End of January 2020: traffic at my Google Blog (faithfor2008.blogspot.com/ ) - visits to view content

Page Views (Feb. 3, 2020) = 76     Page Views = 113 (Feb. 1) Page views 1/31/2020) = 282 Page views  (Thurs., Jan. 30) 90

Bird-athon -- Ox Bow County Park, Dunlap, IN -- Feb. 5, 2020 from 8 - 10 a.m.

Join a lighthearted race to spot as many bird species as you can during the

Elkhart County Parks' (IN) monthly bird walk from 8 - 10 a.m. on Wed. Feb. 5 at Ox Bow County Park 23033 County Road 45 in Dunlap, IN

More than 50 species can be found and heard.

A naturalist will lead this group hike, which is free to anyone age 8 and up.

Afterwards, gather up in the warming house for warm drinks and bird-themed snacks.

Park entry will be waived for participants.

Ice Fest 5K Chocolate Walk/Run -- St. Joseph, MI 9 a.m. Feb. 1, 2020

Ice Fest (St. Joseph, MI on Feb. 1, 2020) -- includes ice carving

Frozen fish toss

Ice Bowling

Post 5K race party with chocolate treats

Cost is $35 to support the non-profit Cycle-Re-Cycle bike program.

Jan Bloom (sledder and four sled dogs) - "Ice Time Festival" Dowagiac, MI Feb. 1, 2020

Jan Bloom of Paw Paw, MI will show off his sled and four sled dogs and answer your questions about mushing from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2020 at Dowagiac's Ice Time Festival.  Find him on Beeson Street in downtown Dowagiac, MI

When snow allows the "Mid-Union Sled Haulers" non-profit organization, they hold races at Fort Custer State Recreational Area, between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, MI.

Ice Time Festival includes ice carving from 8 a.m. Feb. 1 along Front Street, Dowagiac, MI

Frozen fish toss competition is at 12:30 p.m. -- a chili crawl -- human foosball (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Bonfire and s'mores and games for kids -- Free

Colonial Paintings and Statues -- display and show January 2020 and later this year --Art History Lecture 1/31/2020

"Divine Illusions: Art & Belief in the Spanish Andes"

Snitemusuem.nd.edu/ website -- Admission details

Lecture by Professor Michael Schreffler begins at 4 p.m. Friday and is followed by a walking tour of the loaned pieces:

Visual images of the Virgin Mary were instrumental in the spread of Catholicism in the wake of the Spanish invasion and conquest of Peru. Statues of the Virgin were the objects of pious appeals for divine intervention, and their power was rooted in the belief that the reverence shown to them extended to Mother of God herself. Paintings of those statues allowed devotees to honor the Virgin in places other than churches and chapels, creating the illusion of a sculptural conduit to the divine in domestic settings. Devotional practices centered on those pictures demonstrate a belief in the spiritual potency of visual imagery and, at the same time, attest to an abiding faith in the power of painting itself. Join us for more on this topic in a lecture delivered by Dr. Michael Schreffler, associate professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design and guest curator of Divine Illusions: Statue Painting in Colonial South America. 

After the lecture, join Dr. Schreffler in the exhibition galleries for questions and to look more closely at these statue paintings. The lecture will also be immediately followed by a reception celebrating the exhibition sponsored by the Friends of the Snite Museum of Art.

"Notre Drinking" : entry in 2020 Student Film Festival deals with culture of undergraduate alcohol use

2020 Notre Dame Student Film Festival (weekend of Jan. 24, 25, 26, 2020)

http://performingarts.nd.edu/

showing of the student film begins 7 p.m. Friday and continues 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

Information 574-631-2800

"Notre Drinking" entry

Notre Drinking
Nicole Mannion


A University of Notre Dame student documents her drinking habits 
and wonders if there's a problem here.

