Wind chill warning (Sunday 12/31 to Tuesday 1/2/2018) - Berrien County, MI

from National Weather Service (www.weather.com) :
WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING 12/31/2017 TO NOON EST TUESDAY 1/2/2018... * WHAT... HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW OCCURRING. VERY COLD WIND CHILLS EXPECTED. PLAN ON DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALIZED AMOUNTS OF 5 INCHES OR MORE. EXPECT WIND CHILLS TO RANGE FROM 5 ABOVE ZERO TO 15 BELOW ZERO. * WHERE... BERRIEN COUNTY. THE POTENTIAL FOR THE GREATEST ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION ACROSS SOUTHWEST BERRIEN COUNTY. *

WHEN... FOR THE WINTER STORM WARNING, UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT. FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY, FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EST TUESDAY. THE HEAVIEST LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS EXPECTED FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... BE PREPARED FOR SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY AT TIMES. SNOWFALL RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR CAN BE EXPECTED. RAPID CHANGES IN VISIBILITY AND ROAD CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. THE COLD WIND CHILLS WILL CAUSE FROSTBITE IN AS LITTLE AS 30 MINUTES TO EXPOSED SKIN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Winter Snow Warning -- Lake Effect 8 p.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday (12/31/2017)

from WEATHER dot-com (Weather Channel website):

HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW EXPECTED. PLAN ON DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 9 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALIZED AMOUNTS CLOSER TO ONE FOOT POSSIBLE. * WHERE... BERRIEN COUNTY, Michigan.

* WHEN... FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO MIDNIGHT EST SUNDAY NIGHT. THE HEAVIEST LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING

Winter Travel - severe weather conditions (Friday to Saturday Dec. 29-30, 2017) - Berrien County, Michigan

from Weather dot-com [national Weather Service]

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 AM EST SATURDAY... * WHAT... SNOW EXPECTED. PLAN ON SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS, INCLUDING DURING THE EVENING COMMUTE. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED.
* WHERE... PORTIONS OF NORTHERN INDIANA, SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN (Berrien and Cass counties included) AND NORTHWEST OHIO. 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS... BE PREPARED FOR REDUCED VISIBILITIES AT TIMES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES,

Pope's speech to the world -- Christmas annual address "Urbi et Orbi" - 2017

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/urbi/documents/papa-francesco_20171225_urbi-et-orbi-natale.html

Fiona the Hippo (Cincinnati Zoo) - one year Birthday Celebration (on Jan. 20, 2018)

from local NBC Affiliate (www.wndu.com/ ):

The Cincinnati Zoo is planning a big bash for Fiona on January 20. Her actual birthday is January 24.

The party will include special treats and a visit by specialists from a children's hospital who helped Fiona survive her premature birth. There will be cake and ice cream for visitors, and her caretakers will hold question-and-answer sessions.

The zoo says Fiona can't be outside in low temperatures, so she is spending winter mostly indoors.

She has grown from 29 pounds at birth to more than 600 pounds already.

http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Birthday-celebration-planned-for-famous-Cincinnati-hippo--466864083.html

Persistent Lake Effect Snow Bands : Dec. 27, Noon Hour -- Weather Service Statement

LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON ACROSS SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN AND IN NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL INDIANA ALONG AND NORTH OF THE TOLL ROAD. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS FROM LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE LIMITED TO AN INCH OR TWO. HOWEVER, THE COMBINATION OF LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS AND VERY COLD TEMPERATURES WILL RESULT IN SOME SLICK SPOTS ON ROADWAYS. MOTORISTS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION, AND BE PREPARED FOR VARIABLE ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN TRAVELING TODAY. WIND CHILLS OF 5 BELOW TO 15 BELOW ZERO WILL CONTINUE THROUGH NOON BEFORE SLOWING INCREASING AS TEMPERATURES RISE THROUGH THE SINGLE DIGITS ABOVE ZERO.

FLOTUS reads documents, makes recommendation to improve White House Arboretum

from THE Hill (online home news):

A tree that has been located on the south facade of the White House since the 1800s will reportedly be cut down.

CNN reported that the Jackson Magnolia this week is scheduled to be taken down and removed.

The tree — which is one of three that are located on the west side of the White House — is too damaged to stay where it is.

"The overall architecture and structure of the tree is greatly compromised and the tree is completely dependent on the artificial support," documents obtained by CNN regarding the tree reveal.

