sky & Telescope magazine, printed in 1946. In that article, the writer attributed the two-full-moon story to the Maine Farmers Almanac. More than 50 years later, the magazine owned up to the error and corrected it, but the story endures. Here's what that farmers almanac meant to say: Normally, you get 12 full moons a year. A blue moon means a 13th full moon - or the third full moon in any particular season that includes four. Naming the third moon blue, rather than the fourth, would help keep the farmers from getting their seasons out of whack. September, for example, brings what is sometimes called the corn moon. This echoed the ancient practice of using the appearance of full moons to set the date of important religious observances, such as Easter. Designating the additional full moon as "blue," kept the ecclesiastical calendar on track. Confused? Don't fret. For a physics professor, Thursday night's blue moon doesn't even count. Volcano dust A real blue moon means the moon actually turns blue, and there is such a phenomenon, said Michael Paesler, head of the physics department at N.C. State University. For this to happen, he explained, the air must contain particles that are larger than usual; the particles scatter red light and give the moon a bluish tint. But they must be between 0.5 and 0.7 microns in size, or about millionth of a meter - an incredible rarity. So a true blue moon doesn't come around every other year. It happened when Krakatoa erupted in 1883 and killed 36,000 people. As for this New Year's Eve moon, Paesler said with a touch of disdain, "This is a numerological blue moon." Don't like it? Take a flying leap. At a blue moon. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

On Dec. 28 in NEPA - Scranton Times-Tribune Posted: 28 Dec 2009 01:06 AM PST On this date in NEPA 50 years ago, two bandits armed with sawed-off shotguns robbed the Signature Finance Co. in Dunmore. They entered the business at about 2 p.m. and said, "This is a holdup; we want money; do as we say and you won't get hurt." The pair made off with $478.95. 25 years ago, a member of Scranton City Council expressed concern over the lack of lighting on the Central Scranton Expressway. On a recent evening, 25 street lights were not lit on the entrance to the Electric City. 10 years ago, Six companies bid for the Scranton towing contract since the bidding was opened the day before. The top bidder was DeNaples Auto Parts with a $1.006 million bid for a 10-year exclusive contract. Almanac Today is Monday, Dec. 28, the 362nd day of 2009. There are 3 days left in the year. In 1694, Queen Mary II of England died after more than five years of joint rule with her husband, King William III. In 1832, John C. Calhoun became the first vice president of the United States to resign, stepping down because of differences with President Andrew Jackson. In 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to be admitted to the Union. In 1856, the 28th president of the United States, Thomas Woodrow Wilson, was born in Staunton, Va. In 1897, the play "Cyrano de Bergerac," by Edmond Rostand, premiered in Paris. In 1908, a major earthquake followed by a tsunami devastated the Italian city of Messina, killing at least 70,000 people. In 1917, the New York Evening Mail published "A Neglected Anniversary," a facetious, as well as fictitious, essay by H.L. Mencken recounting the history of bathtubs in America. In 1944, the musical "On the Town," with music by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, opened on Broadway. In 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance. In 1973, Alexander Solzhenitsyn published "Gulag Archipelago," an expose of the Soviet prison system. In 1989, Alexander Dubcek, the former Czechoslovak Communist leader who was deposed in a Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion in 1968, was named president of the country's parliament. Ten years ago: Clayton Moore, television's "Lone Ranger," died in West Hills, Calif., at age 85. Five years ago: The U.S. Agency for International Development said it was adding $20 million to an initial $15 million contribution for Asian tsunami relief as Secretary of State Colin Powell bristled at a U.N. official's suggestion the United States was being "stingy." Activist and author Susan Sontag died in New York at age 71. Actor Jerry Orbach died in New York at age 69. One year ago: A bomb-loaded SUV exploded at a military checkpoint in Afghanistan, claiming the lives of 14 schoolchildren in a heartbreaking flash captured by a U.S. security camera. The Detroit Lions completed an 0-16 season - the NFL's worst ever - with a 31-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Today's Birthdays: Comic book creator Stan Lee is 87. Former United Auto Workers union president Owen Bieber is 80. Actor Martin Milner is 78. Actress Nichelle Nichols is 77. Actress Dame Maggie Smith is 75. Rock singer-musician Charles Neville is 71. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., is 65. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., is 63. Rock singer-musician Edgar Winter is 63. Rock singer-musician Alex Chilton (The Box Tops; Big Star) is 59. Actor Denzel Washington is 55. Country singer Joe Diffie is 51. Country musician Mike McGuire (Shenandoah) is 51. Actor Chad McQueen is 49. Country singer-musician Marty Roe (Diamond Rio) is 49. Actor Malcolm Gets is 45. Actor Mauricio Mendoza is 40. Comedian Seth Meyers is 36. Actor Brendan Hines is 33. R&B singer John Legend is 31. Actress Sienna Miller is 28. Actor Thomas Dekker is 22. Actress Mackenzie Rosman is 20. Pop singer David Archuleta ("American Idol") is 19. Thought for Today: "Our chief defect is that we are more given to talking about things than to doing them." - Jawaharlal Nehru, Indian statesman (1889-1964). Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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