What are Gibbs' Rules (Character who is a Naval Crime Scene Investigative officer)? CBS Procedural - Thriller (pilot 2003)

'NCIS': What Are Gibbs' Rules?

• Rule 1: Never let suspects sit together. ...
• Other Rule 1: Never screw over your partner. ...
• Rule 2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene. ...
• Rule 3: Never believe what you are told. ...
• Other Rule 3: Never be unreachable. ...
• Rule 4: Best way to keep a secret. ...
• Rule 5: You don't waste good. ...
• Rule 6: Never say you're sorry.

Harlem Globetrotters - Jan. 25, 2020 at 3 p.m. - Notre Dame Joyce Center Arena, South Bend, IN

The Harlem Globetrotters present "Pushing the Limits World Tour" 2020 for one
show only at 3 p.m. Saturday Jan. 25, 2020.
The performance features new high-flying dunks, comedic stunts, and a new record-breaking attempt.
Pre-show Magic Passes are available for an additional $22 and include the opportunity to shoot, try ball tricks, and get autographs and photos with the Team.
Ticket prices begin at $23 and go up to $115.
For more information call (574)-631-7356 or www.harlemglobetrotters.com

Traffic at this Google Blog: faithfor2008.blogspot.com/ (year of 2020)

Page Views on Jan. 20, 2020 =          125

Page Views on Feb. 13, 2020 (Thursday) = 54

Blood Drive (Versiti dot-org : Michigan Blood Org.): Niles District Library Rotunda, Niles, Michigan Monday 1/20/2020

Monday from 2 - 6 p.m.

Michigan Blood
Drive seeking all donors of all blood types; must be 16 and weigh 100 pounds

Questions at the Library : 269-683-8545

Niles, MI Berrien County (Winter Weather Advisory) - Jan. 19, 2020 until 10 p.m.

Lake effect snow and gusty winds expected. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Cass MI and Berrien Counties.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM EST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Visibility changing rapidly with heavier snow showers, especially this afternoon.

Weather Statement - Jan. 18, 2020 until 11 p.m. Eastern

for Berrien County, Michigan (Niles, MI 49120)

Occasionally strong wind gusts this afternoon and evening... 

Wind gusts over 30 mph with occasional strong gusts around 40 mph possible this afternoon and evening. 

The high winds will create difficult driving conditions, especially for high profile vehicles. Use caution while driving. 

Temperatures will also be falling quickly this evening and overnight with many areas west of I-69 securely into the teens by midnight. 

Wind chills will be right around 0F at that point. Watch for black ice.

Winter Weather Advisory begins Jan. 17, 2020 (Berrien County, Niles, Michigan) - - extended through Sunday 1/19/2020

from National Weather Service (www.weather.com)
extended up to 10 p.m. Sunday Jan. 19, 2020

Lake effect snow, rapidly changing visibility and gusty winds expected. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches with localized amounts as high as 3 inches in Berrien county. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Visibility can drop below 1 mile at times within heavy snow.

* WHERE...Cass County and Berrien County Michigan.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM EST Sunday Jan. 19th evening.


.WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY... * 

WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Locally higher amounts up to 6 inches will be possible across Lower Michigan. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. 

* WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana, southwest Michigan and northwest Ohio. * 

WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation will start as snow this evening into early Saturday morning. The snow will then transition to a wintry mix of sleet, snow, and freezing rain late tonight, eventually becoming all rain by late Saturday morning.