"Without the extensive cabling system, the tree would have fallen years ago. Presently, and very concerning, the cabling system is failing on the east trunk, as a cable has pulled through the very thin layer of wood that remains. It is difficult to predict when and how many more will fail."

First lady Melania Trump made the final decision to remove the tree after looking at relevant documents including those from specialists at the United States National Arboretum, a White House official told CNN.

The tree was planted when former President Jackson was in office. His wife died shortly after he was elected. He wanted to honor her by planting a sprout from his wife's favorite magnolia tree from their Tennessee farm when he assumed office.

Kwanzaa Celebration (Dec. 27, 2017): 304 S. Michigan St., S.B.

from WNDU Community page:

Kwanzaa Celebration

Community drumming 5:30 p.m.

6 p.m. Candles lighted; elders honored;

music; African folk tales.

Event Dates and Times

12/27/2017 - Starts: 4:00 PM - Ends: 7:30 PM

St. Joseph County Public Library, 304 S Main St, South Bend, IN 46601

Celebrate the principles of Kwanzaa during a ceremony

that explains the holiday and honors community elders.

Music and light refreshments will be served.

December 25, afternoon - Tues. Dec. 26 7 p.m. - Winter Advisory, wind chill conditions

from National Weather Advisory - www.weather.com/

SNOW OCCURRING. PLAN ON SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION, SOME REDUCTIONS TO VISIBILITY ARE POSSIBLE ALONG WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO TWO INCHES ARE EXPECTED.
* WHERE... BERRIEN AND CASS MICHIGAN COUNTIES.
* WHEN... UNTIL 7 AM EST December 26 TUESDAY.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 30 MPH THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. WINDS WILL DIMINISH OVERNIGHT BUT REMAIN IN THE 10 TO 20 MPH RANGE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES, AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Winter Storm Warning (Dec. 24, 7 a.m. - Dec. 25, 7 p.m. Eastern ) - Berrien County, Michigan

from Weather Channel - National Weather Service -- www.weather.com/

• 3:11pm EST, Sat Dec 23, 2017
... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM EST  SUNDAY TO 7 PM EST  MONDAY...
* WHAT... HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED. PLAN ON DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS.
ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED SUNDAY.
LAKE EFFECT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED SUNDAY NIGHT & MONDAY.
TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 5 AND 9 INCHES ARE FORECAST.
* WHERE... IN INDIANA, LA PORTE AND ST. JOSEPH IN COUNTIES. IN MICHIGAN, BERRIEN COUNTY.
* WHEN... FROM 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ SUNDAY TO 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ MONDAY.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 30 MPH
ON CHRISTMAS DAY WILL CAUSE PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW
MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED.

World of Handel: Symphony concert January 7, 2018

The World of Handel

Sunday, January 7, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.

DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, downtown South Bend, IN

Featured Artists: 

Raymond Harvey, conductor

A special concert presentation; an intimate in-depth look at the life and repertoire of one of the most famous Baroque composers. Program to include Royal Fireworks Music, Water Music Quite No. 3, and more.

About the conductor:

For more than 35 years, Raymond Harvey has made a significant impact as an American conductor of great skill and insight.  Born in New York City, he studied piano and conducting, receiving Bachelor's and Master's degrees in choral conducting from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music; and then studied orchestral conducting at the Yale School of Music, earning Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees.  

www.southbendsymphony.org/ 

Soup Kitchen (First UM Church, South Bend, IN) - Xmas Meal for needy and poor - Dec. 22, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

http://firstmethodistsb.org/
ALL ARE WELCOME: The Downtown Soup Kitchen, in South Bend, operates out of First United Methodist Church’s large restaurant-quality kitchen. Thirty volunteers serve 200-300 guests each week, and assist with special holiday meal days for Thanksgiving, Christmas (December 22, 2017) and Easter, which average 300 guests per celebration. The holiday meal dates are often a day or two before the actual holiday. All people are welcome to visit and eat any day the Soup Kitchen is open.
THE MENU: Each week, the Soup Kitchen provides guests with unlimited hearty soup, buttery garlic toast, desserts and beverages. Each person may also take a carry-out bag containing three 12oz cups of soup and delicious bakery bread as they leave.
http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Family-preps-holiday-meal-at-South-Bend-soup-kitchen-465827853.html

Old Farmer's Almanac -- what does "Winter Solstice" mean?