Menu -- Martin Luther King Breakfast Monday 1/20/2020 -- 7 to 10 a.m. -- Speakers are Mayor Nick Shelton, Goodwill official Isaac Hunt

Eggs, bacon, Grits, Sausage, Fruit, other foods

Stop by Mount Calvary Baptist Church between 7 and 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, and its staff and volunteers will work to ensure both mind and body are well-fed.
Next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday that celebrates and remembers the Civil Rights Movement leader, activist, orator and minister. Mount Calvary will host a free public breakfast in tandem with the holiday at its 601 Ferry St., Niles Michigan location.
Bev Woodson, a congregation member and volunteer, said the event reflects an important King quote, one from his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech: “I had the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies; education and culture for their minds; and dignity, equality and freedom for their sprit.”
Not only will breakfast be served, so will speeches. As guests dine, excerpts of King’s speeches and readings of his written work will be played on speakers.
Along with a speech by Niles Mayor Nick Shelton, Isaac Hunt Jr., a group violence intervention specialist at Goodwill Industries of Michiana, will share the history of King.
“He has the ability to reach out and talk about Dr. King,” Woodson said. “He is an awesome speaker.”
Attendees can also view photographs of King and other leaders in the Civil Rights movement.

www.leaderpub.com/

Hunter Ice Festival (Jan. 17, 18, 19 -- 2020) : Downtown Niles, Michigan USA

Celebrate the legacy of the Hunter Brothers (Niles, MI) 
Ice and Ice Cream Company!

World-level master of Ice Carving will transform more than 32 tons of ice into art.

Friday events "Fire and Ice"
Saturday: Frigid 5K Run, live multi-block corner carving all day
evening speed carving show at amphitheater
Sunday: Chili Crawl

During entire festival -- Welcome and Warming Centers
Kids Craft Area
Interactive Family Fun Ice Park

For Sale -- Hunter Ice Cream

Winter Days at Potawatomi Zoo (Jan. 11 and Jan. 25, 2020) Noon to 3 p.m.

Further information at www.potawatomizoo.org/

South Bend, IN
Potawatomi Zoo -- special event weekend

Weather Permitting

Visit the Zoo in winter to see what the animals are doing, 

plus get a sneak peak at the changes for 2020.

Winter Days are noon to 3 pm (last admission at 2:30) 

January 11, January 25, February 8, February 22, and March 7

There will be a bake sale each week with proceeds benefiting our Potawatomi Zoo AAZK (American Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Chapter, our volunteers, or other conservation project. 

The January 11 and 25 bake sales will be donated to wildlife organizations rescuing and rehabilitating animals affected by the Australian bush fires.

Weather permitting, the train and carousel will be running. 

We’ll also have a craft wristband available.

Admission for Winter Days is free for Zoo Members, and $5.50 per person for everyone else (babies 2 and under are free). Admission for the January 11 Winter Day will be donated to help wildlife organizations rescuing and rehabilitating animals affected by the Australia bush fires.

Winter Weather Advisory Berrien County, MI (Jan. 11 - 12, 2020) until 7 a.m.

National Weather Service
noticed at WNDU.com/weather website

Overnight Jan. 11, 2020 until Sunday a.m. -- for Berrien County, MI

Flood Warning to continue Monday - Friday Jan. 13 - Jan. 17 Berrien Counties Saint Joseph River Michigan at Niles affecting Berrien Counties .Rises on area rivers are forecast to occur and have already occurred as a result of heavy rain. Crest heights and timing are still subject to change as rainfall and runoff becomes realized. The Flood Warning continues for The Saint Joseph River Michigan at Niles MI.

Flood Watch remains in effect from Friday Jan. 10, 7 p.m. until Saturday 1/11/2020 at 7 p.m.

National Weather Service (www.weather.com) -- also noted at www.wndu.com/weather

In southwest Michigan, Berrien, Branch, Cass MI, Hillsdale, and St. Joseph MI. In northwest Ohio, Allen OH, Defiance, Fulton OH, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Williams.

* From Friday evening through Saturday evening

* Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall will develop Friday evening and continue into Saturday evening. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are likely across the watch area with locally higher amounts possible.

* Flooding of low lying areas and along small creeks and stream is most likely. In addition significant river flooding is likely to develop this weekend and extend into much of next week.

* Minor urban flooding is possible, especially where storm drains are obstructed.

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

AMBS Event Jan. 20, 2020 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Panel Discussion & Community Conversation -- 2 p.m. Elkhart, IN

"Repairing the Harm"

Monday, January 20, 2020 | 2 – 4 p.m.

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary

3003 Benham Avenue, Elkhart. 

Free and open to the public.

On Monday, January 20, the Intercultural Competence and Undoing Racism (ICUR) team will celebrate Dr. King's legacy with a panel discussion and community conversation featuring local Elkhart voices, including Rev. Willie Jean Mayes and Jean Robinson, and special guest Benjamin J. Tapper, co-founder of the Hear Me Project. The goals of the event are to:

• Name local incidences of harm against the African American community and the ongoing impact
• Highlight ways these harms have and have not been systematically addressed
• Encourage work for change and redress for the benefit of the whole community

https://www.ambs.edu/news-events/mlk-day

Check out a backpack - Fernwood Botanical Gardens (Niles, MI) -- try this as a family

www.fernwoodbotanical.org/

Thanks to a grant from the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley,IN  families visiting Fernwood can borrow backpacks with activities to do while exploring the grounds. 

The birds backpack includes binoculars, field guides, and checklists.

The gardens backpack contains scavenger hunts, books on plants and flowers, an insect field guide, and a bug box. 

Now available! The preschoolers backpack helps kids explore with their five senses and contains mystery smells, pictures, magnifiers, books, etc.

Check out backpacks at the Front Desk.

Fleet Feet Resolution Run - January 4, 2020

noticed on WNDU-TV channel 16 South Bend, IN

Fleet Feet sports equipment store
3522 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN

8 a.m. 5K race begins ; join in the first race of the new decade

until 10 a.m.
Details of race course at the store
https://allevents.in/mishawaka/fleet-feet-resolution-run/1000085524039705

Refreshments follow

Sunday, Jan. 19, 2019 -- MLK Celebration (S. Bend Symphony Orchestra) Concert

www.morriscenter.org/

MLK Day Celebration Concert

$10

Details

Date:

January 19, 2019 

Time:

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Cost:

$10

Event Category: SYMPHONY

South Bend, IN will have new mayor following Buttigieg 8-year term (D)

from WSBT TV website article

Mayor-elect James Mueller will be sworn in this afternoon. The city clerk and elected council members will also be sworn in to their new positions.

The ceremony will be in the Great Hall at the Century Center, downtown South Bend, IN scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Eastern.

The swearing in-is open to the public. Doors will open an hour before the start of the ceremony.

Search for Missing Kayaker -- Noon, St. Joe River, Niles, Michigan 49120 -- Fire Dept. & State Police

Breaking News at WNDU - TV news website

[Jean Claude Mutabazi of South Bend, IN ]
Further details in WSJM online article

Niles Police say the man who died in a kayak accident on the St. Joseph River on New Year’s Day was 40-year-old Jean Claude Mutabazi of South Bend. The three surviving kayakers have been identified as 37-year-old Pierre Celestin of Berkeley, California, 81-year-old Ted Knudson of South Bend, and 72-year-old Tom Lehman of South Bend. Niles Fire Chief Larry Lamb says rescue crews spent about four hours looking for Mutabazi.

Two of the three survivors were treated and released from Lakeland Hospital Niles for exposure. All four were still wearing their life jackets when they were found.

The Berrien County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the cause of Matubazi’s death.

 died

 after he went missing in the St. Joseph River for several hours Wednesday Jan. 1, 2020.

The emergency call came in at around 8:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2020

Officials say four adult male kayakers were on the river when at least two of them ran into trouble. Three of the kayakers were either rescued or able to get out of the water on their own.

The fourth kayaker was unaccounted for after going over the dam.

Emergency crews spent hours searching for that person near the Broadway Bridge, south of Island Park.

At around 12:30 p.m., the fourth kayaker was found.

Just before 3 p.m., Niles Mayor Nick Shelton announced that the kayaker had died.