11:28 a.m. Eastern Time Zone -- December 21, 2017

What is the Winter Solstice?

The word solstice comes from Latin sol “sun” and sistere “to stand still.” In the Northern Hemisphere, as summer advances to winter, the points on the horizon where the Sun rises and sets advance southward each day; the high point in the Sun’s daily path across the sky, which occurs at local noon, also moves southward each day.

At the winter solstice, the Sun’s path has reached its southernmost position. The next day, the path will advance northward. However, a few days before and after the winter solstice, the change is so slight that the Sun’s path seems to stay the same, or stand still. The Sun is directly overhead at “high-noon” on Winter Solstice at the latitude called the Tropic of Capricorn.

www.almaac.com/ 

Winter Solstice (earthsky dot-org online answers) December 21, 2017

Short day. Long night. For us in the Northern Hemisphere,
the December solstice marks the longest night and shortest
day of the year. Meanwhile, on the day of the December
solstice, the Southern Hemisphere has its longest day and
shortest night. This special day is on Thursday,
December 21 at 11:28 a.m. Eastern Time.

Chamber Singers - Madrigal Concert - Sunday Dec. 17 - Loretto Chapel, St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN

South Bend Chamber Singers - Christmas at Loretto

When Sunday, December 17, 2017, 7:30 – 9pm Where Church of Our Lady of Loretto Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame, IN 46556 Details Beautiful New Music for the Season Featuring the world premiere of new works by American composers William Averitt and Zae Munn along with other new works for the season and familiar carols in new arrangements.

Adults: 

$16

Senior Citizens: 

$13

SMC/ND/HCC Faculty and Staff: 

$11

SMC/ND/HCC Students: 

$10

Children are also $10.

https://www.saintmarys.edu/tickets/christmas-loretto-1

Michiana Male Chorus concert - Community Congregational, Indiana 933 at Cleveland Rd., South Bend IN

Christmas Concert: Community Congregational Church, 19671 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN

Calendar

Add to Calendar

When:

December 17, 2017 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Take a break from your frenetic holiday shopping schedule and join us for an afternoon of wonderful Christmas music featuring both secular and sacred selections from our “Christmas Wishes” concert.  Our musical selections will please both young and old alike!

The concert starts at 3:00 PM and there is no charge, but we’ll pass the hat and fill you in on some special needs that we hope to fill with any generous contributions.

Then stick around afterwards for some refreshments and fellowship with the Chorus members.

http://www.michianamalechorus.org/event/christmas-concert-community-congregational-church-2?instance_id=192

Swiss Valley (Jones, Michigan USA) Ski and Snowboard - Opening day Friday Dec. 15, 2017

http://skiswissvalley.com/snow-report/

We will open for skiing Friday, Dec 15th at 3 pm!
Ski & Board Shop will open at 2 pm on Friday
for last minutes pick up and shopping
before the hills open at 3pm!

Happy 92nd Birthday to Dick Van Dyke! -- movie and TV entertainer -- graduate of Danville (IL) High School

from IMDb online biographical summary:

Dick Van Dyke was born Richard Wayne Van Dyke in West Plains, Missouri December 13, 1925, to Hazel Victoria (McCord), a stenographer, and Loren Wayne Van Dyke, a salesman. His younger brother is entertainer Jerry Van Dyke. His ancestry includes English, Scottish, German, Swiss-German, and Dutch. Although he'd had small roles beforehand, Van Dyke was launched to stardom in the 1960 musical "Bye-Bye Birdie", for which he won a Tony Award, and, then, later in the movie based on that play, Bye Bye Birdie (1963). He has starred in a number of films throughout the years including Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Fitzwilly (1967), as well as a number of successful television series which won him no less than four Emmys and three made-for-CBS movies. After separating from his wife, Margie Willett, in the 1970s, Dick later became involved with Michelle Triola. Margie and Dick had four children born during the first ten years of their marriage: Barry Van Dyke; Carrie Beth van Dyke; Christian Van Dyke and Stacy Van Dyke, all of whom are now in their forties and married themselves. He has seven grandchildren, including Shane Van Dyke, Carey Van Dyke, Wes Van Dyke and Taryn Van Dyke (Barry's children) and family members often appear with him on Diagnosis Murder (1993).

Grew up in Danville, Illinois, with brother Jerry Van Dyke and fellow celebrities Gene Hackman and Bobby Short. Was a graduate of Danville High School, where he was in the drama club.